Use of Worn items - specifically Pendant of the Occult

[LesC]

I'm trying to get some clarification on what is required to use magic items that have the trait Worn and specifically the Pendant of the Occult. If the item is Worn and does not have an Activation requirement, do I have to use one action to hold it before I can actually use the item bonus or ability that the item grants me?

In the case of the Pendant of the Occult, the traits given for the level 3 item are Divination, Invested and Occult with Usage as Worn. The Description says "This amulet is hollow and shaped in the form of an unblinking eye. Its cavity typically holds some fragment of occult text. While wearing the pendant, you gain a +1 item bonus to Occultism checks, and you can cast the
guidance cantrip as an occult innate spell." Nowhere in the description for the level 3 Pendant does it mention that I have to Activate it, although I assume that i have to Invest it first. I believe that this indicates that the only actions needed are for an Occultism skill check or to cast the single action cantrip for Guidance. Am I correct?

I am aware that the Level 9 version specifically says that there it does have an Activation requirement to cast a spell, 4th level Dream Message. Am I correct in assuming that the the +2 item bonus is also for Occultism checks and that it also grants use of the Guidance cantrip without needing to be activated?

[Lia Wynn]

I would say that you are correct, that you do not have to hold the amulet to use Guidance, as Guidance only has a Verbal component. If it had a Material component, I'd say that you'd have to hold out the Amulet in some way to use it, but that you'd just need a free hand and not one more action.

Also, yes, the higher level skill bonus is to Occultism.

[LesC]

Thanks Lia, that's very helpful.

[Darksol the Painbringer]

Lia Wynn wrote:

I would say that you are correct, that you do not have to hold the amulet to use Guidance, as Guidance only has a Verbal component. If it had a Material component, I'd say that you'd have to hold out the Amulet in some way to use it, but that you'd just need a free hand and not one more action.

Also, yes, the higher level skill bonus is to Occultism.

Technically, it would be a Focus component if you were required to have a hand holding the item, as a Material component is destroyed upon use; this would mean it being a Material component turns this into a consumable item.

[Dragonchess Player]

Note also the wording "you can cast the guidance cantrip as an occult innate spell" references the specific rules for innate spells instead of the Cast a Spell item activation. Casting the guidance cantrip while wearing a pendant of the occult is not an item activation (which also sidesteps the Cast a Spell item activation requirement to be able to cast spells from a class ability/feature).

[breithauptclan]

I'm looking at the rules for Activating an Item

Quote:

Requirements You can Activate an Item with the invested trait only if it’s invested by you. If the item requires you to Interact with it, you must be wielding it (if it’s a held item) or touching it with a free hand (if it’s another type of item).

So for a worn item, you only have to have a free hand to touch the item when you use it.

[Errenor]

breithauptclan wrote:

I'm looking at the rules for Activating an Item

Quote:

Requirements You can Activate an Item with the invested trait only if it’s invested by you. If the item requires you to Interact with it, you must be wielding it (if it’s a held item) or touching it with a free hand (if it’s another type of item).

So for a worn item, you only have to have a free hand to touch the item when you use it.

Sure, but the high-level Pendant is 'Cast a Spell' activation. You cited 'Interact' activation case.

And the low-level just gives an innate spell.