The following is a PrC a friend and I have been putting together for a Homebrew campaign. The overall basics is that elves are a vastly different culture in this world than in any other. I am seeking some comments on the design and ideas of the class presented here.
A very quick and rough overview of the Elves to understand the orientation of the class.
ELVES: The elves are made of the elemental forces of nature and magic. Nature is chaotic and orderly at the same time as are the elves. Nature is a cycle of the changing seasons; so too are the elves. Within the order of the seasons; there is chaos, as is the case with the elves. The seasons represent change and at the same time; continuity throughout the ages, as do the elven people. When the world was made, the elves were some of the first beings, created out of the same stuff as nature. Being composed of one of the basic elemental forces of the universe, the elves are different from many other races.
With the first change of seasons came the first elves. Since each season is different from the last; so too are the elves that came after one another. There are four seasons; winter, spring, summer, and autumn. From these seasons comes the blood of the elves; and therefore produces four different (yet similar) types of elven bloodlines. They mimic the seasons; there are four bloodlines of the elven race: winter, spring, summer, and autumn. Each bloodline is different from the other yet they are all connected by the cycle of change; as are the seasons. There are elves in current day that exhibit no bloodlines due to the mixing of blood over the centuries, those with minor bloodline traits and those with intermediate bloodline traits (will be modeled after Unearthed Arcana bloodlines).
The elven people are colored by the type of season they were born into. For instance, Winter Elves are more conservative and organized than their Spring brothers and sisters; afterall, one must conserve food and energy when it is cold out side. In this way, each bloodline has a different outlook on the world, yet each knows they cannot exist without the others.
The elves are governed by a Prince, who is chosen by the elven noble households. Beneath the Prince are Dukes, which number four, one for each of the seasons; they report to the Prince. Following that line are the Lords, who hold minor power in a specific area, much like a county in other kingdoms. They are the local lord who is responsible for levying taxes and administering justice and other daily functions of governance. Beneath the Lords, there are several distinctions of nobility, mostly minor—ranging from Knights to merchants with a lot of money and influence.
The following PrC is the first of four such PrC’s that embody the elite warriors of the Dukes of the Imperial Province and royal houses. Each “season” of the elves represents a specific mindset and inclination toward a style of combat.
[size=+1]STORMBLADE[/size]
Blending magic and martial arts is nothing new to the solstice elves. Warriors with arcane training are respected and highly sought after in their society. It is no surprise then that masters of both would emerge and teach their deadly knowledge to those seeking mastery of the arts. Long ago, masters of four distinct arcane-martial arts emerged; each one representing one of the seasons. Each style sought to personify the most favorable traits of the season and the elves bearing its blessing.
Stormblades exemplify the essence of their season: spring. They move like the wind and strike like lightning across the battlefield, dazzling enemies with their speed and graceful movements. They fight with the traditional weapons of their season; the scimitar and sickle. They wear little to no armor, preferring freedom of movement over rigid protection and favor green and brown dyed armor or clothing.
Stormblades usually have a strong martial background, second only to their arcane training and as such—many are multiclassed fighter/wizard. Bards also have a strong showing among Stormblades; with their natural grace and sense of showmanship. Among the solstice elves in Lor-Etas, most are from the ranks of the arcanites who are highly concentrated in urban areas.
To become a Stormblade, one must seek out a master of the style. The majority of the masters can be found in large urban areas; such as the capital of the Imperial Province, though it is possible to find a lone master living on the fringe of civilization. Usually, Stormblades are sponsored by the Noble Houses of Spring, who employ them as elite shock troops or respected knights. Most Stormblades receive their training in return for service to the Noble House which sponsored their training.
Hit Die: d8
REQUIREMENTS
Race: Elf or Half-Elf (No bloodline or Spring bloodline)
Base Attack Bonus: +4
Skills: Concentration 4 ranks, Perform (Dance) 2 ranks, Balance 2 ranks.
Feats: Combat Reflexes, Dodge, Two Weapon Fighting.
Spells: Able to cast 2nd level arcane spells.
CLASS SKILLS
The class skills of the stormblade are: Balance (Dex), Concentration (Con), Craft (Int), Intimidate (Cha), Jump (Str), Knowledge (Int) (Arcane, History, Nobility), Perform (Cha), Profession (Wis), Spellcraft (Int).
Skill Points: 4+INT modifier
CLASS FEATURES
All of the following are class features for the stormblade.
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: The stormblade gains proficiency with the scimitar and sickle if they are not already proficient with those weapons, but do not gain any new proficiency with armor or shields.
Spells per Day: At 2nd and 4th levels, the stormblade gains new spells per day as if they had also gained a level in an arcane spellcasting class they belonged to before taking levels in stormblade. They do not, however, gain any other benefit a character of that class would have gained, except for an increased effective level of spellcasting. If they had more than one arcane spellcasting class before becoming a stormbade, they must decide to which class they add the new level for the purpose of determining spells per day.
Storm Blade Style: When wielding a scimitar in one hand and a sickle in the other, in the storm blade style, the stormblade may use their Dexterity modifier instead of their Strength modifier on attack rolls. The stormblade also receives a +1 competence bonus on all attack rolls when wielding a scimitar in one hand and a sickle in the other. Other normal penalties for Two-Weapon Fighting still apply. The benefits of the storm blade style apply only when the stormblade wears light or no armor. They lose all benefits of this combat style when wearing medium or heavy armor.
Rolling Thunder (Ex): In combat, if the stormblade moves at least 5' during a round, they gain a +1 dodge bonus to their AC until their next turn. However, if they move their full base land speed during a round, they gain a +4 dodge bonus to their AC until their next turn. Any time the stormblade would lose their Dexterity bonus to AC, such as when caught flat-footed, they also lose this dodge bonus. The benefit of this ability applies only when the stormblade wears light or no armor. They lose all benefits of this ability when wearing medium or heavy armor.
Fast Movement (Ex): At 2nd level and higher, the stormblade gains an enhancement bonus to their speed. This bonus provides an additional 5’ to their base land speed at 2nd level and every level thereafter (for a total of +20’ at 5th level). This benefit applies only when wearing light or no armor and when carrying no more than a light load. They lose all benefits of this ability when wearing medium or heavy armor or when carrying a medium or heavy load.
Lightning Blades (Su): At 2nd level, the stormblade can temporarily imbue their blades with electric energy. This effect lasts for 1 minute/level and can be activated a number of times per day equal to the stormblade’s level. Once activated, the stormblade's weapons deal an additional +1d6 points of bonus electricity damage on a successful hit, acting just as the shock weapon enhancement. This ability only applies when the stormblade is wielding a scimitar in one hand and a sickle in the other and only when the stormblade wears light or no armor. They lose all benefits of this ability when wearing medium or heavy armor.
Improved Style: At 3rd level, the stormblade improves their skill with the storm blade style. When wielding a scimitar in one hand and a sickle in the other, they are treated as having the Improved Two-Weapon Fighting Feat, even if they do not have the normal prerequisites for that feat. As before, the benefits of the storm blade style apply only when the stormblade wears light or no armor. They lose all benefits of this combat style when wearing medium or heavy armor.
Blossom of Light (Su): At 4th level, the stormblade's ability to imbue their weapons with electrical energy improves. This effect still lasts for 1 minute/level and may be activated a number of times per day equal to the stormblade’s level. Once activated, the stormblade's weapons deal an additional 1d6 points of bonus electricity damage on a successful hit, and also explodes with electricity upon striking a successful critical hit, dealing an additional +1d10 points of bonus electricity damage on any successful critical hit, acting as a shocking burst weapon enhancement. Subjects dealt a critical hit by a Blossom of Light weapon must also make a Fortitude save (DC 14+ the stormblade’s Intelligence bonus) or be blinded permanently. This ability only applies when the stormblade is wielding a scimitar in one hand and a sickle in the other and only when the stormblade wears light or no armor. They lose all benefits of this ability when wearing medium or heavy armor.
Eye of the Storm (Ex): At 5th level, the stormblade's movement in combat becomes more disorienting against those trying to target them in combat. In combat, if the stormblade moves at least 5' during a round, they gain the following benefit until their next turn. Any opponents who attacks them and misses with melee or natural attacks, provokes an attack of opportunity from the stormblade, which they receive a +1 circumstance bonus to the attack roll. If the stormblade moves their full base speed in a round, the benefit improves to gaining a +4 circumstance bonus to the attack roll. This benefit only applies in light or no armor. They lose all benefits of this ability when wearing medium or heavy armor.
Style Mastery: At 5th level, the stormblade again improves their skill with the storm blade style. When wielding a scimitar in one hand and a sickle in the other, they are treated as having the Greater Two-Weapon Fighting Feat, even if they do not have the normal prerequisites for that feat. As before, the benefits of the storm blade style apply only when the stormblade wears light or no armor. They lose all benefits of this combat style when wearing medium or heavy armor.
Thoughts, comments, balance?
A very quick and rough overview of the Elves to understand the orientation of the class.
ELVES: The elves are made of the elemental forces of nature and magic. Nature is chaotic and orderly at the same time as are the elves. Nature is a cycle of the changing seasons; so too are the elves. Within the order of the seasons; there is chaos, as is the case with the elves. The seasons represent change and at the same time; continuity throughout the ages, as do the elven people. When the world was made, the elves were some of the first beings, created out of the same stuff as nature. Being composed of one of the basic elemental forces of the universe, the elves are different from many other races.
With the first change of seasons came the first elves. Since each season is different from the last; so too are the elves that came after one another. There are four seasons; winter, spring, summer, and autumn. From these seasons comes the blood of the elves; and therefore produces four different (yet similar) types of elven bloodlines. They mimic the seasons; there are four bloodlines of the elven race: winter, spring, summer, and autumn. Each bloodline is different from the other yet they are all connected by the cycle of change; as are the seasons. There are elves in current day that exhibit no bloodlines due to the mixing of blood over the centuries, those with minor bloodline traits and those with intermediate bloodline traits (will be modeled after Unearthed Arcana bloodlines).
The elven people are colored by the type of season they were born into. For instance, Winter Elves are more conservative and organized than their Spring brothers and sisters; afterall, one must conserve food and energy when it is cold out side. In this way, each bloodline has a different outlook on the world, yet each knows they cannot exist without the others.
The elves are governed by a Prince, who is chosen by the elven noble households. Beneath the Prince are Dukes, which number four, one for each of the seasons; they report to the Prince. Following that line are the Lords, who hold minor power in a specific area, much like a county in other kingdoms. They are the local lord who is responsible for levying taxes and administering justice and other daily functions of governance. Beneath the Lords, there are several distinctions of nobility, mostly minor—ranging from Knights to merchants with a lot of money and influence.
The following PrC is the first of four such PrC’s that embody the elite warriors of the Dukes of the Imperial Province and royal houses. Each “season” of the elves represents a specific mindset and inclination toward a style of combat.
[size=+1]STORMBLADE[/size]
Blending magic and martial arts is nothing new to the solstice elves. Warriors with arcane training are respected and highly sought after in their society. It is no surprise then that masters of both would emerge and teach their deadly knowledge to those seeking mastery of the arts. Long ago, masters of four distinct arcane-martial arts emerged; each one representing one of the seasons. Each style sought to personify the most favorable traits of the season and the elves bearing its blessing.
Stormblades exemplify the essence of their season: spring. They move like the wind and strike like lightning across the battlefield, dazzling enemies with their speed and graceful movements. They fight with the traditional weapons of their season; the scimitar and sickle. They wear little to no armor, preferring freedom of movement over rigid protection and favor green and brown dyed armor or clothing.
Stormblades usually have a strong martial background, second only to their arcane training and as such—many are multiclassed fighter/wizard. Bards also have a strong showing among Stormblades; with their natural grace and sense of showmanship. Among the solstice elves in Lor-Etas, most are from the ranks of the arcanites who are highly concentrated in urban areas.
To become a Stormblade, one must seek out a master of the style. The majority of the masters can be found in large urban areas; such as the capital of the Imperial Province, though it is possible to find a lone master living on the fringe of civilization. Usually, Stormblades are sponsored by the Noble Houses of Spring, who employ them as elite shock troops or respected knights. Most Stormblades receive their training in return for service to the Noble House which sponsored their training.
Hit Die: d8
REQUIREMENTS
Race: Elf or Half-Elf (No bloodline or Spring bloodline)
Base Attack Bonus: +4
Skills: Concentration 4 ranks, Perform (Dance) 2 ranks, Balance 2 ranks.
Feats: Combat Reflexes, Dodge, Two Weapon Fighting.
Spells: Able to cast 2nd level arcane spells.
CLASS SKILLS
The class skills of the stormblade are: Balance (Dex), Concentration (Con), Craft (Int), Intimidate (Cha), Jump (Str), Knowledge (Int) (Arcane, History, Nobility), Perform (Cha), Profession (Wis), Spellcraft (Int).
Skill Points: 4+INT modifier
Code:
[b] Base
Class Attack SAVES
Level Bonus Fort Ref Will Special[/b]
1 +1 +0 +2 +2 Storm Blade Style, Rolling Thunder
2 +2 +0 +3 +3 Fast Movement +5’, Lightning Blade, +1 level of existing arcane spellcasting class
3 +3 +1 +3 +3 Fast Movement +10’, Improved Style
4 +4 +1 +4 +4 Fast Movement +15’, Blossom of Light, +1 level of existing arcane spellcasting class
5 +5 +1 +4 +4 Fast Movement +20’, Eye of the Storm, Style MasteryCLASS FEATURES
All of the following are class features for the stormblade.
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: The stormblade gains proficiency with the scimitar and sickle if they are not already proficient with those weapons, but do not gain any new proficiency with armor or shields.
Spells per Day: At 2nd and 4th levels, the stormblade gains new spells per day as if they had also gained a level in an arcane spellcasting class they belonged to before taking levels in stormblade. They do not, however, gain any other benefit a character of that class would have gained, except for an increased effective level of spellcasting. If they had more than one arcane spellcasting class before becoming a stormbade, they must decide to which class they add the new level for the purpose of determining spells per day.
Storm Blade Style: When wielding a scimitar in one hand and a sickle in the other, in the storm blade style, the stormblade may use their Dexterity modifier instead of their Strength modifier on attack rolls. The stormblade also receives a +1 competence bonus on all attack rolls when wielding a scimitar in one hand and a sickle in the other. Other normal penalties for Two-Weapon Fighting still apply. The benefits of the storm blade style apply only when the stormblade wears light or no armor. They lose all benefits of this combat style when wearing medium or heavy armor.
Rolling Thunder (Ex): In combat, if the stormblade moves at least 5' during a round, they gain a +1 dodge bonus to their AC until their next turn. However, if they move their full base land speed during a round, they gain a +4 dodge bonus to their AC until their next turn. Any time the stormblade would lose their Dexterity bonus to AC, such as when caught flat-footed, they also lose this dodge bonus. The benefit of this ability applies only when the stormblade wears light or no armor. They lose all benefits of this ability when wearing medium or heavy armor.
Fast Movement (Ex): At 2nd level and higher, the stormblade gains an enhancement bonus to their speed. This bonus provides an additional 5’ to their base land speed at 2nd level and every level thereafter (for a total of +20’ at 5th level). This benefit applies only when wearing light or no armor and when carrying no more than a light load. They lose all benefits of this ability when wearing medium or heavy armor or when carrying a medium or heavy load.
Lightning Blades (Su): At 2nd level, the stormblade can temporarily imbue their blades with electric energy. This effect lasts for 1 minute/level and can be activated a number of times per day equal to the stormblade’s level. Once activated, the stormblade's weapons deal an additional +1d6 points of bonus electricity damage on a successful hit, acting just as the shock weapon enhancement. This ability only applies when the stormblade is wielding a scimitar in one hand and a sickle in the other and only when the stormblade wears light or no armor. They lose all benefits of this ability when wearing medium or heavy armor.
Improved Style: At 3rd level, the stormblade improves their skill with the storm blade style. When wielding a scimitar in one hand and a sickle in the other, they are treated as having the Improved Two-Weapon Fighting Feat, even if they do not have the normal prerequisites for that feat. As before, the benefits of the storm blade style apply only when the stormblade wears light or no armor. They lose all benefits of this combat style when wearing medium or heavy armor.
Blossom of Light (Su): At 4th level, the stormblade's ability to imbue their weapons with electrical energy improves. This effect still lasts for 1 minute/level and may be activated a number of times per day equal to the stormblade’s level. Once activated, the stormblade's weapons deal an additional 1d6 points of bonus electricity damage on a successful hit, and also explodes with electricity upon striking a successful critical hit, dealing an additional +1d10 points of bonus electricity damage on any successful critical hit, acting as a shocking burst weapon enhancement. Subjects dealt a critical hit by a Blossom of Light weapon must also make a Fortitude save (DC 14+ the stormblade’s Intelligence bonus) or be blinded permanently. This ability only applies when the stormblade is wielding a scimitar in one hand and a sickle in the other and only when the stormblade wears light or no armor. They lose all benefits of this ability when wearing medium or heavy armor.
Eye of the Storm (Ex): At 5th level, the stormblade's movement in combat becomes more disorienting against those trying to target them in combat. In combat, if the stormblade moves at least 5' during a round, they gain the following benefit until their next turn. Any opponents who attacks them and misses with melee or natural attacks, provokes an attack of opportunity from the stormblade, which they receive a +1 circumstance bonus to the attack roll. If the stormblade moves their full base speed in a round, the benefit improves to gaining a +4 circumstance bonus to the attack roll. This benefit only applies in light or no armor. They lose all benefits of this ability when wearing medium or heavy armor.
Style Mastery: At 5th level, the stormblade again improves their skill with the storm blade style. When wielding a scimitar in one hand and a sickle in the other, they are treated as having the Greater Two-Weapon Fighting Feat, even if they do not have the normal prerequisites for that feat. As before, the benefits of the storm blade style apply only when the stormblade wears light or no armor. They lose all benefits of this combat style when wearing medium or heavy armor.
Thoughts, comments, balance?
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