Detection spells and strengths of auras

Dristram · Post by **Dristram** » Tue Oct 31, 2006 7:35 pm

In the descriptions of the detections spells like detect magic, detect evil, etc, it mentions the strengths of the auras (faint, moderate, strong, overwhelming, etc), but doesn't mention how a CK determines the strengths and what, if anything, the affect the strengths have on the caster. Is it mentioned somewhere else? In the mean time, I just used existing D&D rules. But I think the C&C rules should include info on this.

serleran · Post by **serleran** » Tue Oct 31, 2006 7:41 pm

Kind of up to the CK, really. What makes a strong aura? Well, perhaps its simply spell level.. or perhaps its the caster level. It might even be proximity, so that a very strong aura might appear faint if the distance is great enough, and a wussy one might appear extreme if its right on top of you.

I agree some kind of guideline could be given, but I don't think it should be "one way only."

Nelzie · Post by **Nelzie** » Tue Oct 31, 2006 7:43 pm

Looking at evil as an example...

Faint Aura = a few Goblins or other low-level evil threat.

Moderate Aura = a larger pile of Goblins or some evil low level PC Class NPCs, Hellhounds

Strong Aura = Young Evil Dragons, Mid Level Evil PC Class NPCs, Vampires

Overwhelming Aura = Devils, Old Dragons, High Level Evil PC Class NPCs, Lich

I would look at it as much "evil" can the being bring about as an entity. That's just me.
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Treebore · Post by **Treebore** » Tue Oct 31, 2006 7:45 pm

That was left to the CK to decide, because we gamers have differing opinions as to what spell levels qualify as which level of power.

A good rule of thumb, there are 9 spell levels, so divide those up by the number of descriptive categories and you roughly have two levels covered by each description you listed.

Magic items are another tough call, do you just go by the highest level spell in the item, or do you just say it is off the scale because it has more than 9 spell levels enchanted into it?

The Trolls decided you would want to make those kinds of decisions, or you could always use the 3E SRD for a guideline.

Dristram · Post by **Dristram** » Tue Oct 31, 2006 7:52 pm

I think a slight oversight on the Trolls part then. Experienced DMs will be able to work something out. But a CK who's new to RPGs in general, and never played D&D, might not figure it out. I think a small amount of guidance like Serl mentioned is all that is needed, like mentioning strengths can be derived from spell levels, caster levels, HD, etc would allow a new player to take it from there.

Treebore · Post by **Treebore** » Tue Oct 31, 2006 7:59 pm

Yeah, it is. Hopefully one of them notes things like this for the eventual 3rd printing of the PH or second printing of the M&T.

Which if C&C takes off well enough for them to "sell out" they'll have to do new printings for the business to continue to grow. So hopefully they will also use the opportunity to correct mistakes and ad rules clarifications/additions.

Scurvy_Platypus · Post by **Scurvy_Platypus** » Tue Oct 31, 2006 8:05 pm

Heh, one person's flexibibility is another's oversight.
I think the number of people that benefit from having an officially published "guideline" is smaller than the number of people that are going to disregard or make it up on their own. All boils down to how much hand-holding someone feels needs to be done. I appreciate not having to wade through too much extraneous "guidance", but then I'm pretty willing to disreard stuff and go my own way.

Like poking at a combination of the point buy system from the Anime SRD and C&C.