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Though associated with the woad plant, the alchemical ingredients of this blue paste can vary considerably. You can blend material spell components into the paste to paint the components directly on your flesh. Similarly, more complex woad designs can mimic the gestures needed to cast spells, allowing you to prepare stilled spells. Painting a symbol takes 10 minutes, and each gesture requires its own symbol. Symbols used to replicate gestures must be applied when preparing spells; doing so requires a Spellcraft check with a DC equal to 15 + the spell's level. Once you cast a spell, the effects of the woad paint are spent.
Woad paint is sold in small, concentrated blocks (costing 60 gp each) that must be ground into paste on a wooden or stone pallet with a small amount of water and material spell components. A typical kit contains a pallet and 5 small blocks of paint. One block produces enough paint for 10 component designs or one stilled spell design. Woad paint has no benefit for a non-spellcaster
Few questions about this seemingly awesome material:
First, when does woad paint expire? It says when you cast a spell, but do you think that is the RAI? Should it last until you cast the spell for which you used the woad paint?
Second, assuming you don't cast any spells for a period of time, how long would it last? Forever?
Finally, Can I have multiple woad paintings on myself?
It seems like it's widely left up to the GM. It seems that Woad paint is an actual IRL thing. Doesn't seem anything close to a henna tattoo, so, probably wear off after sufficient sweating, or one good bath. Assumably its effects are lost if it's washed off before use. However, with a lack of description, a GM might certainly rule it as if it were poison; Lasts until used.
First, when does woad paint expire? It says when you cast a spell, but do you think that is the RAI? Should it last until you cast the spell for which you used the woad paint?
I believe it lasts until you cast the associated spell. If you've painted multiple symbols (at 10 minutes each) only the ones associated with the spell you're casting are expended.
Second, assuming you don't cast any spells for a period of time, how long would it last? Forever?
It would last until you next prepare spells, or until your GM says otherwise (because you fell into a raging river or someone forcibly bathed you or that annoying rogue-wizard prestidigitated you clean). See also Soul Soap.
Finally, Can I have multiple woad paintings on myself?
Sure, why not ? Subject, of course, to time, space, and material limits.
It would last until you next prepare spells, or until your GM says otherwise
Just a note; Even if this is used when preparing spells, there's no reason why they can't retain the prepared spell after a night's rest, and prepare all others.
It would last until you next prepare spells, or until your GM says otherwiseJust a note; Even if this is used when preparing spells, there's no reason why they can't retain the prepared spell after a night's rest, and prepare all others.
I should have been more specific. If you prepare a different spell in the same slot, I don't think the existing woad symbols are re-usable for a different spell than the one they were created for, even if the material or somatic components are the same.
One cannot dictate that the somatic components of two different spells are the same. Save the GM, of course. But if it's the same materials component, there doesn't seem to be any reason it wouldn't work for that. Only the somatic component seems specific to the prepared spell.
First, I am quite sure that the line 'once you cast a spell' refers to the spell being prepared with woad paint, not any spell.
Secondly, I would personally rule that woad paint will expire after a nights rest if not used.
Source Advanced Class Guide pg. 208Though associated with the woad plant, the alchemical ingredients of this blue paste can vary considerably. You can blend material spell components into the paste to paint the components directly on your flesh. Similarly, more complex woad designs can mimic the gestures needed to cast spells, allowing you to prepare stilled spells. Painting a symbol takes 10 minutes, and each gesture requires its own symbol. Symbols used to replicate gestures must be applied when preparing spells; doing so requires a Spellcraft check with a DC equal to 15 + the spell's level. Once you cast a spell, the effects of the woad paint are spent.
Woad paint is sold in small, concentrated blocks (costing 60 gp each) that must be ground into paste on a wooden or stone pallet with a small amount of water and material spell components. A typical kit contains a pallet and 5 small blocks of paint. One block produces enough paint for 10 component designs or one stilled spell design. Woad paint has no benefit for a non-spellcaster
Price 300 gp (kit), 60 gp (paint, 1 block); Weight 1 lb. (kit), — (paint, 1 block)
Craft (Alchemy) DC 30
Apply Eschew Materials ++ for 6 gp?
-- Don't alert others you are prepping a spell by gathering components.
-- Does not limit the components to 1 gp worth, so it can be used on more expensive spells.
Apply Still Spell for 60 gp?
-- Arcane Spell Failure, kiss my @$$ goodbye!
If you can craft alchemy and hit DC 30 reliably, it costs 1/3rd (2 gp, 20 gp).
Only problem is knowing you will cast the given spell ahead of time. :-)
/cevah
The downside; Fireball-casting mages that Continuously smelling like bat guano and sulfur... =P
One might argue that new checks are called for. Aside from the visible design, a perception check coupled with a spellcraft and/or Knowledge(Arcana) check might yield the nature of the spell via the Smell! Especially for races that possess Scent, or access to that ability (such as via a familiar).
Apply Eschew Materials ++ for 6 gp?
-- Don't alert others you are prepping a spell by gathering components.
-- Does not limit the components to 1 gp worth, so it can be used on more expensive spells.
Not a bad idea, but...
Woad paint is sold in small, concentrated blocks (costing 60 gp each) that must be ground into paste on a wooden or stone pallet with a small amount of water and material spell components.
I'd say that you still need to provide the expensive material component when you're preparing the woad paint.
I think he was suggesting you could use it to "eschew materials" for expensive spells as well as cheap ones.
Obligatory link to the related bard song "Woad".
Apply Eschew Materials ++ for 6 gp?
-- Don't alert others you are prepping a spell by gathering components.
-- Does not limit the components to 1 gp worth, so it can be used on more expensive spells.Not a bad idea, but...
Woad paint is sold in small, concentrated blocks (costing 60 gp each) that must be ground into paste on a wooden or stone pallet with a small amount of water and material spell components.I'd say that you still need to provide the expensive material component when you're preparing the woad paint.
My bad. I was using Eschew Materials to indicate you were not pulling out the materials at the time of casting, like Still Spell and Silent Spell help hide spells. I did not mean to avoid paying for spells. False Focus is way better than Eschew Materials for what it does.
/cevah