Help with designing a Miko(japanese shinto shrine maiden) class

[Steampunk]

Had this idea for quite some time, I'm thinking about trying to play a character from the East in one of my DM's games. And as always, it starts off good, but then kinda runs short.
Kinda going for an Anime style bend to the character class, since Miko's in Anime are always attributed to being able to create 'ofuda' or spirit talismans, exorcise demons, and things like that.
Any ideas would be really helpful. Here's what I have so far....

 

[Morgenstern]

Interesting start.

I would defintiely stick to a max spell level of 6th. These girls are way too heaviliy armed to not. Drop the spiked chain - that's giving them a free combat feat and that's really gonna eat into the balance for other things that are more in keeping with the idea. It generally looks like it's comming together as a divine bard (not a bad comparison really). Using the same BAB and saves as a bard is probably fair. They aren't spontaneous casters, but they'll probably have a better spread of class abilities than the bards performance tricks. Despite being divine casters, I would have them suffer armor spell failure as they normally seem to be dancers when casting which just doesn't look good in full plate . Make a choice on which stat they use for spell saves rather than the choice they have now. Then use the other stat for how many bonus spells they get. I tend towards Cha for saves and Wis for bonus myself. Split stats like that were used quite a bit in the Minitures handbook and they worked well.

Skills should be followed by key ability as follows~

The Miko’s class skills are Balance (Dex), Concentration (Con), Craft (int), Diplomacy (Cha), Handle Animal (Cha), Heal (Wis), Jump (Str), Knowledge (arcane) (Int), Knowledge (nature) (Int), Knowledge (religion) (Int), Listen (Wis), Move Silently (Dex), Perform (dancing/singing) (Cha), Ride (Dex), Sense Motive (Wis), Spellcraft (Int), and Spot (Wis).

Simplify the wording of Divine Favor~

Divine Favor: The multitude of gods and goddesses that look over the Miko protect these shrine maidens even beyond death. When a Miko dies there is a (5% + 1%class level) chance that she receives the benefits of a resurrection spell the following dawn. If the Miko dies on the holy grounds of a shrine, this chance increases by +10% (to a maximum of 25%).

Lock touch Mastery down as allowing them to use Cha instead of Str for touch attack - this fits with the perform skill. I like the idea tough, as it gets them away from needing strength.

I would tend to think they should get Craft Wand, as they are often shown with them (with ofuda tide on the end, but a wand nonetheless). Maybe not at 5th level, but at some point. Wand master (from Eberron) would also be good at higher levels - thematicically fits well with their rituals.

High levl also might offer some bonuses to save vs. death effects and resistance to level drain. Other than that they need a spell list but look pretty good .

 

[Steampunk]

Oops....

Posted the same thing 3 times in a row, sorry. This was the 1st post.

 

[Steampunk]

Oops....

Had previously posted the same message three times in a row. This is number 2.

 

[Steampunk]

Thanks....

I'm glad that someone has replied.
I've been stuck on the idea for some time.

Now that it's been said I definately agree with the spell failure, I never would have thought of that.
I'm still at a loss for a good advancement table for her spells, I'm not sure how to advance it properly, I want them to have fair access, but to have it pointed out by their advancement that that's not their primary function.
As for the Animal Empathy and Handle Animal, I think it would fit. Afterall I thought that in many of the Shinto faiths that animals figure properly, for instance, in the Inari part of Shinto faith, Foxes are considered guardians if I am correct. And in Anime, its often the pure, virginal, female that has an affinity for animals. The spirit-kin ability is going to be much like a familiar, allowing the Miko to bond with a animal (either fox, raccoon, cat, squirrel, or along those lines), giving some special abilities (perhaps adding the celestial template to it) to the animal in exchange for a sensory bond.

The Craft Wand feat and Wand Mastery would be interesting, and I understand where you're coming from on that. But if I'm going to offer those, as class advancements I'd like to find a way to give them a specific Shinto bend to the class, if you know what I mean. I'm not sure how to put it. Perhaps she can subsitute an equivalent number of charges equal to one of her spells to cast the spell instead of what's in the wand.

I know at higher levels I'd like to allow the Miko to possibly allow the Miko to perform a strenous dance that will be able to call upon a miracle of one of the Gods or allow a temporary possession by one of her deities of her own body (this would be very taxing and potentially cause the Miko to die from the amount of power being channeled into her body).

Anyway. Thats that, any more ideas or comments you have on the Miko would be grately appreciated Morgenstern.

And as I note, I might be losing AOL tomorrow, the 10th, so I'll try and get back to post again as soon as I can.

 

[Morgenstern]

Seems like making ofuda could be a new use of the Craft Scroll feat. There could be some potential for spells put into an ofuda to have their range shortened to touch (slap the ofuda on the target), but maybe not provoke an attack of opportunity or something.

 

[Steampunk]

Didn't think about that.

I'll run that by my fellow gamer that I talk alot with as well, and who's also a big anime freak like me and see what he things as well.
Once again, Thanks Morgenstern.
I'll post the Miko when she's finished.