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View Full Version : Help with Class Idea: Spellbook as a weapon



Lysander
2009-08-02, 02:51 PM
There's a type of wizard in fantasy stories who holds their book in combat. The physical presence of the book increases their power, and they use it to fire bolts of energy and block incoming attacks with it like a shield.

Any ideas for building a prestige class (or a base class) around this concept? Or what a good name would be? "Book Bearer" "Spellbook Arcanist" "Pagemaster"?

Here are a few basic ideas that are still up in the air:

The Magic Book - The class could have several spellbooks, but they'd be able to transform only one of them into a Magic Book. If the Magic Book is ever destroyed it can be replaced, but obviously requires time and expense. Fortunately the book is difficult to destroy In addition to being a spellbook and allowing them to prepare spells it would have a few special properties and grant special abilities:

*Damage Reduction - The book would be resistant to attacks. As you progress in levels it would become tougher and gain resistance to additional types of energy.

*Mending - It would be very easy to repair damage to the book with the Mending spell. It could even restore burnt or ruined pages with all their text.

*Shield Proficiency - The magician would be able to use their book as a light shield. At higher levels the book could grow at will to serve as a tower shield, and eventually float in mid air around you as a permanent Shield spell.

*Arcane Channeling - The book would allow you to convert your prepared spells into pure destructive force, even non-violent spells. Spells would deal 1d6 damage per level, plus bonus damage for how many levels you have in the class. At first you'd only be able to fire bolts of lightning, but as you advance you'd gain new attack options; new energy types and attack shapes.

*Spell Absorbtion - Your book would be able to automatically negate a certain number of spell levels directed at you each day. As you advance you'd be able to block more spell levels each day. At higher levels you could gain the ability to absorb a spell and then use it yourself, but this would be confined to a very small number of spell levels each day.

*Intelligent Tome - At higher levels your book would gain a rudimentary intelligence score and a low fly speed. It would obey all of its owner's commands.

AstralFire
2009-08-02, 03:24 PM
I would make this an option in place of the familiar for a pared down Wizard class.

Indeed.
2009-08-02, 03:30 PM
I'd recommend that for the 'raw magical energy' idea, make it usable for a number of times per day equal to your class level+your (primary casting stat) bonus. If this is a base class, make it whichever but if a PrC, maybe give the option to choose between Int, Wis and Cha with no changing.