[PF-1e] A Great and Terrible Burning

[mightymconeshot]

Originally Posted by CatCanCook

@mighty,

Crunching through the math, cause I like math.

So if you put it into Hawkguard and you take that at level 3, then your initiator level would be be 1(2 NPC levels / 2) + 1 (Hawkguard) + 2 (trait) = 4 but capped at 3 at 3rd level. That lets you jump in and take some 2nd level maneuvers in the Hawkguard class.

Then at 4th level, Harbinger comes in. It is 1.5 (3 other class levels) + 1 (Harbinger) = 2.5. So you would be limited to 1st level harbinger maneuvers at level 4. But in the interlude we skip on to level 5, which would have you a level 3.5 initiator. So at level 5 you could start picking up 2nd level maneuvers in Harbinger disciplines. You'd get 3rd level Harbinger maneuvers at 7th character level. At 5th level, your Hawkguard initator level would be 2(4 other class levels / 2) + 1(Hawkguard) + 2(trait) = 5. But you could only take 3rd level maneuvers if you bought them via a feat.

You would always keep the Hawkguard maneuvers separate from the Harbinger maneuvers as they have separate recovery mechanisms.

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Opposite approach, put the trait into Harbinger.

At 3rd level as a Hawkguard you are a 2nd level initiator, and so all your Hawkguard maneuvers are capped at 1st level.

Then at 4th level you add Harbinger. Your initiator level is 1.5(3 other class levels/2) + 1 (Harbinger) + 2(trait) = 4. So from the get-go you have access to 2nd level Harbinger maneuvers. At 5th level you'd have access to 3rd level Harbinger maneuvers, and at 7th level you start getting 4th level Harbinger maneuvers.

So what's more important, having a smaller number of more powerful Harbinger maneuvers, but weak Hawkguard maneuvers? Or having weaker Harbinger but a pile of 2nd level Hawkguard maneuvers?

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If I were you, and planning on being just a harbinger after 3rd level, I would go for Unorthodox Method Solar Wind for Harbinger -- if ranged combat is a key part your portfolio. Otherwise you just wont get scaled ranged maneuers.

So the goal is to be a mix of short range teleport strikes and thrown strikes from the raven with spears using it to harass back line combatants and ranged attackers.

The class route I planned out was

1. Commoner-For Feat
2. Commoner-For Feat
3. Hawkguard-For Buckler and Ranged boost and medium armor proficiency
4. Harbinger- Working towards Umbral Blade
5. Harbinger- Working towards Umbral Blade
6. Harbinger- Last level I need to meet pre-requisites I think
7. Harbinger- At this point I can fly on the Raven
8. Umbral Blade-bonus damage and finesse on spears now so I can retrain Polearm Agility. I am thinking of taking Extra Traits to swap in Solar Wind with Unorthodox Style and have that at basically full initiator level as well.
9. Umbral Blade- More bonus damage and since I am flying I can move to charge for and release each round with a strike well still staying mobile
10. Umbral Blade- New Stance for melee
11. Umbral Blade- 4 for higher HP since I now use level instead of Con mod for health
12. Umbral Blade- Better attack progression than Harbinger
13. Umbral Blade- 2d8 for Shadow and again better attack progression

So it looks like the Harbinger boost is the better way to boost my level and to unlock the higher level Veiled Moon maneuvers. At the end I should be a 13th level initiator for Veiled Moon and Solar Wind. 6 from Umbral stacking with 4 from Harbinger + 1/2 of 3 levels +2 from trait to hit the max of 13 and an additional set of weaker stances from Hawk guard at initiator level 4 for some utility (Mainly looking at Phantom Sun Stance for TWF throwing attacks).

[RasterFarian]

Originally Posted by CatCanCook

Hi RasterFarian + all --
This would dovetail best with a high Intelligence build -- and/or with a Bard build.

I was looking at it as a fit for backstory. In terms of build I thought more along the lines of helping to balance weak spot. Just taking NPC-expert would do that though.

I'm working towards getting a wip build tomorrow. Right now I'm bumbling through the finer points of character-philosphy-morality-religion given the world we're in. I forget which author or sci-fi novel it was (Herbert, Clarke, Heinlein) but there was a Buddho-Christian sect. Problems arise around pacifism, non-violence, right action etc. given our circumstances, but the adventure class comes later so that plays well enough since the character will evolve.

The intent with "active defender" was magically protecting, shielding, warding in addition to enhancing and healing, if that makes sense? I wasn't thinking a physical defender/fighter type. The character is dedicated to helping us live! So barring psi/sphere I haven't found much that can really replace a good old fashioned core cleric given what we're up against.

[mightymconeshot]

You could also look at Oracle, Shaman, or Witch if you want a (de)buffing caster that doesn't need to fight. Life Oracles are basically clerics with extra healing powers in exchange for a self debuff.

[CatCanCook]

Checking out Matias Haru's, you've got some points left over.

Str:8. cost = -2
Dex:16 (human bonus +2). cost = 5
Con:14 cost = 5
Int:14 cost = 5
Wis:10 cost = 0
Cha:7 cost = -3

Points spent = 10 out of 15.

[CatCanCook]

Estrella calls upon Matias Estrella asks what is on everyone's mind. "Who then shall go with Willow? Remember, the group must remain small to move fast." With that, hearing his cue the small teenager, Matias Haru, steps forward. The apocalypse has been hard on many people, and an early life of food deprivation as forever stunted this young man. But his expression is hard, his mind and body quick and precise, and a kind of fury against orc-kind burns in his eyes. Wise old Estrella looks upon him with sadness. The two are about as opposite in almost all respects of personality as one could imagine: she aged, warm-hearted and sociable, always the center of the community; he a little, cold-hearted and isolated youth, always on the periphery. "Yes, it is so. Bold children must go forward as their elders falter. So very young one, will you lead us this time? It may mean sudden death in a lonely place; we are only dancing on this earth a very short while. But ... The foe is both out there ... and coming for us here if we delay too long. I foresee your thirst for vengeance will meet them either way." She meets his eyes, sees his determination, and nods. "You mean to go then, to ride your great black bird into heaven, whether we grant it or no. So mote it be." Others look to Estrella's strange words with confusion, but Matias understands. She has witchy sight.

Matias Haru is accepted. Move into the game folder and finish any build details.

I'm thinking of accepting a large party, maybe 8. Then natural attrition can whittle it down to 5 or so before I reopen for backfill. If that stays the case, we are at 2/8.

So far: one fullcasting druid, one dex-based hawkguard-harbinger. Both intend to have battle-buddies coming along at later levels.

[mightymconeshot]

Thanks. I mistyped the 8 as a 6 so Dex should be 18. Also 7 should be -4 not -3.

[CatCanCook]

Sounds good. Carry on!

[RasterFarian]

Originally Posted by mightymconeshot

You could also look at Oracle, Shaman, or Witch if you want a (de)buffing caster that doesn't need to fight. Life Oracles are basically clerics with extra healing powers in exchange for a self debuff.

Mighty: thank you for that. The shaman would work quite nicely. I spent a bunch of time last night on back story, build, understanding the rules, planning the first three, getting images, tying story/character to traits n birthmarks etc. etc..And it includes a few possible replacements for when I/we get dusted : ) Planning ahead!

So I think what I shall do is get what I have posted. See how that goes and if accepted I might work up the Shaman before Jan 1 and ask to swap him in since I think I can make Shaman work for the backstory.

Blimey. Shaman looks pretty cool for this world....and one of my middle names means "spirit traveller" in Spanish.
Thanks you!

[CatCanCook]

@Raster --

Your middle name is Espíritu Viajero? (Courtesy of Google Translate.)

LMK if you have any questions.

[17fromgreatness]

@ CAT - Been Looking at the "Black Sheep" Champeign Trait (POW - Mystic) after Rasterfarian's interest in Cleric... If this is acceptable I can put something together for your review... Holidays not withstanding.

[CatCanCook]

Yes, that is fine. Go ahead.

[RasterFarian]

Originally Posted by CatCanCook

@Raster --

Your middle name is Espíritu Viajero? (Courtesy of Google Translate.)

LMK if you have any questions.

No, but will post something soon-ish. Questions will no doubt be continuous.

[RasterFarian]

Riddley Walker Introduction Riddley Walker Age 16 Human, Male, Chaotic Good Outlander's Child, Expert to Cleric Though the nations rage from age to age, we remember who holds us fast: God’s mercy must deliver us from the conqueror’s crushing grasp. This saving word that our forebears heard is the promise which holds us bound, till the spear and rod can be crushed by God, who is turning the world around. Refrain –Canticle of the Turning Full Song Introduction: Journal Entry 01: “On my naming day when I come 12 I gone front spear and kilt a wyld boar. He parbly ben the las wyld pig on the Boggy Downs off Backbone Tral….Walker is my name and I am the same. Riddley Walker. Walking my riddels where evr’ theyve took me and walking them now on this paper the same. I don’t think it makes no diffrents where you start the telling of a thing. You never know where it begun realy. No moren you know where you begun your oan self….Ive all ready wrote down about my naming day. It wernt no moren 3 days after that my da got kilt in the massacre at Dead Horse….” -excerpted (modified) from Riddley Walker by Russel Hoban

V1 Riddley Walker Backstory Background Riddley belongs to the remnants of a once prosperous clan of salt merchants, the Walkers of Kanan's Drop. The Walker extended family was all but wiped out by the Uruks. Two brothers, Jacob and Benjamin, were the only Walkers to survive the attack. The brothers made their way to Dead Horse bringing with them precious supplies and skills for evaporating sea water to make fresh water and salt. Years before, the original Walkers of Kanan's Drop found perfectly preserved rolls of precious industrial plastic that they stretched over portable troughs to make solar stills. In time they salvaged glass as well for more permanent installations. The Walkers were on their way to becoming a small dynasty, but as happens often in this desperate world, the Uruks showed up to ruin everything! Riddley's father Benjamin met and married Maria there at Dead Horse. They had five children, three of which survived including fraternal twins Riddley and Sarah who share an almost empathic bond. Sadly the Walkers were again the victims of savage Uruk Hai death squads with their flying guillotines. The Uruks snuffed out Dead Horse in a single brutal night of slaughter, killing almost every man, woman and child. Jacob, Maria and her three children were bathing several miles away when the bloodbath occurred. Benjamin and Jacob’s wife and all Jacob's family were executed in the vicious pogrom. Uncle Jacob and Maria then fled with the children deeper into Topanga Canyon, finding refuge with a ragged little tribe on the edge of extinction. (That was x number of years ago). Description Riddley’s appearance reflects his mixed caucasian/latino heritage. From his mother he inherited black hair that he wears moppy, a reflection of the sad, scrappy world he lives in (and typical yout' fashion). Like his mother, his eyes are a dark soulful brown expressing compassion for his friends one moment and a hard, glittering excitement in the midst of an intense haggle the next. The rest of his facial features come from his father and reflect a northern European ancestry. Riddley is average height with a slight, tough build hidden beneath baggy, drab-colored, utilitarian, second-hand clothing. He is distinguished by a birthmark(s) bead sized dots running a circlet about his body. Personality Riddley begins play with many of the character flaws we find in any youth: moody, blaming, intractable, judgmental. But given the harshness of the world, his family tragedies, he—like everyone else—had/has two options: madness-death or acceptance-life. In the course of the adventure he progresses towards a practical, compassionate individual with a philosophical bent nurtured from traveling with his family in the salt trade. In time, moodiness becomes thoughtfulness. Judgement and blame reaches for compassion, leniency. The guidance and goodness of his parents wins out in the end, but the questioning continues. He struggles with issues of law, which he reckons are like swords. They can be wielded for good or evil intentions. He will recognize that there is no hope for humankind without laws. The rub though: which laws? who makes them? what principles do they build them on? Important questions for the future of any new society. On his mother’s side he’s influenced by Catholicism and often hums canticles on the road. In the future he falls in with radical Buddhists who have, in light of humanity's current crisis, abandoned seclusion and non-engagement in favor of informed involvement. Much of what he learns is applicable to founding new societies—the principles if not the religion. The sad truth he reasons, is that this world demands pragmatism.... A society can only be as moral or decent as what it can afford. Thus do ideals become aspirational.   Level 1: Expert: Develops wide ranging skills. His religions is a passing familiarity with Catholicsim to “keep mam happy,” but the fire and brimstone stuff is of particular interest to him. Level 2: Warrior: He missions with members of his new tribe, toughens up. No real philosophical evolution during this time. Level 3: Cleric: Meets the Buddhists, fuses the two religions to become in time the founding member of the Buddho-Christians of Topanga Canyon. Fusing the two religions brings about turmoil. Fire Sermon “Bhikkhus, all is burning. And what, bhikkhus, is the all that is burning? …sense-consciousness is burning, sense-contact is burning, and whatever feeling arises with sensory-contact as condition—whether pleasant or painful or neither-painful-nor-pleasant—that too is burning. Burning with what? Burning with the fire of craving, with the fire of hatred, with the fire of delusion; burning with birth, aging, and death; with sorrow, lamentation, pain, displeasure, and despair, I say." –Fire Sermon of the Buddha (Bikkhu Bodhi/DB edit)

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So, most likely I will be changing this up to switch to Shaman(s) as the my characters are starting to take on a life of their own and demanding it : ) But I still think we need the good old fashion Cleric. Some very useful stuff in the class for this setting. With the new ideas and changes though I have a better story/scenario for a Cleric as part of the Walker saga. A better approach would be to let the Cleric rest on fantasy mythology and there's a few missing people and a young addition to the family.

Having said that, the Riddley Cleric version brings up some questions:

1: With the rules regarding certain spells being cast at one level higher how does that effect domain spells? Seems like it could break some stuff in there.
2: The Domains pan out roughly with opposites: Life/Death Good/Evil Law/Chaos Fire/Water Earth/Air etc.. In the core rulebook there is a "Madness Domain." Would it be possible to create a custom domain that would be the antithesis to that? A Sanity Domain? It makes sense that there would be and it's quite possible a deity would see the need for it in Terrible Burning and offer it to his/her representatives in the field.
3: Final thoughts: If there's anything I'm breaking in your setting let me know and I'll incorporate it in the next version.
4: Obviously any and all suggestions on making the character more functional, capable... I notice people are really able to maximize their builds so....

Have another question or two but will post separate from character submission

[RasterFarian]

A question separate from the character submission: hits points are dependent on largest hit die. Does that mean if a character took NPC-warrior for one level the hit dice are always 1d12 after that? Does it affect previous levels?

[CatCanCook]

Hi RasterFarian -

A couple things. The child Grace-Maria, if born after the massacre at Dead Horse would be a newborn, as that event has just happened.

The family shows a lot of magical powers (Adept, Cleric or Shaman, Kineticist). Those might have to be yet-to-happen things. The thing is, as of the starting of the story, the Topangan tribe has largely suppressed magic. Your PC would have been on outlier, as one of the few early persons embracing magic. Other that the PCs, tribal members will largely start utilizing magic between Chapters 1 and 2.

"(That was x number of years ago)." ==> it actually just happened.

Stats are OK. Traits are OK.

There is this homebrew feat:

Inured to Horrors
Inured to Horrors. Treat your Wisdom as +4 higher for the purposes of Will saving throws and resisting harm to your sanity. At 8th level this becomes +6 and at 16th level +8 to Wisdom. Add the same to your HD for resisting the effect of Intimidate.

It fits your intended theme. Maybe put it in your default Greater Stance at some point (though not early when I expect you need to focus on just getting a build effectively off the ground.)

Clarify if you want to do Shaman or Cleric. If Cleric, it's OK as is. If Shaman, the Fire and Life spirits each seem to match part of what you want, except you'd have to pick one and forego the other.

One option maybe is go for a Life spirit Shaman for the healing, and then stuff one Greater Stance with Martial Training feats for the Elemental Flux discipline --
https://www.d20pfsrd.com/alternative...lux-maneuvers/ -- they you get to be a bit of a blaster, when you aren't otherwise healing and taking care of business.

1: With the rules regarding certain spells being cast at one level higher how does that effect domain spells? Seems like it could break some stuff in there.

Depends. So healing radiation is hard. A Restoration spell is normally 2nd level, but if you want it to restored ability score points lost to radiation and otherwise not normally recoverable, you'd have learned it as a 2nd level spell but you would have to be of a level to cast it using a 3rd level slot.

Now, things would break a bit if the domain spell takes away something that you'd get at a given level. Then we may need to negotiate some adjustment.

So for the life Spirit, one thing breaks:

Spirit Magic Spells: Detect undead (1st), lesser restoration (2nd), neutralize poison (3rd), restoration (4th), breath of life (5th), heal (6th), greater restoration (7th), mass heal (8th), true resurrection (9th).

So -- at 5th level get Pillar of Life instead of Breath of Life.

Most shaman Spirits don't run into issues with that ruling.