When using this clause to search for objects, the Investigation roll is penalized based on the amount of clutter nearby. The roll to look for metal guns in a typical city or suburban building usually suffers a -3 penalty from all the pipes, wires, duct work, and other metal objects nearby. This penalty can grow larger when searching a wide area, or become smaller when the changeling takes their time.
| Modifier | Situation |
|---|---|
| 0 | Element is sparse with easily identifiable features (sensing air in a spartan room, sensing metal in the woods) |
| -1 | Element is common but with easily identifiable structure or patterns (sensing air in a house, sensing metal in a rural farm) |
| -3 | Element is common and cluttered (sensing air in an apartment complex, sensing metal in a small store) |
| -5 | Element is very common and complex (sensing air in a subway system, sensing metal in a shopping mall) |