Magic Mirrors

Atop the known world is the Isle of Obsidian, surrounded by the Three Wizards Peaks, where powerful mages maintain a tense peace as they race to uncover the secret of the Isle. Because of this, the inhabitants of the north are secretive, keeping the knowledge hidden behind smoke an mirrors, in a literal sense. Many places of importance, and inner sanctums are maze filled mirrors, with minor magical traps to help scare away most enemies without exhausting too much of their stamina. Their preserved power allows them to further the chase.
One of the tools that is used is the magic mirrors. Unlike the ones kept in a labyrinth to ward away outsiders, these are small enough to be kept on a person. Mages, knowing when they will be confronted will separate their essence, placing a bit of themselves within these mirrors. The amount placed is what determines the capabilities of power within these reflections. Putting the smallest portion of themselves allows for the mirrored image to be a shallow imitation of life, capable of doing repetitive actions in a choppy way. This allows for the reflection to act as a red herring to some, unwary adventurers.
Putting the greatest amount of yourself within these mirrors allow the reflection to gain it's own identity, casting spells and speaking independently of the mage. However this provides a great risk, for if the mirrors shatter the essence within dies, forever lost to the original mage. Desperate situations often call for these gambles. One of the greatest examples of this is the Citadel of Glass, where the Arch-mage Kiralan has released all but the minimum of himself into these mirrors, who's reflections have done similar. Passing through the mirrors are hundreds of this wizard, his essence sent throughout the lands, sold to hundreds of unsuspecting royals.