The DD Illusionist

[waysoftheearth]

The Illusionist is here at last.

This time around it's a 9 digest-page mini-supplement written for DD-- but should work right out of the box with any 0e-style rules--and includes 40 revisited and/or new "spells". With many thanks to my esteemed proof-readers/reviewers: Ethan Sincox, Peter Frohlich, and Mike Tremaine, and all others who commented along the way.

Download the PDF version free from my file share at:

forum.immersiveink.com/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=450

Enjoy 

[idrahil]

Really cool. 2 spells at First level? Looking at those spells lists, they can be quite a support system for any party.

[capitalbill]

Really liking your treatment of the Illusionist. At first glance I see some very useful spells as well.

[kingofelfland]

In regards the ventriloquism "spell": does the language that it can be used anytime throughout the day mean that it is "cast" once and used all day, or used like a cantrip, or doesn't have to be prepared but can be used in any 1st level "spell" slot? I'm thinking the first option, but I'm not sure.

[Merias]

Nice to see an original take on a classic class. Thanks!

[Merctime]

Yeah, it's pretty neat (in my opinion) that this guy is more of a 'stage trickster' than an actual arcane caster. A neat twist on an awesome class! I still need to read it fully, though... But love what I've read so far!

[kingofelfland]

It should be noted that this illusionist is not non-magical; at higher levels he traffics with shadows from null dimensions. He may be a dabbler, a deceiver, and a trickster, but when it's real it's really dark. 

[waysoftheearth]

Thanks guys, I hope you have some fun with it

Nov 27, 2014 8:23:44 GMT -6 idrahil said:

2 spells at First level?

Yes, that's right. If you look closely you'll notice the illusionist's tricks are generally more limited than the equivalent magic-user spells, and also the low level illusionist cannot cast spells from scrolls. A few additional tricks at lower levels makes the class appealing without being overpowered.

Nov 28, 2014 7:22:42 GMT -6 kingofelfland said:

In regards the ventriloquism "spell": does the language that it can be used anytime throughout the day mean that it is "cast" once and used all day, or used like a cantrip, or doesn't have to be prepared but can be used in any 1st level "spell" slot? I'm thinking the first option, but I'm not sure.

The intent was that ventriloquism can be used 'at will' throughout any day in which it is prepared. The ref should it as a relatively minor trick without a specific game-mechanics effect and adjudicate it accordingly.

Nov 28, 2014 18:19:58 GMT -6 kingofelfland said:

It should be noted that this illusionist is not non-magical; at higher levels he traffics with shadows from null dimensions. He may be a dabbler, a deceiver, and a trickster, but when it's real it's really dark. 

I think this can be open to interpretation. E.g.,...

In a D&D-land where Faeries and Wizards are real, it seems reasonable that living-Shadows and null-dimensions should be equally "real" and the high level illusionist simply has the knack of treating with these.

Alternatively, in a D&D-land where Faeries and Wizards are supernatural, then living-Shadows and null-dimensions are equally supernatural and the high level illusionist deals with supernatural powers, and is borderline supernatural himself.

[flightcommander]

Excellent!

[Vile Traveller]

Did any of the Strategic Review illusionist make it into this version? I found the original, as written, very underpowered - to the extent that everyone would rather play a magic-user. You seem to have dealt with the issue to some extent, I guess it needs a playtest to see how it goes in action.

[waysoftheearth]

Nov 29, 2014 4:40:14 GMT -6 Vile Traveller said:

Did any of the Strategic Review illusionist make it into this version?

Some of the original illusionist features echoed in this revision include:
* Benefit from high dexterity as well as high intelligence,
* Can only employ a limited number of M-U magic items,
* Has only five spell levels,
* The spell list features hypnosis, illusion, and shadow type-spells.

Some of the original illusionist features altered in this revision include:
* Requires 90% of M-U experience rather than 150%,
* Can memorise more spells, rather than fewer spells, than a M-U at lower levels,
* Spells are less powerful, rather than (supposedly) more powerful, than equivalent M-U spells.


The main difference, IMHO, is that this revision is not really a sub-class of magic-user at all since it is largely non-magical.

[kingofelfland]

i really do like the class but I have one (minor) reservation: if he is truly non-magical then the vancian treatment of his tricks undermines Vance-ness of vancian magic. In order to keep my magic Dying Earthish, I think I'm going to rule the illusionist is dabbling in the supernatural—but on the border.

[Merctime]

I think that's pretty much how I envision this class, kingofelfland... He's so tricksey, so crafty, that growing in the knowledge required to be able to master his tricks eventually brings him right up to the doorstep of actual, true magic. I see some of the higher level stuff as his being able to 'break in' to the realm of things arcane, if that makes sense. He just doesn't do so from level 1 like a M-U does through arcane study.

[joseph]

I just finished reading through the class and must say that it's really the best iteration of the Illusionist that I've seen. Really, it made me want to play one, which no illusionist class has ever done.
Thanks for sharing this Simon!

[waysoftheearth]

Hey, glad you like it joseph. May your first Illusionist live long and famously

[Mike]

Two bags full of Aussie awesomeness!