Expanding Consciousness with the Intellect Selector Witch's Spells

An intellect selector witch is a concept from folklore and fantasy literature. It is often depicted as a magical being, usually a woman, who possesses the ability to select or manipulate the intellect of individuals. This can involve various methods, such as casting spells, using enchanted objects, or employing mind-altering potions. The purpose of an intellect selector witch is typically to control or manipulate the thoughts, knowledge, or intelligence of others for personal gain or control. In many stories, the intellect selector witch is portrayed as a powerful and cunning character who is feared and respected by others. They are often depicted as living in secluded places, such as deep forests or hidden caves, where they conduct their experiments and practices.

They are often depicted as living in secluded places, such as deep forests or hidden caves, where they conduct their experiments and practices. These witches are known for their vast knowledge and understanding of the human mind, and they use this knowledge to their advantage. The concept of an intellect selector witch raises questions about the ethics and boundaries of manipulating someone's intellect.

Intellect selector witch

Hi guys, I've been doing a lot of research but can't seem to find an answer for my exact question, or maybe it's just too dumb. I know it says in the rules that you don't gain skill points by using the Headband of Intellect, and that's fine- but, you add the +2 to your ability modifier, right? Otherwise, what is the point of it? If for example I was rolling a knowledge check and my unadded intelligence is +4, with the headband the roll would be at a +5?

it's only the amount of skill points you get from the increase in your intellect that doesn't increase. Everything else works as normal: Save DC, ability mod to skills, bonus spells, intelligence check. Dunno if I forgot something but yeah.

Hi guys, I've been doing a lot of research but can't seem to find an answer for my exact question, or maybe it's just too dumb. I know it says in the rules that you don't gain skill points by using the Headband of Intellect, and that's fine- but, you add the +2 to your ability modifier, right? Otherwise, what is the point of it? If for example I was rolling a knowledge check and my unadded intelligence is +4, with the headband the roll would be at a +5?

Yeah, you still get the bonus, it just doean't apply to your skill points. You add the modifier to your Int-based skills, but you don't get any free extra skill points.

Hi guys, I've been doing a lot of research but can't seem to find an answer for my exact question, or maybe it's just too dumb. I know it says in the rules that you don't gain skill points by using the Headband of Intellect, and that's fine- but, you add the +2 to your ability modifier, right? Otherwise, what is the point of it? If for example I was rolling a knowledge check and my unadded intelligence is +4, with the headband the roll would be at a +5?
The real point of it (as Wacky said) is the increase to save DC and the bonus spells.

The real point of it (as Wacky said) is the increase to save DC and the bonus spells.

But in the SRD for Fox�s Cunning (the Spell the Hadband is based of) it reads:

Wizards (and other spellcasters who rely on Intelligence) affected by this spell do not gain any additional bonus spells for the increased Intelligence [. ]

So the Headband does NOT give additional bonus spells, does it?

But in the SRD for Fox�s Cunning (the Spell the Hadband is based of) it reads:

So the Headband does NOT give additional bonus spells, does it?

Fox's Cunning is a temporary effect, while the headband is a continuous one. If you were able to gain temporary spell slots with fox's cunning, you could simply cast it over and over again to have unlimited bonus slots in a day.

The spell used to create the item is not necessarily the same as the effect that the item provides. The item just lists an enhancement bonus to Intelligence, with the exception that it doesn't affect skill points. The bonus spell slots and save DCs would be affected.

We normally house-rule that the Headband of Intellect does give you the skill points, but only if you wear it for the entire level. YMMV.

Otherwise - well the question has been answered.

The main difference between Fox's Cunning (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/foxsCunning.htm) and the Headband of Intellect (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/magicItems/wondrousItems.htm#headbandofIntellect), as far as spell slots are concerned, is duration.

You can wear the headband all the time, and gain a continuous benefit from it. In order to get the bonus spell slots from FC, you have have to have it cast by someone with a caster level of (1 min/level * 60 min's in an hour * 9 hours minimum) = 540. And that's just to have the spell slots available after your 8 hours of rest. Good luck with that. smallbiggrin:

edit:
Actually, because Fox's Cunning speifically says:

Wizards (and other spellcasters who rely on Intelligence) affected by this spell do not gain any additional bonus spells for the increased Intelligence.
it may not work anyway. but if you do get someone with that high of a CL, maybe you can get your DM to work with you?

For what it's worth, it does give skill points in Pathfinder.

Only kind of. When you make a Headband of Intellect, you also assign a skill to it per +2. That skill gets a bonus equal to the wearer's HD after 24 hours. Technically that bonus is referred to as ranks, so you should get your class bonus.

For what it's worth, it does give skill points in Pathfinder.

It gives you ranks in X number of static skills equal to your level, where X is the bonus afforded by the item divided by two, that don't stack with existing ranks.

So a level 10 PC with +4 headband will be considered to have 10 ranks in two skills, which are chosen at the creation of the item. If a wizard dons it and the skills are some he already has points in, like say knowledge (engineering), then he might not gain too big a boon from the ranks given by the item, but if it's say, stealth (which he might not have invested points in), then he suddenly gains 10 ranks in a skill he hasn't invested any resources in.

Fox's Cunning is a temporary effect, while the headband is a continuous one. If you were able to gain temporary spell slots with fox's cunning, you could simply cast it over and over again to have unlimited bonus slots in a day.
I hadn't thought about it that way. That interpretation definitely puts the plan of changing your casting stat to a physical one and using the physically inclined stat boosters in a new light. Also makes owl's insight more interesting. Not sure it's necessarily the right interpretation though. The underlying argument seems like it would take the same form as nightstick stacking.

Well Eagles Splendour does give you more turning attempts.

But you can't cast it over and over to get unlimited turning attempts.

I may slightly digress, but the reason the "doesn't add skill points" exception was added was to prevent the wearer from becoming the ultimate skillmonkey.

Party encounters a lock that needs to be picked? A character wears the headband, instantly gaining skill points in. you guessed it, Open Lock.
Later, same character needs to traverse a rope bridge? Remove the headband for a moment, lose the Open Lock skill points, wear it again, gaining skill points in Balance.

We normally house-rule that the Headband of Intellect does give you the skill points, but only if you wear it for the entire level. YMMV.This is a good practical compromise.

I may slightly digress, but the reason the "doesn't add skill points" exception was added was to prevent the wearer from becoming the ultimate skillmonkey.

Party encounters a lock that needs to be picked? A character wears the headband, instantly gaining skill points in. you guessed it, Open Lock.
Later, same character needs to traverse a rope bridge? Remove the headband for a moment, lose the Open Lock skill points, wear it again, gaining skill points in Balance.

I thought the original printing gave you the skill points after 24 hours. Either way, that's how it works now.

I hadn't thought about it that way. That interpretation definitely puts the plan of changing your casting stat to a physical one and using the physically inclined stat boosters in a new light. Also makes owl's insight more interesting. Not sure it's necessarily the right interpretation though. The underlying argument seems like it would take the same form as nightstick stacking.

Well, assuming that there is no rule saying that temporary ability boosts don't grant spell slots, one could get their casting stat as strength and cast bite of the werebear for example, and gain a bunch of extra spell slots, and use those slots to cast spells. Now the question becomes, once bite of the werebear goes away, if you cast it again, do those extra spell slots count as a different set of slots, or are they the same ones you already used, only you have access to them again? This presumably would only work with spontaneous casters.

I thought the original printing gave you the skill points after 24 hours. Either way, that's how it works now.

If you're referring to pathfinder, yes. However, each headband is keyed to a certain skill(or two or three). You still can't pull of the "I need Open Lock. Now I need Balance" bit. (Or, given scrying/divining, "I'll need Open Lock tomorrow, then the next day I'll need Balance")

I may be poorly wording this post, but you get the point. Or should. Where's a Telepath when you need one?

Party encounters a lock that needs to be picked? A character wears the headband, instantly gaining skill points in. you guessed it, Open Lock.
Later, same character needs to traverse a rope bridge? Remove the headband for a moment, lose the Open Lock skill points, wear it again, gaining skill points in Balance.

Clerics can however do this with a couple of spells; so, I guess, Mr Ultimate Skill Monkey just needs high UMD and a Wand of one, or both, of those.

We normally house-rule that the Headband of Intellect does give you the skill points, but only if you wear it for the entire level. YMMV.

"Will you wash that disgusting headband already, Quignasaranadon? It reeks!"

(small voice) ". but I'm trying to get good at lockpicking."

Fox's Cunning is a temporary effect, while the headband is a continuous one. If you were able to gain temporary spell slots with fox's cunning, you could simply cast it over and over again to have unlimited bonus slots in a day.

No, that wouldn't work. Fox's Cunning give a +4 enhancement bonus to INT while it lasts. Like just about every typed bonus it doesn't stack with itself or with any other bonuses of the same type to the same thing.

Party encounters a lock that needs to be picked? A character wears the headband, instantly gaining skill points in. you guessed it, Open Lock.
Later, same character needs to traverse a rope bridge? Remove the headband for a moment, lose the Open Lock skill points, wear it again, gaining skill points in Balance.

Yes, it would be terrible if any character could, with but a few moments' preparation, instantly overcome obstacles such as above.

Unless that character is a Wizard. Party encounters a lock? Wizard takes a few moments to fill an unprepared spell slot with Knock, or Shatter. Party needs to traverse a rope bridge? Wizard fills an unprepared spell slot with one of any number of conjuration or flight-related spells. In these cases, it's perfectly okay.

Yes, it would be terrible if any character could, with but a few moments' preparation, instantly overcome obstacles such as above.

Unless that character is a Wizard. Party encounters a lock? Wizard takes a few moments to fill an unprepared spell slot with Knock, or Shatter. Party needs to traverse a rope bridge? Wizard fills an unprepared spell slot with one of any number of conjuration or flight-related spells. In these cases, it's perfectly okay.

But Wizards require at least 15 minutes in order to prepare any spells in open slots! So that is 15 wasted minutes!

But Wizards require at least 15 minutes in order to prepare any spells in open slots! So that is 15 wasted minutes!
In other news, spell slot resources are limited. The wizardly solution is balanced, because every Knock he casts now is a Scorching Ray, Web or Glitterdust he cannot cast later, and may come to regret its unavailability.
Removing the Headband and putting it back is not a limited resource, therefore unbalanced. Blue color aside, The Grue's argument is completely invalid.

In other news, spell slot resources are limited. The wizardly solution is balanced, because every Knock he casts now is a Scorching Ray, Web or Glitterdust he cannot cast later, and may come to regret its unavailability.
Removing the Headband and putting it back is not a limited resource, therefore unbalanced. Blue color aside, The Grue's argument is completely invalid.

"Limited resources" is a different argument from "can be done quickly". We call that "moving the goalposts", and it's not the same as demonstrating that an argument is invalid. :smallwink:

I didn't move the goalposts, you did, when you suddenly started talking about Wizards casting spells being equivalent to a character removing a headband and putting it back.

The differences between "wizard prepares and casts a spell" and "character removes a headband and puts it back" are so numerous that the argument can be refuted in one of many ways.

For example, a shark is unlike a bunny because:
a. The shark is large and the bunny is small
b. The shark lives in water and the bunny lives on land
c. The shark has a fin and the bunny doesn't

Any one of (a), (b) or (c), or many others, could refute "a shark is like a bunny" theory. Just like there are many ways to refute "wizard preparing and casting a spell is the same as character removing a headband and putting it back" theory, and I needn't pick the specific one you consider the right one.

I didn't move the goalposts, you did

No, I took your assertion that "X is Bad" and gave what I believed was an equivalent example of X that is not only explicitly permitted but generally accepted - the implied question being "Do you have any objection to this example?". You made an assertion, I simply challenged it. You responded by - here, I'll link it so you can read what it means - moving the goalposts (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moving_the_goalposts).

Nonetheless, your default to "I know you are but what am I" demonstrates your willingness to engage in mature discourse here.

I didn't move the goalposts, you did, when you suddenly started talking about Wizards casting spells being equivalent to a character removing a headband and putting it back.

The differences between "wizard prepares and casts a spell" and "character removes a headband and puts it back" are so numerous that the argument can be refuted in one of many ways.

For example, a shark is unlike a bunny because:
a. The shark is large and the bunny is small
b. The shark lives in water and the bunny lives on land
c. The shark has a fin and the bunny doesn't

Any one of (a), (b) or (c), or many others, could refute "a shark is like a bunny" theory. Just like there are many ways to refute "wizard preparing and casting a spell is the same as character removing a headband and putting it back" theory, and I needn't pick the specific one you consider the right one.

The intial objection was to the instantly gaining competence in a skill. It follows therefore that other methods of instantly gaining competence in a skill should also be objectionable. If the objection was actually about gaining competence without expenditure of resources, you should probably just say that in the first place. :smallconfused:

The intial objection was to the instantly gaining competence in a skill. It follows therefore that other methods of instantly gaining competence in a skill should also be objectionable. If the objection was actually about gaining competence without expenditure of resources, you should probably just say that in the first place. :smallconfused:

You missed the point. Galen was illustrating the reasoning behind why you don't get free retroactive skill points from Int bonuses by pointing out the implications it would have for the skill system. It was an explanation, not a challenge. There were no goalposts in the first place.

"Will you wash that disgusting headband already, Quignasaranadon? It reeks!"

(small voice) ". but I'm trying to get good at lockpicking."

So, all Wizards smell ? :smallyuk:

So, all Wizards smell ? :smallyuk:

Well, ordinarily the wizard wouldn't have to wait to level up to take the headband off to take a bath, but to answer your question, yes, actually. It is a little-known fact that all wizards smell.

Well, ordinarily the wizard wouldn't have to wait to level up to take the headband off to take a bath, but to answer your question, yes, actually. It is a little-known fact that all wizards smell.

Usually of cheese.

That's part of why Prestidigitation was invented to begin with.

Oh man, now I wanna roll up a wizard who gets increasingly lazy because he can have invisible servants carry him around and use Prestigidiation to entirely replace trivialities like bathing and toilet paper and so forth. "Grazondo the Couldn't -Be-Bothered."

Oh man, now I wanna roll up a wizard who gets increasingly lazy because he can have invisible servants carry him around and use Prestigidiation to entirely replace trivialities like bathing and toilet paper and so forth. "Grazondo the Couldn't -Be-Bothered."

Toilet Paper = Scroll of Prestidigitation

Instead of saving up for a +6 you can upgrade over time.

Now I don't think you could get extra spells if you have to prepare spells. Maybe as a spontaneous caster you might get them. I'd have to house rule it as such.
As for the skill points I would lean ether way for it. I'd treat it like con and make it retroactive. Redo skill points from level one. Give your self a new language or two. Take it off you lose it. Now if said person put the headband back on, then those skills that he had previously had ranks in return. I would not allow redistribution.
Could the wizard take the vow of poverty retain this headband? He would become Magically clean. Ether that or he just looks like a dirty hobo that smells like pigs and feces.
Also I'd like to point out that bonuses don't stack.

In most cases, modifiers to a given check or roll stack (combine for a cumulative effect) if they come from different sources and have different types (or no type at all), but do not stack if they have the same type or come from the same source (such as the same spell cast twice in succession). If the modifiers to a particular roll do not stack, only the best bonus and worst penalty applies. Dodge bonuses and circumstance bonuses however, do stack with one another unless otherwise specified."

You can do this in core

Adding New Abilities

A creator can add new magical abilities to a magic item with no restrictions. The cost to do this is the same as if the item was not magical. Thus, a +1 longsword can be made into a +2 vorpal longsword, with the cost to create it being equal to that of a +2 vorpal sword minus the cost of a +1 sword.

If the item is one that occupies a specific place on a character�s body the cost of adding any additional ability to that item increases by 50%. For example, if a character adds the power to confer invisibility to her ring of protection +2, the cost of adding this ability is the same as for creating a ring of invisibility multiplied by 1.5.
MiC just does the maths for you � oh and the costs are often different.

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It can be seen as a violation of free will and an infringement on personal autonomy. These witches are often portrayed as morally ambiguous characters who use their powers for their own gain, disregarding the potential harm they may cause to others. In literature and popular culture, the intellect selector witch is often used as a symbol or metaphor for the dangers of knowledge and power. They serve as a cautionary tale, highlighting the potential consequences of unchecked manipulation and control over others' intellects. Overall, the concept of an intellect selector witch is a fascinating and complex one that explores the themes of power, knowledge, and personal autonomy. It brings forth important questions about the ethics and boundaries of manipulation and control, making it a thought-provoking subject in fantasy and folklore..

Reviews for "Unlocking the Subconscious: Exploring Dreams and Memories with the Intellect Selector Witch"

1. John - ★☆☆☆☆

I found "Intellect Selector Witch" to be incredibly disappointing. The plot was convoluted and nonsensical, making it difficult to follow what was happening. The characters lacked depth and development, leaving me feeling disconnected from their stories. Additionally, the dialogue felt forced and unnatural, making it hard to stay engaged with the narrative. Overall, I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for a captivating and well-written story.

2. Sarah - ★★☆☆☆

While "Intellect Selector Witch" had an interesting premise, the execution fell flat for me. The pacing was inconsistent, with moments that dragged on and others that felt rushed. The world-building was underdeveloped, and I was left with more questions than answers. The main character came across as unrelatable and unlikable, making it difficult to root for her throughout the story. Overall, I was left feeling unsatisfied and would have preferred a more coherent and engaging read.

3. Michael - ★★☆☆☆

I had high hopes for "Intellect Selector Witch," but unfortunately, it did not live up to my expectations. The writing style felt choppy and disjointed, making it hard to immerse myself in the story. The book also lacked clear explanations of the magic system, leaving me confused and unable to fully grasp the significance of certain events. Additionally, the romantic subplot felt forced and unnecessary, detracting from the overall enjoyment of the book. Overall, I was left wanting more cohesiveness and clarity in this novel.

Enhancing Mental Clarity and Focus with the Intellect Selector Witch's Rituals