Merfolk Paragon

[Kaodi]

I was thinking again of aquatic setting ideas for Eberron, featuring merfolk and locathah in the Barren Sea, and I drifted towards thinking of a paragon class for merfolk. I watched Aquamarine the other day (there weren't any other interesting looking movies in the time slot), and of course you can't have such a paragon without a little influence from The Little Mermaid, but I'm not quite sure how this class will measure up against other paragons. So...

Alignment: Any
Hit Dice: d8
Class Skills (4 + Int/Level): Craft, Diplomacy, Handle Animal, Heal, Knowledge (Nature), Listen, Perform, Profession, Spot, Swim
BAB: 3/4
Saves: Good Reflex
Weapon And Armour Proficiences: Light and Medium Armour, Simple Weapons, Trident and Net
1st Level - Perform Expertise (Ex): A merfolk paragon adds his class level as a racial bonus on all Perform (Sing) checks.
2nd Level - Alternature Form (Su): A merfolk can shift into human form as a standard action. They retain their own ability scores, do not regain hit points, and their gear is not affected. They gain a +10 bonus on Disguise checks to emulate a human. Their humanoid features are for the most part identical in both forms, and anyone who recognizes them in one will still recognize them in the other. Lastly, in their alternate form, a merfolk paragon has a move speed of 20 ft.
3rd Level - Ability Boost (Ex) A merfolk paragon's Charisma score increases by 2 points.

 

[Nifft]

From the SRD: the Merfolk's favored class is Bard, and her racial ability adjustments are Dex +2, Con +2, and Cha +2.

So, the paragon abilities should synergize nicely with Bard, but not require it.

Thinking back to that movie... the little red-head is actually very brave. Some sort of bonus against Fear would be good. The ability to speak with animals and/or have a crab animal companion would also be good.

Let's see...


Hit Dice: d8
Class Skills (4 + Int/Level): Craft, Diplomacy, Handle Animal, Heal, Knowledge (Local, Nature, Nobility & Royalty), Listen, Perform, Profession, Spot, Swim
BAB: 3/4
Saves: Good Will

[u]L   BAB    F / R / W    Special
1    +0   +0 /+0 /+2    Bardic Music, Courage
2    +1   +0 /+0 /+3    Expert Voice, Water Mastery +1
3    +2   +1 /+1 /+3    Aquatic Empathy
4    +3   +1 /+1 /+4    Water Mastery +2, +2 Cha

Bardic Music (Su): Your Paragon levels stack with your Bard levels to determine how often you can use your Bardic Music, which effects are available to you, and the potency of your effects. If you did not previously have Bardic Music, you gain it.

Courage (Ex): You gain a +2 racial bonus against Fear effects. When you Inspire Courage in your allies, add your Paragon level to the bonus against Fear effects that your music grants.

Expert Voice (Ex): Your voice is considered a masterwork instrument, granting you a +2 circumstance bonus on vocal Diplomacy and Perform checks.

Water Mastery (Ex): You gain the indicated bonus on attack and damage rolls if your opponent is in the water. You gain the indicated bonus as a dodge bonus to AC if you are in the water.

Aquatic Empathy (Ex): Functions as a Druid's Wild Empathy, but only works on animals or magical beasts found in or under the water, and uses all of your hit dice for the check.


Cheers, -- N

 

[Kaodi]

That's not bad, but don't aren't Paragon classes limited to three levels?

The real problem I have with it though is that I really think the ability to switch fins for legs is the most iconic ability of mermaids in popular culture, and I really wanted to include that as part of the paragon class. I limited move its move to 20 ft. because they aren't supposed to be as good on their feat as their land dwelling counterparts, but still have the advantage as well. The only thing that concerns me is whether it is too strong an ability, but I don't think its too bad, especially given Merfolk are a kind of weak +1 LA.

If you limit it to the standard 3 levels, and have my alternate form at 2nd and the ability boost at 3rd, that leaves you with having to choose one of remaining abilities. I don't care much for water mastery, so that leaves either Bardic Music or some form of Courage. I'm thinking I'd say Courage, but change it so that Paragon Levels count as bard levels for Inspire Courage, plus have the bonuses against fear you mentioned. However, you only gain 1/use a day of bardic music at 1st level and no other until you actually take levels in Bard.

I think Reflex is more fitting than Will because it fits the more warlike male merfolk better than Will.

 

[Nifft]

That's not bad, but don't aren't Paragon classes limited to three levels?

Four levels is better for people who don't use fractional BAB and saves.

The real problem I have with it though is that I really think the ability to switch fins for legs is the most iconic ability of mermaids in popular culture, and I really wanted to include that as part of the paragon class.

Ooo, totally forgot that one!

If you limit it to the standard 3 levels, and have my alternate form at 2nd and the ability boost at 3rd, that leaves you with having to choose one of remaining abilities. I don't care much for water mastery, so that leaves either Bardic Music or some form of Courage. I'm thinking I'd say Courage, but change it so that Paragon Levels count as bard levels for Inspire Courage, plus have the bonuses against fear you mentioned. However, you only gain 1/use a day of bardic music at 1st level and no other until you actually take levels in Bard.

Many paragons give a goody and a stat boost at their ultimate level. Humans advance spellcasting, for example. (However, note that most paragons are also too weak. Humans are an exception -- they're actually pretty good. Halfling is also okay, as is Dwarf. Half-Dragon is good, too, but given their LA, it's not particularly viable.)

In conclusion: don't be afraid of giving multiple abilities at each level, especially weak ones (with no combat application) like alternate form.

Cheers, -- N

 

[Kaodi]

How about keeping it to three levels, having bardic music and courage at first, alternate form and expert voice (I'd only give the bonus to vocal perform, however) at second, and ability boost and aquatic empathy (for animals with the aquatic subtype only) at 3rd? I'd still give good reflex instead of good will.

 

[Nifft]

I'm not ignoring you, I'd just like someone else to chime in -- don't want to dominate the design too much.

Cheers, -- N

 

[Kaodi]

I wouldn't worry about that too much. There were only three names on the original core rulebooks, and that seems to have worked out OK, hehehe...

 

[Nifft]

How about keeping it to three levels, having bardic music and courage at first, alternate form and expert voice (I'd only give the bonus to vocal perform, however) at second, and ability boost and aquatic empathy (for animals with the aquatic subtype only) at 3rd? I'd still give good reflex instead of good will.

Sounds a bit on the weak side, but not terrible at all. Better than most Paragons. Remember that you're already paying LA +1, so the Merfolk should be better than most other options -- look at the Tiefling Paragon for an example. Two good saves would be fine.

Might have some nice synergy with Paladin and a Bardic Music prestige class (since Paladins are otherwise not easily able to enter those). What's available on that front? Seeker of the Song? Warchanter?

Ooo, if you allow Tome of Battle, then the Warblade becomes an attractive class, with Song of the White Raven and other White Raven goodies. (Since you'll have better HP than a Bard3 and Bardic Music without the spellcasting.) Hmm, singing warriors. What do you think?

Cheers, -- N

 

[Kaodi]

I think I can't comment on any of those classes because I don't have any of those books. We can certainly go with the two good saves though.