Spirit of Life: A Discipline Answering to "MEDIC!"

[ariasderros]

WIP: Still Writing more Maneuvers & Stances. Still need more options for the tactical feat.

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I have found that there is a Homebrew Discipline for just about anything anymore. Want to be a Blaster? There’s a discipline for that. Want to be an inspirational buffer? There’s a discipline for that. Want to dispel everything you come across? There’s a discipline for that.

One thing that there isn’t, though, is a way to be an effective healer for the party of anything more than hit points.
Which is a pathetic thing, considering how often people want to use Crusader-hitting-the-ground for healing. You would think there would be more attention to other healing needs.

I have been an EMT-B. I worked a MCI (Multiple Casualty Incident). There were a bunch of Paramedics there. One, her day job was in the ER. Another, he was only a volunteer when he was home; otherwise, he was a Medic in the Marines. Yet, the only things in D&D that can let you do what these people do is divine magic. Bullocks, I say.

That said, this isn't meant to be realistic, because that wouldn't be playable. Characters already naturally heal in ways that aren't realistic. This isn't meant to be a mundane Healer, either, and will only have “Heal: the maneuver” as its 9th level. And, while it will have Resuscitate, which is modeled off of Revivify, that will be its only means to bring back the dead (and quite the oddity, being a maneuver with an expensive material component).
Not real, but not fantastic either: reality exaggerated is the goal.

Now, have the Bard play “Suicide is Painless”, and lets stitch these people up.

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If you are reviewing this, because you have been asked if one of your players can use this, I’ll make this easy for you.
If you have a problem with Dread Necromancers or Crusaders healing 1d6 per round for their allies, you will have a problem with this.
What this discipline does is take that concept of healing completely, out-of-battle, and then adds healing status effects, ability damage, and the like, to what you don’t carry over between encounters.
If you want your players to carry their wounds & statuses with them from one encounter to the next, don’t let them use this.
If you like the idea that they can take a few minutes in-character to completely restore themselves in between battles, then this should be okay.

Spirit of Life

Associated skill: Heal
Discipline “weapons”: Chirurgeon’s Tools.

Spirit of Life is a Discipline unlike those that were taught at the Temple of Nine Swords. Spirit of Life is a discipline designed to keep others alive through treating their wounds.
In a long ago forgotten war, there was a group of Healers who were forced into combat, violating their vows and making them lose their healing magic. Unwilling to lay down the mantle of being a healer, and unwilling to take back up a version of the path that was so easily broken before, they decided to attempt a new method. Studying the workings of the body, they trained themselves and developed tools for their training. Thus was born a martial path that encouraged life to blossom in defiance of wounds: Spirit of Life.

Spirit of Life can be learned by either Crusaders or Swordsages, swapping out one of their disciplines for Spirit of life at 1st level of the class. Warblades are too focused on their path of study to learn this discipline.

Spirit of Life depends on working with the body of the target in order to heal effects, and thus its maneuvers do not normally work on Undead, Constructs, Elementals or Oozes.

Unlike other disciplines, Spirit of Life requires the use of Chirurgeon’s Tools for its maneuvers, unless the maneuver itself says otherwise. Attempting to use a maneuver that does not require a Heal check fails if you are not properly equipped. Using a maneuver that does require a check can be attempted, but you take a -10 penalty on the check. Using Chirurgeon’s Tools requires you have at least one hand free.

Spirit of Life Strikes all provoke Attacks of Opportunity, but taking damage does not interrupt the use of the maneuver. If an attack causes you to lose the ability to take actions or move, then the maneuver fails, but is still expended.

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Mundane Gear
Chirurgeon’s Tools: Chirurgeon’s Tools are a collection of various medical tools: small sharp knives, various splints, various bandage wraps made of washable materials, forceps, clamps, tweezers, scissors, acupuncture needles, suturing needles, and so on. The Chirurgeon’s Tools are worn in a Vest, Belt & Bandoleer, or other arrangement so as to keep the tools needed at hand.
Special: A set of Chirurgeon’s Tools and a Healers Kit may be used together out of battle (gaining any bonuses from each), but the extra manipulations of adding in the extra bandaging, ointments, and other beneficial extras from the Healers Kit is not possible in combat.
Masterwork Chirurgeon’s Tools: As Chirurgeon’s Tools, but these are better crafted, and more complete. These grant a +2 circumstance benefit when using them for a Heal check.
Greater Healer’s Kit: As a healers kit, except that the bandages are made of cloth that is both cleaner and stronger, the herbs were selected more carefully and turned to extracts, and the salves are likewise made of stronger chemicals. A Greater Healer’s Kit grants a +4 circumstance bonus on Heal checks when used. A Greater Healer’s Kit is exhausted after 10 uses.
New Wondrous Items
Replenishing Healer’s Kit: This is a basic Healer’s Kit, for all seeming, except that any materials removed are instantly replenished in the Kit. Therefore, this Healer’s Kit is not exhausted after 10 uses.
Requires: Caster Level 7; Minor Creation.
Replenishing Greater Healer’s Kit: This is a basic Healer’s Kit, for all seeming, except that any materials removed are instantly replenished in the Kit. Therefore, this Healer’s Kit is not exhausted after 10 uses.
Requires: Caster Level 7; Minor Creation.
Costs

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Item	Cost	Weight
Chirurgeon’s Tools	15 gp	3 lb.
Masterwork Chirurgeon’s Tools	75 gp	3 lb.
Greater Healer’s Kit	150 gp	2 lb.
Replenishing Healer’s Kit	250 gp	1 lb.
Replenishing Greater Healer’s Kit	750 gp	2 lb.

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New Feats
Field Medic Training [General]
Prerequisites: Heal 1 rank, one Spirit of Life maneuver
Benefit: While in a Spirit of Life stance you gain the ability to use a Healers Kit along with your Chirurgeon’s Tools, gaining the benefits of both, even in battle.

Battle Medic [Tactical]
Prerequisites: Field Medic Training, Heal 8 ranks, three Spirit of Life maneuvers.
Benefit: The Battle Medic feat enables the use of three tactical options.

• Leave my Patient Alone: When a melee attack with a non-reach weapon hits a person whom you are adjacent to, and have used a Spirit of Life strike on as your previous action, you may lash out at the attacker with your Chirurgeon’s Tools. This deals damage as if using a dagger one size smaller than you (1d3 if Medium), and only gains one half your Str Mod, but it gains bonus damage equal to ½ your ranks in Heal. Creatures immune to critical hits or Sneak Attack do not take this bonus damage. Using this ability is an immediate action.
• ??WIP??: ??WIP??
• ??WIP??: ??WIP??

Maneuver and Stance list
Level 1:
I Know What I’m Doing: Stance - Gain your Int to your Heal checks.
Knit the Wound: Strike - Convert lethal damage non-lethal with a Heal check.
Aided Recovery: Strike - Cause the body to recover form wounds quickly.
Anatomical Study: Boost - Gain bonus on Heal checks based on knowledge of the patient’s race.

Level 2:
Letting the Blood: Strike - Remove Poison and Disease.
Sensory Reset: Strike - Use medicine to clear the head of deleterious effects.
Toughen Up!: Counter - Use your medicinal abilities to prevent an ally's body from being compromised.

Level 3:
Stance 3A??
Stance 3B*??
Basic Aid: Strike - Spend time healing some of an ally's wounds.
Keep your Bearings!: Counter - Use your medicinal abilities to prevent an ally's mind from being compromised.
Maneuver 3C*??

Level 4:
Maneuver 4A??
Maneuver 4B??
Maneuver 4C*??

Level 5:
Studied Anatomy: Stance - Gain the ability to heal creatures that you normally couldn’t.
Resuscitate: Strike - Bring ally back from the brink of death.
Maneuver 5B??
Maneuver 5C*??

Level 6:
Maneuver 6A??
Maneuver 6B??
Maneuver 6C*??

Level 7:
Maneuver 6A??
Maneuver 6B??

Level 8:
Zen of the Healer: Stance - Gain resistance to effects against your physical and mental health.
Maneuver 8A??
Maneuver 8B??*

Level 9:
Total Recuperation: Heal one ally of great amounts of damage, and many detrimental statuses.

(* = is not needed for 'completion')

[ariasderros]

Maneuver Descriptions

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I Know What I’m Doing
Spirit of Life Stance
Level: 1
Prerequisites: One Spirit of Life Maneuver
Initiation Action: 1 Swift Action
Range: Personal
Target: You
Duration: Stance
As you ready yourself for the treatments you are about to give, you breath in deeply, reminding yourself that you are a trained professional.

While you are in this stance, you gain a bonus to your Heal checks equal to your Intelligence modifier.

Knit the Wound
Spirit of Life Strike
Level: 1
Initiation Action: 1 Standard Action
Range: Touch
Target: One Ally
Duration: Instantaneous
You treat the wounds of one person, putting a priority on limiting the extent of the damage, rather than actually repairing it.

When you use this maneuver, make a Heal check. The target has an amount damage he has taken as lethal damage converted to non-lethal equal to ½ the Heal check result (so a 23 on the check would cause 12 damage to be changed to non-lethal).

Aided Recovery
Spirit of Life Strike
Level: 1
Initiation Action: 1 Full-Round Action
Range: Touch
Target: One Ally
Duration: See Text
You massage muscles, re-set joints, and otherwise set the patient’s body up to better heal itself.

When you use this maneuver, make a Heal Check. The target gains Fast Healing 1 for a number of rounds equal to (check result / 5, e.g.: a check result of 23 would grant Fast Healing 1 for 4 rounds). This does not stack with any existing Fast Healing.

Anatomical Study
Spirit of Life Boost
Level: 1
Initiation Action: 1 Swift Action
Range: Personal
Target: You
Duration: 1 Round; See Text
You think for a moment on the nature of the target’s racial anatomy, and set about your work.

The next Heal check you make this round gains a bonus based on your knowledge of the patient of the Heal check. For every 5 ranks you have in the Knowledge skill that corresponds to the patient’s type (PHB p78), you gain a +1 circumstance bonus to the Heal check. This bonus is doubled if you and the target share your Type and at least one subtype (e.g. if you are both “Humanoid (Human)”).

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Letting the Blood
Spirit of Life Strike
Level: 2
Initiation Action: 1 Standard Action
Range: Touch
Target: One Ally
Duration: Instantaneous
You make calculated cuts to an area of flesh to halt the progress of poisons and diseases in the area.

You provide the target with a new chance to save against a poison or disease.
This may be combined with the "Treat Poison" and "Treat Disease" functions of the Heal skill.

If using this maneuver on the target cures them, then they also gain a +4 circumstance bonus on their next save against poison or disease if it is made within the next minute, due to the affliction passing out through the treated area.

Sensory Reset
Spirit of Life Strike
Level: 2
Initiation Action: 1 Full-Round Action
Range: Touch
Target: One Ally
Duration: Instantaneous
You massage the blood vessels in the head, as well as a few pressure points. If necessary, a poke here or there. All to help out your patient's cranial conditions.

Using this maneuver has two effects. First, it cures the target of being confused, blinded, dazzled, and deafened. Second, the effects of any Fear that the target is suffering from is downgraded by one step (Panicked>Frightened>Shaken>No Fear).

Toughen Up!
Spirit of Life Counter
Level: 3
Initiation Action: 1 Immediate Action
Range: Touch
Target: One Ally
Duration: Instantaneous
Realizing that your comrade is about to have his body wracked, you quickly reach over to deliver some quick and targeted preventative aid.

When an ally within your reach is going to make a Fortitude save, you may initiate this maneuver. The ally then chooses to gain one of two benefits: he gains a bonus to his Fort save equal to 1/5 your ranks in Heal and does not auto-fail on a 1; he has you roll a Heal check, the result of the check being his Fort save.

 

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Basic Aid
Spirit of Life Strike
Level: 2
Initiation Action: 1 Full-round Action
Range: Touch
Target: One Ally
Duration: Instantaneous
A sutcher here or there, some cauterizing agent, and your patient is better for it.

As part of this maneuver, make a Heal check. Your target is healed by an amount equal to half the result of your check.

Keep your Bearings!
Spirit of Life Counter
Level: 3
Prerequisites: 1 Spirit of Life maneuver
Initiation Action: 1 Immediate Action
Range: Touch
Target: One Ally
Duration: Instantaneous
Realizing that your comrade is about to have his mind assaulted, you quickly reach over to deliver jabs to pressure points that help a person think clearly.

When an ally within your reach is going to make a Will save, you may initiate this maneuver. The ally then chooses to gain one of two benefits: he gains a bonus to his Fort save equal to 1/5 your ranks in Heal and does not auto-fail on a 1; he has you roll a Heal check, the result of the check being his Fort save.
 

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Studied Anatomy
Spirit of Life Stance
Level: 5
Prerequisites: Two Spirit of Life Maneuvers
Initiation Action: 1 Swift Action
Range: Personal
Target: You
Duration: Stance
You take upon yourself the insight of knowing what passes for anatomy within the flow of energies and construction of creatures that defy normal medicine.

While in this stance, you may use Spirit of Life maneuvers on creature of the Undead, Construct, Elemental or Ooze types. Using a maneuver on these types of creature is still difficult, however. When using any Spirit of Life maneuver on such creatures, you are treated as if you had 10 fewer ranks in Heal (taking the appropriate penalties on rolls). Additionally, any Spirit of Life maneuver that does not normally require a Heal check to be made now requires you make a Heal check (with the penalty) with a DC of (5 * the Maneuver’s level) in order to function.

Resuscitate
Spirit of Life Strike
Level: 5
Prerequisites: One Spirit of Life maneuver
Initiation Action: 1 Standard Action
Range: Touch
Target: One Ally’s Corpse
Duration: Instantaneous
You get to your ally, and quickly restore function to their body before it completely shuts down.

Using a mixture of techniques and esoteric chemicals, you bring an ally that has recently died back to life.
The ally has their Hit Points set to -1 HP, and are stable. Any ability scores damaged to 0 are raised to 1.
Normal poison and normal disease are cured in the process of raising the subject, but magical diseases and curses are not undone.
While the maneuver closes mortal wounds and repairs lethal damage of most kinds, the body of the creature to be raised must be whole. Otherwise, missing parts are still missing when the creature is brought back to life.
None of the dead creature's equipment or possessions are affected in any way by this maneuver.
A creature who has been turned into an undead creature or killed by a death effect can't be raised by this maneuver.
A target who does not have a will to live cannot be forced back to life with this maneuver.
This maneuver will only work on a target that has been dead for a number of rounds equal to (1 + 1/10 your ranks in Heal).
The Chemicals used in this manner are a range of stimulants, coagulants, and so on that cost 1,000gp. These chemicals cannot be re-used.
 

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Total Recuperation
Spirit of Life Strike
Level: 9
Prerequisites: Three Spirit of Life Maneuvers
Initiation Action: 1 Standard Action
Range: Touch
Target: One Ally
Duration: Instantaneous
No, your skills aren’t magic. But at this point, they might as well be.

Make a Heal check as part of this maneuver. The target is healed an amount of damage equal to four times the result of this check.

Additionally, when initiating this maneuver, you may choose to take a penalty on the check in order to cure various statuses afflicting the target. As per the table below.

Penalty	Statuses Cured
-5	Disease, Poison, Blind, Dazzled, Deaf, Staggered, Nausea, Fatigue, Exhaustion, and Shaken
-10	As above, Plus: Sleep, Stun, Paralysis, Cowering, Panicked, 2 Negative Levels, and Ability Damage to one Score
-15	As above, plus: All Negative Levels, All Ability Score Damage, Ability Drain from one Score, Dazed, Feebleminded, Charms, and Compulsions.
-20	As above, plus: Curses, Enchantments, Insanity, Vile Damage, Insanity, and Petrification.

[FireInTheSky]

You could check out Drammor's Crystalline Unicorn for some inspiration.

[ariasderros]

You could check out Drammor's Crystalline Unicorn for some inspiration.

I saw the original, incomplete, version in the Discipline Compendium. On the one hand, I wish I'd known it had been re-done, but on the other, I might not have started this if I had known. And now, I want to finish this

But yeah, About CU:

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It's interesting, but it still doesn't do some of what I'd like it to.
You have to wait until a Level 6 maneuver to heal ability damage.
You can never heal ability drain or negative levels. Or Insanity. Or Curse. Or a lot of other stuff.
You don't get to revive at all until level 9, and using the level 9 maneuver is a bad thing for you. Which is horrible. You only get so many L9 Maneuvers, and you are meant to want to spam them as often as you can.
There is only one blanket status recovery maneuver, and it just seems too good for its level for as much as it does. But then, that's the only real status heal there.

It's similar, in ways, to what I am trying to do, but very, very different overall and in application.

It'll make more sense as I get more up.