Divination Magic • Legacy Witch Utility
Dowse
Dowse locates a chosen category of nearby natural resource such as water, edible plants, firewood or small mineral deposits. It is a preserved legacy Witch spell rather than a modern-edition spell.
Dowse at a Glance
| 5.5e / 2024 | No direct conversion published here |
|---|---|
| 5e / 2014 | No direct conversion published here |
| Pathfinder 1e | Not part of the Pathfinder Witch spell list by default |
| D&D 3.x Legacy | 1st-level Witch spell |
Spell Rules by Edition
Dowse — 5.5e / 2024
Status: no direct conversion is published here. Use the 5.5e Witch spell list and modern divination spells instead.
Dowse — 5e / 2014
Status: no direct 2014 conversion is presented.
Dowse — Pathfinder 1e
Status: Dowse is not treated as a Pathfinder Witch spell by default. A Games Master can convert it if the campaign specifically wants the legacy resource-finding ritual.
Dowse — D&D 3.x Legacy
| School | Divination |
|---|---|
| Level | Witch 1 |
| Components | V, S, M |
| Casting Time | 3 actions |
| Range | 50 ft./level, maximum 200 ft. |
| Area | Legacy text: 1-foot area around the caster |
| Duration | 30 minutes + 10 minutes/level |
| Saving Throw | None |
| Spell Resistance | Yes |
Choose one category when the spell is cast. The Witch can locate water, edible plants, burnable wood, small gems or another broad natural resource allowed by the Games Master, provided it lies within range.
Dowse cannot locate a particular person, monster or unique object. To search for a second category, the Witch must cast the spell again.
Focus: a Y-shaped forked stick held in both hands with the single end pointing forward. The legacy rules make that stick unusable for later dowsing attempts after the spell ends.
Using Dowse in Play
Dowse is an exploration spell. Its value comes from narrowing a wilderness problem—finding drinkable water, fuel, food plants or useful mineral traces—without replacing investigation or travel.
What Changed?
No modern conversion is assumed. The spell remains in the preserved Witch archive as a d20-era utility ritual.
Counterplay and Related Magic
Dowse finds a broad natural resource, not a named creature or unique object. Obstacles, range and the Games Master’s definition of a valid resource keep the spell from replacing exploration. Compare Locate Object and Locate Creature.
Rules Sources and Licensing
Legacy source: Liber Mysterium: The Netbook of Witches and Warlocks.
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