Arcana Unearthed/Evolved - How do you apply the Oathsworn prohibition against "tools"

[Erstwhile]

One of the characters in the Arcana Evolved game I'm running is an Oathsworn. He absolutely refuses to accept any equipment whatsoever beyond the basics (clothes and a satchel), nor is he willing to use any magical items or potions, including healing potions ("I will heal on my own eventually...healing magic doesn't give me anything I won't do myself"), invisibility potions ("It just augments my already-existing stealth"), etc.

This isn't a huge problem for me - it's perhaps more extreme than the way I interpret the Oathsworn reluctance to use "tools", but if he wants to handicap his character more than I would, that's his choice to make.

But just wondering, out of interest - where do you, as GM or player, draw the line on Oathsworn using tools? The rulebook suggests that, for instance, healing potions are okay, as are tattooed spells, or using keys to open locked doors. How do you interpret the restrictions set out in the book?

 

[Varianor Abroad]

Usually I work it out with the player. It sounds like he wants to be Extreme Oathsworn. Cool.

 

[Simon W]

Like the first poster said - extreme, but cool. He's not handicapping himself, he's playing a character concept and you should be pleased that he's got a very clear vision of what he wants from his character.
As regards your question, the class is based on the Bloodguard/Haruchai from Donaldsons 'Chronicles of Thomas Covenant'. You could read them for more ideas about how Oathsworn should be played, but a warning - the books are not standard fantasy fare and some people hate them (I think they're great, btw).
In the books, the Bloodguard do not use tools/weapons, but will pick up say a burning torch to keep wolves at bay when it is imperative that they protect their charge (each Bloodguard is asigned to protect a Lore Warden). So on this basis, you could say that Oathsworn will use tools only in very exceptional circumstances, not for themselves but to help their friends.
I see your player's adherence to his code as great role-play potential - put him in a situation where he has to use a tool or weapon or something like that in order to save a friends life - what a superb dilemna !