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I just made my second pathfinder character. She is a Elven Sorceress. One of the spells that I was reading in the Core Book says you have to have a device to read magic to do this spell.
Is this correct?
If so, what do you have to have and can you buy it when you first develop your character?
If isn't available in your basic shop, what good is it to have this spell as a choice, if you can't buy your component?
It has been 25 years since I've played a spellcaster.
Could someone help me?
I'm playing this weekend. It is going to be a challenge for me to play any kind of spell caster because I'm mostly used to playing a gung-ho fighter, and I know at 1st level, I can't play the way I used to as a fighter.
Thank for any help!
John
RPG Superstar 2011 Top 32
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The spell read magic does require a prism to cast, but that prism has no listed value, so it assumed to come included with the purchase of a spell component pouch (5gp). You can buy those basically anywhere, and they include all material components and focuses that have no listed cost. Also note that as a sorcerer, you don't actually need the pouch for anything other than focuses as you get the Eschew Materials feat for free.
This is about the Read Magic spell? If so, it has the following components to its casting: "V, S, F (a clear crystal or mineral prism)". I think, from the details you've mentioned, that you're talking about the F, which means focus. A focus, unless otherwise specified as having a gold piece value, is assumed to be something you can start with or pick up for free almost anywhere, like most spell components. The major difference between a focus and material components is that you can reuse a focus any number of times, whereas material components are used up after each spell casting. Since in this case it specifies just a hunk of common crystal, assume your character has it and breaks it out when using Read Magic.
Note: unless you're taking a specific archetype of sorcerer, you'll start with the Eschew Materials feat. Basically, that means that unless the material component has a gp value, you ignore it in casting your spells.
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The spell read magic does require a prism to cast, but that prism has no listed value, so it assumed to come included with the purchase of a spell component pouch (5gp). You can buy those basically anywhere, and they include all material components and focuses that have no listed cost. Also note that as a sorcerer, you don't actually need the pouch for anything other than focuses as you get the Eschew Materials feat for free.
Ok great! Thanks, I knew it had to be something I missed.
Thanks again!
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This is about the Read Magic spell? If so, it has the following components to its casting: "V, S, F (a clear crystal or mineral prism)". I think, from the details you've mentioned, that you're talking about the F, which means focus. A focus, unless otherwise specified as having a gold piece value, is assumed to be something you can start with or pick up for free almost anywhere, like most spell components. The major difference between a focus and material components is that you can reuse a focus any number of times, whereas material components are used up after each spell casting. Since in this case it specifies just a hunk of common crystal, assume your character has it and breaks it out when using Read Magic.
Note: unless you're taking a specific archetype of sorcerer, you'll start with the Eschew Materials feat. Basically, that means that unless the material component has a gp value, you ignore it in casting your spells.
Ok, I got you. That is good to know. Thank you so much.
The Read Magic spell requires a focus. No monetary value is given for that focus, so it is covered by your spell component pouch. If you know the Read Magic spell, you can cast that spell as long as you do not lose your spell component pouch. As best as I can tell, the Eschew Materials feat covers everything that would be included in your spell component pouch, so as a sorcerer you are covered. The magic section in the PRD and in the Core Rulebook seems to lump cheap material components and cheap focus components together for such purposes.
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The Read Magic spell requires a focus. No monetary value is given for that focus, so it is covered by your spell component pouch. If you know the Read Magic spell, you can cast that spell as long as you do not lose your spell component pouch. As best as I can tell, the Eschew Materials feat covers everything that would be included in your spell component pouch, so as a sorcerer you are covered. The magic section in the PRD and in the Core Rulebook seems to lump cheap material components and cheap focus components together for such purposes.
Should I pick this feat, instead of improved initiative or does it depend on the spells you choose?
Sorcerers automatically get the Eschew Materials feat for free at 1st level, so there's no need to choose it.