Surrogate [Spell]

[Lysander]

A lower level version of Simulacrum that's useful as a decoy or to perform tedious social functions in the caster's stead. What do you think?

Surrogate
Illusion (Shadow)
Level: Sor/Wiz 5
Components: V, S, M, XP
Casting Time: 12 hours
Range: 0 ft.
Effect: duplicate self
Duration: Instantaneous
Saving Throw: None
Spell Resistance: No

Surrogate creates an illusory replica of the caster. The duplicate creature is partially real and formed from ice or snow. It appears to be the same as the original, but it has only one of the caster’s levels or Hit Dice (and the appropriate hit points, feats, skill ranks, and special abilities for a creature of that level or HD). A creature familiar with the original might detect the ruse with a successful Spot check (opposed by the caster’s Disguise check) or a DC 20 Sense Motive check.

At all times the surrogate remains under your absolute command. No special telepathic link exists, so command must be exercised in some other manner. A surrogate has no ability to become more powerful. It cannot increase its level or abilities. If reduced to 0 hit points or otherwise destroyed, it reverts to snow and melts instantly into nothingness. A complex process requiring at least 24 hours, 100 gp per hit point, and a fully equipped magical laboratory can repair damage to a surrogate.

A surrogate normally possesses all of the caster's memories (but not knowledge), however the caster can choose to withhold memories they prefer to keep secret.

Material Component
The spell is cast over the rough snow or ice form, and some piece of the caster (hair, nail, or the like) must be placed inside the snow or ice. Additionally, the spell requires powdered ruby worth 150 gp.

XP Cost
100 XP.

[Fiendish_Dire_Moose]

Interesting, but what is the desired use of this spell besides creating a decoy?

[Fredthefighter]

Interesting, but what is the desired use of this spell besides creating a decoy?

I would guess that if you have the time, the exp and money to burn, you could create an army of 1st level clones.
Against a usual army (1st level NPCs) (or a horde of commoners), these clones would have the enemy outclassed (due to being 1st level casters v.s 1st level NPCs).

Seems like a spell that the BBEG might have cast before the fight. Especially in a long campaign that starts at Level 1 and then inclines into a Level 9 or 10 campaign. In the beginning, the BBEG uses this spell to create a challenge for the Players and goad them towards the final battle. Towards higher levels (4+), the BBEG uses this spell to slow down the Player's, or perhaps weaken them before the final fight.

That's my opinion anyway.

[Lysander]

I would guess that if you have the time, the exp and money to burn, you could create an army of 1st level clones.
Against a usual army (1st level NPCs) (or a horde of commoners), these clones would have the enemy outclassed (due to being 1st level casters v.s 1st level NPCs).


While they could be used in a battle as a superior version of Mirror Image, that would be very expensive to do repeatedly since Surrogates can only be repaired not healed, and it costs 100gp per hit point restored.

A surrogate would be ideal for social functions really. A traveling wizard could leave one in their home to attend to visitors, or send one as the perfect messenger. Unlike a simulacrum a surrogate has the caster's memory, and could carry the same conversations they could (other than drawing on knowledge skills).

They could also be used as decoys, but you'd want to keep them out of battle if possible. A wizard might travel with some to throw off assassins, or send them in different directions when he travels so people can't tell where he actually is.