Sensory Signature

Another characteristic of spells is their sensory signature, or just how noticeable the effects of the spell are. A lightning bolt includes a blinding flash of light and a deafening clap of thunder; clearly, it is much more noticeable than a shocking grasp or an unseen servant. Many spell effects are completely undetectable; for example, a charm person, polymorph self, or feeblemind spell may wreak all kinds of havoc with the subject, but outside observers can t see, smell, or hear anything when the spell is cast that lets them know that magic was just employed. Sensory effects fall into (naturally) five major categories: sight, hearing, smell, touch, and taste.

Sight: Spells that create matter, project energy, or create visible changes in the subject have a visual sensory signature. Any creature close enough to see the effect will be aware of the fact that a spell has been cast.

Hearing: Most spells with visible signatures also have an audible signature as well, even if it’s a weird hum, buzz, or ZOTTT! as the magic affects its target. A few spells have particularly noticeable audible signatures, such as lightning bolt, shout, and other such deadly enchantments. Very few spells have an audible signature without some form of visual signature as well.

Smell: Enchantments such as stinking cloud and cloudkill are the obvious offenders in this category, but other spells may leave olfactory signatures behind, particularly spells that start fires. The pungent fumes of a pyrotechnics or incendiary cloud spell may easily be the first thing an observer notices, even before he sees the smoke.

Touch and Taste: Usually, if a character’s close enough to notice a spell’s effect by these methods, he’s already quite aware of the fact that magic has been used against him. However, in some cases, this might be a character’s only way to detect a spell. For example, a character who has been magically blinded and deafened would still feel the warmth of a distant fireball on his face or feel the tremors caused by a priest’s earthquake.

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