Recruitment Thread for Pell's D&D 3.5 Game

[willpell]

Which is one reason I like Prestige Rangers, since they will likely get either druid or cleric spells.

I'm fond of the Prestige Paladin, though I haven't instituted it; it does seem as though paladinhood ought to need to be earned in at least many cases, although I don't like that the prereqs lock you into the mounted combat style as hard as they do, plus you lose out on BAB and gain access to some less-than-fitting Cleric spells. Still, in general I tend to like the concept. The Ranger, though...I don't feel like being a half-druid really suits the ranger's feel. In fact, I've done spell-less rangers several times, because to me the whole point of a ranger is Favored Enemy (or possibly Favored Environment), and adding spells seems distracting. Since it's generally agreed that the Druid is overpowered for getting spellcasting, Wild Shape, and an immensely powerful Animal Companion, I can see a good argument for switching the companions of the Druid and Ranger; the Ranger's would be more powerful, but the Druid could buff his with spells. It's all speculation for now though.

[spiderwrangler]

Summon Swarm is a Druid spell, I'd be willing to allow you to have it replace SNA 2 on your spell list. The use of separate lists for druids and rangers has always annoyed me more than a little; why even bother giving the ranger his own list when he's going to just be a sucky druid anyway? They could have just said "rangers cast druid spells at half level" and saved themselves a lot of text.

Sounds good to me! Thanks Pell!

[Amara]

Okay.
So I'm still definitely wanting improved grapple (have you decided to definitely combine the two, or? The prereq isn't terrible, as a feat, though it's not uber powerful, either. Thematically it fits, since I'd be improving the favored "weapon" of his deity.)

For other feats I've narrowed it down...a little. Some I'm more interested in than others. ...and oops there's lots of divine.

Protection devotion
Goad (useful for saving squishies!)
Daunting presence (...eh it amused me for reasons of "OH GOD GIANT FUZZY WALL OF SCARY" but it comes from Libris Mortis, so prolly no. This could be RPed anyway.)
Good devotion
Healing devotion
Combat brute (eh...interesting but so many pre-reqs, and I'm not as keen on this as other things.)
Hostile mind (...only useful if we'll be seeing a lot of psionic stuff, but seems fitting for someone "devout" to be resistant to attempts to effect his mind.)
Open Minded (...this is nice for reasons of adding fluff. I love it on every character ever. It also amuses me being juxtaposed with the last on the list.)
Negotiator (fits his personality well, fits fluff.)
Stigmata (and nimbus pre-req isn't bad at all, but it amuses me. HEY GUYS IT'S COOL, NIGHT LIGHTS ARE TRUSTWORTHY. I really like Stigmata, though. A LOT. But this gets in to divine territory again.)

[willpell]

Okay.
So I'm still definitely wanting improved grapple (have you decided to definitely combine the two, or? The prereq isn't terrible, as a feat, though it's not uber powerful, either. Thematically it fits, since I'd be improving the favored "weapon" of his deity.)

Yeah, you can just have IUS for free.

Goad (useful for saving squishies!)

Quasi-useful.

Daunting presence (...eh it amused me for reasons of "OH GOD GIANT FUZZY WALL OF SCARY" but it comes from Libris Mortis, so prolly no. This could be RPed anyway.)

Not familiar with this one offhand.

Protection devotion
Good devotion
Healing devotion

All of these are fitting, but especially the first, since it goes with both bear and paladin.

Combat brute (eh...interesting but so many pre-reqs, and I'm not as keen on this as other things.)

Don't know it. Is it a Tactical feat? I've yet been unable to wrap my brain around those.

Hostile mind (...only useful if we'll be seeing a lot of psionic stuff, but seems fitting for someone "devout" to be resistant to attempts to effect his mind.)

I wouldn't encourage this unless it's extremely fitting to your personality. Psionics is slightly less common than magic and slightly more common than incarnum, binding, truenaming and so forth in my game; it might come up in, at a guess, 1/8 of battles on average, though you could bring that number up by specifically seeking out things like Mind Flayers or the rumors of a desert kingdom ruled over by mantis-men.

Open Minded (...this is nice for reasons of adding fluff. I love it on every character ever. It also amuses me being juxtaposed with the last on the list.)

Frankly that one's not a feat at all, just a way to gain more skill points at the expense of feats. It's always allowed, but not a great use of the slot.

Negotiator (fits his personality well, fits fluff.)

These +2/+2 skill feats are universally reviled as incredibly weak for the cost of a feat slot. Unless you need them as a PrC prereq, or are trying so hard to maximize a Skill that you've already got the Skill Focus, masterwork tool, +5 competence item, maybe an Item Familiar, +6 item to the relevant attribute, an inherent bonus if you can afford to buy five Wishes, and you *still* need another +2...they're pretty much never used. In the Feat Points system they go for like 1/5 the price of a normal feat.

Stigmata (and nimbus pre-req isn't bad at all, but it amuses me. HEY GUYS IT'S COOL, NIGHT LIGHTS ARE TRUSTWORTHY. I really like Stigmata, though. A LOT. But this gets in to divine territory again.)

Seems off-theme for your character, and once again Exalted feats are by GM permission only. If you're a Barbarian and you want Righteous Wrath so you don't kill bystanders, I won't put up much of a fight, but for the fancy Exalted feats like Vows or Stigmata or Touch of Golden Ice, I'm always gonna make the player earn them through quests and RP.

I say definitely go for Protection Devotion, but otherwise none of these seem terribly apt. Alas, you don't even yet qualify for Extra Turning since you can't turn undead yet, so there's no gaining extra uses of Protection Devotion that way...though you could just take the feat multiple times for extra daily uses. Dunno if that'd be useful or not, I forget what exactly it does (though it's better than the actual domain, that's for sure).

[Amara]

I'm fond of a lot of the devotion feats, come to think.

Protection devotion
Once per day as an immediate action, you can activate a protective aura. While it is active, you gain a +2 sacred (if your deity is good or neutral) or profane (if your deity is evil) bonus to AC, as does every ally within 30 feet of you. This bonus increases by 1 for every four character levels you possess (maximum +7 at 20th level). This effect lasts for 1 minute.

Healing devotion
Once per day, you can gain fast healing 1, +1 for every five character levels you possess (maximum fast healing 5 at 20th level). This effect lasts for 1 minute. You can activate this feat as an immediate action or, if you have a daily available, it automatically activates if you are reduced to 0 hit points or below (but not killed).

As a full-round action, you can transfer this ability to a willing recipient as a touch spell. Doing so counts as one daily use of the ability. You can select this feat multiple times, gaining one additional daily use each time you take it. If you have the ability to turn or rebuke undead, you gain one additional daily use of this feat for each daily turn or rebuke use you expend.

Good devotion
Once per day as an immediate action, you can surround yourself with an aura of good that grants you and each of your allies within 30 feet damage reduction that can be overcome only by evil-aligned weapons. The numeric value of this damage reduction is 1 + l/five character levels you possess (maximum 5/evil at 20th level). In addition, your and your allies' natural and weapon attacks are good-aligned for the purpose of overcoming damage reduction. This effect lasts for 1 minute.

Don't know it. Is it a Tactical feat? I've yet been unable to wrap my brain around those.

Combat brute adds good battle utility but has about five million prereqstwo feat prereqs and a base attack prereq and is admittedly better suited for making fighters less boring. I find fighters boring, at least. I think at that point I was just looking at everything that added utility.

Combat brute
The Combat Brute feat enables the use of three tactical maneuvers.
Advancing Blows: To use this maneuver, you must make a successful bull rush attempt against a foe. During the next round, all your attacks against that foe gain a +1 bonus on attack and damage rolls for each square your bull rush moved that foe. For example, if you pushed an orc back 10 (2 squares) feet with a bull rush, you would gain a +2 bonus on attack and damage rolls against that orc on the following round.
Sundering Cleave: To use this maneuver, you must destroy a foe's weapon or shield with a successful sunder attempt (see page 158 of the Player's Handbook). If you do so, you gain an immediate additional melee attack against the foe. The additional attack is with the same weapon and at the same attack bonus as the attack that destroyed the weapon or shield.
Momentum Swing: To use this maneuver, you must charge a foe in the first round, and you must make an attack using your Power Attack feat in the second round. The penalty you take on your attack roll must be -5 or worse. Your attacks during the second round gain a bonus equal to your attack roll penalty x 1-1/2, or x 3 if you're using a two-handed weapon or a one-handed weapon wielded in two hands. For instance, if you choose to take a -6 penalty on your attack roll, you can deal an extra 9 points of damage, or an extra 18 points if you're using a two-handed weapon or a one-handed weapon wielded in two hands.

Not familiar with this one offhand

It's really meant for undead, but was one that amused me more than being super useful...and is apparently also applicable as a fighter bonus feat. Huh. When I read the feat I was thinking more of him shifting in to hybrid or bear form and just....roaring, and the feat being used.
Daunting presence
You may take a standard action to awe an opponent. The opponent must be within 30 feet, have line of sight to you, and have an Intelligence score. If the opponent fails a Will saving throw (DC 10 + 1/2 your character level + your Cha modifi er), it is shaken for 10 minutes. This feat has no effect on a creature that is already shaken.
Like I said, while I could see arguing it for a nearly 12 foot tall wall of fur and scariness, this could just be role played.


Hostile mind really isn't worth taking at all without lots of psions wandering about haha, but I thought I'd throw it out there. Looks a definite no.

Stigmata I'd be very willing to work toward. It's potential usage is entirely too amazing, and while I'll admit it didn't quite scream Rían at me, it's not out of line with his personality either, or the deity he serves. He's very much the type to take on another's burdens as his own when he can, and taking on another's pain to heal them doesn't seem horribly out of character. I can definitely understand making me jump through hoops for that one, and welcome it.


Ah, for Phieran in general. As a Demi-god, he's not given much, outside of the one paragraph he's given in Exalted Deeds, and the spells he's given, so I don't have much fluff to go on. More developed deities have rituals, holidays, important texts, methods of worship, sects, etc. Since he's so similar to Ilmater I've just been assuming whatever I don't know is nigh identical...if that's okay.
I do have a question/request though; the symbol he uses is Ilmater's old symbol (the rack) but I'm admittedly very fond of the red cord bound hands Ilmater has now. Since that's just fluff and doesn't impact balance any, may I assume that a cord binding a wrist to signify a follower is applicable for Phieran as well? I'm just very fond of the visual symbolism.

[Nioca]

Okay, Vualn has been revised and brought up to L7 (with ECL9 wealth). Primary changes are as follows:
*The base stats were changed, as stated earlier.
*Skill Focus (Concentration) was dropped, replaced with the Retributive Spell Metamagic feat. He also gained Arcane Strike.
*Spells were reorganized a bit, with short descriptions and information added. For the either-or SLAs, he took Glitterdust, Enthrall, and Suggestion (he's definitely going for the darker powers here).
*Skills were increased. Vualn now has so much concentration that he can auto-succeed on defensively casting any spell lower than third level.
*His armor upgraded from a Mithral Chain Shirt +2 to a Mithral Breastplate +2 (which, unless I've missed something, counts as light thanks to mithral and won't interfere with spellcasting). In addition, he now has a Cloak of Charisma +2, along with a Ring of Protection +1 to boost his AC further.
*Vualn's snake has had its stats changed to reflect Vualn's level. In addition, a note about Armor Penalties has been added, along with a short note on the snake itself (it's not very remarkable, other than being orange).

► Show Spoiler

NAME: Vualn Eirtheawl
RACE: Half-Fey Wild Elf | TYPE: Fey
CLASS: Battle Sorcerer 7 | ECL: 8 (1 LA Bought-Off)
RELATIONS: Arasowi Tribe, Eirtheawl Family (Estranged)
GENDER: Male | AGE: 96
HEIGHT: 5'4'' | WEIGHT: 117lbs
Physical Description: Fair skin, slight build, hip-length auburn hair, piercing green eyes, shimmering blue wings. Tends to hold self with incredible poise and haughty dignity.
Attire: Favors noble or expensive clothing, preferably in blue. Tends to wear silken tunics and trousers, although he also sometimes wears a sweeping robe. Has soft leather shoes.
Alignment/Personality: TRUE NEUTRAL. Has a semi-good heart and doesn't mind performing acts of altruism, but is also spoiled, vain, and more than a little selfish and petty. Also tends to be somewhat self-centered, likely stemming from being constantly in his brother's shadow for most of his life and now wanting his own shot at the limelight.
Occupation: Wandering Fey

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
STR: 18 (15 Base + 1 Level Enhancement + 2 Gauntlets)
DEX: 16 (12 Base + 2 Racial + 2 Racial Template)
CON: 14 (14 Base - 2 Racial Template + 2 Amulet)
INT: 12 (14 Base - 2 Racial)
WIS: 10 (8 Base + 2 Racial Template)
CHA: 21 (15 Base + 4 Racial Template + 2 Cloak)

HP: 70/70 (HD: 7d8+14)
AC: 21 (10 Base + 3 Dex + 7 Armor [2 Magic] + 1 Deflection) | Flat-Footed 18 | Touch 14
DR: 5/Cold Iron
SPD: 30ft Land | 60ft Fly (Good)
AC PENALTY: 0
LOAD: Light Armor (100 lbs/200 lbs/300 lbs)
INITIATIVE: +3 (3 Dex)
FORT: +4 (2 Base + 2 Con)
REF: +5 (2 Base + 3 Dex)
WILL: +5 (5 Base)

MELEE: +9 (5 BAB + 4 Str)
--Spell-Storing Longsword +1: +11, 1H 1d8+5 19-20x2, 2H 1d8+7 19-20x2, Ghoul's Touch stored
RANGED: +8 (5 BAB + 3 Dex)
--Masterwork Darkwood Composite-4 Longbow: +9, 1d8+4 x3, Range 110ft

Proficiencies: Simple Weapons, Light Armor, Shortsword, Longsword, Rapier, Longbow, Composite Longbow, Shortbow, Composite Shortbow
Languages: Common, Elven, Sylvan

XP 22000 / 28000

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Low-Light Vision
Immunity to Magic Sleep Effects
Immunity to Enchantment Spells and Effects
+2 Bonus to Listen, Search, and Spot checks
Automatic Search Check to detect secret doors within 5ft
Weapon Proficiency: Longsword, Rapier, Longbow, Composite Longbow, Shortbow, Composite Shortbow
**Alertness (Familiar)

--Combat Casting: +4 to Concentration Checks when casting defensively
--Weapon Focus [Longsword]: +1 to-hit with chosen weapon.
--Retributive Spell [Metamagic]: You can keep a spell in reserve to use when a foe causes you harm. When you cast a spell modified by this metamagic feat, the spell has no immediate effect. Any time you are dealt damage by a melee attack during the next 24 hours (or until you next ready your spells), you can choose to cast the spell on that attacker as an immediate action. Once activated, a retributive spell disappears. You can apply this feat only to a spell that targets a creature. A retributive spell can target only the attacker that triggered it, even if the spell would normally allow you to target multiple creatures. You can have only one retributive spell cast at a time. Casting a second retributive spell cancels the first (eliminating it with no effect). If you prepare or ready spells while you have a retributive spell cast, the spell dissipates with no effect. A retributive spell uses up a spell slot one level higher than the spell's actual level.
--Arcane Strike: As a free non-provoking action, sacrifice one spell slot to gain a +y to-hit and +yd4 damage bonus, where y equals the level of the spell sacrificed. The bonus cannot exceed the user's BAB.

Flaw: Short Attention Span - You have little patience, causing you to have difficulty concentrating on repetitive tasks. You suffer a -2 penalty on all skill checks made to retry an action that you previously failed. This penalty is cumulative, increasing by -2 for every failed attempt. In addition, you may not take 20 on any skill check.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
CASTER LEVEL: 7
RANGES: Close 35ft [25ft+5/2Levels] | Medium 170ft [100ft+10/Level] | Long 680ft [400ft+40/Level]

0th-Level Spells: 7 (5/5PD) [Save DC 15]
--Mage Hand - 5-pound telekinesis on non-magical unattended object [Close, V S, Concentration]
--Mending - Make minor repairs on 1lbs object [10ft, V S, Instantaneous, WillNegates(H)]
--Read Magic - Read scrolls, spellbooks, magical inscriptions [Personal, V S F, 10min/level]
--Prestidigitation - Perform minor magical tricks [10ft, V S, 1hr]
--Resistance - +1 resistance bonus on saves [Touch, V S M, 1min, WillNegates(H)]
--Light - Object shines like torch [Touch, V M, 10min/level]
--Detect Magic - Detects spells and magic items [60ft Cone, V S, Concentration 1min/level]

1st-Level Spells: 4 (7/7PD) [Save DC 16]
--Shield - Invisible disc grants +4 AC Shield Bonus, blocks magic missile, applies vs. incorporeal touch attacks [Personal, V S, 1min/level]
--Shocking Grasp - Touch delivers 5d6 electricity damage, with +3 attack bonus vs. metal-armored/metallic opponents [Touch, V S, Instantaneous]
--Enlarge Person - Humanoid creature doubles in size and increases one size category [1-Round Cast, Close, V S M, 1min/level (D), FortNegates]
--Grease - Covers 10' of solid surface/targeted object with grease [Close, V S M, 1round/level (D)]
--(SLA At-Will) Charm Person - Makes one person your friend [Close, 1hr/level, WillNegates]
--(SLA 1/1Day) Hypnotism - Fascinates 2d4 HD worth of creatures [1-Round Cast, Close, 2d4rounds (D), WillNegates]
--(SLA 3/3Day) Detect Law - Reveals creatures, spells, or objects of Lawful alignment [60ft Cone, Concentration 1min/level]
--(SLA 1/1Day) Protection from Law - +2 AC/saves against lawful creatures, counter mind control, hedge out elementals and outsiders. [Touch, 1min/level, WillNegates(H)]

2nd-Level Spells: 2 (6/6PD) [Save DC 17]
--Ghoul's Touch - Paralyzes one subject, which exudes stench that makes those nearby sickened [Touch, V S M, 1d6+2Rounds, FortNegates]
--Acid Arrow - Ranged touch attack does 2d4 acid damage for 1 round + 1 round/3 levels [Long, V S M F, 1round+1round/3levels]
--(SLA 1/1Day) Enthrall - Captivates all within range [1-Round Cast, Medium, 1hr, WillNegates]
--(SLA 1/1Day) Glitterdust - Blinds creatures, outlines invisible creatures within 10' radius [Medium, 1round/level, WillNegates(Blinding Only)]

3rd-Level Spells: 1 (4/4PD) [Save DC 18]
--Fireball - 1d6/level (max 10d6), 20ft radius blast of fire [Long, V S M, Instantaneous, ReflexHalf]
--(SLA 1/1Day) Suggestion - Compels subject to follow stated course of action [Close, 1hr/level, WillNegates]

4th-Level Spells: 0 (0/0PD) [Save DC 19]
--(SLA 1/1Day) Confusion - Subjects in 15' radius behave oddly for 1 round/level [Medium, 1round/level, WillNegates]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Appraise [Int] - 1 (0 + 1 Int)
Balance [Dex; ACP] - 3 (0 + 3 Dex)
Bluff [Cha] - 8 (0 + 5 Cha + 3 Familiar)
Climb [Str; ACP] - 4 (0 + 4 Str)
*Concentration [Con] - 13 (11 + 2 Con) [+17 w/ Combat Casting]
Craft (All) [Int] - -1 (0 + 1 Int - 2 NoTools)
Diplomacy [Cha] - 6 (1 + 5 Cha)
Disguise [Cha] - 5 (0 + 5 Cha)
Escape Artist [Dex; ACP] - 3 (0 + 3 Dex)
Forgery [Int] - 1 (0 + 1 Int)
Gather Information [Cha] - 5 (0 + 5 Cha)
Heal [Wis] - 0
Hide [Dex; ACP] - 3 (0 + 3 Dex)
*Intimidate [Cha] - 7 (2 + 5 Cha)
Jump [Str; ACP] - 4 (0 + 4 Str)
*Knowledge: Arcana [Int] - 7 (6 + 1 Int)
Listen [Wis] - 4 (0 + 0 Wis + 2 Racial + 2 Alertness)
Move Silently [Dex] - 3 (0 + 3 Dex)
Perform [Cha] - 5 (0 + 5 Cha)
Ride [Dex] - 3 (0 + 3 Dex)
Search [Int] - 3 (0 + 1 Int + 2 Racial)
Sense Motive [Wis] - 0
*Spellcraft [Int] - 12 (9 + 1 Int + 2 Know:Arcana Synergy)
Spot [Wis] - 4 (0 + 0 Wis + 2 Racial + 2 Alertness)
Survival [Wis] - 0
Swim [Str; ACP] - 4 (0 + 4 Str)
Use Rope [Dex] - 3 (0 + 3 Dex)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Weight: 35.5lbs
107 GP

-+1 Spell-Storing Longsword - +1 to-hit, 1d8+1 Slashing, 19-20x2 Crit, 4lbs
-+2 Mithral Breastplate - +7 AC, 5 Max Dex, 15% Spell Fail, 15lbs
-Darkwood Composite-4 Longbow - +1 to-hit, 1d8 Piercing, x3 Crit, 110ft, 1.5lbs
***20x Arrows - 3lbs (0.15lbs/arrow)
-Gauntlets of Ogre Power - +2 Strength Enhancement Bonus, 4lbs
-Amulet of Health +2 - +2 Constitution Enhancement Bonus
-Ring of Sustenance - Wearer does not need food/water, requires only 2 hours rest.
-Ring of Protection +1 - Grants Deflection bonus to AC.
-Cloak of Charisma +2 - +2 Charisma Enhancement Bonus, 1lbs

-Handy Haversack - Can hold 20 lbs of gear in each side pocket, and 80lbs of gear in the main pack. Always weighs 5lbs.
***Crowbar - +2 Circumstance Bonus to related strength checks. 5lbs
***Silk Rope - +2 Circumstance Bonus to Use Rope checks. 5lbs each.
***Tent - Provides shelter. 20lbs.
***2x Bottle of Fine Elven Wine - Fine high-elf wine. 1.5lbs each.
-Spell Component Pouch - Contains commonly-used material components and focuses. 2lbs

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
FANG, Copperhead Snake Familiar

Size/Type: Tiny Magical Beast (Familiar)
HP: 35/35 (7 effective HD; ┬╝d8)
AC: 23 (+2 size, +3 Dex, +6 natural, +2 armor), touch 15, flat-footed 19
SPD: 15 ft land/climb/swim
BaB/Grapple: +0/-11
Attack: Bite +5* Melee (1 plus poison)
Space/Reach: 2› ft./0 ft.
Special Attacks: Poison (1d6 Con, 1d6 Con, FortDC 10)
Special Qualities: Scent, Grant Alertness, Improved Evasion, Share Spells, Empathic Link, Deliver Touch Spells, Speak with Master, Speak with Animals of Its Kind
Saves: Fort +2, Ref +5, Will +7
Abilities: 4 STR / 17 DEX / 11 CON / INT 9 / WIS 12 / CHA 2
Skills: Balance +11*, Climb +11*, Hide +15*, Listen +6, Spot +6, Swim +5*
Feats: Improved Initiative, Weapon Finesse
Inventory: Tiny Chain Shirt (+2 AC, -2 AC Penalty)

*Due to armor, all attack rolls and all STR- and DEX-based skills take a -2 penalty. Swim takes a -4 penalty

A copperhead snake that Vualn took as his familiar when he was first manifesting his abilities. Spends most of his time curled up either in Vualn's pocket or draped on his shoulders. Otherwise fairly unremarkable, at least as far as familiars go.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
That upstart took it away.

Vualn Eirtheawl had stood, stock-still, as his brother's name was announced. Today, the wild elves of the Arasowi tribe had gathered to determine who would become chief amongst their people. The former chief, Vualn's grandfather, had been struck down meres week ago along with his hunting party by enemies unknown, and the tribe was starting to fall into chaos and panic. It had fallen to his mother, a sorcerer of some skill, and her two fey-blooded sons to try and keep some semblance of order. Unsurprising, in and of itself; everyone knew it'd be one of the fey-blooded twins, the spawn of Haerti Eirtheawl and... actually, she never did mention what she had bred with to produce fey offspring, did she? Ah well, a mystery for another time.

It was night. Most of the elves were carousing and celebrating their new chief, Vaerie. That was the name they called out for. Not his own, despite it being rightfully his, despite his grandfather having groomed and prepared Vualn for the position. No, it was Vaerie... his brother. They had never been on the best of terms. Vaerie had demonstrated a stronger array of powers than Vualn ever did, and their mother favored Vaerie for that. Dearest mother Haerti had never really given Vualn the time of day, except perhaps as an occasional mere servant. He supposed SHE was to thank for this, ultimately; Vaerie was a harmless and kind-hearted fool and would never have undermined him like this, but he could easily see Haerti making the necessary threats and accusations to convince the rest of the elders to force her favored son into the position.

Ninety years he had to put up with it, and what did he have to show for it? Nothing. He was the grandson of the former chief, and a creature far superior to the rest of these foolish elves, and yet THIS was how he was treated? No. Not anymore. He could contest it, but years of resentment poisoned him to another idea. If dearest mother wanted precious Vaerie to lead, than that's exactly what she'd get. Let Vaerie deal with the encroaching high elves who demanded ever greater payment for their goods, let Vaerie deal with the marauding monsters and unfriendly fey that stalked the wood, let Vaerie handle the tribal squabbles. Vaerie, who had mostly mumbled a few spells while Vualn had been keeping order after the chief's passing, Vaerie, who couldn't lead his way out of a wet cloth sack. His rule would bring disaster upon the Arasowi... and Vualn intended to be elsewhere when it did.

The Arasowi once had been a strong and independent people; there had been a time when they had guarded the forest by themselves, held off orcish and human incursion with bloody passion. But now, they were nothing. He was above these miserable elves. Vualn now knew he would find his place in the rest of the world. He would make a name for himself, get the recognition and respect he rightfully deserved.

...Which brought him to the matter at hand. Getting into the chief's tent was all-too-easy; it was left mostly unguarded. Hoisting his pack, he quickly stuffed his grandfather's belongings inside; it wasn't anything too impressive, just an enchanted sword and suit of armor, along with a few other magical items. But by tradition, most of it was to be passed to the next chief. He couldn't help but smile slightly at the thought of the others coming in and discovering the items gone. Ah well. They were rightfully his anyway. Hoisting his pack, he stepped outside and quickly lofted into the air on sylvan wings.

As he rose high above the camp and veered off towards human lands, he glanced at the camp one last time. He was certain this wouldn't be the last he'd hear from his family or the Arasowi. His mother was generally not someone you crossed, not unless you desired to lose limbs. But considering the alternative was to stand perpetually stuck in his brother's shadow... Vualn hesitated for half a second more, then flew off into the night.

Any remaining thoughts or errors on the sheet?

[willpell]

I'm fond of a lot of the devotion feats, come to think.

No need to break IP law on my behalf (although I do approve of people who do it for any good reason; I just don't have the need in this case). I have access to Complete Champion and have reviewed the Devotion feats extensively. I even sort of homebrewed two new ones - it bugged me that Law and Chaos devotion don't function the same as Evil and Good (in my campaign, I try to make it clear that the two axes are of equal cosmic importance, contrary to how the game often portrays them with items like the Horn of Goodness/Evil or the Robes of the Archmagi, and details like Paladins having Detect Evil but not Detect Chaos). Thusly, the as-printed Law Devotion is renamed Perfection Devotion, and Chaos is renamed Possibility. For the moment they're still associated with the Law and Chaos domains, since making new domains is a tall order and I'm not sure I even have room in my campaign's roster to add more.

I find fighters boring, at least.

Fighters don't quite bore me yet, despite my having made a set of eight of them for a battle not long ago. They're not as exciting as wizards or psions, but they beat the pants off of rogues and barbarians and even paladins for variety, IMO. They could do with a bit of jazzing up, but overall I still consider them a decent class.

It's really meant for undead, but was one that amused me more than being super useful...and is apparently also applicable as a fighter bonus feat. Huh. When I read the feat I was thinking more of him shifting in to hybrid or bear form and just....roaring, and the feat being used.
Like I said, while I could see arguing it for a nearly 12 foot tall wall of fur and scariness, this could just be role played.

Actually I'd say this one fits nicely. While certainly villagers and such might roleplay being scared, it'd be the kind of scared that makes them more determined to defend themselves, unless you take this feat to indicate that it's even scarier than that and can completely rattle their resolve with unadulterated terror.

Hostile mind really isn't worth taking at all without lots of psions wandering about haha, but I thought I'd throw it out there. Looks a definite no.

It could be fitting for other characters, but doesn't seem especially so for you. You can always revisit it after meeting up with an Illithid Hunter or something in-game.

I can definitely understand making me jump through hoops for that one, and welcome it.

That's what a True Roleplayer GM likes to hear.

Ah, for Phieran in general. As a Demi-god, he's not given much, outside of the one paragraph he's given in Exalted Deeds, and the spells he's given, so I don't have much fluff to go on. More developed deities have rituals, holidays, important texts, methods of worship, sects, etc. Since he's so similar to Ilmater I've just been assuming whatever I don't know is nigh identical...if that's okay.

It'll do for now. I'll try to make sure you meet some priests of his in-game so you can get an idea of how I see him (not being familiar with Ilmater, I'll just be making up what I think fits the description). I'm not normally big on the level of detail they include in books like Complete Divine, though; I tend to find it more restrictive than helpful to be told what sort of things I'm "supposed" to do with a given deity or similar starting point.

I do have a question/request though; the symbol he uses is Ilmater's old symbol (the rack) but I'm admittedly very fond of the red cord bound hands Ilmater has now. Since that's just fluff and doesn't impact balance any, may I assume that a cord binding a wrist to signify a follower is applicable for Phieran as well? I'm just very fond of the visual symbolism.

Sure, whatever floats your boat. Symbolism does matter in my game, but not in a One True kind of way; there're always multiple ways of making any point which deserves to be made.

--Retributive Spell

Hrm. Well I'd be lying if I said swapping that in made me happier, but Skill Focus: Concentration isn't exactly strong, so I can't blame you too much, and I guess a metamagic feat is a valid choice even if it annoys me. Just be sure you tell me what spell you cast this way before breaking camp every morning.

RANGES: Close 35ft [25ft+5/2Levels] | Medium 170ft [100ft+10/Level] | Long 680ft [400ft+40/Level]

This can vary by spell if you get effects that increase or reduce your caster level for certain spells, just FYI. When I'm doing my writeups, I put the ranges in every spell individually. Though I can't blame you if you'd rather save a bit of work.

Any remaining thoughts or errors on the sheet?

Not that I can see at the moment, no. So I believe you, Celine, and possibly SpiderWrangler have completed sheets now? And Amara is close, and I'm still not sure if Feytala wants in on such a high-level campaign. So I should definitely have the campaign up soon. I've been trying to get started for two days but I'm so busy (doing squat-all, but lots and lots of it). Still, keep your ears peeled; the ideas are flowing and I'm bound to get something together eventually.

[Feytala]

*breathes deeply* To answer the question... I think... No. The start is to high level for me feeling good with it (It somehow startet with "about level 5", got to 7 and now at least one player is at level 9...) No, sorry... And not having a world I can work with is also difficult for me... I am a player that tends to read the Background-Book from first to last page before creating a character... Also, well... Let me say, I like racism and bigottery in fantasy-settings. The whole point of playing a Tiefling, Aasimar, Drow... Is for me that you are handled OTHER (mostly worse, but at least biased) than a human... Also I am still overwhelmed by the material. I think I could built a character at level 5, but the more levels it gets, the more complicated it does, too... And I am not terribly fond of being the Low-Level-sidekick either... So... As much as I think that you guys are cool and as much as I love a GM that actually posts as often as willpell... I have long thought about it. For a more or less "First-time-for-real"-D&D-player, you start to high-level for me, when combined with a "to" open world for my taste. I will likely follow your game and maybe (Definetly with Celine ) we'll see each other in another game.

Damn, I was looking forward to a real game...

[spiderwrangler]

When I read the feat I was thinking more of him shifting in to hybrid or bear form and just....roaring, and the feat being used.
Like I said, while I could see arguing it for a nearly 12 foot tall wall of fur and scariness, this could just be role played.

Actually I'd say this one fits nicely. While certainly villagers and such might roleplay being scared, it'd be the kind of scared that makes them more determined to defend themselves, unless you take this feat to indicate that it's even scarier than that and can completely rattle their resolve with unadulterated terror.

HAHA.... you're gonna make my tiny little spider companion look downright cuddly!

So I believe you, Celine, and possibly SpiderWrangler have completed sheets now?

Close, but the next few days aren't going to give me much time to work on it. I've got physical description, abilities, decent idea what I want to do for feats and equipment, but need to finalize and add up equip, need to punch in numbers for skills, etc.

[willpell]

Damn, I was looking forward to a real game...

Okay...I'm still up for running a second, lower-level game for you if you're interested, but meanwhile I'll start up the main camp for the other four and you can lurk for a while, see how I "roll".

[Feytala]

Fine with me Then I can see how it goes and a second game sounds great. How I know the forum, you'll not be short on applicants for that.^^

[Amara]

Fighters don't quite bore me yet, despite my having made a set of eight of them for a battle not long ago. They're not as exciting as wizards or psions, but they beat the pants off of rogues and barbarians and even paladins for variety, IMO. They could do with a bit of jazzing up, but overall I still consider them a decent class.

Fighters are definitely versatile. I'm not sure what it is about them, though. I find skill monkeys interesting, so I'll likely never tire of bards or rogues. Paladins, I love their progression by level. Class specific skills help make things interesting to me. I actually find clerics a bit dull as well, though I've played several. I wish the individual casters had more level specific progression outside of their spell list.

Actually I'd say this one fits nicely. While certainly villagers and such might roleplay being scared, it'd be the kind of scared that makes them more determined to defend themselves, unless you take this feat to indicate that it's even scarier than that and can completely rattle their resolve with unadulterated terror.

Mhm. Well, it fits whenever anyone manages to anger him. Rían SHOULD be terrifying when angry. ....but the majority of the time he's more likely to be an oversized teddy bear than an angry wall of teeth and claws. He's ordinarily quite an amiable fellow.

HAHA.... you're gonna make my tiny little spider companion look downright cuddly!

aww, he can do cuddly! (I swear this one is not another spider.)

It'll do for now. I'll try to make sure you meet some priests of his in-game so you can get an idea of how I see him (not being familiar with Ilmater, I'll just be making up what I think fits the description). I'm not normally big on the level of detail they include in books like Complete Divine, though; I tend to find it more restrictive than helpful to be told what sort of things I'm "supposed" to do with a given deity or similar starting point.

Sure, whatever floats your boat. Symbolism does matter in my game, but not in a One True kind of way; there're always multiple ways of making any point which deserves to be made.

Mhm, alright. As for Ilmater....erm. Well, his alignment has been changed now, along with his domains. Forgot about that. I think the amount of fluff for him is nice. It fills him out, gets an idea of him, but doesn't seem overbearing.
What probably endeared me to him the most though

Ilmater does not get angry easily, but when he does, he is fearsome. He is angered by cruelty and those who inflict suffering, particularly upon children and young creatures in general. He is quiet with a good sense of humour and likes to hear stories containing humour.

so Phieran is definitely a good alternate choice, mechanically as well as for personality given. I'd welcome running in to related npcs early.
I pulled the healers mentality from Ilmater for Rían's backstory, but Phieran seems to embody the same things, so I figured it fit.




Hnm so feats so far...
Improved unarmed strike + improved grapple
Daunting Presence
MAYBE Goad

That'd leave 2-3. ...I could just take devotion feats from there, if you're okay with that. I'd like to at least start with protection or healing, if possible, since Rían did grow up among the temple healers.

Man, every time I try to sit down to do things life goes NOPE YOU HAVE UNI. But today is the last psych event I have to help plan and do (I'm sitting in it as we speak,) and I'll be online all day today.

[willpell]

Characters are allowed only two Devotion feats unless they're clerics. Protection and Healing will do, I think.

[Amara]

Alright, fair enough. I may be about done then.

Okay... 3.5 doesn't seem to have the shifting feat that earlier editions did. Could we adapt fast wild shape? I'd still need to roll, but the mechanics are pretty simple.
"You gain the ability to use wild shape as a move equivalent action." (rather than as a standard action)

[willpell]

I think I'd like you to take a pass on that one for now.

PS: Celine PMed me that she'll be unable to join us, so we're down to a party of 3. If I was discouraging anyone from taking healing because it would be redundant, my opinion has just been adjusted.

[Amara]

I guess I'll run with goad/daunting presence for my last two, urk.


Well, now I only need to figure out items. Otherwise I'm set. I'll edit this to type my sheet as is in unless someone responds before I can...else I'll post it in reply. :b (just want it known I've not vanished. Ahah been a bit overwhelmed with life, but I'll whinge about that elsewhere.)


Actually; what's your general opinion of feats intended to scale with ranks in a skill, and if I link to something homebrew/had an idea would you be willing to work it out with me? (Assuming of course it's fitting, not overpowered, etc) Daunting presence is fitting for a bear in general...yes, and could potentially be nice, but I'd rather something that fits Rían as a character while still having good use later, if possible. (Alternately, goad becomes less useful with fewer squishies to protect, but I can see daunting presence being used in a protective fashion, and while Goad's nice MECHANICALLY, there's no logical reason why I couldn't just scream at someone in combat to draw their attention regardless.)

[willpell]

I'm very hesitant to allow homebrew. I can consider it, but don't expect a green light to be more than, say, 40% likely.

[Amara]

http://www.dandwiki.com/wiki/Natural_Empath_(3.5e_Feat)
I found this, and i"m not sure how workable it would be at all, but it looks nice. (actually hm, even with 9 levels of a single class, max ranks would be 12 in a skill, so that's not too bad on second look.) It seems to fit better with Ryan than...the feat-related ability to scream and taunt people and draw their attention. If there's any way of making something like this/something similar workable, I'd be interested.

[willpell]

Link doesn't work.

[spiderwrangler]

Link doesn't work.

► Show Spoiler

Natural Empath [Skill]
You read people like books.
Benefits: This is a skill feat that scales with your ranks in Sense Motive.
0 ranks: You gain a +3 bonus to Sense Motive checks.
4 ranks: You can quickly size up potential opponents. If you succeed on a Sense Motive check as a free action, opposed by their Bluff, you can tell if they're an even match (their CR equals your character level), an easy challenge (their CR is 1-3 less than your level), irrelevant (their CR is 4 or more less than your level), stronger (their CR is 1-3 higher than your level), or overwhelmingly powerful (their CR is 4 or more higher than your level). You can use this ability once on a particular creature every 24 hours.
9 ranks: If you succeed on a Sense Motive check, opposed by Bluff, you know your opponent's alignment. If you beat their Bluff by 20 or more, you can read their surface thoughts, as if during the third round of Detect Thoughts.
14 ranks: You have an uncanny intuition for when people are interested in you. Any time someone uses a remote spell or effect, like scrying, to examine you, you know you're under observation and if you make a Sense Motive check that beats their Bluff check, you know some details about them: if you've met them before, you recognize them, but if not, you get a basic idea of their reasons for their interest in you. Similarly, if you use Sense Motive on someone influenced by an enchantment effect, you can find out who created the effect with a Sense Motive check opposed by the controller's Bluff, getting the same information.
19 ranks: You know what people are going to do before they do. Any time someone you're aware of attacks you, make a Sense Motive check opposed by their Bluff; if you succeed, you get a free surprise round.

[willpell]

Yeah, this has the effect of at least two feats built into it, and more stuff at high levels which would just be a pain in the rear to keep track of. I must decline. If you want to take one of the two feats in question (Skill Focus: Sense Motive and I forget what the other one is called, it's in Complete Adventurer and I'll look it up if interested, but it basically does what clause 2 of this one does), instead of Goad or Daunting Presence, that'll be fine.

[Amara]

What was the other feat? I can start digging through complete adventurer myself, but I don't remember seeing much related to sense motive/empathy in general. (...of the non-psionic sort, at least.) Well, there's Alertness, but that's from PH2.

I also think I remember you saying you'd allow traits/flaws, but I don't remember how far back that line of conversation would have been. Am I mistaken? (I was going to go with stout and -maybe- polite. I like easy going, but not so much how it impacts sense motive for some reason. Taking a hit to intimidate makes sense.)

[spiderwrangler]

I'm working through putting together my items, anything we should avoid or restrict? Or just figure that anything is fair game?

[willpell]

What was the other feat?

COMBAT INTUITION - page 106.

I also think I remember you saying you'd allow traits/flaws, but I don't remember how far back that line of conversation would have been. Am I mistaken? (I was going to go with stout and -maybe- polite. I like easy going, but not so much how it impacts sense motive for some reason. Taking a hit to intimidate makes sense.)

Sure, Traits are just extra bits you can tack on. Flaws are allowed as long as you don't use them to get a single feat chain that would have been impossible to get at your level without Flaws.

I'm working through putting together my items, anything we should avoid or restrict? Or just figure that anything is fair game?

I exercise veto power over all item selections. There are no guidelines, since I don't really know what I'm comfortable with until it comes up. As an example, the Bag of Tricks is disproportionately difficult to deal with compared to how useful it is, so I would discourage that one. Sticking to simple things like Rings of Protection and Belts of Giant Strength is preferred, but you can get away with a fair bit more than that, with minimal grumbling from me.

[spiderwrangler]

you can get away with a fair bit more than that, with minimal grumbling from me.

Alright, I'll just make an item build and submit it and go from there.