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View Full Version : Some spellcasting that we can all rework.



Dante & Vergil
2010-02-22, 12:26 AM
I have seen this (http://brilliantgameologists.com/boards/index.php?topic=3767.0) magic system and thought that it can be the start of something awesome if we put some work into it. It may look familiar...
Edit:
I'm going to post the suff over here now. This is done by bogsnes over at Brilliant Gameolgosts.

General Rules
- A spells level for the purpose of feats like Arcane Strike and reserve feats and the like is 0 for DC 14, 1 for DC 15-16, 2 for DC 17-18, 3 for DC 19-20, and so on.

The Spellcaster
The Spellcaster

HD: d4

{table=head]Lvl|BAB|Fort|Ref|Will|Seeds|Special
1|+0|+0|+0|+2|1|Spellcasting
2|+1|+0|+0|+3|2|
3|+1|+1|+1|+3|2|
4|+2|+1|+1|+4|3|
5|+2|+1|+1|+4|3|
6|+3|+2|+2|+5|4|
7|+3|+2|+2|+5|4|
8|+4|+2|+2|+6|5|
9|+4|+3|+3|+6|5|
10|+5|+3|+3|+7|6|
11|+5|+3|+3|+7|6|
12|+6|+4|+4|+8|7|
13|+6|+4|+4|+8|7|
14|+7|+4|+4|+9|8|
15|+7|+5|+5|+9|8|
16|+8|+5|+5|+10|9|
17|+8|+5|+5|+10|9|
18|+9|+6|+6|+11|10|
19|+9|+6|+6|+11|10|
20|+10|+6|+6|+12|11|[/table]
Skill points: 4+Int mod (x4 at first level):
Appraise, Concentration, Craft, Knowledge (all), Profession, Spellcraft, Use Magic Device

Spellcasting:
A spellcaster casts spells, but in a different way than a Sorcerer or Wizard. A Spellcaster gains an amount of spells per day, as shown on the table below. At first level, and every even-numbered level after that, he gains a spell seed known. A spellcaster knows his seeds, and chooses which factors to apply to them at the time he casts them.
The save DC, if any, of his spells is based on Intelligence or Charisma, chosen at first level, and that choice can never be reversed without spells or psionic powers like Psichic Reformation. The DC is spell DC/2+ability modifier. In addition to the spells every day on the table, the spellcaster can cast more, of any DC, but he must succed on a Spellcraft check where the DC is equal to the spell DC +2*the number of succeding spells casted in this way this day. The save DC of these spells, if any is 10+1/2 leve+ability score modifier.
Instead of gaining bonus spells per day for a high ability score, the Spellcaster gains a bonus on his spells where he makes a Spellcraft check equal to his ability modifier*2 (maximum class level*3). This may allow him to gain his Int bonus on Spellcraft checks twice.

Spells per day:
{table=head]Lv|14|15|16|17|18|19|20|21|22|23|24|25|26|27|28|29 |30|31|32|33|34
1|3|1|||||||||||||||||||
2|4|1|1||||||||||||||||||
3|4|1|1|1|||||||||||||||||
4|4|2|1|1|1||||||||||||||||
5|4|2|2|1|1|1|||||||||||||||
6|4|2|2|2|1|1|1||||||||||||||
7|4|2|2|2|2|1|1|1|||||||||||||
8|4|3|2|2|2|2|1|1|1||||||||||||
9|4|3|3|2|2|2|2|1|1|1|||||||||||
10|4|3|3|3|2|2|2|2|1|1|1||||||||||
11|4|3|3|3|3|2|2|2|2|1|1|1|||||||||
12|4|3|3|3|3|3|2|2|2|2|1|1|1||||||||
13|4|4|3|3|3|3|3|2|2|2|2|1|1|1|||||||
14|4|4|4|3|3|3|3|3|2|2|2|2|1|1|1||||||
15|4|4|4|4|3|3|3|3|3|2|2|2|2|1|1|1|||||
16|4|4|4|4|4|3|3|3|3|3|2|2|2|2|1|1|1||||
17|4|4|4|4|4|4|3|3|3|3|3|2|2|2|2|1|1|1|||
18|4|4|4|4|4|4|4|3|3|3|3|3|2|2|2|2|1|1|1||
19|4|4|4|4|4|4|4|4|3|3|3|3|3|2|2|2|2|1|1|1|
20|4|4|4|4|4|4|4|4|4|3|3|3|3|3|2|2|2|2|1|1|1[/table]


The Gish
The Gish

HD: d12

{table=head]Lvl|BAB|Fort|Ref|Will|Seeds|Special
1|+1|+0|+0|+2|1|Spellcasting, Bonus Feat
2|+2|+0|+0|+3|1|Bonus Feat
3|+3|+1|+1|+3|2|
4|+4|+1|+1|+4|2|
5|+5|+1|+1|+4|2|Bonus Feat
6|+6|+2|+2|+5|3|
7|+7|+2|+2|+5|3|
8|+8|+2|+2|+6|3|Bonus Feat
9|+9|+3|+3|+6|4|
10|+10|+3|+3|+7|4|
11|+11|+3|+3|+7|4|Bonus Feat
12|+12|+4|+4|+8|5|
13|+13|+4|+4|+8|5|
14|+14|+4|+4|+9|5|Bonus Feat
15|+15|+5|+5|+9|6|
16|+16|+5|+5|+10|6|
17|+17|+5|+5|+10|6|Bonus Feat
18|+18|+6|+6|+11|7|
19|+19|+6|+6|+11|7|
20|+20|+6|+6|+12|7|Bonus Feat[/table]
Skill points: 4+Int mod (x4 at first level)

Spellcasting:
A gish casts spells, but in a different way than a Sorcerer or Wizard. A Gish gains an amount of spells per day, as shown on the table below. At first level, and every level divisible by 3 after, that, he gains a spell seed known. A Gish knows his seeds, and chooses which factors to apply to them at the time he casts them.
The save DC, if any, of his spells is based on Intelligence or Charisma, chosen at first level, and that choice can never be reversed without spells or psionic powers like Psichic Reformation. The DC is spell DC/2+ability modifier. In addition to the spells every day on the table, the spellcaster can cast more, of any DC, but he must succed on a Spellcraft check where the DC is equal to the spell DC +3*the number of succeding spells casted in this way this day. The save DC of these spells, if any is 10+1/2 leve+ability score modifier.
Instead of gaining bonus spells per day for a high ability score, the Gish gains a bonus a bonus to attack rolls and damage rolls on one attack equal to his class level. This may be used once per day per point of bonus to the ability score he uses to change the DC.

Bonus Feats:
At first, second, and every third level after, the Gish gains a bonus feat. These feats may be a fighter feat, or a feat presented here.

Spells per day:

Lv 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
1 3 1
2 4 2
3 5 3 1
4 6 4 2
5 6 5 3 1
6 6 6 4 2
7 6 6 5 3 1
8 6 6 6 4 2
9 6 6 6 5 3 1
10 6 6 6 6 4 2
11 6 6 6 6 5 3 1
12 6 6 6 6 6 4 2
13 6 6 6 6 6 5 3 1
14 6 6 6 6 6 6 4 2
15 6 6 6 6 6 6 5 3 1
16 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 4 2
17 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 5 3 1
18 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 4 2
19 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 5 3 1
20 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 4 2

Dante & Vergil
2010-03-10, 04:13 PM
DC modifiers

Unless stated otherwise, the same factor can be applied more than once.
DC Modifier


Casting
+1 Time Reduce casting time by 1 round (minimum 1 round)
+4 1-action casting time
+8 Quickened spell (limit one quickened action/round)
+12 Contingent on specific trigger1
-2 Increase casting time by 1 minute (max 10 minutes)1

Components
+2 No verbal component
+2 No somatic component

Duration2
+2 Increase duration by 100%
x5 Permanent duration (apply this factor after all other epic spell factors but before mitigating factors) (You must also pay an amount of XP equal to the DCx10 before mitigating factors, and pay an amount of expensive material items of a value of at least 125xDC before mitigating factors)
+2 Dismissible by caster (if not already)
+2 Range Range Increase range by 100%

Target3
+4 Add extra target within 300 ft.
+6 Change from target to area (pick area option below)
+10 Change from personal to area (pick area option below)
+4 Change from target to touch or ray (300-ft. range)
+4 Change from touch or ranged touch attack to target

Area4
+2 Change area to bolt (5 ft. ×300 ft. or 10 ft. ×150 ft.)
+2 Change area to cylinder (10-ft. radius, 30 ft. high)
+2 Change area to 40-ft. cone
+2 Change area to four 10-ft. cubes
+2 Change area to 20-ft. radius
+4 Change area to target
+4 Change area to touch or ray (close range)
+4 Increase area by 100%
-2 Change from target, touch, or area to personal

Saving Throw
+2 Increase spell’s saving throw DC by +1
+2 Spell Resistance Gain +1 bonus on caster level check to overcome target’s spell resistance
+2 Gain +1 on caster level check to beat foe’s dispel effect

Other
+6 Increase damage die by one step (d20 maximum)
-1 Backlash 1d6 points of damage (max d6 = caster’s HD ×2)5
-1 Burn 100 XP during casting (max 5000 XP)
-5 Decrease damage die by one step (d4 minimum)


1. When increasing the casting time of a spell in order to reduce the Spellcraft DC, a character must first “use up” the maximum of 10 minutes (for a total DC modifier of -20).
2. Seeds that already have an instantaneous or permanent duration cannot be increased.
3. When changing a targeted or area seed to a touch or ranged attack, the seed no longer requires a save if it deals damage, instead requiring a successful attack roll. Seeds with a nondamaging effect still allow the target a save. Area spells changed to touch or ranged attacks now affect only the creature successfully attacked.
4. When changing a touch or ranged attack seed to a targeted seed, the seed no longer requires an attack roll if it deals damage, instead requiring a saving throw from the target. On a failed saving throw, the target takes half damage. Area seeds changed to targeted seeds now only affect the target. The GM determines the most appropriate kind of saving throw for the epic spell.
5. The caster cannot somehow avoid or make him or her self immune to backlash damage. For spells with durations longer than instantaneous, the backlash damage is per round. If backlash damage kills a caster, no spell or method exists that will return life to the caster’s body without costing the caster a level—not even wish, true resurrection, miracle, or epic spells that return life to the deceased. Spells that normally penalize the recipient one level when they return him or her to life penalize a caster killed by backlash two levels.


Spell seeds

Seed: Afflict
Enchantment (Compulsion) [Fear, Mind-Affecting]
Spellcraft DC: 14
Components: V, S
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: 300 ft.
Target: One living creature
Duration: 1 min/level
Saving Throw: Will negates
Spell Resistance: Yes
Afflicts the target with a -2 morale penalty on attack rolls, checks, and saving throws. For each additional -1 penalty assessed on either the target’s attack rolls, checks, or saving throws, increase the Spellcraft DC by +2. A character may also develop a spell with this seed that afflicts the target with a -1 penalty on caster level checks, a -1 penalty to an ability score, a -1 penalty to spell resistance, or a -1 penalty to some other aspect of the target. For each additional -1 penalty assessed in one of the above categories, increase the Spell-craft DC by +4. This seed can afflict a character’s ability scores to the point where they reach 0, except for Constitution where 1 is the minimum. If a factor is applied to increase the duration of this seed, ability score penalties instead become temporary ability damage. If a factor is applied to make the duration permanent, any ability score penalties become permanent ability drain. Finally, by increasing the Spellcraft DC by +2, one of the target’s senses can be afflicted: sight, smell, hearing, taste, touch, or a special sense the target possesses. If the target fails its saving throw, the sense selected doesn’t function for the spell’s duration, with all attendant penalties that apply for losing the specified sense.

Seed: Armor
Conjuration (Creation) [Force]
Spellcraft DC:14
Components: V, S
Casting Time: 1 minute
Range: Touch
Target: Creature touched
Duration: 1 hour/level (D)
Saving Throw: Will negates (harmless)
Spell Resistance: Yes (harmless)
This seed grants a creature additional armor, providing a +4 bonus to Armor Class. The bonus is either an armor bonus or a natural armor bonus, whichever the caster selects. Unlike mundane armor, the armor seed provides an intangible protection that entails no armor check penalty, arcane spell failure chance, or speed reduction. Incorporeal creatures can’t bypass the armor seed the way they can ignore normal armor. For each additional point of Armor Class bonus, increase the Spellcraft DC by +2. The caster can also grant a creature a +1 bonus to Armor Class using a different bonus type, such as deflection, divine, or insight. For each additional point of bonus to Armor Class of one of these types, increase the Spellcraft DC by +10.

Seed: Banish
Abjuration
Spellcraft DC: 14
Components: V, S
Casting Time: 1 minute
Range: 75 ft.
Target: One or more extraplanar creatures, no two of which can be more than 30 ft. apart
Duration: Instantaneous
Saving Throw: Will negates
Spell Resistance: Yes
This seed forces extraplanar creatures out of the caster’s home plane. The caster can banish up to 1 HD of extraplanar creatures. For each additional HD before 14 HD banished after 1 HD, increase the Spellcraft DC by 1. For each additional 2 HD of extraplanar creatures banished after 14 HD, increase the Spellcraft DC by +1. To specify a type or sub-type of creature other than outsider to be banished, increase the Spellcraft DC by +20.

Seed: Compel
Enchantment (Compulsion) [Mind-Affecting]
Spellcraft DC: 19
Components: V, M
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 75 ft.
Target: One living creature
Duration: 1 hour/level or until completed
Saving Throw: Will negates
Spell Resistance: Yes
This seed compels a target to follow a course of activity. At the basic level of effect, a spell using the compel seed must be worded in such a manner as to make the activity sound reasonable. Asking the creature to do an obviously harmful act automatically negates the effect (unless the Spellcraft DC has been increased to avoid this limitation; see below). To compel a creature to follow an outright unreasonable course of action, increase the Spellcraft DC by +10. The compelled course of activity can continue for the entire duration. If the compelled activity can be completed in a shorter time, the spell ends when the subject finishes what he or she was asked to do. The caster can instead specify conditions that will trigger a special activity during the duration. If the condition is not met before the spell using this seed expires, the activity is not performed.

Seed: Conceal
Illusion (Glamer)
Spellcraft DC: 17
Components: V, S
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Personal or touch
Target: You or a creature or object of up to 2,000 lb.
Duration: 10 minute/level or until expended (D)
Saving Throw: None or Will negates (harmless, object)
Spell Resistance: No or Yes (harmless, object)
This seed can conceal a creature or object touched from sight, even from darkvision. If the subject is a creature carrying gear, the gear vanishes too, rendering the creature invisible. A spell using the conceal seed ends if the subject attacks any creature. Actions directed at unattended objects do not break the spell, and causing harm indirectly is not an attack. To create invisibility that lasts regardless of the actions of the subject, increase the Spellcraft DC by +4. Alternatively, this seed can conceal the exact location of the subject so that it appears to be about 2 feet away from its true location; this increases the Spellcraft DC by +2. The subject benefits from a 50% miss chance as if it had total concealment. However, unlike actual total concealment, this displacement effect does not prevent enemies from targeting him or her normally. The conceal seed can also be used to block divination spells, spell-like effects, and epic spells developed using the reveal seed; this increases the Spellcraft DC by +6. In all cases where divination magic of any level, including epic level, is employed against the subject of a spell using the conceal seed for this purpose, an opposed caster level check determines which spell works.

Seed: Conjure
Conjuration (Creation)
Spellcraft DC: 21
Components: V, S
Casting Time: 1 minute
Range: 0 ft.
Effect: Unattended, nonmagical object of nonliving matter up to 20 cu. ft.
Duration: 1 hour/level
Saving Throw: None
Spell Resistance: No
This seed creates a nonmagical, unattended object of nonliving matter of up to 20 cubic feet in volume. The caster must succeed at an appropriate skill check to make a complex item. The seed can create matter ranging in hardness and rarity from vegetable matter all the way up to mithral and even adamantine. Simple objects have a natural duration of 24 hours. For each additional cubic foot of matter created, increase the Spellcraft DC by +2. Attempting to use any created object as a material component or a resource during epic spell development causes the spell to fail and the object to disappear.
The conjure seed can be used in conjunction with the life and fortify seeds for an epic spell that creates an entirely new creature, if made permanent. To give a creature spell-like abilities, apply other epic seeds to the epic spell that replicate the desired ability. To give the creature a supernatural or extraordinary ability rather than a spell-like ability, double the cost of the relevant seed. Remember that two doublings equals a tripling, and so forth. To give a creature Hit Dice, use the fortify seed. Each 5 hit points granted to the creature gives it an additional 1 HD. Once successfully created, the new creature will breed true.

Seed: Contact
Divination
Spellcraft DC: 23
Components: V, S
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: See text
Target: One creature
Duration: 10 minute/level
Saving Throw: None
Spell Resistance: No
This seed forges a telepathic bond with a particular creature with which the caster is familiar (or one that the caster can currently see directly or through magical means) and can converse back and forth. The subject recognizes the caster if it knows him or her. It can answer in like manner immediately, though it does not have to. The caster can forge a communal bond among more than two creatures. For each additional creature contacted, increase the Spellcraft DC by +1. The bond can be established only among willing subjects, which therefore receive no saving throw or spell resistance. For telepathic communication through the bond regardless of language, increase the Spellcraft DC by +4. No special influence is established as a result of the bond, only the power to communicate at a distance.
At the base Spellcraft DC of 20, a caster can also use the contact seed to imbue an object (or creature) with a message he or she prepares that appears as written text for the spell’s duration or is spoken aloud in a language the caster knows. The spoken message can be of any length, but the length of written text is limited to what can be contained (as text of a readable size) on the surface of the target. The message is delivered when specific conditions are fulfilled according to the caster’s desire when the spell is cast.

Seed: Delude
Illusion (Figment)
Spellcraft DC: 14
Components: V, S
Casting Time: 1 minute
Range: 12,000 ft.
Effect: Visual figment that can extend for up to twenty 30-ft. cubes (S)
Duration: Concentration
Saving Throw: Will disbelief (if interacted with)
Spell Resistance: No
A spell developed with the delude seed creates the visual illusion of an object, creature, or force, as visualized by the caster. The caster can move the image within the limits of the size of the effect by concentrating (the image is otherwise stationary). The image disappears when struck by an opponent unless the caster causes the illusion to react appropriately. For an illusion that includes audible, olfactory, tactile, taste, and thermal aspects, increase the Spellcraft DC by +2 per extra aspect. Even realistic tactile and thermal illusions can’t deal damage, however. For each additional image to be created, increase the Spellcraft DC by +1. For an illusion that follows a script determined by the caster, increase the Spellcraft DC by +9. The figment follows the script without the caster having to concentrate on it. The illusion can include intelligible speech if desired. For an illusion that makes any area appear to be something other than it is, increase the Spellcraft DC by +4. Additional components, such as sounds, can be added as noted above. Concealing creatures requires additional spell development using this or other seeds.

Seed: Destroy
Transmutation
Spellcraft DC: 18
Components: V, S
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 12,000 ft.
Target: One creature, or up to a 10-foot cube of nonliving matter
Duration: Instantaneous
Saving Throw: Fortitude half
Spell Resistance: Yes
This seed deals 5d6 points of damage to the target. The damage is of no particular type or energy. For each additional 1d6 points of damage dealt, increase the Spellcraft DC by +1. If the target is reduced to -10 hit points or less (or a construct, object, or undead is reduced to 0 hit points), it is utterly destroyed as if disintegrated, leaving behind only a trace of fine dust. Up to a 10-foot cube of nonliving matter is affected, so a spell using the destroy seed destroys only part of any very large object or structure targeted. The destroy seed affects even magical matter, energy fields, and force effects that are normally only affected by the disintegrate spell. Such effects are automatically destroyed. Epic spells using the ward seed may also be destroyed, though the caster must succeed at an opposed caster level check against the other spellcaster to bring down a ward spell.

Seed: Dispel
Abjuration
Spellcraft DC: 19
Components: V, S
Casting Time: 1 minute
Range: 300 ft.
Target: One creature, object, or spell
Duration: Instantaneous
Saving Throw: None
Spell Resistance: No
This seed can end ongoing spells that have been cast on a creature or object, temporarily suppress the magical abilities of a magic item, or end ongoing spells (or at least their effects) within an area. A dispelled spell ends as if its duration had expired. The dispel seed can defeat all spells, even those not normally subject to dispel magic. The dispel seed can dispel (but not counter) the ongoing effects of supernatural abilities as well as spells, and it affects spell-like effects just as it affects spells. One creature, object, or spell is the target of the dispel seed. The caster makes a dispel check against the spell or against each ongoing spell currently in effect on the object or creature. A dispel check is 1d20 + 10 against a DC of 11 + the target spell’s caster level. For each additional +1 on the dispel check, increase the Spellcraft DC by +1. If targeting an object or creature that is the effect of an ongoing spell, make a dispel check to end the spell that affects the object or creature. If the object targeted is a magic item, make a dispel check against the item’s caster level. If succeessful, all the item’s magical properties are suppressed for 1d4 rounds, after which the item recovers on its own. A suppressed item becomes nonmagical for the duration of the effect. An interdimensional interface is temporarily closed. A magic item’s physical properties are unchanged. Any creature, object, or spell is potentially subject to the dispel seed, even the spells of gods and the abilities of artifacts. A character automatically succeeds on the dispel check against any spell that he or she cast him or her self.

Dante & Vergil
2010-03-10, 04:14 PM
More Spell Seeds

Seed: Energy
Evocation [Acid, Fire, Electricity, Cold, Or Sonic]
Spellcraft DC: 14
Components: V, S
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 300 ft. or touched creature or object of 2,000 lb. or less
Area: A bolt 5 ft. wide to 10 ft. long/level; or a 10-ft.-radius emanation; or a sphere or hemi-sphere with a radius of up to 20 ft.
Duration: Instantaneous or 20 hours (see text)
Saving Throw: Reflex half
Spell Resistance: Yes
This seed uses whichever one of five energy types the caster chooses: acid, cold, electricity, fire, or sonic. The caster can cast the energy forth as a bolt, imbue an object with the energy, or create a freestanding manifestation of the energy. If the spell developed using the energy seed releases a bolt, that bolt instantaneously deals 1d6 points of damage of the appropriate energy type, and all in the bolt’s area must make a Reflex save for half damage. For each additional 1d6 points of damage dealt, increase the Spellcraft DC by +1. The bolt begins at the caster’s fingertips. To imbue another creature with the ability to use an energy bolt as a spell-like ability at its option or when a particular condition is met, increase the Spellcraft DC by +25. The caster can also cause a creature or object to emanate the specific energy type out to a radius of 10 feet for 20 hours. The emanated energy deals 2d6 points of energy damage per round against unprotected creatures (the target creature is susceptible if not separately warded or otherwise resistant to the energy). For each additional 1d6 points of damage emanated, increase the Spellcraft DC by +1.
The caster can also use the energy seed to create a spell that carefully releases and balances the emanation of cold, electricity, and fire, creating specific weather effects for a period of 20 hours. Using the energy seed this way has a base Spellcraft DC of 25. The area extends to a two-mile-radius centered on the caster. Once the spell is cast, the weather takes 10 minutes to manifest. Ordinarily, a caster can’t directly target a creature or object, though indirect effects are possible. This seed can create cold snaps, heat waves, thunderstorms, fogs, blizzards—even a tornado that moves randomly in the affected area. Creating targeted damaging effects requires an additional use of the energy seed.

Seed: Foresee
Divination
Spellcraft DC: 17
Components: V, S
Casting Time: 1 minute
Range: Personal
Target: You
Duration: Instantaneous or concentration (see text)
The caster can foretell the immediate future, or gain information about specific questions. He or she is 90% likely to receive a meaningful reading of the future of the next 30 minutes. If successful, the caster knows if a particular action will bring good results, bad results, or no result. For each additional 30 minutes into the future, multiply the Spellcraft DC by ×2. For better results, the caster can pose up to ten specific questions (one per round while he or she concentrates) to unknown powers of other planes, but the base Spellcraft DC for such an attempt is 23. The answers return in a language the caster understands, but use only one-word replies: “yes,” “no,” “maybe,” “never,” “irrelevant,” or some other one-word answer. Unlike 0- to 9th-level spells of similar type, all questions answered are 90% likely to be answered truthfully. However, a specific spell using the foresee seed can only be cast once every five weeks. The foresee seed is also useful for epic spells requiring specific information before functioning, such as spells using the reveal and transport seeds. The foresee seed can also be used to gain one basic piece of information about a living target: level, class, alignment, or some special ability (or one of an object’s magical abilities, if any). For each additional piece of information revealed, increase the Spellcraft DC by +2.

Seed: Fortify
Transmutation
Spellcraft DC: 17 (see text)
Components: V, S
Casting Time: 1 minute
Range: Touch
Target: Creature touched
Duration: 1 hour/level
Saving Throw: Will negates (harmless)
Spell Resistance: Yes (harmless)
Spells using the fortify seed grant a +1 enhancement bonus to whichever one of the following the caster chooses:
• Any one ability score.
• Any one kind of saving throw.
• Spell resistance.
• Natural armor.
The fortify seed can also grant energy resistance 1 for one energy type or 1 temporary hit point. For each additional +1 bonus, point of energy resistance, or hit point, increase the Spellcraft DC by +1.
The fortify seed has a base Spellcraft DC of 23 if it grants a +1 bonus of a type other than enhancement. For each additional +1 of the bonus, increase the Spellcraft DC by +6. If you apply a factor to make the duration permanent, the bonus must be an inherent bonus, and the maximum inherent bonus allowed is +5.
Granting spell resistance to a creature that doesn’t already have it is a special case; the base Spellcraft DC of 14 grants spell resistance 10, and each additional point of spell resistance increases the Spellcraft DC by +1 (each -1 to spell resistance reduces the Spellcraft DC by -1).
The fortify seed can also grant damage reduction 1/magic. For each additional point of damage reduction, increase the Spellcraft DC by +2.

Seed: Heal
Conjuration (Healing)
Spellcraft DC: 25
Components: V, S
Casting Time: 1 minute
Range: Touch
Target: Creature touched
Duration: Instantaneous
Saving Throw: Yes (harmless; see text)
Spell Resistance: Yes (harmless)
Spells developed with the heal seed channel positive energy into a creature to wipe away disease and injury. Such a spell completely cures all diseases, blindness, deafness, hit point damage, and temporary ability damage. To restore permanently drained ability score points, increase the Spellcraft DC by +6. The heal seed neutralizes poisons in the subject’s system so that no additional damage or effects are suffered. It offsets feeblemindedness and cures mental disorders caused by spells or injury to the brain. It dispels all magical effects penalizing the character’s abilities, including effects caused by spells, even epic spells developed with the afflict seed. Only a single application of the spell is needed to simultaneously achieve all these effects. This seed does not restore levels or Constitution points lost due to death.
To dispel all negative levels afflicting the target, increase the Spellcraft DC by +2. This reverses level drains by a force or creature. The drained levels are restored only if the creature lost the levels within the last 20 weeks. For each additional week since the levels were drained, increase the Spellcraft DC by +2.
Against undead, the influx of positive energy causes the loss of all but 1d4 hit points if the undead fails a Fortitude saving throw.
An epic caster with 24 ranks in Knowledge (arcana), Knowledge (nature), or Knowledge (religion) can cast a spell developed with a special version of the heal seed that flushes negative energy into the subject, healing undead completely but causing the loss of all but 1d4 hit points in living creatures if they fail a Fortitude saving throw. Alternatively, a living target that fails its Fortitude saving throw could gain four negative levels for the next 8 hours. For each additional negative level bestowed, increase the Spellcraft DC by +4, and for each extra hour the negative levels persist, increase the Spellcraft DC by +2. If the subject has at least as many negative levels as Hit Dice, it dies. If the subject survives and the negative levels persist for 24 hours or longer, the subject must make another Fortitude saving throw, or the negative levels are converted to actual level loss.

Seed: Life
Conjuration (Healing)
Spellcraft DC: 27
Components: V, S
Casting Time: 1 minute
Range: Touch
Target: Dead creature touched
Duration: Instantaneous
Saving Throw: None (see text)
Spell Resistance: Yes (harmless)
A spell developed with the life seed will restore life and complete vigor to any deceased creature. The condition of the remains is not a factor. So long as some small portion of the creature’s body still exists, it can be returned to life, but the portion receiving the spell must have been part of the creature’s body at the time of death. (The remains of a creature hit by a disintegrate spell count as a small portion of its body.) The creature can have been dead for no longer than two hundred years. For each additional ten years, increase the Spellcraft DC by +1.
The creature is immediately restored to full hit points, vigor, and health, with no loss of prepared spells. However, the subject loses one level (or 1 point of Constitution if the subject was 1st level). The life seed cannot revive someone who has died of old age.
An epic caster with 24 ranks in Knowledge (arcana), Knowledge (nature), or Knowledge (religion) can cast a spell developed with a special version of the life seed that gives actual life to normally inanimate objects. The caster can give inanimate plants and animals a soul, personality, and humanlike sentience. To succeed, the caster must make a Will save (DC 10 + the target’s Hit Dice, or the Hit Dice a plant will have once it comes to life).
The newly living object, intelligent animal, or sentient plant is friendly toward the caster. An object or plant has characteristics as if it were an animated object, except that its Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma scores are all 3d6. Animated objects and plants gain the ability to move their limbs, projections, roots, carved legs and arms, or other appendages, and have senses similar to a human’s. A newly intelligent animal gets 3d6 Intelligence, +1d3 Charisma, and +2 HD. Objects, animals, and plants speak one language that the caster knows, plus one additional language that he or she knows per point of Intelligence bonus (if any).

Seed: Reflect
Abjuration
Spellcraft DC: 27
Components: V, S
Casting Time: 1 minute
Range: Personal
Target: You
Duration: Until expended or 12 hours
Attacks targeted against the caster rebound on the original attacker. Each use of the reflect seed in an epic spell is effective against one type of attack only: spells (and spell-like effects), ranged attacks, or melee attacks. To reflect an area spell, where the caster is not the target but are caught in the vicinity, increase the Spellcraft DC by +20. A single successful use of reflect expends its protection. Spells developed with the reflect seed against spells and spell-like effects return all spell effects of up to 1st level. For each additional level of spells to be reflected, increase the Spellcraft DC by +20. Epic spells are treated as 10th-level spells for this purpose.
The desired effect is automatically reflected if the spell in question is 9th level or lower. An opposed caster level check is required when the reflect seed is used against another epic spell. If the enemy spellcaster gets his spell through by winning the caster level check, the epic spell using the reflect seed is not expended, just momentarily suppressed.
If the reflect seed is used against a melee attack or ranged attack, five such attacks are automatically reflected back on the original attacker. For each additional attack reflected, increase the Spellcraft DC by +4. The reflected attack rebounds on the attacker using the same attack roll. Once the allotted attacks are reflected, the spell using the reflect seed is expended.

Seed: Slay
Necromancy [Death]
Spellcraft DC: 25
Components: V, S
Casting Time: 1 minute
Range: 300 ft.
Target: One living creature
Duration: Instantaneous
Saving Throw: Fortitude partial or half (see text)
Spell Resistance: Yes
A spell developed using the slay seed snuffs out the life force of a living creature, killing it instantly. The slay seed kills a creature of up to 80 HD. The subject is entitled to a Fortitude saving throw to survive the attack. If the save is successful, it instead takes 3d6+20 points of damage. For each additional 80 HD affected (or each additional creature affected), increase the Spellcraft DC by +8. Alternatively, a caster can use the slay seed in an epic spell to suppress the life force of the target by bestowing 2d4 negative levels on the target (or half as many negative levels on a successful Fortitude save). For each additional 1d4 negative levels bestowed, increase the Spellcraft DC by +4. If the subject has at least as many negative levels as Hit Dice, it dies. If the subject survives and the negative levels persist for 24 hours or longer, the subject must make another Fortitude saving throw, or the negative levels are converted to actual level loss.

Seed: Summon
Conjuration (Summoning)
Spellcraft DC: 14
Components: V, S
Casting Time: 1 minute
Range: 75 ft.
Effect: One summoned creature
Duration: 20 rounds (D)
Saving Throw: Will negates (see text)
Spell Resistance: Yes (see text)
This seed can summon an outsider. It appears where the caster designates and acts immediately, on his or her turn, if its spell resistance is overcome and it fails a Will saving throw. It attacks the caster’s opponents to the best of its ability. If the caster can communicate with the outsider, he or she can direct it not to attack, to attack particular enemies, or to perform other actions. The spell conjures an outsider the caster selects of CR 2 or less. For each +1 CR of the summoned outsider, increase the Spellcraft DC by +2. For each additional outsider of the same Challenge Rating summoned, multiply the Spellcraft DC by ×2. When a caster develops a spell with the summon seed that summons an air, chaotic, earth, evil, fire, good, lawful, or water creature, the completed spell is also of that type.
If the caster increases the Spellcraft DC by +10, he or she can summon a creature of CR 2 or less from another monster type or subtype. The summoned creature is assumed to have been plucked from some other plane (or somewhere on the same plane). The summoned creature attacks the caster’s opponents to the best of its ability; or, if the caster can communicate with it, it will perform other actions. However, the summoning ends if the creature is asked to perform a task inimical to its nature. For each +1 CR of the summoned creature, increase the Spellcraft DC by +2.
Finally, by increasing the Spellcraft DC by +60, the caster can summon a unique individual he or she specifies from anywhere in the multiverse. The caster must know the target’s name and some facts about its life, defeat any magical protection against discovery or other protection possessed by the target, and overcome the target’s spell resistance, and it must fail a Will saving throw. The target is under no special compulsion to serve the caster.

Seed: Transform
Transmutation
Spellcraft DC: 21
Components: V, S
Casting Time: 1 minute
Range: 300 ft.
Target: One creature or inanimate, nonmagical object
Duration: Permanent
Saving Throw: Fortitude negates (see text)
Spell Resistance: Yes
Spells using the transform seed change the subject into another form of creature or object. The new form can range in size from Diminutive to one size larger than the subject’s normal form. For each additional increment of size change, increase the Spellcraft DC by +6. If the caster wants to transform a nonmagical, inanimate object into a creature of his or her type or transform a creature into a nonmagical, inanimate object, increase the Spellcraft DC by +10. To change a creature of one type into another type increase the Spellcraft DC by +5.
Transformations involving nonmagical, inanimate substances with hardness are more difficult; for each 2 points of hardness, increase the Spellcraft DC by +1.
To transform a creature into an incorporeal or gaseous form, increase the Spellcraft DC by +10. Conversely, to overcome the natural immunity of a gaseous or incorporeal creature to transformation, increase the Spellcraft DC by +10.
The transform seed can also change its target into someone specific. To transform an object or creature into the specific likeness of another individual (including memories and mental abilities), increase the Spellcraft DC by +25. If the transformed creature doesn’t have the level or Hit Dice of its new likeness, it can only use the abilities of the creature at its own level or Hit Dice. If slain or destroyed, the transformed creature or object reverts to its original form. The subject’s equipment, if any, remains untransformed or melds into the new form’s body, at the caster’s option. The transformed creature or object acquires the physical and natural abilities of the creature or object it has been changed into while retaining its own memories and mental ability scores. Mental abilities include personality, Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma scores, level and class, hit points (despite any change in its Constitution score), alignment, base attack bonus, base saves, extraordinary abilities, spells, and spell-like abilities, but not its supernatural abilities. Physical abilities include natural size and Strength, Dexterity, and Constitution scores. Natural abilities include armor, natural weapons, and similar gross physical qualities (presence or absence of wings, number of extremities, and so forth), and possibly hardness. Creatures transformed into inanimate objects do not gain the benefit of their untransformed physical abilities, and may well be blind, deaf, dumb, and unfeeling. Objects transformed into creatures gain that creature’s average physical ability scores, but are considered to have mental ability scores of 0 (the fortify seed can add points to each mental ability, if desired). For each normal extraordinary ability or supernatural ability granted to the transformed creature, increase the Spellcraft DC by +10. The transformed subject can have no more Hit Dice than the caster has or than the subject has (whichever is greater). In any case, for each Hit Die the assumed form has above 15, increase the Spellcraft DC by +2.

Seed: Transport
Conjuration [Teleportation]
Spellcraft DC: 27
Components: V, S
Casting Time: 1 minute
Range: Touch
Target: You and touched objects or other touched willing creatures weighing up to 1,000 lb.
Duration: Instantaneous, or 5 rounds for temporal transport
Saving Throw: None or Will negates (see text)
Spell Resistance: No or Yes (see text)
Spells using the transport seed instantly take the caster to a designated destination, regardless of distance. For interplanar travel, increase the Spellcraft DC by +4. For each additional 50 pounds in objects and willing creatures beyond the base 1,000 pounds, increase the Spellcraft DC by +2. The base use of the transport seed provides instantaneous travel through the Astral Plane. To shift the transportation medium to another medium increase the Spellcraft DC by +2. The caster does not need to make a saving throw, nor is spell resistance applicable to him or her. Only objects worn or carried (attended) by another person receive saving throws and spell resistance. For a spell intended to transport unwilling creatures, increase the Spellcraft DC by +4. The caster must have at least a reliable description of the place to which he or she is transporting. If the caster attempts to use the transport seed with insufficient or misleading information, the character disappears and simply reappear in his or her original location.
As a special use of the transport seed, a caster can develop a spell that temporarily transports him or her into a different time stream (leaving the caster in the same physical location); this increases the Spellcraft DC by +8. If the caster moves him or herself, or the subject, into a slower time stream for 5 rounds, time ceases to flow for the subject, and its condition becomes fixed—no force or effect can harm it until the duration expires. If the caster moves him or her self into a faster time stream, the caster speeds up so greatly that all other creatures seem frozen, though they are actually still moving at their normal speeds. The caster is free to act for 5 rounds of apparent time. Fire, cold, poison gas, and similar effects can still harm the caster. While the caster is in the fast time stream, other creatures are invulnerable to his or her attacks and spells; however, the caster can create spell effects and leave them to take effect when he or she reenters normal time. Because of the branching nature of time, epic spells used to transport a subject into a faster time stream cannot be made permanent, nor can the duration of 5 rounds be extended. More simply, the seed can haste or slow a subject for 20 rounds by transporting it to the appropriate time stream. This decreases the Spellcraft DC by -4.

Seed: Ward
Abjuration
Spellcraft DC: 14
Components: V, S
Casting Time: 1 minute
Range: Touch
Target or Effect: Touched creature or object of 2,000 lb. or less; or 10-ft.-radius spherical emanation, centered on you
Duration: 24 hours
Saving Throw: None
Spell Resistance: Yes
This seed can grant a creature protection from damage of a specified type. The caster can protect a creature from standard damage or from energy damage. The caster can protect a creature or area from magic. Alternatively, he or she can hedge out a type of creature from a specified area. A ward against standard damage protects a creature from whichever two the caster selects of the three damage types: bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing. For a ward against all three types, increase the Spellcraft DC by +4. Each round, the spell created with the ward seed absorbs the first 5 points of damage the creature would otherwise take, regardless of whether the source of the damage is natural or magical. For each additional point of protection, increase the Spellcraft DC by +2.
A ward against energy grants a creature protection from whichever one the caster selects of the five energy types: acid, cold, electricity, fire, or sonic. Each round, the spell absorbs the first 5 points of damage the creature would otherwise take from the specified energy type, regardless of whether the source of damage is natural or magical. The spell protects the recipient’s equipment as well. For each additional point of protection, increase the Spellcraft DC by +1.
A ward against a specific type of creature prevents bodily contact from whichever one of several monster types the caster selects. This causes the natural weapon attacks of such creatures to fail and the creatures to recoil if such attacks require touching the warded creature. The protection ends if the warded creature makes an attack against or intentionally moves within 5 feet of the blocked creature. Spell resistance can allow a creature to overcome this protection and touch the warded creature.
A ward against magic creates an immobile, faintly shimmering magical sphere (with radius 10 feet) that surrounds the caster and excludes all spell effects of up to 1st level. Alternatively, the caster can ward just the target and not create the radius effect. For each additional level of spells to be excluded, increase the Spellcraft DC by +20 (but see below). The area or effect of any such spells does not include the area of the ward, and such spells fail to affect any target within the ward. This includes spell-like abilities and spells or spell-like effects from magic items. However, any type of spell can be cast through or out of the ward. The caster can leave and return to the protected area without penalty (unless the spell specifically targets a creature and does not provide a radius effect). The ward could be brought down by a targeted dispel magic spell. Epic spells using the dispel seed may bring down a ward if the enemy spellcaster succeeds at a caster level check. The ward may also be brought down with a targeted epic spell using the destroy seed if the enemy spellcaster succeeds at a caster level check.
Instead of creating an epic spell that uses the ward seed to nullify all spells of a given level and lower, the caster can create a ward that nullifies a specific spell (or specific set of spells). For each specific spell so nullified, increase the Spellcraft DC by +2 per spell level above 1st.

Dante & Vergil
2010-03-10, 04:15 PM
Placeholder for more seeds if any are needed.

Dante & Vergil
2010-03-10, 04:16 PM
Feats!

Favored Seed
Prerequistes: The ability to use spells from seeds.
Benefit: Choose one seed you know. The DC on saving throws gets a +2 bonus. In addition, the base spellcraft DC for the seed is treated as 2 lower than normal.
Special: You can take this seed more than once, gaining the bonuses to a different seed each time.

Extra Seed
Prerequistes: Ability to cast spells from seeds.
Benefit: Choose one seed you don't know. You gain that seed known permanently.
Special: You can take this feat multiple times, gaining an extra seed known each time.

Dante & Vergil
2010-03-10, 04:17 PM
This will be a placeholder for anything needed.

Dante & Vergil
2010-03-10, 04:18 PM
This one as well.
With all of it here, that should do it.

erikun
2010-03-10, 04:33 PM
Right off hand, this sounds similar to Fax's d20r Sorcerer (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=103250), especially with the use of spell seeds.

Also, taking a look that the BG forum you linked, your list of seeds looks a lot like the epic spell seed tables. At least, they do from what I recall; it's been awhile since I last saw them. Is it the same list?

Other than that, it's always interesting to see what comes out of a brainstorming session. :smallbiggrin: Have fun!

lesser_minion
2010-03-10, 04:58 PM
So this is a generic spellcaster who will be using a fixed version of epic spellcasting. It's an interesting idea.

Having a different level of spell slot for each possible DC is the equivalent of imprisoning players in bookkeeping hell. I'd suggest moving this to spell points or homogenised spell slots.

What you do with this depends on whether or not you want to replace the existing spellcasting classes, really.

Dante & Vergil
2010-03-10, 05:04 PM
erikun: Bogsnes did indeed use Epic seeds for the basis of this system.

lesser_minion: I posted the bare bones of the work and it will be changed quite a bit. That's why I posted it here. Also, it is a system to replace existing spellcasting from what I remember.

lesser_minion
2010-03-10, 05:34 PM
I think this might be easier if each seed represented a fairly abstract concept or element for the caster to work with. It would certainly make it much easier to distribute effects evenly if all that has to be done is come up with a simple fluff explanation for why a particular effect comes under a particular seed.

We could also have a selection of 'forms' that determine the overall effect and targets in conjunction with the seeds.

A starting point for a seed list using this method could be:

Aether - the astral and ethereal planes
Essence - light and force
Wind - the weather
Fire - heat and fire
Earth - rocks
Electricity - electricity
Water - corrosion, acid, and water
Life - positive energy, living creatures, birth and rebirth
Death - negative energy, the undead, death and undeath
Blasphemy - evil, evil-aligned planes
Sanctity - good, the good-aligned planes
Discipline - law, lawful planes
Disorder - chaos, chaotic planes
Mind - the mind
Power - magic, magical energy

Dante & Vergil
2010-03-16, 05:54 PM
I was also thinking of using this (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=136711) as an inclusion, so any spell of you mind can be made. (It won't be restricted to just Epic levels.)

Dante & Vergil
2010-03-17, 05:57 PM
Edited the Gish table.