Hindsight
(Divination)

Range:  0
Components:  V, S, M
Duration:  1 turn per level
Casting Time:  2 hours
Area of Effect:  The caster
Saving Throw:  None

This powerful spell enables the caster to view past events in time as if he were actually present. The maximum time in the past that may view safely is 100 years per level of the caster. The wizard can try to view even further in the past, but for every 50 years, or fraction thereof, additional, there is a 3% chance that caster will permanently lose 1d4 points of constitution. Thus, if an 18th-level wizard tried to view an event two-thousand years in the past, there would be a 12% chance that his Constitution would be reduced by 1d4 points. In any event, at the termination of the spell, the caster's Constitution is temporarily dropped to 3 for a number of days equal to twice the number of centuries viewed backward in time, rounded up.
The region being viewed is the same location as where the wizard casts the spell, albeit in the past. While "in the past", the caster may move around and visually inspect anything in sight, but any attempt to touch an item or person nets a negative result (i.e., the caster's hand passes harmlessly through the person or item).
Also, the caster has the option of changing which time period he is viewing, subject to the same limitations mentioned above. This allows the caster to "fine-tune" the date he is viewing without having to re-cast the entire spell. During the spell's duration, the caster's mind has effectively left the body, thus making the wizard's body a prime target for possession. Normally suitable protections are in place before attempting to use hindsight.
During the casting of the spell, the caster is required to burn numerous rare spices and rare woods (worth at least 20,000 gp) in an unused brazier specially constructed for this purpose.

