Scry

Spell — see Magic and Spellcasting for the rules and the Spell Index for the full list.

Arcane 4, Divine 5 Type: detection, esoteric

Range: special Duration: 1 turn

This spell enables the spellcaster to see moving images of a target creature, object, or place of his choice, regardless of any intervening distance. The spellcaster must have access to a mirror, crystal, reflective pool, or other surface upon which the images can be displayed. The more familiar the caster is with the creature, object or place viewed, the clearer the images will be. The larger the area of the place viewed, the more clouded the images will be. If the target is inside an anti**-**magic sphere or protected by indiscernibility, the images will be entirely opaque, revealing nothing.

The apparent point of view displayed depends on the size of the target: It will always be just far enough away from the target that its entire body (if a creature), surface area (if an object), or vicinity (if a place) is seen. The Judge chooses the exact angle and point. For instance, if the caster scries a castle, the Judge might decide he sees an image of the castle as if from a hill overlooking its entirety. If the caster scries a lord in that castle, the Judge might decide he sees an image of the lord as if from a courtier in the throne room.

If the caster chooses, he can cast either clairaudiency or telepathy at the same time that he casts scry in order to use one of those spells while scrying. If so, the range of that spell is measured from the apparent point of view from which the caster is scrying. The spellcaster is otherwise unable to cast spells at or communicate with what he views.

Anytime a creature capable of casting scry (due to its repertoire or a spell-like ability or current use of a magic item) is the target of scry, is in the target place, or is carrying or wearing the target object, the creature has a chance of learning he is being spied on. The Judge must make a secret Spells saving throw on behalf of the creature. If the save fails, the creature learns nothing. If the saving throw succeeds, the creature knows he is being scried upon and learns the spell signature of the caster doing so. If the scried creature itself casts scry while the original caster is still maintaining concentration, the scried creature can then scry on the caster with the same clarity that the caster is seeing with. (And yes, the original caster now gets a Spells saving throw to detect that he is now being scried on!) If the scried creature casts counterspell or dispel magic, the scry spell is considered an eligible target to be dispelled.

The caster can scry on his target for up to 1 turn but must maintain stationary concentration throughout. If the caster stops concentrating for any reason, the images vanish, and the spell expires.