Enc.: 15 (crystal ball, base & wrapping)	IS: D. Crystal	Class: M	XP: 1k*	GP: 5k*
Miscellaneous Magic	-	<8Magic Items8>	-	DMG

* Add 100% for each additional feature.

This is the most common form of scrying device, a crystal
sphere of about 0.5’ diameter. A M-U can use the device to see over
virtually any distance or into other planes of existence. The user of a
crystal ball must know the subject which is to be viewed. Knowledge can
be from personal acquaintance, possession of personal belongings, a likeness
of the obiect, or accumulated information. Knowledge is the key to
how successful location will be, not distance:
 
 

Subject Is	Chance of Locating**
Personally well known	100%
Personally known slightly	85%
Pictured	50%
Part of in possession	50%
Garment in possession	25%
Well informed of	25%
Slightly informed of	20%
On another plane	25%

** Unless masked by magic or psionics.

The chance of locating also dictates how long a M-U will be able to
view the subiect, both with respect to length of period and frequency:
 

Chances of Locating**	Viewing Period	Frequency
100% or more	1 hour,	3 times/day
99% to 90	0.5 hour,	3 times/day
89% to 75	0.5 hour,	2 times/day
74% to 50	0.5 hour,	1 times/day
49% to 25	0.25 hour,	1 times/day
24% or less	1/6 hour,	1 times/day

<30 min, 15 min, etc.?>

** Unless masked by magic or psionics.

Viewing beyond the periods or frequencies noted will cause the magicuser
to make a saving throw versus magic each round, and failure to make
it will permanently lower the character’s intelligence by 1 point and drive
him or her insane until healed.

Certain spells cast upon the user of the crystal ball might improve his or her
ability. They are: comprehend languages, read magic, infravision,
tongues. Two spells can be cast through a crystal ball, with a 5% chance
per level of experience of the magic-user of working correctly. The spells
are: detect magic, detect evil/good.

Certain crystal balls have additional powers.
To determine this, consult the table below:
 
 

Die Roll	Item	XP	GP
01-25	crystal ball	1k	5k
51-75	crytal ball with clairaudience	2k	10k
76-90	crystal ball with ESP	2k	10k
91-00	crystal ball with telepathy*	2k	10k

* Communication only.

The spell function of the device operates at 10th level
Cnly creatures with intelligence of 12 or better have a chance of noticing
the scrying. The base chance is determined by class.




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??	?
Paladin	6%
FIGHTER	2%
Ranger	4%
THIEF	6%
Assassin	5%
Monk	1%
Bard	3%

For each factor of intelligence above 12 the creature has an additional
arithmetically ascending cumulative chance beginning at 1 %, i.e. 1%, 3%,
6%, 10%, 15%, 21%, at 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, and 18 intelligence. These
creatures also have a cumulative chance of 1% per level of experience of
detecting scrying. Treat monsters as one of above as is most applicable.

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Check each round of scrying, and if the percentage or less is rolled, the
subiect is aware of being watched. If a spell-user (cleric, druid, magicuser,
or illusionist) is being observed, use the DETECTION OF INVISIBILITY
table on page 60 rather than the percentages above to determine whether
the observation i s detected, checking each round. A dispel magic will
cause the crystal ball being used to cease functioning for 1 day. The
various protections against crystal ball viewing will simply leave the
device hazy and non-functioning.

(Note: You may allow scrying devices for clerics and druids; water basins
and mirrors are suggested. Have them function as normal crystal balls.)
 
 

Q: How do you determine how long a
crystal ball can be used with each
use, when the total viewing time
varies with the chance to locate
each subject?

A: The limits on a crystal ball apply on a
per-subject basis. How long the mage
observes one subject does not affect how
long he can observe another. I recommend
that you limit crystal ball use to no more
than eight hours per day, and count each
failed location attempt as one viewing and
10 minutes of use (see the DMG, page 141).
(147.12)