Sat, 12/30/2017 - 11:54
#1
Identify Spell
I'm confused.
The spell discrition is some talking about componments worth 100GM. With (A)D&D rules in mind we allays used a perl worth 100GM for the spell which got consumend in the process.
The CMG says in the part about spell foki, that for example the spell Identity (which does not exist so I guess we are talking about Identify here) uses a 100GM spell focus. Which would mean the perl (or whatever is worth 100GM) is not consumend in the casting.
Which one is correct? How do you handle it?
The spell in the 6th Printing of the PHB only requires material component(s) worth 100 gp value per casting of the spell which identifes one function of the item examined. Nothing is mentioned about foci in the spell description.
The CKG, which are options, states as an example of reusable foci that the gem (a pearl is a gem, no?) is used as a foci for identify and is not consumed in the casting, therefore being resuable. The table a couple pages later shows that the material components of the Identify spell are a gem and ink with a value of 100 gp. The ink would be inclusive cost of copying the spell into a spellbook or scroll I assume while the gem is the material component used in the actual casting. Both are required to be at 100 gp value minimum to use respectively.
Thus what you have is a simple variance of terms. If you are using a 100gp pearl as the material component (aka foci) then you are good to go with the extra bonus of the pearl not being consumed in the casting as it was in AD&D.
The PH (recent version pdf) is clear. V,S,M 10 minutes to cast. Exhausts the caster. There material components cost 100 gp. They could be as the player &/or CK decide (pearl, gold, pheonix tears, etc.). That said they are just "material components". As such, unless otherwise noted NOT to be consumed, they are consumed with each casting. THIS makes sense as we need this very powerful and useful spell to have some limit to its use. Also nice NOT to have the mage doing it in the middle of an adventure without putting the wizard at a weakness.