I don't have it near me right now, but I think there was an aquatic elf option and a gillman option. I have to use boons in tandem with it for gillman and merfolk though, I only have the other boons to achieve the merfolk effect though. Other options might be easier to get that salty ocean flavor, but it just sounds fun and cool to do it this way :) or at least try to make it work really hard!
Good point, "starting" at level 2 is going to be a good move. Level 1 is bad enough as it is lol
Eclipsed spell is very thematic! Sort of like a dual slot light and shadow spell. Heaven's oracle suits the theme well. Ignoring the enchantment boost from the Secret Magic racial trait, I could get the Strong Tail trait instead to have a mighty 15ft of movement instead!
Shadowcaster does seem weak, it feels like it shores up the backup effect of Shadow spells, when really you just want targets to fail the initial save and be done with it. A familiar is always flavorful too...
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If I'm leaning illusion with a charisma boosting race, what's looking strong? Illusions allow a lot of flavor flexibility and can be effective, fun, etc. Shadow magic is possible too with illusion!