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I'm not changing how Helping Hand works. The spell finds a person or creature based on a description. I'm just being open-minded about how that description can be defined. The player specified two criteria. The name: "Varis" and the profession "Innkeeper".

I am sorry, Boomerang Nebula. That is definitely changing how the spell works.

When the spell is cast, you specify a person (or any creature) by physical description, which can include race, gender, and appearance but not ambiguous factors such as level, alignment, or class. When the description is done, the hand streaks off in search of a subject that fits the description.

Saying 'Barney the Dinosaur' may be a very unique individual, but the spell does not care about 'Barney'. 'Dinosaur' would work, even if it's a costume of a dinosaur (that looks nothing like what a real dinosaur does or ever did look like). But if you just say 'a purple dinosaur', it might locate Barney, or it might locate Dino from the Flintstones if he's closer.

It is not asking for just a description, it is asking for a physical description. Neither Varis or innkeeper fits that. Even a profession one like 'maid' or 'housekeeper'. You may think all maids walk around working in those little French numbers, but no. Even saying "a French Maid" probably won't work. You can certainly say "wearing a French maid's outfit", but that isn't just saying "Babette the French Maid". Professions and classes and levels and other things are not valid. You cannot send it to find "Jack the Ripper" or "Jack the Doctor".

"Varis the Innkeeper" does not work, not even with a wording twist. If a player 'describes' what Varis the Innkeeper looks like, the spell will go looking for the closest subject that matches it. Whether that is Varis the Innkeeper or not.

But I don't want to clutter the post more with this. The spell does not work the way you're claiming. It requires a physical description and based on that description, it locates the closest subject (if in range).

Spell fails, Characters waste four hours. Player gets frustrated that the spell is useless, never uses it again. Boring! A wasted opportunity, and for what? So the GM can arbitrarily decide what conditions need to be met?

Scenario #1: Players hear about white dragon. PCs prepare fireball. Fireball does nothing because A) It's really an albino red dragon, or B) Dragons aren't stupid and cast resist fire. Players conclude fireball is useless and never use it again. That has nothing to do with the GM. That has nothing to do with how fireball actually works. The GM can certainly ignore the actual scenario and have the dragon explode in sparkles and ice cream at the touch of a fireball because 'that makes it more fun and exciting' and maybe it does).

In your scenario, it sounds like Varis was perfectly fine, perfectly easy to be found, within 5 miles of the party, and apparently had enough free time and nothing going on to just follow a random disembodied hand up for up to five miles (which is a long way to walk). It really sounds like the party had other options other than the GM having to twist or change how the spell was written, designed, and balanced to work. Maybe they could have... gone to Varis' inn and found him there... or found someone that knew about him dying or at least being reincarnated.

Your scenario also completely negates your premise; that the party has a mystery to solve: Is it really Varis? Well... knowing how you, the GM, changed how the spell works. They know it is... and how else would a person that looks nothing like the way they described Varis see and be lead by the spell back? That isn't how it works, even with the way you changed it.

I don’t think he ignored it, he just disagrees with how magic works. He is saying magic has a kind of omniscience, it just knows how to find the target.

That's a fine houserule for your table. But that isn't how it actually works. Skeletons don't have eyes either, but they still see things, and if you order one to attack trolls that enter a room, they can't 'magically' see an invisible one, even if you (rightly) say that they see magically or supernaturally despite having no eyes, optic nerves, or brains.

They have darkvision. If you order them to attack any creatures wearing blue clothing, they will not attack a creature wearing blue clothing in the dark, because darkvision cannot see color. Whether the creature is actually wearing a blue scarf or not (which they are). The stated color is not perceived. They 'see' magically or supernaturally, but they still have to perceive things, they don't get all around 180 degree vision (combat facing represents actively looking around, not omnidirectional sight).

Yes, skeletons are not spells, but this is an example of visual, discernable qualities.

A lot of good ideas and definitely a good way to think of ways to utilize the spell. As others have said, not all of them work. I too read the physical description part to mean it has to be visible or otherwise observable. You can describe a creature in as much detail as you wish to get the right one, but you risk it failing if you miscalculate (like if he isn't wearing the hat you said).

Not that this is an issue or anything, but I also read 'potential subjects' to mean any creature that matched the description can also see it, even if they aren't the closest. So if you just said 'an orc', then the hand could be seen by any orcs in the area, such as ones standing just a little further than the closest orc, since I would consider them potential subjects. Whether that matters or would ever come into play notwithstanding.

0. Helping Hand is not blocked by Anti-Divination magic

Unlike Locate Creature and Discern Location, Helping Hand is an Evocation [Force] spell rather than than a Divination spell. It creates a physical effect that does not rely on detection or scrying sensors to function.

It is an Evocation, it is not a [Force] effect. It does not create a physical object or even a force object. It can't pass through physical objects, it exists in the same was as the acid blob from Melf's acid arrow. I do agree it isn't blocked by anti-Divination effects, but disguise magics or other things that would change appearance can fool it, but I also agree with you that figments wouldn't. Glamers would. Those change what something looks (or sounds or smells) like.

1. The "Ambush Trigger" (Early Warning & Strategic Risk)

• The Move: While on watch or resting in hostile territory, cast the spell describing a specific threat (e.g., "The Red Fang Orc Chieftain") ...

I wouldn't allow that description. 'The Red Fang Orc Chieftain' is not a physical description. I wouldn't let the hand find 'The King' any more than I would let it find 'The Murderer' in an investigation. I am not saying you can't still use it, but your description and success would depend on things you can't control unless you're lucky. You could find a dead body, determine it has lethal cuts, and maybe send the hand out looking for someone 'holding a bloody knife' or better 'bloody blade' (in case it was a cleaver or axe or sword and not a knife). But that would only help if they were still holding or carrying it and hadn't stuck it out of sight or hid or threw it away. Even then, you'd have to follow it to them, since they're unlikely to come to you.

The 'orc' one works, or even describing an orc with specific or distinctive clothing or accoutrements that a Red Fang orc might wear (or a distinctive headpiece or weapon or symbol of office the chieftain might have).

202. Escape Velocity Ladder This cursed escape ladder detects as normal except it is 20 feet long instead of 10 feet (weight 2 lbs).

203. Escape B-ladder This quirky escape ladder is believed to have been originally created by mischievous fey, though other jokesters have since created their own designs. Whenever one of its powers is used (not when climbing it normally without using a command word), a living creature (with suitable anatomy) reaching the ladder's midpoint must make a DC 15 Fortitude save or void its bladder, whether they had to go or not.

204. Impish Doorknocker This cursed insistent doorknocker detects and appears normal, but it opens into an extradimensional simulacrum of the apparent room beyond and can trap users inside.

I did that with a cat. It looked like it was in danger from a random encounter. PCs saved it and it started following them. Was the evil wizard's familiar spying on them and they had no way of knowing. You'd be surprised what players say about their plans and how in-depth they get when they're planning how to take on a boss.

165. This crate is full of salt (200 lbs). The interior is lined with burlap, to prevent leakage, though it likely will have to be scooped into smaller sacks.

166. As crate #165 except it appears that slugs got into the crate. The shriveled, desiccated remains of several are curled on the top layer. Shiny, green mucous trails crisscross the top layer of salt. While the top layer could be scraped (10 pounds worth to make it look 'clean'), a DC 20 Appraise check will reveal that this is a rare type of slug and the salt crystals have been imbued with a hallucinogenic quality sought out by certain people for recreational use. It can be prepared into food or other methods and is only illegal in strict or oppressive cities. Four pounds can be sifted from the top layer. It can be sold for 10 gp. per pound to the right buyer.

167. Voidglass Boulder Helmet
This crate contains a masterwork dwarven boulder helm constructed from voidglass (1,000 gp.) It is has voidglass spikes worked into it, changing its damage to piercing (including the +1 damage bonus for voidglass piercing weapons) instead of bludgeoning. A wearer can channel their psychic energy through it as a weapon, and if worn with a set of light or medium armor, it increases the resistance bonus to save against mind-affecting by +1 (it does not stack with heavy voidglass armor's bonus).

Obstructions: Depending on the location (assuming road or path). It could be a large tree down if wooded. A large boulder if hills or mountains. It could even be a small footbridge collapsed or a ditch or hole across the path. Nothing they probably can't just go around. But do they ignore it or stop and move or fix it. Maybe it affects trade or something. Did something put or make the obstruction (knock down the tree, throw or roll the boulder and it ended up here, did the bridge just collapse in the last storm or did something break it in a rampage). Even a hole on the side of the road might have the PCs stop to investigate.

It could be seen as slowing the game down, obviously, but what they find or come up with while investigating can be fun or interesting itself. Even if it's just another tree nearby that fell into the first on and knocked it over and is leaning dangerously itself. Do they leave it or make things safer?

Remains of a fight: Maybe a broken wagon, or some crates or sacks. Probably looted, but maybe the owner sped away and one fell off and was lost. If the attacker wasn't a bandit, just a beast, and the crate or sack didn't have food, it might have something interesting. Roll on Goth Guru's Infinite Crates table. Maybe they find the owner at the next stop they make.

672. Flyleaf This leafy green plant is nearly identical to rhubarb, with its leaves being suitable for cooking and medicine. Each leaf grows a tiny seedling at the base, which is not edible but easy enough to pick off. The plant gets its name from the fact that as the leaves mature enough to the point to be eaten or useful, they snap off and float away, similar to a dandelion, but using a natural buoyancy rather than just wind. The leaves land and spread the seedling in a new location.

This makes farming and gardening the leaves difficult, since one must be diligent and quick to await maturity, but catch the leaves before they fly away, making more normal plants preferable for such tasks, otherwise netting or a greenhouse is used for optimal harvesting. The leaves can be used in potions or items that cause levitation, but not flying.

673. Grazeleaf This waxy-green thistle is inedible to humans, though grazing animals can ingest it. While typically considered a nuisance or pest plant in fields or gardens, crowding out other plants, it is relatively innocuous otherwise. Its leaves do have a healing property for minor cuts and scrapes. If a fresh leaf is pressed to a cut or scrape from an injury of no more than 1 hit point, it has a 50% to soothe, and the wound will heal over in one hour. If a 95%–100% chance is rolled, that particular plant's leaves cause an allergic reaction, increasing the injury by 1 hit point and giving a –2 distraction penalty for one hour. The leaves can be dried and prepared into bandages, but there is always a small chance of allergic reaction from any bandages made from the same plant's leaf in an individual user. An individual can benefit from this leaf's (or a bandage made from it) effect no more than once every 24 hours.

I don't generally allow casting a spell while casting another spell. The rules are pretty clear that casting a spell affects concentration on another spell. Even if you don't have to concentrate, such as holding a charge, casting a spell disrupts the spell. While some actions (or even activities that aren't considered actions), can occur simultaneously, that doesn't mean it applies equally.

If you're holding your breath, you can hold your breath while swimming and not interfere. Talking is a free action too, but if you take that action, while swimming and holding your breath, it's going to affect your ability to hold your breath, whether there's rules or not on how much breath you lose (probably one additional round). That isn't the exact situation here, but you must concentrate to cast a spell, even an immediate spell or one that doesn't take an action (as long as you're casting it, not like a contingency or something that occurs autonomously).

Even if immediate or swift spells don't provoke, that is not the same as not requiring concentration. If you tried to cast a swift or immediate spell while distracted, taking continuous damage, or moving (and yes, that includes possibly while falling and trying to cast feather fall, making it almost impossible to do for a low level caught falling unawares), it takes concentration.

Casting a new (the immediate) spell will interrupt your casting and concentration on the first one, if your GM wants to houserule that you can maybe do it with a concentration check they can, but there's no mention of being able to maintain concentration while casting because you interrupted it yourself purposefully.

TL/DR
The game makes it clear that casting requires concentration, and casting a spell breaks concentration on the casting (or even the maintaining) of another spell.

660. Whorled Cup— This rare, flowering plant only blossoms once a year, typically no more than twice in its lifetime, though well-cared for ones have been know to blossom three or four times. It has a vibrant green stem, and a large, light yellow bulb that remains closed most of the time. When it does blossom, typically at the end of spring, just before summer, the flower takes on a more golden and metallic hue. The flower opens in to a spiraling whorl of metallic petals. In sunlight, the petals gleam with the light of a treasure hoard and spectators are often left breathless and in awe. Some compare it the effects of a superb owl (#659), but even more inspirational to most of the world.

Strangely, while the flower can be plucked, it cannot be done by hand. Only held and manipulated with feet. No one is certain why this is, but those attempting to use their hands, initially receive yellow marks on their skin as a warning, but further infractions quickly darken to red marks and result in the transgressor being incapacitated until they're removed or ejected from the area.

Wall of lava is a spell, not a creature construct, correct?

If it was a lava golem or something, then maybe, but the spell is not technically an unattended object or a construct (it is constructed by the spell, but not a Construct for purposes of control construct). It's more of a magical effect, like the sphere formed by flaming sphere.

Very nice foundation. I see a lot of benefits and very little tradeoffs. Xenophobic is about it, and, sure, starting with no other languages can maybe be problematic, but probably not too much (which is why it's no RP reduction). Most of this race's stuff isn't strictly combat or magic buffs, though Improved Initiative and their speed and maneuverability will probably come into play, since they'll likely be a class that uses it.

I'd like to see at least some downsides, maybe Startled, where if an opponent does beat them on Initiative they have a –2 penalty or are shaken or feared or something for 1 round (can't be immune to this).

Or some aversion or weakness to an item or creature or situation or something that could conceivably come into play. Not saying they're hunted by all other races for their lucky feet or something, or a carrot allergy or anything.

If they don't have hair, they can't make their hair prehensile. Even if they have an appearance that matches hair. The developers made it very easy to allow almost any creature to qualify, especially with the 'even eyebrows' reference. However, they are very clear that it has to be hair.

A gargoyle or stone golem carved to look like they had a pompadour, eyebrows, and a beard does not. A zombie (with hair remaining), a flesh golem (with hair remaining), or a carrion golem that somehow could use the hex would qualify. A hair or beard elemental probably could do it (if they existed), a stone giant (whose body is completely devoid of hair) cannot.

If you are a water elemental with a cascading waterfall of flowing locks (pun intended), that is not hair. Just like a disguise self to give yourself a beard wouldn't count as you having hair, you can't cast a spell that makes your claws do more damage if you don't have claws (I mean, obviously you can cast it, it just wouldn't do anything unless it specifically said it gave you claws too). Just like an ability the elongates your arms won't do anything if you don't have arms.

I would suggest taking the Vengeful Heart deed of renown. You will lose the derring-do deed and one other 1st level deed (probably dodging panache, since your Cha is likely to be lower, but maybe it won't be if you max it). This will let you use a samurai's resolve ability, which can let you remove a condition, get two rolls on Fort or Will saves, or remain conscious and stable below 0 hit points.

Since this is a dare, and you character is made on the premise that he wants and prefers to use his heavy pick (not switch it out for the best weapon), I won't suggest changing it to a different weapon. (Now, if there was a musket-pick or a musket-pickaxe, I might suggest taking some gunslinger levels to stack your panache/grit pool).

At 1st level, Swashbuckler's finesse gives you Weapon Finesse with one-handed piercing weapons (heavy pick)

Archetype options could be:
Corsair— You lose nimble, but the Intimidate bonus will offset your racial Cha penalty, and if you have a way (horn of fog) or a party member that can conjure fog, you will be far more effective than opponents in it, since you can see normally out to 10 feet and not worry about concealment like others. Granted this is probably situational.

Courser— The added base speed is good for countering dwarf land speed and the quick access to Spring Attack can be good if you have other front-liners in your party to support, as you can move up to their space and attack and move back with Spring Attack. The added speed is really the main benefit. (I understand this doesn't actually do anything special with the pick, but let's be honest, I don't think a single swashbuckler archetype is built around picks. Maybe I'll make one.)

1. Yes. If you have the item, you can do that with the appropriate magic item creation feat (and a place to create the item). If you are building a technological/magic weapon, you need the Craft Technological Arms and Armor feat and a military lab.
Technological Equipment

Hybrid Items

Items with both magical and technological components, such as the null blade, use a special crafting process. The creator must first succeed at a skill check at the listed DC for crafting the technological portion of the item, and then must succeed at a check based on the item’s caster level for crafting the magical portion. Any spell or level-based prerequisites not met increase this crafting DC, as described for magic item creation. The skill used for each check is based on the item creation feats required by the item. Failure on either check ruins the item. Use the item’s listed price as normal for determining crafting time, and the item’s cost for raw materials. If the creator has feats or abilities that accelerate item creation, only the least favorable bonus applies. In other words, to create a hybrid item faster, the creator needs to be able to create both magical and technological items faster.

It is also possible to enhance high-tech armor and high-tech weaponry with armor special abilities or weapon special abilities, including magical enhancement bonuses. One could build a +2 laser rifle, a +4 dancing humanoid bane chainsaw, or a +1 ghost touch space suit. In theory, a magic item creator could even infuse a technological item with magical intelligence. To create a magical high-tech item like this, one must first secure the high-tech item itself, either via purchase, discovery, or crafting. All high-tech weapons and armor are considered masterwork for the purposes of adding magical enhancements to them (though they do not gain the other typical benefits for masterwork items). At the GM’s discretion, some magical special abilities might simply not be appropriate for application to certain technological items. When a character crafts an existing technological item into a magic item in this manner, he does not need to meet the base item’s crafting requirements—a wizard with Craft Magic Arms and Armor can create a +1 arc pistol from a normal arc pistol without having Craft Technological Arms and Armor and without having access to a military laboratory. In a situation where a character wishes to craft the entire item from scratch, the non-magical technological item must be fully crafted and completed before work on magically enhancing it can begin.

2. Probably not from Rapid Reload (there might be a technological variant). Since Rapid Reload says 'Choose a type of crossbow (hand, light, heavy) or a single type of one-handed or two-handed firearm that you are proficient with.' and I believe that the notes don't let it work with Advanced Firearms, I think Technological firearms would fall in that category. Most such items have magazines with multiple shots though and changing one out is normally a move action. I don't see why there couldn't be a version that allows rapid reloads... but I don't see one.

3. Most likely yes. Magus (Eldritch Archer) get a bonded object the same as a wizard at 1st level. Assuming your GM would let a 1st-level wizard start with a technological weapon, then the magus can, and I don't see anything that would prevent their spellstrike from working with ranged weapons.

It's three halflings/kobolds in a troll coat with a really good disguise check. When the 'troll' is hit, damage is randomly assigned to one, and one of the others uses a healing item on them during their next actions.

To my knowledge, alchemists do not cast spells. They 'cast' spells by mixing up an extract. Their alchemy ability is not spell casting. I believe they can take an ability called Spell Discovery that would function as them casting a spell (but that would be a sor/wiz spell and not an alchemist extract/formula).

85. Cackling Creek
Those in the vicinity occasionally hear a low, cackling sound that is just hard enough to place as to be unsure of its origin. It doesn't happen at regular intervals. Anyone drinking from the creek is unknowingly affected as though by a cackle effect for the next hour (no save). Does not detect as magic but does detect as a curse. The effect is potable if carried in a container, but loses efficacy after an hour away from the source.

86. Screaming Stream
Whenever a living creature touches this section of the stream, the water lets out a bloodcurdling scream. Treat it as a scare effect that only affects that creature (up to 6 HD, though it can be startling to others). This effect does not occur with fish or plant creatures and doesn't occur if a creature remains in or touching the water until 10 minutes have passed.

While the water loses this effect away from the source, there is at least one method used by a local brewer that has found a preservation method and uses water from this location to make a screaming beer that locals use as a test of courage.

I couldn't access the sheets and don't like downloading stuff.

This is an added bonus to encumbrance? There's still weight but a strong person gets free items based on their modifier? Or are you doing away with weight entirely (except for non-proficient armor to determine its item slot cost)?

548. A stalk rises with a dangling green silk scarf dangling from it. It has rose thorn edging, making it equivalent to a bladed scarf (non-metal).

549. One round after planting, a pile of dried beans forms and then quickly heaps up into into a humanoid form. This is a dried bean golem and is under the planter's verbal control as its creator. It understands any language its planter speaks (but not telepathy) but is subject to listen checks to hear or understand for distance or noise.

550. As #549 except it's a dried pea golem and if it is destroyed or crumbles, treat its space and those adjacent as though they were strewn with marbles (though only on a suitably hard surface, otherwise the peas just get pressed into the ground).

551. As #550 but it's a dried pee golem. It isn't unstable and is treated as a wax golem that looks like the planter, except it (and perceived clothing) has a yellowish tint and smells faintly of asparagus or mild ammonia.

So does a 5' step allow a stealth check or not?

You can make a Stealth check when you move, as part of the movement. If the movement costs a move action or is a free action, you make the check as part of doing it. Note it says movement, not taking a move action. So technically, you could do it for actions that don't move your location but might involve movements, like say when someone's distracted you hop and pivot to face a different direction (for some reason. Obviously if you aren't hidden when they stop being distracted or look back at you they'll see you... just in a different pose). Possibly other movements that don't fall under Sleight of Hand (the check is made as part of the action of doing the act).

Ghost Touch

A ghost touch weapon deals damage normally against incorporeal creatures, regardless of its bonus. An incorporeal creature’s 50% reduction in damage from corporeal sources does not apply to attacks made against it with ghost touch weapons. The weapon can be picked up and moved by an incorporeal creature at any time. A manifesting ghost can wield the weapon against corporeal foes. Essentially, a ghost touch weapon counts as both corporeal or incorporeal. This special ability can only be placed on melee weapons and ammunition.

A ghost touch item is fully interactable to an incorporeal creature. It counts as both corporeal and incorporeal as needed (read as: benefits the user, but it's GM discretion for some cases).

A ghost touch weapon wielded by an incorporeal creature's still appears to bypass natural armor or shield as an incorporeal attack, it just deals full damage (not 50%, like if the ghost had died with a magical weapon and was manifested with a ghostly copy).

As for movement, I don't believe it hinders the wielder, it's incorporeal as needed for an incorporeal creature. So a ghost could move into a wall or floor and not have it bang the stone. I wouldn't let them hit a creature without having the weapon outside of the solid object or attack a wall or floor from inside it while incorporeal, and I wouldn't let a corporeal creature push it through a wall like it was incorporeal if they weren't, but other GMs may feel different on that part.

You know what? I did forget to look at the Soulbound summoner while I was researching Summoner Eidolons and then Unchained Summoner Eidolons. Let me look at that archetype.

The eidolon’s alignment always matches that of the soulbound summoner, regardless of its subtype.

It would seem this alters the wording of the unchained summoner's eidolon being within one step of the summoner's alignment (and brings it back to the normal summoner's eidolon matching the summoner's alignment). A LN soulbound summoner's eidolon would be lawful neutral.

I don't see that it changes the part about the eidolon having an alignment subtype matching its alignment, so it would appear to have the Lawful subtype in that case (of being LN). If it has other subtypes, it would still have those. That appears to be the only mention of alignment in the archetype.

It doesn't read like a soulbound summoner actually contacts the outsider (for instance, it's not a real azata), more like it's a construct that the summoner contacted/created from their mind and it 'appears' to be (or even acts line) and azata, but it isn't an azata like you'd have out of the bestiary. The summoner could give it extra legs or horns or whatever, it's just on an azata frame.

But, hey, I don't play summoners and maybe there's more obscure rules or something I missed. I am sure someone will point it out.

Normally, a summoner's eidolon is the same alignment as the summoner.

For an unchained Summoner, the eidolon can be one alignment step removed.

So a LN summoner could have a LG, LN, LE, or N eidolon.

An eidolon must be within one alignment step of the summoner who calls it (so a neutral good summoner can call a neutral, lawful good, or chaotic good eidolon) and can speak all of his languages.

Alignment: The eidolon is a creature of this alignment. If its alignment is chaotic, evil, lawful, or good, it gains that subtype.

To my knowledge, an eidolon has the form of the creature chosen, it is not technically that kind of creature, just looks like it. So it would be a LG, LN, LE, or N eidolon that has the form of an azata (or has extra limbs or claws or wings, etc.). It has the subtype of its alignments, so it would be Lawful and Good or Evil, or it would be neutral and have none.

Maybe I am misunderstanding the purpose of the armor (in-game). Normal leather is 10 gp and gives +2 AC at all times with a –1 penalty to some checks and a +6 max Dex bonus.

Crok leather (love the name), is 65 gp (6x more, 7x if you get silk lining, which seems to just be an RP choice, since... a player can always get silk underclothes or padding), and gives only a +1 AC bonus with a 0 bonus, absolutely no protection, against bludgeoning attacks, which can even include claw and bite attacks because of wording.

I get that maybe this process is just super-thinning of leather, but the description really doesn't give the reader that impression. It uses words like 'the toughest of hide' and from animals with notoriously thick hides (elephants, rhinos, gators). The reader has no correlation to why this is 6–7 times more expensive to do almost universally worse.

The lack of 10% spell failure is good, but for the few characters where that's an issue, either their class already negates light armor penalty or, the use mage armor anyway. And the skill check penalty is only a minor improvement on skill checks they likely suck at anyway. Add to the fact that this doesn't even appear to be considered masterwork (since you mention having to pair it with MW quality, I just don't see it making sense game-wise except as a brand-name or RP aspect. Any reasonable person (game-wise or not) is just going to go for MW leather and say it looks fantastic because they paid 150 (160 total) for it.

It's very creative though, but I fail to see the purpose to it other than being a little lighter.

An Ogre is a Humanoid (Giant). Ogrekin can be applied to a Humanoid. So yes, it can be done. A GM might do this to add the deformities to make a special or semi-unique creature. If you're the GM, you absolutely can.

If you are a player and you're trying to make a half-ogre ogrekin, that's your GM's call. You would have a higher CR technically (+1, whether that matters or not), because the character will theoretically (deformities are random) be stronger in some way. You also have to randomly roll your deformities, you wouldn't get to choose them, since it specifically says roll randomly (a GM can waive this, obviously if they really like you).

Personally, I don't like it flavor-wise, since the character has Ogre Blood and technically counts as an ogre already, and I find it awkward to have an ogrekin ogre, but I can certainly see it from the deformity/mutation aspect.

Thus, use Reduce Person is a better option to get Small only if you want +2 Dex / -2 STR

Pretty much. The vanara's Change Size lasts as long as they want and is Supernatural (Su), so it can't be dispelled. Reduce person will only last one minute per level. The only benefit reduce person would have is that it does alter abilities. So if you really needed a +2 to Dex (and the –2 to Strength), that's the only upside the spell would have for a Vanara with Change Size.

She gains the change shape ability and the shapeshifter subtype.

Change Shape

A creature with this special quality has the ability to assume the appearance of a specific creature or type of creature (usually a humanoid), but retains most of its own physical qualities. A creature cannot change shape to a form more than one size category smaller or larger than its original form. This ability functions as a polymorph spell, the type of which is listed in the creature’s description ...

We see that Change Self will follow the rules for polymorph.

When you cast a polymorph spell that changes you into a creature of the animal, dragon, elemental, magical beast, plant, or vermin type, all of your gear melds into your body. ... If your new form does not cause your equipment to meld into your form, the equipment resizes to match your new size.

Since the Vanara isn't changing into an animal, dragon, etc., their equipment resizes to match their new size (weapons will do less damage).

And does a Small Vanara can be affected by Reduce Person ?

You can only be affected by one polymorph spell at a time. If a new polymorph spell is cast on you (or you activate a polymorph effect, such as wild shape), you can decide whether or not to allow it to affect you, taking the place of the old spell. In addition, other spells that change your size have no effect on you while you are under the effects of a polymorph spell.

Size changes do not stack or affect the Vanara while under the effects of polymorph (which their Change Size ability emulates... by emulating Change Shape... which emulates polymorph. Inception!).

Wind, I would say no, even strong wind. I think the magic makes it pretty weather resistant unless a form of wind specifically says it can dislodge even ioun stones. Now, if the wind is blowing something else, like a sign or a roof shingle or a Tiny creature blown about, then that could certainly knock an ioun stone away...
... but, how that roll to determine that it hit the stone, rather than just the PC, would be pure GM discretion. Or they rolled a Natural 1 on a save and the ioun stone was determined to be a likely piece of equipment struck.

545. A spidery vine grows from the ground and forms a silky 3-foot long cocoon. It pulses as though something inside were wiggling. The planter hears a feminine voice asking for help telepathically. If the cocoon is cut open, a Medium-sized giant spider thanks them and crawls out. (She can free herself if need be, but won't unless attacked in the cocoon or everyone leaves.)

The spider claims its name is Lollotte, and her sister Charlotte trapped her in a magic web after jealousy over Lollette's poetry skill. Lollette can recite several poems and even devise new ones. She offers to join the planter as a friend, even as a mount if they are Small size (though she need an exotic saddle made).

546. A fountain of powdered silver sprays from the ground and then falls into a pile of dust in the planted bean's square. There's 1d4 x 25 gp worth of powdered silver plus an additional 10 gp worth per planter's level. Strong winds can disperse the dust and depending on the amount and conditions can take quite a while to gather all together.

547. The round after planting, a gnomish figure with a plain brown cap and a large (for it) scythe springs from the earth, rubs it hands, grips its scythe, and declares "This'll be fun!" before wading into combat. This is a redcap, sans red-stained cap (+2 DC to identify, does not get the +4 bonus to damage or fast healing 3).

I agree with TxSam88. It has to be spread out and open, like a rug would be on the floor. I probably would allow it if it was almost completely open, like laying it out in a 5'x5' room where the edges might be just a little curled, but certainly not if it was draped over a dining table, like a tablecloth, hanging down (I am trying to even imagine what that would look like, could you see through the table? Not important, since I wouldn't let it work anyway.) Or if someone had it wrapped about them like a bedsheet or cloak and just had to "pull the rest of it over them like a hood" or somesuch.

It definitely says spread open on any surface, I could even see spreading it open on a ceiling or wall, but that takes planning or specific circumstance, like reverse gravity, or hanging it against the wall like a a picture (not a tapestry hanging just off the wall), either pinned or tacked or with (sovereign) glue applied to the wall or back of the portable hole. But that's getting into specific circumstances territory.

And if you assume that a 6 foot circle of spun spider silk can float on the surface of water, technically you probably lay it on water and be able to access or jump into it (some waves might splash some water in, and in rough or stormy water you're probably bailing constantly, and your GM could rule that a wave rolls up under the edge and risks flopping it closed).

Not Rules stuff:

Things about an object that would likely describe it as an adjective likely stay on it. If it's a rusty knife, a bloody knife, a wet knife, a poisoned knife, etc. If it's something else, like a bug that was crawling on the knife, probably not. If the knife were (somehow) infested with bugs or metal eating organisms like iron termites or something, the infestation probably stays.

Ask yourself if you teleported a shirt out of the ocean if it should be completely dry? Or a lice-infested shirt (which would have been a better example than metal-eating termites above). Or a piece of termite-infest lumber.

You don't teleport a potion or a waterskin and the liquid inside stays behind. Unless something is a significant creature I don't normally let players teleport out of their boots of teleportation or clothes, nor do I let them delouse themselves of parasites or headlice. A clinging or grappling creature, sure.

So I would say a bloody knife, or a wet knife, or a poisoned knife would come back in that condition. That's not the same as 'a knife with a teacup resting on top on it'. If you had forensics, the knife would have fingerprints on it. If it was cold because it was in ice a moment before, it will still be cold, possibly with frost on it, but it wouldn't bring the ice-cube that was chilling it along.

199. Ironic Spike in Safe Passers (CL 6)— This quirked iron spike of safe passage detects and functions normally, except the Will save to resist its illusion is DC 15.

200. Volatile V-ape-orizer— This quirked volatile vaporizer pill detects and functions normally, but makes any potion it vaporizes count as one caster level higher (max CL still applies). It then immediately summons an ape that attacks the user or their allies.

201. Elemental Germ— This cursed elemental gem detects and functions normally, but contains a cloud of germs and sickness released on the gem's destruction. A successful remove curse or remove disease cast beforehand can remove this effect. Afterwards, remove curse does not affect the disease.

Another year of amazing output! I hope the creative imagination and muse carries your through another year.

To my knowledge, creatures with an alignment subtype maintain that alignment, as well as their actual alignment. It would be a CG devil with the lawful and evil subtype (barring some form or soul/substance changing alteration that is basically plot or GM discretion, like a devil becoming an angel).

How do they fare against my spider and bat swarm bleeding them dry?
Kidding :p

196. Fragile Alpenstock— This cursed agile alpenstock detects and functions normally except it grants a +3 enhancement bonus against trip attempts. If the wielder falls or trips, however, their bones become fragile and risk breaking.

197. Gobblin' Fire Drum— This quirked goblin fire drum identifies and functions normally except that it can ignite even attended flammable objects if they're in or held in a creature's mouth and makes creatures try to swallow fire.

198. Horn of Foggy Bottom— This quirked horn of fog detects and functions normally, but the low, foghorn sound tends to end with a raspberry or deflating whoopie cushion sound. As the fog cloud forms, a similar stinking cloud forms in the opposite space behind the user.

The Riding Dog is pretty much the gold standard for small riders. It's strong, it's fast, it has four legs (granted, that's most mounts) so it's resistant to trip and can carry more, and it can trip enemies, and has scent for tracking. It's also not so freaky looking that you get looks in town or stabling at the inn.

After that, I think most people go for something with Pounce.

But if you really want to try something that almost nobody (that I have observed) really tries, it's a snake. A constrictor snake starts at Medium and it's like 6 gold if you were to buy one. Granted, you would likely need to pay for an exotic riding saddle. Most people have trouble visualized riding a snake, because they are so attuned to riding horses or dogs or boars.

It has Constrict, which can damage and lock down an opponent with a bite and its movement includes Swim and Climb speeds (you said you weren't into climb, but your GM said it was okay), so even in tight spaces you could theoretically be moving forward on a wall or even across a ceiling (see why you have an exotic saddle to hold you place). Now your ranged attacks might not be blocked by your front liners and you can skirt pits and rough floor. Swim may or may not come into play. It has no legs so it really can't be tripped or knocked prone at all.

The real downside is their Speed of 20, which is not impressive. It's okay if you're planning to hold back and snipe anyway, but otherwise one of your spells might need to be longstrider or an Animal Focus that ups their speed.

651. Silverback Turn-apes

This species of turnip is safe to eat and comparable to your ordinary garden-variety vegetable. The upper leaves and stem have a grayish, oft-times mistaken for, silver piping. The root itself is a white-gray, or very rarely silver, in coloration.

While the saying, "It'll put hair on your chest... and back... and ears..." has not been definitively proven, it likely takes decades of consumption, if true at all. What is known, is that anyone imbibing it acts in an ape-like manner for an hour or two afterwards. While not inhibiting in any way, they tend to grunt or snort a bit more, and get a +2 turnip bonus to checks to imitate or disguise themselves as a simian. Simians also tend to react to them in a semi-simian way, but failing to Intimidate an actual silverback gorilla and being thought of as one is not always optimal.

People often use them in stews or soups, where the turnip is more a garnish or small part of the whole, which seems to curb some of effects. Wizards use them in minor potions to grant strength or change shape or summon monkeys, apes, or other simians.

Still just slowly going down the wondrous items list...

193. Elixir of Fiery Death— This cursed elixir of fire breath detects and functions normally, except it deals 5d6 fire damage.

194. Half-Strength Healing Potion— This curse is almost always found on a cure potion, though it can very rarely be found on a cure scroll. Despite the name, the cure effect functions as though Maximized and heals full damage. The curse is named for its side effect.
Cost Reduction: –25%

195. Grave Mistake Salt— This cursed grave salt detects and functions normally, except that undead creatures treat the boundary as a sanctuary effect (DC 12) for trying to attack or enter into it or disturb it.

Toppling Spell is pretty easy to rule (for me).

If the target takes damage, fails its saving throw, or is moved by your force spell, ...

Every time your spiritual weapon hit (and damaged) a creature, you would make the Trip check to topple it. If somehow your flaming sphere or wall of fire had the Force descriptor, then every time you entered a creature's square and it failed its Reflex save (and took damage) it would need a check. Anytime a creature took damage from the wall of fire either passing through it or standing close enough on the active side to take damage they would could be toppled.

For Dazing Spell, the spell has to deal damage, and it has to be the spell. You can't use a dazing summon monster III to summon 1d4+1 eagles from the summon monster I list and have them attempt to daze a target every time they hit with their talon/talon/bite full attack.

It can definitely come down to a GM's call in some cases.

Pizza Lord wrote:

I am not 100% sure that I am understanding your intentions or desires. For me, it seems most logical to just create a magic item to not just recharge wands, but transfer charges.

I want to create a new type of wand which works mostly like existing wands, except that it is more cost effective for spells you might want to cast a lot of (like cures and direct attack spells), especially at higher levels. Thereby making wands of CCW and wands of fireball a lot more useful and viable.

It kind of sounds like you want a magic staff. Like a staff of curing. Certainly they're more expensive, but you can put as many spells as you wish on it (or less to keep it cheaper), it functions at user CL, and you can recharge it. If you're GM allows custom building, just make one with cure light wounds and then a bigger spell, like cure serious or cure critical for emergency combat use (or higher charge cost to cut costs). Other than the higher level cost for the creation feat, you might be trying to rebuild the wheel (or usurp what magical staves are intended to do, which is something we're not supposed to allow other feats to do, invalidate other ones. Like making a 'wondrous item' that is basically a magic ring or staff without needing to take Craft Staff or Forge Ring.

Things (like the notes on Companion Reviving) get muddled when familiars (which are usually assumed to be living creatures) become otherwise. Most of the time, the clockwork familiar should follow the same rules (unless they don't make sense). Your clockwork rat familiar will function as a rat familiar (with less bonuses), your clockwork snake familiar will function as a snake familiar.

The wording there, notes:

Creatures with no character levels (such as animal companions and familiars) count as 1st level for the purpose of these spells, and therefore they take Constitution drain instead of negative levels.

This indicates that (usually) a familiar has no class levels, since most are small animals. If you had an improved familiar, or one that had 2 or more HD, then this wouldn't apply. So, in this case, assuming your clockwork familiar is modeled on a normal familiar, it would not count as your level (it might for other purposes), and would potentially take Con drain. As a Construct that's not an issue... but Constructs cannot be raised or resurrected either (without a ruling otherwise, like a cyborg or android or something with a soul).

Normally you can't repair destroyed constructs either.

A construct that has been completely destroyed cannot be repaired, though at the GM’s option some of the materials may be usable in the construction of a new construct.

Maybe you can salvage some to reduce the cost building a new construct.

But, as a familiar, you should be able to follow the rules for replacing a familiar, even as a construct.

If a familiar is dismissed, lost, or dies, it can be replaced 1 week later through a specialized ritual that costs 200 gp per wizard level. The ritual takes 8 hours to complete.

So, you should be able to replace your clockwork familiar like a normal familiar after a week at a cost of 200 gp times your level.

Make whole effects can repair the construct, but I don't believe it will restore a destroyed one. Those spells seem to differentiate 'magic items' and constructs, even ones constructed with Craft Construct and are otherwise similar to crafting a magic item.

I am not 100% sure that I am understanding your intentions or desires. For me, it seems most logical to just create a magic item to not just recharge wands, but transfer charges. While, thematically having a 'battery wand' makes sense, mechanics-wise, it probably would be a rod (thus require Craft Rod, but you can always let them find or buy one).

You just need to come up with a workable, relatively simple mechanic for moving charges. Obviously you can get as complicated or detailed as you wish. If I were to try and whole-cloth something up quickly on the fly (and again, apologies if this is way off what you're looking for):

Could give your party one with 10 or 15 charge capacity remaining and see what they do. If they immediately try and abuse it, start adding the mitigators before putting a new one in play..

Overlord Bloodline
You come from a lineage of chieftains, overlords, tyrants, betrayers, and leaders or from a race or family that served or learned from them and is ready to start their own lineage. You don't have to be wicked to benefit from these talents, but it helps.

Bonus Feats: Any teamwork or betrayal feats (including Quick Correction and Stepping Stool), Brilliant Planner, Chosen One, Combat Advice, Leadership, Persuasive, Sinister Reputation.

Bonus Spells: shield companion (AA) (7th), bleed for your master (10th), perfect placement (13th), die for your master (16th)

18. Toss Draw
Description: You can draw an item immediately after tossing an item.
Prerequisites: Quick Draw
Benefits: After throwing an item, as a free action you can draw another item that would require a move action or less to retrieve. After the first attack with a thrown item, additional thrown attacks that round are at a +1 haste bonus to attack and do not provoke attacks of opportunity due to their speed. This benefit is lost while slowed or otherwise unable to benefit from haste effects.
The retrieved item need not be a weapon and includes alchemical items, potions, scrolls, and wands. Dropping items does not trigger this feat, but tossing or throwing items into the user's space does. It does not include spell effects, such as throwing flames from produce flame, but can include spell-related actions, such as tossing the targets of magic stone or the creature from a bag of tricks (GM's discretion).
Normal: Without this feat, you need a move action to draw a weapon or item after throwing. With Quick Draw you can draw weapons freely, but not other items.

19. Scatterbrained
Description: You can lose focus and let your mind wander to avoid the full effects of mental damage.
Prerequisites: Iron Will, must have an Intelligence score.
Benefits: Whenever you are subject to mental damage or drain, you may opt to distribute it among all your mental abilities as evenly as possible or, as an immediate action, half all mental damage and drain taken (minimum 1) for the remainder of the round and be dazed on your next turn. If you cannot be dazed, you lose all actions on your next turn instead. This feat does not reduce penalties to mental abilities, though see below.
Once per day as a standard action, for each mental ability, you may attempt a Fortitude save (DC 15) to restore 2 points of damage, 1 point of drain, or remove a penalty from that ability.
Anytime this feat is used, you are scatterbrained and at a –2 distraction penalty to all initiative, concentration, and mental skill checks until you rest for 8 hours.

Liliyashanina wrote:

There is also the case when people want to pop mirror images with their secondary attacks, before useing their main attacks.

That, at least, they cannot do because regardless of where you are placing your max bonus extra attack, your lower iteratives must come after the higher ones.

They used 'secondary and main' attacks, not iteratives. So you could have a main/primary attack, and a couple secondaries, like bite/claw/claw. I don't think there's any rule that says a creature can't claw/bite/claw or tail then bite rather than bite then tail.

I can't say for sure that the wording was their intention or not though, since the main topic question was answered first reply and the rest is all... intellectual discussion.

113. A +2 blinding, light steel shield. It's highly-polished with an eye insignia and strapped to the user's arm when withdrawn from the bag (any worn shields or similar implements are dropped to the ground when this happens).

114. A random card from a deck of illusions that is dropped immediately. The illusion and its (apparent) effects are quasi-real (20%) to lawful creatures, though they can't be damaged or affected by attacks or abilities that don't affect illusions (they can't be killed by a lawful creature, though their own attacks can damage them (20% if disbelieved).

115. A burning and active jumping cinder is withdrawn and an additional 1d3 jumping cinders leap from the bag into random adjacent spaces. No more than one per space, though they can later enter the same squares randomly, their first jump will not be into the space they were drawn from. The drawer can attempt a Reflex save (DC 12) to drop their cinder in an adjacent space of their choice, otherwise they drop it in theirs and take 1d6 fire damage (no save). The cinders are otherwise uncontrolled and jump around randomly for one minute.