This feat allows you to hide spellcasting, but takes penalties for every visual aspect of the spell you need to hide.
The general benefit is below:
When casting a spell, you can attempt a Bluff check (opposed by observers’ Perception checks) to conceal your actions from onlookers.
Each thing you do that is part of spellcasting causes a penalty here. For example, if you use material components you get a -4, but that is known to be removed by the Eschew Materials feat.
On the topic of focus and divine focus, the exact wording is this:
If the spell requires a focus or divine focus, you take a –4 penalty on the Bluff check.
All of the penalties in Cunning Caster tie to the process below. Components, including material and foci, are normally expected to be manipulated as part of casting the spell.
To cast a spell, you must be able to speak (if the spell has a verbal component), gesture (if it has a somatic component), and manipulate the material components or focus (if any). Additionally, you must concentrate to cast a spell.
My question: Do you still take the focus penalty from Cunning Caster when your focus is permanent? IE: Part of clothing, a holy symbol tattoo, or otherwise something treated as a focus that does not stipulate having to touch it to use it as a focus.
