Improved Phantasmal Killer (3.5e Spell)

You create a phantasmal image of a creature far more horrifying than the most horrifying creature the subject can imagine simply by correlating the fears of the subject’s subconscious mind with the nightmares of elder gods. Only the spell’s subject can see the phantasmal killer. You see only a vague shape, and only in your peripheral vision. The target first gets a Will save to recognize the image as unreal. If that save fails, the phantasm touches the subject, and the subject dies from fear. They must then make a Fortitude save, or their body disintegrates and their soul is trapped in the focus of this spell and that focus is shifted to a random place in one of the outer planes.

If the subject of a phantasmal killer attack succeeds in disbelieving and is wearing a helm of telepathy, the beast can be turned upon you. You must then disbelieve it or become subject to its deadly fear attack.

Focus: A very disturbing picture or small doll