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The Truth Spell is used by Heralds to indicate whether a person is lying. When the spell is cast on a subject, a blue glow appears around them. The glow will disappear if they lie. Depending on the strength of the Herald, an advanced spell can be used to force an unwilling subject to speak the truth.[1]

Origins[]

In Selenay's time, legend said that "a contemporary of Herald Vanyel" discovered the Truth Spell just before Leareth's invasion.[1] However, this was inaccurate; it existed much earlier. Ten years before the invasion, Vanyel was appalled that older Herald Lores had never been taught that Heralds could cast the Truth Spell.[2]

Centuries after Vanyel's death, when Talia learned it, it was "the last bit of real magic ever created in Valdemar, and is about all the 'real magic' we have left."[1]

Years later, Elspeth was surprised when the Tayledras summoned the blue glow of the Truth Spell during her Wingsister oathtaking. She wondered if Valdemar got the spell from the Tayledras, or if they learned it from Vanyel.[3]

Nature of the Spell and its Stages[]

The Truth Spell summons the vrondi, mindless air elementals who cannot stand the emotional reaction caused by telling a lie. The vrondi will settle in a person's mind, causing a glowing blue mist like a visible aura around the subject's head and shoulders. Any observer, Gifted or not, may see the light, although the target cannot see it.

In the first stage of the Truth Spell, the target may say anything they like, but the blue mist (the vrondi) will vanish whenever they lie. In the second stage, the blue light remains present, because the target is made physically incapable of speaking with dishonesty.

Note that the Truth Spell relies on the target's knowledge of the events he is describing.[4]

Method of Casting[]

In order to cast the Truth Spell, a person must have a Mind-Gift that makes them eligible to be Chosen as a Herald.

The method of casting the Truth Spell is described as follows:

  • Hold in mind an image of a wisp of fog with blue eyes enveloping the person being examined
  • Simultaneously, repeat silently a certain rhyme (not given) exactly nine times
  • On the ninth repetition, imagine the fog surrounding the target

Doing so once will put the target under the first stage of the Truth Spell, while repeating the spell will elevate it to the second stage. Only Heralds with a strong Gift can impose the second stage.[1]

References[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Arrows of the Queen, Chapter 11
  2. Magic's Promise, Chapter 7
  3. Winds of Change, Chapter 1
  4. Arrows of the Queen, Chapter 5
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