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The spell causes a holy water font to serve as a scrying device. The spell does not function unless the priest is in good standing with his deity. The basin of holy water becomes similar to a crystal ball. For each vial of capacity of the basin, the priest may scry for one round, up to a maximum of one hour. Thus, the duration of the magic font spell is directly related to the size of the holy water receptacle. The DM will know the chances of a character being able to detect scrying.

The priest's holy symbol and the font and its trappings are not consumed by the spell.

Notes: Common for clerics (PHB).

Holy Fonts

A holy water font is a specially blessed basin of fine workmanship and precious metal (copper, silver, electrum, gold, or platinum), engraved with the holy symbols of the deity. It is mounted in a special repository of finely crafted and care­fully worked rare wood, with a base, pedestal, chest like holder, and lid – the whole being known as a font.

To create holy water (unholy water in the case of evil priests), the priest, robed in the formal vestments of his or her religious persua­sion, casts the following spells in succession: create water, purify food and drink (the reverse for evil priests), bless (or its reverse), chant (for one turn), and prayer. Typically, the ceremony is performed no more than once per week; enough for the daily needs of the priesthood.

The amount of holy water created depends on the metal of the receptacle (see table). Once created, the holy water cannot leave the font for more than a turn without losing its efficacy, unless it is placed within a specially blessed vial of crystal – either rock or special leaded glass. An empty vial is worth 2-5 gp. Fonts and basins are constructed and designed by special order, the process taking 4–10 weeks (2d4+2).

Variations on the standard fonts, with differ­ing capacities, may be allowed by the DM, using the table values as a guide. For example, a copper basin chased with silver and set with silver rim and handles would hold 8 vials and cost 50% of the copper basin cost, plus 50% of the silver basin cost.

Capacities are design for game purposes to limit supplies of holy water. It is thought that deities find fonts constructed of more costly materials more pleasing, and favor them accord­ingly.

Receptacles:
Metal
Cost
Capacity  Min-Max
Basin Cost
Font
Copper 6 vials  130-180 gp 200 gp
Silver 10 vials  1,900-2400 gp  500 gp
Electrum 18 vials  8,000-12,000 gp  1,000 gp
Gold 32 vials  19,000-22,000 gp  1,500 gp
Platinum 50 vials  110,000-200,000  2,000 gp
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