Programmatic Figment

Spell — see Magic and Spellcasting for the rules and the Spell Index for the full list.

Arcane 6 Type: illusion

Range: 360’ Duration: Special

This spell imbues an area or object with a 40’ x 40’ x 40’ multi-sensory illusion, identical to that created by spectral figment, which will activate when a specific condition occurs. The programmatic figment must be placed upon a particular area or object. The illusion can be static (e.g. a wall) or dynamic (e.g. a crackling fire or a dragon circling overhead). If dynamic, the illusion will not be interactive in any way, and the dynamic sequence cannot be longer than 1 round per level of the caster.

The conditions to trigger the programmatic figment can be as general or as detailed as desired, although only visual and audible triggers can be used. Triggers react to what appears to be the case. Disguises and illusions can fool them. Normal darkness does not defeat a visual trigger, but magical tenebrosity or invisibility does. Silent movement or magical silence defeats audible triggers. Audible triggers can be keyed to general types of noises or to a specific noise or spoken word. Actions can serve as triggers if they are visible or audible. A programmatic figment cannot distinguish level, Hit Dice, or class except by external garb.

The range limit of a trigger is 10’ per caster level, so a 12th level caster can command a programmatic figment to respond to triggers as far as 120’ away. Regardless of range, the illusion can respond only to visible or audible triggers and actions in line of sight or within hearing distance.

Once it triggers, the programmatic figment will last until dispelled, or to a maximum duration of 1 round per level of the caster. Except as noted above, it functions like a spectral figment.