Plane Sailing said:
Would it be possible to give an example of how that pans out for, say, one of the elemental bloodlines? I'm curious as to how they've worked it out and what kind of "level of power" is involved.
O.k., I'll bite. Here's more about bloodlines and one example:
Every source has a minor bloodline, many sources have intermediate bloodlines, major bloodlines only come from the most powerful and primal of sources, including celestials, demons, devils, and the mightiest of dragons.
You gradually become more powerful with a bloodline, therefore you must take 1-3 bloodline levels, which are "empty", except for calculating class level for the abilities of your other classes. If you don't take these levels you get a 20% penalty on XP and no further bloodline abilities. Minor needs to take a bloodline level at 12th level, intermediate at 6th and 12th, major at 3rd, 6th, and 12th.
Bloodline abilities depend on your character level, of course.
Bloodline abilities are the same in any strength, they just come slower, so you won't get all of the major ones.
Minor gets one ability every 4th level, intermediate every 2nd level, and major every level.
The Gold Dragon Bloodline as an example:
+2 on Sense Motive checks
Alertness
Strength +1
Resistance to Fire 5
Gold Dragon Affinity +2
+1 to natural armor
+2 on Heal checks
Resistance to Fire 10
Constitution +1
Water breathing
Gold Dragon Affinity +4
+1 to natural armor
+2 on Swim checks
Power Attack
Intelligence +1
Breath Weapon
Gold Dragon Affinity +6
+1 to natural armor
+2 on Jump checks
Immunity to Fire
The Affinity to X gives the indicated bonus on all Bluff, Diplomacy, Gather Information, Intimidate, and Perform checks made to interact with X.