Scrying

Main article: Magic, Spell Directory

Scrying is a method by which galdori divine activity surrounding a target, manifesting images and sound by a variety of methods. In order to scry, a scryer must have a target, a living person that they focus their casting on. Optional enhancements include knowledge of the setting and what their target is doing.

How it Works

Scrying involves two parties: the scryer and the recipient. In most situations, the scryer is the only one who need cast a spell. The spell in question establishes a link between the two parties so that information may be transmitted.

After the initial spell is cast, the scryer will be able to perceive an image or a sound, usually through a medium. This image or sound is interpreted through the scrying spell. The recipient will also see an image, usually of the scryer (though other images can be transmitted if necessary, depending on the strength of the spell). Different sensory information is transmitted by the spell, including but not limited to sight, sound and smell.

The spell ends when the link is broken by either the scryer or the recipient.

Depending on the method used, the information transmitted by a scrying spell might be perceptible to a certain degree by an outside party (only if that person is a galdor). However, if a seer stone is used, the voice sent out to the recipient will only be audible to the receiver. This is why seer stones are so popular.

Methods

The methods of scrying that are described in the Spell Directory are only the leading methods; many hundreds exist and new ones are discovered every year. Most of these methods are rather sloppy and do not provide reliable results, so the leading methods are generally preferred by practitioners. The only constant in these variations is a Monite clause referred to as the Invocation, and it is the foundation of all scrying methods. It is a spell that asks the mona to describe an ongoing situation, to lend an eye to the caster so he can observe something that is going on.

Some methods of scrying involve an image being projected so that multiple parties can read it, while others project an image more directly into a caster's mind. Some methods involve sound only (like seer stones, which allow two galdori to communicate with one another through a resonating lodestone).

Most galdori keep special scrying equipment in their house. Although common mediums can be used for scrying (even the water in a rain puddle or the smoke from a fireplace will do), galdori like to add an element of ritual to the spell to pay homage to the mona. The most common (and most polite) form of scrying is aquamancy, as it is convenient, cheap and not messy. Portable means of scrying, such as seer stones, are popular but expensive.

Accuracy

In essence, scrying is the act of receiving information based on a lead. In order to observe anything, the caster must know a certain amount of information about the situation already. The more information available, the more reliable the spell will be. This information can include setting, individuals, and the nature of what is going on in the scene. If the caster knows the person he or she is spying on, the scrying will be far more accurate; if they know exactly where the target is, and have a good memory of that location, that will also add to scrying accuracy.

However, if little is known about the situation or the recipient, the results will not be as reliable. Scrying can produce false results as easily as it can show the present. The scryer's own expectations and prejudices can be seen in scrying, which is why most galdori obtain the services of an impartial scryer whenever possible.

Distance plays a part in the accuracy of scrying. The farther away the scryer is from the target, the harder it is to see them; this is because the mona have to communicate over a larger distance.

Uses

As scrying is rather difficult, and can be inaccurate, widespread surveillance of human activity is rare. Galdori are typically concerned with the actions of other galdori. This, too, is limited by the connection one galdor has with another; if the relationship is strong enough to provide a perfectly accurate image, the target may become aware of the scrying spell and can counter it with a spell of his own if he is not comfortable with it. This is some of the only magic that remains strong even at great distances.

Security

It is possible to spy on a scrying spell by two methods. One, the galdori can directly observe the spell of another through subterfuge; two, he could in fact use a scrying spell to observe the other spell being cast. There is significant image degradation, but in the past this weakness has allowed for spying. Currently, more covert methods of scrying are being experimented with to prevent this.

A galdor could prevent themselves from being scryed upon by the same method he uses to confuse his field. This can help to prevent internal spells from being worked upon him (like scrying) but not external (like Fulmination). It confuses the mona enough so that they do not want to report upon the individual's activities, and often they blur him out as well as his surroundings, so the scrying image would be lost. This sort of defense cannot be kept up forever, but neither can a scrying connection.

Expertise

Most galdori cannot scry; this practice is generally best left to those who have chosen it as a profession. Amateurs do not produce accurate or trustworthy imagery.