When life sounding is cast, the chronomancer establishes a temporary link to the subject's lifeline. A magical pulse is sent along the line in both directions, reflecting back whenever it reaches the points of the recipient's birth and death.
Using the echo principle, the chronomancer acquires a general idea of the length of the lifeline in each direction. If the subject's age is known or can be guessed, it is then a simple matter of calculating the ratios to discover with fair accuracy how much life the person has left.
After 6th level, the chronomancer acquires an innate feeling for the spell's mystical echo and can instantly know the subject's age, as well as how much life it has left, without having to make any calculations. A saving throw is not permitted, but physical contact must be maintained throughout the casting (the subject has to be willing or unable to struggle away).
The material component necessary for a life sounding is an unblemished silver weight on a 1 -foot length of silver chain. The weight must be replaced with a fresh silver weight after every casting.
Notes: Restricted to chronomancers; common.