Post/Author/DateTime	Post
SearcherOmega 12-04-04, 08:34 PM	I'm in a campaign where arcane magic is feared as being 'heretic' and 'evil' due to the nature of the world's history. Now, as a bard, I need to think of clever ways to disguise my magic use so others can't tell it's arcane. Silent Spell would be helpful, but bards are not allowed to take the feat, so I have to be more clever. Now, the easiest way so far seems to be sticking to spells that are crossovers between the bard and divine spell lists (Cure series, Cat's Grace, etc.). I'm wondering if anyone would have any suggestions as to how I can mask my character's arcane abilities? Thanks!
Kalriem 12-04-04, 08:59 PM	I'm in a campaign where arcane magic is feared as being 'heretic' and 'evil' due to the nature of the world's history. Now, as a bard, I need to think of clever ways to disguise my magic use so others can't tell it's arcane. Silent Spell would be helpful, but bards are not allowed to take the feat, so I have to be more clever. Now, the easiest way so far seems to be sticking to spells that are crossovers between the bard and divine spell lists (Cure series, Cat's Grace, etc.). I'm wondering if anyone would have any suggestions as to how I can mask my character's arcane abilities? Thanks! Have your bard sing the incantations, or recite them like poetry. Just say the incantations is music/poetry from another race far far away. And do a little dance for the somatic components. :D
kliate 12-04-04, 09:07 PM	Sticking with the divine thing, make your spells "Prayers" to your deity. If something not normally available to clerics needs to be cast (and someone starts asking questions), claim that it's a domain spell. Or, you could go about always humming, singing and dancing. Bursting out in song suddenly, followed by a bout of confusion or trembling earth is suspicious. Singing a pleasant melody to yourself for a few minutes, with a spell effect weaved into your melody and dance gestures at some point, isn't going to be nearly as obvious.
Kalriem 12-04-04, 10:13 PM	Or, you could go about always humming, singing and dancing. Bursting out in song suddenly, followed by a bout of confusion or trembling earth is suspicious. Singing a pleasant melody to yourself for a few minutes, with a spell effect weaved into your melody and dance gestures at some point, isn't going to be nearly as obvious. True... Or you could claim that your deity is the god of song and dance, and that you are just wreaking his tuneful wrath upon his enemies. :D
Draco Strang 12-05-04, 03:32 AM	Somatic components are small rhythmic gestures. Get the dirt off your shoulder, bro. *boogies*
ck2001wendt 12-05-04, 08:24 AM	Worship a deity that does something close to what you do, and: 1. Wear a Holy Symbol around your neck (like a Lute or something); and 2. Restrict your spellcasting in places where it will matter to the Divine Spells you know (Cures and Buffs). Arcane magicians aren't supposed to be able to heal people, so this should enhance your credibility. Never come out and say "I'm a Cleric of Elvis," for that might make the King angry. Just let it be implied, and generally try and live by the King's code.
SearcherOmega 12-05-04, 04:48 PM	Worship a deity that does something close to what you do, and: 1. Wear a Holy Symbol around your neck (like a Lute or something); and 2. Restrict your spellcasting in places where it will matter to the Divine Spells you know (Cures and Buffs). Arcane magicians aren't supposed to be able to heal people, so this should enhance your credibility. Never come out and say "I'm a Cleric of Elvis," for that might make the King angry. Just let it be implied, and generally try and live by the King's code. Hee! XD I like the ideas everyone's sent so far, thanks! It looks like I'll be investing more ranks in bluff next level. General idea seems to be pretending I'm a cleric of some obscure, musical deity (and being a master of trivia, knowing obscurities shouldn't be too unfathomable), pulling off what I do cast as either clerical spells (Cure, Buffs) or, if forced into a situation where I must use non-clerical spells, 'domain spells'. Thankfully, my party already knows I cast arcane spells, so nobody's going to be asking me to turn undead or anything. That could be disasterous. :mymy:
ck2001wendt 12-05-04, 05:04 PM	Be sure to fiddle with your Holy Symbol when you cast Divine Spells, and mutter praise to your God: "Hail to the King, baby!" Instead of a Lute for a Holy Symbol, I now change my recommendation to a classic musical note. Finally, if your DM pushes you on it argue that the actual opposed Bluff check to fool people while you're casting should be fairly low. If you've got your Holy Symbol out and you're going through the motions, you should get a +5 bonus to your bluff check around allies and friendly NPCs (target wants to believe you) and a break even +0 for most others (the Bluff is believable and doesn't effect you much). I would say it's not even a Bluff Check under most circumstances...but I'd start reading up on the King's rituals and soforth all the same (Knowledge: Religion), in case you get asked to marry anyone or a REAL cleric of Elvis crosses your path ("Which temple did you say you were an acolyte in?" "Uh...Las Vegas?...").
WihHizwind 12-06-04, 03:56 PM	OK. Firstly, grab some Knowledge: Religon and Arcanna. This'll let you know the difference between them. Then, you'll need a way to get your way out of trouble - max out bluff, get the spell Glibness ASAP. Then comes the clincher. Try and find a copy of Deities and Demigods. There's a nice feat inthe called Disguise Spell. Get it. For a spell one slot higher, people can't tell you're casting a spell; you still make the gestures and say the words, but they're just a part of your bardic performance as far as anyone can tell; detect magic etc won't show them up as magic.
Cindre2000 12-07-04, 11:54 AM	Worship BANJO!!!! BANJO the CLOWN-- God of Puppets (http://www.giantitp.com/cgi-bin/GiantITP/ootscript?SK=80)
Coalminer 12-07-04, 12:13 PM	All Bardic spells are casted through song, dance, poetry or whichever is their fancy. Says so in their fluffy notes. So avoid evocations, but everything else as long as it doesn't have a big flashy visual effect can easily be described as having nothing to do with your coincidental singing and dancing, or the reciting of the Barb's lineage and great conquests when you're really casting Emotion:Rage on him.
BloodGod 12-07-04, 01:18 PM	Claim to be a priest. Explain that your diety gives you certain spells that are different than the norm for a priest. And, explain that you must cast spells differently than the average priest. Wear mithral armor to make it look a bit more like you're casting divine. And, don't forget: MAD RANKS IN BLUFF. -BG