Intelligence
Arcana represents one’s ability to recognize magic and understand how it works. It is extremely useful in identifying and learning spells, reading magical writing or writing about magic and remembering information pertaining to the subject.
Identify a Spell
- Single Action or Triple Action
- Proficient Only: Yes, but can attempt Untrained
Arcana can be used to identify a spell from its casting and effects as long as it has the magical tag. If you are able to cast the spell as well by being on your Spell List, identifying it is only a single action. If you are not able to cast the spell, identifying it takes a triple action. The DCs to identify spells follows this rules of thumb, 15 + the Spell’s Level. Rarer or more unusual spells, start with 20 before adding the Spell’s Level. Using Arcana successfully does not distinguish between a spell and an ability that mimics that spell unless the ability does not have the magical tag. If an ability mimics a spell but does not have the magical tag, Identify a Spell takes a single action but returns no results.
Learn a Spell
- 10 minutes and the requisite Trait Points
- Proficient Only: Yes
- Tags: Concentrate
You can use Arcana to learn a new spell from a scroll, book, or another person. This action requires 10 minutes of studying, at least, and the number of trait points needed to learn the spell. As long as those two requirements are met, you can make an Arcana check to learn a new spell. If you make the DC listed below for the Spell’s Level that you are trying to learn, the time and trait points are spent. If you do not make the DC, the time is spent but you do not lose the trait points.
| Spell Level | DC |
| Cantrip | 10 |
| Spell Level 1 | 13 |
| Spell Level 2 | 17 |
| Spell Level 3 | 20 |
| Spell Level 4 | 24 |
| Spell Level 5 | 27 |
| Spell Level 6 | 31 |
| Spell Level 7 | 34 |
| Spell Level 8 | 38 |
| Spell Level 9 | 41 |
| Spell Level 10 | 45 |
Read Magic
- Dependent
- Proficient Only: Yes
- Tags: Concentrate
You can use Arcana to read a scroll or book written about magic or to cast magic. The time to use this action is dependent on how long the writing is and the DC is either the Spell Level of the spell in the scroll or the difficulty of the writing.
Recall Knowledge
- Single Action
- Proficient Only: No
You can use Arcana to remember information about a magical creature, magical object, or magic. Common knowledge is often a DC 10 or does not require a check while more specific knowledge is a DC 15. Recalling precise and more extensive details increases the DC to 20. Very obscure information is often a DC 25 or 30. If you are not as familiar with the subject being recalled, the DC can increase anywhere from 5 to 15 points while familiarity can similarly decrease the DC. Resources, such as books or experts on a subject, can reduce the DC as low as 10.
Remembering information about creatures usually has a DC equal to 10 + the creature’s Challenge Rating if it is common, 15 + the creature’s Challenge Rating if it is uncommon, and 20 + the creature’s Challenge Rating if it is rare. For every 5 points your check passes the DC, you can recall specific and useful information about the creature, such as special defenses or offenses, unique conditions, immunities and weaknesses, or more, or very general information such as the creature’s balance between offense and defense. You can choice to name particular sections of a creature’s statistics to learn about, the balance of a creature’s build, or request the GM make an appropriate selection.