Illusionist

An illusionist is a magic user who specializes in the illusion school of magic: the manipulation of people's senses to disguise, conceal, or fabricate aspects of a creature or object.

Career

Qualifications

A dedicated illusionist will most frequently be a Wizard, though they may occasionally be a Bard, an Artificer, or a recipient of granted magic). Extremely basic illusion spells—such as card tricks, simple disguises, or Illusory Script—are easy to master, but the ability to craft major illusions that stand up to significant scrutiny often takes many years of practice.

Perception

Purpose

Illusionists are often involved in performance and entertainment, either as performers themselves or assisting other performers from offstage. They are also highly useful for crafting disguises and misleading opponents in espionage or covert military operations.

Social Status

The general public's relationship with illusion and illusionists is complicated. On one hand, many beloved theatrical traditions rely on various forms of illusion for their most dazzling effects, and skilled illusionists working in the arts are highly celebrated. On the other hand, illusionists are often seen as less trustworthy than more respected magic specialists (such as abjurers and transmuters), and are sometimes associated with organized crime and the various trades.
Illusionists are often the butt of jokes among fellow wizards. Many in the higher reaches of academia see illusion magic as frivolous at best and dishonorable at worst. Perhaps because of this reputation, the Convocation of Wands has admitted only a small handful of illusionists over its long history. Despite all of this, basic illusion spells like minor illusion, disguise self, and invisibility are a part of nearly every wizard's repertory. It is not uncommon for highly skilled mages from other specialties to learn a few advanced illusion spells to supplement their typical work, though most of these refer to illusion as a "hobby" or a "guilty pleasure."

Type

Arcane

Famous in the Field

• John Wellington Wells

Other Associated professions

• Artificer
• Bard
• Conjurer
• Diviner
• Enchanter
• Evoker
• Necromancer
• Transmuter
• Wizard