stonegod's Expedition to Castle Ravenloft: Ch. I [OOC]

[Stormwind]

I think it is more about Use Magical Device than spellcraft.

But, I think if the spell is not on your class list, then yes, you need to have ranks in UMD. If it is on your class list (like CLW would be for Ashlyn) then you do not need ranks in UMD to activate a Wand or Scroll.

Only Ladreth would not be able to use the wand -- everyone else either has the spell on their class list, or has deceive item and a boatload of UMD ranks.

Well to use a scroll you must be able to decipher and read it ... which requires at least 1 rank in spellcraft (or requires that you scribed the scroll yourself). Then of course you need to have it on your class list or ranks in UMD to be able to activate it.

Wands are slightly different ...

Since wands are spell trigger items that means that the following applies:

Spell Trigger: Spell trigger activation is similar to spell completion, but it’s even simpler. No gestures or spell finishing is needed, just a special knowledge of spellcasting that an appropriate character would know, and a single word that must be spoken. Anyone with a spell on his or her spell list knows how to use a spell trigger item that stores that spell. (This is the case even for a character who can’t actually cast spells, such as a 3rd-level paladin.) The user must still determine what spell is stored in the item before she can activate it. Activating a spell trigger item is a standard action and does not provoke attacks of opportunity.

I guess what I am wondering is whether the sentence marked in red in the paragraph above indicates that you would need to 'decipher' the wand with a spellcraft check before you can use it? This would be consistent with the rules for using scrolls.

(Character design notes: When I built Ashlyn, I deliberately focused on 'practical' skills rather than 'academic' skills to better fit my concept of her, so skills like spellcraft were specifically not chosen. I find that the ways this limits the character are interesting and the above questions are a result of these limits )

 

[stonegod]

You need to have the spell and know what is in the wand. If someone tells you, that is enough.

Read magic can also be used for scrolls.

 

[stonegod]

Update tomorrow (RL game tonight, just back from trip).

 

[Stormwind]

Regarding camping out, I'm guessing that we want to set a watch. Now Tessa and Ashlyn only need 2 hours sleep (Rings of Sustenance), so I would recommend that Tessa and Ashlyn either sleep during the first or the last watch (but not both at the same time). Then if we split the night into four watch's (3 hours each), then everyone should get a good nights rest.

My suggestion would be:

• 1st watch (Dusk):
  
  Janis (+9 Spot, +9 Listen)
  Ashlyn (+1 Spot, +1 Listen)​
• 2nd watch:
  
  Ashlyn (+1 Spot, +1 Listen)
  Tessaryl (+3 Spot, +3 Listen)
  Marot (+0 Spot, +0 Listen), darkvision 60 ft, see invisible​
• 3rd watch:
  
  Ashlyn (+1 Spot, +1 Listen)
  Tessaryl (+3 Spot, +3 Listen)
  Ladreth (+0 Spot, +5 Listen), darkvision 60ft​
• 4th watch (Dawn):
  
  Jarrith (+4 Spot, +4 Listen)
  Tessaryl (+3 Spot, +3 Listen)​

Does that work for everyone?

 

[stonegod]

I'm fine w/ that watch. Looks like you are setting a fire as well?

 

[Stormwind]

I'm fine w/ that watch. Looks like you are setting a fire as well?

Ashlyn hasn't built a fire ... it was a reference to the everburning torch - I've changed Ashlyn's post to clarify.

 

[Stormwind]

OOC:

"May I check how your wounds are healing?"

That's a Barovian pick-up line, if I ever heard one!

Heh ... well, there's not really much of a surplus of guys who measure up to Ashlyn's standards here in Barovia

 

[ethandrew]

Ladreth can stay awake all night long, do the whole watch. He has darkvision, no spot, but he's not down any hitpoints, doesn't need any sleep at all.

 

[stonegod]

Ladreth can stay awake all night long, do the whole watch. He has darkvision, no spot, but he's not down any hitpoints, doesn't need any sleep at all.

Except for that whole fatigue thing.

 

[ethandrew]

Minor details. You'll never hear him complain Then I would recommend he take both the night watches, resting at Dusk and Dawn.