Let's say I've got Peter the Paladin and Clyde the Cleric, both of whom wield a shield and longsword in the name of Iomedae. Now with both of their hands occupied with a weapon/shield, they claim they can cast their divine spells if they have a holy symbol design on their shield. Does this seem viable?
The second problem is their lay on hands and channel energy abilities, respectively. The channeling energy I could perhaps let slide if they could cast divine spells with their holy symbol shield, but the lay on hands is a bit trickier. Peter claims his heavy steel shield is strapped firmly to his forearm while his shield hand holds onto a small strap for support and comfort, but as a free action he can let go, swift action heal, then regrab as a free action the same way a wizard could do the same with a two-handed staff. Does this sound legit? I'm not a rules-heavy guy, but I like to keep my gameplay fair and balanced, for example Peter does admit he would be unable to lay on hands someone else with his shield hand as he would most likely clunk them on the head with his shield before he could heal them and that might interrupt the process, so he would have to drop his weapon to do it to others.
What say you guys? do you have a better method your group employs, because I don't just want to just leave my players in the cold, but I want to make sure this method isn't overpowered or unfair.
Shields are not holy symbols even with designs scribed on them.
Channeling I don't have an issue with, spellcasting though is another story.
Holy Symbols can be worn around the neck. As they are not magic items, you don't have to worry about slot issues.
Pathfinder Lost Omens, Rulebook, Starfinder Roleplaying Game Subscriber
I believe there were rules (perhaps 3.5?) saying you can use a light shield hand to cast spells, but not heavy. Might as well be a buckler at that point, though. I believe the trick was to pass weapon into shield-hand, cast, pass weapon back. Or you can just let the light shield cast to keep the theme and sanity.
By the rules, a caster needs a free hand to cast. A small shield can leave a free hand, but not a large shield. Many GMs ignore this issue, to avoid further penalizing already-disadvantaged sword-and-board casters, but it is how the rules work. Holy symbol need only be 'presented strongly', but a spell is a spell and requires a free hand. Personally I'd allow Lay on Hands to work with any part of the body. I've yet to encounter a paladin who performs sexual healing [Youtube: Marvin Gaye], but it seems quasi-reasonable ...
My clerics mostly wield a two-handed reach weapon, which completely obviates this problem. It also results in more offensive power and, arguably, better defense. Really, more effective all around in many cases. Were I to play a cleric of Iomedae, who can access the Tactics subdomain, that excellent longsword would come out whenever I needed my primary backup weapon. A Large Shield, which requires a dedicated arm and hand, probably would not be in my inventory. Nowhere do the rules explain that a reach weapon has defensive value, but it is so.
There's actually a feat that allows you, in conjunction with Craft Magic Arms & Armor, to make weapons and shields into holy symbols that you can cast spells with. It's called Create Reliquary Arms & Shields. Otherwise, as was stated above, a shield or a weapon is not automatically a holy symbol simply because a religious symbol is inscribed on it.
I can't find where it's listed in equipment, but you can buy thee result of this spell. You can turn a weapon, shield, or armor into a holy symbol of your deity but it costs extra money.
So your players aren't completely wrong, but they aren't in the right either.
Reliquary weapons don't solve the problem of a free casting hand. That requires either a light shield, a two-handed weapon and no shield, or GM hand-waving.
that is true, it merely solves having the holy symbol. this is why light shield are normally used instead of heavy shields. I wouldn't wave it. The difference is only 1 point of AC, players can deal.
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