Help a Factotum build a cliff-dwelling fortress

[Jack Simth]

Remember, clerics get Summon Monster and Stone Shape as well.

Yes, but as a Factotum, what RUMBLETiGER has is Arcane access. RUMBLETiGER can UMD Divine scrolls they do a hefty amount of the work. However, if RUMBLETiGER is planning anything big, the scroll had better do a LOT, because if it doesn't do much on a per-use basis, then it's very, very expensive compared to the per-day stuff from Arcane Dilettante (I've likely got the spelling wrong, here).

 

[Dandu]

I'm just mentioning it because one of his brothers is a Favored Soul.

Granted, Stone Shape doesn't make much sense on a FS, but Summon Monster's useful.

 

[Pergentile]

Have the Favored Soul take Leadership, and buy a lot of shovels/stone pickaxes.

 

[RUMBLETiGER]

You mean like another few castings of Stone Shape to turn them into stairs? Just make sure that the stairs run perpendicular to the door. And ideally, zig-zag a bit.

Ohhh.... Yes. Yes indeed. And the remainder becomes catapult ammunition exports =Þ.

You just need a small piece of one, and a scroll of Simulacrum to UMD. Technically, you can do it with just a scroll of Simulacrum, as all material components are put into the scroll when the scroll is crafted, and a bit of the beast is one of the material components. A scroll of Simulacrum(standard Beholder) costs 7,775 gp (2,275 for a scroll of a 7th level spell, 5,000 gp for the 1,000 xp component, 500 gp for the ruby dust needed for a 5 hit die result). And of course, when you're done, you've got a loyal guard for the place.

You know, I've never payed attention to this spell. This is amazing! It this considered a construct? Or the same as the base creature? Or an illusion? As a Factotum I hit level 7 spells at character level 18. This would be retirement-type levels, and by 18 my Factotum should have his fortress mansion completed. Pre-level 18 spell level 7 access, the Factotum would have the appropriate INT stat (already 19), he's considered an arcane caster (sort of, mostly, I think good enough), and it's on his spell list, so he'd only need to make a Caster level check. Scroll's caster level +1 is what, 13+1 if a Wizard made it? A Cunning Knowledge skill check will add my Factotum level to the check, my INT mod is +4 now, will become +5 when I hit level 8. So currently at level 6, I can Cunning Knowledge + INT mod for +10 before I make the check, and +13 when I hit level 8. I think I can use this scroll pretty easy! I need to learn all the ways I can make use of this spell!

I'm just mentioning it because one of his brothers is a Favored Soul.

Granted, Stone Shape doesn't make much sense on a FS, but Summon Monster's useful.

While this is true that the Favored Soul could take this spell chain, he's not likely to. As a Favored Soul of Kord, many of his spells are focused towards buffing himself in combat (and the Cure spells, because it would be silly not to). RP-flavor-wise, he's not likely to pick spells that will have someone else fight for him.

Have the Favored Soul take Leadership, and buy a lot of shovels/stone pickaxes.

This has merit. The Favored Soul might do well with a Cohort and followers as he works to spread the tenants of Kord, I know my Factotum would do excellently with the same (and I've got 2 feats level 12 & level 15 that I haven't settled upon yet), and the Psion specialized in Telepathy and is considering the Thrallherd PrC at some point. I don't see the solo combat-oriented Warblade/Crusader going the Leadership route the way that character is shaping up. Somebody is likely to end up with followers.

Loving the ideas, keep them coming!

 

[Jack Simth]

You know, I've never payed attention to this spell. This is amazing! It this considered a construct? Or the same as the base creature? Or an illusion? As a Factotum I hit level 7 spells at character level 18. This would be retirement-type levels, and by 18 my Factotum should have his fortress mansion completed. Pre-level 18 spell level 7 access, the Factotum would have the appropriate INT stat (already 19), he's considered an arcane caster (sort of, mostly, I think good enough), and it's on his spell list, so he'd only need to make a Caster level check. Scroll's caster level +1 is what, 13+1 if a Wizard made it? A Cunning Knowledge skill check will add my Factotum level to the check, my INT mod is +4 now, will become +5 when I hit level 8. So currently at level 6, I can Cunning Knowledge + INT mod for +10 before I make the check, and +13 when I hit level 8. I think I can use this scroll pretty easy! I need to learn all the ways I can make use of this spell!

Unfortunately, the answer to most your questions here is "Reply hazy, check with your DM". The reason being that they're not spelled out in the spell itself, and when dealing with RAW, that's essentially all anyone has to go on.

Most people will consider it to be "The same unless otherwise specified", but your DM is not most people, he's your DM. Then it also includes a some fuzzy statements that can be taken in multiple ways when you get down to the nitty gritty. The particularly problematic portion is "the appropriate [...] special abilities for a creature of that level or HD". Your DM may or may not permit the Disintegrate eye ray under that line. But if it works - coolness!

 

[RUMBLETiGER]

Unfortunately, the answer to most your questions here is "Reply hazy, check with your DM". The reason being that they're not spelled out in the spell itself, and when dealing with RAW, that's essentially all anyone has to go on.

Most people will consider it to be "The same unless otherwise specified", but your DM is not most people, he's your DM. Then it also includes a some fuzzy statements that can be taken in multiple ways when you get down to the nitty gritty. The particularly problematic portion is "the appropriate [...] special abilities for a creature of that level or HD". Your DM may or may not permit the Disintegrate eye ray under that line. But if it works - coolness!

My DM in particular is the kind that grins at wacky ideas, most of the time accepts them, and then kicks the game up a notch to compensate. My DM plays LN characters, but DM's CN. Much fun, keeps us on our toes.

What I need to do is consider how many other useful creatures I can acquire by way of this scroll.

Now, since material components are used in the creation of the scroll, I can't just but the scroll, chop off a beholder eyestalk, and then try to make my own. I need to either buy a scroll from someone who's already got his own beholder parts, or bring beholder parts to a high enough level wizard beforehand and ask he make the scroll for me. Hm....

 

[Particle_Man]

You probably got it covered but make sure you have at least one rank in Knowledge: (architecture and engineering).

 

[RUMBLETiGER]

You know, I've never payed attention to this spell. This is amazing! It this considered a construct? Or the same as the base creature? Or an illusion? As a Factotum I hit level 7 spells at character level 18. This would be retirement-type levels, and by 18 my Factotum should have his fortress mansion completed. Pre-level 18 spell level 7 access, the Factotum would have the appropriate INT stat (already 19), he's considered an arcane caster (sort of, mostly, I think good enough), and it's on his spell list, so he'd only need to make a Caster level check. Scroll's caster level +1 is what, 13+1 if a Wizard made it? A Cunning Knowledge skill check will add my Factotum level to the check, my INT mod is +4 now, will become +5 when I hit level 8. So currently at level 6, I can Cunning Knowledge + INT mod for +10 before I make the check, and +13 when I hit level 8. I think I can use this scroll pretty easy! I need to learn all the ways I can make use of this spell!

oops, I needed a refresher on Caster Level Checks. To use the scroll with a DC 14, Cunning Knowledge would grant me my Factotum level, plus my caster level (also my factotum level). So, I'm starting from a +12 at level 6 right off the bat, and succeeding automatically at Factotum level 7 (with that +14) to cast a 7th level spell, assuming my DM doesn't ask me to roll anyway in case I roll that 1. Sweet.

 

[RUMBLETiGER]

Oh... New plan. While Stone Shape affects 20 cubic feet (so 5'x2'x2') when I hit the ability to cast level 4 spells at Factotum level 10, I can cast polymorph also as a level 4 spell.

If I polymorph into a Thoqqua, I can stay in that form for 10 minutes. A Thoqqua has a burrow speed of 20', leaves a 1' diameter hole behind it's wake. Assuming maximum efficiency of movement, I can carve a 20'longx10'widex9'high room in 9 minutes, leaving the remaining 60 seconds to get the heck out of there so I don't return to human form surrounded by a room with edges of molten lava.

with the ability to make rooms 20'x10'x9' each day, a sizable mansion fortress can be produced within a month. Continuous flame and Glowing orb spells for illumination, Stone shape to smooth things out, Unseen servant and Tenser’s Floating Disk for miscellaneous tasks, Spider climb and Levitate to get around.Various crafting checks each day to manually refine details should be performed between spells, such as crafting doors and assembling stairs and such.

Does anyone know any other creatures one could polymorph into within 10 HD with a burrow speed through stone that leaves tunnels that would be more effective then a Thoqqua? A Beholder with it's at-will disintegrate is unfortunately 11 HD, I'm hoping to have everything I need by level 10. I'm open to additional ideas.

 

[Dandu]

The Even More Complete Polymorph Thread may prove useful.

Also, you don't get to use a beholder's eyebeams as they are supernatural abilities.