Although the manipulation of shadows is generally attributed more to vampires than to wizards, this trick banishes light and makes the darkness dance. In terms of physics, the mage employs the Forces Sphere to distort light-waves. The mage in question might not view what she’s doing as “manipulation of light-waves,” of course; descriptions of many classic spells refer to “summoning darkness,” not of distorting light.

Game-wise, this is a simple application of Forces 2 or higher. The lowest Rank manipulates light and darkness within small areas (10’ or so), while the highest Ranks let the mage command light and shadows over areas of a mile or possibly more.

With a successful Manipulation + Expression roll, a mage could enact “shadowplays”: patterns of light and shadow that mimic other things. People, animals, horrible shapes that suggest far worse… such minor illusions can distract, entertain, terrify or otherwise influence people who see them.

The same Ranks of Forces can also manipulate sounds the same, way, and may enact more detailed forms of illusion, as detailed under Arts of Illusion in the Uncanny Influence section, pp. 129-131.

Note that light cannot be manipulated this way if there’s no light present in the first place. To generate light in a lightless area, see Creating Light, above.