Sanctified Spells (and Arcane Preparation)

[kitep]

Casters who prepare spells can prepare sanctified spells.  How's this work for someone like a wizard?  Does she need to have the sanctified spell in her spellbook first, or is it just available for preparation?

Arcane Preparation allows a spontaneous caster like a duskblade to prepare spells.  Can this somehow be used to prepare sanctified spells?

[Jackinthegreen]

The pertinent lines read:

"Spellcasters prepare sanctified spells just as they do
regular spells, and casters who do not prepare spells
(including sorcerers and bards) cannot make use of
them except from a scroll."


Through a strict reading, that means the wizard would have to add it to their spell book because they'd be "prepared just like normal spells."  It's probable that archivists have to add them to their prayerbooks too.  However, since these spells are not considered inherently divine or arcane, a case might be made that any scroll made of it can be used by any spellcaster.

Strictly-speaking, spontaneous casters can't cast the sanctified spells at all even through Arcane Preparation.  Which is total nonsense and should be changed in my opinion.  That and it's weird that there's no divine version of arcane prep, so favored souls can't benefit from the spells either.  Chalk it up to lack of foresight I suppose, although the Arcane Prep feat did exist before the BoED was released.

[NunoM]

The way i read it, Sanctified Spells are "simply" of a different kind, neither arcane or divine, and have to be prepared to be used.

I'm inclined to say "no", for 2 reasons:
1- Although a wizard can prepare spells, in usual circumstances, he has no way of preparing a spell, if it isn't scribed in his spellbook. The basic divine classes pray for spells, so they have it easy, in this case...
2- "Arcane Preparation" allows you to prepare a spell you know, not a random spell. If you find a way to include one of these in your spells known list, then i see no problems.

EDIT: Use a Ring of Theurgy (Complete Arcane, p. 145) permanently loaded with a sanctified spell and you're golden! Although it would be a waste, if you ask me...

[kitep]

Ok, thanks.

After reading through the list of sanctified spells, there's nothing there I really want that much.  I'll just get a scroll or potion for any I do decide I need to cast.

[Jackinthegreen]

Sanctified spells specifically aren't part of any class's spell list, which means each one would have to be researched, gone on a quest for, or gain knowledge of the spell through something like the Extra Spell feat.

It's a bit odd that they chose only prepared casters for the set of spells.  At least they make the Healer class halfway decent.

Kitep, what kind of thing were you hoping to go for with the spells?  Or is it just general curiosity to see if any are worthwhile?  The biggest one I know of is Luminous Armor for Abjurant Champions.  Or any of them for a cleric since they can spontaneously cast any of them provided their alignment is correct.

[NunoM]

Go for the potion!

The way i read it, you would still have to be able to prepare spells, to have the sanctified spells available to you. You wouldn't be able to cast from the scroll.

[Jackinthegreen]

Go for the potion!

The way i read it, you would still have to be able to prepare spells, to have the sanctified spells available to you. You wouldn't be able to cast from the scroll.

If Arcane Prep isn't accounted for, then the line about sorcs and bards being able to cast the spells from scrolls is contradictory to that.  They can't cast the spells, but they can use them from scrolls.

[NunoM]

I stand corrected. I missed that sentence...

[Unbeliever]

It's probably a waste, but isn't there a PrC in BoED that gets a bunch of sanctified spells added to their list? 

Likewise, there are other ways to get spells known, like Drake Helms. 

[NunoM]

Likewise, there are other ways to get spells known, like Drake Helms. 

True. Eberron isn't used in my gaming group, so i keep forgetting those...

[Jackinthegreen]

It's probably a waste, but isn't there a PrC in BoED that gets a bunch of sanctified spells added to their list? 

A quick search shows the Exalted Arcanist gets them.
"Sanctified Spells: A 5th-level exalted arcanist can use sanctified
spells as though they were among her spells known."

As does the Troubadour of Stars:
"Sanctified Spells: A 6th-level troubadour
of stars can use sanctified spells as
though they were among her spells
known."

[kitep]

Kitep, what kind of thing were you hoping to go for with the spells?  Or is it just general curiosity to see if any are worthwhile?  The biggest one I know of is Luminous Armor for Abjurant Champions.  Or any of them for a cleric since they can spontaneously cast any of them provided their alignment is correct.

To be honest, it's mostly based on what I know see to be a mistake.  Ever since I saw "Call Faithful Servants" where you can get a bunch of minor celestials to serve you for a year, I've wanted to use it.  But looking at it just now, I see that it's not even a sanctified spell like I thought.

I've also wanted to do the Valiant Steed spell, and get a pegasus for a year.

The idea of "Create Lantern Archon" also amuses me for some reason.

But I think Luminous Armor is the only spell that would be useful for me, and as a duskblade I can already wear armor.

I guess I was also looking for a way to expand my spell list in a way that would be acceptable to my group.  And looking to do something I haven't done before.

[NunoM]

Expanding the spell list of the Duskblade, while following a tight set of rules, has been a side quest for me lately

So far, i only have:
- Eternal Wands
- Ring of Theurgy
- the occasional Reserve Feat, that grants nice abilities, but doesn't get powerful enough (because of the small spell level range of the class)
- EDIT: some magic items, that grant spells/day

If you find any more, please let me know

[kitep]

I just saw the Warbringer's Rod (CMage-129).  Kind of like a spell storing weapon, you can cast any arcane 3rd level spell into it.  But instead of getting that same spell out of it, instead you (or anyone holding it) can use a standard action to get both Bear's Endurance and Bull's Strength simultaneously.  Unfortunately, the spells end if you let go of the weapon, and I prefer a two-handed weapon.

If you reverse engineer the cost, it looks like it's a +1 ability.  Wonder if you could pick any 2 second level spells?

[NunoM]

Another fine candidate to hold inside a "Glove of Casting"...

[Craiconn]

Sanctified spells are very, very good values for Anima Mages who bind Naberius.  Because the requisite stat damage becomes a non-factor just a round or 3 later.