Lightweaving

Philosophy

Lightweaving treats perception as something that can be composed. Its practitioners think like designers, heralds, propagandists, ritual directors, and court illusionists. They are less interested in private dream logic than in shared visible meaning.

This school values clarity of intent, layered symbolism, and technical precision. A Lightweaver does not simply fool the eye. They build an experience the observer can inhabit.

Example Places of Study

Common Spells

Glow Script

Purpose/How It Works: Glow Script writes visible light into the air or onto a surface as message, sigil, or display. Notable Exceptions: Heavy daylight reduces readability. Example Use: A watchtower sends a glowing instruction down the wall line. Typical Cost/Power Source: Usually fed by ambient light, reflective surfaces, symbolic intent, and the caster’s concentration; dim or visually chaotic spaces raise the cost. Casting Methods: Finger-writing cast, 2 to 4 seconds. Stylus or rod focus, 5 to 10 seconds. Range/Duration: Near airspace or touched surface. Seconds to hours.

Halo Mark

Purpose/How It Works: Halo Mark places a bright symbolic marker on a target for identification or ceremony. Notable Exceptions: It is obvious and therefore poor for stealth. Example Use: Healers mark the triaged wounded who must be carried first. Typical Cost/Power Source: Usually fed by ambient light, reflective surfaces, symbolic intent, and the caster’s concentration; dim or visually chaotic spaces raise the cost. Casting Methods: Point cast, 1 to 2 seconds. Seal focus, 5 to 10 seconds. Range/Duration: One target within sight. Minutes to days.

Color Shift

Purpose/How It Works: Color Shift alters the perceived color of a surface, garment, banner, or space. Notable Exceptions: Texture and weight remain unchanged. Example Use: A theater troupe changes scenes without changing fabric. Typical Cost/Power Source: Usually fed by ambient light, reflective surfaces, symbolic intent, and the caster’s concentration; dim or visually chaotic spaces raise the cost. Casting Methods: Surface wash cast, 3 to 6 seconds. Pigment focus, 10 to 20 seconds. Range/Duration: Object to room accents. Minutes to hours.

Prism Flash

Purpose/How It Works: Prism Flash splits light into blinding fragments and rainbow shards. Notable Exceptions: Less effective in darkness without an existing or created light source. Example Use: Guards are dazzled as a prisoner rushes the door. Typical Cost/Power Source: Usually fed by ambient light, reflective surfaces, symbolic intent, and the caster’s concentration; dim or visually chaotic spaces raise the cost. Casting Methods: Flash cast, 1 to 2 seconds. Prism focus, instant once raised. Range/Duration: Burst within several meters. Instant.

Banner Image

Purpose/How It Works: Banner Image projects a stable heraldic or civic image above a group or place. Notable Exceptions: It conveys identity better than fine detail. Example Use: Reinforcements identify the allied company through smoke. Typical Cost/Power Source: Usually fed by ambient light, reflective surfaces, symbolic intent, and the caster’s concentration; dim or visually chaotic spaces raise the cost. Casting Methods: Banner cast, 3 to 6 seconds. Pole or sigil focus, 10 to 20 seconds. Range/Duration: Group-scale. Minutes to hours.

Luminous Veil

Purpose/How It Works: Luminous Veil drapes a figure in idealized light, smoothing flaws and emphasizing chosen qualities. Notable Exceptions: It flatters appearance but does not change substance. Example Use: A high priest enters the hall under sanctified radiance. Typical Cost/Power Source: Usually fed by ambient light, reflective surfaces, symbolic intent, and the caster’s concentration; dim or visually chaotic spaces raise the cost. Casting Methods: Self or touch cast, 3 to 6 seconds. Garment focus, 10 to 20 seconds. Range/Duration: Self or one subject. Minutes to hours.

False Torchline

Purpose/How It Works: False Torchline creates the look of marching lights or distant lit positions. Notable Exceptions: Sound and heat do not match unless supported by other means. Example Use: A small force appears much larger on the ridge at night. Typical Cost/Power Source: Usually fed by ambient light, reflective surfaces, symbolic intent, and the caster’s concentration; dim or visually chaotic spaces raise the cost. Casting Methods: Distance cast, 5 to 10 seconds. Beacon focus, 20 to 40 seconds. Range/Duration: Distant visible scene. Minutes.

Glass Echo

Purpose/How It Works: Glass Echo reflects a false angle or duplicate position, complicating enemy perception. Notable Exceptions: It works best with existing reflective surfaces or clear light lines. Example Use: An archer misjudges where the target truly stands. Typical Cost/Power Source: Usually fed by ambient light, reflective surfaces, symbolic intent, and the caster’s concentration; dim or visually chaotic spaces raise the cost. Casting Methods: Mirror-line cast, 2 to 4 seconds. Glass focus, 5 to 10 seconds. Range/Duration: Small scene. Seconds to minutes.

Story Panel

Purpose/How It Works: Story Panel displays a short moving visual scene for teaching, warning, or ceremony. Notable Exceptions: It is best for prepared or simple scenes, not improvisational complexity. Example Use: A commander shows recruits the fortress evacuation route in images. Typical Cost/Power Source: Usually fed by ambient light, reflective surfaces, symbolic intent, and the caster’s concentration; dim or visually chaotic spaces raise the cost. Casting Methods: Panel cast, 5 to 10 seconds. Projector or wall focus, 20 to 40 seconds. Range/Duration: Wall or open air scene. Minutes.

Mask Of Office

Purpose/How It Works: Mask of Office overlays visible signs of rank, role, or duty on a person. Notable Exceptions: Skilled observers still test behavior and authority. Example Use: A festival officiant appears in the proper civic splendor. Typical Cost/Power Source: Usually fed by ambient light, reflective surfaces, symbolic intent, and the caster’s concentration; dim or visually chaotic spaces raise the cost. Casting Methods: Touch cast, 3 to 6 seconds. Badge or seal focus, 10 to 20 seconds. Range/Duration: One figure. Minutes to hours.

Radiant Outline

Purpose/How It Works: Radiant Outline reveals hidden or invisible shapes by tracing them in hard light. Notable Exceptions: It exposes position better than true identity. Example Use: A concealed assassin is outlined against a wall. Typical Cost/Power Source: Usually fed by ambient light, reflective surfaces, symbolic intent, and the caster’s concentration; dim or visually chaotic spaces raise the cost. Casting Methods: Sweeping light cast, 2 to 4 seconds. Lens focus, 5 to 10 seconds. Range/Duration: Small area. Instant to brief lingering outline.

False Door

Purpose/How It Works: False Door creates a convincing but intangible architectural feature. Notable Exceptions: Touch immediately reveals the fraud. Example Use: Pursuers waste crucial seconds at a painted exit. Typical Cost/Power Source: Usually fed by ambient light, reflective surfaces, symbolic intent, and the caster’s concentration; dim or visually chaotic spaces raise the cost. Casting Methods: Wall cast, 3 to 6 seconds. Masonry or panel focus, 10 to 20 seconds. Range/Duration: One architectural feature. Minutes to hours.

Mirage Stage

Purpose/How It Works: Mirage Stage builds a layered visual set for performance, ritual, or deception. Notable Exceptions: It requires space and stable viewing angles. Example Use: A square becomes a battlefield tableau for a victory festival. Typical Cost/Power Source: Usually fed by ambient light, reflective surfaces, symbolic intent, and the caster’s concentration; dim or visually chaotic spaces raise the cost. Casting Methods: Stage cast, 10 to 20 seconds. Multi-anchor rite, 2 to 5 minutes. Range/Duration: Stage to hall scale. Minutes to hours.

Sun Thread

Purpose/How It Works: Sun Thread connects several lights into one moving symbolic design. Notable Exceptions: Poor in chaotic weather or heavy obstruction. Example Use: Festival towers weave one shared emblem above the city. Typical Cost/Power Source: Usually fed by ambient light, reflective surfaces, symbolic intent, and the caster’s concentration; dim or visually chaotic spaces raise the cost. Casting Methods: Linking cast, 5 to 10 seconds. Beacon network rite, 1 to 3 minutes. Range/Duration: Multi-light scene. Minutes.

Witness Beam

Purpose/How It Works: Witness Beam directs attention with focused light, making one thing impossible to ignore. Notable Exceptions: It highlights but does not compel belief. Example Use: Evidence on a courtroom table becomes the visual center of the trial. Typical Cost/Power Source: Usually fed by ambient light, reflective surfaces, symbolic intent, and the caster’s concentration; dim or visually chaotic spaces raise the cost. Casting Methods: Pointed light cast, 2 to 4 seconds. Lens or staff focus, 5 to 10 seconds. Range/Duration: One target or scene point. Seconds to minutes.

Glory Mantle

Purpose/How It Works: Glory Mantle heightens awe, charisma, and perceived stature through visible radiance. Notable Exceptions: Hollow or cowardly behavior can still puncture it. Example Use: A king appears almost mythic at the moment of public acclamation. Typical Cost/Power Source: Usually fed by ambient light, reflective surfaces, symbolic intent, and the caster’s concentration; dim or visually chaotic spaces raise the cost. Casting Methods: Self-crown cast, 5 to 10 seconds. Crown, cloak, or relic focus, 10 to 20 seconds. Range/Duration: Self. Minutes to hours.

Phantom Procession

Purpose/How It Works: Phantom Procession conjures moving ceremonial figures, banners, and ordered visual pageantry. Notable Exceptions: Works best in formal, expected contexts. Example Use: A memorial rite is accompanied by visible ancestral procession. Typical Cost/Power Source: Usually fed by ambient light, reflective surfaces, symbolic intent, and the caster’s concentration; dim or visually chaotic spaces raise the cost. Casting Methods: Processional cast, 10 to 20 seconds. Parade-route rite, 2 to 5 minutes. Range/Duration: Street or hall scene. Minutes.

Mirror Array

Purpose/How It Works: Mirror Array multiplies reflections and apparent positions into tactical confusion. Notable Exceptions: Touch and area attacks bypass much of the deception. Example Use: Duelists surround themselves with shifting false selves. Typical Cost/Power Source: Usually fed by ambient light, reflective surfaces, symbolic intent, and the caster’s concentration; dim or visually chaotic spaces raise the cost. Casting Methods: Reflection cast, 3 to 6 seconds. Mirror shard ring, 10 to 20 seconds. Range/Duration: Self or small area. Seconds to minutes.

Sign Of Peace

Purpose/How It Works: Sign of Peace imposes calm through sacred or authoritative visible symbolism. Notable Exceptions: It is strongest on crowds willing to respect the symbol. Example Use: Rioters hesitate when the old peace sign blazes above the square. Typical Cost/Power Source: Usually fed by ambient light, reflective surfaces, symbolic intent, and the caster’s concentration; dim or visually chaotic spaces raise the cost. Casting Methods: Symbol cast, 5 to 10 seconds. Banner or shrine focus, 1 to 3 minutes. Range/Duration: Crowd-facing area. Minutes.

Righteous Glare

Purpose/How It Works: Righteous Glare strips concealment with hard directed illumination and symbolic exposure. Notable Exceptions: Reflective shields and blinds can blunt it. Example Use: Hidden saboteurs are exposed under interrogation light. Typical Cost/Power Source: Usually fed by ambient light, reflective surfaces, symbolic intent, and the caster’s concentration; dim or visually chaotic spaces raise the cost. Casting Methods: Hard-light cast, 2 to 4 seconds. Lens focus, 5 to 10 seconds. Range/Duration: One target or line. Instant to a few seconds.

House Of Light

Purpose/How It Works: House of Light creates a temporary constructed space of projected surfaces and visible walls. Notable Exceptions: It gives appearance and orientation more than full physical shelter. Example Use: Diplomats meet under a conjured pavilion on open ground. Typical Cost/Power Source: Usually fed by ambient light, reflective surfaces, symbolic intent, and the caster’s concentration; dim or visually chaotic spaces raise the cost. Casting Methods: Structure cast, 10 to 20 seconds. Anchor-pillar rite, 2 to 5 minutes. Range/Duration: Room-sized structure. Minutes to hours.

Image Lock

Purpose/How It Works: Image Lock binds an illusion to a surface, object, or trigger phrase for repeated reappearance. Notable Exceptions: Wear, vandalism, or broken triggers can ruin it. Example Use: A hidden mural appears only when the correct oath is spoken. Typical Cost/Power Source: Usually fed by ambient light, reflective surfaces, symbolic intent, and the caster’s concentration; dim or visually chaotic spaces raise the cost. Casting Methods: Surface binding, 20 to 40 seconds. Triggered image rite, 2 to 5 minutes. Range/Duration: One object or wall. Days to years.

Splendor Screen

Purpose/How It Works: Splendor Screen hides a crude or damaged reality behind polished radiant appearance. Notable Exceptions: Physical contact reveals underlying truth. Example Use: A shabby embassy hall appears unblemished during negotiations. Typical Cost/Power Source: Usually fed by ambient light, reflective surfaces, symbolic intent, and the caster’s concentration; dim or visually chaotic spaces raise the cost. Casting Methods: Surface glamour cast, 5 to 10 seconds. Hall-scale rite, 2 to 5 minutes. Range/Duration: Object, façade, or room. Minutes to days.

Beacon Of Claim

Purpose/How It Works: Beacon of Claim projects a territorial, civic, or legal sign visible at great distance. Notable Exceptions: It declares claim; it does not enforce it. Example Use: A recovered fort signals rightful control back to allied lines. Typical Cost/Power Source: Usually fed by ambient light, reflective surfaces, symbolic intent, and the caster’s concentration; dim or visually chaotic spaces raise the cost. Casting Methods: Beacon cast, 10 to 20 seconds. Tower-light rite, 2 to 5 minutes. Range/Duration: Landmark-scale. Minutes to days.

Courtly Facade

Purpose/How It Works: Courtly Facade alters the apparent condition of a person or place with convincing detail and polish. Notable Exceptions: Requires active upkeep under scrutiny. Example Use: A wounded ruler appears composed for one necessary audience. Typical Cost/Power Source: Usually fed by ambient light, reflective surfaces, symbolic intent, and the caster’s concentration; dim or visually chaotic spaces raise the cost. Casting Methods: Detail cast, 5 to 10 seconds. Dressing chamber rite, 1 to 3 minutes. Range/Duration: One subject or room. Minutes to hours.

Shatterimage

Purpose/How It Works: Shatterimage collapses a maintained projection into blinding or distracting scatter. Notable Exceptions: It destroys the active illusion in the process. Example Use: A false wall bursts into glittering fragments as the escape route is taken. Typical Cost/Power Source: Usually fed by ambient light, reflective surfaces, symbolic intent, and the caster’s concentration; dim or visually chaotic spaces raise the cost. Casting Methods: Collapse cast, 2 to 4 seconds. Triggered shatter sigil, instant once prepared. Range/Duration: One active image. Instant.

Prismatic Cathedral

Purpose/How It Works: Prismatic Cathedral builds a large sacred or ceremonial illusion structure of light and symbolic geometry. Notable Exceptions: It is expensive and usually temporary unless heavily anchored. Example Use: A conquered city sees a peace rite conducted inside a cathedral made only of light. Typical Cost/Power Source: Usually fed by ambient light, reflective surfaces, symbolic intent, and the caster’s concentration; dim or visually chaotic spaces raise the cost. Casting Methods: Major structure cast, 1 to 3 minutes. Full ceremonial rite, 10 to 30 minutes. Range/Duration: Large hall to square scale. Minutes to hours.

Radiant Verdict

Purpose/How It Works: Radiant Verdict exposes and publicly defines a target with symbolic force, often in legal or religious settings. Notable Exceptions: It can reveal what a community believes, which is not always identical to truth. Example Use: A false penitent stands under a sign that names their betrayal before the assembly. Typical Cost/Power Source: Usually fed by ambient light, reflective surfaces, symbolic intent, and the caster’s concentration; dim or visually chaotic spaces raise the cost. Casting Methods: Public decree cast, 10 to 20 seconds. Court or temple rite, 2 to 5 minutes. Range/Duration: One target before an audience. Minutes with lasting social effect.

Invisibility

Purpose/How It Works: Invisibility bends light, expectation, and edge-definition so the target ceases to register as visibly present.
Notable Exceptions: Sound, scent, footprints, and physical disturbance still betray the hidden target.
Example Use: A spy crosses the gallery between torch shadows while the guards stare directly past him.
Typical Cost/Power Source: Usually fed by ambient light, reflective surfaces, symbolic intent, and the caster’s concentration; dim or visually chaotic spaces raise the cost.
Casting Methods: Self-veiling cast, 5 to 10 seconds. Cloak-clasp activation, 1 to 2 seconds.
Range/Duration: Self or touched ally. Seconds to minutes.

Greater Invisibility

Purpose/How It Works: Greater Invisibility maintains concealment even while the target moves, fights, or casts, though each action stresses the weave.
Notable Exceptions: It is expensive and easier to track by nonvisual means.
Example Use: An assassin remains unseen through the entire duel she starts.
Typical Cost/Power Source: Usually fed by ambient light, reflective surfaces, symbolic intent, and the caster’s concentration; dim or visually chaotic spaces raise the cost.
Casting Methods: Deep veil cast, 10 to 20 seconds. Mirror-cloak rite, 1 to 3 minutes.
Range/Duration: Self or touched ally. Seconds to several minutes.

See Invisibility

Purpose/How It Works: See Invisibility attunes the caster to visual stress, missing reflection, and light-bending distortions that hidden things leave behind.
Notable Exceptions: It reveals hidden forms better than their full detail, especially in crowded or reflective spaces.
Example Use: A warden looks straight at the invisible knife-bearer and raises the alarm.
Typical Cost/Power Source: Usually fed by ambient light, reflective surfaces, symbolic intent, and the caster’s concentration; dim or visually chaotic spaces raise the cost.
Casting Methods: Eye-touch cast, 3 to 6 seconds. Lens activation, 10 to 20 seconds.
Range/Duration: Self vision. Minutes to hours.

True Sight

Purpose/How It Works: True Sight strips away layered glamour, false presentation, and simple concealment so underlying forms and magical distortions become visible.
Notable Exceptions: It is mentally taxing, socially disruptive, and can overwhelm the unprepared in highly magical places.
Example Use: A judge sees the demon-mask, the disguise, and the hidden wound all at once.
Typical Cost/Power Source: Usually fed by ambient light, reflective surfaces, symbolic intent, and the caster’s concentration; dim or visually chaotic spaces raise the cost.
Casting Methods: Eye-opening cast, 10 to 20 seconds. Consecrated lens rite, 2 to 5 minutes.
Range/Duration: Self vision. Minutes.