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<blockquote data-quote="Dannyalcatraz" data-source="post: 4770326" data-attributes="member: 19675">Lets take it for granted from now on that I will never be a RAW person since there hasn't been a ruleset without self-contradictory text.After all, RAW, the PHB (and the SRD, for that matter) can't agree in 100% of its pages that fists are not natural weapons.RAW is a starting point for analysis, not an excuse for ending rational examination of the game.Besides, the Vow's text is not as precise as some say:After &quot;You may carry and use a spell component pouch,&quot; its all about not using magic items.Before that?&nbsp; There is a clear exception for simple weapons, which includes knives.&nbsp; Fine.&nbsp; Does that mean he can't carry a spoon?&nbsp; Historically speaking, many of the RW's ascetics carried a bowl (which sometimes doubled as a hat) and (usually) wooden spoon of some sort- they're quite useful.&nbsp; Strictly interpreting the Vow, though, he can't.What about a rock?&nbsp; Its not a simple weapon- not according to the PHB, at least- and its not on the VoP list, but one would be hard pressed to say how carrying around a hunk of granite or limestone would be a violation.&nbsp; What about a pebble?&nbsp; In some ascetic traditions, keeping a stone (especially a sharp one) in your mouth for weeks, months or even years at a time was practiced to teach the lesson of listening before talking.Can the ascetic use a piece of rope to cinch in his clothing?&nbsp; How about to cinch his food bag or tie it to a pole (probably his quarterstaff) for carrying?&nbsp; Its not on the list.Can he carry a needle and thread to mend his homespun clothes?&nbsp; If so, can he have a pouch in which to carry it (to keep it from getting into his food, if nothing else)?&nbsp; Its not on the list.Can the ascetic pick up a piece of plant- a twig, a piece of fruit or berry?&nbsp; What if the ascetic is a Druid, Ranger or Cleric of a nature deity, and those plant bits are components or holy symbols?&nbsp; Now the VoP is distinguishing between what is food or focus, and that nature will change depending upon the type of ascetic and his intention at that moment.Ditto the question of an ascetic carrying a creature.&nbsp; When is it a component, companion, focus or food?&nbsp; The answer?&nbsp; That depends.I could go on about how strict interpretation of the VoP raises more and more internal inconsistencies, but I won't in this thread.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="Dannyalcatraz, post: 4770326, member: 19675"] Lets take it for granted from now on that I will never be a RAW person since there hasn't been a ruleset without self-contradictory text. After all, RAW, the PHB (and the SRD, for that matter) can't agree in 100% of its pages that fists are not natural weapons. RAW is a starting point for analysis, not an excuse for ending rational examination of the game. Besides, the Vow's text is not as precise as some say: After "You may carry and use a spell component pouch," its all about not using magic items. Before that? There is a clear exception for simple weapons, which includes knives. Fine. Does that mean he can't carry a spoon? Historically speaking, many of the RW's ascetics carried a bowl (which sometimes doubled as a hat) and (usually) wooden spoon of some sort- they're quite useful. Strictly interpreting the Vow, though, he can't. What about a rock? Its not a simple weapon- not according to the PHB, at least- and its not on the VoP list, but one would be hard pressed to say how carrying around a hunk of granite or limestone would be a violation. What about a pebble? In some ascetic traditions, keeping a stone (especially a sharp one) in your mouth for weeks, months or even years at a time was practiced to teach the lesson of listening before talking. Can the ascetic use a piece of rope to cinch in his clothing? How about to cinch his food bag or tie it to a pole (probably his quarterstaff) for carrying? Its not on the list. Can he carry a needle and thread to mend his homespun clothes? If so, can he have a pouch in which to carry it (to keep it from getting into his food, if nothing else)? Its not on the list. Can the ascetic pick up a piece of plant- a twig, a piece of fruit or berry? What if the ascetic is a Druid, Ranger or Cleric of a nature deity, and those plant bits are components or holy symbols? Now the VoP is distinguishing between what is food or focus, [I]and that nature will change depending upon the type of ascetic and his intention at that moment.[/I] Ditto the question of an ascetic carrying a creature. When is it a component, companion, focus or food? The answer? That depends. I could go on about how strict interpretation of the VoP raises more and more internal inconsistencies, but I won't in this thread. [/QUOTE]

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