greater scrying: does it need a focus?

[evilbob]

Scrying, Greater
Divination (Scrying)
Level: Brd 6, Clr 7, Drd 7, Sor/Wiz 7
Components: V, S
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Duration: 1 hour/level

This spell functions like scrying, except as noted above. Additionally, all of the following spells function reliably through the sensor: detect chaos, detect evil, detect good, detect law, detect magic, message, read magic, and tongues.

Does "except as noted above" include the fact that the components no longer seem to include a focus? If there's no focus, does one just "know" what the area looks like or does a portal appear in the air or how does that work?

 

[lukelightning]

Components: V, S.

no F. So you don't need a focus.

 

[Jack Simth]

Does "except as noted above" include the fact that the components no longer seem to include a focus? If there's no focus, does one just "know" what the area looks like or does a portal appear in the air or how does that work?

It specifically lists the components line in Greater Scrying (unlike Greater Shadow Conjouration, which inherits from Shadow Conjouration) with no F component, so Greater Scrying techncially doesn't require a focus.

As for the specific flavor, it's unlisted, and so DM call. If you're the DM, pick one and stick with it.

 

[lukelightning]

A rectangular portal appears before you, with strange sigils in the upper lefthand corner. If the target makes its save, instead of an image of it you get a little red X. Or perhaps a cryptic message requiring you to get a plug-in.

 

[Ilium]

A rectangular portal appears before you, with strange sigils in the upper lefthand corner. If the target makes its save, instead of an image of it you get a little red X. Or perhaps a cryptic message requiring you to get a plug-in.

The scrying spell has this as its first line of description (emphasis added):

You can see and hear some creature, which may be at any distance

Although it calls for a mirror, it doesn't say the image appears in the mirror, so presumably only the caster can see and hear through the spell. So there's no reason to have a visible effect at all for greater scrying if you don't want one.

Having said that, I run it that the image appears in the mirror (or in the air) so everybody can see it and make perception rolls/ask questions. More fun at the table since one character doesn't monopolize the scene.

 

[lukelightning]

I run it that the image appears in the mirror (or in the air) so everybody can see it...

So if you scry someone who's scrying you, you can see their mirror with an image of you in it, scrying the target, and the target sees you in that mirror, and in the mirror in that image is....

 

[Erywin]

Quick side question, are there any scrying specific magic items that help increase the duration/increase the save DC?

Cheers,
E

 

[Ilium]

So if you scry someone who's scrying you, you can see their mirror with an image of you in it, scrying the target, and the target sees you in that mirror, and in the mirror in that image is....

Hasn't happened yet. Will save vs. insanity!

 

[lukelightning]

Quick side question, are there any scrying specific magic items that help increase the duration/increase the save DC?

Cheers,
E

Off the top of my head I can think of Rod of Metamagic: Extend Spell.

 

[evilbob]

Quick side question, are there any scrying specific magic items that help increase the duration/increase the save DC?

Anything that increases your divination caster level or primary spellcasting stat will help. Otherwise, no, I've not heard of anything that specifically increases a scrying spell. I guess greater scrying is enough for most folks.

Back to the original question: this seems to be a fair interpretation - thanks for the thoughts! It doesn't seem to explain the visualization, but as Ilium pointed out, nothing really specifically says anyone but you can see what's going on anyway, so it's a DM's call either way.