Arcane Sight vs Nystul's magic aura

[marune]

My players sent a "letter" with a Symbol of Death inside to a powerfull sorceress (14th), with a poor fort save, they estimated a good chance of succes.

They added a Nystul's magic aura on it, to make it appear non-magical..

Before opening it, she cast Arcane Sight , but if I understand it correctly, it is deceived like Detect magic, right ?

 

[Patryn of Elvenshae]

Going by this ...

You alter an item’s aura so that it registers to detect spells (and spells with similar capabilities) as though it were nonmagical

... and this ...

The effect is similar to that of a detect magic spell, but arcane sight does not require concentration and discerns aura location and power more quickly.

... I'd say that, yes, the Nystul's Magic Aura foils the Arcane Sight.

 

[IcyCool]

This is why I'd always have my minions open and read letters to me.

#1. It's safer, and I can always kill the minion afterwards if I don't want any witnesses to the letter's content.

#2. It's more megalomaniacal. "Read a letter? Hah! I have people who do that for me!"

In answer to your question, it doesn't look like Arcane Sight will bypass Nystul's.

 

[shilsen]

I agree with the previous posters. Nystul's will fool Arcane Sight.

Unfortunately, it won't change the fact that the postal rates have gone up and the letter will be returned to the PCs' home due to insufficient postage. Really.

 

[marune]

Hehe..

In fact they used a Modify Memory on the messenger

I'm now thinking about what will do her uncle wizard when he'll learn about her death

 

[Jack Simth]

This is why I'd always have my minions open and read letters to me.

#1. It's safer, and I can always kill the minion afterwards if I don't want any witnesses to the letter's content.

#2. It's more megalomaniacal. "Read a letter? Hah! I have people who do that for me!"

Do note that a Symbol of Death has a 60-foot range ("treat as a burst") once activated ... however, it can only affect up to 150 hp in creatures, and it targets the closest creatures first. Just make sure to have a critter with slightly less HP than you standing between you and the messenger.... perhaps several with lots less.... maybe have a platoon leader read you your messages while standing in formation ...

... of course, that would be just lovely for anyone who wanted to spy on you....