Running a game where magic is highly regulated and licensed by a large government entity.
How can I detect that a given person is magical, without them actually casting a spell?
Thanks!
Arcane sight can tell if someone can cast spell with a standard action, but arcane sight is a spell. Detect magic can see buff on someone which is a good clue that they can cast spell, but detect magic is a spell. If someone has a spellbook or spell component bag that is a good clue.
AS far as I am aware, only the Arcane Sight spell can do that.
There's the 3rd level spell Arcane Sight, p. 244 of the Pathfinder Core Rulebook
It says in the description:
"If you concentrate on a specific creature within 120 feet of you as a standard action, you can determine whether it has any spellcasting or spell-like abilities, whether these are arcane or divine (spell-like abilities register as arcane), and the strength of the most powerful spell or spell-like ability the creature currently has available for use."
Greater Arcane Sight is even more powerful.
Those are the 2 ways that I know to detect magic-using beings - there may be others.
EDIT: totally ninja'ed.
Clerics also have a discernible aura with detect alignment and similar spells, moreso than ordinary people.
But without actual spellcasting, you're going to have to rely on using visual clues--a man in robes with a bunch of pouches, including one that is the right size for a wizard's spellbook--then it's probably a wizard. A spellcaster good at disguising his/her nature may be able to hide their nature however.
Now, as far as regulating magic and such goes: I can offer some advice based on things I've done in my world, where a number of governments are also wary about unauthorized magic use:
You can't tell someone is a caster until they cast a spell, but you can determine that the government has set up constant scrying devices, magical watchdogs, etc. to become aware when and where a spell is being cast. Authorized magic users carry a token upon them that is easily found by specifically keyed detect object type spells. If a spell goes off, the scrying wards/devices/etc. note the spell and then (contingency) scry for the token. If the token is not found on the person casting the spell, then their location is broadcast to the magic law enforcers and they teleport (if possible) directly to that spot to arrest the offending criminal.
Tokens are also usually visibly displayed so people can see who is a legal mage, as it were, easily.
Spells scryed for are usually limited in my world to obvious conjuration and evocation spells--fighting, summoning, and teleportation can cause some of the most obvious--or otherwise very high level magic. No one's going to care if a traveler casts light to read at night or prestidigitation to salt their food.
It's not perfect but it kind of works for the purpose of storytelling.
The only other thing is magic items which allow the detection of spellcasters (including a permanent arcane sight spell) of which a competent government would probably have a few.
Powerful spellcasters are also likely to carry a lot of magical protective gear that isn't weapons or armor, so someone with an item to detect magic could also at least suspect certain persons even if not be able to definitely suss them out as casters.
There could be other, more creative options. Perhaps the government has bred a creature that is attracted to magic users for instance, and has some mystical way of "sniffing them out."
The government uses spellcasting VERY liberally, in police and military appliciations. Magic users must be licensed and registered, otherwise face stiff fines and prison time.
All wizards are registered and licensed upon entering/completing school.
Sorcerers and Bards are tougher nuts... They must voluntarily register and be licensed, or face imprisonment or execution, depending on severity of their offense.
All licenses and registration information also contains information about how powerful said caster is... Classed from "Class 1 to Class 9". (This corresponds to what level of spell they are able to cast).
Gotta have it renewed every year...
Magic Users can be conscripted for government use...
etc, etc...
Basically, the government isn't against magic, and in fact uses it often. it just really wants to control it.
I just need a way to easily identify a magic user even while said magic user attempts to stay hidden.
Arcane Sight is acceptable, thanks!
Another quick question: Do Alchemists appear to have a magical aura?
Another quick question: Do Alchemists appear to have a magical aura?
For the purposes of Arcane Sight? By the rules, no. Arcane sight detects spellcasting ability, and spell-like abilities. Alchemists don't actually cast spells, and have no spell-like abilities.