I need help

[POPE]

Hello,
I must admit that I have no skill in creating classes, prestige classes or templates. Neither do I know which should be used when. Is there anyone who could be in the design of a class/template based on the mythical phoenix? I think that it might work best as a template, I am not sure though.
It would definately be fire based and concerned with guardianship and protection. I am not sure if it is divine/celestial based or not.

Also there is the group of heralds/followers. Should they be a prestige class or a 20 level optional core class?
Any help or ideas would be truly appreciated.

Thanks,
POPE.

 

[silvertable81]

Are you talking Phoenix as in the mythical bird, which rises from it's own ashes? Or are you talking about comic books Phoenix, a la Jean Grey?

As for the protectors of the Phoenix, if you want a million of them running around, make it a core class. However if you want to see very few, make it a Prestige Class.

 

[POPE]

I am talking about the rising from the ashes phoenix. If prestige class then what class/classes would best be able to get into the prestige class.

 

[Happiest_Sadist]

Ok. If your pheonix temple has a very specific set of abilities, and all members posess them to the same degree wether they are the lowliest initiate or the high priest, only then is a template appropriate. Because you probably whant this to be dependant in their position in the temple I would say prestige class, like dragon disciple. As for classes, I would suggest monk or psychic warrior, but most any class could fit in, and depending on how you view the order, you might want different classes.

Your herald orginization sounds like either a prestige class or a feat chain. At low levels you should be able to fit in the orginization by taking levels of bard or rogue. By the time you get any unique powerful abilities, you should be high enough level to start in a 5 level PRC. However, if you don't give special powerful abilities (likely for heralds), it might be a feat chain. You take a feat for basic membership benifits, and then get access to other feats which give bonuses to social skills.

 

[silvertable81]

I am talking about the rising from the ashes phoenix. If prestige class then what class/classes would best be able to get into the prestige class.

It's been said that a Prestige Class should not be designed with any particular class in mind. I've seen, however, that most probably do. Do you want these "Heralds" to be diverse? Make a skill with a few ranks in the prerequisites. Do you want them all to be powerful? Maybe Weapon Specialization. Should they be sneaky? Use many skills at variable levels. Are they to sing praises, and glorify "The Rising One, Who Shrouds the Sun"? Perform ranks and Arcane Spell use.

 

[Kip the Bold]

Just as a random suggestion for an ability, maybe at like 10th level for a phoenix PrC ability you could have like a free true ressurection when the character is killed, maybe in an explosion of fire or something. Could have it useable once a year, maybe. If I think of anything more, I'll post it.

 

[AGGEMAM]

Just as a random suggestion for an ability, maybe at like 10th level for a phoenix PrC ability you could have like a free true ressurection when the character is killed, maybe in an explosion of fire or something. Could have it useable once a year, maybe. If I think of anything more, I'll post it.

A word of recall would be more in leiu with a phoenix prc, imo ...

 

[DanMcS]

One of the PCs in piratecat's game has a prestige class based on being part phoenix, you should find his plot/character thread and see if there are details of it around anywhere.

 

[Corey]

Download a copy of the incredibly handy Class Construction Engine from http://www.dndadventure.com/html/articles_errata.html

The file is titled 3E class creation.

Also, see Monte Cook’s site
www.montecook.com

look in the archive section , click on the DMs only link and scroll down. He has two Prestige Class design workshops there.

That along with flipping through books with alot of Pretige Classess and comments from the very helpful people on these boards will hopefully result in a creation that is specific to your campaign.

Definitly give access to Fire Domain. I like the idea of getting True Ressurection once per year or so, after performing some mighty quest.

 

[Piratecat]

Hey, I have one of those! Let me see if I can find a copy of it, and I'll post it. It's pretty campaign-specific, but what the heck.

EDIT - and here it is! http://enworld.cyberstreet.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=4783

Hope that helps a bit.