The Pressman
2010-07-24, 09:11 PM
THE POLYMATH
artwork pending
"Maybe with just a tad more acid..."-Hieronymus Van Der Kjεrd, Polymath
Personality
The Polymath is eccentric and unconventional, and is never afraid to try something new. His fighting style makes use of ranged attacks, with his potions doing splash damage. Up close, he prefers not to be there, but if he is there, a large blunt object or a small blade will suffice.
The Polymath functions as a combination of a naturalist, alchemist, and engineer. They can build, research, concoct, doctor, but their magic isn't so hot. With their innate manipulation abilities, combined with their knowledge of complex alchemical formulζ, they can whip up a potion spewing clock in.....wait forrrrr iiiiiittt....a day! Although they don't have the resources of wizards, or the labs of alchemists, they do have semi-psionic powers. They construct, concoct, heal, study, and invent, with a little spellcasting added on. The Polymath is interested in learning, creating, and innovating. Polymaths often come from small towns and a university education. Some are prodigies, some are not. But they all share a thirst for understanding that is part of their very souls.
The Polymath
{table="head"]Level|BAB|Fort|Ref|Will|Special |0lvl|1st|2nd|3rd|4th|5th|6th
1st|+0|+0|+0|+2|Manipulate, Improvise 4/day, Scribe Scroll, Alchemical Splash(Smokescreen)|3||||||
2nd|+1|+0|+0|+3|Research 2/day, Infuse Item, Brew Potion, Assemble 1/day, Alchemical Splash(Ephebian Fire)|3|1|||||
3rd|+1|+1|+1|+3|Craft Wondrous Item, Alchemical Splash(Acid)|3|2|||||
4th|+2|+1|+1|+4|Assemble 2/day, Improvise 5/day, Alchemical Splash(Epoxy)|3|3|1||||
5th|+2|+1|+1|+4|Research 3/day, Craft Magic Arms and Armor|4|3|2||||
6th|+3|+2|+2|+5|Improved Alchemy|4|3|2||||
7th|+3|+2|+2|+5|Improvise 6/day, Craft Wand|4|3|3|1|||
8th|+4|+2|+2|+6|Research 4/day, Assemble 3/day|4|3|3|2|||
9th|+4|+3|+3|+6|Craft Rod|4|3|3|3|||
10th|+5|+3|+3|+7|Improvise (Move Action)|4|4|3|3|1||
11th|+5|+3|+3|+7|Research (1 round/subject), Assemble (full round)|4|4|4|3|1||
12th|+6/+1|+4|+4|+8|Craft Staff|4|4|4|4|2||
13th|+6/+1|+4|+4|+8||4|4|4|4|3||
14th|+7/+2|+4|+4|+9|Forge Ring|4|4|4|4|4|1|
15th|+7/+2|+5|+5|+9|Alchemical Spray(Smokescreen)|4|4|4|4|4|2|
16th|+8/+3|+5|+5|+10|Alchemical Spray(Ephebian Fire)|4|4|4|4|4|3|
17th|+8/+3|+5|+5|+10|Alchemical Spray(Acid)|4|4|4|4|4|4|1
18th|+9/+4|+6|+6|+11|Alchemical Spray(Epoxy)|4|4|4|4|4|4|2
19th|+9/+4|+6|+6|+11||4|4|4|4|4|4|3
20th|+10/+5|+6|+6|+12||4|4|4|4|4|4|4
[/table]
Class features
Races:Many Elves and Half-Elves take up this profession, as it plays towards their inquisitive nature. Dwarves are good, as their stolid fortitude helps them persevere. Humans, as always, are prominent. Some rare Half-Orc Polymaths exist, but are usually non-mainstream.
Abilities: A strong intelligence is good, and a strong fortitude helps them survive their work. A good dex score helps them grasp small parts.
Role:Utility Noncombatant
Alignment: Any, usually chaotic good. Most polymaths work to help people, whether it be via conveniences or medical services.
Hit Die: d8
Class Skills:
Knowledge, Craft, Heal, Disable Device, Concentration, Open Lock, Spot, Search, Use Rope, Decipher Script, Use Magic Device and 1 of the player's choosing.
Skill Points at 1st Level: (5 + Int modifier) Χ 4
Skill Points at Each Additional Level: 5 + Int modifier
Bonus Feats:
Armor and Armament
The Polymath is proficient with light and medium armor, and all simple weapons. He is also proficient with Light Picks and Hammers. As a result of his travails working in fields to fund his work, he is also proficient with Scythes. As he has studied many ways of doing things, he is exempt from arcane spell casting failure.
Special Abilities
Manipulate(SLA): The Polymath can move small objects instinctively, to the point where psionics does the work. This ability lets him move a small (6 lb or less) at a distance of max 40 ft, but with out much force. If it hits something, it will stop. He can also use this ability like Stick, and can adhere something up to 7 lbs to another. It can be removed easily, but will stick while something is disturbing it if the caster maintains concentration (1 standard action). All effects are subject to DM fiat.
Assemble(SLA): The Polymath, after honing his skills, can now assemble things, like mechanisms, or concoct things, like potions. It can lift no more than 10 lbs at a time, and complexity is subject to DM fiat. They must have first collected all the ingredients needed for the object, and must have the blueprint/formula/plan in their portfolio. It takes 1 or more hours to make an object, depending on complexity. In special occasions, the time can be very small, with some simple potions produced in rounds.
Time Needed=(((# components)*(number of steps))*(30 seconds))+(cooking time{optional})
DC=(# components)+(# steps)
Improvise(EX): The Polymath often has studied in diverse fields, and is very intelligent. If faced with a problem, he can improvise a device or compound as a 3 minute action. The complexity of the device/compound is limited, and if it overreaches the boundaries of what could be sensibly found there, it becomes negated. To use, the player makes a DC 10 Craft check for the craft most closely related to the item to be produced. Also subject to DM fiat.
Research(EX): The Polymath can absorb information and transcribe it for later use. The information can come from diverse sources, such as books*, Scrolls*, animals, plants, mechanisms, compounds, locations, people, etc. The information can be used to add to their Portfolio.
*including those of magic
Improved Alchemy(EX)
The Polymath can brew potions with considerably less cost to both components and time. He has to use 25% less components, and they take 50% less time to make. Note, however, that because he usually works on his own, he cannot make more than 3 at a time with this ability. Making beyond this is subject to the usual constraints.
Improptu Spellcasting
The Polymath has spontaneous spellcasting.
Item Creation
The Polymath has the same Item creation feat progression as the Artificer.
Improptu Weapon(EX)
The Polymath studies many disciplines. This has let them develop their skills to the point where they know how to fight with many things that people would not think of as weapons. This lets them fight with tools like hammers, crowbars, planks, etc, and not be penalized. Damage done is by the weapon closest in category to the improptu armament.
Alchemical Splash
The Polymath can create potions that have a damage factor. Learned from his days enduring chemical spills, he can create several potions, including Fireball, Explosion, and Smokescreen. It takes 8 hours to prepare potions, and he can make 3 at a time. These are mechanical (game mechanics) potions, and therefore are different from standard potions. They act as splash-damaging objects. They attack the target square plus the squares within 5 feet of it.
Infuse Item
The Polymath can imbue an item that they have built or bought with spells from his portfolio, and then that item, when activated, produces an effect akin to the spell being cast. This could be when the item is thrown, is drunk, is activated, explodes, etc. It could even be when a clock finally rings.
Alchemical Spray
At level 15, the Polymath has refined his weaponized potions to the point where they have a spray effect when burst. Excellent for crowd control, they hit all squares within 10 ft of the target.
Spellcasting
The Polymath uses a portfolio to keep blueprints, diagrams, recipes and spells in one place. The Portfolio is not a bound book, but instead a briefcase/folder kind of thing. Starting size is 100 pages.
Polymath Spell-List:
In Progress
0th (Sketches): Detect Magic, Mage Hand, Read Magic, Mending, Detect Poison, Detect Secret Doors, Resistance, Dancing Lights, Light, Message, Open/Close, Stick, Arcane Mark, Prestidigitation, Create Water, Cure Minor Wounds, Know Direction, Summon Instrument
1st: Identify, Know Greatest Enemy, Master's Touch, Alarm, Endure Elements, Hold Portal, Protection from Chaos/Evil/Good/Law, Shield, Mage Armor, Obscuring Mist, Grease, Tenser's Floating Disc, Disguise Self, Silent Image, Animate Rope, Enlarge Person, Erase, Expeditious Retreat, Feather Fall, Jump, Magic Weapon, Reduce Person, Cure Light Wounds, Command, Summon Monster 1, Charm Person, Magic Weapon
2nd: Make Whole, Know Vulnerability, Weapon Shift, Status, Dispel Magic, Arcane Lock, Protection From Arrows, Web, Detect Thoughts, Locate Object, See Invisibility, Continual Flame, Darkness, Invisibility, Minor Image, Alter Self, Darkvision, Knock, Levitate, Pyrotechnics, Rope Trick, Spider Climb, Cure Moderate Wounds, Darkness, Silence,
3rd: Quick Potion, Know Opponent, Ruin Delver's Fortune, Dispel Magic, Explosive Runes, Tongues, Suggestion, Leomund's Tiny Hut, Wind Wall, Illusory Script, Invisibility Sphere, Major Image, Fly, Gaseous Form, Haste, Secret Page, Shrink Item, Water Breathing, Create Food and Water, Cure Serious Wounds, Charm Monster, Sculpt Sound, Speak with Animals
4th: Globe of Invulnerability, Dimension Door, Leomund's Secure Shelter, Minor Creation, Arcane Eye, Invisibility (Greater), Mass Enlarge Person, Polymorph, Stone Shape, Speak with Plants
5th: Break Enchantment, Leomund's Secret Chest, Major Creation, Teleport, Dominate Person, Bigby's Interposing Hand, Persistent Image, Seeming, Fabricate, Passwall, Telekinesis, Permanency, Shadow Walk
6th: Antimagic Field, Analyze Dweomer, Contingency, Permanent Image, Programmed Image, Control Water, Disintegrate, Move Earth, Heal, Veil
7th: Drawmij's Instant Summons, Mordenkainen's Magnificent Mansion, Phase Door, Greater Teleport, Teleport Object, Control Weather, Reverse Gravity, Limited Wish, Repulsion
8th: Demand, Sympathy, Clone, Polymorph Any Object, Temporal Stasis
9th: Gate, Refuge, Teleportation Circle, Foresight, Shapechange, Time Stop, Wish, Mass Heal
The Assemblage Fund
The Polymath has an Assemblage Fund that works much like the Artificer's craft reserve. That is, it lets the maker use crafting points instead of XP when building, concocting, or constructing. The points are not cumulative, and expire with each level.
Assemblage Fund
{table="head"]Level|Fund Points
1|20
2|40
3|60
4|80
5|100
6|150
7|200
8|250
9|300
10|400
11|500
12|700
13|900
14|1200
15|1500
16|2000
17|2500
18|3000
19|4000
20|5000[/table]
artwork pending
"Maybe with just a tad more acid..."-Hieronymus Van Der Kjεrd, Polymath
Personality
The Polymath is eccentric and unconventional, and is never afraid to try something new. His fighting style makes use of ranged attacks, with his potions doing splash damage. Up close, he prefers not to be there, but if he is there, a large blunt object or a small blade will suffice.
The Polymath functions as a combination of a naturalist, alchemist, and engineer. They can build, research, concoct, doctor, but their magic isn't so hot. With their innate manipulation abilities, combined with their knowledge of complex alchemical formulζ, they can whip up a potion spewing clock in.....wait forrrrr iiiiiittt....a day! Although they don't have the resources of wizards, or the labs of alchemists, they do have semi-psionic powers. They construct, concoct, heal, study, and invent, with a little spellcasting added on. The Polymath is interested in learning, creating, and innovating. Polymaths often come from small towns and a university education. Some are prodigies, some are not. But they all share a thirst for understanding that is part of their very souls.
The Polymath
{table="head"]Level|BAB|Fort|Ref|Will|Special |0lvl|1st|2nd|3rd|4th|5th|6th
1st|+0|+0|+0|+2|Manipulate, Improvise 4/day, Scribe Scroll, Alchemical Splash(Smokescreen)|3||||||
2nd|+1|+0|+0|+3|Research 2/day, Infuse Item, Brew Potion, Assemble 1/day, Alchemical Splash(Ephebian Fire)|3|1|||||
3rd|+1|+1|+1|+3|Craft Wondrous Item, Alchemical Splash(Acid)|3|2|||||
4th|+2|+1|+1|+4|Assemble 2/day, Improvise 5/day, Alchemical Splash(Epoxy)|3|3|1||||
5th|+2|+1|+1|+4|Research 3/day, Craft Magic Arms and Armor|4|3|2||||
6th|+3|+2|+2|+5|Improved Alchemy|4|3|2||||
7th|+3|+2|+2|+5|Improvise 6/day, Craft Wand|4|3|3|1|||
8th|+4|+2|+2|+6|Research 4/day, Assemble 3/day|4|3|3|2|||
9th|+4|+3|+3|+6|Craft Rod|4|3|3|3|||
10th|+5|+3|+3|+7|Improvise (Move Action)|4|4|3|3|1||
11th|+5|+3|+3|+7|Research (1 round/subject), Assemble (full round)|4|4|4|3|1||
12th|+6/+1|+4|+4|+8|Craft Staff|4|4|4|4|2||
13th|+6/+1|+4|+4|+8||4|4|4|4|3||
14th|+7/+2|+4|+4|+9|Forge Ring|4|4|4|4|4|1|
15th|+7/+2|+5|+5|+9|Alchemical Spray(Smokescreen)|4|4|4|4|4|2|
16th|+8/+3|+5|+5|+10|Alchemical Spray(Ephebian Fire)|4|4|4|4|4|3|
17th|+8/+3|+5|+5|+10|Alchemical Spray(Acid)|4|4|4|4|4|4|1
18th|+9/+4|+6|+6|+11|Alchemical Spray(Epoxy)|4|4|4|4|4|4|2
19th|+9/+4|+6|+6|+11||4|4|4|4|4|4|3
20th|+10/+5|+6|+6|+12||4|4|4|4|4|4|4
[/table]
Class features
Races:Many Elves and Half-Elves take up this profession, as it plays towards their inquisitive nature. Dwarves are good, as their stolid fortitude helps them persevere. Humans, as always, are prominent. Some rare Half-Orc Polymaths exist, but are usually non-mainstream.
Abilities: A strong intelligence is good, and a strong fortitude helps them survive their work. A good dex score helps them grasp small parts.
Role:Utility Noncombatant
Alignment: Any, usually chaotic good. Most polymaths work to help people, whether it be via conveniences or medical services.
Hit Die: d8
Class Skills:
Knowledge, Craft, Heal, Disable Device, Concentration, Open Lock, Spot, Search, Use Rope, Decipher Script, Use Magic Device and 1 of the player's choosing.
Skill Points at 1st Level: (5 + Int modifier) Χ 4
Skill Points at Each Additional Level: 5 + Int modifier
Bonus Feats:
Armor and Armament
The Polymath is proficient with light and medium armor, and all simple weapons. He is also proficient with Light Picks and Hammers. As a result of his travails working in fields to fund his work, he is also proficient with Scythes. As he has studied many ways of doing things, he is exempt from arcane spell casting failure.
Special Abilities
Manipulate(SLA): The Polymath can move small objects instinctively, to the point where psionics does the work. This ability lets him move a small (6 lb or less) at a distance of max 40 ft, but with out much force. If it hits something, it will stop. He can also use this ability like Stick, and can adhere something up to 7 lbs to another. It can be removed easily, but will stick while something is disturbing it if the caster maintains concentration (1 standard action). All effects are subject to DM fiat.
Assemble(SLA): The Polymath, after honing his skills, can now assemble things, like mechanisms, or concoct things, like potions. It can lift no more than 10 lbs at a time, and complexity is subject to DM fiat. They must have first collected all the ingredients needed for the object, and must have the blueprint/formula/plan in their portfolio. It takes 1 or more hours to make an object, depending on complexity. In special occasions, the time can be very small, with some simple potions produced in rounds.
Time Needed=(((# components)*(number of steps))*(30 seconds))+(cooking time{optional})
DC=(# components)+(# steps)
Improvise(EX): The Polymath often has studied in diverse fields, and is very intelligent. If faced with a problem, he can improvise a device or compound as a 3 minute action. The complexity of the device/compound is limited, and if it overreaches the boundaries of what could be sensibly found there, it becomes negated. To use, the player makes a DC 10 Craft check for the craft most closely related to the item to be produced. Also subject to DM fiat.
Research(EX): The Polymath can absorb information and transcribe it for later use. The information can come from diverse sources, such as books*, Scrolls*, animals, plants, mechanisms, compounds, locations, people, etc. The information can be used to add to their Portfolio.
*including those of magic
Improved Alchemy(EX)
The Polymath can brew potions with considerably less cost to both components and time. He has to use 25% less components, and they take 50% less time to make. Note, however, that because he usually works on his own, he cannot make more than 3 at a time with this ability. Making beyond this is subject to the usual constraints.
Improptu Spellcasting
The Polymath has spontaneous spellcasting.
Item Creation
The Polymath has the same Item creation feat progression as the Artificer.
Improptu Weapon(EX)
The Polymath studies many disciplines. This has let them develop their skills to the point where they know how to fight with many things that people would not think of as weapons. This lets them fight with tools like hammers, crowbars, planks, etc, and not be penalized. Damage done is by the weapon closest in category to the improptu armament.
Alchemical Splash
The Polymath can create potions that have a damage factor. Learned from his days enduring chemical spills, he can create several potions, including Fireball, Explosion, and Smokescreen. It takes 8 hours to prepare potions, and he can make 3 at a time. These are mechanical (game mechanics) potions, and therefore are different from standard potions. They act as splash-damaging objects. They attack the target square plus the squares within 5 feet of it.
Infuse Item
The Polymath can imbue an item that they have built or bought with spells from his portfolio, and then that item, when activated, produces an effect akin to the spell being cast. This could be when the item is thrown, is drunk, is activated, explodes, etc. It could even be when a clock finally rings.
Alchemical Spray
At level 15, the Polymath has refined his weaponized potions to the point where they have a spray effect when burst. Excellent for crowd control, they hit all squares within 10 ft of the target.
Spellcasting
The Polymath uses a portfolio to keep blueprints, diagrams, recipes and spells in one place. The Portfolio is not a bound book, but instead a briefcase/folder kind of thing. Starting size is 100 pages.
Polymath Spell-List:
In Progress
0th (Sketches): Detect Magic, Mage Hand, Read Magic, Mending, Detect Poison, Detect Secret Doors, Resistance, Dancing Lights, Light, Message, Open/Close, Stick, Arcane Mark, Prestidigitation, Create Water, Cure Minor Wounds, Know Direction, Summon Instrument
1st: Identify, Know Greatest Enemy, Master's Touch, Alarm, Endure Elements, Hold Portal, Protection from Chaos/Evil/Good/Law, Shield, Mage Armor, Obscuring Mist, Grease, Tenser's Floating Disc, Disguise Self, Silent Image, Animate Rope, Enlarge Person, Erase, Expeditious Retreat, Feather Fall, Jump, Magic Weapon, Reduce Person, Cure Light Wounds, Command, Summon Monster 1, Charm Person, Magic Weapon
2nd: Make Whole, Know Vulnerability, Weapon Shift, Status, Dispel Magic, Arcane Lock, Protection From Arrows, Web, Detect Thoughts, Locate Object, See Invisibility, Continual Flame, Darkness, Invisibility, Minor Image, Alter Self, Darkvision, Knock, Levitate, Pyrotechnics, Rope Trick, Spider Climb, Cure Moderate Wounds, Darkness, Silence,
3rd: Quick Potion, Know Opponent, Ruin Delver's Fortune, Dispel Magic, Explosive Runes, Tongues, Suggestion, Leomund's Tiny Hut, Wind Wall, Illusory Script, Invisibility Sphere, Major Image, Fly, Gaseous Form, Haste, Secret Page, Shrink Item, Water Breathing, Create Food and Water, Cure Serious Wounds, Charm Monster, Sculpt Sound, Speak with Animals
4th: Globe of Invulnerability, Dimension Door, Leomund's Secure Shelter, Minor Creation, Arcane Eye, Invisibility (Greater), Mass Enlarge Person, Polymorph, Stone Shape, Speak with Plants
5th: Break Enchantment, Leomund's Secret Chest, Major Creation, Teleport, Dominate Person, Bigby's Interposing Hand, Persistent Image, Seeming, Fabricate, Passwall, Telekinesis, Permanency, Shadow Walk
6th: Antimagic Field, Analyze Dweomer, Contingency, Permanent Image, Programmed Image, Control Water, Disintegrate, Move Earth, Heal, Veil
7th: Drawmij's Instant Summons, Mordenkainen's Magnificent Mansion, Phase Door, Greater Teleport, Teleport Object, Control Weather, Reverse Gravity, Limited Wish, Repulsion
8th: Demand, Sympathy, Clone, Polymorph Any Object, Temporal Stasis
9th: Gate, Refuge, Teleportation Circle, Foresight, Shapechange, Time Stop, Wish, Mass Heal
The Assemblage Fund
The Polymath has an Assemblage Fund that works much like the Artificer's craft reserve. That is, it lets the maker use crafting points instead of XP when building, concocting, or constructing. The points are not cumulative, and expire with each level.
Assemblage Fund
{table="head"]Level|Fund Points
1|20
2|40
3|60
4|80
5|100
6|150
7|200
8|250
9|300
10|400
11|500
12|700
13|900
14|1200
15|1500
16|2000
17|2500
18|3000
19|4000
20|5000[/table]