Generally using a set of tools (e.g. Jeweler's Tools, Tinker's Tools, etc.), music instruments (e.g. Flutes, Lyres, etc.) or similar require a skill check (e.g. a dexterity check) to which you may add your proficiency bonus if you're proficient with the tools used. The spell Borrowed Knowledge gives the caster proficiency in one skill. Do you think the spell should be applicable to tools, instruments and similar things? What about languages?
In general I would expect it to work for using tools and instruments, as those are specific skills that require a skill check to use. I'm torn on the language interpretation though, as no skill check is involved and there are specific spells such as Comprehend Languages and Tongues to cover those, although the scope of these spells is arguably bigger with regards to languages as they apply to all instead of one specific language.
Per RAW, I think the spell would only apply to the skills listed on a character sheet. Note the difference from the Phantom rogue's subclass feature:
Whispers of the Dead
3rd-level Phantom feature
Echoes of those who have died cling to you. Whenever you finish a short or long rest, you can choose one skill or tool proficiency that you lack and gain it, as a ghostly presence shares its knowledge with you. You lose this proficiency when you use this feature to choose a different proficiency that you lack.
As a DM though, I'd probably allow the spell to apply to a tool proficiency, but not a language
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Active characters:
Carric Aquissar, elven wannabe artist in his deconstructionist period (Archfey warlock) Lan Kidogo, mapach archaeologist and treasure hunter (Knowledge cleric) Mardan Ferres, elven private investigator obsessed with that one unsolved murder (Assassin rogue) Xhekhetiel, halfling survivor of a Betrayer Gods cult (Runechild sorcerer/fighter)
I could be wrong but I can't remember a single place where Tool Proficiencies and Skills and Languages aren't separated as being different things. So I don't think that the spell should be able to give proficiency in anything but skills.
Being proficient in performance and being proficient in playing a trombone are very different things, to me. To be a rock star, you must be proficient in both. To be a session musician, you need to be proficient in your instrument.
Interpreting the spell to grant proficiency in all Skills and all Tools is very broad, especially when they are able to switch which one they may be proficient in after a long, or short, rest.
But like everything else, if it works at your table, then enjoy it.
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Cum catapultae proscriptae erunt tum soli proscript catapultas habebunt
Interpreting the spell to grant proficiency in all Skills and all Tools is very broad, especially when they are able to switch which one they may be proficient in after a long, or short, rest.
Borrowed Knowledge, the spell, only lasts one hour
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Active characters:
Carric Aquissar, elven wannabe artist in his deconstructionist period (Archfey warlock) Lan Kidogo, mapach archaeologist and treasure hunter (Knowledge cleric) Mardan Ferres, elven private investigator obsessed with that one unsolved murder (Assassin rogue) Xhekhetiel, halfling survivor of a Betrayer Gods cult (Runechild sorcerer/fighter)
There are multiple types of distinct proficiencies; tool, weapon, armor, language, and skill. The spell specifies skill proficiencies, therefore that's what it grants.
Generally using a set of tools (e.g. Jeweler's Tools, Tinker's Tools, etc.), music instruments (e.g. Flutes, Lyres, etc.) or similar require a skill check (e.g. a dexterity check) to which you may add your proficiency bonus if you're proficient with the tools used. The spell Borrowed Knowledge gives the caster proficiency in one skill. Do you think the spell should be applicable to tools, instruments and similar things? What about languages?
In general I would expect it to work for using tools and instruments, as those are specific skills that require a skill check to use. I'm torn on the language interpretation though, as no skill check is involved and there are specific spells such as Comprehend Languages and Tongues to cover those, although the scope of these spells is arguably bigger with regards to languages as they apply to all instead of one specific language.
Per RAW, I think the spell would only apply to the skills listed on a character sheet. Note the difference from the Phantom rogue's subclass feature:
As a DM though, I'd probably allow the spell to apply to a tool proficiency, but not a language
Active characters:
Carric Aquissar, elven wannabe artist in his deconstructionist period (Archfey warlock)
Lan Kidogo, mapach archaeologist and treasure hunter (Knowledge cleric)
Mardan Ferres, elven private investigator obsessed with that one unsolved murder (Assassin rogue)
Xhekhetiel, halfling survivor of a Betrayer Gods cult (Runechild sorcerer/fighter)
I could be wrong but I can't remember a single place where Tool Proficiencies and Skills and Languages aren't separated as being different things. So I don't think that the spell should be able to give proficiency in anything but skills.
Being proficient in performance and being proficient in playing a trombone are very different things, to me. To be a rock star, you must be proficient in both. To be a session musician, you need to be proficient in your instrument.
Interpreting the spell to grant proficiency in all Skills and all Tools is very broad, especially when they are able to switch which one they may be proficient in after a long, or short, rest.
But like everything else, if it works at your table, then enjoy it.
Cum catapultae proscriptae erunt tum soli proscript catapultas habebunt
Borrowed Knowledge, the spell, only lasts one hour
Active characters:
Carric Aquissar, elven wannabe artist in his deconstructionist period (Archfey warlock)
Lan Kidogo, mapach archaeologist and treasure hunter (Knowledge cleric)
Mardan Ferres, elven private investigator obsessed with that one unsolved murder (Assassin rogue)
Xhekhetiel, halfling survivor of a Betrayer Gods cult (Runechild sorcerer/fighter)
There are multiple types of distinct proficiencies; tool, weapon, armor, language, and skill. The spell specifies skill proficiencies, therefore that's what it grants.
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