False life, stackable? Beast shape, spell casting?

[cmastah]

I believe the rules on temporary hit points is that they don't stack, I assume that's true for false life as well?

I was looking over the vampire and saw they have beast shape and was curious, can they still cast spells? Vampires have quite an arsenal of spells at their fingertips. What about grave touch, is that even a spell? Would it provoke an AoO and can it be used even when silenced (or when polymorphed)?

[Corlindale]

Yep, multiple castings of False Life won't stack, only the highest will apply.

Normally you can't cast spells with somatic or verbal components while in Beast Shape. But with Still Spell and Silent spell you could, though some spells would also call for Eschew Materials.

Grave Touch could probably be used, since it isn't a spell, and doesn't depend on your form (unlike some other abilities in the vampire's arsenal). Like all spell-like abilities, it can easily be used while silenced.

[cmastah]

Thanks :)

[Gauss]

There is no specific rule that states temporary hit points do not stack.

There IS a rule that bonuses from the same source do not stack.

Now, it might be interpreted that temporary hitpoints are another stat that follows the standard restrictions against stacking. It is a grey area.

For example:
False life does not stack with itself (this is clear).

What is less clear is whether or not the Temporary Hitpoints gained from False Life stack with the temporary hitpoints gained from another source (such as Aid).

- Gauss