[OOC] Arcanis: The Spear of the Lohgin

[Byrons_Ghost]

Because I haven't typed up enough information yet...

Here's how the holy warrior basically works: they each have access to two domains, which define their starting powers. The domains are similar to cleric domains (Good, Law, Magic, etc), but grant special abilities instead of actual spells. The Champion domain, for instance, provides detect evil and lay on hands abilities at 1st level and smite evil at 2nd level. The Guardian domain provides divine grace and divine health at 1st level and aura of courage at 2nd level. By taking these two domains, you end up with a standard paladin.

Later in their career, holy warriors get what are called "Gifts of God". These are more potent spell-like abilities that are used a certain number of times per week. For the paladin, this is the remove disease ability.

In everything else- BAB, HD, saves, skills, turn undead, summon mount, etc, the holy warrior advances exactly as a paladin.

If you want, you can keep the Champion and Guardian domains for your character. Because of your patron, you could also choose from the Air or Might domains:

Air, 1st level- Air Ken (gain Auran language skill, Improved Initiative, Dodge feats)
Rebuke Air elementals- as the clerical domain ability
2nd level- Elemental resistance (pick one of lightning or cold) of class level x CHA modifier per day.

Might, 1st level- Feat of Strength (increase Str once/day for one round by class level + CHA modifier)
Unyielding- Add CHA bonus to all Fort saves (stacks with divine grace) and remain functioning until negative HP equal to CHA mod.
2nd level- Warrior's Heart (enter ecstatic battle trance once per day which adds +6 to Str and Con and makes you immune to pain)

Unfortunately, there isn't really a domain to represent a quick, duelist type warrior. There's a travel domain, but it mainly effects running speed, overland travel, that sort of thing.

As for the Gifts, you gain uses at the same levels you would the Remove Disease ability. Some Holy Warriors gain two gifts, getting one at the lower levels and one at the higher levels for three uses per week each. You can keep the Remove Disease for either or both of these. Others that may fit are:

Gust of Wind: usable once/week at levels 3, 6, and 9
Control Winds: usable once/week at levels 12, 15, and 18
Keen Edge: usable once/week at levels 3, 6, and 9
Freedom of movement: usable once/week at levels 12, 15, and 18

Any 2 of the above powers or Remove Disease is acceptable, as long as you've got the higher and lower ones in the right spots.

Hopefully this gives you some stuff to work with. Like I mentioned earlier, you could just stick with the standard paladin abilities if that's what you'd like to do. Let me know if you need any more info.

Incidentally, Hurrian's favored weapon is a longsword, and his symbol is a longsword pointed down with a bolt of lightning replacing the blade (as if falling from the sky). In addition to it's use as a symbol/device, many worshippers also wear it as a pendant. He's also associated with lions, the roar of the lion being compared to the sound of thunder. Thus he has things like sphinxes, leonids, and metteron (celestial lion kings) in his service.

Oh, the pegasus idea is perfectly acceptable.

 

[Blockader7]

Hello, I can post once a day and would like to be in your game. This is the character I've created:

CADWYN
human male
Lawful Good

Monk 5th level


STR: 12 +1
DEX: 17 +3
CON: 12 +1
INT: 12 +1
WIS: 14 +2
CHA: 12 +1

BASE SPEED: 40FT

HP: 29
AC: 17

BAB: +3

(+4 MELEE, + 6 MISSILE. +4 UNARMED, +6 NUNCHAKUS)

FORT: +4 (+5)
REF: +4 (+7)
WILL: +4 (+6)

CLASS ABILITIES:

UNARMED STRIKE, STUNNING ATTACK, EVASION,
DEFLECT ARROWS, STILL MIND, SLOW FALL (20ft)
PURITY OF BODY, UNARMED ATTACK BONUS +3,
UNARMED DAMAGE 1D8)

FEATS:

IMPROVED INITIATIVE, WEAPON FINESS (NUNCHAKUS),
EXPERTISE,

SKILLS:
24-6

Balance +5 (2 ranks, +3 Dex)
Craft
>Leather +3 (2 ranks, +1 Int)
Escape Artist +11 (8 ranks, +3 Dex)
Jump +9 (8 ranks, +1 Str)
Knowledge
> Arcana +5 (4 ranks +1 Int)
Listen +10 (8 ranks, +2 Wis)
Tumble +11 (8 ranks, +3 Dex)
Wilderness Lore** +4 (2.0 ranks, +2 Wis)

Languages Known: Common, Elvish, [Dwarven, Goblin]

**Cross-class skill.

EQUIPMENT:
Ring Of Jumping, Ring Of Feather Fall, Ring Of Protection +1, Nunchakus +1

EQUIPPED: Ring Of Protection, Ring Of Jumping, Nunchakus +1

Backpack, two-man tent, 50’ silk rope, Grappling Hook, 10 days of trail rations, 6 torches, 4 winter blankets, 2 water skins, traveler’s outfit, 4 vials of antitoxin, 4 flasks of acid, 10 sunrods, 25 tindertwigs, 2 beltpouches, miner’s pick, crowbar, hatchet, hard weather outfit.

Weapons:
Heavy Crossbow (1d10, 19-20 x2, 120ft) +30 bolts
Nunchakus +1 (1d6+1, x2)

PHSYICAL DESCRIPTION:

Cadwyn is not very imposing as far as humans go. Still, at the age of 22 he has seen a lot and his experiences suggest a sense of wonder when one looks into his grayish green eyes. His brown hair is kept very short with a single braid to the right side of his head as a mark of his Order. He stands shorter than average at 5’3” but weighs 135lbs

He tends to wear light yellow leather clothing when warm weather permits.

BACKGROUND:

Cadwyn was born to a noble family. They were wiped out by a Kobold raiding party and only he survived because he was trapped under an overturned wagon. A kindly monk found him nearly dead and nursed him back to health. He traveled with the man for a time, then the man left him at the Order where he received his training.

When he was finished with his training, a fire destroyed the monastery. He along with several other Monks felt it was time for them to explore the world.

His previous adventures include:

Freeing a farmer’s family from a Goblin’s curse.
Discovery of an ancient Elvish fort and setting its restless souls to rest.
Freeing a Silver Dragon hatchling from the clutches of an evil wizard.

 

[Argent Silvermage]

Looks Really cool. I'll be taking Air and Guardian.
I'll have him done tomorrow.

 

[Argent Silvermage]

Just a Taste...

Gideon of the Storm.

I remember the moment I was chosen. It was the night of my manhood ritual. My father Gavin De Angeles had just shown me off to the men of the family, as was tradition for my family. The ceremony was overly elaborate but I was not even paying attention. Tonight would be the first time I would be allowed to ride a Pegasus.
My family had raised the Pegasi for generations and I would be no exception. My father had allowed me to choose a stallion for my first flight. Star Streak was father’s personal mount and the best trained in the pens. As the ceremony ended and the time for the ride began a massive storm grew out of seemingly nowhere. Father told me I would not be able to fly that night but as soon as the weather broke I would get the chance. We returned to the hall and my elders drank themselves to sleep.
I however did not sleep. During a lull in the storm, I decided that as a man I had the right to fly as I so chose. I went to Star Streak and unfettered his wings. We rose to the top of the cage and I unlocked the gate. The stallion took advantage of his newfound freedom of movement and novice rider, shooting right into the sky and into the thunderhead.
I did what I could to control him, eventually giving in and enjoying the ride despite the rain and thunder.
I had ridden for about 10 minutes when I realized the danger I was in and tried to steer the Pegasus back home. The estate was within view and we were passing over Loc Aerie when the bolt hit us. The lightning struck me and Star Streak was killed instantly. I plunged almost dead into a shallow part of the loc and would have died if not for a fortuitous log that I clung to.
I don’t remember being found or the next week, I do remember waking up bandaged from neck to waist and the healer watching over me. He said that I must have met Hurrian judging from the brand he left on my chest. It was days more before I saw what old master Freeman was talking about. There is a scar down my chest and belly shaped like a rough Longsword. When I saw it I remembered hearing a voice over the roar of thunder saying “You are mine now.”
My father has not spoken to me in years. Partly due to the death of his prized mount and partly due to the fact that I will not be taking up the family business. Not that I don’t have 2 younger brothers and 4 sisters to carry on with out me.
I left my ancestral home and eventually found a temple devoted to Hurrian where I was taken in and trained as a holy warrior of the storm, One of the storm god’s living lightning bolts.

 

[Byrons_Ghost]

Good backgrounds guys! One thing I would like from everyone (I should have mentioned this before) is a quick note on how you came to court and entered the Duke's service. Cadwyn, for instance, could have made a name for himself with his former deeds, while Gideon could be a church representative, or could has struck out on his own.

Also, Blockader, how old were you when your family was killed? I'm curious as to how much your character knows about them. Also, is your mentor/resucuer still alive and out there somewhere?

For Cadwyn's sheet, there's some things that need to be recalculated. For skill points, you should have a total of 48: 24 (4 + 1 INT + 1 human, all x4) at first level, and then 6 per level thereafter for levels 2-5 for another 24. I count 54 points, my guess is that you counted 1st level twice (once for the 24 and once as a "normal" level at 6), which is easy to do when making higher-level characters.

I think you've got an extra feat. You should have started with two at first level, and then gotten a third level three, and that would be all. Unless you're listing a monk ability, but it looked like you had all those covered. Also, remember that Expertise has a prerequisite of Intelligence 13 or greater, so that unfortunately means you'll have to rework your attributes if you want to keep it.

I see under your BAB that you're adding your DEX to your unarmed attack rolls, but your weapon finesse lists it as being for your nunchaku. Did you mean for it to be unarmed attacks instead?

Also, your monk abilities lists "unarmed damage +1", which I'm a little unclear on. Your damage die would raise from 1d6 to 1d8 at this level, so I'm guessing that's what you mean. Or are you referring to the +1 unarmored AC bonus?

Now, for the good news... first, I can tell you actually rolled your hit points because they're rather low. For you (or anyone else who wants), we can use the average rules, which is half the hit die + CON bonus per level. Also, we are doing max HP at 1st level. So that should give you 29 minimum- just go ahead and raise the total to that.

Don't forget your remaining cash... I count 8,502 for the magic items and 300+ for the equipment, leaving a bit left over. You may want to consider some ranged weapons, monks can still use things like daggers and crossbow if they have to.

Also, I've got some information at home on the monastic orders of Arcanis- once I've dug through it I'll post some info for you to pick one or two. I don't recall the details, but I think they grant some minor skills bonuses or that sort of thing.

 

[Byrons_Ghost]

[Cue Jackie Chan uncle voice...]
One more thing!

I forgot to mention that the duke will be providing mounts to get your group to the swamp, so don't worry about buying transport.

 

[Zerth]

I'm interested in this game if there's still room for more players.

I'd like to make a Kelekene (fire-elf) fighter/wizard who wishes to become a Bladesinger. So probably he would be ftr3 wiz2 at level 5 and with one more ftr level at 6 he would have all the needed prerequisites. Is this PrC (from Tome and Blood) acceptable in this setting? I would, of course, use the revised version.

I will get to work on the numbers & background as soon as I hear from the DM.

 

[Byrons_Ghost]

Sounds good to me. I'm familar with the revised PrC from the web enhancement. There's also a similar 5-level Arcanis class called the Tal Kanath (I think it's supposed to mean "Element Dancer"), I can post some details on it if your interested. I think they mostly get fighter progression and a few element-themed abilities (one at each level).

The elves of Arcanis are fairly insular, and they aren't too fond of humans. So you'll want to come up with some background reasons why you're working for the Duke. I can go through the book and post some more info on the elves if you want it, I know the links don't give a whole lot.

 

[Zerth]

Sounds good to me. I'm familar with the revised PrC from the web enhancement. There's also a similar 5-level Arcanis class called the Tal Kanath (I think it's supposed to mean "Element Dancer"), I can post some details on it if your interested. I think they mostly get fighter progression and a few element-themed abilities (one at each level).

The elves of Arcanis are fairly insular, and they aren't too fond of humans. So you'll want to come up with some background reasons why you're working for the Duke. I can go through the book and post some more info on the elves if you want it, I know the links don't give a whole lot.

More info on the elves would be much appreciated. I could look at the Tal Kanath, too. Sounds interesting.

 

[Blockader7]

Good backgrounds guys! One thing I would like from everyone (I should have mentioned this before) is a quick note on how you came to court and entered the Duke's service. Cadwyn, for instance, could have made a name for himself with his former deeds, while Gideon could be a church representative, or could has struck out on his own.

Also, Blockader, how old were you when your family was killed? I'm curious as to how much your character knows about them. Also, is your mentor/resucuer still alive and out there somewhere?

For Cadwyn's sheet, there's some things that need to be recalculated. For skill points, you should have a total of 48: 24 (4 + 1 INT + 1 human, all x4) at first level, and then 6 per level thereafter for levels 2-5 for another 24. I count 54 points, my guess is that you counted 1st level twice (once for the 24 and once as a "normal" level at 6), which is easy to do when making higher-level characters.


I think you've got an extra feat. You should have started with two at first level, and then gotten a third level three, and that would be all. Unless you're listing a monk ability, but it looked like you had all those covered. Also, remember that Expertise has a prerequisite of Intelligence 13 or greater, so that unfortunately means you'll have to rework your attributes if you want to keep it.

I see under your BAB that you're adding your DEX to your unarmed attack rolls, but your weapon finesse lists it as being for your nunchaku. Did you mean for it to be unarmed attacks instead?

Also, your monk abilities lists "unarmed damage +1", which I'm a little unclear on. Your damage die would raise from 1d6 to 1d8 at this level, so I'm guessing that's what you mean. Or are you referring to the +1 unarmored AC bonus?

Now, for the good news... first, I can tell you actually rolled your hit points because they're rather low. For you (or anyone else who wants), we can use the average rules, which is half the hit die + CON bonus per level. Also, we are doing max HP at 1st level. So that should give you 29 minimum- just go ahead and raise the total to that.

Don't forget your remaining cash... I count 8,502 for the magic items and 300+ for the equipment, leaving a bit left over. You may want to consider some ranged weapons, monks can still use things like daggers and crossbow if they have to.

Also, I've got some information at home on the monastic orders of Arcanis- once I've dug through it I'll post some info for you to pick one or two. I don't recall the details, but I think they grant some minor skills bonuses or that sort of thing.

Bear in mind I'm not using 3.5 as I don't have 3.5 core books.

Cadwyn was three years old when it happened and he doesn't know anything about his family.

His rescuer is still alive and out there somewhere.

He came into the Duke's service rather inadvertently. He told the story in a tavern of how he came across the ancient Elvish Fort. One of the Duke's agents overheard the tale and reported it. They found the fort and have occupied it since.

The Duke sent his men out to find him so he could thank him and hired him. While he has remained in the Duke's employ, the rescue of the silver dragon was completely independandt of those duties.

On skill points:

I counted 48 for ranks. I think the confusion might be coming from the additional languages that I spent points on. I believe, but am uncertain that it's a 1 point for one language and languages bought this way are not counted as cross-class skills. These languages also don't count his normal languages for his starting languages or Intelligence bonus.

Feats: all humans gain one bonus feat in addition to the normal starting feat (Player's Handbook pg 22.) so that at 5th level they would have 4 feats. So that means a fighter would start out with 3 feats.

Unarmed damage bonus is my mistake I had it confused with the AC Bonus. It should be:

Unarmed attack bonus: +3 (+4 total including Str)
Unarmed Damage 1d8 +1

The +4 bonus to melee is without his feat for the Nunchakus. When using Nunchakus it's +6, or +7 with the Nunchakus +1
(+3 BAB, +3 Dex) with his Weapons Finess.

With his remaining money I'll go ahead and buy a heavy crossbow and 30 bolts.

And leave the rest for emergencies or whatnot along the road.

It's too bad they don't have tape. I'd be able to tape a sunrod to his xbow.