Quote Originally Posted by Eldan View Post
Darkxarth: basically yes. It's, if you will, a spell-like ability that becomes better spells at higher levels.
Quote Originally Posted by T.G. Oskar View Post
Um...I think that's the general idea.

Instead of getting the spells, you get a general ability that duplicates those things as they go (except they cannot be turned into shadow via Shadowcheese) and which can be used when necessary, roughly at the same level you'd get the spells.

It could make for a good "companion" to a Rogue, or an excellent decoy for example. Since it mostly depends on your imagination, it can replace most of the spells you wouldn't take independently (Illusory Wall, Hallucinatory Terrain, etc.)
Ok. Just making sure I understand. If that is the case, I think that solidly fills out the Gnome's LA +1. At first glance, it would seem more powerful than your Elves, but I think it is relatively balanced.