By means of a read magic spell, the magic-user is able to read magical inscriptions on objects — books, scrolls, weapons and the like — which would otherwise be totally unintelligible to him or her. (The personal books of the magic-user, and works already magically read, are intelligible.) This deciphering does not normally invoke the magic contained in the writing, although it may do so in the case of a curse scroll, Furthermore, once the spell is cast and the magic-user has read the magical inscription, he or she is thereafter able to read that particular writing without recourse to the use of the read magic spell. The duration of the spell is 2 rounds per level of experience of the spell caster. The material component for the spell is a clear crystal or mineral prism. Note that the material is not expended by use. The reverse of the spell, unreadable magic, makes such writing completely unreadable to any creature, even with the aid of a read magic, until the spell wears off or the magic is dispelled. The material components for the reverse spell are a pinch of dirt and a drop of water.