[divination; scrying]
Caster Level 12
Range 0
Area of Effect See description
Duration See description
Save See description
Aura Strong/Strong
Class Requirement Magic-user
Encumbrance 10-lbs. (wrapped)
XP Value/GP Value See description
This device appears as a perfectly formed half-foot diameter sphere of crystal or stone. It allows the possessor to scry a designated subject.
A possessor can concentrate and touch the device while gazing deeply into it to activate the magic. There is no attunement period or command word. When using the device, the possessor must mentally think about the subject, which must be a creature.
Scrying has no range limitation and may be used to scry subjects on other planes.
Scry. [innate] (complex; concentration) The possessor may scry a subject (named during declaration) by staring deeply into the crystal ball while touching it. The magic operates as an innate ability that requires 1 round to begin to operate. At the end of the initialization period, the GM will check whether the subject is located. If successsful, the crystal ball creates a sensor just overhead of the subject that can move with the subject. If the attempt fails, the device appears cloudy. Additional attempts may be made (see below). The possessor must be immobile, maintain concentration during the scrying duration, and all of their senses are taken over by the device. While scrying, the possessor cannot see, feel, taste, or hear other than what comes through the device. The possessor can view the subject allowing sight in a 10-ft. radius around the subject (looking straight down on the subject). Certain spells cast prior to scrying may grant the possessor additional information (see below). The subject is not granted a save (although magic resistance will operate), but may notice the scrying if the sensor appears (see detection chances below).
If the possessor attempts to use the device more than the alloted time or number of attempts, for each round scrying (and additional attempts) the possessor must save vs. Wand or be inflicted with 1 point of Intelligence drain and gain a random type of insanity (save negates).
If attempting scry multiple subjects during a day, each attempt counts toward the maximum number (up to 3 depending on the chance of locating) and an attempt over that alloted will require a save as noted above. Thus any attempt against any subject will be counted as 1 attempt and any further attempts against subjects under a 75% chance of locating will require a save.
Spells That Operate While Scrying. If cast prior to the beginning of the scrying attempt, the following spells may operate while the possessor views the target (chances of success assume the subject or area has no additional protection against the effect):
Comprehend Languages (100% chance of success)
Infravision (100% chance of success)
Read Magic (100% chance of success)
Tongues (100% chance of success)
Detect Evil or Detect Good (Chance of success is 5% per caster level)
Only creatures with an Intelligence rating of Very Intelligent or higher have a chance to notice a scrying sensor. If the creature has an Intelligence score, it must be 12 or higher. If so the chance of detection is as follows:
Base Chance of Detection for Primary Spell-casting Classes (priests, mages, etc.): Use the table for Sensing Invisible based on Hit Dice and Intelligence (i.e. unless the spell caster is high level, the base chance is 0%).
Adjustment for Hit Dice: Add +1% per hit die to the base chance of detection.
Multi-class Characters: Use the most favorable base chance of detection.
Adjustments for Intelligence Score: Use the following adjustments based on Intelligence score: 13=+1%; 14=+3%; 15=+6%; 16=+10%; 17=+15%; 18=+21%; 19=+28%; 20=+36%; 21=+47%; 22=+57%; 23=+68%; 24=+70%; 25=+83%;
Adjustments for Intelligence Rating: For creatures without an Intelligence score, use the following adjustments based on Intelligence Rating: High=+3%; Exceptional=+10%; Genius=++21%; Supra-genius=+36%; God-like=+83%;
Dead or undead creatures cannot be scried.
Creatures with an Intelligence rating less than Low cannot be scried.
Scrying can be blocked by lead or other materials worked into or spread on the walls on structures that also block ethereal travel (e.g. gorgon blood). Certain spells may also block scrying attempts. If either is the case, the result is as if the chance of locating failed.
If a dispel magic effect is cast in an area where there is a scrying sensor, the sensor will be dispelled (no roll necessary) and the device (in this case, the crystal ball) will be rendered inoperable for 24 hours.
Hearing. This device allows the possessor to hear sound within 30-ft. of the sensor. Whispering or high levels of ambient sound will require hearing checks as normal (and these can be performed while concentrating on the device). The sensor is considered to be 10-ft. from the subject.
ESP. The device can cast ESP (caster level 10) on the subject once per successful scrying attempt. This can be performed while concentrating on the device. This does not allow communication of any kind, only the reading of the subject's surface thoughts.
Telepathy. [psionic] The device allows the possessor to conduct a two-way telepathic (mental) conversation with the subject. No magic can operate across this connection.