Cevah's page

It is often said "Clerics need a free hand for casting" and so cannot use heavy shields.
But is this true?

To cast a spell, you must be able to speak (if the spell has a verbal component), gesture (if it has a somatic component), and manipulate the material components or focus (if any). Additionally, you must concentrate to cast a spell.

So somatic and material components need a hand free.

Weight 15 lbs.

You strap a heavy steel shield to your forearm and grip it with your hand. A heavy steel shield is so heavy that you can’t use your shield hand for anything else. Whether wooden or steel, a heavy shield offers the same basic protection and attack benefits, though the two versions respond differently to some spells and effects (such as rusting grasp). A druid can use a heavy wooden shield, but not a heavy steel shield.

Weight 10 lbs.

A heavy wooden shield is essentially the same as a heavy steel shield, except that it responds differently to some spells and effects (such as rusting grasp). A druid can use a heavy wooden shield, but not a heavy steel shield.

So clearly 10# is too heavy.

Weight 6 lbs.

You strap a light steel shield to your forearm and grip it with your hand. A light steel shield’s weight lets you carry other items in that hand, although you cannot use weapons with it. Whether wooden or steel, a light shield offers the same basic protection and attack benefits, though the two varieties respond differently to some spells and effects (such as rusting grasp). A druid can use a light wooden shield, but not a light steel shield.

Weight 5 lbs.

A light wooden shield is essentially the same as a light steel shield, except it responds differently to some spells and effects (such as rusting grasp). A druid can use a light wooden shield, but not a light steel shield.

But, 6# is not too heavy.

Any wooden or mostly wooden item (such as a bow or spear) made from darkwood is considered a masterwork item and weighs only half as much as a normal wooden item of that type.

An item made from mithral weighs half as much as the same item made from other metals.

So a Heavy Steel Mithral shield weighs 7.5# and a Heavy Wood Darkwood shield weighs 5#.

I can see a debate about where the boundry between 6# and 10# is, leaving 7.5# in unclear territory, but 5# for the Heavy Darkwood shield is clearly less than 6#, and thus not too heavy to use for casting.

Is anywone aware of an actual rule stating heavy shields cannot be used for casting?

Weight 5 lbs.

You can cast a spell with somatic components using your shield arm, but you lose the buckler’s AC bonus until your next turn.

It is clear that casting using the shield hand has a penalty. Casting with your other hand, however does not.

Clerics frequently are in combat with weapon and shield, yet often cast in combat. Clearly they are temporarily placing the weapon in the other hand (with free actions) so that they can cast, right?

Other thoughts?

/cevah

This thread is dedicated to ways to gain this resource. Below is a list I generated. I do not include ways to increase the size of your pool. Can anyone add more ways?

/cevah

--

Classes [level class]
2 Ninja
4 Monk
4 Monk (Unchained)

Archetypes [level class archtype]
1 Monk (Unchained) Serpent-Fire Adept*
1 Monk Ouat*
1 Monk Serpent-Fire Adept*
2 Vigilante Teisatsu
3 Kineticist Psammokinetic
4 Paladin Iroran Paladin
7 Oracle Shigenjo
7 Warpriest Sacred Fist
15 Medium Medium of the Master
* may not count as a class feature

Prestige Classes [level class]
1 Student of Perfection
2 Champion of Irori

Rogue Talents
Ki Pool (Ex)

Equipment
Bronze gong -- convert a channel into ki
Meditation crystal -- convert a channel into ki
Wyroot -- get ki from a crit

Feats
Chakra Initiate -- gain a pool
Deep Drinker -- get 2 ki not 1 ki when gaiing drunken ki
Ki Channel -- convert a channel into ki
Perfect Style -- gain a pool

Magic Items
Amulet Of Hidden Strength -- gain ki
Ki Mat -- regain ki
Husk Dart -- get ki from a crit
The Master's Name -- regain ki

Spells
3 Ki Leech -- crit or kill to gain ki
4 Replenish Ki -- regain ki

I have looked at a number of statted NPCs, but they only show spells prepared. How many do they actually know?

For example, most arcane casters learn 3+CastingMod 1st level spells at 1st level, and 2 additional spells each additional level. For a 7th level full caster, that becomes 3+CastingMod+2 1st level spells, 4 2nd level spells, 4 3rd level spells, and 2 4th level spells. However, as they advanced, surely they gain additional spells via purchases and treasure (such as a found scroll). So how many spells should a long term NPC have in their spellbook? Which spells I can figure out. But how many choices should they get?

How many do you give your NPCs and why?

/Cevah

Last night I was making an NPC that did Harrow readings. I wanted to see how likely it was to provide a benefit vs. a penalty. So I made a spreadsheet. Find it here.

Let me know what you think, and any suggestions.

/cevah

I want a hag for a cohort, but there is not one until cohort level 16 (Blood Hag). So what are the other hags?

The Leadership Feat lists a number of cohorts. Monster Cohorts lists some more. The Monstrous Companion Feat lists some as well, but these are duplicates of the previous lists.

What monsters have you made into a cohort, at what level, and can you tell me why that level was chosen?

Looking these up by their Monsters by Role, I get the following averages:

Assigning roles where needed, and based off these numbers I get:

Annis Hag|12|7|6|Combat Role*

Green Hag|13|9|5|Combat Role
Mute hag|19|14|11|Spell Role*
Night Hag|13|8|9|Combat Role
Sea Hag|8|4|4|Combat Role
Storm Hag|16|10|7|Combat Role*
Winter Hag|17|10|7|Special Role*
* = best guess

Any thoughts?

/cevah

I have recently read some neat descriptions of some cursed items. Lets make a list of good ones.

Starting with some I found already:

1. Andostre gave us [paraphrased]: when you go to sleep, this ioun stone hide socks, place Legos on the ground, rearrange drawers, and other acts of minor mischief.

2. blahpers gave us: Picture a flubbed bag of devouring that just noisily tastes whoever reaches into it (making it a standard action to retrieve an item from it), briefly glomping their arm with a toothless "mouth", making "mmm-MMM!" sounds and leaving the arm covered in extradimensional slobber.

3. blahpers gave us: A robe of vermin that is supposed to cause concentration-affecting bites but instead causes the wearer to attract any nearby mindless vermin to simply hang about as if fascinated, with the expected social ramifications.

Lets get some more... :-)

/cevah

The other day, I finally made use of my modified Rune Guardian. The mod was bumping it from Summon Monster I to Summon Monster II.

The main point is that it can bring 1 (or 1d3) creatures to the table each round and they stay awhile. I could potentially have 15 out, but will likely only have at most either 5 (2nd level summons) or 10 (1st level summons). I am aware that playing summons takes time, so I will likely try not to have too many out at once. Especially as summoning means the rune guardian only moves 5' at a time.

That said, I want to play them fast. This means being able to read their stat block quickly, and to keep track of which one goes when. I made a post with all my SM1 and SM2 critters here. I don't plan to deviate from this, in order to limit my choices and to make things go quickly.

To that end, what do you do to make your summons go quickly? Special cue cards? Numbered pogs? Let me know.

/cevah

Reading a post, I got the idea of carrying around a resetting magical trap.
This trap would trigger on Detect Evil, and I want an effect that either only harms evil critters, or buffs me and/or my allies.

I want this to also fly below "cheese" so that my GM would approve it. [Wishful thinking, perhaps.] So nothing too abusive.
Bonus points if the effect is not noticeable when in a crowd.

So the question are:
1) What do I place the trap on?
2) What effect do I want?

So looking at the rules, I see:

Feature .. Cost Modifier

Alarm spell used in trigger .. —
One-Shot Trap
Each spell used .. +50 gp × caster level × spell level
Material components .. +Material component costs
Automatic Reset Trap
Each spell used .. +500 gp × caster level × spell level
Material components .. +Material component costs × 100

Also, elsewhere on the page is:

Proximity: This trigger activates the trap when a creature approaches within a certain distance of it. A proximity trigger differs from a location trigger in that the creature need not be standing in a particular square. Creatures that are flying can spring a trap with a proximity trigger but not one with a location trigger. Mechanical proximity triggers are extremely sensitive to the slightest change in the air. This makes them useful only in places such as crypts, where the air is unusually still.

The proximity trigger used most often for magic device traps is the alarm spell. Unlike when the spell is cast, an alarm spell used as a trigger can have an area that’s no larger than the area the trap is meant to protect.

Some magic device traps have special proximity triggers that activate only when certain kinds of creatures approach. For example, a detect good spell can serve as a proximity trigger on an evil altar, springing the attached trap only when someone of good alignment gets close enough to it.

So I have to add the cost for Detect Evil. :-(

Then there is this:

Magic Device Traps: These traps produce the effects of any spells included in their construction, as described in the appropriate entries. If the spell in a magic device trap allows a saving throw, its save DC is (10 + spell level) × 1.5. Some spells make attack rolls instead.

• 0th: DC 10 for 250 gp in 0.5 days
  
• 1st: DC 11 for 500 gp in 1 days
  
• 2nd: DC 13 for 3000 gp in 6 days
  
• 3rd: DC 14 for 7500 gp in 15 days
  
• 4th: DC 16 for 14000 gp in 28 days
  
• 5th: DC 17 for 22500 gp in 45 days
  
• 6th: DC 19 for 33000 gp in 66 days
  
• 7th: DC 20 for 45500 gp in 91 days
  
• 8th: DC 22 for 60000 gp in 120 days
  
• 9th: DC 23 for 76500 gp in 153 days

/cevah

The feat Harmonic Spell states:

You can weave bardic music effects into your spellcasting in such a way that your spellcasting and bardic performance become indistinguishable.

Prerequisites: Bardic music ability.
Benefit: Whenever you cast a spell while you are maintaining a bardic performance, you can maintain the bardic performance for that round without expending one of your rounds of performance for the day. In addition, you can switch from one bardic performance to another as a swift action when you cast a spell while maintaining a bardic performance.

So if I am reading this right, you can maintain a performance and cast a cantrip instead of spending a performance round.

Thoughts?

Both Daze and Unwitting Ally look like good candidates. A failed will save causes a creature to either lose their actions this turn, or become a flanking buddy for your party, respectively.

/cevah

There is a Waxwork Creature template hat describes how to make these constructs. Some additional details are in the Sentient Waxwork and Waxwork Candle subpages.

What intrigues me is the ability of the creation of Waxen Regeneration:

This ability functions like regeneration, except the waxwork creature has it without a Constitution score. A waxwork creature reduced to 0 hit points is staggered instead of destroyed while its waxen regeneration is active; it ignores all damage dealt to it that would reduce its hit points below 0. Fire damage causes the waxwork creature’s regeneration to stop functioning on the round following the attack.

What I see is a construct that even when fully damaged, it can still act, and it can regenerate. Yea, fire stops it, but still, unkillable. This is a major plus for a construct.

Now comes the question: What critter should I make as a waxwork?

I expect a beatstick would be useful, but what else might be used? Are there any utility critters suitable for making?

/cevah

I recently came across the Collar of Sacrifice, and wondered how well it work if you have a Figment Familiar.

As I see it, instead of you dying, your familiar dies. However, since it is back the next morning, it seems like a good way to avoid dying.

Thoughts? Is the dream alive enough for the collar?

/cevah

As a prepared caster, I try to leave open slots to allow for customizing my spell load throughout the day. At the end of the day, I would like to fill them with useful spells I can cast today that will aid me tomorrow.

What spell list do you use, and what would you top off the night with?

Example:
My current character is a Cleric, 9th level. I looked ahead thru 6th level spells and came up with:
1st: Ant Haul, Dream Feast, Endure Elements, Kreighton's Perusal, Lucky Number
2nd: Lay Of The Land, Make Whole, Restful Cloak, Sacred Space
3rd: Create Food and Water, Martyr's Last Blessing
4th: Bountiful Banquet, Greater Make Whole, Revenant Armor
5th: Hunter's Blessing, Life Bubble
6th: Eaglesoul, Hammer Of Mending, Heroes' Feast, Oasis

Not all are long lasting, but they can prove useful at the end of the day.

/cevah

Spells with a duration of Concentration mean you loose your standard action to maintain the spell. Higher level spells often add extra rounds after you stop concentrating, making them better.

I want to make a magic item that lets me extend concentration of spells. I want your help to define, price, and come up with a reasonable crafting requirements.

To start this discussion, I present the Phantasmal Gem from the ARG.

Aura faint illusion; CL 3rd; Slot none; Price 4,000 gp; Weight 1 lb.

DESCRIPTION
This small cut crystal appears to be filled with hazy, indistinct images that constantly shift and vary. If a spellcaster holding the phantasmal gem casts an illusion spell with a duration of concentration (or concentration + a number of rounds), the illusion lasts up to an additional 10 rounds after the spellcaster ceases concentrating on it. The spellcaster may end the illusion early as a swift action. The phantasmal gem can be used multiple times in a day, but cannot grant more than a total of 10 additional rounds of illusion spells per day. A gnome using a phantasmal gem can recharge it by expending uses of spell-like abilities gained through the gnome magic racial trait. Each spell-like ability expended as a standard action recharges 1 round of duration to the phantasmal gem (up to a maximum of 10 rounds).
CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS
Craft Wondrous Item, creator must be a gnome or a wizard specialized in the school of illusion; Cost 2,000 gp

The spell I am currently interested in is Raging Rubble a transmutation spell with a duration of concentration + 2 rounds.

My initial stab would be to start with the gem, and swap illusion with transmutation, remove the gnome choice, and call it done.

Anyone have any comments, suggestions, or alternate ideas?

/cevah

I have a good cleric crafter who wants to make a weapon have the Heartseeker ability.
Heartseeker is a +1 bonus with Death Knell as the prerequisite.
Death Knell is an [evil] spell.

Per the SRD:

Chaotic, Evil, Good, and Lawful Spells A cleric can’t cast spells of an alignment opposed to her own or her deity’s (if she has one).

So it is clear I cannot cast Death Knell.

Per the SRD:

The act of working on the weapon triggers the prepared spells, making them unavailable for casting during each day of the weapon’s creation.

This tells me I am not casting it, however.

So can I prepare the spell for crafting?

/cevah

When I tried to view the spoiler tonight, it would not open. Don't know if it is me or you. :-/

Info: Firefox 58.0.2 (64 bit), MS Win 7 (64 bit)

/cevah

I have long wondered if it was ever worth replacing a witch familiar for the spells instead of feeding it scrolls. Today, I decided to find out.

Turns out that at 9th level, and 11th on up, it is worth it.*

If the new spell has costly material components, it can be worth it at earlier levels.

Has anyone used this in-game?
Do you think it is too cheesy?
What other shenanigans do you know of with familiars?

*Assuming you have a way to preserve existing spells. Say another witch with a familiar you can share with. Leadership is great!

/cevah

I have recently been using Defending Bone to help protect my cleric. If gives DR 5/bludgeoning, up to 50 hp @ 5/level. Sounds good. However, it has failed to have any effect against a number of monsters*. So I am wondering if it is worth the spell slot I have dedicated to it.

I know of a similar spell, Ablative Barrier, that gives +2 AC and converts up to 50 hp to non-lethal and gives DR 5/- against non-lethal. Are there other spells or magic items that give DR?

As to class abilities, the DR that barbarians get is quite small and requires multiclassing to get.

I would love opinions on all the various options for DR that are out there.

/cevah

*Currently doing Shattered Star AP, which seems to have a lot of critters with bludgeoning attacks. Currently level 8.

I'm thinking about the Craft Poppet as the core concept of a character. Later, getting Craft Construct.

Poppets are cheap, and can be use as minions for battle or other things.

Question: What class would make a good fit around a poppet minion master? Divine, arcane, or psychic? Full caster or partial caster? Do I want a few at a time, or lots? Basic poppets or buffed with augmentations?

Later, when I get Craft Construct, what should I add to my minions?
[Both other constructs, and upgrading poppets with construct rules.]

All opinions welcome.

/cevah

I have a new character for Shattered Star. I am using Brewer's Guide to Reach Clerics, and I want to base it on a Cleric(Evangelist) of Desna.
I have a 15 point buy, and I chose (1st level):
Race is: Half-Orc (City-Raised, Sacred Tattoo).
Stats are: Str 13, Dex 14, Con 14, Int 7, Wis 13+2, Cha 13
Traits are: Campaign(Exchange Agent): Nidal, Varisian and Equipment(Prehensile Whip): Survival.
Feat is: Combat Reflexes.
Domain is: Travel

Being MAD is difficult with the 15 point buy, but I am game to try.

However, I am not sure how to proceed. I think I will skip Power Attack, as I don't have the strength to really take advantage of it. But what should my 3rd level feat be? I am leaning to Lingering Performance to let me really use my sermonic performance. [Note: we don't rocket tag, and 5+ round fights happen often.]

Also, which stat should I bump first? Strength for attack/damage and carrying capacity [currently medium load]? Wisdom for landing spells? Charisma for channels and skills? Or one of the others?

At only 1 skill per level (favored class bonus is HP), I chose Sense Motive as my 1st level skill. I think Survival will be 2nd level. Suggestions on skills that will help the character viability or provide good flavor are welcome.

I like the concept of the reach cleric, and I want to later roleplay up the whip using. If it fits the theme, I might get some whip feats to use it for more than bypassing the occasional hurdle. I also need advice on how to make the GM give me AoO since that relies on others, not myself. I have a Longspear as my primary weapon, but I also have a Spiked Gauntlet [for threatening adjacent], a Dagger [for grappled & swallowed], Sling [for ranged], and a Whip [for style].

Suggestions anyone?

/cevah

My character just got zapped by an Artifact. Result was a Reincarnate* spell effect. Reading up, I looks like I don't loose anything but physical stats mods, based on race. This is important, since the old me has Darkvision and Low Light vision, but the new me only has Low Light vision. I also have some other [ex], [Su], and [Sp] abilities.

For reference: SRD

While this is a Transmutation spell, it is NOT a Polymorph spell. So the polymorph rules about removing [Ex] and such does not apply. That leaves this text for the school:

Transmutation spells change the properties of some creature, thing, or condition.

I see text in the spell for gaining abilities associated with its new form, including forms of movement and speeds, natural armor, natural attacks, extraordinary abilities, and the like, but no text about loosing [Ex], [Su], or [Sp] abilities of the old form.

Am I reading this right? I.e. I keep Darkvision [Ex]?

Are there additional rules text out there that apply?

/cevah

I am looking to find pairs of spells (maybe even three) that are low level and have some synergy. Foe example:

Garden of Peril (2nd) + Thorny Entanglement (3rd).

GoP generates plants where none were, and TE makes them lash out. Basically a low level zone of danger: 30' diameter of potential sickening with with an additional 15' reach for possible 2d6/round damage.

Climbing Beanstalk (2nd) can replace GoP in the combo. While providing no damage, it can be a means to climb, and then trap after climbing, or for inflicting damage on flyers that must fly close.

What combos have you found?
[Please link the spells for easy reference.]

/cevah

We are 13th level running the AP. GM sent us way out into left field and beyond. Current plot is to try and undo the effects of time we missed being off the plane for 5 years.

While the path is fairly spelled out, the environment is something else.

So we have a secure base (for the moment), and plans to pursue.

My need, is ideas to enable us to pull off our plans. I see a need to amass a bunch of wealth to pay for the magics needed to fix things. However, having the political landscape change so drastically, we are unsure of the best avenues to gain the stuff we need. Secondly, we will need to eventually infiltrate port peril (and elsewhere) without being detected (or at least not in time to do anything about it), and do so with a significant amount of stuff.

Basic MacGuffin requires assembling an artifact in the city, and it is very big. [Actually a ship.] While that is many sessions in the future, leading up to that is going to be a bit of fun. The immediate goal is to topple a floating city, because the artifact part there is what makes it float.

So. On to the specifics:
1) As accomplished adventurers, where would we find good concentrations of chellish wealth and magic? [Within the shackles, post takeover.]
2) What magic items are needed to be undetected?
3) What is a good way to make the city's population self destruct, without tipping them off that an outside force is responsible?
And, as the one most likely to try to infiltrate with a disguise, what do I need to pass myself off as another species 24/7?

/cevah

It used to be I could be at the bottom of a thread and click on "Sign in", and after I signed in, I would be shown that same thread. Now I get a different login screen, and placed in the forum thread list instead.

Also, when I click a user's name, I should go to their profile, no log in required. Yet when I click one user, I get a request to sign in, followed by a screen
"You have made too many requests for the same page too quickly.
Please wait a minute before trying again."
Trying again, I sometimes get
"Pazio People
Here's my redirect"

What changed? Can it be fixed?

Firefox 43.0.4

/cevah

I recently came across some items that seem like they can aid your casting while you are in another shape:
Ring of Eloquence

Polymorphic Pouch

Magic

So, at first glance, it seems you can cover V, S, and M/F/DF with these items above.

Q: How RAW/RAI legal is this, and are there ways to make it better?

/cevah

Had a battle with some qlippoth, and even had foreknowledge that we would face a certain one in sufficient time to prepare spells.

My Cohort, at Witch 10, turned out to have a poor selection at 2nd and 3rd levels. Had the battle not enervated 10 levels, cursed 3 on all d20s, and evil eyed 2 more on saves, it would not have gone well. Even so, it was tough. Since it was an augmented one, with its gaze attack also as an aura, you had to save just if you were close by. Neither my char, nor my cohort have great will saves, so we did get some difficulty from the aura.

My question for advice, is what spells to add to the ones I have. While I have played since 1st ed, I understand the concepts, but I never really got the hang of buying spells to add to the spellbook, and generally used scroll drops or captured spellbooks for the main access to new spells. In the Skulls & Shackles AP, we have not encountered any witches outside of the ones who became my follower, so I have not even had a chance to swap spells with any high level witches. I likewise have difficulty spending for consumables. This has combined to leave my cohort with a less than stellar selection of spells for all occasions. What do I need to add?

Here is what I have:

As a cohort, in a very large party, his job is more support than star, so I am not looking to take over as arcane mastermind (another party member has that & his own cohort), but rather I want to contribute and not be sidelined just because it is immune to mind affecting.

Please let me know what spells I need to add to be well rounded, and also explain what hole they are fixing in my existing list. [I need all the help I can get. I have often played a divine caster, not so often an arcane one.]

EDIT: Race: Fetchling. Feats: Spell Focus (Enchantment), Greater Spell Focus (Enchantment), Craft Wondrous Items, Forge Ring, Extra Hex (Evil Eye).

Thanks
/cevah

We are at that point in the campaign where we need to assemble ships. [After IoEE] We have some time as well. We have not yet started actual construction. We are planning on constructing some ships, probably of the smaller/cheaper sort. But we plan to build more later.

What has your party done at this time? Did you build ships, or try to capture a bunch more? Tell us about it.

/cevah

The thread Aspect of the Falcon Question came up with a question about stacking. After several pages of discussion, I have decided to frame a FAQ request.

How does stacking work? The spell Blessing of Fervor (BoF) provides a number of benefits, but states it does not stack with Haste. Does the use of Haste prevent all possible uses of BoF? Or does it only interact with those choices that actually overlap with effects in Haste? If you use BoF's Stand Up choice are you prevented from using Haste in that round?

BoF is not the spell that sparked off this debate, but is a clearer example for showing the question.

The spell Aspect of the Falcon (AotF) also has a non-stacking rule, but with improved threat ranges, such as Improved Critical.

This spell probably needs errata or explanation of how it is supposed to deal with that line.

The rules on stacking being referenced in the thread are:
Common Terms (Stacking)

In post 187 the following example was posited:

I played a gnome ranger-monk who liked the spell Aspect of the Falcon. He thought the feathers from the spell were fun. Now imagine that he acquires a small +1 keen crossbow. He casts Aspect of Falcon, grows feathers, draws his new crossbow, loses his feathers, puts the crossbow on the ground, grows feathers, picks up the crossbow, loses feathers, drops the crossbow, grows feathers, etc. He is a gnome, he will repeat this a few dozen times, yelling, "Hey! Look at this! Feathers. No feathers. Feathers. No feathers. I wonder why the crossbow gets rid of the feathers. And the good eyesight, too."

In post 142 the following example was posited:

If you look at it the other way you have abilities/spells/ect turning on and off depending on what spells are cast. it leads to situations where Blessing of Fervor is a debuff on people with haste which is crazy. Do you track what initiative spells are cast on to figure out which spell is first? Or is there some other esoteric way to figure out which one stays?

In post 225 the following example was posited:

Your clear explanation has provided us with a good vocabulary.

A Headband of Mental Superiority +2 and Fox's Cunning combining to give +4 to intelligence, +2 to wisdom, and +2 to charisma will be called overlapping.

A Headband of Mental Superiority +2 and Fox's Cunning combining to give the benefit of only one will be called excluding, because the stronger one gains exclusive rights to the bonus.

These examples show some of the possible interpretations of the stacking rules that have occurred.

PDT response would be appreciated.

/cevah

Character using the Fly spell gets paralyzed.
1) His effective strength is zero. Does his encumbrance limit change? Does he crash because the Fly spell encumbrance limit changes?
2) He is limited to mental actions. Can he still cause the Fly spell to move him around or does the "cannot move" from the paralyzed condition take precedence? Can he Hover?

This thread What penalties for a paralyzed creature using a fly spell? came up with this question.

Reference material
Fly Spell
Fly Skill
Paralysis

Pertinent info for Hover Check:

Quote:

Can't make Fly checks with a DEX of 0, but with the Fly spell, as long as you keep moving at half or greater speed, you don't need to make checks.

Why not?

If I am a 5th level Wizard with 5 ranks of fly and have the fly spell active, I can hover.
Hover DC = 15
Skill = -5 (Dex) + 5 (ranks) + 3 (class skill) + 2 (1/2 fly spell) + Take 10 = 15

Pertinent info for Fly Speed:

Quote:

What is your fly speed? The spell does NOT grant you that. Contrast the Touch of the Sea that gives you a swim speed.

If you don't have a fly speed, why does the spell give you good maneuverability? That's a meaningless term outside the context of having a fly speed. Certainly it doesn't mean you gain a +4 bonus on Fly skill checks, because that only applies to creatures with a fly speed.

/cevah

Harrigan’s Folly

It began with being shanghaied
A temporary thing, he lied
When chance gave us favor
The Black Hand said "Later"

We gained our ship
On a fateful trip
We took on crew
So we could make do

Our bonds to cement
Mates of the Lament
We sailed the seas
Plundering with ease

He must be insane,
Naught else can explain
The coven he hired
Our captain they acquired

We could not then pursue
For at the race we were due
Harrigan tried to use force
On that hard course

Our new captain then led
Not caring what others said
The race to win land
For the Black Hand

When Harrigan was away
We made our play
A rescue was planned
To get the Black Hand

We gave invite
To this parasite
Our fete to partake
He chose to forsake

He did not forget
But sent his pet
An alchemist she
Who came with glee

We showed all there
In our fort fair
The Black Hand was free
For all to see

But for the main feast
She tainted the roast beast
Then at the show
Came her next blow

She enspelled a guest
Of pirate lords, the best
With such grate rage
He went to engage

Lord Sarnash attacks
With sword and axe
Many spells are cast
But few hold fast

The officers unite
Joining this fight
With spell and weapon
Against this gentleman

He is then downed
Unconscious on the ground
To bring him this low
It took a mighty blow

Soon it became known
He acted not on his own
The hunt was then on
To finish before dawn

We followed the clues
Planted to make us loose
For while we were seeking
Harrigan’s pet was sneaking

She damaged some ships
With great big rips
Did she really think
We would let them sink?

When spotted she fled
Into the sea bed
This magic we know
Like water to flow

We sought her out
The cowardly lout
We captured the spy
Only to hear her lie

We forced true words
And then we herd
Harrigan’s great plan
For the Black Hand

Now that it was known
His true colors shown
He soon will learn
Now its his turn

-------------------------------

Some explanations of names:
Orpheus of the Black Hand is the original captain
The Lament of the Fallen is the name of our ship

/cevah

Ninjas do not get proficiency with any non-lethal weapon.
But rogues get proficiency with the Sap. :-(

Besides spending a feat for a weapon proficiency with a non-lethal weapon, or a class level in a class that gets it, what is a ninja to do when capture is desired rather than killing?

The Merciful enchant needs an initial +1, meaning you need a regular weapon > 8300 gp.

Unarmed Attacks provoke AoO unless you spend a feat.

Is there a less expensive way to make a non-lethal attack than a feat or 8300+ gp?

/cevah

A Lyre of Building lets you do 600 man-days of work, and 600 more per successful check. It is usable once a week.

I am in a Skulls & Shackles campaign. I plan to get one and use it to help build a fleet of ships, and perhaps also other stuff to sell for crafting communication devices. I expect using it for improving my own WBL will not be permitted.

So. How much is that 600 man-days worth of work worth?

Searching on the net, I found a reference for building a tall ship taking 30,000 man-days. A standard ship in S&S is about 10,000 gp. This means the average shipbuilder takes about 3 days to make 1 gp of ship (=3+ sp/day). Since unskilled laborers make 1 sp/day, this seems reasonable. I think I should have the 1/3 price of the ship in materials, but the Lyre will add to the other 2/3 price.

Should I focus on the time or the gold? I think the gold will be easier to handle. So....

My thinking is that I should use the downtime rules with me as the worker and using my craft (shipbuilding) skill at Take-10. That means my skill nets me 2.3 gp (effective skill level take-10 is 23) per man-day, or 1,380 gp per hour of playing. It will take about 5 hours of playing to complete a ship.

While I can also Take-10 on the perform skill, and auto succeed, I expect I will have to roll it. Not worried about that aspect. Still, I think I should be able to try for a full workday of 8 hours.

These are my questions:

1 Does this sound reasonable?

2 How can I improve my craft skill? I already have Crafter’s Fortune.

3 How can I improve my profession? Can I get a masterwork lyre to enchant and retain the +2 Circumstance bonus? Currently I have a 10, but when I level, I can put a rank in and have a 14. This translates to 18% (32%) chance of making a ship in one day, or 52% (81%). [Parenthetical is for masterwork instrument bonus.] I don’t want to put more ranks in, as I am only getting 2+Int for the level rather than the 8+Int for most of the previous levels (multiclassed). I already have the Circlet of Persuasion.

4 What else should I make, without upsetting WBL?

/cevah

I have the Leadership feat, and a nice score, so I get lots of followers. Already have a cohort. Soon, I think I will be getting a ship. Who should I get to crew it from my followers?

Assume max 4th level NPC, but many 1st level ones.

Suggest classes, levels, items, and how they make the ship better. This can be as a ship, as a boarding party, as a mercenary troupe, whatever.

/cevah

Which is the best for low level (i.e. 5th)?
Assume I already have Augment Summoning

I have a Cleric NPC at 5th, and I am trying to decide which one to get. While SEM and SNM are invalid for this NPC, I would like discussion across all of these.

Below is the text of these feats.

/cevah

ESM: Evolved Summoned Monster
FS: Ferocious Summons (Orc/Half-Orc)
HS: Harrowed Summoning
SacS: Sacred Summons
SupS: Superior Summoning
SEM: Summon Evil Monster
SGM: Summon Good Monster
SNM: Summon Neutral Monster

PRD spell link

Is Frostbite a buff spell you can give to another to attack with, or is it a personal spell?

This spell lists a singular Target, yet the text talks about affecting multiple targets. It refers to a range of touch, but the text is for a personal spell. The duration is instantaneous, yet the effects persist for a number of attacks. The wording contradicts itself.

/cevah

ps: Based on questions raised here: Shocking Grasp vs Frostbite

I want to get a Wand of Lesser Restoration from a Paladin, i.e. the only 1st level version of the spell. It would cost 750 rather than 4500.

Most likely, any Paladin in the Shackles is keeping a low profile or is incarcerated. Are any listed in the resources? Where?

/cevah

Does this mean you must use the statistics for a Raven, or can you (because of the parenthetical) become any small bird like creature. A Raven is a normal animal, and Beast Shape II would cover it, but the ring uses Beast Shape IV.

If you are allowed something other than Raven, here is a list I cam up with that seem good:

• Thrush: Diminutive animal with bite -1 (1d2-5) speed 10 ft., fly 40 ft. (average)
  
• Bat: Diminutive animal with bite +6 (1d3-4) speed 5 ft., fly 40 ft. (good)
  
• Raven: Tiny animal with bite +4 (1d3-4) speed 10 ft., fly 40 ft. (average)
  
• Arctic Tern: Tiny animal with bite +4 (1d3-4) speed 10 ft., fly 40 ft. (average)
  
• Hawk: Tiny animal with 2 talons +5 (1d4-2) speed 10 ft., fly 60 ft. (average)
  
• Owl: Tiny animal with 2 talons +5 (1d4-2) speed 10 ft., fly 60 ft. (average)
  
• Sun Falcon: Tiny magical beast with 2 talons +11 (1d3 plus 1d6 fire and burn) speed 10 ft., fly 60 ft. (good)
  
• Witchcrow: Tiny magical beast with 2 talons +4 (1d3-1) speed 20 ft., fly 50 ft. (good)
  
• Trumpeter Swan: Small animal with bite +1 (1d4), 2 wings -4 (1d3) speed 10 ft., fly 100 ft. (average)
  
• Great Horned Owl: Small animal with 2 claws +3 (1d4-1) speed 10 ft., fly 60 ft. (average)
  
• Eagle: Small animal with 2 talons +3 (1d4), bite +3 (1d4) speed 10 ft., fly 80 ft. (average)
  
• Greater Witchcrow: Small magical beast with 2 talons +7 (1d6+1) speed 20 ft., fly 60 ft. (good)

My favorites are the Witchcrow (tiny, but has 5' reach so can threaten) and the Thrush (nice stealth).

For those wanting the most attacks, the Eagle has 3 primary attacks, the Trumpeter Swan has a primary and a pair of secondary attacks, and the Great Horned Owl, Greater Witchcrow, Hawk, Owl, Sun Falcon, and Witchcrow all have two primary attacks.

What do you folks think?

/cevah

In August 2014, at Gencon, the ACG was introduced.
On August 17th, this post asked the question about beneficial hexes.
On October 10th, was the last FAQ Update to the ACG.
Per the Resources page, there is no Errata as of yet for the ACG.

James Jacobs said it is not the intent of the spell, but to each their own if playing homegames.

Here.

Therefore, I am assuming, this spell works as posed.

Now the question... Is this overpowered?
[Please use a separate thread for RAW vs. RAI]

Some things to consider:
Wand of Cure Light Wounds @ 1st heals 1d8+1 for 15gp, or 2.73gp per hp
Wand of Infernal Healing @ 1st heals 10 for 15gp, or 1.5gp per hp
Wand of Hex Vulnerability @ 1st & Witch 1 w/healing hex heals 1d8+1 for 15gp, or 2.73gp per hp
Wand of Hex Vulnerability @ 1st & Witch 5 w/healing hex heals 2d8+5 for 15gp, or 1.07gp per hp
Wand of Hex Vulnerability @ 1st & Witch 20 w/major healing hex heals 4d8+20 for 15gp, or 0.39gp per hp
Note: the more healing, the more wasted by topping off.

Also, recall that while caster at higher levels allow more healing, they only allow it on the single target. So if your whole party needs healing, you need to use one spell per member you want extra healing for.

I do agree that you can heal quite a lot at mid levels and up, but only to a single character, and only at an out-of-combat acceptable speed. In combat, your healing cannot keep up to the damage taken.

Thoughts?

/caveh

PRD Lord's Banner lists 4 types of banner, but the crafting requirements show 5:

Craft Wondrous Item, eagle's splendor (leadership), hallow (crusades), freedom of movement (swiftness), fear (terror), heroism (victory); Cost 50,000 gp (crusades), 5,000 gp (swiftness), 28,000 gp (terror), 37,500 gp (victory)

Is the eagle's splendor a typo, or is it a requirement for a MIA banner?

Thoughts?

/cevah

I have the Leadership feat, and will soon be getting a 5th and 6th level followers. I am in the Skulls & Shackles AP. I am planning for when I get my own ship. I already have a cohort, but have openings in the follower category. I am looking to build a suitable NPC follower to be the ship's Cleric. I don't yet know which level it will be, due to trying to get a non-standard follower for the other slot.

I want the Craft Wand and Craft(Leather) for upcoming plans. The rest is negotiable. My GM will also have final say, so no over the top optimization. I want someone who fits role-playing. I am part of a Coven (all familiars are birds), with a Witch 8 leading. I also have an information network, and Ninja followers.

The craft skill is needed for this: Iron Collar of the Unbound Coven.
I have two of three needed heads for the item.

Others have the other crafting feats, but no wands yet.

This is what I have so far:
Human: [Mwangi (Bonuwat <Ombo>)] Cleric 5(6?) of Shimye-Magalla (Desna)
Heroic NPC array: S:12, D:8, C:14, I:10+2(human), W:15, C:13+1(level)
Domains 2 of: Good, Liberation, Luck, Travel, (Imagination)
Feats: Craft Wand; Summon Good Monster
Skill: 3/level: Craft(Leather):4+; Sense Motive; Spellcraft
Pet bird? Seagull?

NPC wealth:
5th: 3,450 gp
6th: 4,650 gp

Please suggest how I can flesh out the NPC with feats, archtypes, skills, spells, and equipment to make him an effective Ship's Cleric. I don't know if he will be 5th or 6th, so make note of that when suggesting. This will not be an adventuring PC, but will be supporting a ship's crew. I want an effective NPC for that.

/cevah

Being a Fetchling, I thought it would be nice to have a suitable table for the reincarnate spell.

The humanoid table, sorted by %, looks like this:
1 .. Bugbear (3d8+3)
1 .. Gnoll (2d8+2)
1 .. Lizardfolk (2d8+2)
1 .. Other (GM's choice)
1 .. Troglodyte (2d8+4)
4 .. Goblin (Advanced Race Guide Goblin) (1d10+1)
4 .. Kobold (Advanced Race Guide Kobold) (1d10)
4 .. Orc (Advanced Race Guide Orc) (1d10+1)
10 .. Half-elf (1d10+1)
10 .. Half-orc (1d10+5)
12 .. Dwarf
12 .. Elf (1d8)
12 .. Gnome
12 .. Halfling
15 .. Human (1d10+3)

The text is the Bestiary HD for the creature.

So, you have 1% chance for 3HD, 4% chance for 2HD or GM Choice, and 95% for 1HD or core race.

Here is my suggestion for Outsider (native):
1 .. Raktavarna (3d10+6)
1 .. Shikigami (3d10+3)
1 .. Spirit Oni (3d10+3)
1 .. Triton (3d10+3)
1 .. Urdefhan (3d10+9)
1 .. Other (GM's choice)
5 .. Suli (1d10+1)
5 .. Shabti (1d8+4)
12 .. Oread (1d10+2)
12 .. Sylph (1d8+1)
12 .. Undine (1d8)
12 .. Ifrit (1d6+2)
12 .. Aasimar (1d8+3)
12 .. Fetchling (1d8+2)
12 .. Tiefling (1d8+2)

These are all the native outsiders I know about with 3 or less HD. [I used the PF Community Bestiary DB.]

This adds up to 100%, so should be OK. I did not go all Outsiders, as many are truly linked to the planes, and I do not think reincarnating as a devil, demon, or azata as being reasonable.

Anyone want to contribute tables for other types? Or another one for native outsiders?

/cevah

Leadership has the following Cohorts listed in the SRD:
4th Blink Dog
5th Worg
6th Pegasus
7th Hell Hound
8th Giant Owl
8th Griffon
8th Shadow Mastiff
8th Unicorn
10th Dragonne
13th Kirin
16th Dragon Horse
16th Sleipnir
CR + 8 Dragon, Young

1) What others are out there?

2) For monsters not listed, what should their Cohort Level be?

Please list source for existing, and reasoning for others.
Please also link the monster for easier referencing.

/cevah

Bestiary: hag

When hags form a coven, they get bonus spell likes. Here is the standard list:
3rd animate dead
5th baleful polymorph
4th blight
3rd bestow curse
3rd clairaudience/clairvoyance
4th charm monster
5th commune
7th control weather
5th dream
7th forcecage
8th mind blank
5th mirage arcana
4th reincarnate
3rd speak with dead
6th veil
7th vision

My GM thinks my character's gaining access to full coven powers would break the game. I see his point, and I don't want to do that. However, he thinks having a coven is cool, so I am encouraged to find a way to make things work. My thought is to come up with a different set of SLA powers, that won't break things.

My character is Ninja 8/Witch 1. I have a back-story of a ninja clan that used witches for support on occasion, as well as occasional multi-classing as I have done. I have a cohort Witch 7. I have a follower Warrior 1/Witch 1. All have the coven hex. I just acquired some body parts and fluids from several hags we just fought.

My cohort and I are both Fetchlings. We are in the Skulls & Shackles AP. While the AP encourages the darker alignments, I am on the side of light. I see my own role as more information and sneaky stuff rather than assassin. To that end, I am essentially a diplomancer and acrobat. What I am looking for is a set of SLAs and perhaps limits (#/day kind of thing, or min CL, etc.) that would be AP and GM friendly. I see a focus on information gathering, mental magic, and shadow magic. The more is allows role play opportunities, the better. I don't see a focus on combat or flashy big spells. [I.e. weather manipulation is out.]

Could you fine folks on the boards help me create a suitable SLA list?

Thanks
/cevah

Say I am a Cleric, and I want a scroll of Cure Light Wounds. I have a friend, a Wizard, with Scribe Scroll. Can I supply the spell while he scribes the scroll? Or is he only allowed to make scrolls he can use? How would you rule this, and what is the RAW for it?

This gets more interesting when the spell occurs on more than one list but at different levels. For example, Dimension Door is Summoner 3rd and Wizard 4th. Can the Wizard make a 3rd level Dimension Door scroll if a Summoner supplies it?

/cevah

PS: Yes, I could UMD it, but I don't count that for the sake of this question.

I am looking for advice on using Handle Animal. I saw Paulcynic's thread and guide. One of the things I thought was that the spell Sow Thought should be an easy way to control an animal, and perhaps train it. The spell Speak with Animals is also a good idea. Other spells of note are Charm Animal, Call Animal, Calm Animals, Animal Growth, and Reduce Animal.

As I am in the Skull & Shackles AP, as a pirate on a ship, I am looking for animals suitable for shipboard living, yet useful on board and/or in combat. Please suggest uses, from just-for-fun to deadly-serious.

If anyone can show rules support for creatures other than animals, I would take suggestions on such.

/cevah

Has anyone come up with a spreadsheet of locations and miles between them by water? This would be great for calculating how long it takes to get anywhere.

Any suggestions before I go too far along making one?

/cevah

What can you look like under Disguise Self when you are an Outsider?

I want options for disguising my character to become unnoticed.

/cevah

There are a number of feats that give you extra uses of class features. Are their any feats that give class features?

I am looking for Hex, so I can add Coven, but any other way is fine.

Anyhow, what features CAN you get with feats?

/cevah

PRD Rings.
SRD RoSK.

I think this ring is good for prepared spellcasters also. Here is my breakdown:

This ring comes in four types: ring of spell knowledge I, ring of spell knowledge II, ring of spell knowledge III, and ring of spell knowledge IV.

Description.

All of them are useful only to spontaneous arcane spellcasters.

Opinion, not mechanics.

Through study, the wearer can gain the knowledge of a single spell in addition to those allotted by her class and level.

Mechanic: wearer knows the spell.

A ring of spell knowledge I can hold 1st-level spells only, a ring of spell knowledge II 1st- or 2nd-level spells, a ring of spell knowledge III spells of 3rd level or lower, and a ring of spell knowledge IV up to 4th-level spells.

Mechanic: what the ring can hold.

A ring of spell knowledge is only a storage space; the wearer must still encounter a written, active, or cast version of the spell and succeed at a DC 20 Spellcraft check to teach the spell to the ring.

Mechanics: how to load the ring.

Thereafter, the arcane spellcaster may cast the spell as though she knew the spell and it appeared on her class' spell list.

Mechanic: the spontaneous caster can cast the spell.

Arcane spells that do not appear on the wearer's class list are treated as one level higher for all purposes (storage and casting).

Mechanic: off-list spells are at one level higher.

The point is that once the ring is loaded with the spell, a prepared caster 'knows' it and so could write it into a spellbook or teach it to a witch's familiar, provided it is in class.

Opinions?

/cevah

I am multiclassing with a caster dip for concept reasons. This means I will have lousy spell DCs and CLs. My thought is to buy (and later craft) a Staff or two. It bypasses the CL issue nicely, and if I only have 1st level spells (or cantrips) with at least one on my list, I can recharge it nicely. I also bypass ASF problems with my armor. I have a good UMD, so I can expect to cast anything in the staff that is off my list. I am currently Ninja 6 / Witch 1 in the Skull and Shackles AP.

I do have some questions:
1) If I UMD a spell, which stat is the casting stat? Is it my Witch's INT, or can I choose my better CHA?
2) What are good spells to put in? Here is my list.
Current plan: (at CL 9; in sequence)

• Cure Light Wounds -- 1d8+5 healing
  
• Divine Favor -- +3 BAB, +3 damage
  
• Shield -- +4 AC
  
• Blend -- +4 Stealth
  
• Wrath -- +3 BAB
  
• Floating Disk -- Carry #
  
• Marid's Mastery -- Give opponent -4 BAB -4 damage (note the AP)
  
• Produce Flame -- 9 range attacks for sneak attack
  
• Resist Energy -- resist 20
  
• Restoration, Lesser -- Medic!
  
• Serren's Swift Girding -- Instantly armored NPCs
  
• Summon Minor Monster -- Meat shields that can last
  
• Summon Monster I -- Ditto, different list
  
• Summon Nature's Ally I -- Ditto, different list
  
• Vanish -- 5 round invisibility
  
• Mount -- Overland travel

Later:

• Cultural Adaptation -- +2 Diplomacy
  
• Disguise Self -- Disguise buff
  
• Entropic Shield -- 20% Miss on ranged
  
• Forced Quiet -- +4 Stealth
  
• Grease -- Instant difficult terrain (I have featherstep boots)
  
• Hide from Undead -- Stealth undead
  
• Honeyed Tongue -- Diplomacy buff
  
• Mage Armor -- +4 AC when not armored
  
• Magic Weapon -- Weapon buff
  
• Nereid's Grace -- Add CHA to deflection AC and CMD
  
• Protection from Evil -- Will save buff
  
• Shield of Faith -- +3 Deflection
  
• Snapdragon Fireworks -- Long ranged square targeter
  
• Unseen Servant -- Jeves, bring the wine
  
• Veil Of Heaven -- Saves buff
  
• Veil of Positive Energy -- Saves buff

Yeah, I know it is a lot, but I am planning ahead. <grin>

Please comment on why you would change the order, add, or remove any other spells. Also note a number of spells are not 1st level usually, but are 1st on other lists like the Paladin.

/cevah