Priest of Abenek

[iNano78]

Priest of Abenek - Undead, Mummy, Cleric

As a full action, Priest of Abenek May place 1 direct damage on a living creature in this zone. If he does, remove 1 damage from a friendly mummy in this zone.

Question: if there are no damaged mummies in Priest’s zone (eg no other mummies and he himself isn’t damaged, etc), can he still use his ability to deal 1 direct damage? Even if there is a damaged mummy, can he opt out of healing? Would have been clearer if there was another “he may” before “remove 1 damage...”

[Arkdeniz]

"As a full action Priest of Abenek may..."

In that sentence there are no conditions that need to be met other than it needs to use a full action. So yes, as written, it can use (wastefully, most likely) a full action to cause 1 damage even if there are no damaged mummies in its zone. Removing a damage is just an extra bonus on top.   

[Puddnhead]

I believe Arkdeniz is correct that you may still deal the damage even if there's no damaged mummy.  However, If you do the damage, I don't believe you can opt out of removing a damage from a damaged mummy, that seems to be required if possible.

[Arkdeniz]

I believe Arkdeniz is correct that you may still deal the damage even if there's no damaged mummy.  However, If you do the damage, I don't believe you can opt out of removing a damage from a damaged mummy, that seems to be required if possible.

I agree with that assessment. There is no ‘may’ in the second sentence.