You create four cylinders of magical darkness within the area, which randomly and rapidly move around at ground level. The cylinders of shadow (called "glooms") occupy space 5-foot square and 10 feet tall, and cannot leave the area of the spell. A creature with darkvision can't see through this darkness, and nonmagical light can't illuminate it.

The glooms are under your limited control. While the spell is in effect, you can use an action to direct a controlled gloom to attach itself to and envelop a particular target and follow it. The target is surrounded by magical darkness unless it successfully makes a Wisdom saving throw, which cause the gloom to dissipate. Once the gloom is attached to a target, a gloom stays with the target until the spell expires.

At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 4th level or higher, the duration increases by 1 round for each slot level above 3rd.