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"Fervor: As a swift action, a warpriest can expend one use of this
ability to cast any one warpriest spell he has prepared. When
cast in this way, the spell can target only the warpriest, even
if it could normally affect other or multiple targets. Spells
cast in this way ignore somatic components and do not
provoke attacks of opportunity. The warpriest does not
need to have a free hand to cast a spell in this way."
Question: Does the use of Fervor merely "duplicate" a prepared spell, as a swift action, only on one's self; Or does it actually use the spell slot?
I really just cannot seem to wrap my head around this today.
Yes, it modifies the act of casting, but you still cast. You just cast the spell with a modified target (just yourself), materials (ignore somatic component), rules (no AOO). You also do this without having a hand free. However, you are still casting the spell, thus expending the prepared spell.
Question: Does the use of Fervor merely "duplicate" a prepared spell, as a swift action, only on one's self; Or does it actually use the spell slot?I really just cannot seem to wrap my head around this today.
It says that you are actually casting the spell so the slot is expended.
As a swift action, a warpriest can expend one use of this ability to cast any one warpriest spell he has prepared. When cast in this way, the spell can target only the warpriest, even if it could normally affect other or multiple targets. Spells cast in this way ignore somatic components and do not provoke attacks of opportunity. The warpriest does not need to have a free hand to cast a spell in this way.
So, nice necro. Also, I can't find a rule requiring a hand to be used for delivering a touch spell, unless you have a reference for that there should be no issue.
Touch Spells in Combat: Many spells have a range of touch. To use these spells, you cast the spell and then touch the subject. In the same round that you cast the spell, you may also touch (or attempt to touch) as a free action. You may take your move before casting the spell, after touching the target, or between casting the spell and touching the target. You can automatically touch one friend or use the spell on yourself, but to touch an opponent, you must succeed on an attack roll.
I can't find any rule that says you need a free hand to touch something. Indeed touching doesn't seem to require hands. In theory, you could knock your knees together to affect yourself with a touch spell. Or just blink your eyes.
More seriously, the quoted text above seems to imply that while you need to touch a friend, you can automatically "use the spell on yourself", apparently skipping the touch altogether.
It doesn't matter what the range is. You can tell by the description, the intent is the warpriest simply speaks the spell and it happens, but only to the warpriest. He doesn't have to touch himself even though the range is touch or personal. It would make no sense to me that a warpriest would have to touch himself while casting waterproof. As a swift action, he just speaks the spell and it happens.
As for touch requiring a free hand, as Melkiador stated, it says nothing about a hand. Most would naturally think of using a hand, but you could technically kick somebody in the butt, tell them to "get back in there" and cast CLW. I'm sure, many GMs would rule on the type of touch needed for each spell. I personally would require some form of meaningful touch for a CLW depending on the deity. Irori may pinch or slap or scratch while Calistra may require a kiss or groping.
Blessed Fist only affects your unarmed strikes. If you are casting this spell, you probably already have a free hand. Nothing prevents you from attacking with your hand after you cast the spell. Considering the low damage of an unarmed attack, if you do not have something like a monk’s unarmed damage the spell really does not do much. For a Sacred Fist the big thing is it means your fists are considered good.
For completionist sake:
A spell’s range indicates how far from you it can reach, as defined in the range entry of the spell description. A spell’s range is the maximum distance from you that the spell’s effect can occur, as well as the maximum distance at which you can designate the spell’s point of origin. If any portion of the spell’s area would extend beyond this range, that area is wasted.
To me, this implies the spell always originates with(in) you and then is projected outwards. Ergo, you don't need to 'touch' yourself to use a touch spell on yourself, because Personal < Touch, and Touch is the greatest range for that spell.