Divine spell casting with shields equipped.

[Hurloon]

A cleric is in heavy plate armor and toting a mithril tower shield and weilding a heavy mace. He has a glove of storing for quick stowing of hand-held items. When he casts divine spells with a somatic component, casting it defensively during a round which he does not physically attack, does this armor combination prevent him from doing that? Must one hand be free? both hands?

What feats or items might allow him to slip under the 'common-sense' radar? Weapon chains...smaller shields...magical shield enhancement...Still spell feat (last resort!)

All ideas and rule explanations welcomed....since i am too lazy to track down the minute facts and argue with myself.

 

[Legildur]

I believe you could use the glove to stow the mace. That would leave you with a free hand for the somatic component.

I've previously advocated for Clerics to use a light shield (or even buckler) so that they can transfer the weapon to the shield hand (as you can hold a weapon in that hand if wearing a buckler or light shield, but can't use said weapon if wearing a light shield), cast, and then transfer the weapon back. There is debate as to whether this is a free action or a move action, as it is not clearly articulated in the rules.

Quickdraw feat is another solution for the weapon.

Dropping the weapon (free action) and picking it up (move action that provokes AOO) can also work.

Still Spell feat is another one.

 

[Sithobi1]

Somatic Weaponry, CM.