Pathfinder Spells

Detect Magic

School: divination/ ()
Level: bard 0, cleric/oracle 0, druid 0, sorcerer/wizard 0, summoner 0, witch 0, inquisitor 0, magus 0, shaman 0, occultist 0, psychic 0, mesmerist 0, spiritualist 0
Casting time: 1 standard action
Components: V, S
Range: Medium (60 ft.)
Area: cone-shaped emanation
Duration: concentration, up to 1 min./level
Dismissible: Yes
Shapeable: No
Saving throw: none
Spell resistence: no
Source: PFRPG Core

Description

You detect magical auras. The amount of information revealed depends on how long you study a particular area or subject.

1st Round: Presence or absence of magical auras.

2nd Round: Number of different magical auras and the power of the most potent aura.

3rd Round: The strength and location of each aura. If the items or creatures bearing the auras are in line of sight, you can make Knowledge (arcana) skill checks to determine the school of magic involved in each. (Make one check per aura: DC 15 + spell level, or 15 + 1/2 caster level for a nonspell effect.) If the aura emanates from a magic item, you can attempt to identify its properties (see Spellcraft).

Magical areas, multiple types of magic, or strong local magical emanations may distort or conceal weaker auras.

Aura Strength: An aura's power depends on a spell's functioning spell level or an item's caster level; see the accompanying table. If an aura falls into more than one category, detect magic indicates the stronger of the two.

Spell or Object Aura Power

Faint Moderate Strong Overwhelming

Functioning spell (spell level) 3rd or lower 4th-6th 7th-9th 10th+ (deity-level)

Magic item (caster level) 5th or lower 6th-11th 12th-20th 21st+ (artifact)
Lingering Aura: A magical aura lingers after its original source dissipates (in the case of a spell) or is destroyed (in the case of a magic item). If detect magic is cast and directed at such a location, the spell indicates an aura strength of dim (even weaker than a faint aura). How long the aura lingers at this dim level depends on its original power:
Original Strength Duration of Lingering Aura

Faint 1d6 rounds

Moderate 1d6 minutes

Strong 1d6x10 minutes

Overwhelming 1d6 days
Outsiders and elementals are not magical in themselves, but if they are summoned, the conjuration spell registers. Each round, you can turn to detect magic in a new area. The spell can penetrate barriers, but 1 foot of stone, 1 inch of common metal, a thin sheet of lead, or 3 feet of wood or dirt blocks it.

Spell or Object	Aura Power
Faint	Moderate	Strong	Overwhelming
Functioning spell (spell level)	3rd or lower	4th-6th	7th-9th	10th+ (deity-level)
Magic item (caster level)	5th or lower	6th-11th	12th-20th	21st+ (artifact)

Original Strength	Duration of Lingering Aura
Faint	1d6 rounds
Moderate	1d6 minutes
Strong	1d6x10 minutes
Overwhelming	1d6 days

Detect magic can be made permanent with a permanency spell.

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