Scrying
Scrying
Classification: Specialization
Parent School: Divination Class
Scrying is the specialized art of gathering visual and auditory information from afar. It is the most common and practical application of the Divination discipline.
Specialization Rules
This is an advanced Specialization. To learn Spells (Powers) in this field, a mage must use their dot-purchase selections from the Divination Class skill track. Furthermore, specific spells within Scrying will explicitly require a secondary prerequisite (such as 1 or 2 dots in collateral Schools) to simulate the mixed-matrix required to cast them.
Progression
Acquiring dots and Powers here requires deep dedication. The spells are extremely potent but narrowly focused.
Example Powers
| Tier | Example Effect | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Clairaudience | Allows the caster to hear sounds from a specific location within a short distance. |
| Tier 2 | Arcane Eye | Creates an invisible, floating sensor that transmits visual information back to the caster. |
| Tier 3 | Remote Viewing | Projects the caster's senses to a distant location, provided they have a strong sympathetic link to the target. |
| Tier 4 | Pierce Illusion | A specialized sensory filter that automatically detects and highlights Illusionism constructs or glamours. |
| Tier 5 | Omniscience Sphere | Grants the caster a flawless, 360-degree top-down view of a massive area (like an entire city district) simultaneously. |
Lore Deep Dive
The Necessity of a Link:
Scrying is not omnipotent. A caster cannot simply declare they want to view a stranger halfway across the continent. Divinations require a sympathetic link to the target—either a physical object belonging to them, a lock of hair, or a very strong personal memory of the target from the caster. Without this reference point, the spell has nothing to lock onto.
Range Limits and Scanning:
Scrying spells are range-limited. If a spell seeks a non-specific target (e.g., "show me the nearest goblin"), it will only scan a certain radius around the caster before giving up. It will not search the entire world.
The "Garbage In, Garbage Out" Syndrome:
If a scryer feeds improper information into their spell, or starts with an ill-considered reference point, they will get a result that is incorrect, misleading, or visually garbled. Interpreting a flawed scrying sensor can result in a string of gibberish and a raging headache.
Design Boundaries
Scrying CAN:
- Project the caster's senses (sight, hearing) over distances.
- Locate specific objects or people, provided the caster possesses a strong sympathetic link.
- Be cast very cheaply. It relies heavily on shaping finesse rather than raw mana reserves.
Scrying CANNOT:
- Penetrate Anti-Divination Wards (which scatter the scrying sensor's signal).
- Track a target flawlessly without a pre-existing connection or physical link.
- Read minds (that is strictly the domain of Mind Magic).