You place a hand on the object, gloved or not, and glare into its figurative or literal soul. You may even sniff or lick it depending on how confident you are that it won't kill you right away. Observers to this act may feel a mild to intense discomfort depending on what item it is (pray that it's not someone's clothing, cough cough) but you can insist that this is all for the sake of science.
On testing:
Delphyrion has always wanted to know everything. However, no matter how strong one's background is in chemistry, you'd usually need equipment and time to study an object's composition. Not to mention the amount of harm it could do to the item.
On alien origins:
Whatever it is that they encounter on their contracts, Delphyrion would very much like to know when something is out of this world so they don't have to waste time trying to apply human logic to it. Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar, but sometimes a cigar is very much not a cigar.
On chemistry:
This gift could be groundbreaking, but only if you know what you're looking at. Initially Delphyrion wanted to use it for finding the chemical makeup of an item, though they realize they should already know as long as it's recognizable. Chemistry is all about using what you have, and what's the use of a weapon that you know nothing about?
On questionable acts:
Look, living creatures are born with five senses for a reason. Delphyrion will use all five senses if it means new knowledge can be found. Sure, they've gotten sick from licking stuff for no reason, and they've licked a frozen pole, but at least now there is a reason to do so. This will do wonders for their immune system.
Spend a minute. Select a target Object within arm's reach. At the end of your investigation, roll Intellect + Investigation at Difficulty 6.
You learn all the following information about your target:
This Gift's Cost is capped at 2 and cannot be increased further.
You may only use this Effect once per day.
You cannot investigate the same target more than once per day.
The Thief examines an object closely for a minute to appraise its value. As their eyes dance across the subject, their pupils split vertically, and their irises fade to gold. If it is a particularly valuable item, the Thief may greedily lick their lips, revealing a forked tongue.
Within a minute, they have determined how materially valuable the object is and why.
Exert your Mind and spend a half hour. Select a target Object within arm's reach. At the end of your investigation, roll Intellect + Thievery at Difficulty 6.
You learn all the following information about your target:
Possession of this Power grants the following Trauma at all times: It's All Mine Roll self control to not attempt to automatically steal whatever this is used on.
You cannot investigate the same target more than once per day.
An invisibly thin veil of plasma glazes over your eyes as you analyze the object. Witnesses will perceive you as examining the object normally.
Seems like those college courses taught you something after all! You are able to interpret the spectral patterns objects emit through scientific knowledge and analysis. Thus, you are able to detect more in depth info on the chemical composition of the object and other such fine details. Customized for Eddie Boom's scientific mind, scholastic experiences and fire-elemental nature.
Exert your Mind and spend a minute. Select a target Object within arm's reach. At the end of your investigation, roll Perception + Science at Difficulty 6.
You learn all the following information about your target:
You cannot investigate the same target more than once per day.
Elizabeth reaches out, touching the object of interest. And she whispers a question to the Mists.
And they whisper back, quiet voices in her ear, telling her some of the object's secrets.
Spend 2 Actions. Select a target Object within arm's reach. This Effect cannot be used unless you are fully enveloped in the Mists. At the end of your investigation, roll Perception + Investigation at Difficulty 6.
You learn all the following information about your target:
This Gift cannot have more than 3 Drawbacks, and its Gift Cost is capped at 1.
You cannot investigate the same target more than once per day.
Years upon years of mechanical education and experience has instilled Ollie a deep understanding and familiarity of different materials. Especially knowing of what is and what’s not up to his preferred standards. His eyes and pupils dilating with supernatural precision to know the contents of the object he’s looking at.
Exert your Mind and spend a minute to activate. Select a target Object within arm's reach. At the end of your investigation, roll Intellect + Technology at Difficulty 6.
You learn all the following information about your target:
Blood carries memory, in theory at least. Such is the theory of Smoke as he gorges himself on a feast of blood. Within the essence he finds memories, a name, an identity the blood goes by. Further focus drives him to a scent, movement, prey.
Exert your Mind and spend a minute. Select a target Object within arm's reach. You must use up the target's blood in order to activate this Effect. At the end of your investigation, roll Charisma + Investigation at Difficulty 6.
You learn all the following information about your target:
The Thief examines an object closely for a minute to appraise its value. As their eyes dance across the subject, their pupils split vertically, and their irises fade to gold. If it is a particularly valuable item, the Thief may greedily lick their lips, revealing a forked tongue.
Within a minute, they have determined how materially valuable the object is and why.
Exert your Mind and spend a minute. Select a target Object within arm's reach. At the end of your investigation, roll Charisma + Culture at Difficulty 6.
You learn all the following information about your target:
You cannot investigate the same target more than once per day.