Discern command

The DISCERN command is a new command released with DR 3.0 that is used to gain information about spells.

Syntax

• DISCERN <spell>
• DISCERN <magic device>

Effects

DISCERN allows you to learn more information about a spell that you can cast. Depending on your Arcana skill, you will discern information about how the spell works as well as try to calculate the amount of mana that you can put into the spell.

This ability only works on spells that you are able to cast, including spells that you have memorized as scrolls and spells contained in a magical device such as a runestone.

These all rely on your Arcana in relation to the difficulty of the spell to cast at minimum mana. To find your personal cap, your Arcana needs to be higher than the skill associated with that skill (for instance, TM is the skill associated with Fire Shards). If your Arcana is lower, it will give you an amount of mana that you can prep the spell at, but it may not be your personal cap. The messaging reflects this. It also has a small random factor involved that may produce different results each time.

This ability uses Arcana, has roundtime, and grants a pittance of Arcana experience. Additionally, the experience is on a timer per-spell - the experience is explicitly not intended to be useful for locking the Arcana skill quickly - There are plenty of better ways to train it. The award is really just a small bonus to people who actively spend time reviewing their spellbooks and what their spells do (or the people that fit DISCERN into their scripts, I suppose).