Locate Object
- Level: 2
- School: Divination
- Class: Bard, Cleric, Druid, Paladin, Ranger, Wizard
- Casting Time: Action
- Range: Self
- Components: V, S, M (a forked twig)
- Duration: Concentration, up to 10 minutes
Describe or name an object that is familiar to you. You sense the direction to the object's location if that object is within 1,000 feet of you. If the object is in motion, you know the direction of its movement.
The spell can locate a specific object known to you if you have seen it up close-within 30 feet-at least once. Alternatively, the spell can locate the nearest object of a particular kind, such as a certain kind of apparel, jewelry, furniture, tool, or weapon.
This spell can't locate an object if any thickness of lead blocks a direct path between you and the object.
Tactical Usage
Item Recovery: Locate Object excels at finding lost equipment, stolen goods, or important items within the 1,000-foot range. The spell provides both direction and movement tracking for efficient recovery.
Treasure Hunting: Search for specific valuable items, hidden caches, or legendary artifacts when you have sufficient familiarity with the target object's appearance and characteristics.
Investigation Support: Track evidence, weapons, or clues during criminal investigations or mystery solving where conventional search methods prove insufficient.
Spell Combinations
Identify Follow-up: Use Locate Object to find magical items, then Identify to determine their properties and capabilities for comprehensive magical item assessment.
Knock Coordination: Find locked containers or doors with Locate Object, then use Knock to open them without damaging potentially valuable contents.
Detect Magic Preparation: Combine with Detect Magic to first identify magical auras in an area, then use Locate Object to find specific magical items of interest.
Material Component Details
Forked Twig Symbolism: The forked twig resembles traditional dowsing rods used for finding underground water or minerals, connecting to folk magic traditions of location and discovery.
Divination Tool: Forked branches have historical association with divination and finding hidden things, making them symbolically appropriate for location magic.
Natural Component: The twig component can be obtained from most tree species, making it readily available in natural environments without specialized acquisition requirements.
Creator Notes
Familiarity Requirement: The spell requires having seen the object closely (within 30 feet) to target specific items, preventing abuse for finding unknown treasures or arbitrary objects.
Generic Categories: The spell can locate the nearest object of a particular type without specific familiarity, allowing searches for general equipment categories.
Lead Blocking: Any thickness of lead completely blocks the spell, providing a mundane counter that clever opponents might use to hide important items.
Environmental Interactions
Range Coverage: The 1,000-foot range covers substantial area for most building, dungeon, or local searches but might be limiting for large-scale outdoor treasure hunting.
Movement Tracking: The spell reveals directional movement of mobile objects, useful for tracking vehicles, carried items, or objects affected by other magical effects.
Concentration Duration: The 10-minute concentration allows thorough searches but competes with other concentration spells during tactical situations requiring magical enhancement.
Common Rulings & Clarifications
Specific vs Category: You can search for either a specific known object or the nearest example of a general object type, providing flexibility in targeting approach.
Size Independence: The spell works on objects of any size within reason, from coins to large furniture, though extremely large objects might require GM interpretation.
Carried Objects: The spell can locate objects being carried by others, potentially revealing enemy positions or equipment without their knowledge.
Alternative Applications
Archaeological Survey: Locate buried artifacts, ancient tools, or historical objects that might be hidden underground or within archaeological sites.
Security Assessment: Find hidden weapons, contraband, or dangerous items during security sweeps of buildings, events, or sensitive locations.
Quality Control: Manufacturers or crafters can locate specific defective items, missing components, or quality control samples within production facilities.
Related Spells
Locate Creature: Focuses on living beings rather than inanimate objects. Use based on whether finding creatures or objects better serves mission requirements.
Find the Path: Provides navigation to known locations rather than object location. Compare based on whether destination guidance or item finding better serves exploration needs.
Detect Magic: Identifies magical auras without providing location information. Combine both for comprehensive magical item detection and location.
Scaling Analysis
Early Levels (3-6): Locate Object provides excellent utility when equipment loss is significant and alternative location methods are limited or unavailable.
Mid Levels (7-12): Remains valuable for specific applications though magical alternatives and improved equipment reduce dependence on spell-based location methods.
High Levels (13+): While less crucial for basic equipment needs, the spell retains utility for finding specific important items or during investigation scenarios.
Narrative Flavor
Dowsing Sensation: The forked twig in your hand begins to vibrate and pull in a specific direction, creating a classic dowsing experience enhanced by magical sensitivity.
Object Awareness: You develop an intuitive sense of your target's location, like remembering where you left something familiar. The awareness feels natural yet magically enhanced.
Directional Certainty: A gentle but persistent pull guides your attention toward the object's location. Distance information arrives as instinctive knowledge about proximity and travel requirements.