Identifying Magic Items

Changes and extensions to the OSE Magic Items rules
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Detecting Magic Items
Magic Items appear as high-quality common items (in most cases). They may be etched with exceptionally fine runes or have other signs they are magical simply by closely examining the item

Identifying Magic Items
Once an item has been determined to be (or is suspected of being) magical, it must be identified before it may be used.

Option 1: Experimentation

  • Works only in certain cases but may be faster or cheaper
  • Anyone can attempt this method regardless of arcane training
  • The method used depends on the type of item being investigated

Arcane Scrolls: Casting Read Magic will fully identify the spells on the scroll. The spell must appear on the caster's list to be identified
Divine Scrolls: Require examination by a Warpriest or other Divine Caster to determine the spells on the scroll. The spell must appear on the caster's list for it to be identified
Swords, Armor, Weapons: Claim the item and wield/utilize it. Practice is sufficient to reveal the item's mundane pluses (or curses). If the item is extraordinary in some way, the only way to determine its powers is to use the process described in the next section
Potions: no known method. Drink it and see what happens?
Rings, Wands, Staves, Rods, Wonderous Items: Etchings or other physical marks may provide a hint. Depending on the item, it may be impossible to learn more about the item (worst case) or (best case) the item's operation is self-evident via basic experimentation (e.g. a bag of holding)

Option 2: Wizards Only

  • The Wizard must have access to each item to be identified so it can be carefully inspected. During this time, the caster handles and examines the item in detail. This takes at least 1 Turn per item to be examined
  • Once the item has been examined, the Wizard learns all aspects of the item's nature (full functions, bonuses, command words, charges, stored spells or any other information about the item)

Option 3: Other spellcasters
A spellcaster of any kind (including a Wizard), may attempt to identify magic items using the following process:

  • For classes that do not memorize spells (e.g. Elves), the caster must know the Detect Magic Spell
  • For classes that use spellbooks (e.g. Wizards, Illusionists), the Detect Magic spell must be in the caster's spellbook
  • For classes that utilize spell lists (e.g. Warpriests), the Detect Magic Spell must be on the spell list
  • The caster must actually be able to cast the Detect Magic spell (they are of the proper level, the spell is memorized, ample spell slots are available or the like)
  • The caster must be uninterrupted for 8 hours, during which time they are casting a special version of the Detect Magic spell
  • Each casting of the spell allows the caster to determine the powers and capabilities of a single item

Cursed Items

  • None of the above methods for identifying a magic item will reveal if the item is cursed
  • Unless otherwise specified in an item's description, cursed items are wholly undetectable as such by any means sort of very powerful magic (e.g. wish).
  • When identifying a cursed item, the item might appear to be one of a more beneficial nature until the curse actually comes to pass