Using a Bag of Holding

[Guy Ladouceur]

Under the Wonderous items description it stats " Activation: Usually use-activated or command word, but details vary from item to item".
Under Bag of Holding it says " Retrieving a specific item from a bag of holding is a move action, unless the bag contains more than an ordinary backpack
would hold, in which case retrieving a specific item is a full-round
action.
In Table 8–2: Actions in Combat- Activate a magic item other than a potion or oil is a standard action.

So basically its a standard action to activate, then either a move action or a full round action to remove items, correct. Or is it always active and the actions used are as stated with no activation cost.

How about activating the bag of holding to place a dead body in the bag?

[Diego Rossi]

I think that the bag of holding is a use activated item. Opening it is part of retrieving an item from it, so opening and searching is a move action.

Placing a dead body in a bag of holding is a different matter.
From its description: "This appears to be a common cloth sack about 2 feet by 4 feet in size." It didn't say anywhere that the opening enlarges to admit larger items.
So the opening has a circumference of 4 feet, a little more than a 15" diameter. It is cloth, so the opening shape can be easily shaped, but putting a human sized body in the bag would still be difficult and time consuming (a gnome or halfling body would be handled with more ease). Even worse if the wody is wearing some kind of rigid armor or a backpack.
Storing a human sized body into a Bag of Holding would require some minute, more if you have to remove the armor and gear. Essentially, it would be something you do outside of combat.

A Type V or VI Giant Bag of Holding is a different matter, as it is a 4'x 6' sack.

Retrieving a body is way easier, as you can turn the Bag inside out. It will spill all the content on the floor, but it will be a simple move action.

[Azothath]

Bag of Holding [none] $2500
Mov action (that provokes) to retrieve item if contents limited, otherwise full actn.

backpack, common $2 holds 2cu ft, 20#{from handy haversack}.

Following magic items, I'd say a Std actn to open (stays open until closed). There's really no reason to close the bag until you rest or if thieves are about.
Opening and turning it upsidedown does not disgorge contents as that has specific text in the description. Whether it fills with water when closed is up to your GM.
The perimeter of the opening may be used to limit the size of things that can pass through the opening, but it is magic, so consult your GM.
Med sized humans are about 2cuft and 56 inches would be more than most shoulder perimeters. Ask your GM if the body fits otherwise you can reduce the body circumference by folding, rolling, or cutting.

[OmniMage]

Specific overrules general. In this case, the rules for using a use-activated item says one thing, but then the item itself says another, which is more specific. So I would do what the item says, when using it.

Azothath wrote:

Following magic items, I'd say a Std actn to open (stays open until closed). There's really no reason to close the bag until you rest or if thieves are about.

I don't think its a good idea to leave a bag open, even a magical bag. Things might fall out. Combat and rough terrain might jiggle the bag, spilling some of the contents out.

[Guy Ladouceur]

Diego Rossi wrote:

I think that the bag of holding is a use activated item. Opening it is part of retrieving an item from it, so opening and searching is a move action.

Placing a dead body in a bag of holding is a different matter.
From its description: "This appears to be a common cloth sack about 2 feet by 4 feet in size." It didn't say anywhere that the opening enlarges to admit larger items.
So the opening has a circumference of 4 feet, a little more than a 15" diameter. It is cloth, so the opening shape can be easily shaped, but putting a human sized body in the bag would still be difficult and time consuming (a gnome or halfling body would be handled with more ease). Even worse if the wody is wearing some kind of rigid armor or a backpack.
Storing a human sized body into a Bag of Holding would require some minute, more if you have to remove the armor and gear. Essentially, it would be something you do outside of combat.

A Type V or VI Giant Bag of Holding is a different matter, as it is a 4'x 6' sack.

Retrieving a body is way easier, as you can turn the Bag inside out. It will spill all the content on the floor, but it will be a simple move action.

To be fair to the party the body was well eaten over and roughly two weeks old. The party was going to retrieve the remains as part of the adventure that they agreed to participate in.

In the description it does speak directly to time removing items from what's contained within, we just weren't sure if there was any activation needed as that really isn't spoken to.

As to loading the body, doing it quickly on the fly would probably take a couple of rounds, if that need arises. Though clearly, it is something that would when done properly, take more time and should happen outside combat.