Element Based Powers

[MissWashuu]

I have decided to start a game where the elements play a part. I do not what my players to know what the benifits are, but I would like to provide benifits to PC's who dedicate themselves to an element. THere are 6 elements air, earth, fire, water, light and dark. Polar opposites are air and earth, fire and water, light and dark. This world is a bit high in the magic content. So these powers may seem a bit strong and I am interested in a way to power them down, but here is an example:

Darkness:
2nd level: +2 to hide
4th level: Shadow Separation
6th level: Darkvision
8th level: hide in plain sight
10th lvl: shadow link
12th lvl: shadow stride
14th lvl: shadow cloak
16th lvl: ??
18th lvl: ??
20th lvl: ??

Shadow separation: Upon the second dedication ritual a Shadow Dedicant can separate their shadow from themselves. They can send it off to scout or gather information about an area. The shadow *must* return to the dedicant in order to provide information that it has gathered. The shadow can be affected by any spells that can affect the caster and it benifits from the casters saving throws. Furthermore, any spell that affects the shadow (due to a failed save) affects the caster. The shadow is not undead and therefore cannot be turned. It cannot be separated so as to provide a flank partner in battle. This ability can be invoked once per dedicant level per week.

Shadow Link: Shadow separation, but the dedicant now has a link with the shadow and can see as if the dedicant was there. The shadow need not return to offer information. Also the dedicant can speak through the shadow if he wishes.

Shadow Stride: as tree stride but through shadows only.

Shadow cloak: THe shadows evelop the dedicant providing a 50% miss chance. Calling upon the shadows is a standard action. This ablility can be invoked 3x's a day.

If a PC ever chooses a different element, they will lose all benifits of the previous element and start at the lowest power of the new element. IE even if your 10th and you start dedicating yourself to an element, you only gain the first power.

I need this for the other 5 elements.... any ideas? sugggestions?

 

[s/LaSH]

This reminds me of the magic system I drew up for my homebrew system. (Except in that, there were Life and Death instead of Light and Dark, and there was an extra 'element' in the middle called Core.)

The correlations between the elements and abilities conveyed are:

Air - Thought, knowledge, and motion
Earth - Shape, physical abilities, manufacturing
Fire - Attack. (Oh, and extra energy.)
Water - Time and space (teleporting and summoning).

You might want to consider the following:
Light - Frightens or damages evil/undead forces (as well as providing light)

Further expanding, you want to provide bonuses along those lines to each element. For example, Fire would provide attack/damage bonuses and additional flaming burst damage at higher levels. That's probably the approach that will yield results.

 

[Sarellion]

Light Magic

Some light magic

Glimmering Aura: tiny sparkles or a weak shimmering aura surround the caster and give him a otherworldly presence: circumstance bonus on diplomacy, intimidate and related skills.

Light: the no brainer.

Lightaura: Everyone attacking the caster is suffering a penalty because of the difficulty attacking someone standing in searing light.

Of course there is the sun domain with sunbeam or sunburst

The light is my strength: The caster can draw upon the strengthening/ nourishing powers of the sun. A ray of light briefly surrounds him and he gets a brief to one of his stats or healing

Binding Bolt of Light: A bolt of light without the damaging qualities of a sunbeam, blinds a creature.

Destroy the shadow: Fills an area with light, can dispel shadow magic.
Of course there could be an opposite for the shadow ppl.

There are water, fire, earth and air domains. Perhaps xou can loot them for ideas.

Possibilties: enhanced movement in element, endure, resist etc elements, wind , fire or water control. Earth could hasten overland movement or commune with nature.

 

[MissWashuu]

both of these are excellent ideas and something I can work with... thank you both for you ideas.

I'm always open for other ideas if people wnat to chime in