|
I'm wondering if my character, who has the Birthmark trait, can use his Birthmark as a holy symbol for channeling. The description of the trait states that it can be used as a divine focus for spellcasting, but is silent as to whether it can be used for channeling. The description of the channeling class feature says that the cleric must be able to present his holy symbol in order to channel. Page 213 of the rules says that "the divine focus for a cleric or paladin is a holy symbol appropriate to the character's faith."
Does this mean that a divine focus is equivalent to a holy symbol for all purposes (e.g., channeling) or just for spellcasting?
This issue came up because we (my GM and I) are trying to reason out whether there would be an unbalancing advantage to a holy symbol that essentially can't be lost or stolen. I suspect the ramifications of a cleric losing his holy symbol are not as significant as the ramifications of a wizard losing his spellbook.
The issue of the holy symbol is coming up because, in our campaign world, clerics of the deity in question have to keep a low profile or risk being found out by clerics of a rival deity or by certain political forces, so there is an in-game reason why such clerics would not want to carry around holy symbols. So we came up with the idea of a normally-invisible divine seal that would be bestowed upon such clerics via a spell cast during an initiation ritual.
|
|
haha, this is funny.
As a GM, I would allow it, as long as it can be presented. You have to show the birthmark for it to be used, that means, if it is covered you may need a free hand to uncover it. I would also reserve the right to make fun of him every time he used it... I hope that thing is in an appropriate spot.
You don't worship the goddess of the moon do you?
You might want to still carry a real holy symbol, and just bust out the mark when absolutely needed in that case ;)
|
I would think it depends where it is. A mark on the forehead is easy to show, one on the palm of the hand is also a good location....
This has also been done for a number of years with tatoos and other interesting holy symbols....
GM: You come across a horde of undead, they're rushing towards your group!
Player: I'll take care of this. My character will drop trou and moon them!
OOoo my. Thank yuo SO much for the laugh.. the thought of a cleric mooning someone to use their holy symbol just made me laugh heartily.
(not to mention mooning undead and destroying them.. am sure there's a comic strip in the making, there somewhere).
On a serious note- Holy Symbols are objects that are typically subject to removal and/or sunder.
If you put one on your body I would likely allow it but would have to come up with some rule to allow it to be deprived from you somehow. Otherwise you are basically getting a pretty good benefit for practically nothing.
-S
I would think it depends where it is. A mark on the forehead is easy to show, one on the palm of the hand is also a good location....
This has also been done for a number of years with tatoos and other interesting holy symbols....
The party comes across a vampire, and the Cleric knows that if he presents his holy symbol strongly the vampire will be stunned.
There are too many jokes to make. Remember, he has to present it strongly... ><
If you put one on your body I would likely allow it but would have to come up with some rule to allow it to be deprived from you somehow. Otherwise you are basically getting a pretty good benefit for practically nothing.-S
A trait (said BY PAIZO to be worth about half a feat) is not "practically nothing".