Scrying
Observe a distant creature, object, or place
Scrying opens a distant point to the caster's senses, even on another plane. Each view provides sight in every direction and carries sound and scent from the observed area. A view centered on a creature or object follows it; a view centered on an area remains fixed. The spell requires no concentration after casting.
Visualizing the Target
To scry a creature, specific object, or area, the caster must visualize it with certainty. The caster does not need to have seen it personally, but their knowledge must identify the target and distinguish it from every similar possibility. “A sword carried by a guard” is insufficient; a particular music box the caster handled is valid.
When the caster's information, memory, or description is ambiguous, incomplete, or uncertain, the GM may assign a percentage chance that the visualization is sufficient. On a failure, the spell finds no target and reveals no direction, distance, or plane.
Each chosen target creates a separate view of the size listed in the table. The table gives the maximum number of views the caster can maintain at once across all castings of Scrying. If a new casting would exceed that limit, the caster chooses which existing views end before the new ones open.
Resistance
Each targeted creature makes a Will Save. On a success, Scrying reveals nothing about that target, and the creature and everything it carries become immune to further Scrying attempts from that caster for 24 hours.
An object or area makes no Save, even when the object is carried, unless another effect grants it one. Borrowed Will allows every object worn or carried by its caster to use that caster's Will Save against Scrying.
Illusions and Invisibility
Scrying can observe invisible creatures and areas hidden by illusion, but it does not automatically pierce the deception. When a view encounters Invisibility, an Illusion, Shroud, or a similar effect, the Scrying caster makes a Will Save against that spell as though observing it personally. On a success, the caster perceives the truth through the view. On a failure, the caster perceives the illusion as real.
This Save belongs to the Scrying caster. It is separate from the Will Save a directly targeted creature makes against Scrying.
Finding and Dispelling a View
Scrying gives the observed creature no warning that a view is present, and every view automatically conceals its own Divination aura. A creature must first suspect observation or otherwise examine the area. Detect Magic or a similar divination perceives the view only by winning a DC check against Scrying.
Detection is not required to dispel the view. A Dispel Magic cast blindly or on a guessed area can destroy an unseen view if the view lies within that area and the dispel succeeds. Finding the aura merely tells the caster where to aim. Destroying one view does not affect other views created by the same caster.
Advanced Views
Beginning at Level 8, the caster can communicate by sound through every view and cast Detect Magic as though standing in the observed area. Detect Magic remains a separate casting and pays its normal actions and spell slot.
Level 8 and Level 10 views record everything they observe. The caster can later replay those sights, sounds, and scents, but cannot review anything that happened before the view was created. The caster may also define an observable condition, such as a particular creature entering the area; the view sends a magical alarm when that condition occurs. At Level 10, communication can use telepathy instead of sound.
Spell Scaling
| Spell Level | Casting Time | Maximum Active Views | Duration per Caster Level | Area of Each View | Advanced Capabilities |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 1 hour | One | 1 minute | Large | — |
| 8 | 1 minute | One per point of Intelligence | 1 hour | Huge | Sound, Detect Magic, recording, alarm |
| 10 | Standard (2 ticks) | Ten per point of Intelligence | Permanent | Colossal | Level 8 capabilities and telepathy |