Illusionism mechanics

[Crypt]

Let's get this started. My PC is receiving a gnosis mark from Ionu and well, I'd like to know more.

1. How does one create an illusion? Is it merely focusing on the illusion to be set up, and then it appears out of nowhere? Or does it involve using Djed?
2. Layering illusions: Would it be possible to do it with only one mark? I know that they have to be restricted to one sense only, but would it be possible for my PC to eg. create an illusion over a pond, making it look like a small puddle and then creating another illusion to layer over it, making the puddle appear to be a jewel-encrusted crown?
3. Maintaining illusions: Will they end after the creator is at a certain distance away from the area where the illusion is affecting?
4. When the illusion has been created, is it specific? Can it affect only an individual or a group of people without affecting others? Is the illusion visible to the caster or can he ignore and see what is true?
5. This is more advanced, but can an Illusionist with 3 marks create an illusion that can actually interact with reality? For example, is it possible to create the illusion of a ladder and have people climb to the top without passing through the ladder in reality? The wiki article's rather vague on this part.

Thanks for answering these questions.

[Rayage]

Let me take a crack at these...

1) From my understanding it takes concentration and imagination to create an illusion. Like, you have to have good mental picture of what you want in your head, and then you sort of tap the mark to manifest what is in your head and create and illusion. Keep in mind that Rank 1 illusions are rather simple.

2) Layering illusions should be possible at Rank 1. It says you can hold one illusion for ten hours, or ten separate illusions for one hour each or any variation therein, and keep in mind the illusions are minor. I dont think you could effect a whole lake with Rank 1. Though Goss is the expert and she would know best.

3) Maintaining them, I would think, requires constant concentration on what you want to maintain, the illusion itself. I think that Illusionism should be a highly mental exercise but creative process that takes focus and attention to detail. As far as a distance, Im not sure, but I would think the illusions would be restricted to be quite near the user until at higher levels. Again, remember the time frame at rank one: 1 illusion for 10 hours; 10 illusions for 1 hour, or anything between.

4) In the article it says that an illusion may effect multiple people, which hints that the caster may be able to choose who it does or does not effect.

5) At rank 3 Illusions created may be used to effect reality directly. The ladder, yes, that is possible.

Hope this helped!

[Crypt]

Right then, thanks!