eftexar
2013-03-31, 01:34 AM
Lexitheurge (3.5)
Forward
First of all I hope I'm fine posting this. The mechanics and even some of the terms should be different enough not to step on any toes with the non-OGL (I pretty much rewrote most of them). That and it still references and requires Tome of Magic for gameplay.
Other than that, well, we all know the many problems with the Truenamer, but while the mechanics were poorly executed it had wonderful fluff and it's basic structure was interesting.
Besides being really difficult to play, the Truenamer felt different than any other class. While others have tried at their own fixes, often well balanced, I feel like they lost the feel the class had.
Design Notes
Mechanics aside for a moment I don't really feel like there are many scholarly classes at play. Sure you have the Wizard, but other than memorizing spells there aren't really any mechanics, or class abilities for that matter, to reflect this. As usual I'm aiming for tier 3, but I'm concerned about whether or not I hit the point I'm aiming for.
One of the biggest problems with the Truenamer was the lack of power, complete with inability to target more than a single creature. I've revised this, with the Rhetoric ability, to allow the Lexitheurge to target multiple creatures at once. This coupled with the option of using Intonations to empower them, but in place of Rhetoric, allows for incredible versatility.
The rest of the mechanics, while mostly rewritten, end with similar, but more functional, structure. And the buffed up bonus from Truename Researcher seemed appropriate for the amount of work you have to put in to discover a truename.
Class Features
Hit Die: d6
Starting Gold: As Wizard
Skills: Appraise (Int), Bluff (Cha), Concentration (Con), Craft (Int), Diplomacy (Cha), Decipher Script (Int), Forgery (Int), Gather Information (Cha), Knowledge (all, taken individually) (Int), Listen (Wis), Perform (oratory) (Cha), Search (Int), Sense Motive (Wis), Speak Language (n/a), Spot (Wis), and Use Magic Device (Cha).
Skill Points: 8 + Int mod (x 4 at first level)
{table=head]Level|BAB|Fort|Refx|Will|Special |
Utterances Memorized |
Maximum [br]Level
1st|+0|+0|+0|+2|Know thy Name, Erudite, Hidden Lore|
3|
1
2nd|+1|+0|+0|+3|Study Opponent -----------------------------------|
4|
1
3rd|+1|+1|+1|+3|Field of Knowledge|
5|
2
4th|+2|+1|+1|+4||
5|
2
5th|+2|+1|+1|+4|Truename Researcher|
6|
2
6th|+3|+2|+2|+5|Intonation|
7|
3
7th|+3|+2|+2|+5|Utterance Feat, Field of Knowledge|
7|
3
8th|+4|+2|+2|+6||
8|
3
9th|+4|+3|+3|+6|Rhetoric (+1)|
9|
4
10th|+5|+3|+3|+7|Utterance Feat, Intonation|
9|
4
11th|+5|+3|+3|+7|Field of Knowledge|
10|
4
12th|+6/+1|+4|+4|+8|Behold the Named 1/day|
11|
5
13th|+6/+1|+4|+4|+8|Utterance Feat|
11|
5
14th|+7/+2|+4|+4|+9|Rhetoric (+2), Intonation|
12|
5
15th|+7/+2|+5|+5|+9|Field of Knowledge|
13|
6
16th|+8/+3|+5|+5|+10|Utterance Feat, Behold the Named 2/day|
13|
6
17th|+8/+3|+5|+5|+10||
14|
6
18th|+9/+4|+6|+6|+11|Say My Name, Intonation|
15|
6
19th|+9/+4|+6|+6|+11|Rhetoric (+3), Utterance Feat, Field of Knowledge|
15|
6
20th-|+10/+5-|+6---|+6---|+12---|Behold the Named 3/day|
16|
6
[/table]
Proficiencies: The Lexitheurge is proficient with all simple weapons, but she is not proficient with any armor or shields.
Important Note: You should assume that, unless noted otherwise, the mechanics here replace those found within the ToM, except where specific rules are referenced within abilities. I have provided page references for those. Simply using a term is not considered referencing it.
Class Abilities
Lexicology
The Lexitheurge knows all Utterances of a level she can cast, or enunciate, from the Lexicon of the Evolving Mind. In order to enunciate any utterance she must first memorize it. She can memorize the listed number of utterances with her Lexicon, see below, at one time. When she memorizes new utterances she forgets those she previously memorized.
Enunciating an utterance takes a standard action, provokes attacks of opportunity, and is subject to concentration. An utterance otherwise functions as a supernatural ability and targets a single creature within 60ft. Although nobody need hear her to be affected by an utterance she must still enunciate it to have any effect. It is difficult to speak when she can't hear herself, or sound has been silenced around her, imposing a 20% chance the utterance will fail if she tries.
Each time she enunciates an utterance she must choose whether it's normal effect or reverse takes effect. And though she may enunciate any utterance she has memorized at will, the Lexitheurge is subject to the Law of Resistance, see below. The save for any utterance has a DC of 10 + 1/2 her Lexitheurge level + her intelligence modifier. An utterance has an effective spell level equal to it's level and is not dismissible.
Lexicon
To memorize utterances, or change which ones she has memorized, the Lexitheurge must spend 4 hours studying her Lexicon. If she loses her Lexicon she can replace it, requiring ardous research or experimentation, with 24 hours of uninterrupted work.
Replacing her Lexicon costs the same as for a Wizards spellbook. The notes within appear to be in nonsensical languages and ramblings to a non-Lexitheurge. They are of no use to spellcasters.
Law of Resistance
The universe attempts to return to it's default state as quickly as possible every time you enunciate an utterance. Each time she enunciates the same utterance per encounter, after the first, it has a cumulative +5% chance to fail (max 30%).
Know thy Name (Ex)
The Lexitheurge automatically knows her own personal Truename. Whenever she needs speak it she make speak an abbreviation of it (as to not risk giving it away).
Erudite (Ex)
Versed in abstract thought the Lexitheurge may make any Knowledge check untrained, without penalty, and gains half her Lexitheurge level as a bonus to any intelligence ability check she makes.
Hidden Lore (Ex)
The Lexitheurge has read many books, and heard many stories, and can make a special knowledge check to see if she knows any relevant information on notable locals, legendary items, or noteworthy places. She makes an intelligence check and then compares it to the chart for Bardic Knowledge (see 'Bard', PH 28).
Lv2 > Study Opponent (Ex)
The Lexitheurge sizes up a foe, who she must have line of sight to (and be in 30ft of), as a full round action (no AoO), learning a number of strengths and weaknesses equal to 3 + her intelligence modifier, to a minimum of 3.
She makes an opposed intelligence check, against the creature she is studying. An unconscious or helpless creature is not allowed an opposed check to resist Study Opponent. If a creature has more strengths or weaknesses than a single round of studying reveals than she learns the most powerful ones first. The Lexitheurge can study a creature again to reveal additional information.
Attack forms and special abilities are common strengths, while energy vulnerability is a common weakness. Protection against Divination also protects against the effects of this ability even though it is non-magical in nature.
Lv3, 7, 11, 15, 19 > Field of Knowledge (Ex)
The Lexitheurge, at each of the indicated levels, selects a single Knowledge skill that she hasn't previously chosen for Field of Knowledge. She gains a +6 competence bonus to all Knowledge skills selected.
Lv5 > Truename Researcher
The Lexitheurge may research truenames (see 'Discovering a Personal Truename', ToM 197), but she makes Hidden Lore checks instead of making truespeech checks.
The DC of a saving throw for an utterance is increased by +4 against a creature who's personal truename she knows. Further, she, and any alllies within 60ft, gain a +4 bonus to all saves and checks to resist that creature's attacks and abilities.
Lv6, 10, 14, 18 > Intonations
Whenever the Lexitheurge enunciates an utterance, of the Evolved Mind, she may choose to modify it with a single Intonation, from those she has access to, but must extend the time it takes to enunciate the utterance to a full round action:
[B]6: Vociferate
The range of her utterance increases to 120ft. This Intonation doesn't, however, affect utterances with a range of touch.
10: Protract
Her utterance, if it has a duration other than instantaneous or concentration, has it's duration doubled.
14: Escalate
All of the utterance's variable numeric effects are increased by 50%. This does not affect saving throws, opposed rolls, or non-random variables.
18: Double Speak
Speaking her utterance does not provoke any attacks of opportunity, nor is it subject to the need for concentration.
Lv7, 10, 13, 16, 19 > Utterance Feats
At each of the indicated levels the Lexitheurge, as long as she meets it's prerequisites, selects a feat, of her choice, from the following selection of feat choices:
Utterance of the Craft Tool, Utterance of the Perfected Map, Lexigram of Fortification, Lexigram of Remedy, Lexigram of Sublime Movement, Lexigram of the Unfettered, Lexigram of the Deflection, or Utterance Focus.
Lv9, 14, 19 > Rhetoric (Su)
As a full round action the Lexitheurge may enunciate two of her memorized utterances, of the Evolving Mind, in quick succession. These utterances may not target the same creature as one another.
At level 14 she may either enunciate two of these utterances as a standard action, or enunciate three of them as a full round action.
And at level 18 when she would enunciate three utterances, as a full round action, the Lexitheurge may instead choose to enunciate four of them.
Special: When enunciating multiple instances of a particular utterance the Lexitheurge only increases the failure chance from the Law of Resistance by 5%, as if only one had been enunciated, though she still checks for each individually.
If interrupted when enunciating multiple utterances she makes a single concentration check (use the highest effective spell level for DCs) for all of them.
Lv12+ > Behold the Named (Su)
The Lexitheurge may, a limited number of times per day, Scry, as the spell, upon any creature who's personal truename she knows. She does not require a mirror or pool of water for this ability to function.
Her target does not gain a save to resist, nor does spell resistence apply, but she can only view the subject for 1d4 rounds before the scrying ends.
Lv18 > Say My Name (Su)
This ability works as detailed for Say My Name and I am There (see 'Truenamer', ToM 201).
Feats
Utterance of the Crafted Tool
Prerequisites: 3rd level utterances
This feat may be taken multiple times. Each time you take this feat you learn a single utterance, of the Crafted Tool, of a level no higher than one less than your maximum utterance level.
You enunciate this utterance as an utterance one level higher than listed. This utterance is otherwise subject to the same rules as normal utterances, including memorization, but targets an object instead of a creature.
Utterance of the Perfected Map
Prerequisites: 4th level utterances
This feat may be taken multiple times. Each time you take this feat you learn a single utterance, of the Perfected Map, of a level no higher than two less than your maximum utterance level.
You enunciate this utterance as an utterance two levels higher than listed. This utterance is otherwise subject to the same rules as normal utterances, including memorization, but targets an area instead of a creature.
Lexigram of Fortification
Prerequisites: 2nd level utterances
You speak a single syllable as a swift action, granting you with DR/- equal to half you Lexitheurge level for 1 round. This Lexigram is, however, subject to the Law of Resistance, as if it were an utterance.
Lexigram of the Remedy
Prerequisites: 2nd level utterances
You speak a single syllable as a swift action, removing any ongoing, but not instantaneous or permanent, personal afflictions as is desired.
This does not affect an area of effect, but would allow you to ignore it's effects for 1 round. This Lexigram is, however, subject to the Law of Resistance, as if it were an utterance.
Lexigram of Sublime Movement
Prerequisites: 2nd level utterances
You speak a single syllable as an immediate action, mimicking the effects of the Flicker mystery. This Lexigram is, however, subject to the Law of Resistance, as if it were an utterance.
Lexigram of the Unfettered
Prerequisites: 3rd level utterances
You speak a single syllable as a swift action, granting yourself the benefits of Freedom of Movement, as the spell, for 1 round. This Lexigram is, however, subject to the Law of Resistance, as if it were an utterance.
Lexigram of Deflection
Prerequisites: 3rd level utterances
You speak a single syllable as an immediate action, in response to an utterance, spell, or spell like ability cast that specifically declared you as a target or as one of it's targets.
Make an opposed intelligence check. If successful you halt the effects of their ability, possibly wasting their resources in the process. This Lexigram is, however, subject to the Law of Resistance, as if it were an utterance.
Utterance Focus
Prerequisites: 1st level utterances
This feat may be taken multiple times. Each time you select a single utterance, that you haven't selected before, gaining a +2 to the saving throw DCs for it.
Forward
First of all I hope I'm fine posting this. The mechanics and even some of the terms should be different enough not to step on any toes with the non-OGL (I pretty much rewrote most of them). That and it still references and requires Tome of Magic for gameplay.
Other than that, well, we all know the many problems with the Truenamer, but while the mechanics were poorly executed it had wonderful fluff and it's basic structure was interesting.
Besides being really difficult to play, the Truenamer felt different than any other class. While others have tried at their own fixes, often well balanced, I feel like they lost the feel the class had.
Design Notes
Mechanics aside for a moment I don't really feel like there are many scholarly classes at play. Sure you have the Wizard, but other than memorizing spells there aren't really any mechanics, or class abilities for that matter, to reflect this. As usual I'm aiming for tier 3, but I'm concerned about whether or not I hit the point I'm aiming for.
One of the biggest problems with the Truenamer was the lack of power, complete with inability to target more than a single creature. I've revised this, with the Rhetoric ability, to allow the Lexitheurge to target multiple creatures at once. This coupled with the option of using Intonations to empower them, but in place of Rhetoric, allows for incredible versatility.
The rest of the mechanics, while mostly rewritten, end with similar, but more functional, structure. And the buffed up bonus from Truename Researcher seemed appropriate for the amount of work you have to put in to discover a truename.
Class Features
Hit Die: d6
Starting Gold: As Wizard
Skills: Appraise (Int), Bluff (Cha), Concentration (Con), Craft (Int), Diplomacy (Cha), Decipher Script (Int), Forgery (Int), Gather Information (Cha), Knowledge (all, taken individually) (Int), Listen (Wis), Perform (oratory) (Cha), Search (Int), Sense Motive (Wis), Speak Language (n/a), Spot (Wis), and Use Magic Device (Cha).
Skill Points: 8 + Int mod (x 4 at first level)
{table=head]Level|BAB|Fort|Refx|Will|Special |
Utterances Memorized |
Maximum [br]Level
1st|+0|+0|+0|+2|Know thy Name, Erudite, Hidden Lore|
3|
1
2nd|+1|+0|+0|+3|Study Opponent -----------------------------------|
4|
1
3rd|+1|+1|+1|+3|Field of Knowledge|
5|
2
4th|+2|+1|+1|+4||
5|
2
5th|+2|+1|+1|+4|Truename Researcher|
6|
2
6th|+3|+2|+2|+5|Intonation|
7|
3
7th|+3|+2|+2|+5|Utterance Feat, Field of Knowledge|
7|
3
8th|+4|+2|+2|+6||
8|
3
9th|+4|+3|+3|+6|Rhetoric (+1)|
9|
4
10th|+5|+3|+3|+7|Utterance Feat, Intonation|
9|
4
11th|+5|+3|+3|+7|Field of Knowledge|
10|
4
12th|+6/+1|+4|+4|+8|Behold the Named 1/day|
11|
5
13th|+6/+1|+4|+4|+8|Utterance Feat|
11|
5
14th|+7/+2|+4|+4|+9|Rhetoric (+2), Intonation|
12|
5
15th|+7/+2|+5|+5|+9|Field of Knowledge|
13|
6
16th|+8/+3|+5|+5|+10|Utterance Feat, Behold the Named 2/day|
13|
6
17th|+8/+3|+5|+5|+10||
14|
6
18th|+9/+4|+6|+6|+11|Say My Name, Intonation|
15|
6
19th|+9/+4|+6|+6|+11|Rhetoric (+3), Utterance Feat, Field of Knowledge|
15|
6
20th-|+10/+5-|+6---|+6---|+12---|Behold the Named 3/day|
16|
6
[/table]
Proficiencies: The Lexitheurge is proficient with all simple weapons, but she is not proficient with any armor or shields.
Important Note: You should assume that, unless noted otherwise, the mechanics here replace those found within the ToM, except where specific rules are referenced within abilities. I have provided page references for those. Simply using a term is not considered referencing it.
Class Abilities
Lexicology
The Lexitheurge knows all Utterances of a level she can cast, or enunciate, from the Lexicon of the Evolving Mind. In order to enunciate any utterance she must first memorize it. She can memorize the listed number of utterances with her Lexicon, see below, at one time. When she memorizes new utterances she forgets those she previously memorized.
Enunciating an utterance takes a standard action, provokes attacks of opportunity, and is subject to concentration. An utterance otherwise functions as a supernatural ability and targets a single creature within 60ft. Although nobody need hear her to be affected by an utterance she must still enunciate it to have any effect. It is difficult to speak when she can't hear herself, or sound has been silenced around her, imposing a 20% chance the utterance will fail if she tries.
Each time she enunciates an utterance she must choose whether it's normal effect or reverse takes effect. And though she may enunciate any utterance she has memorized at will, the Lexitheurge is subject to the Law of Resistance, see below. The save for any utterance has a DC of 10 + 1/2 her Lexitheurge level + her intelligence modifier. An utterance has an effective spell level equal to it's level and is not dismissible.
Lexicon
To memorize utterances, or change which ones she has memorized, the Lexitheurge must spend 4 hours studying her Lexicon. If she loses her Lexicon she can replace it, requiring ardous research or experimentation, with 24 hours of uninterrupted work.
Replacing her Lexicon costs the same as for a Wizards spellbook. The notes within appear to be in nonsensical languages and ramblings to a non-Lexitheurge. They are of no use to spellcasters.
Law of Resistance
The universe attempts to return to it's default state as quickly as possible every time you enunciate an utterance. Each time she enunciates the same utterance per encounter, after the first, it has a cumulative +5% chance to fail (max 30%).
Know thy Name (Ex)
The Lexitheurge automatically knows her own personal Truename. Whenever she needs speak it she make speak an abbreviation of it (as to not risk giving it away).
Erudite (Ex)
Versed in abstract thought the Lexitheurge may make any Knowledge check untrained, without penalty, and gains half her Lexitheurge level as a bonus to any intelligence ability check she makes.
Hidden Lore (Ex)
The Lexitheurge has read many books, and heard many stories, and can make a special knowledge check to see if she knows any relevant information on notable locals, legendary items, or noteworthy places. She makes an intelligence check and then compares it to the chart for Bardic Knowledge (see 'Bard', PH 28).
Lv2 > Study Opponent (Ex)
The Lexitheurge sizes up a foe, who she must have line of sight to (and be in 30ft of), as a full round action (no AoO), learning a number of strengths and weaknesses equal to 3 + her intelligence modifier, to a minimum of 3.
She makes an opposed intelligence check, against the creature she is studying. An unconscious or helpless creature is not allowed an opposed check to resist Study Opponent. If a creature has more strengths or weaknesses than a single round of studying reveals than she learns the most powerful ones first. The Lexitheurge can study a creature again to reveal additional information.
Attack forms and special abilities are common strengths, while energy vulnerability is a common weakness. Protection against Divination also protects against the effects of this ability even though it is non-magical in nature.
Lv3, 7, 11, 15, 19 > Field of Knowledge (Ex)
The Lexitheurge, at each of the indicated levels, selects a single Knowledge skill that she hasn't previously chosen for Field of Knowledge. She gains a +6 competence bonus to all Knowledge skills selected.
Lv5 > Truename Researcher
The Lexitheurge may research truenames (see 'Discovering a Personal Truename', ToM 197), but she makes Hidden Lore checks instead of making truespeech checks.
The DC of a saving throw for an utterance is increased by +4 against a creature who's personal truename she knows. Further, she, and any alllies within 60ft, gain a +4 bonus to all saves and checks to resist that creature's attacks and abilities.
Lv6, 10, 14, 18 > Intonations
Whenever the Lexitheurge enunciates an utterance, of the Evolved Mind, she may choose to modify it with a single Intonation, from those she has access to, but must extend the time it takes to enunciate the utterance to a full round action:
[B]6: Vociferate
The range of her utterance increases to 120ft. This Intonation doesn't, however, affect utterances with a range of touch.
10: Protract
Her utterance, if it has a duration other than instantaneous or concentration, has it's duration doubled.
14: Escalate
All of the utterance's variable numeric effects are increased by 50%. This does not affect saving throws, opposed rolls, or non-random variables.
18: Double Speak
Speaking her utterance does not provoke any attacks of opportunity, nor is it subject to the need for concentration.
Lv7, 10, 13, 16, 19 > Utterance Feats
At each of the indicated levels the Lexitheurge, as long as she meets it's prerequisites, selects a feat, of her choice, from the following selection of feat choices:
Utterance of the Craft Tool, Utterance of the Perfected Map, Lexigram of Fortification, Lexigram of Remedy, Lexigram of Sublime Movement, Lexigram of the Unfettered, Lexigram of the Deflection, or Utterance Focus.
Lv9, 14, 19 > Rhetoric (Su)
As a full round action the Lexitheurge may enunciate two of her memorized utterances, of the Evolving Mind, in quick succession. These utterances may not target the same creature as one another.
At level 14 she may either enunciate two of these utterances as a standard action, or enunciate three of them as a full round action.
And at level 18 when she would enunciate three utterances, as a full round action, the Lexitheurge may instead choose to enunciate four of them.
Special: When enunciating multiple instances of a particular utterance the Lexitheurge only increases the failure chance from the Law of Resistance by 5%, as if only one had been enunciated, though she still checks for each individually.
If interrupted when enunciating multiple utterances she makes a single concentration check (use the highest effective spell level for DCs) for all of them.
Lv12+ > Behold the Named (Su)
The Lexitheurge may, a limited number of times per day, Scry, as the spell, upon any creature who's personal truename she knows. She does not require a mirror or pool of water for this ability to function.
Her target does not gain a save to resist, nor does spell resistence apply, but she can only view the subject for 1d4 rounds before the scrying ends.
Lv18 > Say My Name (Su)
This ability works as detailed for Say My Name and I am There (see 'Truenamer', ToM 201).
Feats
Utterance of the Crafted Tool
Prerequisites: 3rd level utterances
This feat may be taken multiple times. Each time you take this feat you learn a single utterance, of the Crafted Tool, of a level no higher than one less than your maximum utterance level.
You enunciate this utterance as an utterance one level higher than listed. This utterance is otherwise subject to the same rules as normal utterances, including memorization, but targets an object instead of a creature.
Utterance of the Perfected Map
Prerequisites: 4th level utterances
This feat may be taken multiple times. Each time you take this feat you learn a single utterance, of the Perfected Map, of a level no higher than two less than your maximum utterance level.
You enunciate this utterance as an utterance two levels higher than listed. This utterance is otherwise subject to the same rules as normal utterances, including memorization, but targets an area instead of a creature.
Lexigram of Fortification
Prerequisites: 2nd level utterances
You speak a single syllable as a swift action, granting you with DR/- equal to half you Lexitheurge level for 1 round. This Lexigram is, however, subject to the Law of Resistance, as if it were an utterance.
Lexigram of the Remedy
Prerequisites: 2nd level utterances
You speak a single syllable as a swift action, removing any ongoing, but not instantaneous or permanent, personal afflictions as is desired.
This does not affect an area of effect, but would allow you to ignore it's effects for 1 round. This Lexigram is, however, subject to the Law of Resistance, as if it were an utterance.
Lexigram of Sublime Movement
Prerequisites: 2nd level utterances
You speak a single syllable as an immediate action, mimicking the effects of the Flicker mystery. This Lexigram is, however, subject to the Law of Resistance, as if it were an utterance.
Lexigram of the Unfettered
Prerequisites: 3rd level utterances
You speak a single syllable as a swift action, granting yourself the benefits of Freedom of Movement, as the spell, for 1 round. This Lexigram is, however, subject to the Law of Resistance, as if it were an utterance.
Lexigram of Deflection
Prerequisites: 3rd level utterances
You speak a single syllable as an immediate action, in response to an utterance, spell, or spell like ability cast that specifically declared you as a target or as one of it's targets.
Make an opposed intelligence check. If successful you halt the effects of their ability, possibly wasting their resources in the process. This Lexigram is, however, subject to the Law of Resistance, as if it were an utterance.
Utterance Focus
Prerequisites: 1st level utterances
This feat may be taken multiple times. Each time you select a single utterance, that you haven't selected before, gaining a +2 to the saving throw DCs for it.