Dr. Narsius Blote IV's page

What spell levels should a Pathfinder Savant use when determining their Esoteric Magic ability?

My question is whether Magical Knack allows me to get the increase at wizard level 4 or character level four.

Neither.

It only affects your caster level.

The scroll was scribed by a Wizard, so you'd need an Int of 13.

Although PFS simplified the matter by making all scrolls "Arcane" or "Divine" (and now presumably "Psychic", although that's not described anywhere), there's still a hierarchy of what spell list was used for determining caster level.

It's obviously not a perfect system. Some options fall through the cracks.

And because this is a PFS-specific question (handled differently from the core rules), I flagged it for the PFS Forum for you.

Leech-covered Bloatmage?

Half-price for arcane bond.

You still need the Fame for the whole purchase, though.

I think the arcane bond, which is supposed to be equal to the familiar, is very much underpowered.

My arcane-bonded Emergency Force Sphere deflects your comment.

BigNorseWolf's option is what most people have to resort to, and it's the most expensive.

You could also try to organize with other players of Wizards so that you play at the same table, and can copy from their spellbooks.

I thought I remembered John making a ruling that prepared casters could obtain spells from each other, like Wizards learning from a Witch's Familiar, but after searching through his comments I think I was recalling his ruling on the Spell Mastery feat.

Just one.

The Doctor suddenly looks very ill.

"Hrmmph, erg, oh, perhaps those chocolates have been sitting around just a bit too long. I'm afraid I may not have the stomach to continue with you fine gentleman. Good luck! Explore, Report, and...." *huuuuurllllmmmphhh*

The Doctor then wiggles his fingers, says some words, and teleports away, leaving you once again with only the sound of chickens clucking around in the grass.

Hey, GM? If it works for everyone, I can take over this game from you. I've already played it once anyways. Saves me spending a GM Star on it. And I already own it.

Up to you and everyone else, though.

And it wouldn't be until probably mid-December, after my finals.

It's my Masterwork Tool for Diplomacy, Lol. 50gp for 10 uses, like a Healer's Kit. But I never actually get to use them for Diplomacy, so we may as well chow down!

Narsius pulls out a box of Taldan Truffles.

"Anyone?"

I moved my avatar over to A10 next to Grim, but feel free to move me around wherever the group goes. I can't edit that document on my phone, and I won't be at my computer until late tonight.

Send Senses count down to 8 of 10.

"Pppth, no signs of life, but there are a couple closed doors I cannot see past. We should proceed with utmost caution!"

Narsius looks around, and then at the ground.

"I must admit that the tracker's life is not something I was raised around. My parents were nobility! Still, I had an uncle that went on regular hunts. Can anyone tell if there have been more of those Girallons through here recently?"

Sorry if I seem like I'm not posting much. I don't want to interact with the NPCs too much beyond what Narsius would obviously be interested in (such as food). And I don't want to make any decisions about which buildings to check out. I'll use send senses on each building we decide to explore, though, cuz that's what he does.

"There's still some food left that hasn't perished... Nothing a cantrip can't flavor up!"

Seeing the dwarf heading next door, Narsius follows.

"If you can pry open that door a bit, my boy, I can 'peek' inside to make sure it's safe."

"You said... Dinner?"

Narsius licks his lips.

Shameless bump.

Narsius looks towards the doorway and scrunches his face for a moment.

Send Senses, Clairvoyance, to see into the room for 1 round.

"Hraheha, good show ma boy! You do us Taldans proud with that swordplay. And it sounds like we may have found our first point of contact!"

The Doctor breaks out a stethoscope and snaps a pair of white gloves on his chunky hands.

"Shall we see what this beast has left in its wake?"

With Deathwatch active, is the Girallon really dead? If not, Narsius will point out as much. Also may help determine the condition of whoever is sobbing.

A natural 20 doesn't matter.

If your Parry was higher, you parry.

"Not just a monkey! Some sort of Girallon! Simple brutes, but deadly combatants. They are faster than most men. Their teeth and claws are their primary weapons, but this one's... different. Use caution! I've read tales of them tearing people limb from limb once they have a hold of them."

"Let's see how it responds to this..."

Scroll of Magic Missile: 5d4 + 5 ⇒ (4, 2, 4, 3, 2) + 5 = 20

Roll20 looks horrible on my phone. I can't see the map or interact with it at all. I'll move Narsius in a few hours when I get home (if he's even in danger).

I just played my Swashbuckler in a PbP. I'll have to spoiler my parries and ripostes going forward. That was so much text to type and not be relevant.

For when my turn comes up.

Knowledge (Arcana): 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (2) + 21 = 23

Leaving now to close the family cabin for the winter, outside of cell phone reception, but I should be able to post again tonight.

If combat ensues, I'll just read my scroll of Magic Missile for

[Dice=Magic Missile]5d4+5[/dice

Unless we face an apparently strong foe, in which case I'll use 3 points from my Blood Pool to Haste the party.

I shouldn't make decisions about which buildings to visit. Just move me 20ft behind the front line wherever the group decides to go.

"What an odd curiosity. Hrpaprr. I could attempt my own "knock" as well. Or perhaps..."

The doctor shifts and waddles to scan the surrounding buildings.

"...the answer lies elsewhere."

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (9) + 19 = 28

"Brmbrbrm, the foulest of traps: a Stinking Cloud. We should back up and let it clear out, but on its own there is little danger."

Narsius backs up 20 feet.

"Whoever placed it here was of significant magical skill. We should be on the lookout for other similar wards."

"Pfpf, I can discern a strong aura of magic leaking out of that building. Conjuration. This may be a trap of some sort. Proceed with caution."

The Doctor keeps pace 20ft behind the Dwarf.

Narsius moves within 60ft of the building (fence still between him and it) and wiggles his fingers in its direction.

Detect Magic, Spellcraft: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (4) + 19 = 23

Alternatively, any applicable Knowledges:

Arcana: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (9) + 21 = 30
Others: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (3) + 11 = 14

Narsius waddles through the gate after Samuel.

"Well, hruhm, I suppose if you see fit to draw your sword, I shall draw mine."

Narsius pulls out a scroll with 10 castings of Magic Missile inscribed on it.

"Well, hrmmph, if we are to explore this island over the course of an entire week, I believe I can cover our campsite." He grins.

With the new dawn the Doctor prepares Rope Trick in place of one of his castings of Glitterdust.

"Brppa prap, an entire week? Well. I packed a few lunches. And wine. And snacks. And sweets. But... Very well. Give me 15 rations as well."

The Doctor empties his coin purse into the Captain's hands.

"I do hope we don't starve..."

"Actually, come to think of it... Deepmar... Hmm..."

Know.Arcana, take 10: 10 + 21 = 31
Know.Anything, take 10: 10 + 11 = 21

[pedantic]
You can actually only use the "2pp for an item" option once per session.
[/pedantic]

The Doctor casts Read Magic.

"Hrmph, heh, what fun! I suppose we can't all be as buoyant," he says as he slaps his protruding belly.

"Indeed. Should you fall overboard, or should some infernally pregnant kraken decide to have wooden ships on her list of cravings, I will happily help you find your sea legs."

"Speaking of... Anyone else hungry?"

(I won't ask questions, since I've GMed this before, but if there are any Knowledge checks Narsius can make I'll roll those)

Calistan, you leveled to 7th right? After the last thornkeep...I thought you were already 6th unless you are on slow track or still need status line updated? Since this is a 7-9 AP, so just checking.

Just noticed that as well in looking over everyone's stats.

Ready to sail!

"Hmm hmm hmm, indeed! Doctor Narsius Blote, the Fourth. Chief Surgeon. I did my doctoral thesis on hemotheurgy. Melding medical knowledge with arcane studies. It's quite fascinating just how much magical power can be contained in one pint... of blood!"

"...but, enough of pleasantries. Anyone else hungry?"

"Hrm? Wh... why I suppose you must be one of those... divine types. Hrmph. Yes, I'll consent."

The Doctor gingerly pulls out a pair of white gloves with sapphires embedded in the knuckles.

"It's only fair, after all."

The short-statured and obese Taldan man sitting by Zarta's desk fans himself with a copy of Absalom Health Digest (though it doesn't appear to be warm in the room). He groans and grumbles as he attempts to stand. His face ripples as he speaks.

"Hrm Hrmph, yes, ah! Splendid! You lot," he catches his breath, "I have heard of you. And of your exploits!"

"I am Doctor Narsius Blote the Fourth, but 'Doctor' will suffice. I have actually been stationed within one day's flight of Thornkeep. The Hellknights of Fort Inevitable are not known for their hospitality, but their cuisine!" he touches his lips and makes a smacking sound, "Pure delight! Oh, and there was some business with the Emerald Spire down there. I served as chief surgeon to a variety of Pathfinders. Intriguing place, really. But entirely too cramped for my tastes."

He plops back down into his chair, obviously exhausted from the mere act of speaking.

"And where might the rest of your companions be?"

I'll purchase a single scroll with 3 castings of Haste on it, and apply my Master of Trade discount for 10% off (1012.5gp), pay an NPC Wizard to copy Stoneskin from their spellbook (240gp), and buy 500gp worth of granite and diamond dust (500gp).

Total purchases: 1752.5gp of 1758gp

"Well, hrm hrm hmph, it's a good thing I'm a DOCTOR!"

O.O

Other things for the GM:

I always act during surprise rounds, and I can take both a move action and a standard action when I do.

I'm a Bloatmage, so I have anywhere from 6-20 extra spell levels per day. I never go into a homicidal rage.

I have Send Senses 10/day: standard action, place a scrying sensor within 110 feet that I can see or hear through (not both), 1 round duration, functions as clairaudience/clairovoyance (basically it's for placing at the end of corridors to see what's around the corner).

I can always Take 10 on Knowledge (Arcana) and Spellcraft, even in combat.

I can cast Identify as a swift action 2/day.

Extended Mage Armor and Darkvision after I'm done memorizing spells at the start of the day.

I cast Life Bubble as a 3rd level spell, and Break Enchantment as a 4th level spell.

I am under the constant effects of Deathwatch.

I have unspent First Aid Gloves (in case the Life Oracle goes down).

And... I think that's it. Though I'm also a walking scroll library.

Buy a scroll of Fly instead, and I can read it for you.

It's only 375gp, and I use my Caster Level when reading scrolls (9th).

In fact, anyone can buy scrolls with that in mind, if you want.

Divine or Arcane, I can take 10 on UMD for a 30, even in combat.

Mind if this character joins?

He's somewhat social (Diplomacy +23, Bluff +15, Intimidate +9, Sense Motive +7).

I've already played this module, but would be willing to burn a GM Star to replay it. From what I gathered, it has the potential to take a long time, and I'm not sure our group got the full experience playing it at a Convention.

But you still use a higher level slot to under cast?

Nope, you use the lower level spell slot.

I quoted the ability in my first post.

Fair enough. Good catch.

Exactly.

I would write Mind Thrust III into my book as a 4th level spell.

When preparing my spells for the day, I could then choose to undercast and prepare either Mind Thrust I or Mind Thrust II in their relevant spell slots.

I don't read the section on Undercasting as only applying to spontaneous casters, but casters aren't my forte, so perhaps I'm missing something obvious. You may undercast any spell that you "know". If I have Mind Thrust III written in my spellbook, I "know" it. Likewise, I could take the feat Spell Mastery which uses the exact same language ("spells that you already know").

Is there something else that leads you to believe that prepared casters can't undercast? Explain it to me like I'm 5, so that I may repeat the explanation to others.