I tried reworking Riot Gear's spelljacker... The only way it really made sense was a seperate character class (as Leopold had suggested). As feat, there are too many loose ends. I think this versions pretty playable though. See what you guys think.
btw. I reposted all Riot Gear's other arcane magic ideas on Imperialus's thread.
The Spelljacker
Based on a concept by Richard “Riot Gear” Hughes
Spelljacking is the study of the manipulation of magical energy through the use of elaborate clockwork machinery. Those individuals who practice the craft are called spelljackers. A spelljacker is part scientist, part sage, and part wizard. They are well versed in advanced mathematical theories and scientific lore and have spent hundreds of hours documenting the unique properties of everything from minerals to tidal pressures to the effects of time. Ultimately, they apply all their knowledge into the construction of strange mechanical devices called spelljacks, that can be manipulated and modified to produce arcane spells. Spelljackers do not gain spells, instead they gain the knowledge of how to create devices capable of producing them. Through research and study a spelljacker acquires the calculations and theories he needs to modify his spelljack.
A spelljack is a bizarre mechanical device comprised of various gears, switches, levers, pulleys, spinners, and counterweights. Although they come in various shapes and sizes, the most common resembles a long wooden or metal staff crossed with the insides of a cuckoo-clock. Each spelljack is unique to its creator. A typical spelljacker spends a great deal of his time and patience carefully constructing and modifying his spelljack. As he increases in level so does his ability to modify and operate the complex machinery and so does his ability to produce spells.
Adventurers: Many Spelljackers take up adventuring as way to study new events, search out strange materials and substances, and otherwise acquire information about the world that they can apply towards improving their spelljacks and their craft.
Characteristics: Spelljackers are scholars and manipulators of machinery, and magic. They develop like sorcerers, but most have a thinking process regarding the nature of magic, that is more closely attuned with a wizard.
Background: Like wizards, spelljackers spend years studying and laboring to improve both their knowledge and their craft and they are always well educated. Because of the uniqueness and extreme individuality involved in crafting spelljacks, most spelljackers are highly competitive among themselves and do not often get along.
Races: While anyone can take up the craft of spelljacking, those individuals with gnomish blood are more readily drawn to it.
Other Class: Spelljackers do not have a lot in common with other classes, with the exceptions of rogues with whom they share an affinity for tools and tinkering. They get along fairly well with anyone who seeks knowledge or is otherwise curious, but their patience can wear thin around barbarians and fighters or other characters whose obvious lack of subtly regarding destruction of researchable creatures, they find a little annoying.
Class Skills: Alchemy (Int), Concentration (Con), Craft (Int), Knowledge (Any) (Int), Knowledge (spelljacking)(Int, exclusive skill), Profession (Wis), Spellcraft (Int).
Skill Points at 1st level: 4+ Int modifier) x 4
Skill Points at Each Additional Level: 4+ Int modifier.
New Skill: Knowledge (Spelljacking). This skill is what determines a spelljacker’s success when he attempts to modify his spelljack. It is a class exclusive skill that works in conjuction the Craft Spelljack ability.
Class features
All of the following are class features of the Spelljacker.
Weapons and Armor: Spelljackers are only proficient with simple weapons. Since they spend most of their time studying and researching they are therefore not proficient with armor or shields. However, unlike most spellcasters, heavy armor does not interfere with a spelljackers ability to operate his spelljack because he only needs his fingers to switch the levers that release the spells. Wearing gloves interferes with the process slightly (10% chance per spell of unwinding the spelljack) and gauntlets interfere with the process a little more (20% chance per spell of unwinding the spelljack.
Spells:
The amount of arcane spells a spelljacker can produce with his spelljack per level is identical to the amount of spells a sorcerer of the equivalent level knows. However, spelljacks need to be wound once per day and can only be prepared to hold a certain amount of spells per winding. The maximum amount of spells a spelljacker can wind at one time is equal to the amount of spells a sorcerer of equivalent level can cast per day.
Winding a spell jack takes two full hours of attentive labor. During this time the spelljack is oiled and small latches and gears are reset and realigned as the spelljack is prepared for its next day of spellcasting. Because a spelljack is a clockwork device, time plays an important role in the winding process and attempting to prematurely wind a spelljack causes it to become inoperable until 24 hours have passed. The normal winding time for a spelljack is once every 24 hours during the same time period as designated by its creator.
Winding a spelljack clears it of any remaining spells.
Specialization: Like a wizard, A spelljack can opt to specialize in a single school of magic.
Craft Spelljack: Creating a spelljack similar to creating a magic item in that it takes time and money. However, crafting a spelljack is an ongoing process and because each one is unique, the crafter’s ability always determines the quality of the spelljack. The success of crafting is determined by a Knowledge (spelljacking) check. The base value of a spelljack built from hardwood and metal components is 100 gp. Such a spelljack has an AC of 15, an hardness of 5, 15 hit points and weighs 5 lbs.
The base DC for a spelljacker to properly research and add a new spell modification is the 10+ the level of the spell. Each modification adds one pound per spell level to the overall weight of the spelljack. The spelljacker is permitted to attempt adding the modifications for new spells upon attaining a new level. If he fails, the modification doesn’t work but the overall weight of the spelljack still increases. Additionally, if the modification to be added is a spell that normally requires material component, the spelljacker must add it at the time of the modification. The cost of adding the components as part of the modification is equal to the spells level x10 x the cost of the components for a single use. Then from that point on, the spelljacker need not use the components when triggering that spell from the spelljack.
Spelljackers can also make a variety of other modifications to their spelljacks, Use the following chart to determine the total cost of creating spelljacks and modifications.
Knowledge
Physical Minimum level (Spelljacking) Experience Added
Modification of Spelljacker DC Cost Points Weight
+1 hit point 2+ 15 300gp -25 2lb
+1 Hardness point 3+ 18 400gp -30 1lb
Shed light ( 4+ 20 250gp -10 1lb
+1 AC bonus 5+ 20 500gp -35 1/2lb
Weight Reduction
(per pound) 6+ 28 1,000gp -250 -1lb
Shed light (60ft) 8+ 25 500gp -25 -
Energy Resistance
(+1 bonus per type) 10+ 35 250gp -25 1/10lb
Special Materials: Sometimes, spelljackers use rare metals and expensive materials to build their spelljacks. These materials are expensive but provide certain benefits.
Adamantium: This metal increases the spelljack’s base hardness by +15 and its base hit points by +25. The cost of an adamantium spelljack is +5,000gp.
Mithral: This metal increases the spelljack’s hardness by +10 , its hit points by +15, and decreases its weight by –5 lbs (1lb minimum). The cost of a mithral spelljack is +4,000gp.
Darkwood: This wood decreases a spelljack’s weight by –10lbs (1lb minimum). The cost of a darkwood spelljack is +2,000 gp.
Halas: This metal increases the spelljack’s hardness by +5 , its hit points by +10 and decreases the spelljack’s weight by 15lbs (1lb minimum). The cost of a halas spelljack is +7,500.
Metamagic Feats: If a spelljacker chooses to take metamagic feats, they are applied to the construction of spelljack. Each feat increases the weight of the spelljack by 1 lb..
Magically Modifying a Spelljack: Attempts to magically modify spelljacks interfere with the precise mechanisms of the device and cause it to become non-functional. Additionally, spells that displace the weight of a spelljack by alter gravity, such as levitation and featherfall throw them out of whack. A spelljack that is the target of a spell of this nature must make a Fortiude save against the spells DC or become prematurely unwound, losing any prepared spells until the next winding period.
Damaged Spelljacks: Damaged spelljacks run the risk of prematurely unwinding and losing all their prepared spells. The chance for accidentally unwinding a damaged spelljack is equal to the percent to which it has been damaged. For example, an average 1st level spelljack (15hp max) that is damaged by 10 hit points has a 66% chance of unwinding each time its owner attempts to use it to release a spell. A spelljack that has been damaged can be repaired by making a successful knowledge (Spelljacking ) check with a DC = 15 + % of total damage X 1/2. For example, the DC to repair a spelljack that has been damaged by 60% of its total hit points would be 21. A spelljack that has lost all its hit points or has been otherwise destroyed cannot be repaired.
Salvaging another character’s spelljack: While spelljackers have no need for spellbooks, they have a great need for spelljack parts. A spelljacker that comes into the possession of another character’s spelljacker can attempt to take it apart and salvage it for parts. The DC to salvage another person’s spelljack is 20+ the level of its creator. A successful salvage allows the spelljacker to apply 50% of the spelljack’s total value to any future modification costs he will incur when he works on his own spelljack until the total amount is spent. Damaged spelljacks can be salvaged to provide 25% value towards the reduction of materials costs. A destroyed spelljack is worthless.
Using another character’s spelljack: A spelljacker can attept to trigger a spell from an opponents spelljack by making a successful Knowledge(spelljack) check (DC 30+ spell level). If he succeeds the spell works normally, if he fails, the spelljack prematurely unwinds.
Non-spelljacker’s attempting to use a spelljack: To determine the effects of a non-spelljacker roll %d and consult the chart below. The character can attempt to make a Reflex save (10+spell level) for half damage from potentially dangerous spells.
d% Result
01-75 The spelljack unwinds prematurely.
76-80 The spelljack becomes damaged for 2d4 hp.
81-90 A random spell discharges in the general area.
91-99 A random spell discharges and hits whoever is fiddling with the device.
00 The spelljack explodes doing 1d6 damage per level of the highest spell stored to anyone in a 30 ft radius from the spelljack.
Multiple Spelljacks: Because of their extremely sensitive mechanics, no two spelljacks can be placed within a 30 ft. radius of each other without becoming damaged. When multiple spelljacks are placed together, they must each make a Fortitude save (DC 10+ the creator’s level of the other spelljack). If they fail they take 1d6 damage per the creator’s level of the opposing spelljack. If they succeed the damage is halved.
1. Any type of advancement scenario?
2. Need more feats for these to create bonus' to new spelljacks such as: Improved casting time, more spells, small devices, etc.
A few things I came up with while reading this. Good start but it can be better...
Originally posted by Leopold
if they aren't part of it already i would ASSUME (yes yes i know) that use magic device is the same as a wizard or sorcerer and gain it automatically.
I wasn't sure about it.
I still think that he should have disable device, search, and scry as class skills.
What about some item creation feats that allow him to turn objects into minor spelljacks? (e.g. a special trigger on a crossbow that shoots 3/day magic missle, complicated goggles to see invisible for ten minutes...) Every object should have very few charges a day, or limited charges. Otherwise two hours of preparation are a very looong time..
I wasn't sure about it.
I still think that he should have disable device, search, and scry as class skills.
What about some item creation feats that allow him to turn objects into minor spelljacks? (e.g. a special trigger on a crossbow that shoots 3/day magic missle, complicated goggles to see invisible for ten minutes...) Every object should have very few charges a day, or limited charges. Otherwise two hours of preparation are a very looong time..
Just my two morris
why search and scry? I can see disable device but not search and scry. The spelljacker is a mechanic more or less, he can build and create things with material but I don't think that scrying would be a suitable one for this class as he needs more time building things and tinkering than spying on other areas.
Start adding in those skills and you overlap with the rogue making this a uberclass to play with. Picture a PC with no components can disable traps and then search for more and if the enemy comes blast them with spells with nice hp's to boot...
You're right. I felt it weaker than the wizard, but I was forgetting about the armor proficiency. It has better hps too?
The reasoning behind search was that he is accustomed to see how gears work... let's drop it.
I said scry because every main caster class in the PH has some divination spell to use with scry....we may drop it as well.
His spell-list is the wiz/sorc's one?
Originally posted by Lichtenhart You're right. I felt it weaker than the wizard, but I was forgetting about the armor proficiency. It has better hps too?
The reasoning behind search was that he is accustomed to see how gears work... let's drop it.
I said scry because every main caster class in the PH has some divination spell to use with scry....we may drop it as well.
His spell-list is the wiz/sorc's one?
Spells:
The amount of arcane spells a spelljacker can produce with his spelljack per level is identical to the amount of spells a sorcerer of the equivalent level knows. However, spelljacks need to be wound once per day and can only be prepared to hold a certain amount of spells per winding. The maximum amount of spells a spelljacker can wind at one time is equal to the amount of spells a sorcerer of equivalent level can cast per day.
Winding a spell jack takes two full hours of attentive labor. During this time the spelljack is oiled and small latches and gears are reset and realigned as the spelljack is prepared for its next day of spellcasting. Because a spelljack is a clockwork device, time plays an important role in the winding process and attempting to prematurely wind a spelljack causes it to become inoperable until 24 hours have passed. The normal winding time for a spelljack is once every 24 hours during the same time period as designated by its creator.
SOR spells BUT he can specialize as a wizard...very nice..a necro gearhead..how intriguing..
I concur with the nixing of search and scry..the use device i would assume he gets but if not we need to add it in there...good call on that one..
My reply to the comments,
The class doesn't need more feats, I felt that would only make the class weaker, especially if they were centered around the spelljack because the rules are already there for it. Basically, the craft spelljack ability provides them with the unique ability to make spelljacks and the exclusive knowledge spell is what determines there ability to make modifications to it.
Thats also why I alloted them more skill points than a sorcerer or wizard, to invest in spelljack creation and modification.
They can also apply metamagic feats to the spelljack.
The real advantages to spell jackers are
1) They suffer no chance of spell failure from armor.
2) They don't need material components, (except when adding a spell).
3) I think i forgot to write it into the revision but, releasing a spell from a spelljack is identical to using a use activated item. That means that the spelljacker can release a spell without provoking an attack of opportunity and does not require concentration. It can also be triggered as a partial action... all three of these features are huge advantages.
Lichtenhart is 100% right about use the magic device skill, it should be included as a class skill. I hope i was clear enough in the text that spelljackers weren't really wizards. As far as disable device, I thought it was unnecessary, the Knowledge (spelljacking) should cover it for disabling, salvaging, or manipulating other people's spelljacks. Perhaps the problem is the Knowledge (spelljacking) skill name- it should really be a Craft or profession skill, actually it should just be 'Spelljacking' skill , like 'Alchemy'.
Finally, the other devices Leopold suggested aren't really 'spelljacking' things but more like straight machinery that produce magical effects. I thought about that kind of thing too but it treads dangerously close to the gnome artificer PrC in the magic of Faerun book. To me it seemed like more advanced or specific items might be better for a PrC. I was also concerened about unbalacing the class.
There is something else 'riot gear' mentioned in his original text, clockwork golems called steamjacks.
I don't believe they are in the DF setting at the moment so I left them out of the revision. riot gear's text read that spelljackers were the only people that could create these creatures. If we were to include the, Perhaps here is where we could apply a feat Craft Steamjack- prerequisite : Spelljacker 5 level.
But we'd need a nice write up for the clockwork golem.
steamjacks are made by privateer press in the Iron Kingdoms setting. TAke a look at their website and you wilil see the steamjacks.
They cover all the aspects of creating such a device on thier site such as the feats, skills and material needed. I like the idea of the steamjack as they are very very powerful and very helpful and the rules they have are OGC i believe or OGL i am not sure. Either way they cover the same ground we are trying to cover so if we could just 'borrow' theirs we would have that area all set.
We should find out about their availablity, but does it border too closely on machinery/creatures of lord blade. If so it might be superflous to add as a feature of spelljackers. It may have just been put there by riot gear becuase he liked the concept of steamjacks and thought he could tie them in. They might better serve the setting as a seperate entity rather than being tied to the spelljacker.
Lichtenhart, you're right again...Here's the missing section
Game Rule Information:
Spelljackers have the following statistics.
Abilities: Intelligence is the most important ability to a spelljacker because it determines his ability to modify his spelljacks, both by giving him additional skill points and by allowing him to figure out how to create spells. To modify a spelljack to cast a spell, the spelljacker must have an intelligence of 10 + the spell’s level. The DC to resist a spelljackers spell is equal to 1o+ the spell level + his Intelligence bonus. Constitution is also important because it helps with the spelljackers low hit points and Strength is important to lift a spelljack as they get heavier with more modifications.
Alignment: Any
Hit Die: d4
Leopold, I've made all the corrections to the master doc and if you think the material is ready, I'll send it to you.
i believe that the material looks solid. Send it to me and i will post it for review. I want to have RangerWickett look it over as he was arbitrarily against. Furthermore, I am going to post it in the D&D rules section and have the rule lawyers tear it apart up and down by posting "Is this PC Class balanced?" and post the info. If they say yes then it goes into the classes section page, if not we look over what they say and debug from there.
I think lichtenhart's idea is more of a magic realm than a mechanica realm. I would think that with the description he has built it was mostly founded on magic (magi as the main patronish fellow) has magic for the defense (surrounded in illusion) and has magic be a part of the society (read live 70ft from a cliff with water everywhere, levitate and feather fall are your friend!). I would presume that this society would have more of a land for magic folk than for anything else IMHO.
Originally posted by Leopold I think lichtenhart's idea is more of a magic realm than a mechanica realm. I would think that with the description he has built it was mostly founded on magic (magi as the main patronish fellow) has magic for the defense (surrounded in illusion) and has magic be a part of the society (read live 70ft from a cliff with water everywhere, levitate and feather fall are your friend!). I would presume that this society would have more of a land for magic folk than for anything else IMHO.
Wasn't this supposed to go in the other thread?
Anyway, yes, mages in my city are more likely spellchanters than spelljackers, but I like them (the spelljackers) a lot.
(I have an exam on friday If all goes well, I'll post the whole work in the week-end, and maybe a prestige class! Stay tuned )
Wasn't this supposed to go in the other thread?
Anyway, yes, mages in my city are more likely spellchanters than spelljackers, but I like them (the spelljackers) a lot.
(I have an exam on friday If all goes well, I'll post the whole work in the week-end, and maybe a prestige class! Stay tuned )
noted and moved...the post had merits in both areas.
I'll love it
If all goes well, I'll post the whole work in the week-end, and maybe a prestige class! Stay tuned 
)
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