Illusions

All illusions create the image of whatever the illusion is supposed to look like (for light mirages and the like). The actual light is created to look like the object, and radiate from where the object is supposed to be. For this reason, there usually isn't any sort of RR in conjunction with illusions (you_could_ allow RRs for someone to figure out that something has to be an illusion, if the illusion is horribly out of place, say a red dragon in an arctic setting, this RR might be modified by Re, but you would still _see_the illusionary dragon, you would just be convinced it wasn't real). As for other effects, they are also 'alterations' in that they actually_create_ the physical effect they are intended to be like.
A feel mirage, I imagine is some sort of weak magic force field that feels like something solid, and that to some degree behaves just like a solid (or a fluid, or whatever it's supposed to feel like). I think I would hesitate to let a feel mirage feel like a fire and do fire damage -- I don't think I would give it that kind of flexibility.
Sound illusions are real sound waves created magically, radiating from where the sound is supposed to come from.

In conclusion, RM illusions are actual creations (although weak and short-lived), and thus there is no way to tell them from reality (except if they look very bad, or some sense has been omitted from the illusion so that it 'feels' wrong). Remember, Illusionists are Essence users. If illusions were 'figments of your imagination' (as in AD&D, for instance), Illusionists would be Mentalists, and you'd get RRs.

Illusions are one of the most difficult aspects of the RM system. That's why they are getting their own chapter in GM Law (along with Invisibility). I will attempt to address all of your concerns.

The Illusionary object is place over the other object; thus, it is visible and the real object is not--making for good concealment possibilities. If you place an illusionary glass cover over a cake, it will look like the cake is inside the glass case. If you encase a target with a metal sphere, he would see the inside of a metal sphere. He wouldn't feel it, but he would see it. An illusionary torch DOES give off light (check the first level spell on Light Mirage--Light!). Thus, an illusionary torch CAN be seen in the dark. An illusionary Demon WOULD NOT register as a demon to such detection spells (though a generous GM might allow the Illusionist to put a Misfeel spell on an illusion). Illusionary eog does not gain any of the unusual abilities of that material... it simply LOOKS like eog. An illusion would always register as Essence (or Mentalism) to Power Perception.
If you cast an illusion of a box on top of a goblet, it will LOOK like a box. If a Feel aspect is added, it will FEEL like a box (to all those who feel it). If an illusion of a pit is created (it must all be within the area of effect), the "falling" target would take NO damage unless a Feel is added (and then only as much as a MA Strike I). You can create the illusion of a gas around a person (though no effects of that gas could be delivered--i.e., you can't make someone able to breathe underwater). That person would still be subject to attacks (as gas does not affect attacks, usually). A person could stand behind an illusionary wall and be immune to attacks for a little while (presuming that the wall had few Feel Mirages cast upon it).
An Illusion must be immobile (all aspects must be imobile). A Phantasm is allowed to move. In the new Spell Law, you can actually implant small repetitive motions into illusions. Illusionary doors cannot be opened, though Phantasmal doors could open, if the caster concentrated on it. An immobile sound is not well defined. It should simply be a sound that originates within the area of effect. As for what constitutes and item/object for the Phantasm spell is up to GM discretion. The upper level Phantasm spells can move any or all objects within the Phantasm. A Phantasmal sword cannot move without the caster concentrating. An Illusionary flag CAN flutter if you are using the new Spell Law (simple, repetitive actions).
The Illusion Mastery spell list is useless without the Mirage lists. Read the note on the list-- "...the corresponding Mirage spell must be known...". Thus, you cannot add a Feel to an illusion without knowing Feel-Taste-Smell to at least 5th level. The only exception is the visual aspect (which is always granted with the Illusion spells. Whew--a lot of answers..., hope they help.

In a message dated 96-04-08 16:38:39 EDT, you write:

Not really. I view an illusion as something that affects either your sensory nerves or perhaps the brain directly such that you think someothing is there. If you made a visual illusion, a camera would show nothing. Similarly, if you grabbed a phantasm cup (with a feel), your fingers would feel the cool porcelein, but a video camera would show your fingers curling around air and tactile probes would feel nothing.

What you are describing sounds suspiciously like a Mentalism thing... not an Essence thing. Essence deals with manipulating power to create effects. Very few Essence spells deal with mentaly affecting things (Spirit Mastery is the obvious exception... but I think the only one). What you are describing fits the Evil Mentalism list Mind Illusions (we classified it as Evil because in most societies it would be deemed "evil" to tamper with someone's thought processes).
By your definition, what is a hologram? By our definition, it is an illusion. A real thing (manipulated light), but not really real. Take that paradigm and apply it to each of the other senses. That's what we call an Illusion in RM.

In a message dated 96-04-09 19:04:27 EDT, you write:

Not really. An illusion is something that can look, feel, smell and taste like a real item but which still isn't. Of course, the distinction is kinda blurry at best. However, I wouldn't let a Telekinesis spell affect an illusory item, for instance, because it is NOT an object, it just seems to be.

Hmmm...I started to reply saying this is inconsistent, but now I've got a different view. If the Feel illusion actually created matter, then Telekinesis could affect it. But the fact of the matter ;-\ is, the Feel illusion only creates a force field. Any matter incident on the illusion feels the force, but another force will not feel it. Hence, Telekinesis can move a mug but not an illusion of a mug.

This allows the possibility of an intermediate object, by the way. Suppose your illusionist throws a Feel phantasm of a rock coming across the room. A Telekinesis spell can't directly push on that illusory rock, but it _can_move a piece of wood, a shield, or some such in front of the rock and stop it.

I agree with RMGuru; I like this, especially since it requires/allows imagination to come into play.

Brian

In a message dated 96-04-26 00:06:18 EDT, you write:

1. Illusions and Phantasms (and the like) are NOT capable of giving off their own light. All light MUST be reflected off the "Miraged" surfaces. To have an Illusion or Phantasm actually give off light, the appropriate Light or Light Control or Sudden Light spell must be known, and will take up one of the "Senses" used in the illusion. e.g. Jannock Dunyar, Shay Illusionist, wants to create the illusion of a lantern. He would have to cast (at the very least) an Illusion III. 1 "point" for the appearance of the lantern, 1 "point" to make the lantern "solid", and 1 "point" to make the lantern actually throw light.
2. Phantasms with "feel" mirages are only capable of MASTI attacks, unless the Illusionist Spell Masterys the appropriate list. If this is the case, then the Illusions can deal out any of the standard crits other than Strikes criticals (by standard I mean Slash, Krush & Puncture. It might take a higher success rate with the Spell Mastery manuver to get Heat, Cold, Electricity, or Impact).
   I would also suggest that Strikes attack on the Shock Bolt table instead of the MAST table, but that hadn't been decided yet.
3. The above goes for Illusion spells as well with "feel" mirages. If Jannock wanted to create the Illusion of a red-hot poker (undoubtedly to torture an unfortunate bad guy) he would have to cast Illusion V: 1 for the appearance, 1 for the "glow", 1 for the feel itself, one for the "heat", and one for the smell of heated iron (well, the last isn't really necessary, but it's cool). Note that this could only be stuck into someone once, but it would do damage twice (or once and two crits). One for the "feel" (Puncture) and one for the "heat" (Heat). Also, an appropriate Spell Mastery would be required to create the heat portion of the illusion.

Exactly correct. Everything you stated is exactly the way the we intend illusions to work! At least someone understands... :)

This page hosted by Get your own Free Home Page