You create a phantasmal image of the most fearsome creature imaginable to the target. Only the spell's target can see the killer, though you can see the vague shape of the illusion as it races forth to attack. The effect of the killer is based on the outcome of the target's Will save.
Critical Success The target is unaffected.
Success The target takes 4d6 mental damage and is Frightened 1.
Failure The target takes scaling d6 mental damage and is Frightened 2.
Critical Failure The target is so afraid it might die. It must attempt a fortitude save; if the target fails, it dies. On a successful Fortitude save, the target takes scaling d6 mental damage, is Fleeing until the end of its next turn, and is Frightened 4. This effect has the incapacitation trait.
Heightened (+1) The damage increases by 2d6 on a failure and by 3d6 on a critical failure.
Traits
An action with this trait requires a degree of mental concentration and discipline.
An effect with the death trait kills you immediately if it reduces you to 0 HP. Some death effects can bring you closer to death or slay you outright without reducing you to 0 HP.
This effect alters a creature's emotions. Effects with this trait always have the mental trait as well. Creatures with special training or that have mechanical or artificial intelligence are immune to emotion effects.
Fear effects evoke the emotion of fear. Effects with this trait always have the mental and emotion traits as well.
Effects and magic items with this trait involve false sensory stimuli.
You must physically manipulate an item or make gestures to use an action with this trait. Creatures without a suitable appendage can't perform actions with this trait. Manipulate actions often trigger reactions.
A mental effect can alter the target's mind. It has no effect on an object or a mindless creature.