Seerow
2011-08-25, 02:24 PM
Concept drawn from Tyndmyr's Auramancer (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=212908), which while interesting in concept was absolutely terrible and pretty unplayable in actuality. While tossing suggestions to him I decided I wanted to try to take a shot at it.
As of now, I haven't begun work on the actual auras, so it will be hard to critique general power level. Right now I'm laying down the groundwork, getting the chasis up to par and laying the groundwork for an interesting subsystem based around the auras.
The idea is for the passive effects to be equivalent to spells a few levels lower than what is available at the level the aura comes online, and the unleash effect is equivalent to an on level spell. So your Superior Aura which is gained at level 16 will have unleash effects equivalent to 8th or 9th level spells, and passive effects closer to 5th or 6th level buffs/debuffs.
The class still needs a decent higher level ability, I could shift stuff around and move what's there to a higher level, but none of it really seems appropriate as a level 16+ ability, which is where the class features are really pretty bare. So what I need is a cool high level ability suggestion, and aura suggestions. Once I've got all this hammered out I'll start putting up Auras, Feats, and Items to work with it. [edit: Thought of a couple higher level features that I'm happy with for the moment, starting to put some auras up in the second post]
Hit Dice: d6
{table=head]{colsp=6}The Auramancer |{colsp=4} Auras Known
Level | BAB | Fort | Ref | Will | Class Features | Lesser | Moderate | Greater | Superior
1 | +0 | +0 | +0 | +2 |Auras, Unleash Aura, Aura Mastery+1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0
2 | +1 | +0 | +0 | +3 | | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0
3 | +1 | +1 | +1 | +3 | Read Aura | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0
4 | +2 | +1 | +1 | +4 |Aura Mastery+2 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0
5 | +2 | +1 | +1 | +4 | | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0
6 | +3 | +2 | +2 | +5 | Aura Reformation (Full Round)| 5 | 1 | 0 | 0
7 | +3 | +2 | +2 | +5 | | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0
8 | +4 | +2 | +2 | +6 |Aura Mastery+3 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 0
9 | +4 | +3 | +3 | +6 | Expand Aura | 7 | 2 | 0 | 0
10 | +5 | +3 | +3 | +7 | Aura Reformation (Standard) | 7 | 3 | 0 | 0
11 | +5 | +3 | +3 | +7 | Disable Aura| 8 | 3 | 1 | 0
12 | +6 | +4 | +4 | +8 | Aura Mastery+4| 8 | 4 | 1 | 0
13 | +6 | +4 | +4 | +8 | Rapid Unleashing| 9 | 4 | 2 | 0
14 | +7 | +4 | +4 | +9 | Aura Reformation (Move)| 9 | 5 | 2 | 0
15 | +7 | +5 | +5 | +9 | | 10 | 5 | 3 | 0
16 | +8 | +5 | +5 | +10 |Aura Mastery+5 |10 | 6 | 3 | 1
17 | +8 | +5 | +5 | +10 | |11 | 6 | 4 | 1
18 | +9 | +6 | +6 | +11 | Superior Aura Mastery |11 | 7 | 4 | 2
19 | +9 | +6 | +6 | +11 | |12 | 7 | 5 | 2
20 | +10 | +6 | +6 | +12 |Aura Mastery+6 |12 | 8 | 5 | 3
[/table]
Class Skills (2+Int Mod per level, x4 at 1st level)
An Auramancer's Class Skills are: Appraise (Int), Bluff (Cha), Concentration (Con), Craft (Int), Decipher Script (Int), Diplomacy (Cha), Gather Information (Cha), Heal (Wis), Intimidate (Cha), Knowledge (Arcana) (Int), Knowledge (The Planes) (Int), Listen (Wis), Profession (Wis), Sense Motive (Wis), Spellcraft (Int), Spot (Wis), Use Magic Device (Cha)
Quick Reference Chart for aura value/strain
{table=head]Aura Type | Aura Value | Aura Strain | Rapid Strain |Recharge Timeframe
Lesser | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 round
Moderate | 3 | 4 | 6 | 2 rounds
Greater | 6 | 9 | 12 | 3 rounds
Superior | 10 | 15 | 20 | 5 rounds[/table]
Class Features:
Auras (Su)-At first level, the Auramancer knows 3 lesser auras. He is capable of projecting one of these auras at a time. The Auramancer may switch an active aura with another active aura of the same type, or put up a new aura if he is projecting fewer auras than his maximum, as a swift action. The number of auras the Auramancer may project increases by 1 per level. At 6th level, and every 5 levels thereafter, the Auramancer gains access to a new class of auras. Higher class auras are harder to project, and take up more slots relative to a lesser aura. A Moderate Aura takes up 3 points worth of auras to project, a Greater Aura takes 6 points, and a Superior Aura takes 10 points.
For example, a 20th level Auramancer can project a total value of 20 auras. This can be split up as 2 Superior Auras. Or 1 Superior, 1 Greater, 1 Moderate, and 1 lesser aura. Or 1 Greater Aura, 1 moderate aura, and 12 Lesser Auras. Or any other combination that they desire.
When an Aura is projected, its effect extends out 30ft from the Auramancer, and has the effect described in the aura description. Some of these auras are beneficial, others are harmful.
Aura Mastery(Su)-This bonus starts at +1 at level 1, and increases by 1 every 4 levels, to a maximum of +6 at level 20. Most auras derive their value from this feature.
Unleash Aura(Su)-The Auramancer is capable of unleashing his auras for a more powerful effect. The effect varies by aura and is listed in the aura description. Unleashing an Aura takes a standard action unless otherwise noted in the aura description. The Aura unleashed ceases being projected, and cannot be projected again for a number of rounds equal to half the aura's value. (So a lesser aura could be reprojected in the following round, but a Superior Aura would not be able to be reprojected for 5 rounds). The points that the unleashed aura used remain unusable until the time has elapsed for the aura to refresh. For example, a level 20 Auramancer who unleashess a Superior Aura may only project 10 points worth of auras for the following 5 rounds, and he may not use that 10 points to project the aura that was just unleashed (he could hower use it to project a different Superior aura)
Additionally, unleashing an aura incurs strain equal to 1.5 times the aura value, round down. (For example unleashing a lesser aura would incur 1 strain, while unleashing a superior aura would incur 15 strain). The Auramancer can handle strain up to his will save plus constitution modifer, plus charisma modifier. If this threshold is exceeded, the character becomes strained. He takes a -2 penalty to all stats, and may no longer take a swift action each round (he may however trade in his move action to gain the swift action back if desired). This penalty to stats does not modify his maximum strain, though other stat penalties would modify it accordingly. A short rest of roughly 5 minutes without strenuous activity will reset strain, and eliminate the strained penalty.
The Auramancer may continue unleashing auras while strained, however doing so can penalize him further. If the Auramancer gains 10 strain above his normal limit, he becomes drained. The penalty to all of his stats is increased to -6, and his projected aura limit is cut in half (round down), additionally a drained character is limited to a single action per round. Once a character has become drained, it takes a full 6 hours of rest to recover from this state. After 6 hours of rest, your strain is reset and you are no longer treated as being drained.
A couple of examples for clarity:
1) 1st level Auramancer with 12 Wisdom, 16 charisma, and 14 constitution, has a Will Save of +3, +3 charisma, and +2 con, so he could handle up to 8 points of strain before suffering. At 8 points of strain, he takes a -2 penalty to all stats, and takes an action penalty, but his straim limit is still 8. He can continue unleashing auras up until 18, at which point he becomes drained, and takes a -6 penalty to all stats and takes a further action penalty.
2) A 20th level Auramancer, now with 18 wisdom, 24 Con, 32 charisma, and a +5 saving throw item. His Will Save is +21, +11 for charisma and +7 for constitution, giving him a strain limit of 39. At 39 points of strain he becomes strained, and at 49 points he becomes drained.
Read Aura (Su)-The Auramancer is adept at not just manipulating his own aura, but also at reading those of others. Auras are not just the magical effects that the Auramancer takes advantage of, but also is something all people have. Starting at 3rd level, the Auramancer may spend a standard action to study an individual's aura. This informs the Auramancer of the target's alignment, and makes the Auramancer aware of any supernatural auras (such as an Aura of Good, Aura of Fear, a Marshal's Aura or another Auramancer's Auras) the target projects.
It also gives the Auramancer an impression of the target's attitude, and the target's strength relative to his own. The information about the target's mood is something the Auramancer is capable of taking advantage of, and the auramancer gains a insight bonus equal to his aura mastery to all charisma related checks involving that target. A target who is within 2 levels of the Auramancer will be perceived as close to him in power, above or below that he will interpret it as stronger or weaker than him, as appropriate.
Aura Reformation(Su)-Starting at 6th level, the Auramancer may spend a a full round action to change all of his auras at once, allowing him to take down all of his current auras and put up an equal value in different auras (he may choose to leave some of his auras up). At 10 level, this may be done as a standard action, and at 14 level, this may be done as a move action.
Expand Aura(Su)-The Auramancer can expand the effect of one of his auras, starting at level 9. By spending a swift action, the Auramancer may multiply the area his auras effect by an amount equal to his Aura Mastery + 1. So a level 20 auramancer may multiply an Aura's area by up to 7 (for a 210ft radius aura). Doing this incurs strain depending on the aura type, and the amount increased, shown in the table below. This effect lasts for 5 rounds, or until the aura is unleashed.
{table=head]Aura Type | Strain for x2 | Strain for x3 |Strain for x4 |Strain for x5 |Strain for x6 |Strain for x7
Lesser |1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6
Moderate | 2 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 9
Greater |3 | 4 | 6 | 7 | 9 | 10
Superior |5 | 7 | 9 | 11 | 13 | 15[/table]
Disable Aura (Su)-The Auramancer may make an attempt to disable an opponent's supernatural aura effects. Starting at 11th level, by spending a standard action, and incurring 5 strain, the Auramancer forces the target to make a Will saving throw DC14+aura mastery+cha mod, if the target fails, the target's aura is suppressed for a number of rounds equal to the Auramancer's aura mastery. The target may choose to spend a standard action to initiate another saving throw to reactivate his auras. If another Auramancer is targeted by this effect, he may apply his Aura Mastery bonus to the saving throw.
Rapid Unleashing(Su)-At 13th level, the Auramancer may opt to unleash an aura more rapidly, allowing him to unleash an aura that normally takes a standard action as a swift action instead. Doing so increases the strain incurred by the unleashing by 50% of the aura's value. (Thus making the total strain for a rapidly unleashed aura 2x aura value rather than 1.5x. A lesser aura would take 2, a superior aura would take 20).
Superior Aura Mastery (Su) - At 18th level the Auramancer may push himself far beyond his normal limits. The auramancer may spend a swift action to increase his aura mastery by up to 3, for 1 round Doing so incurs 3 strain for every point aura mastery is increased.
As of now, I haven't begun work on the actual auras, so it will be hard to critique general power level. Right now I'm laying down the groundwork, getting the chasis up to par and laying the groundwork for an interesting subsystem based around the auras.
The idea is for the passive effects to be equivalent to spells a few levels lower than what is available at the level the aura comes online, and the unleash effect is equivalent to an on level spell. So your Superior Aura which is gained at level 16 will have unleash effects equivalent to 8th or 9th level spells, and passive effects closer to 5th or 6th level buffs/debuffs.
The class still needs a decent higher level ability, I could shift stuff around and move what's there to a higher level, but none of it really seems appropriate as a level 16+ ability, which is where the class features are really pretty bare. So what I need is a cool high level ability suggestion, and aura suggestions. Once I've got all this hammered out I'll start putting up Auras, Feats, and Items to work with it. [edit: Thought of a couple higher level features that I'm happy with for the moment, starting to put some auras up in the second post]
Hit Dice: d6
{table=head]{colsp=6}The Auramancer |{colsp=4} Auras Known
Level | BAB | Fort | Ref | Will | Class Features | Lesser | Moderate | Greater | Superior
1 | +0 | +0 | +0 | +2 |Auras, Unleash Aura, Aura Mastery+1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0
2 | +1 | +0 | +0 | +3 | | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0
3 | +1 | +1 | +1 | +3 | Read Aura | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0
4 | +2 | +1 | +1 | +4 |Aura Mastery+2 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0
5 | +2 | +1 | +1 | +4 | | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0
6 | +3 | +2 | +2 | +5 | Aura Reformation (Full Round)| 5 | 1 | 0 | 0
7 | +3 | +2 | +2 | +5 | | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0
8 | +4 | +2 | +2 | +6 |Aura Mastery+3 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 0
9 | +4 | +3 | +3 | +6 | Expand Aura | 7 | 2 | 0 | 0
10 | +5 | +3 | +3 | +7 | Aura Reformation (Standard) | 7 | 3 | 0 | 0
11 | +5 | +3 | +3 | +7 | Disable Aura| 8 | 3 | 1 | 0
12 | +6 | +4 | +4 | +8 | Aura Mastery+4| 8 | 4 | 1 | 0
13 | +6 | +4 | +4 | +8 | Rapid Unleashing| 9 | 4 | 2 | 0
14 | +7 | +4 | +4 | +9 | Aura Reformation (Move)| 9 | 5 | 2 | 0
15 | +7 | +5 | +5 | +9 | | 10 | 5 | 3 | 0
16 | +8 | +5 | +5 | +10 |Aura Mastery+5 |10 | 6 | 3 | 1
17 | +8 | +5 | +5 | +10 | |11 | 6 | 4 | 1
18 | +9 | +6 | +6 | +11 | Superior Aura Mastery |11 | 7 | 4 | 2
19 | +9 | +6 | +6 | +11 | |12 | 7 | 5 | 2
20 | +10 | +6 | +6 | +12 |Aura Mastery+6 |12 | 8 | 5 | 3
[/table]
Class Skills (2+Int Mod per level, x4 at 1st level)
An Auramancer's Class Skills are: Appraise (Int), Bluff (Cha), Concentration (Con), Craft (Int), Decipher Script (Int), Diplomacy (Cha), Gather Information (Cha), Heal (Wis), Intimidate (Cha), Knowledge (Arcana) (Int), Knowledge (The Planes) (Int), Listen (Wis), Profession (Wis), Sense Motive (Wis), Spellcraft (Int), Spot (Wis), Use Magic Device (Cha)
Quick Reference Chart for aura value/strain
{table=head]Aura Type | Aura Value | Aura Strain | Rapid Strain |Recharge Timeframe
Lesser | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 round
Moderate | 3 | 4 | 6 | 2 rounds
Greater | 6 | 9 | 12 | 3 rounds
Superior | 10 | 15 | 20 | 5 rounds[/table]
Class Features:
Auras (Su)-At first level, the Auramancer knows 3 lesser auras. He is capable of projecting one of these auras at a time. The Auramancer may switch an active aura with another active aura of the same type, or put up a new aura if he is projecting fewer auras than his maximum, as a swift action. The number of auras the Auramancer may project increases by 1 per level. At 6th level, and every 5 levels thereafter, the Auramancer gains access to a new class of auras. Higher class auras are harder to project, and take up more slots relative to a lesser aura. A Moderate Aura takes up 3 points worth of auras to project, a Greater Aura takes 6 points, and a Superior Aura takes 10 points.
For example, a 20th level Auramancer can project a total value of 20 auras. This can be split up as 2 Superior Auras. Or 1 Superior, 1 Greater, 1 Moderate, and 1 lesser aura. Or 1 Greater Aura, 1 moderate aura, and 12 Lesser Auras. Or any other combination that they desire.
When an Aura is projected, its effect extends out 30ft from the Auramancer, and has the effect described in the aura description. Some of these auras are beneficial, others are harmful.
Aura Mastery(Su)-This bonus starts at +1 at level 1, and increases by 1 every 4 levels, to a maximum of +6 at level 20. Most auras derive their value from this feature.
Unleash Aura(Su)-The Auramancer is capable of unleashing his auras for a more powerful effect. The effect varies by aura and is listed in the aura description. Unleashing an Aura takes a standard action unless otherwise noted in the aura description. The Aura unleashed ceases being projected, and cannot be projected again for a number of rounds equal to half the aura's value. (So a lesser aura could be reprojected in the following round, but a Superior Aura would not be able to be reprojected for 5 rounds). The points that the unleashed aura used remain unusable until the time has elapsed for the aura to refresh. For example, a level 20 Auramancer who unleashess a Superior Aura may only project 10 points worth of auras for the following 5 rounds, and he may not use that 10 points to project the aura that was just unleashed (he could hower use it to project a different Superior aura)
Additionally, unleashing an aura incurs strain equal to 1.5 times the aura value, round down. (For example unleashing a lesser aura would incur 1 strain, while unleashing a superior aura would incur 15 strain). The Auramancer can handle strain up to his will save plus constitution modifer, plus charisma modifier. If this threshold is exceeded, the character becomes strained. He takes a -2 penalty to all stats, and may no longer take a swift action each round (he may however trade in his move action to gain the swift action back if desired). This penalty to stats does not modify his maximum strain, though other stat penalties would modify it accordingly. A short rest of roughly 5 minutes without strenuous activity will reset strain, and eliminate the strained penalty.
The Auramancer may continue unleashing auras while strained, however doing so can penalize him further. If the Auramancer gains 10 strain above his normal limit, he becomes drained. The penalty to all of his stats is increased to -6, and his projected aura limit is cut in half (round down), additionally a drained character is limited to a single action per round. Once a character has become drained, it takes a full 6 hours of rest to recover from this state. After 6 hours of rest, your strain is reset and you are no longer treated as being drained.
A couple of examples for clarity:
1) 1st level Auramancer with 12 Wisdom, 16 charisma, and 14 constitution, has a Will Save of +3, +3 charisma, and +2 con, so he could handle up to 8 points of strain before suffering. At 8 points of strain, he takes a -2 penalty to all stats, and takes an action penalty, but his straim limit is still 8. He can continue unleashing auras up until 18, at which point he becomes drained, and takes a -6 penalty to all stats and takes a further action penalty.
2) A 20th level Auramancer, now with 18 wisdom, 24 Con, 32 charisma, and a +5 saving throw item. His Will Save is +21, +11 for charisma and +7 for constitution, giving him a strain limit of 39. At 39 points of strain he becomes strained, and at 49 points he becomes drained.
Read Aura (Su)-The Auramancer is adept at not just manipulating his own aura, but also at reading those of others. Auras are not just the magical effects that the Auramancer takes advantage of, but also is something all people have. Starting at 3rd level, the Auramancer may spend a standard action to study an individual's aura. This informs the Auramancer of the target's alignment, and makes the Auramancer aware of any supernatural auras (such as an Aura of Good, Aura of Fear, a Marshal's Aura or another Auramancer's Auras) the target projects.
It also gives the Auramancer an impression of the target's attitude, and the target's strength relative to his own. The information about the target's mood is something the Auramancer is capable of taking advantage of, and the auramancer gains a insight bonus equal to his aura mastery to all charisma related checks involving that target. A target who is within 2 levels of the Auramancer will be perceived as close to him in power, above or below that he will interpret it as stronger or weaker than him, as appropriate.
Aura Reformation(Su)-Starting at 6th level, the Auramancer may spend a a full round action to change all of his auras at once, allowing him to take down all of his current auras and put up an equal value in different auras (he may choose to leave some of his auras up). At 10 level, this may be done as a standard action, and at 14 level, this may be done as a move action.
Expand Aura(Su)-The Auramancer can expand the effect of one of his auras, starting at level 9. By spending a swift action, the Auramancer may multiply the area his auras effect by an amount equal to his Aura Mastery + 1. So a level 20 auramancer may multiply an Aura's area by up to 7 (for a 210ft radius aura). Doing this incurs strain depending on the aura type, and the amount increased, shown in the table below. This effect lasts for 5 rounds, or until the aura is unleashed.
{table=head]Aura Type | Strain for x2 | Strain for x3 |Strain for x4 |Strain for x5 |Strain for x6 |Strain for x7
Lesser |1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6
Moderate | 2 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 9
Greater |3 | 4 | 6 | 7 | 9 | 10
Superior |5 | 7 | 9 | 11 | 13 | 15[/table]
Disable Aura (Su)-The Auramancer may make an attempt to disable an opponent's supernatural aura effects. Starting at 11th level, by spending a standard action, and incurring 5 strain, the Auramancer forces the target to make a Will saving throw DC14+aura mastery+cha mod, if the target fails, the target's aura is suppressed for a number of rounds equal to the Auramancer's aura mastery. The target may choose to spend a standard action to initiate another saving throw to reactivate his auras. If another Auramancer is targeted by this effect, he may apply his Aura Mastery bonus to the saving throw.
Rapid Unleashing(Su)-At 13th level, the Auramancer may opt to unleash an aura more rapidly, allowing him to unleash an aura that normally takes a standard action as a swift action instead. Doing so increases the strain incurred by the unleashing by 50% of the aura's value. (Thus making the total strain for a rapidly unleashed aura 2x aura value rather than 1.5x. A lesser aura would take 2, a superior aura would take 20).
Superior Aura Mastery (Su) - At 18th level the Auramancer may push himself far beyond his normal limits. The auramancer may spend a swift action to increase his aura mastery by up to 3, for 1 round Doing so incurs 3 strain for every point aura mastery is increased.