Spell Effect. When cast, this spell grants the caster the ability to see the auras (cár'allía) of other beings as a tinted formless form around them. The two most dominant elements of a being are seen; a rock is tinted the brown-black of earth, an elf has a diffuse whirling yellow-white cloud around him, a human fire mage has alternating bands of blue and red, and so on. The spell is canceled out by any aura-masking spells, but is extremely useful in determining magic (if any), race, or some such.

This spell is the core spell for most of the various aura interpretation and manipulation spells, and as such is in the repretoire of most wizards. This is similar to Sense Aura, but is at once more versatile and less useful... Aura Sense is an outgrowth of this spell, as are the vast majority of sensing spells.

Casting Procedure. The caster should touch his forefingers to his forehead, make a sweeping motion down and around, and touch his forehead again. Then he should recite the magical formula while moving his hands outward.

Magical Formula. Vaí cál, short for vái cár'áll (Styrásh "vái cár'áll"), literally meaning "Seeing aura".

Target. Caster only.

Reagents. None used; the spell is simple enough that none are needed. However, as beginning mages often feel a certain reliance on reagents to assist them, an older mage student often volunteers to "help" the spell out with a drop of "verjuice". Verjuice, as most Caelereth food preparers would know, and most young mages wouldn't, is simple soured wine, or vinegar. Professors look the other way as the senior student lets a drop of the sour substance trickle into one eye of the novice, rather painfully.

Of course, the verjuice is completely unimportant; it simply serves as a placebo for the nervous magical beginner, and a sort of initiation ritual at the same time.

For many wizards and sorcerers wise in the ways of the Xeuá and the wielding of magic, the scent of vinegar can still bring a smile as they recall how they began their rise to power.

Magical School. Elemental Magic, Wind School.

Spell Class. Clairvoyancy.

Range. Caster.

Casting Time. Approx. 15 seconds.

Duration. The spell will last until canceled or for approx. two hours.

Counter Measures/Enhancing Measures. The effects of this spell can be canceled by any aura-cloaking spells; those in turn may be pierced by higher levels of the spell, and those in turn may be decieved by higher-level cloaking spells, and so on.