AvatarVecna
2016-06-03, 06:48 PM
Alright, so the existing rules on getting a spellcaster to cast a spell on your behalf, in regards to the cost, say that the cost of a spell is:
({Caster Level}*{Spell Level}*10)+{Material Component cost}+({Focus cost}/10)+({XP Cost}*5)
If this number is higher than 3000, the caster must be persuaded or compensated in something other than gold in order to get them to cooperate, which puts this into DM Fiat territory and outside of RAW.
Now, the most obvious way to reduce the cost is to have the caster cast their spell at a lower caster level, which is legal; furthermore, the caster has economic incentive to do so, since casting at a higher caster level than necessary means they're asking more than other casters would for it, and they'll lose business on their lower level spell slots.
The next most obvious mitigation is getting rid of the Material Component, which can be done if the caster has the "Ignore Material Components" feat; since they don't have the feat, they don't need expensive components, which by the RAW reduces the cost. There's other ways, like Dweomerkeeper, as well.
The next most obvious is finding a way to mitigate the XP cost; rare, to be sure, but not incredibly so. Spellstitched Creatures and Dweomerkeepers can cast as an SLA, taking away such a component; alternatively, the Rod Of Excellent Magic gives the caster up to 2000 XP/day to use for casting spells that cost XP.
Are there any other ways to reduce the cost of spellcasting services? Some way to mess with the base cost, maybe, or to haggle the price down by RAW?
({Caster Level}*{Spell Level}*10)+{Material Component cost}+({Focus cost}/10)+({XP Cost}*5)
If this number is higher than 3000, the caster must be persuaded or compensated in something other than gold in order to get them to cooperate, which puts this into DM Fiat territory and outside of RAW.
Now, the most obvious way to reduce the cost is to have the caster cast their spell at a lower caster level, which is legal; furthermore, the caster has economic incentive to do so, since casting at a higher caster level than necessary means they're asking more than other casters would for it, and they'll lose business on their lower level spell slots.
The next most obvious mitigation is getting rid of the Material Component, which can be done if the caster has the "Ignore Material Components" feat; since they don't have the feat, they don't need expensive components, which by the RAW reduces the cost. There's other ways, like Dweomerkeeper, as well.
The next most obvious is finding a way to mitigate the XP cost; rare, to be sure, but not incredibly so. Spellstitched Creatures and Dweomerkeepers can cast as an SLA, taking away such a component; alternatively, the Rod Of Excellent Magic gives the caster up to 2000 XP/day to use for casting spells that cost XP.
Are there any other ways to reduce the cost of spellcasting services? Some way to mess with the base cost, maybe, or to haggle the price down by RAW?