[douglas]

Jack Simth said:
It is now Type: Construct until dispelled (Same Kingdom: +5 (dead vegetable), Same Size: +2 (large), same int: +2 (-); the Polymorph Any Object is permanent for duration factor of +9 or better); yes, it's a valid target. Jason isn't, though, unless you can meet him on the Etherial Plane or he hitches a ride in someone or some such.

Here I was, all set to argue that he's considered merely incorporeal when manifesting, so at worst I'd have a 50% miss chance and by a strict reading of the rules even that only applies to damage, when I noticed that the Manifestation ability specifically disallows a ghost's touch spells from affecting material targets. Technically it doesn't say anything about touch spells from material sources not affecting the ghost, but it makes some sense that it would go both ways, so I won't argue. Hmm, maybe we should get a pet of some sort for him to ride in when we're travelling long distances with Wind Walk.

Jack Simth said:
Oh, you need to roll to know specifically what's available that you don't actually know - either Spellcraft (which tells you information about any spell, regardless of source) or Knoweledge (Religion) (limited to Clerical spells)

What's the DC? Spellcraft for identifying a spell being cast is 15+level, and that implies knowledge of the specific gestures, incantations, etc used to cast it. I'd imagine knowledge of a spell's existence and a general idea of its effects would be considerably lower DC. I'm not sure how or even if using Knowledge (Religion) instead would change it - it's more specific (cleric spells only), but it's also not as focused on that particular subject.

Jack Simth said:
... and speaking of which, Knoweledge(Religion) is cross-class for favored souls; your character sheet needs revising in the skill section.

Oops, I didn't look at the class skills list very closely and just assumed that any primary divine caster would have Knowledge (Religion) on the list just like every arcane spellcasting class I know of has Knowledge (Arcana).

Hmm, I just checked, and Favored Soul is the ONLY divine spellcasting class I could find that doesn't have either one of Knowledge (Religion) and Knowledge (Nature) on its class list, and the Epic Spellcasting feat makes it pretty clear that those two knowledge skills, along with Knowledge (Arcana), are considered very highly related to spellcasting in general. Given that, it just doesn't make sense to me for a primary spellcasting class to not have the appropriate knowledge skill on its class list when classes like Paladin and Ranger, which give spellcasting as a minor or secondary feature, do. Knowledge (Arcana) is on the Favored Soul list, but it's linked to arcane spellcasting, not divine. I think Knowledge (Religion) was left off the list or replaced with Knowledge (Arcana) by mistake.

Edit: In case you want to argue that the Favored Soul's lack of scholarly study is the reason, consider this quote from the PHB concerning Sorcerers and the fact that Knowledge (Arcana), their relevant "spellcasting" knowledge skill, is on their class list anyway: "Since sorcerers gain their powers without undergoing the years of
rigorous study that wizards go through, they don’t have the
background of arcane knowledge than most wizards have."

Jack Simth said:
As for how you get them? The Favoured Soul develops a desire to be able to do something, and the diety, if it's something it lets it's clerics do, and if it's not too much for one so inexperienced (e.g., the FS has attained a high enough level that the FS has a spell known available at that level, and the FS hasn't asked for too many), the diety lets the favored soul do so (a limited wish will permit you to go through the process again - seeing you expend such recources, the diety permits it to work for a favored one in full knoweledge).

Ok, that makes sense. The character decides it would be nice if he could do a particular thing, and the deity looks for a spell that matches.

Jack Simth said:
Long as you mark the expense off, sure; it's you basic save-or-die spell.

Except that this one actually has decent damage on a successful save (10d6) and it's a bit harder to bring someone back who got killed by it than usual - nothing short of True Resurrection, Wish, or Miracle will do.