Detect Magic (spell)
Detect Magic is a spell that provides the caster with the ability to sense ongoing magical effects within the area of effect, though the information it reveals is limited. The caster can determine whether the magic originates from a bardic, clerical, druidical, magical or illusionary source.
Range | self |
Duration | 10 rounds |
Area of Effect | 10 ft. wide, 40 ft. path |
Casting Time | 1 round |
Saving Throw | none |
Level | cleric (1st); druid (1st); mage (1st) |
Contents
Additionally, the spell distinguishes between weak magic and strong magic, offering insight into the relative potency of the enchantment detected. This includes the detection of permeating magic, which saturates an area, and emanating magic, which originates from a specific location. When the latter occurs, the spell reveals the precise spot from which the magic radiates. If the location is not directly visible — such as being behind a door, wall or other obstruction — the caster will still sense the direction of the magical source, though not its exact form.
Once the dweomer is cast, there is no need to concentrate on maintaining its effect. The caster is able to move, as described below, as the spell persists making it a practical tool for detecting latent enchantments, lingering magical effects or concealed sources of power within a given space.
Sweeping an Area
After casting, the spell allows the caster to expend 1 action point per round while walking slowly at a stride of 1. During this time, no other actions may be performed, as the caster must focus on perceiving magical energies. The caster may sweep the area, turning in a full circle to check for magical emanations in different directions.
More than one emanation can be detected within the area of effect. If multiple sources of magic are present, the spell will reveal the presence of all of them, though the caster must determine each source separately by sweeping their vision across the area. Each round, the caster may confirm just one type and direction of magic with certainty, but they will still sense the presence of additional emanations, even if their exact locations are not yet pinpointed.
An invisible person would be detected as an emanating magic source, as their invisibility is a continuous magical effect. While Detect Magic does not directly reveal what the magic is, the fact that an emanation is moving would serve as a strong clue that it might be an invisible creature rather than a stationary enchanted object or area. Since the exact place of emanation can be pinpointed, the caster would be able to track the movement of the invisible person round by round, provided they remain within the spell's area of effect. If the invisible person did not move, this would allow the caster to reach out and physically touch the individual, making it possible to disrupt their actions or engage them in combat despite their hidden state. However, if the invisible entity moves too quickly or beyond the detection range, the caster would need to sweep again to relocate them.