Moment Reading
This spell allows the priest to determine the
"tenor of the now" — in other words, to learn the
"force" that is most dominant at the time. To cast
the spell, the priest generates a series of random
numbers and then studies the pattern contained
in that string of numbers. This pattern contains
information about current conditions.
In game terms, when this spell is cast, the DM
communicates to the priest's player a single word
or short phrase (no more than five words) describing the "tone" of the situation. Examples of
suitable "tones" are "imminent danger" (the DM
knows a dragon is approaching the area "peace
and tranquility" (the woods in which the PCs
camp may look threatening, but the area is actually free of evil influence or "betrayal" (one of
the PCs' hirelings is actually a spy of their enemy). The DM can make this comment cryptic,
but it should always be accurate and contain
some useful information.
This spell has no specified area of effect. The
result of moment reading will always concern the
priest and anyone else in his immediate vicinity,
but the definition of "vicinity" will vary depending on the circumstances. For example, the tenor
of the moment might be "severe danger" if the
priest is entering the territory of a dragon who
attacks interlopers on sight.
The tenor of the moment is always personally
applicable to the priest. For example, even if the
priest is in a nation dangerously close to war with
its neighbor, this condition will not appear in the
tenor of the moment unless the priest is person-
ally involved (if he's currently in the direct path
of an invading army, for instance).
One casting of this spell tends to "taint" subsequent castings of the same spell unless they are separated by a minimum length of time. If a priest casts
this spell twice within 12 hours, the second reading
gives the same result as the first, regardless of the
actual situation. If a second priest casts the spell
within 12 hours of another priest's use of the spell,
he receives an accurate reading.
The material component are not consumed in the casting.
[Tome of Magic]
Sphere: Numbers
(Divination)
Level: 3
(Divination)
Level: 3
Range: 0
Components: V, S, M
Duration: Instantaneous
Casting Time: 1 round
Area of Effect: Special
Saving Throw: None
Components: V, S, M
Duration: Instantaneous
Casting Time: 1 round
Area of Effect: Special
Saving Throw: None
a set of 36 small disks made of polished bone engraved with runes that represent numbers
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