Do talents that allow you to use specific spell once per scene etc. count as casting a spell for the purposes of strain? My original thought was, "of course!" But I've been wondering a bit so I thought I would ask. Obviously such talents are more useful if you could cast, use the talent while strain bleeds away, and then cast again. One thing I found odd was how erratic the wording on talents granting spell like abilities was:

1. Cadic's Shroud - "once per scene you may cast the Dome of Shadow spell utilizing Stealth (Ch) as an Arcanum skill."
2. The Morning Banishes the Darkness - "you may invoke the Unravel the Thread spell, utilizing PErsuasion (Re) as an Arcanum Skill."
3. Illiir Lights Your Way - "you may use the Witchlight Universal Arcanum as will"

The first one sounds like it should be treated like casting since it uses the word cast, but the next use "invoke" and "use" which are much less clear cut. Comparing talents that grant a spell use to most other talents seems like having them count as spells (for strain and damage caused while under strain) would make them fairly weak compared to other talents, especially since I can't find any other bloodline talents (I haven't searched all talents) that give strain or recovery or any other similar limitations.

Thoughts? Rulings? Clarification somewhere in the text I missed?

Just my opinion...

#2 may use the word, "invoke" but it also indicate that for this ability you would use the Persuasion skill as an Arcanum skill. That suggests to me that the intent was that you would be casting a spell rather than generating a 'spell-like' effect.

#3 may use the word, "use" but the implication to me is that you are being granted permission to cast a spell (that you may or may not already be able to cast) any time you want to. It doesn't say that you are being granted any kind of ability that produces an effect that is similar to an existing spell (Witchlight.) It says that you can use Witchlight. Which to me suggests that you are being gifted with the ability to cast a spell.

My $.02,
Scott

I have always ruled them as using strain, but I could be wrong.

To defend my point, they do say that you can use the witchlight spell and dome of shadow spell using a different skill to replace arcanum.

I always have ruled they do have Strain. You may be using an alternate skill to cast, but you are still channeling the arcanum through your frail humanoid body.

Yes these talents, all talents that grant spell abilities, are treated like you casted the spell and follow all the rules for casting a spell unless otherwise noted (such as using a different skill)

That's what I thought, but I wanted to make sure. thanks!

any time