Mimeoturgy Magic
Arcane Copycats
All Wizards are scholars, but while most learn their magic from dusty tomes in cobwebbed libraries, some find it easier to learn by seeing, and then by doing. These are the Mimeoturges, Wizards who have become skilled in reproducing effects, whether through photographic reflexes, rote repetition, or the gut instinct of "playing it by ear." They are, in many ways, prodigies among even the already prodigious Wizards, copycats who can weaponize nearly anything they see. Anyone aware of this arcane tradition knows to be wary of what magic they throw at a Mimeoturge, for they may soon find it coming right back at them. To attack one adept in Mimeoturgy is to arm them.
Subclass Features
Mimetic Transcription
Beginning when you select this school at 2nd level, you are able to learn new spells, not only from books and scrolls, but from direct experience, observing their use by those around you, be they friend or foe. If a creature that you can see casts a spell and hits you with the spell attack, or you fail the saving throw, you are able to hold their processes in your mind until you are able to record them. If you choose to remember the spell that affected you and are able to maintain concentration (as if on a spell) until you are able to take your next long or short rest, you can accurately copy its basics into your spellbook. The spell must be on the Wizard spell list, and of a level that you can cast in order to be entered into your spellbook.
Once you have made it to your next short or long rest without losing concentration, the standard rules for entering a spell into your spellbook apply. For each level of the spell, the process takes 2 hours and costs 50 gp. The cost represents material components you expend as you experiment with the spell to master it, as well as the fine inks you need to record it. Once you have spent this time and money, you can prepare the spell just like your other spells.
Pantomime
As a 2nd level initiate in this school, you are perpetually studying everything around you, and as such, are able to imitate most actions with reasonable ease. You gain the following pantomime options:
- Photographic Reflexes. When a creature within range hits you with a melee weapon attack, you can use your reaction to immediately make a melee attack against that same creature using the attack bonuses, damage die, damage bonuses, and damage type of the attack that hit you. While the modifiers are reproduced, you must roll your own attack and damage dice.
- Eidetic Expertise. When you need to make a skill check, if you have seen another creature make a check with that skill in the last hour, you may roll the check using that creature's bonuses for that skill, including those from ability scores and proficiency.
You may use these features a combined number of times equal to your proficiency bonus before finishing a long or short rest.
Mimeography
By 6th level in this class, you have become adept at noting the most essential parts of a spell simply by seeing it cast. When you complete a long rest, make an Intelligence (Arcana) check against your own spell save DC as you attempt to recall the events of the day with clarity. If you succeed, you can create one spell scroll which reproduces a spell you have seen cast since your previous long rest, regardless of whether you are able maintain concentration for long enough to add them to your spellbook with your Mimetic Recollection feature.
The spells reproduced on these scrolls do not need to be on the Wizard spell list, but do need to be of a level you can cast. You cannot copy these scrolls into your spellbook. These scrolls automatically dissolve into dust during your next long rest. They otherwise follow all established rules for spell scrolls.
Mockingbird Mimicry
At 6th level, your ability to reproduce your experiences extends to even something as mundane as your voice. You can mimic the speech of another person or the sounds made by other creatures. You must have heard the person speaking, or heard the creature make the sound, for at least 1 minute. A successful Wisdom (Insight) check contested by your Charisma (Deception) check allows a listener to determine that the effect is faked.
Mimic Minion
By 10th level, your dedication to the reproduction of magic has extended to the reproduction of magical monstrosities, particularly those most aligned with the practice of Mimeoturgy. As an action, you may call forth a Mimic. The creature is an ally to you and your companions. In combat, the creature shares your initiative count, but it takes its turn immediately after yours. It obeys your verbal commands (no action required by you). If you don’t issue any, it takes the Dodge action and uses its move to avoid danger. The mimic dissolves into dust after 8 hours or when it is reduced to 0 hit points.
You must complete a long rest before you can use this feature again.
Master Mime
By 14th level, your responsiveness, adaptation, and ability to reproduce the magic around you reaches its absolute peak. As a result, you receive the following benefits:
- Perfect Recall. Your Mimetic Transcription feature can now be used for any spells on the Wizard spell list cast by a creature you can see, for a level you can cast, regardless of who they target, even if they do not hit and their saving throws are not failed by their targets. All other rules from that feature apply.
- Mnemonic Riposte. Your Photographic Reflexes reaction from the Pantomime feature of this subclass can now be used to reproduce spell effects that deal damage to you as well as melee weapon attacks.
- Swift Scrivener You can use your Mimeography feature to produce a number of spell scrolls up to your Intelligence modifier (minimum of 1) per long rest, dependent on the Arcana skill check for that feature.
- Myriad Mimic Minions. You learn the find familiar spell if you don't know it already. When you cast it, you may summon your familiar in the form of a mimic. When you use your Mimic Minion feature from 10th level, you may instead call up to three mimics or one spitting mimic. The duration and other conditions of these summons remains the same.