The right Thrall for the Job!

[polymorph]

So I am playing a (3.5) Shaper 5/ Thrallherd 1 and i finally get to choose my thrall! My character is not evil, so i am not planning on having my Thrall die anytime soon, so this choice is pretty hard for me. Technically my thrall could be of any race, it could be a monster, an undead a demon, you name it, as long as it has 5 HD or less.

What should I pick? My Char is pretty fragile (16 HP at level 6) so something with abilities to protect me from harm would be nice. On the other hand, having a caster-thrall, like a level 5 wizard would be very tempting too. My overall manifesterlevel is just 5, so having a thrall with caster level 5 would be like doubling my powers/spells and at the same time getting two actions each round to use them!

Of course I don't want to come off as grossly overpowered either because I don't want to steal the spotlight from the group. As a further issue, the campaign is taking place around Waterdeep (Faerun) right now, so only thralls that either live there or have means of coming to me within 24 hours are legitimate.

All in all, choosing a thrall is a really tough decision and I need some help and advice from you guys.

 

[Nebten]

A knight that may or may not be working toward the knight protector PrC.

 

[polymorph]

We already have a knight in the group so it might not be a good idea to get another one. Also, the Knight Protector can only protect people with fewer HD than he has himself. Since he will always be one level below me, this would be a complete waste.

 

[Shin Okada]

Technically my thrall could be of any race, it could be a monster, an undead a demon, you name it, as long as it has 5 HD or less.

If you are adventuring near Waterdeep, you may likely to pick up monster thralls because there is Undermountain under the city.

But Thrallherd class feature works like Leadership feat. So, when choosing a thrall, you use ECL, not HD. So, something with high Level Adjustment is not usually a good candidate.

How about a Dwarf Fighter with some reach weapon (either Spiked Chain or Dwarven Warpike) aiming to be a Dwarven Defender?

Or, maybe Cleric is your best choice, as it can heal you.

 

[polymorph]

I don't quite understand the whole ECL thing... =/

In the Monster Manual, there is only a CR, not aen ECL entry. Can I have a monsterous thrall of CR 5 if my thrallherd is level 6?

If so, which monsters are especially awesome to have in your group? I just found the Bloodfire Ooze right at the beginning of the MM4 and it has an aura that automatically empowers all spells with the "fire" descriptor. Granted, it's CR 7, but that's pretty awesome. There has to be more thought!

 

[Herobizkit]

How about a Half-Giant Psionic Warrior 4? S/he'll be a perfect meatshield and have a few bonus powers to spare.

You could be ultra-cheesy and summon a Cockatrice. Or go for the "cool" factor and summon a Tiny dragon.

... or a Half-Giant/Werething with 1 level of Monk.

 

[Shin Okada]

I don't quite understand the whole ECL thing... =/

In the Monster Manual, there is only a CR, not aen ECL entry. Can I have a monsterous thrall of CR 5 if my thrallherd is level 6?

If that monster's Level Adjustment is +0, yes. But there is not so many LA +0 critters in MM.

Thrallherd ability works as per Leadership feat. And to understand that rule, you must read DMG P.106 & "SPECIAL COHORTS" entry in DMG P.199.

Some monsters in MM have Level Adjustment value. And if that monster is not usually recommended as a PC but recommended as a cohort, the number is followed by (cohort) to indicate so.

For example, Worg's Level Adjustment line says "+1 (cohort)". And it's number of HDs is 4. So, it is ECL 5 (4+1) and an equivalent to a 5th-level character for the purpose of being cohort (and to calculate XPs for leveling up).

If there is no LA value for a certain monster, it is not recommended to be taken as a cohort (and thus as a thrall). Your DM may allow you to take it as a thrall and may assign it's LA by himself. But evaluating LA should be done very carefully or it will easily become a cheesy choice.

 

[Starbuck_II]

I don't quite understand the whole ECL thing... =/

In the Monster Manual, there is only a CR, not aen ECL entry. Can I have a monsterous thrall of CR 5 if my thrallherd is level 6?

If so, which monsters are especially awesome to have in your group? I just found the Bloodfire Ooze right at the beginning of the MM4 and it has an aura that automatically empowers all spells with the "fire" descriptor. Granted, it's CR 7, but that's pretty awesome. There has to be more thought!

ECL = effective Character level.
HD (racial and class) + LA = ECL.

Example, a Drow is LA +2. So a level 1 Drow Fighter = (1+2=3) ECL 3.

That said:
1) Level 5 Dragonfire Adept (from Dragon magic) would be useful.
2) Level 5 Duskblade would be a caster and a melee warrior (mostly damage dealer).
3) A 5th level Factorum would be a versatile companion.
4) Dwarf Ranger 2: Arcane Favored Enemies ACF / Monk 2: Decisive Blow ACF, Passive Way ACF / Fighter 1: Thug ACF
ACF= Alternate Class feature.
The Character is working toward Deep Warden for Con to AC.
Name him Fistbeard Beardfist. Uses his beard like a fist.
5) Human Level 3 Cleric (Cloistered Cleric) /Church Inquisitor 2. This way your thrall can't be charmed away from you. Has 3rd level divine magic.
Yes, you can enter CI Prc by level 3 because it requires +3 Will (check), Zone of Truth (check), and 4 ranks in three skills (high Int, Cloistered cleric, or etc; Check).
6) Grey Elf Elven Generalist (don't specialize, but get extra spells/day) 1/Shadowcaster 3/Noctumancer 1.
Feat chosen at 1st: Precocious Apprentice (Complete Arcane) grants 2nd level spell.
Elven Generalist: Grants an additional 2nd level spell slot (thereby qualifying by casting more than 1 2nd level spell).

 

[polymorph]

What about monsters? There are like thousands of them each with their special abilities. Does no one here know some monsters with desireable unique traits to make a thrall?

 

[Nifft]

What about monsters? There are like thousands of them each with their special abilities. Does no one here know some monsters with desireable unique traits to make a thrall?

Most monsters have "LA --" or simply don't list any LA. That means you can't have one.

Of the few that are left, most aren't as good as just taking a normal humanoid NPC.

Cheers, -- N