all-homebrew game?

[Ziegander]

How do you feel about dancing zombies?

I can currently only create Skeletons, so I am unable to utilize Thriller Zombies. Also, how do your Thriller Zombies ever actually get the Skirmish bonus to damage if they are unable to perform partial charges? I suppose if you had a whole bunch of Thriller Zombies and they all used their Rushes to move each other around...

[Garryl]

How do you feel about dancing zombies?

I can currently only create Skeletons, so I am unable to utilize Thriller Zombies. Also, how do your Thriller Zombies ever actually get the Skirmish bonus to damage if they are unable to perform partial charges? I suppose if you had a whole bunch of Thriller Zombies and they all used their Rushes to move each other around...

Exactly.

Edit: Hmm, doesn't look like it's particularly relevant. None of the Magic User spells actually make zombies. That's what you're using, right?

[Ziegander]

Hmm, doesn't look like it's particularly relevant. None of the Magic User spells actually make zombies. That's what you're using, right?

Yeah, that's the class I'm using. I may need to brew up a bunch of new spells, and make some tweaks to the existing ones. Not too many options right now (though, technically enough to be playable).

[skydragonknight]

I would like to playtest this class. I believe it's well balanced and could comfortably fit into a party with other Tier 3s.

[VennDygrem]

I would like to playtest this class. I believe it's well balanced and could comfortably fit into a party with other Tier 3s.

I think you should look elsewhere, friend. It doesn't even have a familiar.

[samnemath]

Hmm, doesn't look like it's particularly relevant. None of the Magic User spells actually make zombies. That's what you're using, right?

Yeah, that's the class I'm using. I may need to brew up a bunch of new spells, and make some tweaks to the existing ones. Not too many options right now (though, technically enough to be playable).

Yes, please do

It is one of my favorite alternate magic systems.

[sirpercival]

I would like to playtest this class. I believe it's well balanced and could comfortably fit into a party with other Tier 3s.

I think you should look elsewhere, friend. It doesn't even have a familiar.

Plus, you don't get very many class features... I mean, compare it to the monk or druid!  How could it keep up with those two on a level-by-level basis?

EDIT: Quill, will you allow flaws from here? You can just search for flaws... it includes flaws from Dragon Mag.

EDIT2: I'm specifically looking at this one.

[skydragonknight]

I would like to playtest this class. I believe it's well balanced and could comfortably fit into a party with other Tier 3s.

I think you should look elsewhere, friend. It doesn't even have a familiar.

Plus, you don't get very many class features... I mean, compare it to the monk or druid!  How could it keep up with those two on a level-by-level basis?

Maybe I should gestalt it to make up the difference? That would bring it up in power to a Monk.

[VennDygrem]

My character sheet is coming along nicely, just need to pick some equipment, tighten up my feats, and finish transcribing into a MW sheet. I'll be away from my computer for a large part of the day, however.

[Harald]

I've been a bit busy this Week-end, but I'll be able I think to create a full character tomorrow.

[VennDygrem]

Well, I'm pretty much done with my character sheet and background info. Check it out here.

She ended up being quite surprising in a lot of ways when putting her together. At a certain point I stopped trying to add to her combat options and started trying to think of other aspects to flesh out (and despite how appropriate it is, I may even think of swapping Knowledge Devotion for something more utility/fluff-based). She can't do a lot of damage very often, but when she can't, she can fairly easily get off an attack and cause some other types of mayhem. Besides that, she's got good defenses. I figure I'll probably be using her entangle attack most often, or possibly just try to keep sapping Int from enemies to make them less of a threat. She's not meant as a huge damage dealer (as evidenced by a 1d4 damage die with no strength bonus to speak of).

Out of combat, she's capable of calling up a vast wealth of knowledge. She's good to bring along in social situations since she can probe people's minds, hopefully giving our group the edge in confrontations. She's not terrible at bluffing but that's likely better suited to a party face, though she'll do in a pinch. Also a few other things here and there.

As for background, I've included it in the sheet, but I'll post it here as well:

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Illurien

Background:

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Very few beings, if anyone, know where Illurien came from. She was originally an experiment of a group of the Makers, but just exactly who is responsible for her creation has been lost to time, much like the Makers themselves. Incredibly ancient, Illurien travels to seek out obscure information and secrets, compelled to take them through whatever means necessary.

Centuries ago, an unknown force drained Illurien of her knowledge, leaving her weak and without the majority of her powers. She has spent these many long years reclaiming what was taken from her, desperately trying to rediscover the secret location of her hidden, extraplanar repository, a hidden library called the Athenaeum Nefarious. It is here that she had once stored the bulk of her findings, and if she can reclaim it, she may just be complete again.

Personality:

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Though she is technically considered to be evil, Illurien is not overly malicious or destructive in any way. More-so, she tends to be selfish and prone to bouts of jealousy and stubborn pride. She will always attempt to take what she wants without resorting to force, but will not hesitate to eliminate anything that gets in her way. She will engage those she meets in polite telepathic conversation, though in actuality this is just an excuse to examine their minds.

Illurien lets no emotions stand in the way of her calculated collecting. She can feign kindness when doing so suits her ends, but pleasantries can't sway her her. She enjoys plucking information from unwilling minds, and she doesn't care if she causes suffering, but she isn't gratuitously violent.

Illurien considers herself a scholar, a collector, and a sage. The knowledge she possesses is in demand, and she knows that those who seek out her counsel are willing to pay he brutally personal and coldly-constructed fees.

Above all, Illurien believe knowledge must be preserved, no matter the cost.

Description:

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Image here: http://maevachan.deviantart.com/art/Water-nymph-153598235
A strange creature composed of countless water droplets, Illurien of the Myriad Glimpses is a collector of information and a keeper of secrets. She is fascinated by the contents of other minds, believing it is her right to obtain and preserve such knowledge for herself. She appears as a very tall and slender female humanoid with shimmering, silver-gray skin draped in gray robes, though her only facial features are her silver-tinted eyes possessing vivid blue irises.

[samnemath]

I am looking over my character and I am not entirely satisfied with the Thrashng Dragons maneuvers.

Thematically he is supposed to be a descendant of D'jinni, trained in a style somewhat reminiscent of the shadow sun ninja.

Brilliant Dawn and Shadow Hand represent his training in both light and shadow.
Brilliant Dawn gives him the ability to buff himself and his allies (a little) and give him some alternate defences.
Shadow Hand goes well with his two-weapon fighting and sneaky mobile fighter theme.

He also has Blustering Gale formulas that represent his D'jinni bloodline. They are supposed to offer him some limited battlefield
control but I am not sure they will amount to much in the end. At least it can give him some concealment and fly speed.

Anyway my problem is with the Thashing Dragon Disciple. It's supposed to be a two-weapon fighting disciple and I took it to boost my damage output. But I don't think it works very well. Maximum boost in damage right now is 6d6 in my full attack damage output...and that only if all my attacks hit.

So I am considering changing it.Considering Black Lotus right now or Raging Storm. One is sneaky the other is Air and electrecity based so they fit.

Any other suggestions that fit and would give the character either increased damage in melee or extra options?


Edit: I will likely keep it as it is but if you have any more optimal suggestions fire away.

[Harald]

Here is the character sheet, background currently being done.
I do have a question, though : is it possible for me to use, in the same attack, both the Searing Touch and the Joystealer touch ? one or the other ? As the last one is a natural weapon, I'm not sure it can stack.

XXXX
Joystealer 2/Flamespeaker 6

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Racial adjustments: +1 Dex, +2 Cha from Joystealer.
32 point buy.

Str 8
Dex 16 (15 + 1 racial)
Con 14
Int 10
Wis 8
Cha 24 (18 + 2 racial +2 level +2 Enhancement)

HD: 2d6+6d8+16 (49 hp)
Saves: Fortitude : 0+2+ 1,5*7+2 = +15 , Reflex : 3+5+1,5*7+3 - 3= +19, Will : 3+5+1,5*7-1+2= +20  whenever you fail a saving throw against a creature's attack or ability, if you didn't roll a 1, that creature takes 6 points of fire damage. Can reroll 1s on Will saves.
AC: 10 + 3 Dex + 8 Flame Blessing +2 Defending weapon +2 Bracer of Armor +7 Deflection = 32, touch 28, flat-footed 21
DR 4/cold Iron, 5/magic while Blazing, 10/magic while in Fire Form.
Initiative: +3 (+3 Dex)
Senses: Fey low-light vision
Speed: 25 feet, fly 30 ft (perfect manoeuvrability)
Fire Resistance 15 Can see through Smoke and breathe normally within.
BAB/Grapple: +5
Attacks: + 2 ghost-touch, defending Dagger (1d4, 19-20 x2)
Searing Touch : 3d6+3 fire energy.
Joystealer's incorporeal touch attack deals 1d6 temporary charisma damage OR ability drain.

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Joystealer body : the Joystealer loses the ability to interact with corporal objects but can now fly and interact with water as per the incorporeal subtype and receive a +10 circumstance bonus on move silently checks.
Nonmagical attacks made by corporeal creatures at the Joystealer and melee attacks made by the Joystealer against corporeal targets are now ineffective.
Magical weapons and spells used by corporeal creatures against the Joystealer have a 40% chance miss chance, (except for positive energy, negative energy, force effects such as magic missile, or attacks made with ghost touch weapons, as usual). Magical weapons used by the Joystealer against corporeal targets have the same miss chance if they aren't ghost touch weapons
Blaze (Su):  As a flamespeaker, you can erupt in a powerful blaze twice per day.  While blazing, you temporarily gain a +4 bonus to Charisma, a +4 bonus to Dexterity, and DR 5/magic.
   A blaze lasts for 12 rounds.  You may prematurely end a blaze if you wish.  At the end of a blaze, you lose the blaze modifiers and become fatigued (-2 penalty to Strength, -2 penalty to Dexterity, can't charge or run) for the duration of the current encounter. You can erupt in a blaze only once per encounter.  Beginning a blaze takes no time itself, but you can do it only during your turn, not in response to someone else's action.
Spellshape Aura : Searing Flame:  : While this aura is active, you and your allies gain a +4 bonus on Bluff, Diplomacy, and Intimidate checks.  In addition, you and your allies deal an extra 4 points of fire damage with all weapons, spellshape attacks, and damaging spells that target a single creature.
Burn creatures struck by your attack also must succeed on a Reflex save (DC 20) or catch on fire for 1d4 rounds, taking 1d6 points of fire damage each round.  A burning creature can attempt a DC 20 Reflex save as a move action to put out the flame.  Creatures hitting you with natural weapons or unarmed attacks take this fire damage as though hit by your attack, and also catch on fire unless they succeed on a Reflex save.
   In addition, your fiery body illuminates your surroundings, providing bright light out to 15 feet and shadowy illumination out to 30 feet.  You can suppress or resume this effect as a free action
Control Fire (Sp): you can take a standard action to take control of one nearby fire source.  This ability functions in the same way as the control flames power, except that you can freely alter the size of a fire by one step (as if augmenting the power) once per round.  In addition, while controlling a fire in this way, you can end the effect as a standard action to mimic the effects of the pyrotechnics spell. CL 6. 8 uses/day.
Elemental Command (Su): you gain the ability to turn or destroy creatures of the cold and water subtypes, just as a good cleric turns undead.  You can also rebuke or command creatures with the fire subtype, as an evil cleric rebukes undead.  10 uses/ day, turn level 7.
Burning Glare (Su):  you gain darkvision out to 60 feet.  In addition, once per round, you can take a move action to focus your gaze on one creature or object within 60 feet.  That creature or object must make a Reflex save (DC 20) or catch on fire as though affected by your burn ability.
Devoted Pyromancer: Your searing touch, arcane formulae, and other fire effects ignore the resistance to fire of creatures affected by them, and they still deal half damage to creatures with immunity to fire. This effect does not cause your abilities to overcome any resistance or immunity to fire that you yourself may possess.
 In addition, you can maintain concentration on your control fire ability as a move action, rather than as a standard action.  Moreover, you can shape arcane formulae while using your control fire ability without breaking your concentration.  Finally, any fires that you start (such as with your burn ability or with alchemist's fire) deal an extra 1 point of damage per die, and the Reflex save DC to extinguish the flames increases by 5.
Shape of Flame (Su): you gain the ability to take on the form of fire itself.  When you take this form, you and all your gear transform into a patch of mobile flame, becoming amorphous and semi-gaseous.  Your new form is fluid, enabling you to pass through holes or narrow openings as small as 2 inches in diameter.  While in this state, you gain damage reduction 10/magic.  In addition, you are immune to poison, polymorphing, and stunning, you cannot be flanked, and you are not subject to extra damage from critical hits.  You are subject to the effects of wind, and you cannot enter water or other liquid.  You also can't manipulate objects or activate items, even those transformed with you.  Continuously active items remain active, though in some cases their effects may be moot. Your armor (including natural armor) becomes worthless, though your modifiers for size, Dexterity, and deflection still apply to Armor Class, as do armor bonuses from force effects.  While in the shape of flame, you cannot attack or cast spells that require verbal, somatic, material, or focus components.  Similarly, you cannot make spellshape attacks or shape arcane formulae.  You lose all supernatural abilities while in this form, though you retain the ability to remain in the shape of flame and to return to your corporeal form.    In addition, while you are in this state, your fiery body burns creatures as though you were a natural flame.  Any creature that begins its turn in your space takes damage as though hit by your searing touch (including the effects of your burn ability), with a Reflex save (DC 20) for half damage.  Any creature entering or passing through your space also takes this damage.
 You can transform into the shape of flame or return to your normal corporeal form as a swift action, and there is no limit to the number of times you can change forms.  While in the shape of flame, you are effectively disguised as a normal fire, and you gain a +10 bonus on Disguise checks made to disguise yourself as such.
Drain Emotions (Su): Once a Joystealer has reduced a creature to 0 Charisma, it can drain emotions from that opponent completely as a standard action at a range of 40 feet.A creature so drained can't be affected by morale bonuses or penalties, can't rage, and cannot benefit from any other ability derived through inspiration or emotion. The affected creature is also immune to fear effects.
The drain emotions effect can be countered only by finding and destroying the Joystealer who caused it or by casting a Remove Curse spell on the afflicted creature within the area of a Hallow spell.
Additionally, the Joystealer may attempt to steal emotions from a target she has inflicted with at least 1 point of Charisma damage within the last hour. Sixteen times per day, as a standard action, the Joystealer may drain the emotions of any one target within range of Drain Emotions. The target creature must succeed on a Will save with a DC 20 or receive a Calm Emotion, Crushing Despair, Good Hope or Rage spell effect with a duration of eight rounds. Unlike the spells they emulate, the morale bonuses and the penalties of these effects increase by 2. Whenever the Joystealer deals charisma damage it may inflict the target with this ability by spending daily uses normally.
A Joystealer cannot steal her own emotions but gains the benefits of the Good Hope whenever she successfully uses this ability.
Emotion Dependency (Ex): The Joystealer can eat food but only gains nourishment by successfully using her Drain Emotions on a creature. A Joystealer must consume emotions at least once every 48 hours or begin to starve and may elect to inflict minimal Charisma damage on willing "donors" whenever it inflicts any. A Joystealer is usually hungry after a period of 8 hours without consuming any emotion, at which point the color of their eyes take on a deep red hue. Once fed, their eyes return to a golden glow.

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1st (char) -- Flyby Attack         
1st (flaw) -- Fortifying Recovery         
1st (flaw) -- Circle Focus (Searing Fire)            
3rd (char) -- Spellshape Focus   , Iron Will (Otyugh's Hole)      
6th (char) --  Spellshape Aura   (Searing Fire)      

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1st (flaw) -- Slow : land speed halved         
1st (flaw) -- Poor Reflexes : - 3 to Reflex Saves.      
   

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Bluff : 11 + 7 +4 (Aura) = 22
Diplomacy : 11 + 7 + 2 (bluff) +4 (Aura) = 24
Intimidate : 0 + 7 +4 (Aura)+ 2 (Bluff)  = 13
Listen : 5 -1 = 4
Spot : 5 - 1 = 4
Spellcraft : +11 + 0 = +11
Tumble +11 + 3 = +14.

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Defending Ghost-touch dagger : 10302 gp
Bracer of Armor +2 : 4000 gp
Healing Belt : 750 gp
Cloak of Charisma +2 : 4000 gp.
Handy Haversack : 2000 gp.
Otyugh Hole : 3000 gp.
Remaining wealth:  2948 gp

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Formulae Known
Circles Known : Searing Flame, Eternal Moment, Fleeting Image.
Spellshape Attack: Fireblast, throught Searing touch.

• 1st: Minor :Acceleration, Scorching Blast, Touch of Paranoia
• 2nd:Minor Embrace of the Flame, Shadowy Minion
• 3rd:Minor Future Sight, Shaper's Figment Major Illusory Legion, Impact
• 4th:Minor Shared Moment, Tweak Time

Future formulae :
flamespeaker 7 : Blast Wave
flamespeaker 8 : Engulfing Flames
flamespeaker 9 : Decrepitude
flamespeaker 10 : Alter Time. Tweak Time => Heavenly Alignement. Secret of the Flames : Astral moment.
flamespeaker 11 : Phantom Double.
flamespeaker 12 : Undying Flames.  Embrace of the Flame => Distorting Surge.
flamespeaker 13 : Quantum Sight
flamespeaker 14 : Consuming Flames
flamespeaker 15 : False Epiphany
flamespeaker 16 : Shadow Formula. Futur Sight => Starlit Void.
flamespeaker 17 : Celestial Alignment.
flamespeaker 18 : Damning Portent.

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To come

[samnemath]

Here is the character sheet, background currently being done.
I do have a question, though : is it possible for me to use, in the same attack, both the Searing Touch and the Joystealer touch ? one or the other ? As the last one is a natural weapon, I'm not sure it can stack.

I am not sure. In a question about delivering withering touch with an unarmed strike, DonQ answer was no if I remember correctly. It is a similar situation but not exactly the same though


Edit: Am I the only one without monster levels?

[sirpercival]

I don't have monster levels

[samnemath]

I don't have monster levels

No levels, just monster? 


Edit: Harald. Are you sure you can take Circle focus (Eternal Moment)? I think formulas taken from circles other than Searing Flame are treated as if they belong to Searing Flame. So, and I may be mistaken, you don't really have any Eternal Moment formulas. 

I just noticed it, I am not sure my interpretation is correct, but I thought I should tell you.

[Ziegander]

I'm gonna drop out of this guys, I'm starting up a real life campaign shortly so I want to use most of my free time to concentrate on DMing that.

[Harald]

Edit: Harald. Are you sure you can take Circle focus (Eternal Moment)? I think formulas taken from circles other than Searing Flame are treated as if they belong to Searing Flame. So, and I may be mistaken, you don't really have any Eternal Moment formulas. 

I just noticed it, I am not sure my interpretation is correct, but I thought I should tell you.

Oh, you are right, I think. Oh well, I'll replace it with Circle Focus (Searing Flame) and the corresponding Aura then, just to be sure. Better to be safe then sorry.

[VennDygrem]

I'm gonna drop out of this guys, I'm starting up a real life campaign shortly so I want to use most of my free time to concentrate on DMing that.

Sorry to lose you, but good luck on the campaign!

[phaedrusxy]

Oooh, can I join? Or did you already have a waiting list?