A cracked pale green prism says
This stone grants a +1 competence bonus on attack rolls or saving throws.
…Whereas the uncracked standard version says
This stone grants the wearer a +1 competence bonus on attack rolls, saves, skill checks, and ability checks.
Does the cracked stone grant:
- +1 competence to both attack rolls and saves?
- +1 competence to either attack rolls or saves (switchable in some fashion by the user)?
- +1 competence to either attack rolls or saves (determined at creation and then unchangeable)?
- …or something else?
Due to the use of and for the standard (30,000GP) item and the use of or for the cracked (4,000GP) item, I find #1 highly unlikely. I could imagine #2, but my hunch would be that it's #3.
Best Answer
I would go with the effect being a +1 competence to either attack rolls OR saves (determined at creation and then unchangeable).
My first supporting reason is, that's what it says. So, taking the text at face value, this is the simplest solution. No second guessing required.
Second, d20PFSRD is good about correcting typos. This is not a new section so it is fair to say that any typos would have been noted by now. I admit it's not 100% but with past responses to typos being as quick as they have, I'd say it is fair to say that bit of text in the d20PFSRD is ok as it is.
Finally, the cost. As you noted, 4000 gold is low for something that would give both benefits. Hence, it is likely that only one of the two is in effect. That brings the cost more inline with the effect.
As to why I say it would be determined at creation and not switchable at any time? The nature of the Inferior Ioun Stones. These are magic items with a fault of some kind. Either they were made poorly or suffered some damage. It could be argued that you can't change that fault/damage on demand, it just "is".
Backing up that assertion, Seekers of Secrets, the text that introduces inferior ioun stones (including this one), says (p46),
Thank you Hey I Can Chan for the note on that.