Spell Stowaway

[Quartz]

After reading a Story Hour or two, I'm not sure if I've been ruling this feat correctly, particularly in relation to Time Stop and Wish.

SPELL STOWAWAY [EPIC]
Prerequisites: Spellcraft 24 ranks, caster level 12th.
Benefit: Choose a spell-like ability the character knows, or a spell the character can cast. The character is attuned to the magic he or she chooses. If another spellcaster within 300 feet of the character uses this magic, the character also immediately gains the magic’s effect as if it had been used on the character by the same caster. The character must have direct line of effect to the spellcaster in order to gain the benefit of the attuned magic (though the character does not have to know the spellcaster is present, and he or she can be flat-footed). The magic’s duration, effect, and other specifics are determined by its original caster’s level.

With regard to Time Stop, I don't think you get to interact with the caster: you simply get to act as if you had cast Time Stop yourself (but you don't know the time limit). Further, if you have Spell Stowaway for a spell that someone uses while within a Time Stop, you still get the spell.

With regard to Wish, is a second set of XP payable? By whom? Given the last sentence, I've made it that you get exactly what the original caster Wishes for but no additional XP is payable. Since Spell Stowaway offers no choice in the matter, no-one sensible would take Spell Stowaway: Wish (think of an undead caster using Wish to cast Harm on himself to heal himself).

Have I been ruling it correctly?

 

[the Jester]

Interesting.

On a close reading, it would appear that I, at least, have been running it not-entirely-RAW without knowing it. The case of time stop, which you have mentioned, is the big culprit.

But I like my way better anyhow- it gives a spell stowaway-having creature the ability to potentially foil a virtually unbeatable spell.

 

[Quartz]

Bonus query: what happens when someone who surprises you casts Time Stop during the Surprise Round?

 

[Savage Wombat]

This is one of those cases where I think the apparent intent of the spell should trump the RAW.

 

[green slime]

But it is so simple to foil!

The caster just drops a quickened defeats-line-of-effect spell first....

 

[Quartz]

But I like my way better anyhow- it gives a spell stowaway-having creature the ability to potentially foil a virtually unbeatable spell.

The problem I see with allowing you to interact with the caster is that it totally nerfs Time Stop and Spell Stowaway becomes a feat every wizard and sorceror must take.

And Time Stop is by no means unbeatable: it can be counterspelled, it can't be cast in an Antimagic sphere, etc.

 

[s-dub]

And Time Stop is by no means unbeatable: it can be counterspelled, it can't be cast in an Antimagic sphere, etc.

This does not mean that it's balanced in any way shape or form. This one gets the ban-hammer at my table. Multiple 9th level spells in what is effectively one round? No thanks.