Can Detect Magic help with illusions? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Can Detect Magic help with illusions? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
WurmD
02-15-06, 07:29 AM Can someone with a Detect Magic see the aura of a "silent image" of an illusion covering a door to make it appear as a plain wall?

If it can, the player can go, "interact" with the wall and make his save to disbelief, correct?

thanks for the help.
Purple Yin
02-15-06, 08:53 AM they can see the aura, but it could just be a magic door, so they still have to interact with it.
BW0222
02-15-06, 11:37 AM Yes.

In the first round, if the caster was facing the area of the doorway, they would determine that there is some magic within the area. On the second round of concentrating, they would determine that there is one magical affect and that it is faint magic. On the third round on concentrating at the area, the spell would reveal the location (wall) is magical and the caster can make a DC 16 spellcraft check to determine that it is from the illusion school of magic.

At any point, the PCs might decide to search the area in which case someone is likely touching the wall. Although it is possible that they might conclude it is a trap and not want to touch it.

However, silent image requires concentration and the caster must be see the targetted square. i.e. baring some type of permanency or something, she would need to be concentrating on the illusion's side of the door. Presumably the PCs would see her or the detect magic might pick up something magic of her invisibility or some item on her.
Purple Yin
02-15-06, 12:29 PM could have the door open, and be on the other side of the doorway.
Mistwell
02-15-06, 02:19 PM Yes. This issue is actually in the FAQ.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
WurmD 02-15-06, 07:29 AM	Can someone with a Detect Magic see the aura of a "silent image" of an illusion covering a door to make it appear as a plain wall? If it can, the player can go, "interact" with the wall and make his save to disbelief, correct? thanks for the help.
Purple Yin 02-15-06, 08:53 AM	they can see the aura, but it could just be a magic door, so they still have to interact with it.
BW0222 02-15-06, 11:37 AM	Yes. In the first round, if the caster was facing the area of the doorway, they would determine that there is some magic within the area. On the second round of concentrating, they would determine that there is one magical affect and that it is faint magic. On the third round on concentrating at the area, the spell would reveal the location (wall) is magical and the caster can make a DC 16 spellcraft check to determine that it is from the illusion school of magic. At any point, the PCs might decide to search the area in which case someone is likely touching the wall. Although it is possible that they might conclude it is a trap and not want to touch it. However, silent image requires concentration and the caster must be see the targetted square. i.e. baring some type of permanency or something, she would need to be concentrating on the illusion's side of the door. Presumably the PCs would see her or the detect magic might pick up something magic of her invisibility or some item on her.
Purple Yin 02-15-06, 12:29 PM	could have the door open, and be on the other side of the doorway.
Mistwell 02-15-06, 02:19 PM	Yes. This issue is actually in the FAQ.