Detect Lie (spell)

Detect lie reveals falsehoods and intended deception that an examined creature has fabricated, up to five minutes before the spell has been discharged. The spell will divulge any and all attempts to dissemble or misrepresent the truth — though the spell won't make the truth known. It only reveals that the subject of the spell has been lying.

Detect Lie

Range	30 ft.
Duration	1 round per level
Area of Effect	1 creature
Casting Time	2 rounds
Saving Throw	none; see below
Level	cleric (4th)

Creatures may be fairly subjected to torture after the spell has revealed their attempts at deception. Once they have changed their tale, then the spell may be cast again the next day, or that same day by a different caster. Thus torture in the game world has a practical, truthful course to follow, as it can be known if a confession is valid, if the creature has indeed been induced to change their faith or if the story regarding a crime is, in the creature's eyes at least, "true."

It must be understood that the creature's limitations may cause him or her to believe something is true, when it is not. In such a case, the creature is not in fact attempting to lie — and therefore is not lying. This lays out a pertinent limitation to the spell's usefulness.

Conceal Lie

The reverse of the spell will cause the creature's lies to be mistaken for the truth, and the truth to be mistaken as a lie, even when the spell detect lie is employed. Without the use of some other method such as augury or divination, it will be impossible to know if conceal lie has been cast upon the creature. Thus these spells are also needful in an interrogator's repertoire.