Silent Image
- Level: 1
- School: Illusion
- Class: Bard, Sorcerer, Wizard
- Casting Time: Action
- Range: 60 feet
- Components: V, S, M (a bit of fleece)
- Duration: Concentration, up to 10 minutes
You create the image of an object, a creature, or some other visible phenomenon that is no larger than a 15-foot cube. The image appears at a spot within range and lasts for the duration. The image is purely visual; it isn't accompanied by sound, smell, or other sensory effects.
As a Magic action, you can cause the image to move to any spot within range. As the image changes location, you can alter its appearance so that its movements appear natural for the image. For example, if you create an image of a creature and move it, you can alter the image so that it appears to be walking.
Physical interaction with the image reveals it to be an illusion, since things can pass through it. A creature that takes a Study action to examine the image can determine that it is an illusion with a successful Intelligence (Investigation) check against your spell save DC. If a creature discerns the illusion for what it is, the creature can see through the image.
Tactical Usage
Versatile Visual Illusion. Silent Image creates highly flexible visual illusions up to 15 feet cube that can be moved and altered for diverse tactical applications.
Movement and Animation. The ability to move and modify the illusion enables dynamic deception and ongoing tactical manipulation throughout the duration.
Investigation Challenge. The spell requires active investigation to discern, creating opportunities for sustained deception during encounters.
Spell Combinations
Distraction Coordination. Combining with stealth magic or positioning spells maximizes the value of illusion-based distraction and misdirection.
Sound Addition. Pairing with sound-creating magic overcomes the silent limitation to create more convincing illusions.
Enhanced Deception. Using alongside social magic or persuasion effects amplifies illusion effectiveness during complex encounters.
Material Component Details
Fleece Symbolism. The fleece represents softness and comfort, symbolically connecting to the spell's creation of harmless but convincing visual effects.
Common Material Access. Fleece is readily available and inexpensive, making the spell accessible without significant resource management.
Texture Reference. The fleece might represent the visual quality of illusions that appear real but lack physical substance.
Creator Notes
Creative Problem Solving. Silent Image provides excellent mechanics for player creativity and innovative solutions to various encounter challenges.
Illusion School Introduction. The spell represents fundamental illusion magic principles through basic visual deception and investigation mechanics.
Concentration Investment. The 10-minute duration requires concentration management but provides substantial utility for the investment.
Environmental Interactions
Visual-Only Limitation. The spell creates purely visual effects without sound, smell, or other sensory components that might enhance believability.
Physical Interaction Failure. Contact with the illusion immediately reveals its nature, creating positioning and interaction considerations.
Size Flexibility. The 15-foot cube maximum enables creation of substantial illusions including creatures, objects, or environmental features.
Common Rulings & Clarifications
Movement Control. The caster can move the illusion anywhere within range as a magic action while maintaining concentration.
Appearance Alteration. The illusion can be modified during movement to maintain natural appearance and believable behavior.
Investigation Mechanics. Creatures can use study actions to make Intelligence (Investigation) checks against the caster's spell save DC.
Detection Consequences. Successful investigation allows creatures to see through the illusion, rendering it ineffective against those individuals.
Alternative Applications
Artistic Expression. Creating beautiful or impressive visual displays for entertainment, ceremonies, or artistic performance.
Communication Tool. Using visual images to convey complex information across language barriers or in silent environments.
Psychological Warfare. Creating intimidating or demoralizing images to affect enemy morale and battlefield psychology.
Related Spells
Illusion Progression. Minor Illusion provides simpler effects, while Major Image adds sound and other sensory components.
Visual Magic Comparison. Various spells create visual effects, while Silent Image focuses specifically on flexible visual illusion.
Deception Magic. The spell integrates with other deception and misdirection magic for comprehensive illusion strategies.
Scaling Analysis
Consistent Utility Value. Silent Image maintains relevance throughout character progression as creative problem-solving remains valuable.
Low-Level Accessibility. The spell provides excellent utility for a 1st-level slot, offering significant flexibility for creative players.
Investigation Scaling. Higher-level enemies with better Investigation skills create increasing challenges for illusion effectiveness.
Narrative Flavor
Convincing Visual Reality. The spell should emphasize how realistic the illusion appears while maintaining its purely visual nature.
Dynamic Animation. Movement and alteration should feel natural and believable, demonstrating the caster's skill in illusion crafting.
Moment of Discovery. The reveal of illusion nature should create dramatic moments when physical interaction or investigation succeeds.