CleverNickName
Limit Break Dancing (He/They)
This is a prestige class of my own design, created for a high-magic, Egyptian-flavored campaign a couple of years ago. The premise is simple: a spellcasting class focused on magical scrolls. It has tested well under the 3.0 and 3.5 rules, and it remains one of my player's favorite prestige classes even though it is just a five-level class.
There are a lot of threads out there about what is and is not changing in 4E. And there are a lot of other threads about "playing 4E now," where people discuss houserules and adjustments that can be made to the existing rules to give them more of a 4E flavor. So...based on what we have heard so far, how would YOU tweak this prestige class, to make it "more like Four?"
[SBLOCK="The Master Scribe (3.5 version)"]
Prestige Class: Master Scribe
“The pen is mightier than the sword.”
The Master Scribe is a character who devotes himself to the practice and study of scribing scrolls. While any spellcaster would find it useful to learn how to scribe scrolls, the Master Scribe goes beyond the basics and embraces the art, blending paper, ink, and magic into a beautiful and perfect whole.
Master Scribes are renowned for their ability to do the amazing (or impossible) with only a quill and parchment. Even outside of the realms of magic, they are artists who possess a keen eye for detail and a love of writing. When not scribing scrolls, they often sketch beautiful drawings, compose music, or write poetry.
Master Scribes may be of any spellcasting class, although wizards are most common. Truly, the only requirements for becoming a Master Scribe are the ability to create magical scrolls, and the desire to do it better than anyone else.
Prerequisites
The following are the prerequisites for the Master Scribe Prestige Class:
Skills: Craft (calligraphy) or Profession (scribe) (5 ranks), Spellcraft (5 ranks)
Feat: Scribe Scroll
Special: The character must personally scribe at least 10 magical scrolls within a single month.
Class Skills
The Class Skills (and the key ability for each) of the Master Scribe Prestige Class are Craft (calligraphy) (Int), Decipher Script (Int), Knowledge (arcana) (Int), Profession (scribe) (Wis), Spellcraft (Int), and Use Magic Device (Cha).
Skill Points per level: 2 + Intelligence modifier
Class Features
The following are the class features of the Master Scribe prestige class.
Hit Dice: d4
Weapon and Armor Proficiencies: The Master Scribe gains no new weapon, armor, or shield proficiencies by acquiring this prestige class.
Spells per Day: When a new Master Scribe level is gained, the character gains new spells per day as if he had also gained a level in a spellcasting class he belonged to before adding the prestige class. He does not, however, gain any other benefit a character of that class would have gained (improved chance of turning undead, metamagic or item creation feats, hit points beyond those he receives from the Master Scribe prestige class, and so forth), except for an increased effective level of spellcasting. If a character had more than one spellcasting class before becoming a Master Scribe, he must decide to which class he adds the new level for purposes of determining spells per day.
Scroll Mastery (Ex): Master Scribes are competent spellcasters, but their skills with scrolls are unmatched by even the most educated sages. The character gains a competence bonus equal to his Master Scribe level (maximum +5) to all skill checks related to magic scrolls (and spells cast from scrolls).
Read Magic (Ex): Through hours of practice, Master Scribes become completely familiar with the magical alphabet and its symbols. At 1st level, the Master Scribe may translate magical text as if under the effects of a permanent read magic spell, except that this is an extraordinary (non-magical) ability.
Shorthand (Ex): By 2nd level, the Master Scribe has invented a new alphabet and learned special techniques that allow him to reduce the time needed to create scrolls. When the Master Scribe creates a scroll, the time required is reduced to 1 day. All other costs associated with the task, such as gold and XP costs, are calculated as normal.
Quick Reader (Ex): Master Scribes read much quicker than other characters, and can evoke magic from scrolls even while preoccupied with other tasks. At 3rd level, the Master Scribe no longer provokes attacks of opportunity when using scrolls.
Braille (Ex): Writing leaves subtle impressions and residues on a parchment’s surface when ink is applied. Those who spend great amounts of time handling parchments eventually learn to “read” the text merely by tracing the ink patterns with their fingertips. Beginning at 4th level, Master Scribes may read scrolls when blinded or in absolute darkness, using only their fingers to translate the writing. Using a scroll in this manner requires a full-round action, but is otherwise without penalty.
Blessed of Thoth (Ex): At 5th level, the Master Scribe is the unequalled expert of scroll use. By combining ancient spell-weaving secrets with personal scribing techniques only he would recognize, the Master Scribe is able to boost the power of his own scrolls. The Master Scribe gains a +1 bonus to the save DC (if any) of any scroll that he uses, provided that he scribed the scroll himself.
Table: The Master Scribe
..........Base.......Fort.....Ref......Will
Level.....Attack.....Save.....Save.....Save.....Special..................................Spells per Day
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1...........+0.......+0.......+0.......+2.......Scroll Mastery +1, Read Magic............+1 level of existing class
2...........+1.......+0.......+0.......+3.......Scroll Mastery +2, Shorthand.............+1 level of existing class
3...........+1.......+1.......+0.......+3.......Scroll Mastery +3, Quick Reader..........+1 level of existing class
4...........+2.......+1.......+0.......+4.......Scroll Mastery +4, Braille...............+1 level of existing class
5...........+2.......+1.......+0.......+4.......Scroll Mastery +5, Blessed of Thoth......+1 level of existing class
[/SBLOCK]
This is what I think so far:
[SBLOCK="The Master Scribe (4.0 version)"]
Paragon Path: Whispering Papyrus Soul Adept
"The quill is a better implement than the orb."
(Sorry, I couldn't resist. It seems that nothing in 4E can have a simple, straightforward name like "Master Scribe," it has to be a flowery combination of unrelated adjectives and nouns instead. But seriously now, all joking aside: )
Prerequisites: I do not know how the Craft skill is going to work in 4E, since they want to focus on skills that are useful in an encounter. Since it hasn't been mentioned yet, this will probably be rolled into the the Arcana skill (along with Spellcraft). The required number of ranks will probably be replaced with a required level, since skills now advance with character level. At any rate, PrC prerequisites have always been just a clever way of saying "you must be Xth level before you can take this class."
The Scribe Scroll feat will probably be replaced with a ritual of some sort...perhaps it is still a feat, or maybe it is a class feature? I will be really bummed out if it is a class feature that only one or two spellcasting classes have access to; I really wanted this Master Scribe prestige class to be playable by any spellcasting class (not just wizards). I wouldn't even mind it being open to aristocrats, experts, or any other "educated" character class.
Class Skills: should probably be cut down to Arcana, History, and Insight. And I think "skill points per level" is going away with 4E (good riddance, IMO. Sometimes, gaining a level felt a lot like filing my taxes.)
Weapon proficiencies: Anyone know how weapon proficiencies are being handled? At any rate, this will probably be deleted in the 4E version since the Master Scribe doesn't get anything new, and armor isn't a problem so much.
Spells per Day: Death to the Vancian magic system! Huzzah! But while I think that is an awesome step in the right direction, I don't know what that means for my humble little scribe. Perhaps it will be replaced with some text like "levels of Master Scribe stack with the character's current spellcasting level, for the purposes of determining spell power and selection."
Scroll Mastery, Read Magic: as written, I think these are okay. Getting up to a +5 bonus on all skill checks related to scrolls shouldn't be a game-breaker, especially now that there are so few skills that fit the bill. And I've never liked how this spell was the only way for a character to be able to read a language.
Shorthand: we will probably have to wait to see the specifics on the item creation "ritual." Being able to do this ritual in an hour might be appropriate for this class, but it certainly should not be much faster than that.
Quick Reader: do we have any more/better info on Attacks of Opportunity in 4E?
Blessed of Thoth: maybe this should be replaced with a +1 bonus to attack rolls involving scrolls?[/SBLOCK]
What do you think...am I on the right track? Are there any horrible oversights and game-breaking errors that I have overlooked? Is it even worth the trouble to convert this class over to the 4th Edition, given that it is such a simple concept to begin with?
There are a lot of threads out there about what is and is not changing in 4E. And there are a lot of other threads about "playing 4E now," where people discuss houserules and adjustments that can be made to the existing rules to give them more of a 4E flavor. So...based on what we have heard so far, how would YOU tweak this prestige class, to make it "more like Four?"
[SBLOCK="The Master Scribe (3.5 version)"]
Prestige Class: Master Scribe
“The pen is mightier than the sword.”
The Master Scribe is a character who devotes himself to the practice and study of scribing scrolls. While any spellcaster would find it useful to learn how to scribe scrolls, the Master Scribe goes beyond the basics and embraces the art, blending paper, ink, and magic into a beautiful and perfect whole.
Master Scribes are renowned for their ability to do the amazing (or impossible) with only a quill and parchment. Even outside of the realms of magic, they are artists who possess a keen eye for detail and a love of writing. When not scribing scrolls, they often sketch beautiful drawings, compose music, or write poetry.
Master Scribes may be of any spellcasting class, although wizards are most common. Truly, the only requirements for becoming a Master Scribe are the ability to create magical scrolls, and the desire to do it better than anyone else.
Prerequisites
The following are the prerequisites for the Master Scribe Prestige Class:
Skills: Craft (calligraphy) or Profession (scribe) (5 ranks), Spellcraft (5 ranks)
Feat: Scribe Scroll
Special: The character must personally scribe at least 10 magical scrolls within a single month.
Class Skills
The Class Skills (and the key ability for each) of the Master Scribe Prestige Class are Craft (calligraphy) (Int), Decipher Script (Int), Knowledge (arcana) (Int), Profession (scribe) (Wis), Spellcraft (Int), and Use Magic Device (Cha).
Skill Points per level: 2 + Intelligence modifier
Class Features
The following are the class features of the Master Scribe prestige class.
Hit Dice: d4
Weapon and Armor Proficiencies: The Master Scribe gains no new weapon, armor, or shield proficiencies by acquiring this prestige class.
Spells per Day: When a new Master Scribe level is gained, the character gains new spells per day as if he had also gained a level in a spellcasting class he belonged to before adding the prestige class. He does not, however, gain any other benefit a character of that class would have gained (improved chance of turning undead, metamagic or item creation feats, hit points beyond those he receives from the Master Scribe prestige class, and so forth), except for an increased effective level of spellcasting. If a character had more than one spellcasting class before becoming a Master Scribe, he must decide to which class he adds the new level for purposes of determining spells per day.
Scroll Mastery (Ex): Master Scribes are competent spellcasters, but their skills with scrolls are unmatched by even the most educated sages. The character gains a competence bonus equal to his Master Scribe level (maximum +5) to all skill checks related to magic scrolls (and spells cast from scrolls).
Read Magic (Ex): Through hours of practice, Master Scribes become completely familiar with the magical alphabet and its symbols. At 1st level, the Master Scribe may translate magical text as if under the effects of a permanent read magic spell, except that this is an extraordinary (non-magical) ability.
Shorthand (Ex): By 2nd level, the Master Scribe has invented a new alphabet and learned special techniques that allow him to reduce the time needed to create scrolls. When the Master Scribe creates a scroll, the time required is reduced to 1 day. All other costs associated with the task, such as gold and XP costs, are calculated as normal.
Quick Reader (Ex): Master Scribes read much quicker than other characters, and can evoke magic from scrolls even while preoccupied with other tasks. At 3rd level, the Master Scribe no longer provokes attacks of opportunity when using scrolls.
Braille (Ex): Writing leaves subtle impressions and residues on a parchment’s surface when ink is applied. Those who spend great amounts of time handling parchments eventually learn to “read” the text merely by tracing the ink patterns with their fingertips. Beginning at 4th level, Master Scribes may read scrolls when blinded or in absolute darkness, using only their fingers to translate the writing. Using a scroll in this manner requires a full-round action, but is otherwise without penalty.
Blessed of Thoth (Ex): At 5th level, the Master Scribe is the unequalled expert of scroll use. By combining ancient spell-weaving secrets with personal scribing techniques only he would recognize, the Master Scribe is able to boost the power of his own scrolls. The Master Scribe gains a +1 bonus to the save DC (if any) of any scroll that he uses, provided that he scribed the scroll himself.
Table: The Master Scribe
..........Base.......Fort.....Ref......Will
Level.....Attack.....Save.....Save.....Save.....Special..................................Spells per Day
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1...........+0.......+0.......+0.......+2.......Scroll Mastery +1, Read Magic............+1 level of existing class
2...........+1.......+0.......+0.......+3.......Scroll Mastery +2, Shorthand.............+1 level of existing class
3...........+1.......+1.......+0.......+3.......Scroll Mastery +3, Quick Reader..........+1 level of existing class
4...........+2.......+1.......+0.......+4.......Scroll Mastery +4, Braille...............+1 level of existing class
5...........+2.......+1.......+0.......+4.......Scroll Mastery +5, Blessed of Thoth......+1 level of existing class
[/SBLOCK]
This is what I think so far:
[SBLOCK="The Master Scribe (4.0 version)"]
Paragon Path: Whispering Papyrus Soul Adept
"The quill is a better implement than the orb."
(Sorry, I couldn't resist. It seems that nothing in 4E can have a simple, straightforward name like "Master Scribe," it has to be a flowery combination of unrelated adjectives and nouns instead. But seriously now, all joking aside: )
Prerequisites: I do not know how the Craft skill is going to work in 4E, since they want to focus on skills that are useful in an encounter. Since it hasn't been mentioned yet, this will probably be rolled into the the Arcana skill (along with Spellcraft). The required number of ranks will probably be replaced with a required level, since skills now advance with character level. At any rate, PrC prerequisites have always been just a clever way of saying "you must be Xth level before you can take this class."
The Scribe Scroll feat will probably be replaced with a ritual of some sort...perhaps it is still a feat, or maybe it is a class feature? I will be really bummed out if it is a class feature that only one or two spellcasting classes have access to; I really wanted this Master Scribe prestige class to be playable by any spellcasting class (not just wizards). I wouldn't even mind it being open to aristocrats, experts, or any other "educated" character class.
Class Skills: should probably be cut down to Arcana, History, and Insight. And I think "skill points per level" is going away with 4E (good riddance, IMO. Sometimes, gaining a level felt a lot like filing my taxes.)
Weapon proficiencies: Anyone know how weapon proficiencies are being handled? At any rate, this will probably be deleted in the 4E version since the Master Scribe doesn't get anything new, and armor isn't a problem so much.
Spells per Day: Death to the Vancian magic system! Huzzah! But while I think that is an awesome step in the right direction, I don't know what that means for my humble little scribe. Perhaps it will be replaced with some text like "levels of Master Scribe stack with the character's current spellcasting level, for the purposes of determining spell power and selection."
Scroll Mastery, Read Magic: as written, I think these are okay. Getting up to a +5 bonus on all skill checks related to scrolls shouldn't be a game-breaker, especially now that there are so few skills that fit the bill. And I've never liked how this spell was the only way for a character to be able to read a language.
Shorthand: we will probably have to wait to see the specifics on the item creation "ritual." Being able to do this ritual in an hour might be appropriate for this class, but it certainly should not be much faster than that.
Quick Reader: do we have any more/better info on Attacks of Opportunity in 4E?
Blessed of Thoth: maybe this should be replaced with a +1 bonus to attack rolls involving scrolls?[/SBLOCK]
What do you think...am I on the right track? Are there any horrible oversights and game-breaking errors that I have overlooked? Is it even worth the trouble to convert this class over to the 4th Edition, given that it is such a simple concept to begin with?
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