Byen's Arrow
(Illusion/Phantasm)

Range:  0
Components:  V, S, M
Duration:  6 turns per level
Casting Time:  1 round per arrow
Area of Effect:  One arrow touched per 2 levels
Saving Throw:  None

Several decades past, Byen, the famed assassin/illusionist of the City of Yorkad, created this spell so as to be able to execute certain "assassinations" which would seem completely real but in which the victim would (hopefully) not be killed. Byen's arrow creates a very powerful illusion that is modelled exactly after an actual arrow. The wizard must take a real arrow (the material component of the spell), of fine quality, and spend one entire round chanting and weaving his hands along the edge of the arrow. To complete the casting, the wizard must prick his finger with a splinter of wood and smear it upon the arrowhead. The arrow is then actually replaced by an illusion, that has full visual, audible, tactile, thermal, and olfactory components. An attempt to disbelieve can be made, but the saving throw is made at -2 (or +2 if informed of the illusion); however, in most circumstances, there will be no reason to suspect anything is amiss. The wizard can "enchant" up to 1 arrow for every two levels he possesses, each arrow taking one round of preparation.
The arrows must be shot in a normal manner (i.e., the wizard must have someone of a class able to make use make use of a bow to shoot them). Such a user will in no way suspect that the arrows are illusionary from just examining them. If these arrows hit a target, the illusion continues so that the target will bleed illusionary blood, an will feel illusionary pain. Unless the victim for some reason attempted to disbelieve and this attempt was successful, the victim will take the full 1d6 points of damage from the arrow, plus any applicable bonuses for Strength, specialisation, a magic bow, etc. Only 25% of this damage is actual, but even after the illusion fades (which happens in 5 rounds + 1 round per level after being hit) the victim will still suffer from shock and a loss in confidence and composure. Hit points lost because of these arrows that were not part of actual damage will be recovered at a rate of 1 HP per round of rest or 1 HP per turn of mild activity, but not at all for strenuous activity. Creatures brought below zero hit point because of this illusionary damage will be unconscious and must make a system shock survival roll of else die of shock, losing 1 HP per round until reaching -10, unless they receive aid. Even creatures that can be hit by only by silver, iron or magical weapons will suffer from all the above effects unless they have some special resistance to illusions (or have reason to be suspicious and disbelieve).
Note that Byen's arrow will work on light and heavy quarrels of high quality as well as on arrows.

