caelum's page

I'm unsure about how to interpret the phrasing on the Hedge Witch features (from Ultimate Magic)...in particular, when does the character gain the two new powers?

Spontaneous Healing (Su): A hedge witch can channel stored spell energy into healing spells that she did not prepare ahead of time. The witch can “lose” any prepared spell that is not an orison in order to cast any cure spell of the same spell level or lower, even if she doesn't know that cure spell. This replaces the witch's hex gained at 4th level.

Upon first reading, I assumed that the hedge witch gained the power at 4th level in place of a hex. However, unlike nearly all other class features (including those of some witch archetypes), this one doesn't begin with the phrase, "At Nth level, ...". Is that meant to imply that the hedge witch actually gains this ability at 1st level, and he/she just won't gain a new hex at 4th level?

I am curious whether scenarios can include elements (and, in particular, monsters) that are outside the SRD but are Open Content? I noticed that one of the earlier open calls specifically included the nabasu, but they didn't seem happy with the results.

Also, if it is "allowed," is it still discouraged barring a very good reason?