Unveil the Truth

This spell is a magical song of great potency, which reveals the truth about the target of the spell. It typically uncovers lies, dispels disguises and false shapes, but also dissipates curses and defamation.

Celtic Druids and the Tuatha de Dannan  
By Dominique Crouzet

Divination

Level: Sorcerer/Wizard 9, Witch 9, Satire 9
Components: V, S, M
Casting Time: 1 full round
Range: Close (25 ft. + 5ft./2 levels)
Target: One creature
Duration: Up to 1 hour
Saving Throw: None
Spell Resistance: No

This spell is a little complex, and produces several different magical effects at once. First of all, it cannot be cast discreetly. On the contrary, the caster must have the attention of a group of creatures. So the spell basically works exactly as an Enthrall spell, enabling the caster to maintain the attention of the audience during all her revelations.

Then the caster is imparted with the ability to see the real nature of her subject; and telling it in rhymes and verses, makes it magically revealed to the audience. As such, the caster will see if the subject is disguised or under a false shape (as with Polymorph-self spell), and telling it will turn back the subject to its true form and appearance. The caster will see the real alignment and personality of the subject, and even if the subject concealed them, it will nonetheless be revealed to all, as the caster tells it. The caster will learn about the subject’s history; thus will know about his courage or cowardice, his secret scheming and treachery, or his unknown worthy deeds. In telling them to the assembly, everyone will know it is true. In short, kept secret / magically hidden or not, the caster will see all what is to be known about the target of her spell. Then, upon saying it, all the listeners will know it is true. Likewise, if the subject unjustly suffered from a bad reputation, the caster will learn about it, and telling so will dissipate it among the audience.

Note however, that this spell reveals only what is really important to learn, not trivial or mundane things (unless they were specifically requested by the caster). Also, this spell cannot be used by the caster to tell lies about the subject. She cannot but tell the truth that she discovers. Likewise, she cannot choose to hide things she learns about the subject; she can only choose to concentrate on the important information, and omit to tell what isn’t pertinent or relevant in the context.

The target of this spell does not get any saving throw against it, and moreover is affected as with a Sanctuary spell (with no saving throw) preventing him to attack the caster. Nonetheless, any appropriate magic (spell or item) which can shield the subject from detection spells will also be effective against Unveil the Truth. However, the caster will immediately learn about the magic which hinders her spell.

Material Components: A small golden cup filled with clear water. The caster first drinks a little of this water, and throws the remain in the direction of the target. Then the cup is disintegrated into a golden mist which spreads over the assembly, and then disappears.