Pearl of Power -- use activated?

[Jeff Wilder]

Does it take a standard action to use a pearl of power?

In other words, in combat would I need to take one standard action to recall a spell, and then a second standard action to cast the recalled spell? Or is the pearl use activated?


Jeff

 

[ThoughtfulOwl]

Pearl of Power: This seemingly normal pearl of average size and luster is a potent aid to all spellcasters who prepare spells (clerics, druids, rangers, paladins, and wizards). Once per day on command, a pearl of power enables the possessor to recall any one spell that she had prepared and then cast. The spell is then prepared again, just as if it had not been cast.

I would say it requires a command word, but YMMV.

 

[Jeff Wilder]

I would say it requires a command word, but YMMV.

Looks like it. Ouch. Not as useful as I thought.

Anybody else wonder why it takes a standard action to say a command word, but a free action to recite the Gettysburg Address?


Jeff

 

[Darkness]

Anybody else wonder why it takes a standard action to say a command word, but a free action to recite the Gettysburg Address?

Hm. Maybe saying the word requires almost no time but the item doesn't activate instantly?

 

[Thanee]

It's definitely a standard action to activate the pearl of power (command word). How could it be use activated, anyways? There is no use which would include the use of the pearl, it's used fairly seperately (and does not need to be used right after the spellcasting or right before).

I think command word is just a phrase, it's probably more to it, then just speaking a single word.

Bye
Thanee

 

[Jeff Wilder]

Interestingly, in the magic item creation tables, stuff that grants a bonus spell has its own line, "bonus spell," and pearl of power is the example. Nothing else in that entire section requires activation to use.

I really wouldn't be surprised if the "on command" language in the description is an unfortunate duplication of game terms in flavor text. On the other hand, it could be that the "bonus spell" is the listed price and it's the recollection that takes time (and a command word). You're paying the cost of time for the flexibility of recovering any spell previously cast.

In other words, one could create an item that simply granted a 3rd-level bonus spell for the same price as a pearl of power, but that bonus spell would operate under the same restrictions as every other spell slot the caster has. (Which, for a sorcerer, is none ... )

I dunno. I'll go with what my DM decides.

 

[Thanee]

Yep, but don't forget, that the magic item creation section only provides guidelines. Bonus spell probably just means, that in one way or another you can cast one more spell per day.

As a wizard, the difference would be between a readily available slot (which has to be prepared) and the flexibility of a pearl of power, which allows any spell of the level previously used to use twice. So the same price for both would be quite fair, I think. I'd rather pick the pearl of power with the standard action activation time, tho.

As a sorcerer, such an item would still have a quite heavy restriction, that is the sorcerer's spells known.

And an item like that is totally missing in the magic item section, too!

Poor sorcerers... *sniff*

Bye
Thanee

 

[diaglo]

looks like it is more of a used after combat item (1 extra cure wnds spell for clerics say). or a desperate only if you have time item in combat.

 

[Thanee]

Yep, also you usually have enough spell slots, so you do not need it within a combat, unless there is only that single spell, which seems to have any noticeable effect.

So, the pearl basically just gives you an extra spell for the next combat, or allows you to cast a buff or utility spell twice beforemoving on.

Bye
Thanee

 

[Darkness]

or a desperate only if you have time item in combat.

Or if you just cast the only spell that's useful in your situation and can't currently do much else anyway.