Detecting & Identifying Magic

The word “spellcraft” is a broad term that refers to an academic understanding of magic. A character can know a lot about magic without actually having any magical ability himself—he is still able to identify the tell-tale traces of magic, work out what items do, know about the history of great mages and recognize their handiwork, and so on. These actions are not spells; they are simply applications of intelligence, perception, and knowledge, and as such they require INTUITION or LOGIC attribute checks.

Spellcraft has two common applications: detecting magic and identifying magical effects or items. Detecting magic requires an INT check, while identifying magic requires a LOG check. Both applications benefit greatly from the spellcraft skill.

Spellcraft & Skills

In addition to spellcraft itself, the following skills can also be very useful when making attribute checks related to spellcraft.

History can help with identifying artifacts and recalling ancient lore.

Blacksmith, armorer, and weaponsmith can help with identifying magical weapons and armor.

Herbalism and alchemy can help with the preparation and use of potions and concoctions.

Magical skills like abjuration, evocation, compulsion, etc. relate to broad types of magic. These help when casting spells.

Detecting Magic

There are, of course, supernatural ways to detect magic: some races (Grand Elves in particular) are able to intuitively feel the presence of magic and can sense magic within 30' instantly with no attribute check.Additionally, divination magic can be much more efficient at locating or identifying magical effects, spells, and devices.

Other characters can detect the presence of magic within 10' with a Difficult [16] INT check by inspecting the surroundings and identifying subtle but telltale signs. Each attempt to detect magic in this manner takes one minute and requires active examination. If you succeed with the check, you know whether there is any magic within 10', but not its level of power or type, or the number of effects. You can also tell whether any given creature in the area has magical or spellcasting abilities.

With a Demanding [21] check, you can determine the approximate power level of the most powerful effect in the area from ambient (up to 1 MP), faint (up to 5 MP), moderate (up to 10 MP), strong (up to 20 MP), and overwhelming (over 20 MP).

If you beat a Strenuous [25] INT check you know roughly how many different magical effects there are, and what their general power levels are, but if there are more than spells in the area of effect than the value of your INT score, it is too difficult to untangle the specific spell powers.

Task Difficulty

Detect the presence of magic within 10' Difficult [16]

Determine the approximate power level of the most
powerful effect in the area Demanding [21]

Know roughly how many different magical effects
there are, and what their general power levels are Strenuous [25]

Magic Power Levels

Effect Cost Power Level

Up to 1 MP Ambient

2–5 MP Faint

6–10 MP Moderate

11–20 MP Strong

21+ MP Overwhelming

Identifying Magic

A magic item or effect can be identified with a Difficult [16] LOG check. Each attempt to identify magic requires one hour. If you succeed with the check, you can identify a single spell effect, and what it does. On a magical item, you can identify one spell that is bound to the item.

If you beat a Strenuous [21] LOG check, you can even identify the the caster of that spell and recall other information about him. For example, you might recognize that a ring bears the markings of Ragnar the Munificient, renowned for his love of illusions, and that the ring you’ve discovered is one of his collection of invisibility rings.

Retries. You cannot normally retry the check if you fail. You simply don’t have that information. You can retry if your chance of success improves—perhaps you use a library, or a high quality magnifying glass, which gives you a +1d6 equipment bonus to the check.