My Epic Level Rules

[Lord Vangarel]

For a bit of fun I've started compiling my version of what the Epic Level Rules should be. To get started here are a couple of snippets:

A character achieves epic levels after 20th level. For each additional level gained they gain the normal class benefits and 5 Epic Level Points which can be spent either to power some epic level magic or purchase epic level feats.

Once spellcasters reach 20th level they no longer gain spells normally. Instead they gain the ability to cast 1 epic level spell of their spell type for each new spellcaster level they gain in the class. For example a 23rd level wizard can cast all his normal spells and additionally 2 1st level epic arcane spells, and 1 2nd level arcane spell. Epic spells can be swapped out for lesser spells at the time of preparation.

The system will take characters on beyond epic levels to the path to become deities. A deity is essentially a template that has prerequisites which once met can be chosen by the caster. An example template is the Quasi-Hero as described below:

Requirements: At least two abilities 25+, 200 or more dedicated followers who are willing to sacrifice themselves for their hero, a great deed/misdeed that directly benefits the followers in some meaningful, beneficial, and long lasting way. Deity level sponsorship fromat least a Lesser God.
Benefits: The life-span of the Quasi-Hero becomes 10 times longer than normal. If a race normally lives to 70 years the Quasi-Hero will now live to 700 years. This aging exists to allow the Quasi-Hero time to develop into full godhood. The character remains the same physical age as previously and continues to gain the normal mental modifiers to stats as their original race however their physical stats are not modified until they reach the appropriate age in their new lifespan.

The system details epic level monsters without whom eternal existence would become dull. Monsters themselves can gain epic abilities once they exceed 40 hit dice.

Spells, the system will include epic level spells, an example is described below:

Lesser Magical Binding (Wizard/Sorcerer 1, Cleric/Druid 1)
Duration: 10 years per caster level
Epic Point Cost: 5

Description: This spell binds the effects of any one lesser spell (Level 9 or lower) to a specific location for a period of 10 years per caster level. A 21st level caster will bind the effect of the lesser spell to a site for 210 years.


Anyway, hope you all like it, feel free to comment. The link to the full set of rules can be found at Epic Level Rules.

 

[MythandLore]

Here's my group's ELRs.
It's pretty basic, but it's worked fine for us for many months now.

Epic Level Characters
When a character reaches 20 levels she continues gaining class abilities as normal.
Classes do not go beyond 20th level; instead a character must gain levels in another class or prestige class they are eligible to take.
Base attack bonuses, saves, Hit Dice, etc. all continue as there classes allow.
Spell casters begin gaining Epic+1 level of spells after hitting 20th-level; They do not gain bonus spells for domains or specialization; A Transmuter-10/Red Wizard-10/Arch-mage-4 would have 10th, 11th, 12th, and 13th level spells, one of each level.
Fantastically powerful magic items called ‘Relics’ or ‘Artifacts’ can give a maximum of +20 to an ability score; magic armor and shields can give a Maximum magic bonus of +10 to AC, but there is no cap on the amount of extra abilities; Magic weapons can give a Maximum of +10 to attack and damage, but there is no cap on the amount of extra abilities; Relics are created by powerful mortals; Artifacts are created by deities.

Example of an Epic Level NPC:
Drizzt Do'Urden: male drow Ftr20, Rgr16; CR 38; Medium-size Humanoid (elf); HD 36d10+108; hp 396; Atks +40/+35/+30/+25/+20/+15/+10/+5 melee; SA favored enemy (x3), spell-like abilities, spells; SQ +2 Will save vs. spells or spell-like abilities, dark-vision 120 ft; SR 47; AL NG; SV Fort +25, Ref +18, Will +15; Str 19, Dex 25, Con 16, Int 20, Wis 19, Cha 14. He would likely have powerful magical equipment equal to several million gold pieces in value.

 

[Crothian]

So, how many people have had campaigns go to this Epic Level? My first one we ended it shortly after level 20. People were happy with how it went and we were are ready to start new. The current campaign we're trying to convince the DM to go beyond 20, but the way he has it planned out it will take us close to 20 before it's over.

 

[Lord Vangarel]

Crothian, my aim is that by providing rules for epic levels to exist it will be easier to see characters advance to them. My previous campaign stopped at around level 15, more for out of campaign reasons than campaign reasons. We were beginning to encounter problems defining these more powerful creatures/characters so I began thinking about epic level rules.

MythandLore, thanks for the notes on your epic levels, I'm open to all suggestions and appreciate any who are already using some type of rules. What I want to do is make the advancing levels more interesting by providing ranges of powerful spells, epic feats, epic level uses for skills, and of course monsters for the characters to fight.

As a note to those who haven't taken a look at what I've done so far here are the beginnings of another epic level spell:

Guardian Sphere (Wizard/Sorcerer 5)
Duration: 10 years per caster level
Epic Point Cost: 10 points

Description: This spell wards a location up to 100-ft per epic caster level against any intrusion of any type. Any character wishing to pass the guardian must make a willpower saving throw to succeed. The guardian covers all planes of existence, all spells or equal or lesser level, and all creatures. The guardian can take any form the caster desires whether it is creatures, a feeling, or something else. At the time of casting the caster can specify up to 5 conditions which will allow safe passage, these can be command words, specific individuals, special spells, or even a sequence of actions. If a character attempts to pass the Guardian Sphere and fails their saving throw they will find themselves in a life or death struggle against a suitable opponent. The opponent never tires, cannot be hurt, and cannot be affected by lesser magic. The target may think they only have to pass a short distance but they will never succeed in this event. Their only course is to retreat. The effects of such a battle leave a mental scar that stops them trying to cross the portal for a period of 1 year.



Anyway, keep your ideas coming, thanks guys.

 

[DeadlyUematsu]

A question...

Why is it that the majority of unoffical player-created epic rules I have seen fail to include stuff for normal class levels above level 20? Come on, no need to keep within the boundaries foretold by WotC. Where's my level 26 wizard with True Dwemnors? My level 30 monk with the 30d20 chi bolt? I have an immortal of the sphere of Entropy just dying to nuke some level 20 prestige class ninja spies. Come on, let's kill the limits, but that's not the point....

I like what I see from you so far.

 

[Lord Vangarel]

Originally posted by DeadlyUematsu
Where's my level 26 wizard with True Dwemnors?

I agree, just off the top of my head, a level 26 wizard has all the abilities of the level 20 wizard with the following additions, 2 epic level 1 arcane spells, 2 epic level 2 arcane spells, 2 epic level 3 arcane spells, 6d4 more hit points, increased BAB and saves according to standard wizard progression, new standard feats at levels 21 and 24, 6 levels more skill points, an increased stat at level 24, and a possible 30 epic level points assuming none have been spent on either epic level feats or epic level spells with points cost.

One of the main aims of the system is, should a player choose to, a character can go on forever advancing in the same class and just becoming more powerful.

While I'm here I'm looking for anyone who has ideas for epic level feats or epic level spells. All submissions, should they be included, will be appropriately credited.

As for prestige classes I'm not yet sure how epic levels should deal with them, whether to allow prestige classes to advance further in the class or come with with epic level prestige classes, or perhaps both? Again any ideas/suggestions welcome.

 

[MythandLore]

Re: A question...

Where's my level 26 wizard with True Dwemnors?

Umm... He can cast like a 15th level spell.
That's like a 62d8 Horrid Wilting at about half a mile (2880 feet) (Empowered x3, Enlarged) or a Meteor Swarm at about mile and a half away (8640 feet) (Enlarged x6).
Do they kinda sound like True Dwemnors?

 

[Zelda Themelin]

I like reading your ideas. I like them.

Do not worry too much about game balance. It gets in the way of cool and interesting ideas and creative thinking. Keep possiblities open for what we want, rules are created for telling us how hard is to get, that what we want. Balance will create itself when you have enough wild ideas.

 

[Lord Vangarel]

Originally posted by Zelda Themelin
Do not worry too much about game balance. It gets in the way of cool and interesting ideas and creative thinking. Keep possiblities open for what we want, rules are created for telling us how hard is to get, that what we want. Balance will create itself when you have enough wild ideas.

Thanks Zelda

I'm trying hard not to get hung up on rules at the moment but more about cool features. It's like, ok wouldn't it be cool if that epic level paladin could get himself a dragon as a mount, should this be left to roleplaying or should it be rules? What cool spells should be available? In the main I'm thinking world altering spells that sometimes hang around for a long time but how do you stop spell casters leaving them all over the place (that's where epic level points come in). Magic items is another thing, the truly epic level magic items should be usable but also believeable, I personally don't want magic items that destroy the world but others may.

 

[Lord Vangarel]

More info available on the site

I've been busy adding new features to the rules concentrating for the time being on feats and deities.

I've got the beginnings of the Demi-God template and a bunch of feats allowing characters to take damage reduction and other stuff.

Check it out at Epic Level Rules