Finding out the command words for a magic item

[DireMerc]

The party in my game has recently acquired a Mirror of life trapping

However they do not know the command words. The wizards would like to try and learn the command words to activate/deactivate the mirror to speak to the occupants and to free them if he needs to.

Would he be able to do this with research? I think not personally maybe with divination magic but he doesn't really have any spells that would do the job.

[SorrySleeping]

"The Knowledge (arcana) and Knowledge (history) skills might be useful in helping to identify command words or deciphering clues regarding them. A successful check against DC 30 is needed to come up with the word itself. If that check is failed, succeeding on a second check (DC 25) might provide some insight into a clue. The spells detect magic, identify, and analyze dweomer all reveal command words if the properties of the item are successfully identified."

[Tyrant Lizard King]

A Spellcraft check used with Detect Magic or Identify is needed to determine it's properties.(DC = 15+CL)

Analyze Dweomer reveals everything without a skill check.

If you lack the ability to learn the properties you can "activate blindly" with a Use Magic Device check DC 25

[Val'bryn2]

Sure he can. There was a scene in the novel Brothers in Arms from the Dragonlance saga where Raistlin was doing just that for the Staff of Magius, ending with him getting pissed and yelling "oh for god's sake, light, damn you!" in the language of magic.

[blahpers]

Yep, all you need is a cantrip and time.