Detect metal is a neat spell with a whole lot of cool uses. Of course, the number-one nonmagical method for blocking divination, particularly detect spells, is a thin lead sheet.
For the "detect specific metal" version of the spell, does "detect lead" fail (as in, erroneously indicate nothing) due to lead objects blocking themselves?
For the "detect all metallic objects" version of the spell, do lead objects register? Do other metal objects coated with or enclosed in lead register? Does the "thin sheet of lead blocks detect spells" clause override the "gold coins with a thin lead coating are still 100% metal by mass" fact?
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Agreed with Rysky, I don't think there's a generic "lead stops divination" rule, just specific call outs in specific spells.
Agreed with Rysky, I don't think there's a generic "lead stops divination" rule, just specific call outs in specific spells.
There is, but it only applies to Divination [scrying] spells, not all divination spells.
Scrying: A scrying spell creates an invisible magical sensor that sends you information. Unless noted otherwise, the sensor has the same powers of sensory acuity that you possess. This level of acuity includes any spells or effects that target you, but not spells or effects that emanate from you. The sensor, however, is treated as a separate, independent sensory organ of yours, and thus functions normally even if you have been blinded or deafened, or otherwise suffered sensory impairment.
A creature can notice the sensor by making a Perception check with a DC 20 + the spell level. The sensor can be dispelled as if it were an active spell.
Lead sheeting or magical protection blocks a scrying spell, and you sense that the spell is blocked.
Lead is metal
Detect Metal would certainly detect the presence of a lead box, but the spell lets you scry for specific metals, so if you were looking for platinum and there was something made of platinum inside of a lead box, would detect metal be able to find it?
Lead is metalDetect Metal would certainly detect the presence of a lead box, but the spell lets you scry for specific metals, so if you were looking for platinum and there was something made of platinum inside of a lead box, would detect metal be able to find it?
Only specific divination spells are scrying spells. Detect metal is not one of them. Lead has no blocking effect.
The better question would be "why would someone make a box of lead if not to stop detection spells"
Well, the specific example I was thinking of is a lich wanting to hide its phylactery (which is usually a platinum box with scrolls and stuff inside), so the Lich puts the platinum box inside a lead box and hides it wherever Liches keep their phylacteries. It's now immune to regular scrying, but would "Detect Metal" be a way to find it once you get within 60 feet of it.
The better question would be "why would someone make a box of lead if not to stop detection spells"
It's fairly cheap, waterproof and easy to work, it doesn't rust or rot, nothing* eats it and it's heavy enough to be hard to steal.
* except rust monsters, natch
Lead is nice metal to work with, you can create complex designs and embossings with it which made it extremely popular for cutlery, pots and kettles as well as dinner plates and basically everything that you ate with had lovely lead motifs around it. A lot of people got very sick of course- but I reckon it would have given them a +8 save against any divination effect along with making their tea immune to scrying.
What about scrying using those self-same tea leaves?
Rust monsters destroy all metal, despite their name it's not necessarily rust, the description also mentions corrosion.
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Magic.
Magic.
Silversheen
The things are kinda cute :P
The GM spent the night looking at me in disgust.