Detect Evil Intent

The Templar, so thoroughly aligned with the forces of good, can experience the mere presence of evil as a physical sensation. Although similar to the Detect Evil spell, the Templar's sensitivity to evil essentially functions as a sixth sense. But, like the spell, this ability doesn't work automatically. The player must make it clear that the paladin is attempting to detect evil; only then will the DM reveal the relevant information.

Use and Limitations

Unlike other senses, the detection of evil works only when the Templar concentrates for one full round, remaining still and taking no other actions. Often, Templars close their eyes, lower their head, and clear their minds by focusing on their own breathing. Some Templars extend their palms, touch their foreheads with their fingers, or sweep their hands slowly in front of them. Details of the concentration routine vary from Templar to Templar, and each is free to come up with a unique routine. Once settled on a routine, the Templar should always execute it the same way.

If attacked, distracted, or otherwise disturbed while concentrating, the Templar fails to detect evil. He may try again in subsequent rounds.

The Templar may target an individual or group up to 60 feet distant, in an area about 10 feet wide, or a location where an individual or group might be hiding, such as a clump of bushes or a concealed alcove. The Templar must face the indicated individual, group, or location, but need not see the target. If blindfolded or in thick fog, for example, the Templar can target an individual by voice or movement, or just take a guess. In a shadowed corridor, the paladin's detect-evil ability can determine if anyone - or anything - with strong evil intent lurks in the darkness.

Eligible Targets

A Templar can detect evil radiated by characters and monsters; undead created by evil magic; Negative Plane influences; evil artifacts; certain enchanted swords; and other intelligent objects that radiate evil. The ability can't detect cursed objects or traps, nor does it work on creatures of Animal intelligence or less (Intelligence 0 or 1), such as centipedes or carnivorous plants.

The Templar's sensitivity to evil responds to the target's intention to commit an evil act. The ability doesn't reveal the precise nature of the intended act, nor does it reveal the target's actual alignment. Characters who are strongly aligned, who do not stray from their faith, and are of at least 9th level might radiate evil if intent upon appropriate actions. For instance, if the Templar uses this ability on a suspicious non-player character, the Templar may sense that the NPC radiates evil, but not that the NPC is neutral evil, or that the NPC plans to ambush and kill the Templar. If an NPC recently murdered a passerby, the Templar might pick up evil emanations from the NPC but cannot determine the nature of the crime. Creatures such as the rakshasa, who disguise themselves with illusions, may conceal their appearances but not their evil intentions.

A high-level character unshakably committed to an evil alignment may radiate evil even when not specifically planning an evil act or thinking evil thoughts. Powerful evil monsters, such as red dragons and hill giants, also radiate evil uncontrollably. A Templar can always detect the presence of these types of evil beings, unless unusual conditions are in effect. For instance, in some evil strongholds or planes, everything reads evil, effectively negating the Templar's evil-sensing ability.

Subject creatures may not make saving throws to resist a Templar's attempt to sense evil. However, Undetectable Alignment and similar spells cast on a target temporarily prevent the Templar from sensing the target's evil emanations. But as soon as the spell ends, the Templar is free to make another attempt.

A Templar can't detect an evil presence through 3 feet or more of wood, 1 foot or more of stone, or 1 inch or more of metal. A thin coat of lead also prevents the use of this ability. A Templar perceives such barriers as nonspecific obstructions, without knowing their composition or widths.

Interpreting the Results

If an attempt at sensing evil fails, or if there's no evil present, the Templar feels nothing out of the ordinary. If evil is present, the Templar might experience an unmistakable physical sensation. Though the type of sensation varies among Templars, a given Templar always has the same reaction. Typical reactions include tingling in the fingertips, a warm flush, a cold chill, or a dull throb behind the eyes; the DM can make up sensations. Usually the sensation lasts only a moment.

If the Templar scans a crowd of people, tingling fingers won't pinpoint the character responsible for the evil emanations. If scanning a pool of murky water, throbbing eyes won't reveal the number or species of evil creatures lurking below the surface. However, the Templar may determine the degree of evil from the intensity of the sensation. Table 11 lists four general degrees and examples of sources. Two ways that a Templar might experience the corresponding sensations also appear. In an encounter, the DM describes only the sensation when a Templar successfully detects evil; the player must interpret the meaning of the sensation.

At the DM's option, the Templar may discover the general nature of the evil as well as its degree. A pickpocket may radiate an expectant evil, a vampire's evil may be malignant. The DM may use the sensations suggested to indicate the nature of evil (the Templar experiences an expectant evil as an itch on his fingertips), or may employ a different set of sensations (a warmth in the chest indicates expectant evil).

Ambiguous situations produce ambiguous results. If a vampire waits behind a 3-inch-thick stone wall fortified with 2 feet of wood, a Templar may detect a moderate or strong sensation of evil, rather than an overwhelming one. If a murderer hides behind a window with a coat of flaking lead paint, a paladin may detect a moderate instead of a strong sensation.

If the DM can't decide which category to use, it's acceptable to give the Templar mixed signals. If a vicious mugger hides in a closet, but plans to surrender rather than fight if discovered, a Templar may detect both faint and moderate sensations (fingertip itches alternating with pinpricks).