Monk Prestige Class: Arcanthus

Kashell

First Post
(Please note that the stuff below is copywritted. Feel free to use it if you'd like for personal use, but absolutely no public use. In other words, don't make money off of my ideas, and we'll be good.

Another note that this class isn't quite complete yet. Running low on ideas for fire.)


The story behind the creation of this class is a recent one, and one of long development. I play a monk character, and I've always wanted a more "Crouching-Tiger Hidden Dragon" type feel to him. The idea came from the last session that we played, in which we joked many times about Captain Planet(Earth, Fire, Wind, Water, Heart.) Hope you enjoy it.

Arcanthus

The arcanthus is named after a flower. Meaning, “art”, arcanthus flowers gain a certain respect from monks in their society. However, no matter how much a monk respects art, his fighting style will always be one of discipline. Some monks (particularly those fond of nature) learn to develop their discipline into this art form. Though discipline still exists in their minds and bodies, it is no longer introverted. Rather, it is forged anew into an art for all to see.

Requirements:
To gain the arcanthus prestige class, one must fulfill the following requirements.
Skills: Tumble, 8 ranks; Knowledge(Nature), 2 ranks
Feats: Improved Unarmed Attack or monk unarmed ability, Stunning Fist
Alignment: Any Lawful
Special: Fondness with a particular art (nature, painting, dancing, performing, etc.)
Hit Die: d8
Class Skills
The arcanthus’ class skills are: Balance(Dex), Climb(Str), Craft(Int), Escape Artist(Dex), Hide(Dex), Knowledge Nature(Int), Listen(Wis), Move Silently(Dex), Perform(Cha), Profession(Wis), Sense Motive(Wis), Spot(Wis), Swim(Str), Tumble(Dex).
Skills Points Each Level: 4 + Int modifier.

Level BAB Fort
Save Ref
Save Will
Save Special
1st +0 +2 +2 +2 New Art, Soul of the Artist
2nd +1 +3 +3 +3
3rd +2 +3 +3 +3 New Art
4th +3 +4 +4 +4
5th +4 +4 +4 +4 New Art
6th +5 +5 +5 +5
7th +6 +5 +5 +5 New Art
8th +6 +6 +6 +6
9th +7 +6 +6 +6 New Art
10th +8 +7 +7 +7 New Art
Note: The arcanthus’ levels stack with her monk levels for determining unarmed damage, AC bonus, and unarmored speed bonus.

Arcanthus Rule: Any of the arcanthus’ abilities that provoke an attack of opportunity require that she utter the name of the ability(in any language) to perform it. If she cannot utter the words so that she can hear herself speak, than the ability does nothing(In other words, if in a zone of silence, or if the arcanthus has physically had her vocal chords cut, ears plugged, etc., she cannot use these abilities. Even if she can perform the ability without uttering normally, and she utters, but is unable to, she still cannot use the ability.) When speech is slurred and difficult to hear, she has a 20% chance of failure(such as if she was drunk, or underwater). Additional restrictions may apply(such as when an arcanthus is fighting on the elemental plain of fire), but other situations like that are for the DM to decide…

Class Features:

Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Acanthus’ gain no new armor and weapon proficiencies.

Soul of the Artist(Ex): When an arcanthus gains a feat(such as the feats granted at level 3, 6…etc.) then she may instead that level acquire 2 ranks in Knowledge(Spirit) and instead use that feat to gain another art. (Note that Knowledge(Spirit) is a cross-class skill.) Subsequent additional feats require another 2 ranks into Knowledge(Spirit). (So, 1 feat is 2 ranks(4 skill points) 2 feats are 4 ranks(8 skill points) and 3 feats are 6 ranks(12 skill points).

Wind

Wave Fist(Su): Spirit carries fists through the air. Range: 25 + 5ft. per class level. Using this attack provokes an attack of opportunity. The damage from this attack is your unarmed damage. This cannot be used in lieu with flurry of blows(but can be used with multiple attacks, as long as you take a full round action). This attack cannot do subdual damage.

Faster Than the Winds(Su): Spirit drastically increases speed. You may haste yourself once per class level per day. This acts as the spell “haste”, and does not stack with haste. This provokes an attack of opportunity.

Wind Rift(Su): Spirit tears space open, allowing one to jump through time-space to another nearby area. This functions as monk’s abundant step. This provokes an attack of opportunity. (Minimum character level 12th)

Festive Wind(Ex): The arcanthus is infused with wind spirit. This can only be acquired if the arcanthus has all other wind abilities. After acquiring this ability, “Wave Fist” is renamed “Festive Wind”. The arcanthus can now perform “Wave Fist”, “Faster Than the Winds” and “Abundant Step” without uttering words. If the arcanthus utters “Festive Wind”(in any language) while attacking with Wave Fist, she gains 1d6(lightning) damage to that attack.(See Arcanthus Rule) She gains +1 AC dodge modifier, and +10 to her unarmored speed.

Earth

Earth Slash(Su): Unleashes a spirit in a straight line, splitting the earth in its path. Range: 25 + 5 ft. per class level. Using this ability provokes an attack of opportunity, and requires a full round action. Enemies may make a DC 10 + acanthus level balance check to take half damage(evasion, no damage). The damage from this attack is your unarmed damage. Creatures that are flying, or somehow otherwise not on the ground, are unaffected by this attack. This attack cannot be used in lieu with stunning fist or flurry of blows. Creatures floating in water 5ft. or deeper automatically take half damage from this attack(but if they have evasion, may roll to see if they take no damage). (Minimum character level 12th)

Child Of Earth(Ex): Spirit causes grappling abilities to dramatically increase. Gain the improved grapple feat, even if you do not meet the prerequisites.

Crushing Shame(Su): Spirit protects you from earth based attacks. Gain damage reduction 1/bludgeon for each of your earth art abilities.

Rumble Earth(Ex): The arcanthus is infused with earth spirit. This can only be acquired if the acanthus has all other earth abilities. After acquiring this ability, “Earth Slash” is renamed “Rumble Earth”. The arcanthus can now perform “Earth Slash” without uttering words. If the arcanthus utters, “Rumble Earth”(in any language) while attacking with Earth Slash, she gains 1d6(bludgeon) damage to that attack. The arcanthus gains +1 damage reduction/bludgeon.

Water

Regan(Su): Unleashes a soothing spirit that heals yourself and your allies slowly. Radius: 25 + 5ft. per class level, centered on caster. Heals 3 HP per round. Duration, 1 round per class level. Effects only allies. Using this provokes an attack of opportunity.

Calm Spirit(Su): Spirit mends wounds. As the monk ability, “Wholeness of Body”, however, only useable on allies. (The arcanthus cannot heal herself with this ability.) Using this provokes an attack of opportunity.

Piller of Water(Su): Unleashes destructive water spirit against undead. As the spell “Searing Light” however, this attack only effects undead. Using this provokes an attack of opportunity.

Crystal Water(Ex): The arcanthus is infused with water spirit. This can only be acquired if the acanthus has all other water abilities. After acquiring this ability, “Regan” is renamed “Crystal Water”. The arcanthus can now perform “Regan”, “Calm Spirit”, and “Piller of Water” without uttering words. If the arcanthus utters “Crystal Water” when using Regan, you and your allies heal 1d6 HP and (considering the ability is still in effect), when dieing, allies automatically stabilize.

-Kash
 
Last edited:

log in or register to remove this ad

Interested2

First Post
Its a nice concept. The arts are pretty serious though, especially when you consider that stacking with everything. Maybe lower the hit die to d6?




As a side note: The U.S. Copyright Act, 17 U.S.C. §§ 101 - 810, states that all literary and artistic material is copyright of the creator as soon as it is transcribed in fixed form(also described as in concrete material).

You are guarenteed the copyrights to your forum posts unless you specify that its public domain, or the Terms of Service you agreed to state otherwise.
 

Kashell

First Post
Lol thanks for that Interested.


I was thinking of lowering the hit die as well, because I couldn't really think of another way to nerf it better.(considering all the attacks of opporunity and such.)



*Pulls out his nerf bat*
 

Remove ads

AD6_gamerati_skyscraper

Remove ads

Recent & Upcoming Releases

Top