Chapter 1 - Non-weapon Proficiencies
Arcanology Non-weapon Proficiency
The study of the history and development of magic is termed arcanology. A wizard with expertise in this field is familiar with the works of past wizards. If there was a source of powerful magic in the campaign’s past—for example, Netheril or Myth Drannor in the Forgotten Realms campaign setting—the arcanologist has a good idea of who the great mages were and what they were able to accomplish. Special magical items, spells, or forms of magic wielded by these ancient sorcerers are familiar to the arcanologist. With a successful proficiency check, the arcanologist can identify the general purpose and function of an ancient magical item; the DM may apply a penalty of –1 to –4 if the item comes from a region outside the arcanologist’s normal studies, or is especially rare or obscure. Note that this ability doesn’t help a wizard to identify items manufactured by the “modern” school or tradition of magic, whatever that may be.
