Vow of Poverty and one-use items

[Artoomis]

What I would have preferred

Okay, we've done this nearly to death. We don't realy understand fully the "potion" exception to the VoP.

Actually, I would have preferred to have the VoP have NO exceptions. So much simpler than trying to understand the true scope of the potions exception.

 

[James McMurray]

Why doe it have to have scope beyond the ability to use potions? Scrolls aren't allowed, so it can't be a restriction for all cheap-ish one shot items.

 

[Artoomis]

Why doe it have to have scope beyond the ability to use potions? Scrolls aren't allowed, so it can't be a restriction for all cheap-ish one shot items.

What's needed is the reasoning behind the exception. If we had that, then our current discussion would not be needed at all.

 

[James McMurray]

I think the reasoning is so that the VoP guy can survive more at lower levels. As is usual in these thing though, I bet no one has contacted WotC on the subject (or even better the guy whose name is on the BoED), and I bet that even after reading this, nobody will.

As you said, it would definitely be easier if they'd just left that clause ot altogether, or phrased it as "potions used on you only."

 

[clark411]

What's next? A caster with a Vow of Silence using a ventriloquist's dummy and claiming 'It's the dummy saying the words, not me!'?

hah That's great!

 

[Altalazar]

The potion clause implies that consuming items of non-negligible value for immaterial benefit is okay, so long as the item was owned by someone else who freely allowed the VoP character to use it. Violating the vow seems only to happen when the benefit is in the actual possession of the item - such as borrowing that cloak of resistance for even a single round. This seems to say to me that something like using the tomes is okay.

--Impeesa--

Yes - actual possession and general use seems to be the issue here.

If a potion (that YOU have to drink) can be used, then why not other one-shot items?

Given the intricacies of this - there are points to be made either way - it is obvious there really IS no "right" answer to it that can be gleaned from the rules. So it is really just a DM call, since the rules, as written are unclear.

Another option is an official answer from the Sage.