I think I'm going to write this up later. I'll just jot down some stuff here as a placeholder, and for help brainstorming. If you'd rather me not clog up your thread, and instead post it in one of my own, just let me know, Garryl.
Shadow Spy (or Umbral Oracle, still debating the name... and focus)
Requirements: 8 ranks in Spot and Hide. Must know at least one Formula from the
Fleeting Image circle, and one from either the Astral Essence or Devouring Shadow Circles. Must know at least one Formula of second level or higher.
Special: Must have spent 24 hours in a dark place with no light source brighter than starlight.
Abilities:
Shadow Familiar - You can animate your shadow and have it act as a spy, scout, or just a second pair of eyes while keeping watch.
Have this scale with level, starting out with a very limited range it can move away from the character, and no ability to interact with anything (other than observing). Later on, it will be able to move farther away (eventually unlimited as it becomes a full-blown cohort/familiar) and interact with the physical world (maybe give it the stats of a
Shadow, but without the create spawn ability). Also, have it start out with darkvision, then get the ability to see in magical darkness.
SLAs: Later on, give the shadow companion SLAs like Shadow Walk,
Clairvoyant Sense, and
Remote Viewing (because the psionic versions of these are a lot better than the arcane version). These will only be usable in areas where there are natural shadows or in areas of darkness or shadowy illumination.
Me and My ShadowGive the character the ability to share/borrow some of the abilities of his shadow companion, and eventually merge with it, gaining all of its abilities (and more?).
The class will also progress spellshaping, of course, and be a d6 HD, 3/4 BAB class with 6 skill points per level and a focus on stealth. I'm debating whether it should also have some other focus, like Knowledge-based abilities, Sense Motive/Read Thoughts, Divination (although there are already two "Divination"-based spellshaping PrCs), etc.