"Candle of Invocation" Questions

[Tiberius]

Hong, Hypersmurf, you guys are too funny...

Thanks for all the responses so far guys.

But, it looks like no one has addressed my questions directly yet:

1) How long does the candle need to be lit for the "prior to" spell preparation option?

2) Do the +2 cleric levels help against SR?

3) CAN you use an almost-spent stub of a candle to Gate something in?

Is all this very obvious and I'm missing something?

Lemme try:
SRD, I choose you!

2)

A cleric whose alignment matches the candle’s operates as if 2 levels higher for purposes of determining spells per day...

The SRD seems pretty clear here. The cleric is only considered two levels higher for the purpose of preparing spells for the day.

3)

In addition, burning the candle also allows the owner to cast a gate spell, the respondent being of the same alignment as the candle, but the taper is immediately consumed in the process.

This is a bit ambiguous, and lacks any statements implying that you cannot. However, it also lacks any statements implying that you can. Given that the cost of the item is 7800 gp, and a single casting of the gate spell by a minimum-level caster is caster level * 90 for a 9th level spell according to the SRD (or 1530 gp for a 17th level caster), I would say that you could. Also interesting to note is that the gate function, by strict reading of the item description, does not require that the user be the same alignment as the candle, but rather specifies that the responding creature will be. This would be a good way for people with a number of friends to deal with big outsiders who play for the other team. I think I'm going to have my villains start using these to kill a planatar or two, possibly a solar. That would shake things up, I think!

-Tiberius

 

[apsuman]

Hong, Hypersmurf, you guys are too funny...

Thanks for all the responses so far guys.

But, it looks like no one has addressed my questions directly yet:

1) How long does the candle need to be lit for the "prior to" spell preparation option?

Any time during the prep I would say. So right at the end, if you like giving you four hours of "boost" just remember that the flame must not go out. So once lit it must stay that way for you to get the extra mojo.

2) Do the +2 cleric levels help against SR?

Since it does not say so I would say no.

3) CAN you use an almost-spent stub of a candle to Gate something in?

I don't see why not.

g!