Agoston Balogh's Favourite Spells For Making A Bit Of Jink

"It was larceny that got me into magic, that night I stole my future master's grimoire, the huge, bejewelled book in which he kept his spells and lore, and held it for ransom to blackmail him into teaching me how to be a wizard, so it is only fitting that I learned to use magic to improve my larceny. My master, Orban Varazslo, was a powerful wizard, but he appreciated daring, audacity, and cunning, so he decided to take me on as an apprentice instead of blasting me to smithereens with a fireball for daring to blackmail him. I vowed to be worth his trouble, studied hard, and stole from his rivals to help him find their secrets, foil their plans, and gain their wealth.

A thief has specific operations that must be done to gain his wealth, and magic can make them easier. Work smart, not hard, I say! You have to find treasure, you have to either convince the owner to give it to you, or you have to break into his home and steal it, and then you have to make sure you get away without being discovered or identified. The right spells can make all of these things easier."

--- Agoston Balogh, the Larcenous Wizard

Agoston’s Surveillance Ward

Level 4 abjuration

Components: V, S, M (incense worth at least 250 gp, which the spell consumes, and a small bell)

Casting Time: 1 minute

Range: touch

Duration: 24 hours

Description: This spell enables you to ward any room, hall or enclosed area. If an unauthorised individual or creature trespasses into the protected area, the ward is activated, alerting you regardless of distance with a mental chime. This mental chime will awaken you if you are sleeping. Any time you wish, mentally focusing on the ward location allows you to see and hear everything in the warded area to know who is in that space no matter how far away it is, so long as you are on the same plane.

"You can tell people you are learning this spell to use it for improving security at your home by spotting intruders, but we know that is a lie. This spell is used for casing a place before you rob it. Set up the ward when no one is watching, it will show you when guards pass by, when crowds come and go, and when the warded location is clear to be broken into so you can pillage it."

Ditto

Level 1 conjuration

Components: V, S, M (paper and a quill)

Casting Time: 1 action

Range: touch

Duration: instantaneous

Description: Casting this spell on a document creates an exact duplicate of it, a perfect forged copy. The original document may contain pictures, text, and illumination, and all will be counterfeited perfectly. The document may be up to 2 pages +1 page per level of the caster in length. Multiple copies up to this page limit can be made of shorter documents. The material components are a number of sheets of paper the same quantity and size as the document to be copied, and a quill made from the feather of a mockingbird. The paper is consumed in the casting of the spell.

"A rather niche spell, this can make you a lot of money if used well. Forgeries of lettres of marque, land deeds, or sheets of rice paper money from far Kara-tur all translate to more jink in your pocket. Be advised, never use them near your own home in case you are found out. When you steal that estate with a fake deed, sell it for a good profit and skip town. When you copy a 100 yuan bill, get change into coins from it immediately. Don't hold onto a forgery longer than necessary, and always have a good lie about where you found it."

False Value

Level 1 illusion

Components: V, S

Casting Time: 1 action

Range: touch

Duration: 1 hour

Description: This illusion makes an item appear to be more valuable than it really is. Whatever the gold piece value of an item is, you multiply its apparent value by your level + 10. If the object is something with no market value, assume a default base value of 1gp. Anyone seeing the item must save versus the illusion or believe it has the apparent value generated by the spell.

"They say one man's trash is another man's treasure, and with this spell you can make it true. This makes whatever useless mullock you are trying to sell look precious. The cheapest, shoddiest glass jewellery looks priceless, allowing you to multiply the price you can get for it. But unlike a forged piece of paper money, this game is quickly revealed, because the spell has a limited duration, so be ready to cast Expeditious Retreat to get far away from your customer as quickly as possible."

Hear Profits In The Wind

Level 3 divination

Components: V, S, M (a bag of coins)

Casting Time: 1 action

Range: self

Duration: 1 hour

Description: Casting this spell you gain an eye for a good deal, can predict when it is pays to buy or sell anything, and can spot a potential client headed your way. You gain advantage on any roll to make or save money, such as a Profession or Gaming skill check. You know when an investment is going to rise or fall in value to within +/-1 1d10%. You can make a perception check at advantage to spot anyone within 120 feet who is in need of a product or service you provide.

"The Master Merchant's Spell, this gives you a supernatural sense for making money. It will feel like you hear money in the air around you and smell the needs of any passing potential customers. You know when to buy, when to sell, and who has money. This one spell alone can make you wealthy if you use it regularly and take good advantage of its power."

Innocent Face

Level 1 enchantment

Components: V, S, M

Casting Time: 1 action

Range: self

Duration: concentration

Description: Casting this spell covers you in a glamour that makes people think you could never break the law and are completely innocent and pure. Even if people witness you in the act of committing a crime, they will believe you are innocent and just casually overlook whatever you are doing, certain that there is a harmless explanation for your actions. So long as you do not attack someone affected by this enchantment, they will be certain you could do no wrong. Attacking a person affected by this glamour ends the spell for that person but not for other affected people.

"This spell is cover for when you are in the act. You can pick someone's pocket or walk off with something in a store and people who see you do it will insist you are totally innocent. Follow this spell with Expeditious Retreat to make sure you are able to run far, far away when the spell ends!"

Patsy Target

Level 1 enchantment

Components: V, S, M (a small mirror inscribed with the subject’s name)

Casting Time: 1 action

Range: 30 feet

Duration: 1 minute

Description: Casting this spell on a target makes other people think that your attacks and other actions were performed by the subject instead of you. Anyone you take an action against must save versus your spell or believe that your deed came from the patsy you have chosen to represent you until the spell ends.

"This spell sets up someone else to blame for whatever you do for one minute. Stab someone in the back? Pick a pocket? Snatch an old lady's purse? Smash a shop window to grab some valuables? Naaah, it was that Other Guy! This is another spell that will require you to cast Expeditious Retreat and run quickly away the instant it ends..."