Consequences of a Failed Scry/Detect Thoughts?

[NewJeffCT]

If an NPC mage or psion attempts to use Detect Thoughts or Mind Probe on a PC, what happens if the PC makes their Will save? Or, look upon the PC using Clairvoyance or Scrying? The attempt just fails, but the PC is none the wiser, it seems? That is what my reading is, but just wanted to confirm I didn't miss something. (This is assuming the PCs have no anti-detection spells/items in place at the time of the scry/thought detection)

In reading the descriptions in the SRD, there is no consequence to the NPC attempting to do this to a PC? (or, a player doing that to an NPC in reverse…) They don’t detect a tingling in their head, or get a headache, or feel a disturbance in the Force or anything like that. Even if the PC has a 26 INT, it only stuns the Thought Detector, but is not detected by the PC.

Detect Thoughts SRD:
SRD - Spells D to E

Scrying SRD:
SRD - Spells S

Mind Probe:
SRD - Powers G to P

 

[justanobody]

How about the one being viewed sees the one trying to view them, and they KNOW something is up.

So the one doing the viewing has to be worried about it.

Also the one viewing could get the big headache and knock them out from backfeed of the scrying.

How about those?

 

[NewJeffCT]

How about the one being viewed sees the one trying to view them, and they KNOW something is up.

So the one doing the viewing has to be worried about it.

Also the one viewing could get the big headache and knock them out from backfeed of the scrying.

How about those?

I may try something like that if a PC rolls a "20", but I just wanted to make sure I did not miss anything in the rules that is official. I would hate to have somebody go, "but, if I made my save by more than 5, I can tell my mind is being probed..." afterwards.

 

[Kid Charlemagne]

I believe, but can't find the rule, that if you make a saving throw you feel a tingle of something that gives you an indication.

 

[NewJeffCT]

I believe, but can't find the rule, that if you make a saving throw you feel a tingle of something that gives you an indication.

That is what I was wondering - hopefully, somebody can find that rule. We do have a couple of players with excellent will saves (9th level cleric with a 20 Wisdom and a Cloak of Resistance +2)

 

[Thanael]

There's the following in the spell school descriptions subsection on Divination:

Scrying

A scrying spell creates an invisible magical sensor that sends you information. Unless noted otherwise, the sensor has the same powers of sensory acuity that you possess. This level of acuity includes any spells or effects that target you, but not spells or effects that emanate from you. However, the sensor is treated as a separate, independent sensory organ of yours, and thus it functions normally even if you have been blinded, deafened, or otherwise suffered sensory impairment.

Any creature with an Intelligence score of 12 or higher can notice the sensor by making a DC 20 Intelligence check. The sensor can be dispelled as if it were an active spell.

Lead sheeting or magical protection blocks a scrying spell, and you sense that the spell is so blocked.

Plus there are the epic skill uses of Scrying in the SRD:

Scrying Spells

To attempt any of these tasks, the scrying spell must be on your class spell list (though it need not be among your spells known). If you have any bonuses that would apply to the caster level of your scrying spell, add these to your caster level check.

Task DC
Learn scryer 30
Return scrying 50
Break scrying Opposed caster level check

Learn Scryer

If you determine that you’re being scried upon, you can learn the identity of the scryer with a DC 30 caster level check. If successful, you learn the name, race, and location of the scryer.

Return Scrying

If you determine that you’re being scried upon, you can look back through the sensor at the scryer with a DC 50 caster level check. This allows you to spy on the scrying being as if you had cast a scrying spell upon that person. This return scrying can be detected by your target as normal.

Break Scrying

If you determine that you’re being scried, you can make an opposed caster level check with the scryer. (Your caster level must be at least 21st to attempt this task.) If you are successful, the scrying ends, and the scryer may not target you with a Divination (Scrying) spell or effect for a number of hours equal to your Intelligence modifier (minimum 1).

 

[NewJeffCT]

There's the following in the spell school descriptions subsection on Divination:


Plus there are the epic skill uses of Scrying in the SRD:

Thanks - that was quite helpful.