- See also Spidereyes (Priest Spell).
By means of this spell, a wizard can see through the eyes of any normal or giant arachnid within 60 yards. Small, harmless living spiders are usually employed, the caster using them as spies to see things where the caster dare not go. It does not function on intelligent spider-like creatures.
This spell does not give the caster any control over the arachnid nor even direct mental contact with it, merely a mystical linkage with its eyes.
Most spiders have eight eyes—simple eyes whose vision is readily understandable to most intelligent races (they do not have compound eyes). The sight afforded by the spell has the effectiveness—range and possible infravision—of the spider. The link itself has unlimited range as long as the spell duration lasts—depending, of course, upon how far the spider travels. The link cannot be maintained if either arachnid or caster move to another plane of existence, including the Astral or Ethereal Planes.
Often this spell is used to try to spy out a cavern, hall, or other guarded area before the caster or companions enter or attack it—but often, frustratingly, the chosen spider refuses to cooperate and look where the caster wants it to, unless controlled or influenced by additional spells. Certain magical barriers (such as protection from evil) might block the link between spellcaster and spider.
Notes: Uncommon for drow; otherwise, a very rare spell from the Forgotten Realms setting. Known to be in The Libram of Lathintel. (Updated version.)