Author Topic: Architect of the Twofold Way [prc] (WIP)  (Read 12295 times)

Offline sirpercival

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Architect of the Twofold Way [prc] (WIP)
« on: August 25, 2012, 10:19:23 AM »

All of reality is a closely connected duality: energy, formed into matter and magic, and the Void between and within.  There are those who can understand one or both of these aspects, and draw upon them in the most fundamental way to control their environment.

The Nullblade relies upon his knowledge of the Void to disrupt not only his enemies' actions, but also their very substance.  He draws it within himself, becoming a creature of nothingness and negation.  A nullblade is the ultimate nihilist, imposing his vision of Null on his surroundings.

Meanwhile, a Thaumurai works with energy and creation, and understands that everything is connected.  She draws upon the fundamental substance of the Universe to induce miraculous occurrences, and facilitates her own and her allies' activities.  The thaumurai has unshakeable faith in her own place in the great tapestry of the Universe.

Occasionally someone learns to understand and control both aspects of the Universe; such mastery leads one onto the path of Architect of the Twofold Way, blending Void and substance to achieve ultimate balance, and thus control reality on a fundamental and profound level.




ARCHITECT OF THE TWOFOLD WAY

   
"Where you see one Universe, I see two.  That which is not has its own existence, just as valid as that which is."
-Shun Yu, founder of the Architects

 An Architect of the Twofold Way has a profound and sublime understanding of the dual nature of existence, both the Oneness which connects everything, and the Void between.  The interplay between these two aspects, which parallels the dichotomy of body and spirit within the Architect's own body, grants substantial power to those who study it and can claim it as their own.

BECOMING AN ARCHITECT OF THE TWOFOLD WAY
This class was designed to be entered with 3 levels of Nullblade and 3 levels of Thaumurai.

 ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
   Skills: Concentration 9 ranks, Knowledge (The Planes) 9 ranks
   Invocations: Knowledge of two Thaumurai invocations and two Nullblade invocations
   Special: Fortuitous Strike, Inspired Creation, and Miracle class features
   Special: Nullify and Voidstrike class features

Class Skills
 The Architect's class skills (and the key ability for each skill) are Balance (Dex), Bluff (Cha), Concentration (Con), Craft (Int), Diplomacy (Cha), Disguise (Cha), Hide (Dex), Intimidate (Cha), Knowledge (all, taken individually) (Int), Listen (Wis), Martial Lore (Int), Move Silently (Dex), Profession (Wis), Psicraft (Int), Search (Int), Sense Motive (Wis), Spellcraft (Int), Spot (Wis), Tumble (Dex), and Use Magic Device (Cha).
Skills Points at Each Level : 4 + int

Table: The Architect of the Twofold WayHD: d10


Level
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
Base
Attack
Bonus
+0
+1
+2
+3
+3
+4
+5
+6
+6
+7
+8
+9
+9
+10

Fort
Save
+2
+3
+3
+4
+4
+5
+5
+6
+6
+7
+7
+8
+8
+9

Ref
Save
+2
+3
+3
+4
+4
+5
+5
+6
+6
+7
+7
+8
+8
+9

Will
Save
+2
+3
+3
+4
+4
+5
+5
+6
+6
+7
+7
+8
+8
+9


Special
Fortune of the void, profound clarity, null miracle
Duality of reason
Unity of mind
Null inspiration
Duality of thought
Unity of purpose
Improved fortune of the void
Improved null miracle
Duality of motion
Unity of action
Improved null inspiration
Enduring clarity
Duality of essence
Unity of being


Invocations
+1 level of Nullblade or Thaumurai
+1 level of Nullblade or Thaumurai
+1 level of Nullblade or Thaumurai
+1 level of Nullblade or Thaumurai
+1 level of Nullblade or Thaumurai
+1 level of Nullblade or Thaumurai
+1 level of Nullblade or Thaumurai
+1 level of Nullblade or Thaumurai
+1 level of Nullblade or Thaumurai
+1 level of Nullblade or Thaumurai
+1 level of Nullblade or Thaumurai
+1 level of Nullblade or Thaumurai
+1 level of Nullblade or Thaumurai
+1 level of Nullblade or Thaumurai

Weapon and Armor Proficiencies: An architect of the twofold way gains no new weapon or armor proficiencies.

Invocations: At each level, an architect of the twofold way gains new invocations known and an increase in caster level as if she had also gained a level in either Nullblade or Thaumurai.  She does not, however, gain any other benefit a character of that class would have gained.  She must decide to which class to add each level for the purpose of determining caster level and invocations known; however, an architect's caster level for invocations from either class is equal to the sum of her Nullblade, Thaumurai, and Architect of the Twofold Way levels, and she may learn invocations from either class list.

Fortune of the void: An architect of the twofold way adds half her architect levels (rounded down, minimum 0) to her Nullblade level to determine her Voidstrike damage, and half her architect levels (rounded up, minimum 1) to her Thaumurai level to determine the bonus damage from her Fortuitous Strike ability.

Profound clarity (Ex): An architect of the twofold way has a fundamental understanding of how the Oneness and the Void interact with her own mentation.  When entering this class, the architect gains a Clarity score, which works identically to an ability score, and is equal to one of her mental ability score of her choice.  She uses her Clarity score wherever appropriate whenever she would use Wisdom for her Nullblade class features, and whenever she would use Charisma for her Thaumurai abilities.  She can choose a different mental ability score on which to base her Clarity score at each level if she likes; this represents the evolution of the architect's comprehension of herself.

Null miracle (Ex): In any round in which an architect of the twofold way spends an immediate action to use her Nullify or Miracle ability, she may use the other ability as a free action in the same round (instead of an immediate action) whenever she could use an immediate action.  In addition, the architect adds half her class level (rounded down, minimum 1) to her Nullblade and Thaumurai levels when determining the effectiveness, including bonus and valid actions, of her Nullify and Miracle abilities, respectively.

Duality of reason (Ex): Beginning at 2nd level, an architect of the twofold way travels further down the road towards understanding of the Oneness and the Void, and their interaction to form all of existence.  Whenever the architect is subject to a mind-affecting ability, she may make a save every round to end the effect (as the Slippery Mind ability, but each round until the effect ends).

Unity of mind (Ex): At 3rd level, an architect of the twofold way contemplates the way that her single consciousness connects with both Oneness and Void, granting her the ability to use her Clarity modifier in place of any mental ability score modifier when performing a skill or ability check.

Null inspiration (Su): An architect of 4th level or higher learns to bind her creations to the Void as well as the Oneness.  Whenever the architect uses her Inspired Creation ability, she may spend a use of her Nullify ability to amplify it.  If she does so, her caster level for the spell effect is equal to the sum of her Thaumurai, Nullblade, and Architect levels, and she may roll a Nullify check to increase the maximum level of spell effect she can replicate with the ability, as shown in the table below.

Check Result   Effect Level   
15 or belowNormal maximum level
16-22Level +1
23-29Level +2
30-36Level +3
37 or higherLevel +4

Duality of thought (Ex): Starting at 5th level, contemplation of the twofold way grants an architect the ability to split her attention into two independent parts, as a swift action three times per day.  Each attention functions in complete autonomy, like two minds in one body; this state persists for a number of rounds equal to the architect's Clarity modifier. Either of the architect's attentions may control her body physically, but only one may do so each round.  The other (the "second" attention) is free to take one standard action and one immediate action in each round in addition to the actions taken by the attention controlling the body. 

The second attention may only use the standard action to use an invocation or her Inspired Creation ability, and the immediate action may only be used for her Miracle or Nullify abilities.  Whenever the second attention uses an invocation or Inspired Creation, the caster level is six lower than the architect's normal caster level; however, the second attention doesn’t provoke attacks of opportunity when doing so, because it doesn't distract her primary attention.  The second attention may act in the same round that this ability is activated; it does not gain any advantages if the architect is subject to a haste effect, although she gains the overall standard benefits.

Both of the architect's attentions communicate with each other telepathically. If she is subject to a compulsion or charm effect while this ability is active, she makes a second saving throw if she fails the first. If the architect fails both saves, then this ability ends and she is affected normally by the effect. If she fails only one save, this ability ends immediately, but she is not subject to the compulsion or charm.

Unity of purpose (Ex): At 6th level, an architect of the twofold way draws upon her understanding of the dichotomy of her own existence to grant her undefinable focus.  The architect may use her Clarity modifier in place of any physical ability score modifier on attack rolls, damage rolls, and initiative checks.  In addition, she may use her Clarity modifier in place of her Constitution modifier to determine her bonus hit points per level.

Improved fortune of the void (Ex): Whenever an architect of the twofold way of 7th level or higher damages an opponent with a Voidstrike while using her Fortuitous Strike ability, she may choose to deal three-quarters of her maximum damage instead of rolling.

Improved null miracle (Ex): Starting at 8th level, whenever an architect of the twofold way uses her Null Miracle ability, the free-action use of her Miracle or Nullify ability does not count against her uses per day or per encounter for the given ability.

Duality of motion (Ex): At 9th level, an architect of the twofold way learns to cross the spaces between atoms, dots of Oneness within a sea of Void.  This allows her to traverse large and small distances alike with incredible rapidity.  Once per round during her turn, the architect may move up to her speed as a free action.

Unity of action (Ex): Upon reaching 10th level, an architect of the twofold way begins to understand that Time is not made of discrete seconds and minutes, but instead is a fluid thing, altered by her own perceptions.  The architect gains the ability to divide up her actions in a round more fluidly, exchanging longer actions for shorter actions, and vice versa.  She can exchange an immediate action and a move action in a round for an additional standard action, a standard action for an additional move action and an additional immediate action, or a move action for an additional swift action and an additional immediate action.  She can do this any number of times per day, including multiple times in the same round (for example, trading a standard action for a swift action and two immediate actions by way of a move action).  She need not spend an action to exchange actions, she simply takes the actions she would like in a round, in any combination that adds up to an entire turn's worth.

This means that the architect can take additional immediate actions before her turn, exchanging her longer actions after the fact; alternatively, if she has unused immediate actions at the end of her turn, she may take such actions at any time until the beginning of her next turn.  Extra immediate actions gained via this ability do not cost the architect her swift action in the following round.  The architect may use this ability with the second attention gained from her Duality of Thought ability, though the restriction on actions she may take with the second attention remains as normal.

Improved null inspiration (Su): The blending of Oneness and Void allows an architect of the twofold way to work with a broader spectrum of energy, granting her greater versatility than she might otherwise have had.  Whenever an architect of 11th level or higher uses her Null Inspiration ability, she may replicate an Evocation or Necromancy effect in addition to the other schools she could normally replicate (though she remains limited to divine or domain spells).

Enduring clarity (Ex): At 12th level, an architect of the twofold way understands that her essence will live on even when her body perishes, but that by melding the duality of body and spirit, she may prolong the existence of both.  The architect can act normally and without penalty when she has negative hit points; when reduced to -10 or fewer hit points, the architect remains alive for a number of rounds equal to her Clarity modifier before dying.  If at the end of the duration she has been raised above -10 hit points, she does not die, but if she remains below -10 hit points, she dies as normal.

Duality of essence (Su): By 13th level, an architect of the twofold way's intuitive comprehension of the interplay between Oneness and Void is nearly complete.  She learns to separate her physical and spiritual self, granting attention to both halves simultaneously.  She may activate this ability as a swift action three times per day, but may not benefit from this ability and Duality of Thought at the same time; the effect of this ability lasts for a number of rounds equal to her Clarity modifier.

While this ability is active, the architect splits into two copies of herself as per the fission psionic power; however, one body is on the Material plane and the other is on the Ethereal plane (as per the ethereal jaunt spell), and rather than one of the copies suffering two negative levels, each copy instead gains one negative level for the duration of the ability.  Both bodies draw on the same pool of uses per day or per encounter of the architect's class features.  The two copies can communicate telepathically with each other at any distance.

Unity of being (Ex): Upon reaching 14th level, an architect of the twofold way understands the whole of existence, both Oneness and Void, in a profound and fundamental way.  She has learned to embody such perfection, though she realizes that her embodiment is necessarily flawed, and thus temporary.  The architect gains the Outsider type, if she did not have it already, but unlike other Outsiders, she can still be brought back from the dead as if she were a member of her previous creature type.  In addition, the architect can grant herself Divine Rank 0 as a free action for 1 round, for a total number of rounds per day equal to her Clarity modifier.  The benefits of gaining Divine Rank 0 (and the interaction of those benefits with an architect of the twofold way) are summarized below.

(click to show/hide)

 
PLAYING AN ARCHITECT OF THE TWOFOLD WAY
 An Architect of the Twofold Way builds bridges between herself and the twofold Universe, the Oneness and the Void.  These bridges reflect both the two halves of the Architect's nature (body and spirit) as Dualities, and the overarching essence of the Architect herself as Unities.  By blending Oneness and Void, the Architect of the Twofold Way gains mastery over herself and the world around her.
 Combat: An Architect continues to gain in power with her Voidstrike, Fortuitous Strike, and Inspired Creation abilities, as well as with her invocations.  An Architect is less of a melee combatant than the Thaumurai, but can deal substantial damage with her abilities if it comes to that.
 Advancement: This prestige class is designed to take up all 14 levels after a character's first 6 (three levels of Nullblade and three of Thaumurai, in any order).
Resources: An Architect often collects powerful and loyal companions, countering opponents' actions with Nullify while facilitating allies' actions with Miracle.

ARCHITECT OF THE TWOFOLD WAY IN THE WORLD
"Serran and I diverged some time ago -- she believes that she can understand the Universe, while I believe in Nothing."
-Mathis Tragor, Nullblade
Architects of the Twofold Way are discussed in tones of hushed reverence, if at all.  Common folk cannot comprehend the subtle learning that an Architect seeks.
 Daily Life: When not adventuring, an Architect spends most days in quiet contemplation.  She allots equal time to meditating on the nature of the Void, the Oneness, and the interaction between the two.
 Notables: Shun Yu was the original Architect, he who joined at different times the ranks of both Nullblade and Thaumurai.  He and his disciple Serran Kirth founded the order of the Architects, to study the joining of two opposing and anathemic philosophies simultaenously.
 Organizations: The Order of Architects is a semi-monastic brotherhood dedicated to understanding the Body and the Spirit as they reflect the Oneness and Void.

NPC Reaction
  NPCs assume that most Architects are ascetic hermits.  When presented with an adventuring Architect, they are baffled and impressed.

ARCHITECT OF THE TWOFOLD WAY IN THE GAME
An Architect can both aid allies and nullify enemies at the same time, though she is not as effective at either role as a dedicated Thaumurai or Nullblade could be.  However, several of her class features allow her unparalleled versatility during combat, being able to change actions and maintain two attentions.
 Adaptation: Architects must have both the Nullblade and Thaumurai classes existing in the setting already; any adaptation would be based off of the diametrically opposed philosophies of the two.
 Encounters: An NPC Architect might be a hermit, moving through the world in search of deeper understanding of its workings.
« Last Edit: September 08, 2012, 12:40:42 PM by sirpercival »
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Offline sirpercival

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Re: Architect of the Twofold Way [prc]
« Reply #1 on: August 25, 2012, 10:19:44 AM »
Reserved in case.
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Offline Nanshork

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Re: Architect of the Twofold Way [prc] (WIP)
« Reply #2 on: August 25, 2012, 01:14:01 PM »
Your picture is broken.  :p

Offline sirpercival

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Re: Architect of the Twofold Way [prc] (WIP)
« Reply #3 on: August 25, 2012, 01:17:52 PM »
Your picture is broken.  :p

I can see it fine...?  Maybe firewall problems?
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Offline ariasderros

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Re: Architect of the Twofold Way [prc] (WIP)
« Reply #4 on: August 25, 2012, 01:22:10 PM »
All I see is a picture that says "Hosted on Zerochan.net use the share links provided instead"
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Offline Nanshork

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Re: Architect of the Twofold Way [prc] (WIP)
« Reply #5 on: August 25, 2012, 01:25:30 PM »
All I see is a picture that says "Hosted on Zerochan.net use the share links provided instead"

This is what I see as well.

Offline sirpercival

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Re: Architect of the Twofold Way [prc] (WIP)
« Reply #6 on: August 25, 2012, 01:35:07 PM »
Is that better?
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Offline ariasderros

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Re: Architect of the Twofold Way [prc] (WIP)
« Reply #7 on: August 25, 2012, 01:46:22 PM »
Bisho-boy shows now.
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Offline phaedrusxy

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Re: Architect of the Twofold Way [prc] (WIP)
« Reply #9 on: August 26, 2012, 03:05:26 PM »
Shouldn't this class be named bodhisattva? :p
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Offline sirpercival

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Re: Architect of the Twofold Way [prc] (WIP)
« Reply #10 on: August 26, 2012, 03:19:39 PM »
Shouldn't this class be named bodhisattva? :p

 :P
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Offline Nanshork

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Re: Architect of the Twofold Way [prc] (WIP)
« Reply #11 on: August 30, 2012, 05:07:35 PM »
So, how's this coming?

Offline sirpercival

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Re: Architect of the Twofold Way [prc] (WIP)
« Reply #12 on: August 30, 2012, 05:31:10 PM »
So, how's this coming?

Kinda slowly.  I had other projects going (specifically the Cycle Warden), and I'm still kinda thinking about how I want to structure the class features, in terms of how the two sides interact.
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Offline Nanshork

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Re: Architect of the Twofold Way [prc] (WIP)
« Reply #13 on: August 30, 2012, 06:28:54 PM »
So, how's this coming?

Kinda slowly.  I had other projects going (specifically the Cycle Warden), and I'm still kinda thinking about how I want to structure the class features, in terms of how the two sides interact.

You're working on too many projects at the same time.   :P

Offline sirpercival

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Re: Architect of the Twofold Way [prc] (WIP)
« Reply #14 on: August 30, 2012, 06:37:26 PM »
You just noticed??
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Offline Nanshork

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Re: Architect of the Twofold Way [prc] (WIP)
« Reply #15 on: August 30, 2012, 06:38:43 PM »
You just noticed??

It doesn't count until it interferes with a homebrew I'm interested in.   :P

Offline sirpercival

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Re: Architect of the Twofold Way [prc] (WIP)
« Reply #16 on: August 30, 2012, 06:39:48 PM »
You just noticed??

It doesn't count until it interferes with a homebrew I'm interested in.   :P

Since you're interested in all my homebrew, that isn't saying much ;)
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Re: Architect of the Twofold Way [prc] (WIP)
« Reply #17 on: August 30, 2012, 06:41:26 PM »
You just noticed??

It doesn't count until it interferes with a homebrew I'm interested in.   :P

Since you're interested in all my homebrew, that isn't saying much ;)

Well you are one of my favorite homebrewers if it helps any.   :love

At least you aren't as bad as Kellus is with starting something to catch my interest and then leaving me hanging for months....

Offline sirpercival

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Re: Architect of the Twofold Way [prc] (WIP)
« Reply #18 on: August 30, 2012, 07:16:11 PM »
Well you are one of my favorite homebrewers if it helps any.   :love
YAY!  That's pretty much the best thing a 'brewer can hear.

Quote
At least you aren't as bad as Kellus is with starting something to catch my interest and then leaving me hanging for months....
Lol.  I'm working on everything, I just get burnt out on a particular project and have to go work on other stuff for a while.  But this is definitely one of the next things I'm doing.
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