Detect Evil
2nd Edition
5th Edition
This spell discovers emanations of evil, or of good in the case of the reverse spell, from any creature, object, or area. Character alignment, however, is revealed only under unusual circumstances: characters who are strongly aligned, who do not stray from their faith, and who are of at least 9th level might radiate good or evil if intent upon appropriate actions. Powerful monsters, such as rakshasas or ki-rin, send forth emanations of evil or good, even if polymorphed. Aligned undead radiate evil, for it is this power and negative force that enable them to continue existing. An evilly cursed object or unholy water radiates evil, but a hidden trap or an unintelligent viper does not. The degree of evil (dim, faint, moderate, strong, or overwhelming) and possibly its general nature (expectant, malignant, gloating, etc.) can be noted. If the evil is overwhelming, the priest has a 10% chance per level of detecting its general bent (lawful, neutral, or chaotic). The duration of a detect evil (or detect good) spell is one turn plus five rounds per level of the priest. Thus, a 1st-level priest can cast a spell with a 15-round duration, a 2nd-level priest can cast a spell with a 20-round duration, etc. The spell has a path of detection 10 feet wide in the direction the priest is facing. The priest must concentrate--stop, have quiet, and intently seek to detect the aura--for at least one round to receive a reading.
You can sense the presence of evil. The amount of information revealed depends on how long you study a particular area or subject.
1Except for undead and outsiders, which have their own entries on the table.
2Some characters who are not clerics may radiant an aura of equivalent power.
Animals, traps, poisons, and other potential perils are not evil, and as such this spell does not detect them.
1st Round
Presence or absence of evil.2nd Round
Number of evil auras (creatures, objects, or spells) in the area and the power of the most potent evil aura present. If you are of good alignment, and the strongest evil aura’s power is overwhelming (see below), and the Hit Dice or level of the aura’s source is at least twice your level, you are stunned for 1 round and the spell ends.3rd Round
The power and location of each aura. If an aura is outside your line of sight, then you discern its direction but not its exact location.Aura Power
An evil aura’s power depends on the type of evil creature or object that you’re detecting and its HD, caster level, or (in the case of a cleric) class level; see the accompanying table. If an aura falls into more than one strength category, the spell indicates the stronger of the two.| --- | Aura | Power | --- | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Creature/Object | Faint | Moderate | Strong | Overwhelming |
| Evil Creature1 (Hit Dice) | 10 or lower | 11-25 | 26-50 | 51+ |
| Undead (Hit Dice) | 2 or lower | 3-8 | 9-20 | 21+ |
| Evil Outsider (Hit Dice) | 1 or lower | 2-4 | 5-10 | 11+ |
| Cleric or Paladin of an evil deity2 (class levels) | 1 | 2-4 | 5-10 | 11+ |
| Evil magic item or spell (caster level) | 2nd or lower | 3rd-8th | 9th-20th | 21st+ |
Lingering Aura
An evil aura lingers after its original source dissipates (in the case of a spell) or is destroyed (in the case of a creature or magic item). If detect evil is cast and directed at such a location, the spell indicates an aura strength of dim (even weaker than a faint aura). How long the aura lingers at this dim level depends on its original power:| Original Strength | Duration |
|---|---|
| Faint | 1d6 rounds |
| Moderate | 1d6 minutes |
| Strong | 1d6x10 minutes |
| Overwhelming | 1d6 days |
This is a rare option
This option requires special permission to take. In the case of spells, psionic powers, and similar options, this option must be found in the world and cannot be taken upon level-up.
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This article will be expanded upon in the future
