Missing Word

This spell is an entreaty to Oghma himself to complete a missing, partial, or obscured word, inscription, or diagram in a writing found by the priest. In rare cases, the deity allows use of this spell to complete a fragmentary spell, but all priests of Oghma know that to overuse prayer and supplication in such matters, rather than applying research, contemplation, and experimentation, is frowned upon by the Most Wise.

When a missing word spell is cast, the priest immediately suffers 2d6 points of damage (as if wounded; rest and healing magics can restore this lost vital energy) and is surrounded by an aura of purplish-white light and a tension in the air. The spell then either succeeds (the missing writing silently appears) or fails (the aura fades, and the priest receives a momentary and sometimes cryptic vision of guidance; no writing appears) as the god wills. (No saving throw governs this effect: the DM should decide Oghma's will in particular situations.)

When the spell ends, the magically revealed portion fades, leaving the writing incomplete again unless someone has traced over the previously missing portions. At his discretion, Oghma can extend the duration of the revelation to allow the missing text to be copied if it would otherwise take longer than a turn. Using this spell to solve longstanding problems of knowledge, particularly to benefit others not of the Oghmanyte faith, usually succeeds. Using this spell to devise new spells or processes of making goods to enrich the caster generally fail.