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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Dannyalcatraz" data-source="post: 3115447" data-attributes="member: 19675">While it is true that WotC agrees that a Divine Focus is barred by a the strictest reading of VoP, I personally believe that it is:1) Based on an incorrect interpretation of the text of Spell Component pouches.The text says that a spell component pouch is assumed to contain all compontents except for those components that have a specific cost, divine focuses, and focuses that wouldn’t fit in a pouch.The reasoning for this is that a divine focus is a component that has a specific cost, not that it wouldn't fit...and they have a specific cost since the game mechanic of the spell component pouch is like a bag of holding- any insignificant component is simply assumed to be in there and readily available.That mechanic, as applied to the divine focus and other foci removes the ability to do a specific kind of plot development, namely, the restriction of access to those foci by means of loss, theft, confiscation, destruction, etc.AND2) Is counter to the intent of the VoP.What do I mean?As I posted in that other thread I mentioned above, VoP guts the spellcasting power of any divine caster, prevents them from performing the basic duties of clergy, and furthermore would prevent the ability of a divine caster to turn undead...which makes absolutely no sense for someone who has sworn a special vow of devotion to a higher power.It makes no sense that higher power, upon acknowledging the special vow of devotion from its most faithful followers then strip those followers of the core abilities common to their lesser faithful?  What kind of deity rewards its most faithful with debilitation?It makes no sense that a god would make someone a shining beacon of the rewards of extreme faith by removing the abilities that make that person most capable of defending others of the same faith.  Why would an exalted ascetic be unable to defend the flock from zombies when mere acolytes be able to do that duty?For that matter, what god would bar his most faithful followers from bearing his symbol?  A mere devotee may carry the symbol of St. Cuthbert, but the one who is following his path the best- the living paragon of the faith- can't?  Simply illogical.The VoP is meant to simulate the power awarded to those strong in the faith of one's god/philosophy- running it RAW does exactly the opposite.</blockquote>

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