Duration mechanics for Locate Object / Creature

[eyelessgame]

Locate Object/Creature have a Long range "centered on you (the caster)", take a standard action to cast, and have a duration of one or ten minutes per level.

I am presuming - but I realize it is only an assumption - that if (for example) one casts the spell looking for a specific known creature and that creature is not within range when the spell is cast, the caster can then move, and the divination effect moves with her, and if she moves such that the creature enters the range of the spell, she will detect the creature?

Our campaign takes place in a fairly sophisticated Waterdeep-like city (Monte Cook's Ptolus) about twenty square miles in size, where it is not uncommon to have flying wizards. So I am presuming the wizard can cast overland flight, cruise over the city with locate creature active, and find the person she's trying to find, if they're anywhere in the city and not otherwise protected from detection.

Does that match others' understanding? Is how this detail works clarified anywhere in a PF1e book? Or is the range/area fixed at the point of casting (that would be the other interpretation of the spell)?

[MrCharisma]

That seems mostly correct the way I read it.

The only correction I'll give is that Locate Creature doesn't automatically tell you when a creature comes within range. You have to turn slowly and use yourself as a radar, and when you're facing the right direction it will ping. The duration of a rotation isn't exactly spelled out, but I would think a round or 2 would be sufficient. It would still be doable, but it'd take a bit longer and reduce the area you could cover before the spell runs out.

[Azothath]

Locate Object:D2 Rng:400+40*CL, Dur:CL min. You sense the direction... You can search for general items, in which case you locate the nearest of its kind if more than one is within range. Attempting to find a certain item requires a specific and accurate mental image; if the image is not close enough to the actual object, the spell fails. You cannot specify a unique item unless you have observed that particular item firsthand (not through divination).
The spell fails if there is no valid target within range.
IF there is one or more valid targets, after the casting the caster knows where the nearest one is. Going by Locate Creature I'd suggest range & direction (a origin centered spherical coord vector or distance & compass direction(N-S-E-W)). It is assumed that objects don't move about BUT it could be on a cart or in someone's pocket. In that case the spell would update the caster on a round by round basis. If the object is destroyed... It's up to the GM (see below).

Locate Creature:D4 Rng:400+40*CL, Dur:10*CL min. This spell functions like locate object, except this spell locates a known creature. You slowly turn and sense when you are facing in the direction of the creature to be located, provided it is within range. You also know in which direction the creature is moving, if any.
The spell can locate a creature of a specific kind or a specific creature known to you. It cannot find a creature of a certain type. To find a kind of creature, you must have seen such a creature up close (within 30 feet) at least once.
So again, the spell fails if there is no valid target within range.
IF there is one or more valid targets, after the casting the caster knows where the nearest one is by range & direction. Importantly with duration if the target moves the spell updates the caster with the new direction.
IF there's more than one and the first target dies... I'd let the spell focus on another valid target within range, if there are none then the spell fails at that point. Remember that dead creatures become objects as far as most game mechanics are concerned. A dead body/deceased is a special kind of object for some spells like Raise Dead that consider them creatures/persons.

For both spells the normal limiters for Line of Effect are opened up so a simple canvas sheet or being in a bag won't stop the spell. This is an important but subtle effect.
There is NO CHECK the target can make to know it is being "sensed" unlike Scrying.

As a Home GM I'd like to have the spell inform the caster at onset of the general number of valid targets within range as that would be very informative. By general number I mean (0, {group of} 1-12, many).

Seek Thoughts:D3 Rng:40ft, Dur: concentration up to CL min. Is more the continual radius detection.

[Diego Rossi]

Azothath wrote:

So again, the spell fails if there is no valid target within range.

It never says that. It simply doesn't detect anything, but you can move and scan a new area.

The spell is centered on you, so it moves with you.