AbsintheCurdle1
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Identify Caster
Divination
Level: Sor/Wiz 5
Components: V, S
Casting Time: 1 full round
Range: Touch
Target: One spell on a creature or object
Duration: Instantaneous
Saving Throw: None
Spell Resistance: No
[intro]You learn the identity of the caster of a spell[/intro] that is currently affecting the creature or object touched. The spell targeted must be a non-instantaneous arcane or divine spell that specifically targeted the creature or object. This divination ignores spell-like and supernatural abilities, effects created by magic items (other than spell completion items), and the lingering auras of spells that have ended. "Latent" spells which have no effect until triggered are perfectly eligible.
A successful casting of this spell always gives you a mental image of the caster, as he appeared at the moment the target spell was cast. You likewise hear any verbal components of the spell, so you may recognize the caster's voice if you hear it again. This image may vary from his real appearance through the use of illusion or polymorph magic, which fool Identify Caster. Mundane masks or cloth, however, are penetrated.
Unless the caster is on another plane, dead, or shielded by antimagic or protections against scrying (any of which prevent this second effect from working), you have a chance to learn his current location. You and the caster make opposed caster level checks (1d20 + caster level). If you at least match the caster's result, you get an accurate but momentary sense of his current direction and distance from you. You can't distinguish a failure in this contest from any of the other reasons (above) that this aspect failed.
If there is more than one spell on the creature or object when Identify Caster is used, it will by default target the strongest of them. However, if you can examine the multiple auras using Detect Magic, Analyze Dweomer, or (Greater) Arcane Sight, you can choose which spell to target based on the distinctions perceptible (strength rank, school, etc.). You can not choose among multiple spells simply by describing the apparent effect, even if it is obviously a commonly known spell. For example, you can say "I target that second-strongest Enchantment spell", but not "I target the Baleful Polymorph" or "I target whichever spell is making him think he's a monkey."
If the target spell is affecting a noncooperative creature, you must make a melee touch attack on that creature to use Identify Caster. You may hold the charge as usual. The creature's willingness, or even awareness, makes no other difference to the success of this spell.
The development of Identify Caster has been a sorely-needed breakthrough for law-enforcers in any land with criminal spellcasters. It was originally created by a mage's guild in a land where the government lacked the power to effectively deal with mages; it was thought that without this spell, and the guild's widely publicised policy of self-policing, the mundane population's fear and hatred would force all mages underground or into exile within a few years.
Divination
Level: Sor/Wiz 5
Components: V, S
Casting Time: 1 full round
Range: Touch
Target: One spell on a creature or object
Duration: Instantaneous
Saving Throw: None
Spell Resistance: No
[intro]You learn the identity of the caster of a spell[/intro] that is currently affecting the creature or object touched. The spell targeted must be a non-instantaneous arcane or divine spell that specifically targeted the creature or object. This divination ignores spell-like and supernatural abilities, effects created by magic items (other than spell completion items), and the lingering auras of spells that have ended. "Latent" spells which have no effect until triggered are perfectly eligible.
A successful casting of this spell always gives you a mental image of the caster, as he appeared at the moment the target spell was cast. You likewise hear any verbal components of the spell, so you may recognize the caster's voice if you hear it again. This image may vary from his real appearance through the use of illusion or polymorph magic, which fool Identify Caster. Mundane masks or cloth, however, are penetrated.
Unless the caster is on another plane, dead, or shielded by antimagic or protections against scrying (any of which prevent this second effect from working), you have a chance to learn his current location. You and the caster make opposed caster level checks (1d20 + caster level). If you at least match the caster's result, you get an accurate but momentary sense of his current direction and distance from you. You can't distinguish a failure in this contest from any of the other reasons (above) that this aspect failed.
If there is more than one spell on the creature or object when Identify Caster is used, it will by default target the strongest of them. However, if you can examine the multiple auras using Detect Magic, Analyze Dweomer, or (Greater) Arcane Sight, you can choose which spell to target based on the distinctions perceptible (strength rank, school, etc.). You can not choose among multiple spells simply by describing the apparent effect, even if it is obviously a commonly known spell. For example, you can say "I target that second-strongest Enchantment spell", but not "I target the Baleful Polymorph" or "I target whichever spell is making him think he's a monkey."
If the target spell is affecting a noncooperative creature, you must make a melee touch attack on that creature to use Identify Caster. You may hold the charge as usual. The creature's willingness, or even awareness, makes no other difference to the success of this spell.
The development of Identify Caster has been a sorely-needed breakthrough for law-enforcers in any land with criminal spellcasters. It was originally created by a mage's guild in a land where the government lacked the power to effectively deal with mages; it was thought that without this spell, and the guild's widely publicised policy of self-policing, the mundane population's fear and hatred would force all mages underground or into exile within a few years.
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