Awaken

[Archaeik]

So, I saw something about this in passing when I glanced through the AM BARBARIAN thread...

Something about an Oracle of Nature's capstone and managing to qualify for the spell?

Id Moss offers damage, if it would work.
But I assume ability damage isn't enough, you need drain?

Otherwise, Bestow Curse? (but you need to start with an 8 or lower? or does bestow curse stack?)
Geas might be another interesting way to qualify.

What other (relatively non-dangerous) ways are there to reduce your Int score?

And then the question becomes, can the Oracle do this more than once?
(The maximize is assumed)

Are there any other ways you can qualify for Awaken besides this specific build?

lulz?

[zagnabbit]

Im confused.
Are you trying to drain your own INT to boost it with a maximized Awaken?

[zagnabbit]

If so why drain?
The trick would seem to be to change your type in a permanent fashion.
Wish or Miracle.

[Archaeik]

The int score is largely irrelevant...
You need a 1 or 2 int to qualify for the spell.
The benefit is +2 HD(d8) and +1d3 Cha.

The nature oracle can infinitely recycle their type, so as long as you can qualify for the spell(again -and again), you can cast it again?<- this is why I asked.

The Wish trick would probably work for other classes once. (but maybe if you dumped the resources into it, more than once too?)

If the "bonuses" are magical in nature, perhaps they don't stack since it's the same spell and they seem to be untyped.
That's a question I probably should have included above.

Why drain?
If damage works, then fine, doesn't matter what it is.
If bestow curse stacks, again np. (or even if bestow curse stacks with geas, np)
Otherwise, you're left with finding ways to reduce your Int permanently, which == drain.

The only concern I'd have is somehow losing the ability to cast because you now have a 2 Int(even though your casting stat is Cha).
I'm under the impression that only things like Feeblemind actually remove your ability to cast.
(but even in this situation, you could use a contingency (Int < 3) && (type == animal) to make the spell go off -- again, lulz)

[Sowde Da'aro]

Why would you want to awaken yourself in the first place? I dont get it.

[Archaeik]

An awakened animal gets 3d6 Intelligence, +1d3 Charisma, and +2 HD.

That's PLUS, you become a (at least) 22HD PC with a small boost to your casting stat.

[Sowde Da'aro]

So your trying to out do AM BARBARIAN?

[Quatar]

a) I'm pretty sure it would need to be permanent drain not just damage
b) I'm pretty sure you need to be a real animal always to qualify for this spell, not just every other day.
c) With Int 2 you'd be a drooling moron and wouldn't even grasp the basic concept of what you're trying to do here, much less actually be able to pull it off anymore

and lastly:
d) If I were the GM and you tried to do that, I'd turn your char into an NPC animal after the spell is cast.

[Archaeik]

Have C covered with contingency (see above)

Which means for A, you probably can just use Feeblemind (and have someone cast heal afterward)

B, interesting point about RAI, but the oracle can definitely stay an animal type for longer than 24hrs, which is the usual cutoff for "permanent"

D, I can see *some* support for this in the spell description - and tut tut, NPC magical beast... :p

still lulz

[Archaeik]

Sowde Da'aro wrote:

So your trying to out do AM BARBARIAN?

Not at all, just where I found the idea, but I didn't see any indication of the specifics(because I can't be bothered to go through 20 pages trying to find 1 thing), only a reference to cheesy oracle changes his type to animal to cast awaken - and I was amused.

EDIT:
however I could be bothered to find the post

Which is right, I forgot about the feat gain since the HD are permanent. lol

[Sowde Da'aro]

So you are out doing AM BARBARIAN...

I see awaken as a reward to faithful animal comps. Or certian trees in the forest to act as guardians.
What you are doing is defintlly NOT RAI.

[Ravingdork]

The AM barbarian pyramid charge was likely not RAI either, but nobody stopped that monstrosity from being posted.

[Archaeik]

Let me spell it out more clearly then.
AM BARB doesn't factor into this at all

I enjoy pushing the rules until you divide by zero and the world implodes.

Now, have I missed any ways to reliably achieve Int drain?
(parasites are not welcome)