Questions about Locate Object (Havgrim, stay out!)

[Asmo]

I´m playing a 3 lvl rogue/4 lvl wizard (going for Arcane Trickster),and I´m working for a wizards guild. My first mission is a fairly standard one: I need to get a ring that is quite valuable for the guild.
This is a solo-game, I´ve 2 npc:s: a bard and a druid, both at 5 lvl run by the dm.
Problem is that this ring is worn by an elf mage that lives on a remote island, in a lighthouse. He has been offered money for the ring, but refuses to sell it.
The mage has 4 servants wich I don´t know anything about yet.
So I´ve to get in and somehow get it off his finger.
I got a good description of the ring: what´s written inside it (a name) what the ring looks like, etc. I haven´t seen the ring firsthand.
Our ship will arrive in a couple of days - we are posing as merchants,as the isle had some scattered houses and they need to replenish.
If I manage to get close enough to the lighthouse and cast Locate Object, what happens - assuming that the mage wears the ring?
If the mage is at the top or in a cellar of the lighthouse can Locate Object pinpoint his location?
What if all his servants has rings too? Can Locate Object pinpoint the specific rings location?
I´m not really sure how I should interpret the spell description, so I´m asking.
All this assuming that the mage hasn´t "leaded" (whatever that means) the lighthouse
Asmo

 

[Spatula]

From what I remember of the spell description, you need to have seen the ring in order to locate it. Otherwise, the spell will give you the location of the nearest ring, which might (or might not) be the one you're looking for.

 

[shilsen]

What Spatula said. The spell description says that to locate a unique object (as you are in this case) you need to have physically seen the object yourself (not through divination).

 

[Asmo]

Ah, now I see, this is indeed the example of " Baron Vulden´s signet ring".
how strange that I didn´t see that before!
I would be glad if someone could explain the deal with " even a thin lead of sheet".
Where is this lead placed?

Asmo

 

[Spatula]

Between the caster and the object you're looking for. For example, someone could have a box, line it with lead, and then put items into it that can't be found by low-level magic.

 

[Asmo]

Yes, the box and the lead is pretty obvious, but in my example the wizard is wearing the ring.
Have you had whole rooms leaded,etc? Would that work? Or is that just to much?
Any other examples of "leading"?

Asmo

 

[shilsen]

Yes, the box and the lead is pretty obvious, but in my example the wizard is wearing the ring.
Have you had whole rooms leaded,etc? Would that work? Or is that just to much?
Any other examples of "leading"?

Asmo

Sure, you could have whole rooms "leaded". I'd expect higher-lvl spellcasters to have such sanctums where they can work without having to worry about magical snooping. IMC, I've introduced the idea of certain other materials which block divinations and/or teleportation (such as a little gorgon's blood mixed into the mortar used in the walls). Some places have entire buildings with such protection, with a specific room or set of rooms left free so that people within can contact others with divinations and teleport in/out when needed.