kreynolds
First Post
Here's a new prestige race focus I whipped up. I went ahead and put in the "How I Determined the Price/XP" bits, but be warned, those are just my own notes for myself, so you might find them confusing. Anyhow, hope you enjoy. 
Ice Focus
To some, nothing is more imposing or as powerful as ice. It can choke the life out of entire continents. It can carve a swath deep into the lands, slowly destroying everything in its path. Ice is patient and unstoppable. It is pure and absolute. It deserves nothing but respect. There are those that have the tendency to be cold, calculating, and emotionless, at least to some degree. Others simply acknowledge that there are some things in this world that you cannot change, that you cannot fight, and that you cannot stop. These individuals, possessing a power of will and dogged determination far outside the norm, choose to focus on the path of ice.
Cold Creature [Ice]
Cold creatures constantly seek to calm the raging storms of their hearts, preferring instead to think of all things with a clear mind. They approach as much of life as they can with logic and clear thought. For cold creatures, emotions begin to take a back seat, at least at first; their demeanor becomes more regal and stoic. Their skin also pales somewhat and takes on a very faint blue tinge. They rarely ever find themselves uncomfortable when inside even the worst raging arctic storms or blizzards.
   Prerequisite: Sculpt Self feat.
   Benefit: The creature gains a +4 bonus to saving throws against cold spells and effects. The creature also gains cold resistance 5.
   Special: This prestige race alteration is unavailable to creatures with flame prestige race alterations.
   Cost: 2,000 XP.
How I Determined the Price/XP
This was very easy to price. Both functions of the item are similar powers themed towards cold effects. First, I priced the limited +4 saving throw bonus (4 x 4 x 250 / 5), for a total of 800 XP. Next up is the cold resistance, for which I used the endure elements spell (1 x 1 x 2,000 / 5), for a total of 400 XP. However, because you cannot choose the energy type, I gave it a 50% discount, bringing the total down to 200 XP.
   Lastly, this prestige race alteration does not take up an item slot, therefore both of the XP values above are doubled (except for spells cast), then added together, giving us a grand total of 2,000 XP.
…using Bastion’s method
Save bonus limited (+4 Fort) -- (4 x 4 x 50) 800 XP
Cold resistance 5 -- (5 x 200) 1,000 XP
Total: 1,800 XP
Frostbound Creature [Ice]
These creatures fear only those ultimate forces that are meant to be and they are as steadfast as a great glacier. A foe is merely an obstacle to be driven over and crushed beneath their awesome power. Frostbound creatures rarely ever show emotion and they are some of the most patient individuals to be found. The creature’s skin gently glimmers like the light of the sun on snow and the color of their eyes turn a deep and intense blue.
   Prerequisite: Cold Creature, Sculpt Self feat.
   Benefit: The creature gains a +4 bonus to saving throws versus fear spells and effects. The creature also gains cold resistance 10 and the ability to cast ray of frost (at will) as a 2nd-level sorcerer.
   Cost: 3,600 XP.
How I Determined the Price/XP
First, I priced the limited +4 saving throw bonus (4 x 4 x 250 / 5), for a total of 800 XP. Next up is the cold resistance, for which I used the resist elements spell (2 x 3 x 2,000 / 5), for a total of 2,400 XP. However, because you cannot choose the energy type, I gave it a 50% discount, bringing the total down to 1,200 XP. Also, I deducted the cost of the previously gained cold resistance 5, bringing the total down to 800 XP. Last is ray of frost, which is actually a 0-level spell, so you divide its cost in half (1 x 2 x 2,000 / 2 / 5), for a total of 400 XP.
   This prestige race alteration does not take up an item slot, therefore all of the XP values above are doubled (except for spells cast), then added together, giving us a grand total of 3,600 XP.
…using Bastion’s method
Save bonus limited (+4 Fort) -- (4 x 4 x 50) 800 XP
Cold resistance 10 -- (10 x 200 – 1,000) 1,000 XP
Ray of Frost (at will) -- (1 x 1,500 / 2) 750 XP
Total: 2,550 XP
Frigid Creature [Ice]
Frigid creatures begin to fully embrace the cold, letting it flood their veins with its chilling power. No longer emotionless, they are simply far less prone to emotional outbursts. Their hair lightens to a light gray or white, becoming fine and glossy, the pupils of their eyes melt into twin pools of soft blue light, and their features soften, their appearances now quite comely and pleasing to the eyes.
   Prerequisite: Cold Creature, Frostbound Creature, Sculpt Self feat.
   Benefit: The creature gains a +1 inherent bonus to Charisma and the ability to cast icebolt (3/day – DC 12 + Cha) and freezing arrow (3/day – DC 12 + Cha) as a 6th-level sorcerer. They also gain a +2 competence bonus to all Diplomacy, Gather Information, Intimidate, and Sense Motive checks.
   Cost: 11,820 XP.
Note: Freezing arrow is merely a cold energy substituted acid arrow spell.
How I Determined the Price/XP
First, I priced the bonus to Charisma. Using the tome of leadership and influence as a blueprint, we find that the book requires the spending of 5,100 XP, so that part is easy. Next up are the spells icebolt and freezing arrow, both of which are the same spell level and cast at the same caster level (2 x 6 x 2,000 / 5 x 3 / 5), which comes to 2,880 each, for a total of 5,760 for both of them together. The +2 bonus to Diplomacy, Gather Information, Intimidate and Sense Motive checks was priced at (2 x 2 x 20 / 5) 128 XP for all four bonuses.
   This prestige race alteration does not take up an item slot, therefore all of the XP values above are doubled (except for spells cast), then added together, giving us a grand total of 11,988 XP.
…using Bastion’s method
Inherent Charisma bonus (+1) -- (1 x 1 x 500) 500 XP
Icebolt (3/day) -- (2 x 3 x 300) 1,800 XP
Velorum’s freezing arrow (3/day) -- (2 x 3 x 300) 1,800 XP
+2 Diplomacy -- (2 x 200) 400 XP
+2 Gather Information -- (2 x 200) 400 XP
+2 Intimidate -- (2 x 200) 400 XP
+2 Sense Motive -- (2 x 200) 400 XP
Total: 5,700 XP
Freezing Creature [Ice]
Having fully welcomed the cold within, freezing creatures begin to manifest their burgeoning power in an outward manner. Their appearances approach near perfection; their bodies are athletically fit and shapely. Their hair is as white as the purest snow, their skin is tougher and turns a light silver-blue, and the blue glow in their intense eyes is brighter than before. In addition, the air is always comfortably cool around them (10-foot radius, centered on the freezing creature).
   Prerequisite: Cold Creature, Frigid Creature, Frostbound Creature, Sculpt Self feat.
   Benefit: The creature gains a +2 inherent bonus to Charisma and a +1 natural armor bonus. They also gain the ability to cast cold orb (1/day – DC 14 + Cha) and cone of cold (1/day – DC 15 + Cha) as a 15th-level sorcerer.
   Cost: 16,700 XP.
How I Determined the Price/XP
First, I priced the natural armor bonus (1 x 1 x 2,000 / 5) and came up with 400 XP. Next up are the spells cold orb (4 x 15 x 2,000 / 5 / 5) and cone of cold (5 x 15 x 2,000 / 5 / 5), which comes to a total of 10,800 XP. Last is the +2 inherent bonus to Charisma, which carries an XP cost of 10,200. However, because this bonus is really an upgrade to the original bonus granted by the Frigid Creature, I subtract the difference, which gives a total of 5,100 XP.
   This prestige race alteration does not take up an item slot, therefore all of the XP values above are doubled (except for spells cast), then added together, giving us a grand total of 16,700 XP.
…using Bastion’s method
Inherent Charisma bonus (+2) -- (2 x 2 x 500 - 500) 1,500 XP
Natural armor bonus (+1) -- (1 x 1 x 250) 250 XP
Cold orb (1/day) -- (4 x 1 x 300) 1,200 XP
Cone of cold (1/day) -- (5 x 1 x 300) 1,500 XP
Total: 4,200 XP
Arctic Creature [Ice]
Arctic creatures are but one step away from obtaining ultimate power. The element of cold has flooded their very being, hardening them, strengthening them, revitalizing them. The gentle voice of an arctic creature is usually tinged with the soft sounds of crystals tapping and tinkling, their eyes have completely melted into twin pools of brilliant blue light, and any hair they had is now gone.
   Prerequisite: Cold Creature, Freezing Creature, Frigid Creature, Frostbound Creature, Sculpt Self feat.
   Benefit: The creature gains a +3 natural armor bonus, cold resistance 15, and darkvision with a range of 60 feet. Due to their changing physiology, arctic creatures have a 50% chance to automatically negate the extra damage from critical hits, sneak attacks, etc.
   Cost: 16,352 XP.
How I Determined the Price/XP
First, I priced the natural armor bonus (3 x 3 x 2,000 / 5) and came up with 3,600 XP. For the cold resistance, I merely added a 50% increase to the cost of the previously gained cold resistance 10, and deducted its cost from this one (1,200 + 50% = 1,800 – 1,200), giving us a total of 600 XP. For darkvision, I doubled the cost of goggles of night (8,000 x 2) then divided the result by 5 to get the XP cost of 3,200. For the negation of critical hits, sneak attacks, etc, I referred to armor of fortification, and extrapolated a cost of 1,800 XP. The +6 bonus to Diplomacy, Gather Information, Intimidate and Sense Motive checks was priced at (6 x 6 x 20 / 5) 1,152 XP for all four bonuses.
   This prestige race alteration does not take up an item slot, therefore all of the XP values above are doubled (except for spells cast), then added together, giving us a grand total of 16,352 XP.
…using Bastion’s method
Natural armor bonus (+3) -- (3 x 3 x 250 - 250) 2,000 XP
Cold resistance (15) -- (15 x 200 – 2,000) 1,000 XP
Darkvision -- 1,500 XP
Critical/Sneak resistance -- 2,000 XP
+6 Diplomacy -- (6 x 200) 1,200 XP
+6 Gather Information -- (6 x 200) 1,200 XP
+6 Intimidate -- (6 x 200) 1,200 XP
+6 Sense Motive -- (6 x 200) 1,200 XP
Total: 11,300 XP
Glacial Creature [Ice]
Glacial creatures have reached the absolute pinnacle of power and bear a strong resemblance to the paraelemental creatures of ice. They are elegant and graceful beings, and they are rarely ever prone to emotional outbursts. Their skin has become a very dark blue with silver undertones and the glittering silvery texture makes it appear as though their skin is covered with a fine layer of frost. Their eye sockets are filled with intensely glowing blue-white light. Glacial creatures are slighty cold to the touch.
   Prerequisite: Arctic Creature, Cold Creature, Freezing Creature, Frigid Creature, Frostbound Creature, Sculpt Self feat.
   Benefit: The creature gains a +5 natural armor bonus and they are immune to critical hits, sneak attacks, etc. Glacial creatures also benefit from a continuous spider climb effect, except that it only works on icy surfaces.
   Cost: 24,000 XP.
How I Determined the Price/XP
First, I priced the natural armor bonus, again deducting the cost of the previous +3 bonus (5 x 5 x 2,000 / 5 – 3,600) and came up with 6,400 XP. For the immunity to critical hits, sneak attacks, etc, I again referred to armor of fortification and extrapolated a cost of 7,200 XP. However, I then deducted the cost of the previously gained immunity (1,800) and arrived at a total of 5,400. For the spider climb effect, I came to a price of (1 x 1 x 2,000 / 5) 400 XP. However, because it only works on ice, I gave it a 50% discount, bringing our total to 200 XP.
   This prestige race alteration does not take up an item slot, therefore all of the XP values above are doubled (except for spells cast), then added together, giving us a grand total of 24,000 XP.
…using Bastion’s method
Natural armor bonus (+5) -- (5 x 5 x 250 – 2,250) 4,000 XP
Critical/Sneak immunity -- 6,000 XP
Spider climb (ice) -- 750 XP
Total: 10,000 XP
Ice Focus
To some, nothing is more imposing or as powerful as ice. It can choke the life out of entire continents. It can carve a swath deep into the lands, slowly destroying everything in its path. Ice is patient and unstoppable. It is pure and absolute. It deserves nothing but respect. There are those that have the tendency to be cold, calculating, and emotionless, at least to some degree. Others simply acknowledge that there are some things in this world that you cannot change, that you cannot fight, and that you cannot stop. These individuals, possessing a power of will and dogged determination far outside the norm, choose to focus on the path of ice.
Cold Creature [Ice]
Cold creatures constantly seek to calm the raging storms of their hearts, preferring instead to think of all things with a clear mind. They approach as much of life as they can with logic and clear thought. For cold creatures, emotions begin to take a back seat, at least at first; their demeanor becomes more regal and stoic. Their skin also pales somewhat and takes on a very faint blue tinge. They rarely ever find themselves uncomfortable when inside even the worst raging arctic storms or blizzards.
   Prerequisite: Sculpt Self feat.
   Benefit: The creature gains a +4 bonus to saving throws against cold spells and effects. The creature also gains cold resistance 5.
   Special: This prestige race alteration is unavailable to creatures with flame prestige race alterations.
   Cost: 2,000 XP.
How I Determined the Price/XP
This was very easy to price. Both functions of the item are similar powers themed towards cold effects. First, I priced the limited +4 saving throw bonus (4 x 4 x 250 / 5), for a total of 800 XP. Next up is the cold resistance, for which I used the endure elements spell (1 x 1 x 2,000 / 5), for a total of 400 XP. However, because you cannot choose the energy type, I gave it a 50% discount, bringing the total down to 200 XP.
   Lastly, this prestige race alteration does not take up an item slot, therefore both of the XP values above are doubled (except for spells cast), then added together, giving us a grand total of 2,000 XP.
…using Bastion’s method
Save bonus limited (+4 Fort) -- (4 x 4 x 50) 800 XP
Cold resistance 5 -- (5 x 200) 1,000 XP
Total: 1,800 XP
Frostbound Creature [Ice]
These creatures fear only those ultimate forces that are meant to be and they are as steadfast as a great glacier. A foe is merely an obstacle to be driven over and crushed beneath their awesome power. Frostbound creatures rarely ever show emotion and they are some of the most patient individuals to be found. The creature’s skin gently glimmers like the light of the sun on snow and the color of their eyes turn a deep and intense blue.
   Prerequisite: Cold Creature, Sculpt Self feat.
   Benefit: The creature gains a +4 bonus to saving throws versus fear spells and effects. The creature also gains cold resistance 10 and the ability to cast ray of frost (at will) as a 2nd-level sorcerer.
   Cost: 3,600 XP.
How I Determined the Price/XP
First, I priced the limited +4 saving throw bonus (4 x 4 x 250 / 5), for a total of 800 XP. Next up is the cold resistance, for which I used the resist elements spell (2 x 3 x 2,000 / 5), for a total of 2,400 XP. However, because you cannot choose the energy type, I gave it a 50% discount, bringing the total down to 1,200 XP. Also, I deducted the cost of the previously gained cold resistance 5, bringing the total down to 800 XP. Last is ray of frost, which is actually a 0-level spell, so you divide its cost in half (1 x 2 x 2,000 / 2 / 5), for a total of 400 XP.
   This prestige race alteration does not take up an item slot, therefore all of the XP values above are doubled (except for spells cast), then added together, giving us a grand total of 3,600 XP.
…using Bastion’s method
Save bonus limited (+4 Fort) -- (4 x 4 x 50) 800 XP
Cold resistance 10 -- (10 x 200 – 1,000) 1,000 XP
Ray of Frost (at will) -- (1 x 1,500 / 2) 750 XP
Total: 2,550 XP
Frigid Creature [Ice]
Frigid creatures begin to fully embrace the cold, letting it flood their veins with its chilling power. No longer emotionless, they are simply far less prone to emotional outbursts. Their hair lightens to a light gray or white, becoming fine and glossy, the pupils of their eyes melt into twin pools of soft blue light, and their features soften, their appearances now quite comely and pleasing to the eyes.
   Prerequisite: Cold Creature, Frostbound Creature, Sculpt Self feat.
   Benefit: The creature gains a +1 inherent bonus to Charisma and the ability to cast icebolt (3/day – DC 12 + Cha) and freezing arrow (3/day – DC 12 + Cha) as a 6th-level sorcerer. They also gain a +2 competence bonus to all Diplomacy, Gather Information, Intimidate, and Sense Motive checks.
   Cost: 11,820 XP.
Note: Freezing arrow is merely a cold energy substituted acid arrow spell.
How I Determined the Price/XP
First, I priced the bonus to Charisma. Using the tome of leadership and influence as a blueprint, we find that the book requires the spending of 5,100 XP, so that part is easy. Next up are the spells icebolt and freezing arrow, both of which are the same spell level and cast at the same caster level (2 x 6 x 2,000 / 5 x 3 / 5), which comes to 2,880 each, for a total of 5,760 for both of them together. The +2 bonus to Diplomacy, Gather Information, Intimidate and Sense Motive checks was priced at (2 x 2 x 20 / 5) 128 XP for all four bonuses.
   This prestige race alteration does not take up an item slot, therefore all of the XP values above are doubled (except for spells cast), then added together, giving us a grand total of 11,988 XP.
…using Bastion’s method
Inherent Charisma bonus (+1) -- (1 x 1 x 500) 500 XP
Icebolt (3/day) -- (2 x 3 x 300) 1,800 XP
Velorum’s freezing arrow (3/day) -- (2 x 3 x 300) 1,800 XP
+2 Diplomacy -- (2 x 200) 400 XP
+2 Gather Information -- (2 x 200) 400 XP
+2 Intimidate -- (2 x 200) 400 XP
+2 Sense Motive -- (2 x 200) 400 XP
Total: 5,700 XP
Freezing Creature [Ice]
Having fully welcomed the cold within, freezing creatures begin to manifest their burgeoning power in an outward manner. Their appearances approach near perfection; their bodies are athletically fit and shapely. Their hair is as white as the purest snow, their skin is tougher and turns a light silver-blue, and the blue glow in their intense eyes is brighter than before. In addition, the air is always comfortably cool around them (10-foot radius, centered on the freezing creature).
   Prerequisite: Cold Creature, Frigid Creature, Frostbound Creature, Sculpt Self feat.
   Benefit: The creature gains a +2 inherent bonus to Charisma and a +1 natural armor bonus. They also gain the ability to cast cold orb (1/day – DC 14 + Cha) and cone of cold (1/day – DC 15 + Cha) as a 15th-level sorcerer.
   Cost: 16,700 XP.
How I Determined the Price/XP
First, I priced the natural armor bonus (1 x 1 x 2,000 / 5) and came up with 400 XP. Next up are the spells cold orb (4 x 15 x 2,000 / 5 / 5) and cone of cold (5 x 15 x 2,000 / 5 / 5), which comes to a total of 10,800 XP. Last is the +2 inherent bonus to Charisma, which carries an XP cost of 10,200. However, because this bonus is really an upgrade to the original bonus granted by the Frigid Creature, I subtract the difference, which gives a total of 5,100 XP.
   This prestige race alteration does not take up an item slot, therefore all of the XP values above are doubled (except for spells cast), then added together, giving us a grand total of 16,700 XP.
…using Bastion’s method
Inherent Charisma bonus (+2) -- (2 x 2 x 500 - 500) 1,500 XP
Natural armor bonus (+1) -- (1 x 1 x 250) 250 XP
Cold orb (1/day) -- (4 x 1 x 300) 1,200 XP
Cone of cold (1/day) -- (5 x 1 x 300) 1,500 XP
Total: 4,200 XP
Arctic Creature [Ice]
Arctic creatures are but one step away from obtaining ultimate power. The element of cold has flooded their very being, hardening them, strengthening them, revitalizing them. The gentle voice of an arctic creature is usually tinged with the soft sounds of crystals tapping and tinkling, their eyes have completely melted into twin pools of brilliant blue light, and any hair they had is now gone.
   Prerequisite: Cold Creature, Freezing Creature, Frigid Creature, Frostbound Creature, Sculpt Self feat.
   Benefit: The creature gains a +3 natural armor bonus, cold resistance 15, and darkvision with a range of 60 feet. Due to their changing physiology, arctic creatures have a 50% chance to automatically negate the extra damage from critical hits, sneak attacks, etc.
   Cost: 16,352 XP.
How I Determined the Price/XP
First, I priced the natural armor bonus (3 x 3 x 2,000 / 5) and came up with 3,600 XP. For the cold resistance, I merely added a 50% increase to the cost of the previously gained cold resistance 10, and deducted its cost from this one (1,200 + 50% = 1,800 – 1,200), giving us a total of 600 XP. For darkvision, I doubled the cost of goggles of night (8,000 x 2) then divided the result by 5 to get the XP cost of 3,200. For the negation of critical hits, sneak attacks, etc, I referred to armor of fortification, and extrapolated a cost of 1,800 XP. The +6 bonus to Diplomacy, Gather Information, Intimidate and Sense Motive checks was priced at (6 x 6 x 20 / 5) 1,152 XP for all four bonuses.
   This prestige race alteration does not take up an item slot, therefore all of the XP values above are doubled (except for spells cast), then added together, giving us a grand total of 16,352 XP.
…using Bastion’s method
Natural armor bonus (+3) -- (3 x 3 x 250 - 250) 2,000 XP
Cold resistance (15) -- (15 x 200 – 2,000) 1,000 XP
Darkvision -- 1,500 XP
Critical/Sneak resistance -- 2,000 XP
+6 Diplomacy -- (6 x 200) 1,200 XP
+6 Gather Information -- (6 x 200) 1,200 XP
+6 Intimidate -- (6 x 200) 1,200 XP
+6 Sense Motive -- (6 x 200) 1,200 XP
Total: 11,300 XP
Glacial Creature [Ice]
Glacial creatures have reached the absolute pinnacle of power and bear a strong resemblance to the paraelemental creatures of ice. They are elegant and graceful beings, and they are rarely ever prone to emotional outbursts. Their skin has become a very dark blue with silver undertones and the glittering silvery texture makes it appear as though their skin is covered with a fine layer of frost. Their eye sockets are filled with intensely glowing blue-white light. Glacial creatures are slighty cold to the touch.
   Prerequisite: Arctic Creature, Cold Creature, Freezing Creature, Frigid Creature, Frostbound Creature, Sculpt Self feat.
   Benefit: The creature gains a +5 natural armor bonus and they are immune to critical hits, sneak attacks, etc. Glacial creatures also benefit from a continuous spider climb effect, except that it only works on icy surfaces.
   Cost: 24,000 XP.
How I Determined the Price/XP
First, I priced the natural armor bonus, again deducting the cost of the previous +3 bonus (5 x 5 x 2,000 / 5 – 3,600) and came up with 6,400 XP. For the immunity to critical hits, sneak attacks, etc, I again referred to armor of fortification and extrapolated a cost of 7,200 XP. However, I then deducted the cost of the previously gained immunity (1,800) and arrived at a total of 5,400. For the spider climb effect, I came to a price of (1 x 1 x 2,000 / 5) 400 XP. However, because it only works on ice, I gave it a 50% discount, bringing our total to 200 XP.
   This prestige race alteration does not take up an item slot, therefore all of the XP values above are doubled (except for spells cast), then added together, giving us a grand total of 24,000 XP.
…using Bastion’s method
Natural armor bonus (+5) -- (5 x 5 x 250 – 2,250) 4,000 XP
Critical/Sneak immunity -- 6,000 XP
Spider climb (ice) -- 750 XP
Total: 10,000 XP
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I'll be sure and bring Greg's attention to this - also, you might want to post this baby over at the Official Bastion forums, located at the link below:
