Mimox

Description

The Mimox is the metamorphosis of a spell caster into a new state of existence, and is the climax of a lifetime of study in the art of illusionary magic. Physically these illusionary beings take their form entirely out of shadow matter, which serves merely as a shell with which they interact with the surrounding world. Using this shell the Mimox can project the appearance of any creature or being that it can conceive, and assume many of its physical abilities. The actual mind and life spirit of the Mimox is housed in a flawless diamond vessel that must be carefully prepared through an extensive and difficult ritual.

Combat

Physically a Mimox is identical to the illusionary creature produced by means of the shades spell. This shadow creature can attack and take damage in the same manner as the creature form it has assumed, but once slain the illusion vanishes from sight. When a shade is destroyed the Mimox can immediately begin to generate a new form by summoning faint wisps of shadow matter. The hit point total of the new form is gradually built up at the rate of 1hp per round. Once the hit point total is fully restored these wisps coalesce into a new shade, in any form desired by the Mimox. The Mimox can also choose to completely dispel its current form at any time and so gradually form a new shadow creature.

The Mimox can perform any physical or mental actions allowed by its current shade form. Thus, assuming a Mimox can produce the required components, it can cast any spell it has memorized from the current location of the shade. The shade can also exercise any proficiencies known by the Mimox and suffers the appropriate penalties for those it has never learned. It has the same armor class and attack forms as the real monster whose shape it has assumed. As with the shades spell, if the illusion of a shade is disbelieved than the Mimox will have an armor class of 6 and only 60% of the true monsters hit point total.

The only permanent means to destroy a Mimox is to disperse its shade form by inflicting sufficient damage and then casting a wish or a sufficiently powerful dispel magic against its diamond vessel. A Mimox will take extreme measures in order to protect the diamond vessel and hide it from sight. As a result, physical measures on a par with those needed to destroy an artifact will often be required to shatter the diamond vessel and thus slay the Mimox.

Mind-effecting magic and psionics directed against the shade form of a Mimox will have no effect. If the diamond vessel of the Mimox can be located, however, any such spells or powers will have their normal effectiveness. Any other spells have their normal effectiveness against the shade form of the Mimox. Divination spells cast against the shade form will operate as if the actual Mimox were present.

Habitat/Society

A Mimox usually dwells within the quarters that they have constructed to house and hide their diamond vessel. These quarters are usually located underground where they can be protected by means of skillful illusions, traps, and other wards. The Mimox may choose to have loyal companions and allies present, although such will rarely be trusted with the secret of its vessel location.

Few Mimox choose to travel far beyond the safety of their sanctum, as they will have more difficulty securing their gem housing. Instead they usually expect others to visit or correspond. The Mimox may also make brief forays in its shade form by magical means using spells such as teleport or shadow walk.

A Mimox will often retain the goals and nature that they possessed when they were mortal beings. However their reclusive lifestyle often turns a Mimox eccentric and they can become much noted for their occasional bizarre behavior. Their powerful intelligence and extensive knowledge of magic makes them dangerous adversaries and few choose to challenge these beings. Due to the immense age that a Mimox can attain, they will often possess magical knowledge that is unknown or has been forgotten in the surrounding realms. They are also known to develop unique and powerful forms of magic crafted over great periods of time. They will sometimes use this magic to reward others for performing a difficult task, or to encourage the loyalty of their few comrades.

The Mimox can at will project himself into the real world from the diamond in a form identical to that produced by a shades spell. Thus a shade form of a Mimox must first coalesce no further than 30 yards from his diamond vessel, although it can journey beyond that range thereafter. There is no limit on the amount of time a Mimox can spend in this shadowy form, and he can change it at will once per round. Maintaining the cohesion of a shade form beyond the 30-yard radius from the diamond is difficult, however, and the shade loses 1hp of damage per turn it is beyond range. A range extension spell, such as a far reaching spell, can be used to increase the effective range of the shade without losing cohesion, as can a distance distortion spell.

Ecology

This being is no longer a mortal creature and has entered a magical state resembling a permanent illusion. A Mimox is free of the normal material requirements needed to maintain his life form. He is effectively immortal and immune to any disease, poisons, and aging effects. However he is not free of the normal emotional, cultural, and social requirements of his species, and is still able to express these to some degree through his shadow creature form.

Only a specialist in the study of illusion with an intelligence of 18 or greater can achieve the degree of proficiency required to become a Mimox. The ritual requires extensive preparation and the understanding of a particular set of required spells. The illusionist must find a flawless diamond worth at least 10,000gp that will house his mind and spirit. Certain precious materials worth an additional 5,000gp will also be required for this ritual. The resulting mixture is used to completely coat the diamond in a temporary jacket. The illusionist must then successfully cast the following spells into diamond: enchant an item, enlarge, trap the soul, shades, wish, and permanency.

When the spell is complete, the diamond vessel increases significantly in size and begins to permanently glow with an eerie, flickering light. Finally the illusionist follows the lengthy ritual formula required to become a Mimox. If he survives a system shock roll he is then completely and permanently absorbed into the gemstone.

It will require the new Mimox some time to adjust to his new state and initially he will only be able to function in a shade form identical to his original body. In time, however, he will learn to master an increasing number of different forms. Over the course of a century a Mimox will adapt to become virtually any known creature shape and ability. He will also gradually learn the thief proficiencies of Disguise, Intimidation, and Voice Mimicry. No matter how old or able, a Mimox is still limited by any racial requirements for his class, however, and is unable to change to a different class. All spell casting limitations of an illusionist specialty wizard also apply to a Mimox.