Spymaster?

[Sephera]

I'm currently playing a Sorceress, Level 7. In the course of the excellent home brew adventure Thunderfoot is running (is my nose brown?), my character has taken an unexpected turn. She is now part of a society of information gatherers.

Torin, being the ever helpful husband that he is, always provides suggestions on where I should take my character. I was trying to get his help without giving away my character's information (since his character is not currently aware of my character's new developments). However, he keeps going back to things (classes, skills, feats, etc.) I had mentioned I was interested in and overloading me with information. I finally flat out told him that I thought working towards Spymaster would fit my character perfectly. His response was bringing out most of our D&D 3.5 books and showing me at least 8 different class suggestions. So, I'm going to try to avoid asking for his help in this character development. So here I am. Please be nice and don't overwhelm me. I'm still a newbie. This is my first campaign and my first character.

So, my thoughts are to pick up levels of Rogue in preparation for becoming a Spymaster. (Of course, Complete Scoundrel could change everything here.) I'm trying to decide whether to advance one more level as Sorceress or go ahead and pick up Rogue.

I was also thinking about using some of the classes Torin had pointed out as Cover Identities, but I'm not sure I understand that process much either. For example, I like the character image of a corsair, so he's been steering me towards Swashbuckler. I just don't feel Sephera would do that full time. It might be fun to pretend sometimes, but not be that all the time. This is part of why I think Spymaster would be a good fit.

I did look at the Master of Masks Prestige Class as previewed on the WotC website and it looks like it could work well, too.

There are too many possibilities! How do I figure out which is the right one?

Yes, Thunderfoot, I know, you encourage the creation of my own Prestige Class and I can pull the things I like from several different sources as long as I keep it all balanced. I just have NO clue how to do that.

-Sephera

 

[Thanee]

Hmm... getting into Spymaster will likely be a problem with the requirements, since I somehow doubt, that you have the proper skills right now. It would take about 3 levels of Rogue to cover that (if you already have a good Bluff skill).

If you go that way, your Sorcerer levels will start to fall behind, as the tasks become more difficult, but your spells do not scale with the increasing difficulty.

Not so sure, that this is the best idea.


I would do one of two things myself, most likely:

1) Stay in your class (or look for a fitting arcane prestige class) and just rack up on Bluff, and maybe some other Cha-related skills to cover these aspects of your character development.

2) Get a level or Rogue and a level of Spellthief (ideally, if your DM allows you to retrain the last level, so you end up Sorcerer 6/Rogue 1/ Spellthief 1) and then head into the Arcane Trickster PrC (DMG or SRD), which would allow you to get better skills and thus help in the information gathering business, while continuing to train your spellcasting ability, and thus make your character a bit of a blend between Sorceress and Rogue.

Either way... learn some spells, that help you there (i.e. Disguise Self or Alter Self, etc).

Bye
Thanee

 

[Iku Rex]

What do you mean by "a society of information gatherers"? What sort of information?

 

[Sephera]

Society of Information Gatherers

I'm still really new, but I watch current events and listen to rumors and report them back to my handler. I'm in the process of establishing my own network of contacts who will report events and information to me. In time, I'll be given assignments to carry out.

It does help that I have a fairly high bluff skill already and some cross class skill points in gather information. My charisma is also fairly high. (At least I think it is; it's 17.)

Sephera

 

[Sephera]

Hmm... getting into Spymaster will likely be a problem with the requirements, since I somehow doubt, that you have the proper skills right now. It would take about 3 levels of Rogue to cover that (if you already have a good Bluff skill).

I think I've worked it out where I can take 2 levels of Rogue and 1 more level of Sorcerer and I'll make Spymaster.

Current skill points:
Bluff - 5
Concentration 10
Decipher Script - 5
Gather Information - 2
Knowledge (Arcana) - 7
Knowledge (Local) - 3
Profession (Cook) - 6
Spellcraft - 10
Use Magic Device - 1


Intelligence Modifier - 3

So, when I level up in Sorcerer (2+3(Int Mod)+1(human)), I take 3 points in bluff, 1 point in spellcraft and 1 point (cross class) in Disguise.

Then when I level up in Rogue the first time (8+3(Int Mod)+1(human)), I take 2 points in gather informaiton, 4 points in disguise, 4 points in diplomacy, and 2 points in sense motive.

And when I level up in Rogue the second time (8+3(Int Mod)+1(human)), I finish up with 4 points in forgery, 2 points in sense motive, 3 points in disguise, 2 points in knowledge (local) (get Skill synergy) and 1 point in Gather Information or maybe Sleight of Hand since I can't use that untrained and I'm wasting my skill synergies. I may take that earlier.

So, my magic shouldn't suffer too much. I'll just have to make sure I pick a really good 4th level spell. I think it makes more sense in my current roll playing to level up in rogue first as I'm doing more gathering information lately and hopefully I'll use more spellcraft after I level up and then level in sorcerer, then finish up with another round of rogue and I'll be all set for Spymaster.

Of course, since we only play once a month or so,that may take many years in real time and there may be something better that comes out.

I'm definately eagerly awaiting the Complete Scoudrel's section on Contacts.

Sephera

 

[Iku Rex]

Looks like a plan.

A few suggestions:

Look to buy a circlet of persuasion (DMG) and/or a chocker of eloquence (Complete Adventurer) for bonuses to social skills.

If you don't have the disguise self spell, a hat of disguise (DMG) will come in handy. (Can't be used with a circlet of persuasion.)

For your 4th level sorcerer spell I'd consider voice of the dragon (Spell Compendium) for more skill bonuses and a suggestion. Scrying would be a good choice from the player's handbook, as would arcane eye.

You can also replace one lower level (1st or 2nd) spell. Worth considering are:
Friendly face (1st level, Races of Destiny) for a +5 circumstance bonus on diplomacy and gather information.
Detect thoughts (2nd level, Player's Handbook) for obvious reasons.
Chain of eyes (2nd level, Spell Compendium) to penetrate protected areas.
Invisibility (2nd level, Player's Handbook) is another nice one for a spy if you don't already have it.