Druidic Scribe Scroll variant

[Herzog]

For my Druid and Devine Sorcerer(posted earlier) characters, I was looking for fitting feats, and came to the conclusion that, although scribe scroll is a nice feat, it doesn't seem to fit well with nature-based classes.

I therefore created the following feat as an addition, to be used by nature-based classes:

Create Herbal amulet

Requirements: ability to cast spells.

A herbal amulet is composed of several herbs crafted together.
The purpose of the herbal amulet can be determined using a 'read magic' spell, or by making a spellcraft check DC20+spell level, just as is the case with a scroll.

To use a herbal amulet, you must know what the purpose of the amulet is.

When casting the spell stored in the herbal amulet, you must focus on the amulet, holding it in both hands before you. When the spell is cast, the amulet burns up.

creation requirements, XP cost and gold costs are the same as for scribe scroll.

Herzog

 

[wuyanei]

Sounds great!

The only thing that matters is the cost and the fact that you: 1) need to identify before use; 2) must have at least one hand free/holding the object; and 3) provoke an AoO when casting. Everything else is just flavor.

Personally, my low level 'wizzard' has a staff covered with eldritch runes that are only visable under read magic. Each rune represents one 'sealed power' (ie. spell). To unleash the rune, you must trace the rune in the air -- leaving a baleful, glowing image -- while intoning the secret Words of Eldritch Power...

... but really, its just a glorified multi-spell scroll.

 

[Li Shenron]

As long as you keep the same mechanic as Scribe Scroll (casting action, scribe/market costs, components, AoO...) and change only the flavor by changing the shape of the object, there should be no problem whatsoever.

Otherwise you could also consider other feats such as Brew Potion and Craft Infusion (MotW), but the mechanics is slightly altered.

 

[tensen]

The Shaman Handbook by Green Ronin has what you are looking for. But basically this is easy to recreate.
Shaman Handbook uses Talismans and Fetishes, for Potions and Scroll equivalents. You can do this with all sort sof things to suit the flavor of the campaign.

The one thing that is important though.. it can cause subtle changes to the game.
Consider this. A Fetish or in your case Herbal Amulet doesn't need to be read like a scroll. Thereby making it possibly usuable while wildshaped/shapechanged... or silenced.

A Potion that is in the form of an amulet. Usable by anyone. Possibly adding confusion to the slotted effects of say rings, or amulets. Also if it is worn by an unconscious person and triggered by someone touching it... does the spell effect the unconscious person, or the one that triggered it?

 

[wuyanei]

BTW, ... I can't believe I missed this ... In order to make it balenced with scrolls, you will also need some rational to limit the ability to use your herbal amulets to those with the spell on their list, and with Wis of 10 + spell level or above.

The simplist way is to invent some sort of secret mystic mumbo jumbo that must be uttered to activate the amulet, then just say that only characters with the spell on their list would know the ritual, and that only characters with high enough Wis will be able to perform the ritual correctly. All of this is easily done, but the end result must be that 'normal' characters cannot just pick up to amulet and use it.