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View Full Version : Rules Q&A [Pathfinder] Deaf Oracle self-scrying to hear?



Jack_Simth
2017-11-12, 02:59 PM
I was browsing things not so long ago, and remembered a bit on the ]scrying subschool (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic#TOC-Divination):
Scrying: a scrying spell creates an invisible magical sensor that sends you information. Unless noted otherwise, the sensor has the same powers of sensory acuity that you possess. This level of acuity includes any spells or effects that target you, but not spells or effects that emanate from you. The sensor, however, is treated as a separate, independent sensory organ of yours, and thus functions normally even if you have been blinded or deafened, or otherwise suffered sensory impairment.(emphasis added)

Would this mean that a high-level oracle (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/base-classes/oracle/) with the deaf (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/base-classes/oracle/oracle-curses/#TOC-Deaf) curse could hear by casting (Greater) Scrying (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic/all-spells/s/scrying/) on themselves?

Pex
2017-11-12, 05:23 PM
No. The Oracle curse is specifically stated that nothing can get rid of it except a deity. No mere spell will allow you to bypass the deafness.

Feantar
2017-11-12, 05:23 PM
No. The Oracle curse is specifically stated that nothing can get rid of it except a deity. No mere spell will allow you to bypass the deafness.
I'd argue you're not bypassing it. A creature that is deaf can hear in scrying. They're still deaf.

This gives an insanely creepy feeling that an oracle should have. Maybe the sensor is slightly displaced so the oracle hears things that they could not from where they are - and cannot clearly hear things they should, causing a mild dissonance for others interacting with them.

Seriously, this feels too awesome to pass up. The issue here, however, is that you're spending an hour to hear for a couple of minutes, and that since the Divine Focus of scrying is a pool of water, you need to be stationary (Unlike the arcane caster, who can just carry a mirror).

grarrrg
2017-11-12, 09:45 PM
Scrying: a scrying spell creates an invisible magical sensor that sends you information. Unless noted otherwise, the sensor has the same powers of sensory acuity that you possess. This...
This bit implies that if you are deaf the sensor is also deaf.

Now we get to argue whether Scrying falls under the "unless noted otherwise" part, and if there is a difference between 'temporary deaf' and 'permanent deaf'. And the technicality that a Deaf Curse Oracle might not strictly be considered to have the 'deafened' condition > "You cannot hear and suffer all of the usual penalties for being deafened." but not straight up 'you are deafened'.


The issue here, however, is that you're spending an hour to hear for a couple of minutes
Other objections aside for the moment, Greater Scrying was mentioned, which has Standard cast time, and an hour/level duration.