So some DMs don’t like detect magic because it breaks immersion. Here are some alternatives!
Scents. Magic is sometimes subtle, and just sends a faint odor through the air. You can describe different schools of magic using smells instead of telling them outright. Sulfur and gasoline could be evocation, peppermint conjuration, and incense divination.
Make it a yes or no question. Instead of describing the school, you could just simply say, “Yes, there’s magic here.” That’s as specific as you need to be.
Make it a risk. Maybe detect magic is like disarming a trap; you could accidentally set it off. If the magic item can be hostile, there could be a 20% chance that it attacks the party.
Sensory Overload: Magic is a powerful art. If one isn’t prepared to behold it, it can catch them off guard, giving them a sensory overload of arcane energy. This should be used sparringly, for a bag of holding isn’t as powerful as a lich’s philactory.
Use the five senses! Maybe necrotic energy will make your fingers feel numb, or illusion will make the room seem to shift from side to side, or evocation will make a booming sound in your ears. Just be creative with how magic presents itself!
i wonder how many “hey guys are super hot no homo tho hahaha” type guys would identify as bisexual if male bisexuality was talked about more often and not like… ignored and forgotten about
it’s not a genuine ugly christmas sweater unless some old church lady once bought or made it thinking it was a beautiful christmas sweater. mass-produced ugly christmas sweaters? they have no power. they are weak. it is the wholesome love of the old granny sunday school teachers who originally wore the Ugly Christmas Sweater that imbues it with its Christmas Cheer… keep this in mind, friends, don’t be swindled by False Prophets.
saw a post pointing out that cis women can get a boob job at 18 without therapist notes and just considering how it’s FUCKED that that’s true for like implants but a breast reduction requires like 16 doctors notes about how your boobs are crushing your lungs tearing your laterals breaking your spine and stealing all the blood from your organs before anyone would consider the tragedy of taking them away
a gentle reminder that you did well this year. you met new people, learned new things and felt new feelings. you did so many things that made you scared. you picked yourself up off the floor after feeling completely defeated or heartbroken. there were some really tough nights but you survived them all. you made people happy just by existing. you accepted many goodbyes but the serendipitous meetings made up for them. it was your own hard work that paid off but you always downplay it or compare yourself to others. that’s not fair on yourself. you’ve come so far from the first day of this year. you have more wisdom and strength now. yes, other people seem more “successful” but does that even matter? please don’t think so lowly of yourself to only think about your failures. 2018 was your year of growth. I hope you take a moment to be kind to yourself, and believe that 2019 will be even better.
