[RPG] How to a PC determine what planes a Cubic Gate is linked to

dnd-5emagic-itemsplanes

The description of the Cubic Gate (DMG, p. 160) states:

The six sides of the cube are each keyed to a different plane of existence, one of which is the Material Plane. The other sides are linked to planes determined by the DM.

I'm the DM in this situation, and I've decided which planes the cube is linked to. However, since the item does not require attunement, is there any way for the PC who now has the cube to determine those planes other than by experimentation?

(If the item did require attunement, I'd assume that attuning to it would let you know, since attuning to items allows you to understand its properties, but that's not the case here as it doesn't require attunement.)

Best Answer

This is an example of identifying a magical item, and the DMG lists a few options besides experimentation:

Identify

The identify spell is the fastest way to reveal an item's properties.

Short Rest

Alternatively, a character can focus on one magic item during a short rest, while being in physical contact with the item. At the end of the rest, the character learns the item's properties, as well as how to use them. Potions are an exception; a little taste is enough to tell the taster what the potion does.

The item says a lot about itself

Sometimes a magic item carries a clue to its properties. The command word to activate a ring might be etched in tiny letters inside it, or a feathered design might suggest that it's a ring of feather falling.

Source: I copied most of this from this related answer. I found it quite interesting that, even without attunement, a short rest can be used to identify. Actually, RAW, the attunement short rest (if any) comes after the identify short rest!

(this can't be the same short rest used to learn the item's properties)

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