Here's the short version of my question: How do spells or items that effect intelligence effect skill points? I'm looking for something official in a core book, a sage advice addressing the topic, or (if nothing else) a designer opinion.
The research I've done is as follows:
1. There are no rules for losing skill points. This implies to me that there is no change in current skill points for a loss in Intelligence. Feeblemind is also silent on the loss of skill points caused by the loss of Int it causes, leading me to believe that it does not cause skill point loss.
2. The only rules for gaining skill points are contained in the section for leveling up. The rules in that section state that a character gets skill points for their class level plus one skill point per point of intelligence modifier. It does not say anything about whether this is modified Intelligence or base Intelligence. Since a stat bump from every 4th level gives extra skill points, it seems as though a stat modifying item should as well if worn at the time of leveling. Similarly, if the character is under the effect of a spell that has permanently lowered their intelligence (Bestow Curse, Feeblemind) they should receive less skill points for leveling than they normally would.
3. Since there are no rules for losing skill points due to Intelligence loss, and since the only time Intelligence comes into play for calculating skill points is during the leveling process, it stands to reason that removing an intelligence modifying effect should not cause the character to lose the extra skill points they may have gained from leveling with it in use.
Now, I'm not saying I'm happy with this logical train, but it seems to stick to the rules as written. Am I missing something, or has anyone else seen evidence to contradict my reasoning?
The only other place I can think that might have an answer is in Allies & Enemies. I don't own the book, but I assume that the iconic characters have stat modifying items. Reverse engineering the skill points for one of them should reveal whether or not the item's bonus is included in skill calculations.
The research I've done is as follows:
1. There are no rules for losing skill points. This implies to me that there is no change in current skill points for a loss in Intelligence. Feeblemind is also silent on the loss of skill points caused by the loss of Int it causes, leading me to believe that it does not cause skill point loss.
2. The only rules for gaining skill points are contained in the section for leveling up. The rules in that section state that a character gets skill points for their class level plus one skill point per point of intelligence modifier. It does not say anything about whether this is modified Intelligence or base Intelligence. Since a stat bump from every 4th level gives extra skill points, it seems as though a stat modifying item should as well if worn at the time of leveling. Similarly, if the character is under the effect of a spell that has permanently lowered their intelligence (Bestow Curse, Feeblemind) they should receive less skill points for leveling than they normally would.
3. Since there are no rules for losing skill points due to Intelligence loss, and since the only time Intelligence comes into play for calculating skill points is during the leveling process, it stands to reason that removing an intelligence modifying effect should not cause the character to lose the extra skill points they may have gained from leveling with it in use.
Now, I'm not saying I'm happy with this logical train, but it seems to stick to the rules as written. Am I missing something, or has anyone else seen evidence to contradict my reasoning?
The only other place I can think that might have an answer is in Allies & Enemies. I don't own the book, but I assume that the iconic characters have stat modifying items. Reverse engineering the skill points for one of them should reveal whether or not the item's bonus is included in skill calculations.
