Nightmare

Name: Nightmare

Element(s): Illusion

Cost: 5 MP

Effect: After making direct contact with an individual, Alexander can force their greatest fear to surface in the form of an illusion. The illusion is not real, but as it is born from the individual's mind it knows thing about them that they may either be ignorant of or too afraid to admit. This essentially draws out the Shadow of their Ego in a form that they fear most. If a form can not be drawn on because the mind in question lacks the stability, then instead the illusion manifests as an ever changing series of people relevant to that person in any way.

Alexander can hear and see the entity but can not interact with it, and the entity can be interacted with only by the individual afflicted. People other than Blueman and the person in question can not see or hear the entity without an ability that allows them to see magic. The person is still able to see and communicate with those around them. The entity can not interact with or change the environment. It is simply a humanoid embodiment of their fear.

History: A basic ability.

Post duration that this lasts?

Are they physically unable to move or is the fear projected from their mind into the real world (only you and the target being able to see it as described in your post) allowing them to contact it AND the rest of the world?

I figured I would leave the general duration up to the person experiencing it since its based on their fears/nightmares/ect. and some people simply lack these things from an emotional perspective.

Its essentially what you described. A personalized physic projection made manifest from the darkest parts of their mind. Alexander sees it because he is the cause; the 'victim' interacts with it because in a twisted way it is them. Nobody else is involved.

Understood.

I understand that no one else is involved, however, I mean say they're walking down the street, right? There a bunch of people passing them by when this is sprung on them. When this is used is the victim still able to interact with the passerby's of the street?

Yes. The passersby even can interact with the victim, though they may not understand exactly what is happening. Its not a reality lock, per say.

Alright, please clarify that within the main post to avoid future confusion.

Fixed.

The only issue I'm having with this is if the fears are something that hypothetically would constrict them and would essentially leave them motionless and therefore can be one shotted for 5 MP and the knowledge that you gain from this.

Typically, I'd allow a 5 MP contact based spell that made them experience their full fear within the course of a second so they wouldn't get hit automatically but this raises more complex issues. Your thoughts?

Well, I left it open ended so that I wouldn't get the chance to do this. Also, the illusion merely takes on the appearance of the nightmare, and its associated mannerisms. Its main purpose is to cause doubt. I didn't want a stun spell, per say, and I actually had intended to make a mentally debilitating spell based on the idea of experiencing something terrible and traumatic in what may seem like days and years to the victim but is in reality only a second or so. However, that would be a matter to contend with in the related approval I suppose.

If it takes the appearance of the nightmare then what if someone has a nightmare that isn't related on an individual but perhaps an event, as previously mentioned, where they were trapped. Unless you plan on it having it be an individual for them to interact with then we are at an impasse in regards to function.

It has the intention for it to be an individual so that they remain coherent and not entirely overwhelmed by it. As stated, it taunts and communicates with them. An entire environment would detract from that effect, and I feel something akin to that would be too similar to a "Nightmare Room" effect.

As their attention is drawn to an individual, those that have a traumatic experience would be free to characterize their fears in a humanoid(ish) form as they RP'd. The IC explanation I offer is that nightmares and fear relating to entire areas or complicated events aren't coherent in comparison to ones relating to a person or groups of people. This may cause the entity they see to cycle appearances, as stated above in the ability in question.

Ah, if you could clarify that the shadow of their ego is a humanoid embodiment of their fear then you should be good to go.

I added a bit on the end that I think clarifies this.

Approved.