THULD'S PATTERN AWL ITEM 2
Uncommon • Magical
Price 30 gp
Usage held in 1 hand; Bulk —
A short engraving awl with a steel point, brass collar, and an old dwarven maker's mark. Under raking light, tiny lines along the grip appear to rearrange themselves into patterns of intersecting runes. It was designed for checking damaged seals and altered workshop inscriptions.
Activate—Read the Cut [two-actions] (concentrate, manipulate)
Frequency once per day
Requirements You are adjacent to a visible inscription, rune, sigil, ward marking, or engraved magical symbol no larger than a 5-foot square.
Effect You learn whether the inspected marking bears signs of later physical alteration, deliberate erasure, or concealed over-engraving. You also learn which portion was altered, if any. The awl detects signs of tampering but does not translate text, reveal invisible writing, identify a spell or rune, disable a hazard, or reveal who made the change. An inscription protected against magical detection may still conceal tampering, at the GM's discretion. Ordinary wear or accidental damage is not reported as deliberate alteration.
Special This inspection does not create, trace, etch, invoke, sustain, or empower runes, and does not change any runesmith class limits. Any creature can use the awl; it is particularly thematic for a runesmith.
GM Placement: Lower Works carpentry or smithy stores, perhaps linked to the shoring components and unusual carved marks. This is a custom homebrew permanent item, not published Paizo equipment.
