Legend Lore

A
Utility

Legend Lore is a Utility spell. Utility spells solve problems outside of combat or provide unique situational advantages.

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 spell that reveals
secret lore

Legend Lore is a Information spell. Information spells provide ways to transmit, perceive, detect, or reveal hidden or unknown information.

See all Information spells →
 about a famous person, place, or object, with details shaped by what you already know.

2024 Rules
Level & School
5th-level divination
Casting Time
10 minutes
Range
Self
Components
V, S, M (incense worth 250+ GP, which the spell consumes, and four ivory strips worth 50+ GP each)
Duration
Instantaneous
Classes
Bard, Cleric, Wizard

Name or describe a famous person, place, or object. The spell brings to your mind a brief summary of the significant lore about that famous thing, as described by the DM.

The lore might consist of important details, amusing revelations, or even secret lore that has never been widely known. The more information you already know about the thing, the more precise and detailed the information you receive is. That information is accurate but might be couched in figurative language or poetry, as determined by the DM.

If the famous thing you chose isn't actually famous, you hear sad musical notes played on a trombone, and the spell fails.

2014 Rules
Level & School
5th-level divination
Casting Time
10 minutes
Range
Self
Components
V, S, M (incense worth at least 250 gp, which the spell consumes, and four ivory strips worth at least 50 gp each)
Duration
Instantaneous
Classes
Bard, Cleric, Wizard

Name or describe a person, place, or object. The spell brings to your mind a brief summary of the significant lore about the thing you named. The lore might consist of current tales, forgotten stories, or even secret lore that has never been widely known. If the thing you named isn't of legendary importance, you gain no information. The more information you already have about the thing, the more precise and detailed the information you receive is.

The information you learn is accurate but might be couched in figurative language. For example, if you have a mysterious magic axe on hand, the spell might yield this information: "Woe to the evildoer whose hand touches the axe, for even the haft slices the hand of the evil ones. Only a true Child of Stone, lover and beloved of Moradin, may awaken the true powers of the axe, and only with the sacred word Rudnogg on the lips."

Legend Lore 5.5e 2024 vs. 5e 2014 edition differences

Now it only works on a famous person, place, or object, not just one of legendary importance. If the target isn’t actually famous, the spell fails. The lore is now explicitly described by the DM, and the result can be figurative language or poetry as the DM determines.

Legend Lore popularity

Legend Lore is a commonly chosen level 5 spell. Choosing it adds an established option to your spellbook.

Spells similar to Legend Lore

  • Scrying 5th-level divination

    Both are fifth‑level divination spells that reveal hidden information about a target through supernatural means.

  • Commune 5th-level divination

    This spell likewise lets a caster ask higher powers for precise, authoritative information, making it a close analogue in intent and usage.

  • Contact Other Plane 5th-level divination

    Like Legend Lore, it’s a fifth‑level divination that gains knowledge from beyond normal sources, often returning cryptic or risky answers.

  • Commune with Nature 5th-level divination

    Although focused on the natural world, it’s the same spell level and provides immediate, detailed information about a subject tied to the environment.

  • Divination 4th-level divination

    This lower‑level ritual performs the same job on a smaller scale by obtaining useful, authoritative answers from supernatural sources.