Detect Life is an Adept Alteration spell that shows living creatures through walls. While the caster holds the spell, every living person and animal nearby glows. Friendly ones glow blue and hostile ones glow red. Undead, Daedra and machines stay hidden, and Detect Dead is the spell that finds the undead.

Spell Tome

Detect Life is learned by reading Spell Tome: Detect Life. Tolfdir and Wylandriah sell the tome. The spell is also taught during Infiltration.

Detect Life Map Location

Detect Life map location:
The tome is the reward for Infiltration. Stalleo waits at a small camp outside Treva's Watch and asks for help taking the fort back from bandits. He hands over the tome once the fort is clear.

Map credit by Map Genie.

Gameplay Tips

A quick look before opening a door shows how many enemies wait in the next room.
The spell earns Alteration experience for every creature it shows. Casting it in a busy city market raises the skill very quickly.

Notes

A wolf or a bandit can glow blue from far away and turn red once it notices the caster and attacks.

Spell Categories

All Alteration Spells

Novice

Novice spells are the first a mage learns and cost the least magicka.

Name	Image	Cost	Casting	Effect

Apprentice

Apprentice spells need a little practice in the school.

Name	Image	Cost	Casting	Effect

Adept

Adept spells are the middle rank and hit noticeably harder.

Name	Image	Cost	Casting	Effect

Expert

Expert spells are powerful and expensive to cast.

Name	Image	Cost	Casting	Effect

Master

Master spells are the strongest in the school and need the most skill.

Name	Image	Cost	Casting	Effect