I've just been poking around the Seekers of Secrets, reading on interactions and resonance of Ioun stones in Wayfinders, when I stumbled upon a bit of a discrepancy. To quote:
Orange prism: Every time the bearer casts a spell, roll 1d4–2 and add this (and the +1 caster level granted by the normal power of the ioun stone) to his caster level. If this modified caster level is too low to cast the spell, the spell fails and is lost.
So, let me get this straight; Orange Prism adds +1CL, static. In addition, when embedded in a Wayfinder, it modifies caster's CL by 1D4-2 whenever he casts a spell. Combining 1D4-2 from Resonance with +1 static from stone itself, we get to 1D4-1; so the lowest possible modifier to CL when casting a spell is +0 - evidently not enough to reduce caster level below that needed to cast a spell - or am I missing something?
I'm guessing modifier should be 1D4-3, giving the stone a final range of CL modifiers from -1 to +2, rather than +0 - +3, OR the Orange Prism's static +1 CL should apply ONLY if resonance's change to CL doesn't drop the CL below the minimum needed to cast (so, a 3rd lvl wizard casting 2nd level spell would get that +1CL from Orange Prism only as long as he didn't roll a 1 on that 1D4 beforehand?)
Nitpicky Andro is nitpicky early in the morning.
It's hard to say. I don't think it's a typo.
Effect would suck hard if it was 1d4-3...
I think you missed the part where -3 is offset by a +1 from Orange Prism itself :D
The description implies there's a drawback to the item - the possibility of reducing your CL below minimum needed to cast a spell. But D4-2+1 gives you CL modifier range of 0-3, so no penalty possible.
I suspect it's a goof. But in theory, it might be possible to have a reduced caster level from some other source, in which case the 1d4-1 might be enough to raise your caster level and it might not be. That's stretching it a bit, though.
RPG Superstar 2010 Top 16
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Generally speaking, the text of the responant powers talks about the wearer or bearer of the wayfinder. So I would suppose that having the item on your person is enough.
The exceptions are the ellipsoids (lavender and pink, or pale lavender), which require the wayfinder to be in hand.
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Contributor, RPG Superstar 2008 Top 6
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The original version had a long, complicated table, and a chance that you'd wind up with a negative caster level overall. It replaced the +1 to caster level entirely. The idea was the the orange + wayfinder combination was inherently unstable. The simplification left in the text about needing a minimum caster level, but as described it no longer applies so I would say it can be safely ignored.
I don't think it's a mistake, as if it was any worse there wouldn't be any point in using it at all. The resonant ability is basically +0.5 caster level on average. With the existing bonus that makes it go up to +1.5 in a wayfinder vs the +1 without a wayfinder. If it didn't stack with the +1 static bonus that you already get, the resonant ability would be a penalty rather than a bonus.
I think the idea is that in rare corner cases if you had some OTHER caster level penalty, the static +1 could offset that penalty just enough to let you cast the spell. But the -1 random modifier could then put you back below the level you need.
It's trying to clarify a case that may never come up for you. Don't read too much into it that isn't written.
I guess its for the cases like when you have negative level and you offset it with Orange Prism but then you lost Prism's bonus to wayfinder roll you will get spells like "+1 for 5 caster levels you posess" or when you crafting some item that requires spell with certain caster level (ring of protection, staves) then it fizzles?
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Huge thread necromancy, sorry about this. I'm creating some kind of Necromancer right now, if it can help justifying my actions.
However as the question has been left vaguely answered, and I believe I hold the answer, I thought it would be good to come and finally answer this.
I believe that, as DarkPheonixx suggested, while the lowest CL modifier becomes 0 (with a maximum of +3) in this way, it CAN be a penalty.
In the case of multiclassing (or taking levels in a prestige class or anything that makes your character level and your caster level different), let's say you're a Wizard 14 and Barbarian (for some reason) 2.
Without the Orange Prism Ioun Stone, your CL is 14 and the highest level of spells you can cast is 7th level.
However, with an Orange Prism Ioun Stone, your CL becomes 15 which makes you able to cast 8th level spells.
Now, with your Wayfinder, the total range bonus from this Ioun Stone becomes 0 to +3.
If you happened to cast an 8th level spell and hit "0" as the result of your 1D4-1 throw, you're now CL 14 and can't cast 8th level spells. Hence, your spell is lost as reminded in the description of this interaction.
I hope to have solved this question (merely a bit more than 6 years after it was asked). Rest in peace, may Pharasma come and collect your soul.
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Huge thread necromancy, sorry about this. I'm creating some kind of Necromancer right now, if it can help justifying my actions.
However as the question has been left vaguely answered, and I believe I hold the answer, I thought it would be good to come and finally answer this.
I guess your justification for practicing the dark arts of necromancy might suffice if you were correct and actually had the answer.
You seem to think an item that gives you +1 caster level increases your class level by 1. A level 14 Wizard with an item that gives +1 caster level is STILL A LEVEL 14 WIZARD and cannot cast 8th level spells. He does NOT get the spell slots of a Level 15 Wizard and is in fact NOT a Level 15 Wizard.
An item that gives you +1 caster level simply gives you +1 caster level. If our hypothetical Level 14 Wizard cast a spell that does 1d6 damage per level, the +1 caster level means he rolls 15d6, or if a spell duration is 1/round per level, then it lasts 15 rounds. He would also get +1 when rolling for SR, etc.
And as with others who practice necromancy,the undead zombies you have unleashed will now eat your brains.
Except that raising your caster level above your class level doesn't grant you new spells, just increases their effectiveness.
If you had a Wizard-14/Barbarian-2 you'd be able to cast 7th level spells, with a caster level of 14. If you cast DISINTEGRATE you'd be casting at caster level 14, which would mean you deal 28d6 damage.
Using this Ioun Stone gives you +1 caster level, which means you could cast it as a 15th level caster (dealing 30d6 damage), but it wouldn't give you access to 8th level spells.
Using the Ioun Stone in a Wayfinder would mean that your effective caster level becomes 14 - 17 (depending on the d4 roll). This would mean you'd deal between 28d6 and 34d6 damage with disintegrate, but again it wouldn't let you cast 8th or 9th level spells.
But in theory, it might be possible to have a reduced caster level from some other source, in which case the 1d4-1 might be enough to raise your caster level and it might not be.
I think this might be it. If you get hit by a curse or something that reduces your caster level this oun-stone/wayfinder combo might save your higher level spells from being lost, but it's not a guarantee.
EDIT: Slightly ninja'd
