Zone Of Truth
- Level: 2
- School: Enchantment
- Class: Bard, Cleric, Paladin
- Casting Time: Action
- Range: 60 feet
- Components: V, S
- Duration: 10 minutes
You create a magical zone that guards against deception in a 15-foot-radius sphere centered on a point within range. Until the spell ends, a creature that enters the spell's area for the first time on a turn or starts its turn there makes a Charisma saving throw. On a failed save, a creature can't speak a deliberate lie while in the radius. You know whether a creature succeeds or fails on this save.
An affected creature is aware of the spell and can avoid answering questions to which it would normally respond with a lie. Such a creature can be evasive yet must be truthful.
Tactical Usage
Truth Enforcement Zone. Zone of Truth creates areas where deliberate lies cannot be spoken, enabling interrogation and verification.
Information Gathering Tool. The spell provides reliable means of obtaining truthful information from willing or captured subjects.
Diplomatic Verification. Zone of Truth enables verification of claims and promises during negotiations and agreements.
Spell Combinations
Investigation Enhancement. Combining with charm magic encourages subjects to provide information while ensuring truthfulness.
Social Control. Using alongside other enchantment spells creates comprehensive social manipulation capabilities.
Information Verification. Pairing with divination magic provides multiple layers of truth detection and verification.
Material Component Details
Verbal and Somatic Only. The spell requires only verbal and somatic components, making truth zones accessible without materials.
Enchantment Invocation. The components channel enchantment magic that compels honesty within the area.
Truth Magic Manifestation. The casting creates invisible magical fields that prevent deliberate deception.
Creator Notes
Social Investigation Magic. Zone of Truth provides essential mechanics for investigation and information gathering scenarios.
Evasion Permission Balance. Allowing creatures to avoid questions prevents abuse while maintaining utility.
Save Awareness Design. Knowing save results enables casters to understand subject compliance.
Environmental Interactions
15-Foot Radius Area. The zone affects a substantial area enabling multiple subjects or group interrogations.
Movement Trigger. Creatures entering or starting turns in the zone must make saving throws.
10-Minute Duration. Extended duration provides sufficient time for comprehensive questioning sessions.
Common Rulings & Clarifications
Deliberate Lie Prevention. The spell prevents intentional deception but doesn't compel speech.
Evasion Permission. Affected creatures can avoid questions or give incomplete but truthful answers.
Save Result Knowledge. The caster knows whether each creature succeeded or failed their saving throw.
Awareness of Effect. Affected creatures know they are under the spell's influence.
Alternative Applications
Legal Proceedings. Supporting judicial processes through magical truth verification during testimony.
Contract Negotiation. Ensuring honesty during business deals and diplomatic agreements.
Security Screening. Verifying identities and intentions during security checkpoints or interviews.
Related Spells
Truth Detection Magic. Zone of Truth provides area-based honesty enforcement rather than individual detection.
Enchantment Social Control. The spell represents enchantment magic focused on communication manipulation.
Investigation Support Magic. The spell joins other utility magic enabling information gathering and verification.
Scaling Analysis
Fixed 2nd-Level Utility. Zone of Truth cannot be upcast, representing consistent low-level truth enforcement.
Social Encounter Value. The spell maintains relevance throughout progression as deception remains problematic.
Investigation Campaign Importance. The spell provides excellent utility for mystery and intrigue-focused adventures.
Narrative Flavor
Invisible Truth Compulsion. The zone should feel like magical pressure preventing dishonesty rather than visible effects.
Honesty Enforcement Display. The spell should emphasize compelling truthfulness through supernatural influence.
Sacred or Arcane Authority. The effect should convey magical authority that makes deception impossible within the area.