Mystical Discernment (service)

The identification of magic items is a risky proposition. Many entities, institutions, organizations, and individuals can perform the Rituals of Knowing or Aura discernment to make basic perceptions of an item or effect; the full spectrum of assessing are referred to as the practice of Mystical Discernment. Most often, this full operation is performed at high cost and risk by professionals who are set up to handle the eventualities that may go with this – such as a magus using a safe Place of Focus, standard material reagents and following strict safety protocols using mystical protections.

Powers/effects that manifest this are capable of discerning Marks of Impact from such things as taints and corruptions of the target’s Aura.

Culture of Discernment: Most specialize in their own related mystical practice (by Aptitude) instead of the entire mystical spectrum. Open operators will often perform assessments for money for outsiders, and either reduced cost or as a service for members, subscribers, or followers. Very few settings will have “magic shops” per se, though they could be sellers of curios, charms, etc. It is more cost effective for larger organizations to offer this than individual purveyors of related mystical practices.

Mystic Services/Identifying Properties of Mystical Items

There are no “magic shops” per se, in the realms. There are individual practitioners and purveyors, in addition to a a pair of arcanist mercantile outfits. The competition between the institutions of Quizmans Magusterum and Theurgi Emporium stays in peaceful and this is closely monitored to prevent violence by the Guild of Solars.

Typical/Expected Reveals: Magic/Mystic items are typically Singularly Bound, requiring Essence.

Base Cost: 50% Cost Portion for the setting on average; This includes basic properties, charges, name, and whether or not it is cursed or sentient in any way.

Extended Cost(s): A additional 50%-100% Cost Portion for the setting. If the item was cursed, an added cost is required to rid the experimenter of it. If the item requires Attunement to discern its properties, an additional fee is required to break it quickly.

Typical Base Discernment Outcomes

  1. If it is in fact mystical, its related capabilities (Aptitude), and what type of dweomer (domain/schools) are present.
  2. The presence of The World Beyond properties.
  3. The presence of sentience, the name it goes by, its basic stated purpose/motivations and rough Code of Conduct required to wield it in service to its purpose.
  4. The aura projected for its origins: creature type, and suitability as material reagents.
  5. The presence of a specific Divine Bond, Conviction, and related faith.
  6. The presence of curses (though not always their results).
  7. Requirements to activate: Anima energy, command word, etc.
  8. The presence of a Lesser Attunement (1 Essence) and its details.
  9. The presence (though no details about) of a Greater Attunement (2+ Essence).
  10. The presence (though no details about) of a Superior Attunement (3+ Essence).

Typical Extended Discernment Outcomes

  1. Additional histories, major attunement properties, etc. are not part of the “report” on an item. This can be done or may have to be done purely as a mundane research project.
  2. The presence of a Greater Attunement (1 Essence) and its details.
  3. The presence of a Superior Attunement (1 Essence) and its details.