Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 iserith Dec 27, 2014 8:37:49	Rather than go through the PHB and whatnot myself, I wanted to throw this up for discussion figuring that it might be a useful resource for both players and DMs.   Investigation is a component of some campaigns, whether that's trying to find the dragon's lair or villain's doomsday laboratory or who's behind the brutal killings in the Big City. Players can draw upon their characters' skills, class features, and magic (both spells and items) to assist them in these efforts.   So, I'd like to put together a list of these skills, class features, magic, and items (both mundane and magical) that players could use to help their characters pursue investigations and solve mysteries.   The No-Brainers:   Investment in Intelligence and the Investigation skill: Hopefully your actions will succeed without a roll, but just in case you need to make an ability check, having this ability score at a respectable level and Investigation trained will make success likelier. Criminal Contact (Criminal Background Feature): Reach out to your criminal contact to see what useful information they have regarding your investigation. They might know a guy who knows a guy that can help - for a price. Magnifying Glass: No sleuth worth his salt would be caught flatfooted without one. Bonus points if you myopically squint through it and follow the footprints until you run straight into the villain's rear end. Detect Thoughts: Bust the DM's plot with this 2nd-level (bard, sorcerer, wizard) spell on the right target... but realize that figuring out the mystery is just the midway point of your adventure. Now you have to do something with this knowledge.   What else ya got?
#2 BRJN Dec 27, 2014 9:10:27	Basic competency in Insight skill.  Because it includes "searching out a lie".   Zone of Truth spell.  Be aware that a clever DM may have your subject answer, "I don't want to talk to you about that." - which is both true and unhelpful.   Charm Person and Friends spells may cause the subject to slip up and reveal something he'd rather not, depending on total circumstances (interrogation vs. friendly chat).  Note that when the spell wears off, one causes them to be mad at you; and the other gives them knowledge of your shenanniganery plus freedom of action.   Allure (v3.5 spell) gave a temporary +CHR.  What's the modern name?
#3 bawylie Dec 27, 2014 12:41:34	AW's operator has cash specific moves like bribery etc. Depending on whether your investigation is official or skullduggery (like with the criminal contact, above), your approach to an investigation can change. Maybe even enhanced interrogation techniques.
#4 sleypy Dec 27, 2014 13:26:40	Nystul's Magic Aura. Great for concealing your magic items, identity and/or appearing more/less powerful. It also has the added feature that if you cast it on a thing long enough it becomes a permenant aura, which is good for disgusing oneself long term. It can work both ways, but I wouldn't advise using it a lot as a DM unless its specifically part of the mystery.