Apologize if this has been answered before, but I wasn't able to find anything.
What happens when you use Detect Magic on a scroll?
1) Does it emit a magical aura?
2) If yes, is the aura always the same regardless of the type of scroll (Arcane, Divine, etc.)?
3) If yes, does the aura match the spell that is on the scroll?
4) What if there are multiple spells on a scroll?
Thanks for your help!
This previous post answers some of your questions
Detect-Magic-and-magic-scrolls
They would certainly emit an aura, as they are magical items.
With 3 rounds of concentration you could tell the school of magic (of the spell on the scroll, or highest level spell if their are multiple) and the approximate caster level.
If you thoroughly examine (presumably including handling and reading) you can identify the exact spell on the scroll with spell craft and detect magic, including arcane and divine, caster level etc. etc.
You would still have to actually decipher the scroll with read magic or a separate spellcraft roll before you use it.
Typically, other than maybe determining if it has an aura, most people just skip straight to the decipher step as that seems to be enough to reveal everything on its own.
This previous post answers some of your questions
Detect-Magic-and-magic-scrolls
Hi CrystalSeas,
I did see that post, but it actually doesn't answer any of those questions. That's how Detect Magic works, which I understand, but it doesn't answer any of the above questions, specifically if Scrolls emit an aura or not.
They would certainly emit an aura, as they are magical items.
With 3 rounds of concentration you could tell the school of magic (of the spell on the scroll, or highest level spell if their are multiple) and the approximate caster level.
If you thoroughly examine (presumably including handling and reading) you can identify the exact spell on the scroll with spell craft and detect magic, including arcane and divine, caster level etc. etc.
You would still have to actually decipher the scroll with read magic or a separate spellcraft roll before you use it.
Typically, other than maybe determining if it has an aura, most people just skip straight to the decipher step as that seems to be enough to reveal everything on its own.
Thanks Dave! That's what I was looking for. That's how I've been playing it, but wanted to make sure that's how it was supposed to be played within the normal rule set.
But that does bring up another question...
When you are using Detect Magic to identify a magic item, what happens if you fail the initial Arcane Knowledge check to determine what school of magic it is? Does that mean you that you failed to identify the item entirely, and have to try again later? Or can you move on to the Spellcraft roll to identify the item with out passing the first part?
It would seem odd that if you failed the first roll, that you can just move on to the Spellcraft roll, since once you ID the item often times you will know the school of magic used to create it.
It is entirely separate things. Usually the identify aura is done looking at things at a distance, while the identify properties is up close and personal (thoroughly examining.)
In most games I have played when it comes to items, especially loot type items, people just do the check to see if it has an aura and if so, through it in the pile for identifying.
Just learning the school isn't worth too much in most cases, and I rarely see anyone bother except perhaps with a magical ward or trap sometimes. Even then, it doesn't often tell you too much.