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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Afrodyte" data-source="post: 555263" data-attributes="member: 8713">Nail:I don't think they should be able to cast spells per se, but when they summon spirits they are allied with, the spirits would more than likely use their natural abilities in favor of the sorcerer.  I think that being able to communicate with spirits should certainly be high on the list for animist abilities.  Perhaps have the power of the spirit contacted be related to level?I believe an animist class has great roleplaying potential, if you are careful with how the class is presented.  I agree with you when you say you'd have to refine how you would define spirit.  Perhaps create a spirit template that could be used for any creature?  Imagine how cool it would be to contact the spirit of an ancient dragon!  One of the things that could make the animist stand out is that unlike arcane and divine casters, their powers are not as predictable.  Fumbles when dealing with spirits could have disastrous consequences.  Not to mention, spirits have wills, ideas, and desires of their own, which would come into play when an animist wants them to do something.  Going back to the dragon example, consider the ramifications of having a spirit dragon in a party.  What happens when the dragon demands that he have first dibs on all treasure they find, as payment for having him as an ally?  Also, perhaps they should have a level-dependant ability to travel into the spirit world.  As they level up, maybe they could gain access to more remote and more guarded areas.  Maybe they can bring people with them as they get more powerful.I have an idea for the skill list of animists.  Bluff, Diplomacy, Intimidate, and Knowledge (spirit) should certainly be on the list, especially looking at the animist as the mediator between the spiritual and material worlds and as (maybe) a servant of the spirits.  As far as alignment goes, I'm not sure about restrictions.  I can see just about any alignment being supported by this class.  Their methods and goals, however, would differ.  Lawful and evil shamans may be into binding spirits and dominating them moreso than other alignments.  Evil animists can get a great deal of leverage if they have the power to bind spirits against their will.  In addition, spirits are very potent allies for those who have dreams of power and domination.  They would probably be willing to deal with some of the more visceral requirements of evil spirits.  If Lawful Good, then they may only bind evil spirits as a means of rendering them helpless to harm others.  If Lawful Neutral, perhaps a strict, complicated code or tradition may determine which spirits get bound and which do not.  Then again, they might only bind spirits that pose a serious threat to themselves or to the world at large.  Neutral animists may probably be more into the mediator role than most, perhaps trying to balance the needs and desires of both worlds.  Perhaps they, along with CN animists, don't care as long as the spirits don't attempt to harm them or those they care about.  I hope this helps.</blockquote>

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