Cartomancer (Witch) question re: Returning Spell Deck

[Harliquinn Whiteshadow]

I have some questions around the Cartomancer Witch's ability to deliver touch attacks through the Spell Deck.

Deliver Touch Spells:

Deliver Touch Spells (Su)

At 3rd level, when the cartomancer uses the Deadly Dealer feat with a card from her spell deck, the card is not destroyed and gains the returning weapon special ability.

In addition, the cartomancer can deliver a touch spell with a thrown card. This uses the Deadly Dealer feat (see below), except the attack is resolved as a ranged touch attack and the card deals no damage of its own. This ability can be used with any card (not just one from the cartomancer's spell deck).

1) The returning special ability seems to indicate that the thrown weapon remains 'somewhere' from the time the character throws it until the start of the character's next turn. Where is the weapon during this time? Is it flying back towards the thrower or embedded in the target?
2) The returning property seems very dangerous to use for a Cartomancer, since losing even a single card 'ruins' the Spell Deck as a familiar (i.e. the witch can't memorize any spells).
3) It also says "This ability can be used with any card". Does that refer to the Returning Special Ability or just the delivery touch spells? They are both listed under the overall ability "Deliver Touch Spells".

Bonus) Is there an item that would give the cards the ability to immediately return to the witch's grasp after being thrown/resolved? I saw the Blinkback Belt but that wouldn't work for these.

Thanks

[David Schwartz]

Harliquinn Whiteshadow wrote:

1) The returning special ability seems to indicate that the thrown weapon remains 'somewhere' from the time the character throws it until the start of the character's next turn. Where is the weapon during this time? Is it flying back towards the thrower or embedded in the target?

I picture it flying through the air boomerang-style.

Harliquinn Whiteshadow wrote:

2) The returning property seems very dangerous to use for a Cartomancer, since losing even a single card 'ruins' the Spell Deck as a familiar (i.e. the witch can't memorize any spells).

RAW, you really only have to worry about Snatch Arrows. You face a similar risk with a living familiar.

Harliquinn Whiteshadow wrote:

3) It also says "This ability can be used with any card". Does that refer to the Returning Special Ability or just the delivery touch spells? They are both listed under the overall ability "Deliver Touch Spells".

Only the latter (that's why it's embedded in the that second paragraph).

[Harliquinn Whiteshadow]

I guess the other limitation is the Returning property going back to the square you were in. So you can't throw a card then move. Granted, you're likely cackling with your move action but still.