Perceive Sound (spell)

Perceive sound is a spell that grants beneficiary the ability to detect the slightest noises, ranging from the gentlest sigh of a nearly still breeze to the soft scurrying of a common mouse. At their discretion, the user can filter out undesired sounds, effectively silencing the clamour of a busy city square or a raucous public house.

Perceive Sound

Range	60 ft. + 5 ft. per level
Duration	5 rounds per level
Area of Effect	1 creature
Casting Time	1 round
Saving Throw	none
Level	bard (1st)

The spell need not be concentrated upon, and allows the recipient to close off other sounds in order to carry on a normal conversation without difficulty. This heightened auditory sense empowers the recipient to hone in on specific dialogues, clearly hearing spoken words, perhaps discerning the distant pleas of an ensnared ally. To focus on a specific person, the listener must either know them or have a direct line-of-sight to the sound's origin.

If not focusing on a specific noise, the recipient is exposed to the full spectrum of audible sounds, enabling them to eavesdrop behind doors or while hidden within the spell's range. However, the spell only provides the ability to hear; understanding or interpreting the sounds is left the listener.

Drawbacks

The spell's effectiveness diminishes with thick magical barriers or spells specifically designed to thwart investigation. Spells related to "silence" dispell the spell's effects entirely. In no way does the spell counteract the effect of cantrips intended to produce various sounds.

Moreover, prolongued exposure to a myriad of sounds might be overwhelming, necessitating brief periods of rest for the listener.

See also,
Alarm (spell)
Audible Glamer (spell)
Silence