An Awaked Cat?

[silverwolfer]

So my Dm is like...

Okay We need a skill monkey or a wizard

so to be a odd ball I used awaked on a feline and came up with this so far for a story


Bob was a innocent cat like any other creature, that trailed along the city chasing mice, frolic among the felines in heat, and even finding a good place to rest in the sunlight at times. The village was an active over abundant place, even after the horrible reckoning of the past, bob had no such memory of it, after all he was just a cat. The elves near the village though, were not such a sober lot, even among the druids converting many a berry into a wine, making a jolly fine time with the villages.

Bob sadly...was not having such a jolly old time

the elves feeling rather naughty that night, decided to trap bob into a cage. Was the cage metal, wood , or just a plastic bag. Bob does not exactly remember, all bob knows is that, well life is not fair. The druids with their chanting and drunk rivlery, that would later come down to be known as the villages longest party ever.

Later that morning, the caged animal was found trapped around a circle of runes, the mix of sounds coming with a yelping of help that mixed with a yowl . The villagers looked confused down at the animal slowly undoing the ratty looking cage, as the beast bolted out . Looking about stumbling for words eyes frantic " wha....wha...what happen to me no ..this what ..how ..who .."

The villagers screaming out " El diablo!! a Devil is in the cat ! A Devil!"

Among them a cleric of Pelor walked up, noticing the magic for that of nature not of diabloists, holding up his holy sign as a shining sun blasted the area with holy blaze. The cat yelping and shaking side to side tail twitching as he yowled curling arch up " Stop that damn it, to damn bright" His tail twitching annoyed scattering about the village chasing along the dirt, as the cleric called out " HALT, that cat is NOT EVIL!"

The Villagers halted looking confused back towards the cleric shaking there heads unsure of what to think , looking towards the cat as it ran towards the temple long seeking refuge even as the wheel of time kept turning the cat growing to become use to intelligent thoughts.


My main hangup is short term needs, versus long term strength.

A beguiler sort of fixes that but seems very limiting, while a rog/wizard, seems a strong utility effort, but lacking the magic tools that a beguiler can offer.

so am at a toss up, what do you folks think.

[Kelb_Panthera]

Look at it this way; if the campaign is likely to run for a good while, level wise, work toward long-term utility. Otherwise go for the short-term.

I'd go with the beguiler for ease-of-play, and because you can always expand your options with good build choices. Maybe even go beguiler/wizard/ultimate magus.

[Azoth]

Could always play a tibbit instead. They are from dragon compendium. Nice race and LA0. They are fun, and nothing too terribly wrong can done with them.

[BowStreetRunner]

How are you getting around the problem of not having opposable thumbs? For a skill monkey, this might be a significant drawback. You might want to pick a starting animal that actually has hands (i.e. monkey).

[Snowbluff]

You can give it Gloves/Hand of Man from Savage Species.

[silverwolfer]

How are you getting around the problem of not having opposable thumbs? For a skill monkey, this might be a significant drawback. You might want to pick a starting animal that actually has hands (i.e. monkey).


Mage Hand/liberial use of puss n boots logic.

[blazinghand]

This could be quite fun, but it might work better with a Hand of the Mage so you don't run out of castings.

Also, naming a cat character "Bob" is just asking for "Bobcat" jokes. Might be better to name him "Richard"

[Eugenides]

Also, naming a cat character "Bob" is just asking for "Bobcat" jokes. Might be better to name him "Richard"

It also might be a reference to this (http://runescape.wikia.com/wiki/Bob_the_Cat), but that's pure conjecture.

[_flint_]

Beguiler gets some pretty great spells, and lots of them. Knock, mirror image, and invisibility come to mind. You can fill the damage role with your expanded learning or whatever it's called. Get power word: pain

I actually made a joke build of an awakened dinonychus enchanter for fun:

Name:Philosoraptor
Alignment:True Neutral
STR:16
DEX:16
CON:18
INT:18
WIS:16
CHA:16
Class:Deinonychus/Wizard
Race:Deinonychus
Languages:Common, Sylvan,
Specialty Schools:Enchantment
Forbidden Schools:Evocation, Abjuration
Alternate Class Features: Domain Granted Power(Tyranny)
Templates:Awakened Animal
Books Used:Player’s Handbook, Monster Manual 1, Dungeon Master’s Guide, Savage Species, Player’s Guide to Faerun, Magic of Faerun, Player’s Guide to Eberron, Complete Champion, Heroes of Horror, Races of the Dragon, Spell Compendium, Frostburn





THE BUILD
Philosoraptor
{table=head]Level|Class|Base Attack Bonus|Fort Save|Ref Save|Will Save|Skills|Feats|Class Features

1st|Deinonychus1|
+0|
+2|
+2|
+0|Bluff2, Diplomacy2, Intimidate2, Knowledge(Arcana)2, Sense Motive2, Spellcraft2|Fey Heritage|None

2nd|Deinonychus2|
+1|
+3|
+3|
+0|Bluff2.5, Diplomacy2.5, Intimidate2.5, Knowledge(Arcana)2.5, Sense Motive2.5, Spellcraft2.5|None|None

3rd|Deinonychus3|
+2|
+3|
+3|
+1|Bluff3, Diplomacy3, Intimidate3, Knowledge(Arcana)3, Sense Motive3, Spellcraft3|Spellcasting Prodigy|None

4th|Deinonychusl4|
+3|
+4|
+4|
+1|Bluff3.5, Diplomacy3.5, Intimidate3.5, Knowledge(Arcana)3.5, Sense Motive3.5, Spellcraft3.5|None|None

5th|Deinonychus5|
+3|
+4|
+4|
+1|Bluff4, Diplomacy4, Intimidate4, Knowledge(Arcana)4, Sense Motive4, Spellcraft4|None|None

6th|Deinonychus6|
+4|
+5|
+5|
+2|Concentration3|Shadow Weave Magic|None

7th|Wizard1|
+4|
+5|
+5|
+4|Concentration6, Knowledge(Arcana)5, Spellcraft6|Scribe Scroll|Familiar, Scribe Scroll Bonus Feat

8th|Wizard2|
+5|
+5|
+5|
+5|Concentration7, Knowledge(Arcana)7,Knowledge(Nature)1, Knowledge(The Planes)1, Spellcraft4|None|None

9th|Wizard3|
+5|
+6|
+6|
+5|Concentration8, Knowledge(Arcana)8, Knowledge(Dungeoneering), Knowledge(Local), Knowledge(Religion), Spellcraft8|Spell Focus(Enchantment)|None

10th|Wizard4|
+6|
+6|
+6|
+6|Concentration9, Disguise1.5, Knowledge(Arcana)9, Spellcraft9|None|None

11th|Wizard5|
+6|
+6|
+6|
+6|Concentration10, Disguise3, Knowledge(Arcana)10, Spellcraft10|None|Tyranny Domain Power

12th|Mindbender1|
+6|
+6|
+6|
+8|Concentration11, Disguise5, Spellcraft11|Fey Power|100 ft. Telepathy

13th|Master Specialist1|
+6|
+6|
+6|
+10|Concentration12, Disguise7, Spellcraft12|Skill Focus(Spellcraft)|Skill Focus(Spellcraft) Bonus Feat

14th|Master Specialist2|
+7|
+6|
+6|
+11|Concentration13, Disguise9, Spellcraft13|None|Expanded Spellbook

15th|Master Specialist3|
+7|
+7|
+7|
+11|Concentration14, Disguise11, Spellcraft14|Arcane Mastery, Greater Spell Focus|Greater Spell Focus Bonus Feat

16th|Master Specialist4|
+8|
+7|
+7|
+12|Concentration15, Disguise13, Spellcraft15|None|Minor School Esoterica

17th|Master Specialist5|
+8|
+7|
+7|
+12|Concentration17, Spellcraft17|Nonel|Expanded Spellbook

18th|Master Specialist6|
+9|
+8|
+8|
+13|Concentration19, Spellcraft19|Mindsight|+1 Caster Level

19th|Master Specialist7|
+9|
+8|
+8|
+13|Concentration21, Spellcraft21|None|Moderate School Esoterica

20th|Master Specialist8|
+10|
+8|
+8|
+14|Concentration23, Spellcraft23|None|Expanded Spellbook[/table]









SPELLS
{table=head]Level|0lvl|1st|2nd|3rd|4th|5th|6th|7th|8th|9th|New Spells

1st|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|None

2nd|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|None

3rd|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|None

4th|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|None

5th|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|None

6th|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|None

7th|3|1|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|Charm Person, Sleep, Silent Image, Power Word:Pain, Mage Armor, (3 more 1st level)

8th|4|2|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|(2 more 1st level)

9th|4|2|1|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|Alter self, Touch of Idiocy

10th|4|3|2|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|entice gift, Fox’s Cunning

11th|4|3|2|1|-|-|-|-|-|-|Shivering Touch, Suggestion

12th|4|3|3|2|-|-|-|-|-|-|Hold Person, Greater Mage Armor

13th|4|4|3|2|1|-|-|-|-|-|Charm Monster, Celerity

14th|4|4|3|3|2|-|-|-|-|-|Polymorph, Greater Rebuke

15th|4|4|4|3|2|1|-|-|-|-|Dominate Person, Insidious Suggestion

16th|4|4|4|3|3|2|-|-|-|-|Mass Charm Person, Hold Monster

17th|4|4|4|4|3|2|1|-|-|-|Freezing Glance, Mass Suggestion

18th|4|4|4|4|3|3|2|-|-|-|Geas/Quest, Endless Slumber

19th|4|4|4|4|4|3|2|1|-|-|Final Rebuke, Mass Hold Person

20th|4|4|4|4|4|3|3|2|-|-|Banishment, Finger of Death[/table]

The stats are done with 32 point buy+racial modifiers+average awakening bonuses

And what's funnier than a mind controlling "Veloceraptor"? I would be overjoyed to hear that you played this seriously. In addition, many wizard spells can enhance or downright replace rogue skills.

A third option would be complete scoundrel's spellthief

[Malroth]

Too bad you can't take Able learner, a 1 level factotum dip for Iaijutsu focus is really nice on a skill focused creature with retractable claws

[Azoth]

The hands thing is where I suggested the tibbit. They are monstrous humanoids that look human, but can transform into a house cat an unlimited number of times per day for an unlimited duration. So you only go humanoid when absolutely necessary...rest of the time you pretend to be someone's pet/familiar.

[Amnestic]

They are monstrous humanoids that look human

I'd equate them more to Halfling or Gnomes given their Small size in humanoid form.

[GnomeGninjas]

This could be quite fun, but it might work better with a Hand of the Mage so you don't run out of castings.

Your cat will just be strolling along with a mumified elf hand attached to its collar. Sounds fun.:smallsmile:

[Hiro Protagonest]

...In D&D, I find it highly doubtful that people would think you're a demon cat. Nature and arcane magics are much more likely than planes magic. Druids can awaken, wizards have familiars, and there's always magical beasts (although they tend to be unmistakeable for normal versions, if they even look like regular animals).

[Balmas]

Here's an idea: go beguiler, or perhaps psion with thrallherder. Then, enchant a wizard to be your cohort, and pass yourself off as his familiar.

[BowStreetRunner]

...pass yourself off as his familiar.

That alone would be a fantastic reason to play a cat!

[Arcanist]

That alone would be a fantastic reason to play a cat!

That alone would be a fantastic reason to allow the Thrallherd :smallamused:

[toapat]

if only the druids had used Intensify Spell on the Awakening Ritual. (guaranteed base int of 36)

the only real question is, do you prefer Beguiler or Wizard?

[Agent 451]

Doesn't Intensify Spell require an epic level caster to begin with though?

[Arcanist]

Doesn't Intensify Spell require an epic level caster to begin with though?

This build is so awesome that it warrants an Intensified Awaken Animal :smallamused:

[toapat]

Doesn't Intensify Spell require an epic level caster to begin with though?

Barring the Epic feat tag, just a way to get a Spellcraft check of 30 at lvl 18.

of course, using the original printing of Divine Metamagic, we dont need to meet any of it's pre-requisites, just be a Druid of 13th level and a first level cleric.

[caden_varn]

Your cat will just be strolling along with a mumified elf hand attached to its collar. Sounds fun.:smallsmile:

Well, he has to get his revenge on the drunken elves that did this to him somehow....

[Agent 451]

Barring the Epic feat tag, just a way to get a Spellcraft check of 30 at lvl 18.

of course, using the original printing of Divine Metamagic, we dont need to meet any of it's pre-requisites, just be a Druid of 13th level and a first level cleric.

But wouldn't it still be like a 10th or 11th level spell?

Edit: My Knowledge: Epic skills are pretty fuzzy, I'm just curious.

[umbergod]

But wouldn't it still be like a 10th or 11th level spell?

Edit: My Knowledge: Epic skills are pretty fuzzy, I'm just curious.

DMM lets you burn turn uses to ignore metamagic level adjustments

[toapat]

But wouldn't it still be like a 10th or 11th level spell?

Edit: My Knowledge: Epic skills are pretty fuzzy, I'm just curious.

What is needed for a pure druid to do it:

Druid 27, Expanded Spell Capacity, Empower, Maximize, Intensify, 34+ Wisdom.

What is needed if we use the original Divine Metamagic:

Cleric 1/Druid 9.

Awaken is a 5th level druid spell. the ORIGINAL Divine Metamagic only had Turn/Rebuke Undead as a Pre-Requisite (No, you didnt even need the metamagic you were powering with Turn undead). All we need then is 7 charges of Turning

[karkus]

Maybe have him be a Rogue instead. Have a magic collar, costing a mere 1,000 gps, that makes a telekinetic hand in the air that he can use to pick locks, get more catnip, etc. and you've solved the whole "lacking opposable thumbs" problem. People probably won't pay much attention the the cat when they've burst into the room and start attacking your party, so he can claw them and get massive Sneak Attack. Also, they're so sneaky and nonthreatening that if your team gets captured, it can sneak into the prison and break you guys out.

Edit: Maybe name him something like Manuel, because it sounds like "manual." It's a simple pun, because "manual" refers to having hands, which he does not.

Also, Arcane Trickster is amazingly useful. It takes 3 levels of Rogue, and either 5 levels of Wizard or 6 levels of Sorcerer to qualify, but then you get both classes' benefits and then some. Wizard may be difficult to use, as he is a cat and lacks the ability to haul around a big book of spells, but if the collar works as both a Bag of Holding/Belt of Many Pockets ("Collar of Many Pockets?") and the telekinetic hand, it would work out just fine.

There's also the question of his familiar. Can he also obtain a cat as a familiar? Raises some questions, doesn't it?