Scrap-Iron Chef Challenge; in the Playground I

[Vknight]

Well most Iron Chefs and other Challenges of the sort focus on a prestige class. This Challenge will focus on things like ideas, templates and all those other goodies and incorporating them too make a build.


Contestants: You will need to present a write-up of your build at at least one of the following points: 5th level, 10th level, 15th, 20th, and a "sweet spot" that you feel is the high point of the build, as well as presenting a fully-fleshed out 20-level build in the table below. Feel free to present as many of these as you like, and please give a rundown of the build's abilities and playability at all of the levels you didn't show. The rules are as follows:

Menu: The Secret Ingredient will be a template or idea for a character. Which must be empathized in the build.
32 point-buy is the presumed creation method, but we have generally allowed other levels of point-buy.
If you do use a different point-buy, please make your case for its necessity in your entry.

Kitchen: Competitors will be free to use any official 3.5 rulebook in constructing their builds. Dragon magazine is allowed[on a case by case basis], and Unearthed Arcana is allowed; but see Elegance below. Web-exclusive 3.0 or 3.5 materials by WotC are expressly allowed, but take care to verify that an updated version did not appear in print elsewhere, as this may cause an Elegance deduction at the judges' discretion. Alternate rule systems from UA such as gestalt are not allowed, as they create a different playing field. Also, item familiars are forbidden because I agree with Kuulvheysoon.

Cooking Time: Friday, July 5th, EST 11:45pm, 2013.

Judging: Judges will be rating on a 1 to 5 scale.
1(Very Poor), 2(Poor), 3(Average), 4(Above Average), 5(Amazing)
On the following categories.
Power; What can the build do, the power of the build in general, and the builds strength in combat. We can handle some cheese but not too much.
A tier one does not immediately win over a tier 4 in power. Because power is not just the classes own strengths but the strengths put into it from the build.

Elegance; could bear a little elaboration. It basically measures how skillfully you put your build together, and whether you sacrificed flavor for power. We're cooking here - if your dish doesn't taste good, it doesn't matter how well-presented it is. Use of flaws is an automatic loss of one point per flaw in this category. Other things that will cause lost points here are excessive multiclassing, and classes that don't fit the concept - using Cloistered Cleric in a front-line melee fighter, for example, will lose you points. Obscurity does not drop points. Not saying were the book is from does

Flavor; A certain amount of love is needed for any build. This is that extra spice the characters story. Those that cannot write awesome character stuff or stories, work on maximizing the build idea. This is also the place to rate just how well they pulled off the build. Elegance is does it look good, and Flavor is does it feel right. So a build that works but doesn't really fit the theme scores low here.

Site Your Sources: Every Book & Page were you got the information from which makes up your build. This one should be a 5 for everyone.

Presentation: Build will be sent too me and then I'll post them. This will keep anonymity and stop bias towards one side or another.
I Took the Codes from Iron Chef because they work well

Basic Code
NAME OF ENTRY
{table=head]Level|Class|Base Attack Bonus|Fort Save|Ref Save|Will Save|Skills|Feats|Class Features

1st|New Class Level|
+x|
+x|
+x|
+x|Skills|New Feats|New Class Abilities

2nd|New Class Level|
+x|
+x|
+x|
+x|Skills|New Feats|New Class Abilities

3rd|New Class Level|
+x|
+x|
+x|
+x|Skills|New Feats|New Class Abilities

4th|New Class Level|
+x|
+x|
+x|
+x|Skills|New Feats|New Class Abilities

5th|New Class Level|
+x|
+x|
+x|
+x|Skills|New Feats|New Class Abilities

6th|New Class Level|
+x|
+x|
+x|
+x|Skills|New Feats|New Class Abilities

7th|New Class Level|
+x|
+x|
+x|
+x|Skills|New Feats|New Class Abilities

8th|New Class Level|
+x|
+x|
+x|
+x|Skills|New Feats|New Class Abilities

9th|New Class Level|
+x|
+x|
+x|
+x|Skills|New Feats|New Class Abilities

10th|New Class Level|
+x|
+x|
+x|
+x|Skills|New Feats|New Class Abilities

11th|New Class Level|
+x|
+x|
+x|
+x|Skills|New Feats|New Class Abilities

12th|New Class Level|
+x|
+x|
+x|
+x|Skills|New Feats|New Class Abilities

13th|New Class Level|
+x|
+x|
+x|
+x|Skills|New Feats|New Class Abilities

14th|New Class Level|
+x|
+x|
+x|
+x|Skills|New Feats|New Class Abilities

15th|New Class Level|
+x|
+x|
+x|
+x|Skills|New Feats|New Class Abilities

16th|New Class Level|
+x|
+x|
+x|
+x|Skills|New Feats|New Class Abilities

17th|New Class Level|
+x|
+x|
+x|
+x|Skills|New Feats|New Class Abilities

18th|New Class Level|
+x|
+x|
+x|
+x|Skills|New Feats|New Class Abilities

19th|New Class Level|
+x|
+x|
+x|
+x|Skills|New Feats|New Class Abilities

20th|New Class Level|
+x|
+x|
+x|
+x|Skills|New Feats|New Class Abilities[/table]
Spells Code

For entries with spellcasting, use the following table for Spells per day and Spells Known. (Spells Known only if necessary, i.e. Sorcerer or Bard, but not Wizard or Warmage)Spells per day/Spells Known
{table=head]Level|0lvl|1st|2nd|3rd|4th|5th|6th|7th|8th|9th

1st|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

2nd|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

3rd|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

4th|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

5th|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

6th|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

7th|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

8th|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

9th|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

10th|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

11th|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

12th|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

13th|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

14th|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

15th|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

16th|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

17th|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

18th|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

19th|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

20th|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-[/table]

CodeSpells per day/Spells Known
{table=head]Level|0lvl|1st|2nd|3rd|4th|5th|6th|7th|8th|9th

1st|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

2nd|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

3rd|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

4th|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

5th|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

6th|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

7th|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

8th|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

9th|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

10th|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

11th|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

12th|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

13th|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

14th|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

15th|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

16th|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

17th|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

18th|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

19th|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

20th|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-[/table]
For other systems (Psionics, ToB, Incarnum, etc.) keep track of PP/maneuvers/essentia separately, preferably in a nice neat list.

Don't Speculate on builds please and thank-you.
Leadership and other such feats/abilities are banned. Natures Cohort[or whatever the feats called] depending on the build and challenge.
In Challenges that call for LA races and/or templates, the LA buyoff rules may be applied. If their is no listed LA buyoff, then it's 0. LA Buyoff for this challenge is 2!

So What is Our First Challenge?
The Battle Lich

What The Build Needs(Or the things it needs to qualify)
-Casting at least 3rd level spells or their equivalent
-Medium Armor or better
-Being Undead (Lich Template is the preferred way to get this ability)
If your build does not have all 3 of these it does not qualify. How you get them and what type of casting, undead etc. is up too you. Though as stated keeping it too a lich is worth bonus points

What The Build Wants(Builders you don't need to have these there just extra challenges that the head-judge will reward you for following)
-Bonus points for not being a Cleric or Druid
-Preferably the use of some type of weapon
-The ability to mix, magic and swordplay
Specialty things that make up little tidbits of the challenge. As the Cleric & Druid gain medium armor they are not as fun for this challenge. Though perfectly viable/valid the wizard who is in Medium with no penalties would be rewarded higher on the point scale. Not a huge amount but not a super small amount either.
Using a weapon in one hand well throwing down wind a fireball is cool spinning the two together is better. So weapon use and magic reward each other when put together.

So get that picture in your head of some undead master of magic and swordplay. Personally being able to lead his own armies from the front or rear. With great magical and physical capability.
That is what we want to see

No Trophies sorry. Though rewards for if we do/currently have going
1st Place
You get your name attached to the link to this challenge in the next and all proceeding challenges and your build will be included in the first post. Gold Trophy if ever get them
2nd Place
You get your name attached to the link to this challenge in the next and all proceeding challenges. Silver Trophy if we get them
3rd Place
You get your name attached to the link to this challenge in the next and all proceeding challenges

Most Unusual Build
This goes to the build which shows the most ingenuity, creativity, and all around cleverness in the challenge. Congrats your build is posted in the next challenge and all following challenges, like 1st place but you get no Trophy.

So seeing as that is everything all the fun and creativity lets all enjoy yourselves and have fun everyone!

Build *Bites a pepper hidden under cloak*

Judges
-V-knight
-Guigarci
-Vaz
-Zombulian

Maybe Judges
-Kulosle

[amdskitzo]

Sounds like a fun idea. Let me see what I can whip up.

[Vknight]

Sounds like a fun idea. Let me see what I can whip up.

Cool have fun with it

I wanted to create a build challenge were the idea only had minor limitations that could be reached in many different ways.

And one in which thought they would all be trying to create the same 'idea' how the contestants would take and form it into there own thing.

[Vknight]

Those that are interested in the contest please post your interest.

And those interested in judging please post your interest thank you

Also judging needs be completed within a week of the Building finishing.
In other words July 12th

And I'll start the next thread up on July 6th

Also Because it has been asked

Things of equivalent to 3rd level spells do count for the 3rd level spells part of the challenge.
So Spell-Like Abilities. Invocations. Infusions.

Maneuvers do not count for this

[dysprosium]

I think I may have an idea kicking around . . .

[Sgt. Cookie]

Certinaly interested. Let me see what I can do.

[Somensjev]

sounds fun, i'll see what i can do

[Gildedragon]

I got a few ideas kicking around in the head already.

[Vknight]

mmmm good looks like we are starting strong on contestants. Now hopefully I'll get a fellow judge or two

[Gildedragon]

I'll drop my participation for a judging position if there's no judge quorum in the next few posts

[ShneekeyTheLost]

You *DO* realize that the Litmus Test for a Gish build is 9th level spells and a BAB of 16+, right? This is an exceedingly low bar, with highly subjective criteria which are about as clear as anything that ever came out of Delphi.

Hell, a straight Dread Necro 20 with Mithral Twilight Feycrafted Scale Mail would exceed all criteria by itself. 9th level spells, effective in combat, able to boost his troops (undead, of course), Litch... done.

Next time you want someone to build you a character, at least admit it, mmkay?

[Vknight]

If you want Guigarci. But I'll be fine as the only judge, just noting it, mainly cause I don't want to end up as the only judge if that happens.


ShneekeyTheLost
...:smallannoyed:, does it look like I care about the Litmus test? Does it look like its supposed to be apart of this challenge... The answer is no it does not.
I did this because we have all these build based off a class or what have you. But not an idea/template that we see all the time in fiction. The challenge is for fun and show creative logic.
With a few rules to make sure there is some uniformity between builds.

No. No it does not. Mithral Scale Mail is Light Armor. It does not count that is light armor, not medium armor. Everything else yes that is true about the class.

If I wanted people to build me something I would ask. A few weeks ago I asked if a Bard/Sublime Chord/Ur Priest/Mystic Theurge build would work. And suggestions for the character it was attached too.

Now if you have nothing else to say would you kindly leave this topic

[Menzath]

In Challenges that call for LA races and/or templates, the LA buyoff rules may be applied.

So. Is there going to be a pre-defined limit to LA buyoff, or a set limit on XP to equal 20th level? otherwise this could get a little crazy.

Also I have an idea or two cooking, looks like fun indeed

Edit: Since lich is a template we can add at any point in the build, can we not add it at level 20?

[Vknight]

So. Is there going to be a pre-defined limit to LA buyoff, or a set limit on XP to equal 20th level? otherwise this could get a little crazy.

Also I have an idea or two cooking, looks like fun indeed

Edit: Since lich is a template we can add at any point in the build, can we not add it at level 20?

Hmmm good question.
As the Lich Template is one option, because you just have to be undead.
I'll say you can buy off 1 LA for this challenge.

For your other question.
Class Levels + RHD + LA = 20
As long as it totals to effective character level of 20 its ok. The reason I'm only letting 1 LA Buyoff for this challenge is because of the wide variety of undead one can become with varying LA adjustments.

Hmmm

New General Rule. 1 LA buyoff for every challenge unless otherwise noted.
So for challenges more focused on using a template we can increase the LA buyoff to make it easier.
And ones that don't require any template we can allow some room for people to play around in

[ShneekeyTheLost]

If you want your so-called 'challenge' to be respected, try not to have one that can be done by a half-dozen base classes and a template... that's not a challenge, that's pathetically easy. Hell, core Bard with the feat to cast in Medium armor meets your criteria. Duskblade, Hexblade, Ranger with Sword of the Arcane Order, Paladin with Sword of the Arcane Order...

These are all things which, out of the box, meets all criteria.

Your scoring criteria is entirely subjective, and poorly documented. Basically, you get to pick which one you 'like' the best, regardless of other criteria.

This is an insult to the Iron Optimizers...

[OMG PONIES]

If you want your so-called 'challenge' to be respected, try not to have one that can be done by a half-dozen base classes and a template... that's not a challenge, that's pathetically easy. Hell, core Bard with the feat to cast in Medium armor meets your criteria. Duskblade, Hexblade, Ranger with Sword of the Arcane Order, Paladin with Sword of the Arcane Order...

These are all things which, out of the box, meets all criteria.

Your scoring criteria is entirely subjective, and poorly documented. Basically, you get to pick which one you 'like' the best, regardless of other criteria.

This is an insult to the Iron Optimizers...

As a long-time heckler and some-time participant in the Iron Chef Optimization Challenge, I take no insult. After all, this is a hobby that's about exchanging stories and ideas; we're not talking about getting into an Ivy League school, we're talking about make-believe.

We may need a little more structure here, but this is an interesting spin to test the waters. Instead of saying "Cook something using poi" or whatever awful ingredient we choose, this is saying "Make me a tasty dinner. I don't like chicken, but something with beef might be nice. Ooh, and having onions would be nice." Are you going to get a burger? A cheesesteak with fried onions? Ribeye smothered in vegetables? The variety is part of the fun.

[Ninja PieKing]

Are templates with no listed LA usable in this chalenge?

[Vknight]

As a long-time heckler and some-time participant in the Iron Chef Optimization Challenge, I take no insult. After all, this is a hobby that's about exchanging stories and ideas; we're not talking about getting into an Ivy League school, we're talking about make-believe.

We may need a little more structure here, but this is an interesting spin to test the waters. Instead of saying "Cook something using poi" or whatever awful ingredient we choose, this is saying "Make me a tasty dinner. I don't like chicken, but something with beef might be nice. Ooh, and having onions would be nice." Are you going to get a burger? A cheesesteak with fried onions? Ribeye smothered in vegetables? The variety is part of the fun.

Thank you PONIES. Thank you, that's the point why force a person to make burgers? When you can say take this main course prep it how you want and include this side along with any other sides or garnishes you see fit
If someone could or would write up a better version of my original post that would help. I admit to my failings in grammar, which is not helped by the fact trying to write up a new idea without it getting laughed off, etc.


Shneekey I asked you to please leave this topic; if all your going to do is cause trouble. If your willing to be reasonable and polite then you can stay.
Otherwise please leave this topic. This is the last time I will ask before getting a mod involved.
Also please read the challenge. Medium Armor. 3rd Level Spells[I did not say you need arcane spells. I said Cleric & Druid kind of beat the challenge with 9th casting and medium armor or better to start. So I asked constetants to avoid them I did not say you cannot use them]. Some type of Undead

Ranger proficiency in armor? Light.
Cast 3rd Level Spells? Yes
Some Type of Undead? Not Yet

Paladin: 3rd Level Spells? Yes, Able to Wear Medium Armor? Yes
Hexblade? Does not have the armor unless he takes Battle Caster feat.
Duskblade: 3rd Level Spells? Yes, Able to Wear Medium Armor? Yes



Are templates with no listed LA usable in this chalenge?

I assume you refer to something like a Vampire Lord... Hmmm that is a tricky question.
What template are you referring too in question.
Because I can understand the argument/case for Vampires with the horrible +8 LA.

[Wings of Peace]

Sounds fun, "Iron Idea a Build" sounds weird though.

[Vaz]

As a long-time heckler and some-time participant in the Iron Chef Optimization Challenge, I take no insult. After all, this is a hobby that's about exchanging stories and ideas; we're not talking about getting into an Ivy League school, we're talking about make-believe.

We may need a little more structure here, but this is an interesting spin to test the waters. Instead of saying "Cook something using poi" or whatever awful ingredient we choose, this is saying "Make me a tasty dinner. I don't like chicken, but something with beef might be nice. Ooh, and having onions would be nice." Are you going to get a burger? A cheesesteak with fried onions? Ribeye smothered in vegetables? The variety is part of the fun.

The equivalent of going to a cocktail bar, and asking for the barman to surprise you and getting a Dirty Pirate Hooker (http://www.drinknation.com/drink/dirty-pirate-hooker) instead?

[Vknight]

Sounds fun, "Iron Idea a Build" sounds weird though.

I had no better idea.
Its not really like a Iron Chef because its a lot more freedom in choices.
Its not focused entirely upon templates, nor build ideas.

I do agree though it needs a better name.
Something that both helps some up the idea, and the fact that it is a very different beast to the Iron Chef Challenges



The equivalent of going to a cocktail bar, and asking for the barman to surprise you and getting a Dirty Pirate Hooker (http://www.drinknation.com/drink/dirty-pirate-hooker) instead?

:confused:

[mattie_p]

[QUOTE=Vknight;15494700]I had no better idea.
Its not really like a Iron Chef because its a lot more freedom in choices.
Its not focused entirely upon templates, nor build ideas.

I do agree though it needs a better name.
Something that both helps some up the idea, and the fact that it is a very different beast to the Iron Chef Challenges[QUOTE]

Well, let's help you think of a name while the challenge is ongoing. You can't take Zinc Saucier, because that one is taken. :smallbiggrin:

Hmm, something that reflects the tradition. Well, Zinc Saucier's name was taken from a throwaway line from Futurama, where Bender competed in an iron chef competition. And we now have American Iron Chef, hosted by Alton Brown, who used to have a show called Good Eats. One episode consisted of him competing in a junkyard-war style cooking competition called "Scrap Iron Chef." That would be my recommendation.

[Vknight]

Thank you Mattie_p.
Hmmm Scrap Iron Chef.
It does fit well with the theme of the challenges.
Hmmm That is a good idea.
I met Alton Brown nice guy

[mattie_p]

Thank you Mattie_p.
Hmmm Scrap Iron Chef.
It does fit well with the theme of the challenges.
Hmmm That is a good idea.

You're welcome. Glad to help a fellow chairman out.


I met Alton Brown nice guy

Incredibly jealous. He seems like a real stand-up guy. I love watching all his shows.

[Vknight]

Yup
One challenge down. Name
Next challenge the big block of text called the first post.
and finally judging and finding another judge or more.

It was pretty cool and very fun.
I think I may have a recording of when he came too a local small business book store and did a interview with the stores customers. Only other time a author got that big of a turn out at that store was when the Number One Ladies Detective Agency's author showed up. Man the store owner has met a lot of people

[Vinyl Scratch]

Posting interest, though I cannot guarantee that I will post an actual build.

Question: Because Necropolitan requires the loss of a level, is it considered a +1 level adjustment for the purposes for the build?

[OMG PONIES]

Question: Because Necropolitan requires the loss of a level, is it considered a +1 level adjustment for the purposes for the build?

I had the same question. I'm interested in competing, but absent any inspiration I can always judge.

[Piggy Knowles]

Hmm. I might have an idea for this. I'm starting a new campaign right now, so I'm not sure how much time I'll have, but if things flow well, I might have an entry.

[Vknight]

I'm going to count Necropolitan's level loss as a LA +1

That would be great OMG_Ponies, I'd love to have a second judge.

[amdskitzo]

Would it be cool to submit 2 entries? I have two ideas floating around my head.

[Ninja PieKing]

I was thinking death knight from MM2. I have other ideas as well but I'd like to do something with death knight.

[OMG PONIES]

Usually in Iron Chef competitions, we refrain from discussing specifics until the builds are posted. I don't know if we're doing that here, but it keeps an air of intrigue until the reveal.

[dysprosium]

Usually in Iron Chef competitions, we refrain from discussing specifics until the builds are posted. I don't know if we're doing that here, but it keeps an air of intrigue until the reveal.

I would definitely agree here.

If we see a death knight in the reveal, now we think it's yours. Other people might think, oh if he's using death knight, I better do something different to be original . . .

[Ninja PieKing]

Dangit sank my own ship. Oh well, as I said though it wasn't my only idea.

[Vknight]

Would it be cool to submit 2 entries? I have two ideas floating around my head.

You can build both but only enter one into the Challenge. Just so we don't have someone making 5 builds to try and win because they are that type of person.
You can post the second build after the judging is complete.

Ninja Pieking
Yes send in private. As for the answer too that. I have no on public just so people won't know unless they ask

[Macabaret]

Are templates with no listed LA usable in this chalenge?

I assume you refer to something like a Vampire Lord... Hmmm that is a tricky question.
What template are you referring too in question.
Because I can understand the argument/case for Vampires with the horrible +8 LA.

I'd like to revisit this question if we could. There are A LOT of undead (and undead related) templates that list LA: --. (WotC seems to think that players don't make evil characters, sadly.) Are these templates off limits for this competition? Do we use the CR adjustment as a Level adjustment? Does each template have to be decided on an individual basis?
There are ideas roaming through my head concerning this, but I want to keep anonymity.

[OMG PONIES]

The usual line of thought is that LA: +0 is useable for player characters, while LA: -- means that something is not suited to PC use. Whether or not we're making PCs here is for the chairman to decide. However, my $0.02 is that LA -- options can blow some cheesy selections way open.

[Gildedragon]

2CP here on LA --
Allowing them with a variable LA cost might be good if tgey are allowed. Each chef prices it to what they think it is worth; if the judges think it too low, then points lost. Cheese can be fun, as long as it is not overpowering.

On LA: does the LA +1 mean we get to reduce the LA of any build by 1?

[OMG PONIES]

2CP here on LA --
Allowing them with a variable LA cost might be good if tgey are allowed. Each chef prices it to what they think it is worth; if the judges think it too low, then points lost.

Honor system, eh? :smallamused:

[Gildedragon]

Not an honor system. A barter. Setting the LA too low means a loss of points, setting it to high might eat up power.

The LA of 4 of a lich ought act as a baseline.

[Vknight]

It LA buyoff of 1. Period no more no less. So La +1 Race along with a Undead Template +3 would be a total LA of +3. As you buyoff 1 LA. Not 1 LA per template or what have you.

As for the various -- undead things.
Case by case basis for each excuse me I need to sleep and will have a better version of this tomorrow I've been awake 36 hours.

If the contestants want I'll raise the LA buy off to 2, to help various builds.
Now excuse me I must slumber

[Macabaret]

Honor system, eh? :smallamused:

What? You question how much honor there is amongst Necromasters? How dishonorable can they be, really? :smalleek:

[OMG PONIES]

What? You question how much honor there is amongst Necromasters? How dishonorable can they be, really? :smalleek:

You can trust me. Just ignore that Paragon Skeletal Cryohydra behind you. He's only here for his afternoon feeding :smallamused:. On an unrelated note, I now have a really fun build idea so I may wind up entering.

[Vknight]

Oh no their goes my only other judge. Ah don't worry about it OMG_PONIES, you can enter.

But yeah for those using a -- Template
Send it to me and I'll give you my opinion on it's LA

Speaking of which does anyone else find Vampires +8 LA silly?

[Gildedragon]

I'm still game for judging.

[Vknight]

That will help, and man the week just flies by.
Now comes the questions on templates and build stuff

[OMG PONIES]

Sorry, inspiration struck with a story and build that's too much fun not to enter. That, and the fact that I don't want to be the final arbiter about how much LA a "LA: --" template should receive, because I firmly believe the proper answer is --.

Chairman, did you ever come to a decision on whether we'll be given a free +1 LA buyoff, free +2 LA buyoff, or no buyoff?

[dysprosium]

That, and the fact that I don't want to be the final arbiter about how much LA a "LA: --" template should receive, because I firmly believe the proper answer is --.

In a contest like this I have to agree. What one person might think is say a +4 LA someone else could be like no it's only +1 because it's not that good!

Let alone what the players might think about certain templates . . .

[Menzath]

Speaking of which does anyone else find Vampires +8 LA silly?

Nah look at all the feats and other abilities you get. Hooded pupil(I think that's the one) is the same LA as lich but with "less" benefits just feats and stuff to make up for the rest.

[Vknight]

Sorry, inspiration struck with a story and build that's too much fun not to enter. That, and the fact that I don't want to be the final arbiter about how much LA a "LA: --" template should receive, because I firmly believe the proper answer is --.

Chairman, did you ever come to a decision on whether we'll be given a free +1 LA buyoff, free +2 LA buyoff, or no buyoff?

LA Buyoff of 2.

As for the --. I'm going to be the judge of what LA a -- counts for.

So only me and Guigarci but hey at least its not only me judging.

Note to self: Look up hooded pupil

[amdskitzo]

LA Buyoff of 2.

As for the --. I'm going to be the judge of what LA a -- counts for.

So only me and Guigarci but hey at least its not only me judging.

Note to self: Look up hooded pupil

So if the race/undeath combo you go with is only +2, the build should be a full 20 then?

[Vknight]

So if the race/undeath combo you go with is only +2, the build should be a full 20 then?

Correct if your Race+Undead totals too LA +2. you should have 20 class levels

[WhamBamSam]

I might possibly have an idea. It has a few kinks to work out though, so we'll see if I end up having time to polish it up.

[Vknight]

Set a stop watch. A little over 81 hours left until the Cooking Closes, just so all contestants are aware.
And for those interested in judging or entering a build

[OMG PONIES]

Set a stop watch. A little over 81 hours left until the Cooking Closes, just so all contestants are aware.
And for those interested in judging or entering a build

How many entries do you have so far?

[Vknight]

I cannot say, just so people can't try and guess on who has sent things in. I'm just informing all those involved that to remember to send in their individual entry. Its a reminder that time is ticking down for those interested in cooking or who are already cooking. And for those who would like to judge

[Deadline]

I cannot say, just so people can't try and guess on who has sent things in. I'm just informing all those involved that to remember to send in their individual entry. Its a reminder that time is ticking down for those interested in cooking or who are already cooking. And for those who would like to judge

We've had no issues with that in the Iron Chef competition (that I know of). I think the reason Ponies was asking, is that some people way be willing to judge, if it looks like the number of entries is low.

[Vaz]

I might throw my hand into judging. Not sure what my criteria will be, but if I do, I'll post it after the reveal.

[kulosle]

Oh wow this sounds like so much fun, it's a little late for me to try and make a build, but I would enjoy judging. I have a build in mind but i doubt i'll finish it in time. It would be cool to see how peoples builds compare to what i had in mind though.

[Zombulian]

LA Buyoff of 2.

As for the --. I'm going to be the judge of what LA a -- counts for.

So only me and Guigarci but hey at least its not only me judging.

Note to self: Look up hooded pupil

It's a cool sounding template that turns pretty lame. From Book of Bad Latin, and doesn't actually change the creatures' type to undead...

As the person above me, I realize it is probably too late to try my hand at a build, so I'd be willing to judge.

[Amphetryon]

If you want your so-called 'challenge' to be respected, try not to have one that can be done by a half-dozen base classes and a template... that's not a challenge, that's pathetically easy. Hell, core Bard with the feat to cast in Medium armor meets your criteria. Duskblade, Hexblade, Ranger with Sword of the Arcane Order, Paladin with Sword of the Arcane Order...

These are all things which, out of the box, meets all criteria.

Your scoring criteria is entirely subjective, and poorly documented. Basically, you get to pick which one you 'like' the best, regardless of other criteria.

This is an insult to the Iron Optimizers...
Your personal criteria for what garners your respect is duly noted.

FWIW - possibly nothing - I'm not insulted by this Challenge, having participated in a couple of the Iron Chef Optimization Challenges in some capacity.

[Vknight]

We've had no issues with that in the Iron Chef competition (that I know of). I think the reason Ponies was asking, is that some people way be willing to judge, if it looks like the number of entries is low.

True but this is the first challenge. I always feel its best to remind people of things, just in case.


I might throw my hand into judging. Not sure what my criteria will be, but if I do, I'll post it after the reveal.
Thank you.


Oh wow this sounds like so much fun, it's a little late for me to try and make a build, but I would enjoy judging. I have a build in mind but i doubt i'll finish it in time. It would be cool to see how peoples builds compare to what i had in mind though.
You can try a build Kulosle and if you don't finish it then you can judge. Unless people have an issue with that?


It's a cool sounding template that turns pretty lame. From Book of Bad Latin, and doesn't actually change the creatures' type to undead...

As the person above me, I realize it is probably too late to try my hand at a build, so I'd be willing to judge.
Found it. Huh guess it would not qualify for the challenge. Also same applies too you Zombulian

And just thanks for some support and its good to get more judges involved.

[dysprosium]

I am still working on my entry and should have it entered in time (even if it is my the hairs of my chinny chin chin)

[Rubik]

How would an undead warrior magus piloting his own whale-sized magical mech firing eye-lasers fare, even without the medium armor proficiency?

[Vknight]

Um It does not qualify.
You need that medium armor. Its a requirement, 1 of 3. Undead, 3rd or better spells and medium or better armor stuff.

If I'm feeling nice I'd say max you can get is a 4 in any score(except the book one)

[Rubik]

Um It does not qualify.
You need that medium armor. Its a requirement, 1 of 3. Undead, 3rd or better spells and medium or better armor stuff.

If I'm feeling nice I'd say max you can get is a 4 in any score(except the book one)It'll be a complete waste, but I suppose I could manage it. There are much better and far more efficient ways to defend yourself than that, and any mage worth his magic will do so.

[Amidus Drexel]

I have such a character statted up somewhere... I'll level him up to ECL 20 and hack casting-in-medium-armor onto the build. I think you'll like it. :smallcool:

[WhamBamSam]

Two of my ideas didn't pan out. One worked better in light armor, and one worked better not being undead. I do have a third idea which isn't mind blowing, but is at least fun and very much within the spirit of the challenge. I'll see if I have time to polish it up and submit it before the deadline.

[Piggy Knowles]

I've got a build idea in mind but I'm not sure if I'll have time to make it into an actual entry.

In case I do get an entry together, I had a few questions:

If we are using an LA greater than 2, do we still subtract 2 LA? So, if I'm using an LA +4 template, can I treat it as an LA +2 for purposes of this competition? Or is the free LA only if you pick an LA 2 or below template? And if I manage to do this without ANY LA, will I get scored any better than someone who manages to do it with the free +2 LA?

As an aside, any chance this could be renamed to the "Scrap-Iron Chef Challenge?" Every time I see it, I think it's a post by someone suggesting that we scrap the iron chef challenges, and I get sad...

[OMG PONIES]

As an aside, any chance this could be renamed to the "Scrap-Iron Chef Challenge?" Every time I see it, I think it's a post by someone suggesting that we scrap the iron chef challenges, and I get sad...

You can scrap my Iron Chef...when you pry it from my cold, dead fingers :smallmad:. *realizes his build this round will, in fact, have cold, dead fingers* er...carry on.

[Zombulian]

Quick nitpick. Is there a reason the secret ingredient spoiler says "What is Are First Challenge"? Do you mean *our*? I'm confused.

[Samalpetey]

It's a cool sounding template that turns pretty lame. From Book of Bad Latin, and doesn't actually change the creatures' type to undead....

They aren't meant to be undead.

A hooded pupil is a humanoid or a giant who was lured by the promises of necromancy, envious of the power the necromancer wields and the unending existence the vampire enjoys, but yet are not ready to relinquish life.

[Zombulian]

They aren't meant to be undead.

I was just informing VKnight of that because it seemed like he was under the impression it would work for this challenge.

[Samalpetey]

I was just informing VKnight of that because it seemed like he was under the impression it would work for this challenge.

Ah, sorry, it's kinda difficult to work out tones over the internet :redface:

[Kazyan]

You can scrap my Iron Chef...when you pry it from my cold, dead fingers :smallmad:. *realizes his build this round will, in fact, have cold, dead fingers* er...carry on.

Long live Iron Chef and all its children.

Anyway, I've been busy, but I do have a build that is probably finishable before the deadline, now that I'm free for a while. Gonna get that 1.5 in Elegance again!

[flamewolf393]

Sounds like a fun challenge. Would starting with a high LA creature with lots of abilities and leveling from there get us less points than starting low and making the build from scratch?

[Vknight]

Quick nitpick. Is there a reason the secret ingredient spoiler says "What is Are First Challenge"? Do you mean *our*? I'm confused.

Yes

And Its subtract 2 LA, as though your paid it off with LA buyoff. So Lich is LA 2, Vampire LA 6 and so on.
Necropolitan counts as LA 1 with the level loss it incurs

As for Hooded Pupil I did not know what the template did so I had to check to see if it qualified

[Deadline]

Vknight, you have me listed as a potential judge. I'm not sure why, I don't think I volunteered, did I?

I might compete though.

[Vknight]

Vknight, you have me listed as a potential judge. I'm not sure why, I don't think I volunteered, did I?

I might compete though.

I don't know. But ok more competitor yay!!

[Zombulian]

Yea just put me down as a judge. I ain't doin no build.

[Vknight]

Done, and done now time to minecraft, and work on my next session

[WhamBamSam]

Yes

And Its subtract 2 LA, as though your paid it off with LA buyoff. So Lich is LA 2, Vampire LA 6 and so on.
Necropolitan counts as LA 1 with the level loss it incurs

As for Hooded Pupil I did not know what the template did so I had to check to see if it qualifiedOh, okay, I assumed we'd have to do real LA Buyoff and would therefore be limited in the amount that we could take off of higher LA undead (ie 4 or 5 LA could only be reduced by one and 6 LA couldn't be reduced at all). This means I have a little more room to fiddle with my build. Yay.

[Vknight]

Yeah true LA buyoff would be mean for certain challenges and or ideas.

It would limit what one could do and is not fair for those getting larger LA templates

[dysprosium]

And Its subtract 2 LA, as though your paid it off with LA buyoff. So Lich is LA 2, Vampire LA 6 and so on.
Necropolitan counts as LA 1 with the level loss it incurs

oh wow

My build just got two more levels to play with!

Good thing I did not submit yet!

Hopefully I will get it done. Real life can be a pain. :smallmad:

[Deadline]

Because I can't help myself, and had the cooking itch, I've submitted my entry Vknight. Hope you got it. Looking forward to the reveal this evening.

[Amidus Drexel]

I may not be able to get mine formatted correctly in time (I'm a bit busy)...

If not, I'll at least say what I was going to do after the builds are posted.

[Somensjev]

i probably wont be able to submit a build :smallannoyed:
there's a small chance i could submit something, but probably not, oh well, i'll just enjoy the other's posts :smallbiggrin:

[WhamBamSam]

Long live Iron Chef and all its children.

Anyway, I've been busy, but I do have a build that is probably finishable before the deadline, now that I'm free for a while. Gonna get that 1.5 in Elegance again!That'll make yours the second least elegant build in the competition next to the beautiful travesty that I just submitted.

[Kazyan]

That'll make yours the second least elegant build in the competition next to the beautiful travesty that I just submitted.

I've actually declined from entering at this point...never managed to get satisfied with the build. Something is better than nothing, sure, but it's a bit late for me now.

If the trick I kept trying to use doesn't show up, I'll share it after the reveal.

[OMG PONIES]

Submitted. Rushed and missing some details, but submitted nonetheless.

[Vknight]

Yay and soon we come to the judging of the builds.
In the next 4 Hours and 44 Minutes, entries will no longer be taken. And I will begin posting all entries starting in a random order.

[Piggy Knowles]

I'm sadly not going to have time to submit anything. I'll post my idea after the reveal.

[dysprosium]

Real life is a time consumption monster!

I will reveal what I had if it does not appear . . .

[Vknight]

The Challenge is over and my computer finally decided to let Giantitp Forums load.

So without further ado I shall now give everyone builds one after another.
Each with their own post, and my personal rating

And a reminder for the challenge.

Power; What can the build do, the power of the build in general, and the builds strength in combat. We can handle some cheese but not too much.
A tier one does not immediately win over a tier 4 in power. Because power is not just the classes own strengths but the strengths put into it from the build.

Elegance; could bear a little elaboration. It basically measures how skillfully you put your build together, and whether you sacrificed flavor for power. We're cooking here - if your dish doesn't taste good, it doesn't matter how well-presented it is. Use of flaws is an automatic loss of one point per flaw in this category. Other things that will cause lost points here are excessive multiclassing, and classes that don't fit the concept - using Cloistered Cleric in a front-line melee fighter, for example, will lose you points. Obscurity does not drop points. Not saying were the book is from does

Flavor; A certain amount of love is needed for any build. This is that extra spice the characters story. Those that cannot write awesome character stuff or stories, work on maximizing the build idea. This is also the place to rate just how well they pulled off the build. Elegance is does it look good, and Flavor is does it feel right. So a build that works but doesn't really fit the theme scores low here.

Site Your Sources: Every Book & Page were you got the information from which makes up your build. This one should be a 5 for everyone.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Guvikoth Kanon'ethni
Lore

Many moons agio, a small contingent of necropolitans attacked a village of goliaths in the mountains of Jorg'un for the mineral rights. During the battle the soldiers came upon a lone goliath at the entrance to the mines. They advanced upon the goliath thinking that a lone combatant could not withstand the might of their forces. Once engaged, the goliath tore the necropolitans apart, using his superior strength and his innate, if not crude, arcane arts, threw the soldiers into one another.

Having seen the goliath's combat prowess, the leader of the necropolitans offered a deal, become one of them, fight for them and the village would be spared, he agreed.

Unlike others who have gone through the process of becoming a necropolitan, Guvikoth showed no sign of being in pain further proved himself within the necropolitans.

Over the following years, Guvikoth was taught to refine is arcane abilities, learning the ways of the Duskblade. His natural ability to throw rocks led him to become a Bloodstorm Blade, allowing him to blend his arcane and throwing abilities.

After his training, he was placed in the necropolitan military where he proved himself time and time again. He was known to grab the enemy, charge them with arcane spells and throw them back into the ranks, causing all kinds of havoc.


Strength

LN Necropolitan Goliath Fighter 2/Duskblade 13/Warblade 1/Bloodstorm Blade 4

Stats:
Lvl 1 after racials: STR: 22 DEX: 12 CON: - INT: 14 WIS: 10 CHA: 10
Ability points and gear towards STR and INT.

Guvikoth Kanon'ethni
{table=head]Level|Class|Base Attack Bonus|Fort Save|Ref Save|Will Save|Skills|Feats|Class Features

1st|Fighter 1|
+1|
+2|
+0|
+0|Balance 2, Jump 4, Intimidate 4, Knowledge(Tactics) 2|Rock Hurling|Improved Unarmed Strike

2nd|Fighter 2|
+2|
+3|
+0|
+0|Balance 2.5, Jump 5, Intimidate 5, Knowledge(Tactics) 2.5|-|Improved Grapple

3rd|Duskblade 1|
+3|
+5|
+0|
+2|Balance 3, Concentration 1, Jump 5, Intimidate 5, Knowledge(Arcana) 1,Knowledge (Tactics) 2.5, Spellcraft 1 |Improved Bullrush|Arcane Attunement, Armored Mage (light)

4th|Duskblade 2|
+4|
+6|
+0|
+3|Balance 3.5, Concentration 2, Jump 5, Intimidate 5, Knowledge(Arcana) 2,Knowledge (Tactics) 2.5, Spellcraft 2|-|Combat Casting

5th|Duskblade 3|
+5|
+6|
+1|
+3|Balance 4, Concentration 3, Jump 5, Intimidate 5, Knowledge(Arcana) 3,Knowledge (Tactics) 2.5, Spellcraft 3|-|Arcane Channeling

6th|Duskblade 4|
+6|
+7|
+1|
+4|Balance 4.5, Concentration 4, Jump 5, Intimidate 5, Knowledge(Arcana) 4,Knowledge (Tactics) 2.5, Spellcraft 4|Brutal Throw|Armored Mage (Medium)

7th|Duskblade 5|
+7|
+7|
+1|
+4|Balance 5, Concentration 5, Jump 5, Intimidate 5, Knowledge(Arcana) 5,Knowledge (Tactics) 2.5, Spellcraft 5|-|Quick Cast 1/day

8th|Duskblade 6|
+8|
+8|
+2|
+5|Balance 5.5, Concentration 6, Jump 5, Intimidate 5, Knowledge(Arcana) 6,Knowledge (Tactics) 2.5, Spellcraft 6|-|Spell Power +2

9th|Duskblade 7|
+9|
+8|
+2|
+5|Balance 6, Concentration 7, Jump 5, Intimidate 5, Knowledge(Arcana) 7,Knowledge (Tactics) 2.5, Spellcraft 7|Point Blank Shot|Armored Mage (Heavy Shield)

10th|Duskblade 8|
+10|
+9|
+2|
+6|Balance 6.5, Concentration 8, Jump 5, Intimidate 5, Knowledge(Arcana) 8,Knowledge (Tactics) 2.5, Spellcraft 8|-|-

11th|Duskblade 9|
+11|
+9|
+3|
+6|Balance 7, Concentration 9, Jump 5, Intimidate 5, Knowledge(Arcana) 9,Knowledge (Tactics) 2.5, Spellcraft 9|-|-

12th|Duskblade 10|
+12|
+10|
+3|
+7|Balance 7.5, Concentration 10, Jump 5, Intimidate 5, Knowledge(Arcana) 10,Knowledge (Tactics) 2.5, Spellcraft 10|Power Attack|Quickcast 2/day

13th|Duskblade 11|
+13|
+10|
+3|
+7|Balance 8, Concentration 11, Jump 5, Intimidate 5, Knowledge(Arcana) 11,Knowledge (Tactics) 2.5, Spellcraft 11|-|Spell Power +3

14th|Warblade 1|
+14|
+12|
+3|
+7|Balance 9, Concentration 12, Jump 6, Intimidate 6, Knowledge(Arcana) 11,Knowledge (Tactics) 3, Spellcraft 11.5|-|Battle Clarity(reflex saves), Weapon Aptitude

15th|Bloodstorm Blade 1|
+15|
+14|
+3|
+7|Balance 10, Concentration 13, Jump 7, Intimidate 7, Knowledge(Arcana) 11,Knowledge (Tactics) 3.5, Spellcraft 12|Power Throw|Returning Attacks, Throw Anything, Weapon Aptitude

16th|Bloodstorm Blade 2|
+16|
+15|
+3|
+7|Balance 11, Concentration 14, Jump 8, Intimidate 8, Knowledge(Arcana) 11,Knowledge (Tactics) 4, Spellcraft 12.5|-|Martial Throw, Thunderous Throw

17th|Bloodstorm Blade 3|
+17|
+15|
+4|
+8|Balance 12, Concentration 15, Jump 9, Intimidate 9, Knowledge(Arcana) 11,Knowledge (Tactics) 4.5, Spellcraft 13|-|Shock Trooper

18th|Bloodstorm Blade 4|
+18|
+15|
+4|
+8|Balance 12, Concentration 15, Jump 10, Intimidate 10, Knowledge(Arcana) 11,Knowledge (Tactics) 5, Spellcraft 13.5|Fling Enemy| Lightning Ricochet

19th|Duskblade 12|
+19|
+17|
+5|
+9|Balance 13, Concentration 16, Jump 11, Intimidate 11, Knowledge(Arcana) 11,Knowledge (Tactics) 5.5, Spellcraft 14|-|-

20th|Duskblade 13|
+20|
+17|
+5|
+9|Balance 14, Concentration 17, Jump 12, Intimidate 12, Knowledge(Arcana) 11,Knowledge (Tactics) 6, Spellcraft 15|-|Arcane Channeling (Full Attack)[/table]

Spells per day/Spells Known
{table=head]Level|0lvl|1st|2nd|3rd|4th|5th|6th|7th|8th|9th

1st|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

2nd|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

3rd|3|2|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

4th|4|3|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

5th|5|4|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

6th|6|5|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

7th|6|5|2|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

8th|6|6|3|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

9th|6|6|5|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

10th|6|7|6|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

11th|6|7|6|2|-|-|-|-|-|-

12th|6|8|7|3|-|-|-|-|-|-

13th|6|8|7|5|-|-|-|-|-|-

14th|6|8|7|5|-|-|-|-|-|-

15th|6|8|7|5|-|-|-|-|-|-

16th|6|8|7|5|-|-|-|-|-|-

17th|6|8|7|5|-|-|-|-|-|-

18th|6|8|7|5|-|-|-|-|-|-

19th|6|8|8|6|-|-|-|-|-|-

20th|6|9|8|6|2|-|-|-|-|-[/table]

Maneuvers(IL= 12.5 at lvl 20):
Wall of Blades(2nd)
Action Before Thought(2nd)
Emerald Razor(2nd)

Stances:
Punishing Stance(1st)


Through his Life
Level 5
At this point Guvikoth is still relatively early in his training and only has rudimentary use of his arcane abilities. Using arcane channeling with any weapon he is proficient with he can decimate any enemy.

Level 10
At this point, his powers are starting to come into their own, he has further control of his ray spells thanks to Point Blank Shot and can further use his Rock Hurling ability thanks to Brutal Throw.

Level 15
Now Guvikoth starts coming into his ability to start blending his arcane and martial talents. He can literally throw any weapon he is proficient with and have it return to him.

Level 16*Sweet Spot*
Having gained the ability Martial Throw from Bloodstorm Blade, Guvikoth can now treat his thrown attacks as melee attacks for the purposes of Arcane Channeling and Martial Strikes, dealing even more devatating blows to enemies.

Level 20
At this point, Guvikoth's abilities have matured so well that he can now blend thrown attacks and melee attacks interchangeably all while channeling his arcane abilities through his attacks. He can even grapple enemies, charge them with arcane channeling and throw them back into their own ranks, wreaking havoc with their own allies.


The Challenge

Notes
I took a very liberal interpretation of Fling Enemy works in that I treat it as a thrown attack. I just loved the idea of a goliath running around the battlefield, grabbing enemies, charging them with arcane energies and throwing them into their allies.

What The Build Needs(Or the things it needs to qualify)
-Casting at least 3rd level spells or their equivalent- 4th level duskblades spells
-Medium Armor or better - Duskblade covers this
-Being Undead (Lich Template is the preferred way to get this ability) - Necropolitan

-Bonus points for not being a Cleric or Druid - Dukblade is neither :smallwink:
-Preferably the use of some type of weapon - Does any weapon count? :D
-The ability to mix, magic and swordplay - Duskblade, Warblade mix



Sources

Warblade/Bloodstorm blade - Tome of the Nine page 20 and 100 respectively
Duskblade - PHB 2 pg 19
Fighter - PHB 1 pg 37
Fling Enemy, rock hurling - Races of Stone pg 140, 143
brutal throw, power throw - Complete Adventurer 106, 111
shock trooper - complete warrior pg 112
power attack, improved Unarmed strike, bullrush, grapple and point blank shot all from PHB 1



Challenge Requirements.
3rd Level Spells[Check], Medium Armor Casting[Check], Undead[Check]

Secondary Challenges
Not Druid/Cleric[Check], Mix Magic & Swordplay[Check]

Judges
Vknight; Power(3.75), Elegance(4.25), Flavor(4.5)
Guigarci; Power(4), Elegance(4.5), Flavor(3)
Vaz; Power(), Elegance(), Flavor()
Zombulian; Power(4), Elegance(4), Flavor(3)
Kulosle; Power(3), Elegance(4.5), Flavor(3.2)

Average; Power(), Elegance(), Flavor()

[Vknight]

http://www.wizards.com/magic/images/mtgcom/arcana300/BalthorDefiled.jpg
Keldath, Warden of the Restless Dead
LN Evolved Undead Necropolitan Dwarf Warblade 1/Wizard 4/Runesmith 1/Jade Phoenix Mage 10/Abjurant Champion 4

Backstory:


Lo! Brave warriors of the clan!

Remember good king Keldath, ruler of the north! A will of iron, a heart of steel, death could not purge his worth.

On the throne of skulls, still he sits, lest the dead set themselves to roaming.

A watchful eye, a wrathful heart, combine to pierce the gloaming.

The Warden's crown upon his head, he watches o'er the dishonored dead. None escape his scrutiny!

Let all stout hearted dwarves rejoice, and find honorable death and glory!



Stats:
Str - 16
Dex - 12
Con - 10
Int - 18
Wis - 10
Cha - 6

Stats after Crucimigration, Evolved Undead, and Levels

Str - 18
Dex - 12
Con - --
Int - 23
Wis - 14
Cha - 8


The Build:

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

1st|Warblade 1|
+1|
+2|
+0|
+0|Balance 4, Concentration 4, Craft(Stoneworking) 4, Diplomacy 4, Intimidate 4, Knowledge(Arcana) (1), Knowledge(History) 2, Knowledge(Religion) (2), Tumble 4|Power Attack|Battle Clarity(Relfex Saves), Weapon Aptitude

2nd|Wizard 1|
+1|
+2|
+0|
+2|Concentration 5, Craft(Stoneworking) 5, Spellcraft 4|Scribe Scroll(B)|Summon Familiar, Spellcasting

3rd|Wizard 2|
+2|
+2|
+0|
+3|Balance (5), Concentration 6, Craft(Stoneworking) 6, Knowledge(Arcana) 3|Combat Casting|

4th|Wizard 3|
+2|
+3|
+1|
+3|Concentration 7, Craft(Stoneworking) 7, Knowledge(Arcana) 5, Spellcraft 6|-|

5th|Wizard 4|
+3|
+3|
+1|
+4|Concentration 8, Craft(Stoneworking) 8, Knowledge(The Planes) 2, Spellcraft 8|-|

6th|Runesmith 1|
+3|
+5|
+1|
+6|Concentration 9, Knowledge(Arcana) 7, Spellcraft 9, Collector of Stories|Improved Turn Resistance|Rune Magic, +1 level of existing arcane spellcasting class

7th|Jade Phoenix Mage 1|
+4|
+7|
+1|
+8|Concentration 10, Diplomacy 5, Intimidate 5, Tumble 7|-|Arcane Wrath, Rite of Waking

8th|Jade Phoenix Mage 2|
+5|
+8|
+1|
+8|Concentration 11, Diplomacy 7, Intimidate 7, Tumble 9|-|Mystic Phoenix Stance, +1 level of existing arcane spellcasting class

9th|Jade Phoenix Mage 3|
+6|
+8|
+2|
+9|Concentration 12, Diplomacy 10, Knowledge(The Planes) (3), Tumble 10|Arcane Strike|+1 level of existing arcane spellcasting class

10th|Abjurant Champion 1|
+7|
+8|
+2|
+11|Concentration 13, Intimidate 8, Knowledge(Arcana) 10, Knowledge(The Planes) (4), Swift Concentration|-|Abjurant Armor, Extended Abjuration, +1 level of existing arcane spellcasting class

11th|Abjurant Champion 2|
+8|
+8|
+2|
+12|Concentration 14, Intimidate 9, Knowledge(The Planes) (6), Spellcraft 10|-|Swift Abjuration, +1 level of existing arcane spellcasting class

12th|Abjurant Champion 3|
+9|
+9|
+3|
+12|Concentration 15, Intimidate 10, Knowledge(Arcana) 8, Knowledge(The Planes) (8)|Steady Concentration|+1 level of existing arcane spellcasting class

13th|Abjurant Champion 4|
+10|
+9|
+3|
+13|Concentration 16, Knowledge(Arcana) 10, Knowledge(The Planes) (10)|-|Arcane Boost, +1 level of existing arcane spellcasting class

14th|Jade Phoenix Mage 4|
+11|
+10|
+3|
+13|Concentration 17, Tumble 16|-|Empowering Strike, +1 level of existing arcane spellcasting class

15th|Jade Phoenix Mage 5|
+12|
+10|
+3|
+13|Concentration 18, Knowledge(Religion) (4), Tumble 18|Knowledge Devotion|+1 level of existing arcane spellcasting class

16th|Jade Phoenix Mage 6|
+13|
+11|
+4|
+14|Concentration 19, Knowledge(Religion) (7), Tumble 19|-|Firebird Stance, Jade Phoenix Master

17th|Jade Phoenix Mage 7|
+14|
+11|
+4|
+14|Concentration 20, Knowledge(Religion) (10), Tumble 20|-|+1 level of existing arcane spellcasting class

18th|Jade Phoenix Mage 8|
+15|
+12|
+4|
+14|Concentration 21, Knowledge(Nature) (3), Tumble 21|Martial Stance (Aura of Perfect Order)|Quickening Strike, +1 level of existing arcane spellcasting class

19th|Jade Phoenix Mage 9|
+16|
+12|
+5|
+15|Concentration 22, Knowledge(Nature) (6), Tumble 22|-|+1 level of existing arcane spellcasting class

20th|Jade Phoenix Mage 10|
+17|
+13|
+5|
+15|Concentration 23, Knowledge(Nature) (9), Tumble 23|-|Emerald Immolation, +1 level of existing arcane spellcasting class[/table]

Spells per day/Spells Known
{table=head]Level|0lvl|1st|2nd|3rd|4th|5th|6th|7th|8th|9th

1st|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

2nd|3|1|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

3rd|4|2|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

4th|4|2|1|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

5th|4|3|2|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

6th|4|3|2|1|-|-|-|-|-|-

7th|4|3|2|1|-|-|-|-|-|-

8th|4|3|3|2|-|-|-|-|-|-

9th|4|4|3|2|1|-|-|-|-|-

10th|4|4|3|3|2|-|-|-|-|-

11th|4|4|4|3|2|1|-|-|-|-

12th|4|4|4|3|3|2|-|-|-|-

13th|4|4|4|4|3|2|1|-|-|-

14th|4|4|4|4|3|3|2|-|-|-

15th|4|4|4|4|4|3|2|1|-|-

16th|4|4|4|4|4|3|2|1|-|-

17th|4|4|4|4|4|3|3|2|-|-

18th|4|4|4|4|4|4|3|2|1|-

19th|4|4|4|4|4|4|3|3|2|-

20th|4|4|4|4|4|4|4|3|2|1[/table]

1st level Maneuvers:
Stone Bones
Steel Wind Strike
Leading the Attack

2nd level Maneuvers:
Foehammer

3rd level Maneuvers:
Revitalizing Strike

4th level Maneuvers:
Divine Surge

5th level Maneuvers:
Law Bearer

6th level Maneuvers:
Rallying Strike

7th level Maneuvers:
Castigating Strike

Stances:
Punishing Stance
Thicket of Blades
Aura of Perfect Order

Level Breakpoint
Level 20

Keldath is a Battle Lich in the following ways:

He has +17 BAB, allowing him to really mix it up in melee. He grabs a nice two-handed weapon, quickens an Abjurant Champion enhanced Shield Spell, and starts beating face. Arcane Strike lets him burn spell slots to really put the hurt on. Knowledge Devotion combined with good knowledge skills and the Collector of Stories skill trick mean he's getting a decent added punch against any foe he can identify.
His martial maneuvers give him serious punch and survivability in a fight. Aura of Perfect Order lets him auto succeed on most concentration checks, which guarantees that he can get his spells off. He can also consistently make his saves. His maneuvers give him a good mix of versatile options from tanking, healing, and straight up damage.
A Lich is an undead spellcaster, and ridiculously hard to kill. As a Necropolitan, Keldath is undead, has turning resistance, heals naturally, and has Fast Healing from the Evolved Undead template. To top it all off, thanks to the Jade Phoenix Mage capstone, once per week he can explode in a fiery burst when he is near death to fry his foes, and then reform fully healed and intact a few rounds later. Jade Phoenix Mage also gives him access to an easy way to get some nice Damage Reduction (or he can just buff with Stoneskin).
He can cast 9th level wizard spells, so if beating face as an angry, undead dwarven necromancer in fullplate doesn't work, he can always resort to Gate, Wish, or Shapechange shenanigans.
He can cast in full platemail, thanks to Runesmith
He's not a Cleric or Druid.


He picks up the Evolved Undead Template around level 11 or 12 and snags Greater Dispel Magic as his spell-like ability. He can crush his foes in melee, command or create powerful undead, and if that doesn't work, he has 9th level spells to fall back on.

Challenge Requirements
3rd Level Spells[Check], Medium Armor Casting[Check], Undead[Check]

Secondary Challenges
Not Druid/Cleric[Check], Mix Magic & Swordplay[Half-Check]

Judges
Vknight; Power(3.75), Elegance(3.75), Flavor(3.5)
Guigarci; Power(4), Elegance(3.9), Flavor(3.5)
Vaz; Power(), Elegance(), Flavor()
Zombulian; Power(4), Elegance(4.5), Flavor(3.75)
Kulosle; Power(5), Elegance(2), Flavor(3)

Average; Power(), Elegance(), Flavor()

No Sources :smallfrown:

[Vknight]

Please Keep in mind I do not edit the sheets sent into me I take them as they were. I'll add the character name or witty title if none exists to identify the build.

----------------------------------------------------

Lowe Miedaehl
Human -Lowe Miedaehl- (GraveTouched Ghoul +2LA(Bought off))[Undead] - Worshiper Of Doresain (Even Before Death)
1 ~ 6 Bard
7 ~ 11 Lyric Thamaturge (die @ lvl 9)
12 ~ 20 Sumblime Chord
Hp=20D12

Feats
level 1 - Melodic Casting
Human - Energy Substitution(Electric)(MetaMagic)
Level 3 - Born Of the Three Thunder (MetaMagic)
Level 6 - Song Of The Dead (MetaMagic)
Level 9 - Battle Caster (Bard And Sublime Chord)
Level 12 - Extend Spell (MetaMagic)
Level 15 - Improved Turn Resistance [Monsterous]
Level 18 - Lyric Spell [Bardic Music]
GraveTouched Ghoul-- Str+2 Dex +4 Con - Int +2 Wis +4 Cha +2, Turn Resistence +2, Diet dependent (Flesh), Paralysis(Upon bite or claw Fort. Save DC=10+1/2HD*CHA Mod),Feat + MultiAttack, Bite attack of 1D6+str, Claw of 1D4+Str, Ghoul Fever On Bite Fort Save DC(Same As Paralysis) Initial + Secondary 1D3 Con + 1D3 Dex(Disease), Natural Armor = 2, Undead Traits

Stats/Skills
Points 32 4 2 2 4 4 16 = 32
Starting Str 12 Dex 10 Con 10 Int 12 Wis 12 Cha 18
Grave Touched Ghoul Str+2 Dex +4 Con - Int +2 Wis +4 Cha +2
Bonus Stat pt's
4 cha
8 cha
12 cha
16 cha
20 cha

Totals Before spells/inhert bonus' /item Str 14 Dex 14 Con - Int 14 Wis 16 Cha 25

Lvl 20 Totals after spells/inhert bonus'/item Str 14 Dex 20 Con - Int 14 Wis 18 Cha 38 (Only added inhert bonus of +5 to CHA, And no item bonus, just spells)
Notable Skills/senses -- (Improvisation NOT Included)
Disguise = 23+14+12+2+10+10=71
Bluff= 23+30+14+10=77 (47 When distracting or NOT lying)
Diplomacy = 23+14+10=47
UMD= 23+14=37
Truesight 120ft
Blindsight 120Ft
DarkVision 240Ft

Spells /day Bard
0/3
1/3+4+1
2/3+3+1
3/3+3
4/1+3

Sublime Chord Spells /day
4/4+3
5/4+3
6/3+2
7/3+2
8/2+2

Bard Spells Known
0th/6- Minor Disguise, Dancing Lights, Detect Magic, Ghost Sound, Know Direction, Open/Close
1th/4+1- Distract, Improvisation, Serene Visage, Disguise Self, Expeditious Retreat
2th/4+1- Alter Self, Sonic Weapon, Dark Way, Glibness, False Life
3th/4-Sonic Shield, Phantom Steed, Creaking Cacophony, Wounding Whispers
4th/3-Spell Theft, Voice of the Dragon, Freedom Of Movement

Sublime Chord Spells Known
4th/4- Mirror mage-Greater-, Sirines Grace, Dimension Door, Evard's Black Tentacles
5th/4- Endless Slumber, Dancing Blade, Dragon Sight, Wall Of Force
6th/4- Nixies Grace, Resistance-Superior-, True Seeing, (3rd level Spell) Nondetection
7th/3- Teleport-Greater-, Sword Of Darkness, Hiss Of Sleep
8th/2- Lighting Ring, Mind Blank


+X Glamered Mithral Fullplate Of Nimbleness Armor Check -1 + masterwork = Armor Check -0

AC=10 + fullplate of +X (8+X) Dex +5 (+5 Armor limit) Natural +2 Deflection +14 =39+X

So the rundown is to be disguised 99.99% of the time, no one ever knows I am undead, and that I really just want a bite of em. To help with this A great deal of magic is used to enhance my disguise and bluff skills, even those with truesight still have to beat a disguise of 51(At least).
With hiss of sleep and being a very charismatic bard it's fairly easy to lure someone to a secluded location to make a meal of them.
But should things go bad many soon realize I am a force to be reckoned with, with a hefty amount of buff's to stats, skills, attakcs, and damage Along with a sword of darkness to hit myself in the back(or enemies) along with evards tentacles, mirror images-greater-, spelltheft, freedom of movement, and an effective caster lvl of 24(using a bardic music use and abily gained from sublime chord).
And for damage a lighting ring that will do 10d6(Electric/sonic)+8d6 sonic, with two free 5d6(Electric/Sonic)+3d6(Sonic) bolts a round all of with can cause enemies to be knocked prone as well as a dancing whip + sonic weapon that has a BaB of 20 and attack/damage mod of my CHA mod can make for alot of tripped munchies to eat.
And to be koscher I took the metamagic feat from dragon magazines/compendium Song of the Dead to effect myself with mind effecting spells.(It is a +1 spell change). Also note that I took nondetection as a sumblime chord spell known, this means I can only use sublime chord spell slot to cast it, all of which are 4th lvl or higher.


Challenge Requirements
3rd Level Spells[Check], Medium Armor Casting[Check], Undead[Check]

Secondary Challenges
Not Druid/Cleric[Check], Mix Magic & Swordplay[No Check]

Judges
Vknight; Power(2.95), Elegance(4.3), Flavor(3.5)
Guigarci; Power(3), Elegance(5), Flavor(2.2)
Vaz; Power(), Elegance(), Flavor()
Zombulian; Power(), Elegance(), Flavor()
Kulosle; Power(3.5), Elegance(4), Flavor(2)

Average; Power(), Elegance(), Flavor()

[Vknight]

Avalon the Fallen General

Avalon’s family used to be well known and respected in all the realm. Many of his ancestors were considered as great paladins and their names appeared in more than one bardic song. Despite his objections the young Avalon had to continue the familial tradition and joined the order of the Swords of the High One as a squire.
Despite his character being so different from his battle brothers, Avalon managed to find his place. His intellect allowed him to quickly raise in the orders hierarchy. The focus of the order on magic allowed him to develop his aptitude in the arcane arts for wich he had some talents. Howether despite his success he always seemed to be distant from the others and that distance between him and his brothers continued to grow. He started to skip the daily prayers, he no longer eat with the others. The more arcane strength he got the more he isolated.
Concerned for his state the orders council sent him to assist a group on a diplomatic mission. They hoped that some time spent away from the library would benefit him and allow him to make some ties with other members of the order.
They couldn’t know that the only thing he was waiting for is a pretext to get away ...

The General Idea:
There are two kind of leaders: the one that give orders from the top of a hill and the ones that give orders while being at the center of the battle. I wanted Avalon to give some feel of a leader of the second kind. He will not charge on head first but will examinate the battle field find the place were he can make the difference and then join the fight in order to win. I wanted to make a lich that is not focused only on necromancy. I thought that a buffer like caster would fit the best for a Fighter/Wizard style character. The hardest challenge was to get to cast in heavy armor. Its probably not the most original idea ever but i hope you like it.

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

1st|Paladin 1|
+1|
+2|
+0|
+0|Skills|Spell focus: Transmutation, Combat Casting|Aura of good, detect evil, smite evil

2nd|Paladin 2|
+2|
+3|
+0|
+0|Skills|-|Divine grace, lay on hands

3rd|Wizard 1|
+2|
+3|
+0|
+2|Skills|extend spell,power attack|Summon Familiar(Raven),Bonus Fighter Feat*

4th|Wizard 2|
+3|
+3|
+0|
+3|Skills|-|-

5th|Wizard 3|
+3|
+4|
+1|
+3|Skills|-|-

6th|High One Warrior-Wizard 4|
+4|
+4|
+1|
+4|Skills|ability enhancer|Reduce Armor Hindrances

7th|Spellsword 1|
+5|
+6|
+1|
+6|Skills|-|Ignore spell failure 10%

8th|War Weaver 1|
+5|
+6|
+1|
+8|Skills|-|Eldritch tapestry

9th|War Weaver 2|
+6|
+6|
+1|
+9|Skills|Fell Energy Spell |Quiescent weaving 1

10th|War Weaver 3|
+6|
+7|
+2|
+9|Skills|-|Quiescent weaving 2

11th|War Weaver 4|
+7|
+7|
+2|
+10|Skills|-|Quiescent weaving 3

12th|War Weaver 5|
+7|
+7|
+2|
+10|Skills|Craft Wonderous Items|Enlarged tapestry, quiescent weaving 4

13th|Abjurant Champion 1 |
+8|
+7|
+2|
+12|Skills|-|Abjurant Armor, Extended Abjuration

14th|Abjurant Champion 2 |
+9|
+7|
+2|
+13|Skills|-|Swift Abjuration

15th|Abjurant Champion 3|
+10|
+8|
+3|
+13|Skills|Metamagic School Focus(Transmutation)|-

16th|Abjurant Champion 4 |
+11|
+8|
+3|
+14|Skills|-|Arcane Boost

17th|Abjurant Champion 5 |
+12|
+8|
+3|
+14|Skills|-|Martial Arcanist

18th|Wizard 5|
+12|
+8|
+3|
+14|Skills|Arcane Strike, Improved Initiative|Bonus Fighter Feat*

19th|Lich LA|
-|
-|
-|
-|-|-|-

20th|Lich LA|
-|
-|
-|
-|-|-|-[/table]

Stats:
Str 18 --+4--> 22(at lv 16)
Dex 14
Con 8
Int 16 (18 with lich template)
Wis 8 (10 with lich template)
Cha 8 (10 with lich template)


Build Description:
lv 1-5:
These build start with 2 Lv of paladin and then Jump into the Wizard variant with fighter feats. The build dont offer much during these lvls. The high strengh score is our main strength at this point. At 5lv we get acces to the various buffing spells (bull’s strength ...) wich will be helpful to the sword and magic style.

lv 6-10
At 6th lv we take the wizard substitution lv wich reduce armor spell failure by 20%. This is the main reason for taking the 2 Paladin lvls at the start. We get also one of the feats around wich i built the character wich allow us to get more benefit from buffing spells, this will help to compensate a little bit the low bab by boosting strength even more . With a lv of spellsword we gain an additionnal 10% reduction to make it a total of 30% wich allow us to wear an ordinary Fullplate armor without risking to loose spells. War Weaver seemed like a nice class for a General like character. Thanks to the Eldritch Tapestry We get to save time buffing the party by buffing them all (if the int modifier allow it) with one casting. The most interesting feature is the possibility of storing buffing spells into the tapestry and cast them all in one move action. At 10 lv we can cast 2 3rd lv spells this way. We get also to caster lv 7 wich is the beginning of the road as a necromancer by getting access to animate dead. At this point we can start to feel the flavor of the character: Buffing a group of minions with one move and then lead them into battle.

lv 11-15 (sweet spot)
The next step in becoming the supreme undead leader is to become an undead. And there is only one kind of undead suitted to be a leader: a lich. In order to become a lich we need to craft a phylatrecy wich requires a cl11 and the craft wonderous items feat. We will reach these goals by lv 14 after taking our first lvs in the abjurant champion class. This class will help us to continue improving our spellcasting abilities without neglecting bab. The bonuses works well with the War weather allowing us to cast better Improved Mage Armors on our minions. Becoming a lich will allow us to add an additionnal person to the Tapestry and to benefit from the Fell Energy Spell. At this point unless we were allowed to use the good lich[This is fine for purposes of the challenge] variant we will probably loose the paladin powers(turning the two paladin lvs into Ex-Paladin). At lv 15 we will take the Metamagic Scholl focus to allow us to store a Fell Energy Draconic Might in the Tapestry. This is the point were the build can realize it main trik: cast a bunch of buffs and tenser’s or nightstalker’s transformation in one round and then jump into the action.

lv 16-18
The next lvs focus on improving our casting abilities and getting some more triks to give the feel of an arcane fighter. By lv 18 we reach cl15 wich is just enough to cast 8th lv spells (Bite of the weretiger become avaible giving huge stat bonuses and claw attacks that can get some bonus damage thanks to the lichs touch attack).

Sources:
Player’s Handbook (Paladin Wizard, Combat Casting, Spell Focus, Power Attack, Improved Initiative, Extend Spell, Craft Wonderous Item)
Monster Manual(Lich Template)
Complete Warrior (Spellsword, Arcane Strike)
Complete Mage (Abjurant Champion, Metamagic School Focus)
Heroes of battle (War Weaver, profession(siege engineer))
Champions of valor(web) (High One Warrior-Wizard substitution lvs)
Dragon Compedium(Fell energy spell p98, Ability Enhancer p91)
Unearthed Arcana (variant wizard p59)

-----------------------------------------------------------

Challenge Requirements
3rd Level Spells[Check], Medium Armor Casting[Check], Undead[Check]

Secondary Challenges
Not Druid/Cleric[Check], Mix Magic & Swordplay[Check]

Judges
Vknight; Power(4.3), Elegance(4.25), Flavor(4.5)
Guigarci; Power(3.9), Elegance(4.5), Flavor(4.3)
Vaz; Power(), Elegance(), Flavor()
Zombulian; Power(), Elegance(), Flavor()
Kulosle; Power(4), Elegance(3), Flavor(4.6)

Average; Power(), Elegance(), Flavor()

[Vknight]

King Desmond Blackwing
Curst Human Dread Necromancer 8/Crusader 1/Jade Phoenix Mage 10
"His majesty shall rise from every ash."

http://fc01.deviantart.net/fs13/i/2007/026/8/3/Skeletal_Phoenix_by_Panicaddict665.jpg
The Tale
No parent wants their child to fall ill, much less royalty. So when King Duncan and Queen Adalia learned their son, rightful heir to the Blackwing line, had fallen ill with a horrible disease, they enlisted the services of the best magicians, most devout clerics, and most studied doctors in the land. One, an old man well beyond his years, had rasped a word of prophecy to them: "His majesty shall rise from every ash." Taking it as a sign of hope, the King and Queen sent their son to the elderly man for healing. But the boy who returned was not quite Desmond.

The young prince never smiled, instead taking to his room which he christened his "labratory." He was convinced that he had received no healing, but instead been cursed with life. His many experiments were brutal and traumatizing to his parents and subjects alike. But still, he had the right of kings. Duncan, afraid that Desmond would be too weak and soft-willed to rule, forced him to enlist in the military along with the common infantry and noble knights.

They hoped Desmond would take to war, but were unprepared with the gusto with which he threw himself into the fray. His reckless abandon inspired fear in his allies and foes alike; he was soon commanding legions with shouted commands and threats of violence. No battle was too daunting, no odds too overwhelming for the young man who had become convinced he could not die.

So advanced was Desmond's hubris that he hatched a plan to usurp the throne from his father--an older man, but still fit and sound of mind. It was a bloodbath, and after that fateful day none questioned if Desmond had what it took to rule with an iron fist.

As soon as he took the crown, he also began to construct his army. Desmond's troops were neither the fit nor the willing; instead, he chose soldiers from the sickly. Strangely, the same disease that had almost claimed him as a boy had started spreading like a plague throughout the land. Each time someone was about to be claimed by the disease, they were whisked to the castle and emerged a few days later, strangely quiet and blanched. They fought with great zeal at Desmond's side, and soon he had developed a military to be feared.

The subjects of the Blackwing Kingdom were once a happy folk, but that was many centuries ago. For thousands of years now, they have lived in fear...waiting for the disease to mark them as the next soldiers in King Desmond's forever-marching army. His kingdom continues unabated and will continue for millenia still, burning brightly but providing no warmth.
The Build:
{table=head]Level|Class|Base Attack Bonus|Fort Save|Ref Save|Will Save|Skills|Feats|Class Features
1|Curst LA|||||||Undead (augmented humanoid), d12 HDs, +3 Natural Armor, Slam Attack (1d4), Fast Healing 1, Immune to Cold/Fire, SR 12+CL, Turning Immunity, Unkillable (can only be killed by totally destroying the body via disintegrate, undeath to death, etc. or remove curse)
2|Dread Necro 1|+0|+0|+0|+2|Concentration 4, Intimidate 4, Knowledge (arcana) 2, Knowledge (religion) 2|Dreadful Wrath, Mother Cyst|Charnel Touch, Rebuke Undead
3|Dread Necro 2|+1|+0|+0|+3|Concentration 5, Intimidate 5, Knowledge (arcana) 3, Knowledge (religion) 2||Lich Body DR 2
4|Dread Necro 3|+1|+1|+1|+3|Concentration 6, Intimidate 6, Knowledge (arcana) 3, Knowledge (religion) 3|Battle Caster|Negative Energy Burst 1/day
5|Dread Necro 4|+2|+1|+1|+4|Concentration 7, Intimidate 7, Knowledge (arcana) 4, Knowledge (religion) 3||Advanced Learning (Kelgore's Grave Mist), Mental Bastion +2
6|Dread Necro 5|+2|+1|+1|+4|Concentration 8, Intimidate 8, Knowledge (arcana) 4, Knowledge (religion) 4||Fear Aura
7|Dread Necro 6|+3|+2|+2|+5|Concentration 9, Intimidate 9, Knowledge (arcana) 5, Knowledge (religion) 4|Arcane Strike|Scabrous Touch 1/day
8|Dread Necro 7|+3|+2|+2|+5|Concentration 10, Intimidate 10, Knowledge (arcana) 5, Knowledge (religion) 5||Lich Body DR 4, Summon Familiar
9|Crusader 1|+4|+4|+2|+5|Concentration 11, Intimidate 11, Knowledge (arcana) 5, Knowledge (religion) 5, Spellcraft 0.5, Never Outnumbered||Furious Counterstrike, Steely Resolve 5
10|JPM 1|+5|+6|+2|+5|Concentration 12, Intimidate 12, Knowledge (arcana) 5, Knowledge (religion) 5, Spellcraft 1, Never Outnumbered|Stone Power|Arcane Wrath, Rite of Waking
11|JPM 2|+6|+7|+2|+5|Concentration 13, Intimidate 13, Knowledge (arcana) 5, Knowledge (religion) 5, Spellcraft 1.5, Never Outnumbered||Mystic Phoenix Stance
12|JPM 3|+7|+7|+3|+6|Concentration 14, Intimidate 14, Knowledge (arcana) 5, Knowledge (religion) 5, Spellcraft 2, Never Outnumbered||
13|JPM 4|+8|+8|+3|+6|Concentration 15, Intimidate 15, Knowledge (arcana) 5, Knowledge (religion) 5, Spellcraft 2.5, Never Outnumbered|Divine Might|Empowering Strike
14|JPM 5|+9|+8|+3|+6|Concentration 16, Intimidate 16, Knowledge (arcana) 5, Knowledge (religion) 5, Spellcraft 3, Never Outnumbered||
15|JPM 6|+10|+9|+4|+7|Concentration 17, Intimidate 17, Knowledge (arcana) 5, Knowledge (religion) 5, Spellcraft 3.5, Never Outnumbered||Firebird Stance, Jade Phoenix Master
16|JPM 7|+11|+9|+4|+7|Concentration 18, Intimidate 18, Knowledge (arcana) 5, Knowledge (religion) 5, Spellcraft 4, Never Outnumbered|Versatile Spellcaster|
17|JPM 8|+12|+10|+4|+7|Concentration 19, Intimidate 19, Knowledge (arcana) 5, Knowledge (religion) 5, Spellcraft 4.5, Never Outnumbered||Quickening Strike
18|JPM 9|+13|+10|+5|+8|Concentration 20, Intimidate 20, Knowledge (arcana) 5, Knowledge (religion) 5, Spellcraft 5, Never Outnumbered||
19|JPM 10|+14|+11|+5|+8|Concentration 21, Intimidate 21, Knowledge (arcana) 5, Knowledge (religion) 5, Spellcraft 5.5, Never Outnumbered|Practiced Spellcaster|Emerald Immolation
20|Dread Necro 8|+15|+11|+5|+9|Concentration 22, Intimidate 22, Knowledge (arcana) 5, Knowledge (religion) 5, Spellcraft 6, Never Outnumbered||Advanced Learning, Negative Energy Burst 2/day, Undead Mastery[/table]

{table=head]Attribute|Base|Points|Curst|Total
STR|14|6|2|16
DEX|10|2|0|10
CON|8|0|--|--
INT|14|6|-4|10
WIS|10|2|-6|4
CHA|18|16|-2|16[/table]

Dread Necromancer Spells per Day
{table=head]Level|1st level|2nd level|3rd level|4th level|5th level|6th level|7th level|8th level|9th level
1|||||||||
2|3||||||||
3|4||||||||
4|5||||||||
5|6|3|||||||
6|6|4|||||||
7|6|5|3||||||
8|6|6|4||||||
9|6|6|4||||||
10|6|6|4||||||
11|6|6|5|3|||||
12|6|6|6|4|||||
13|6|6|6|5|3||||
14|6|6|6|6|4||||
15|6|6|6|6|4||||
16|6|6|6|6|5|3|||
17|6|6|6|6|6|4|||
18|6|6|6|6|6|5|3||
19|6|6|6|6|6|6|4||
20|6|6|6|6|6|6|5|3|[/table]

Maneuvers Known
{table=head]Level|IL|Maneuvers & Stances Known
1|0|
2|0|
3|1|
4|1|
5|2|
6|2|
7|3|
8|3.5|
9|4.5|Mountain Hammer, Crusader's Strike, Vanguard Strike, Charging Minotaur, Douse the Flames, Martial Spirit
10|5.5|Burning Blade
11|6.5|
12|7.5|Searing Charge
13|8.5|
14|9.5|Thicket of Blades, Leaping Flame
15|10.5|
16|11.5|Desert Tempest
17|12.5|
18|13.5|Castigating Strike
19|14.5|
20|15.5|[/TABLE]
The Cake:

Casting at least 3rd-level spells: We actually have 8th level spells from Dread Necromancer, with a side of 6th-level maneuvers. We can actually initiate 7th-level maneuvers, but don't learn any at Jade Phoenix Mage's 10th level.
Casting in medium armor or better: Dread Necromancers can cast in light armor, and Battle Caster allows us to up that to medium. We don't really mind if folks actually hit us though, since we're a Bucket of HP in command of an army of Buckets of HP.
Being Undead: The Curst template does that quite nicely, thanks.
Not being a cleric or druid: How about something that both of them revile?
Using some type of weapon: Dread Necromancer grants proficiency in a martial weapon, as does Crusader. Pick your favorite, but I always love me some greatsword.
Mixing magic and swordplay: Not only do we mix them, but we combine them together to strengthen both. Our spell slots can be used to supercharge our attacks, and when we hit with martial strikes we can empower or quicken spells for free. Nothing quite like tossing out Empowered Quickened Enervations while stabbing people to death, is there?
The Icing:

The Fear of the People: between Dreadful Wrath, Fear Aura, Intimidate maxed out, and Never Outnumbered, Desmond is stacking on the fear to make folks flee. Whenever he draws near, they're shaken. Casting a spell, charging, or full attacking activates Dreadful Wrath. If that doesn't work, in the next round he can still intimidate those who think themselves courageous. When they flee, Desmond strikes with an AoO. If a shaken foe thinks they can 5-foot step away, Thicket of Blades tells them they've got another thing coming. There's no escape. Granted, we could have added Imperious Command (and still can if flaws are allowed), but we don't want our subjects to cower...we want them to run.
I've Got Blisters on Me Fingers!: Mother Cyst adds a few flavorful additions to our spell list, including the ability to dominate creatures with ease before a wizard can. The real star of the show, though, is Necrotic Empowerment. It not only buffs up our poorest abilities (which helps our Will saves for things like Undeath to Death if they can actually overcome our SR), but it also provides us with 100 temporary HP. Assuming any enemy can get through those, we can keep using Stone Power (which we can activate alongside Dreadful Wrath) to regain plenty of temporary HP. More on that later.
Bring the Pain: Arcane Strike is pretty standard for gishes, but we want more icing on our damage cake. Divine Might gives us a use for our turn attempts to add CHA to our damage (easily boostable with items), and the Jade Phoenix Mage's Arcane Wrath lets us start off our impressive barrage with one big bang. The good news is that Dread Necromancers have plenty of spell slots to burn, so we can use one as a free action for Arcane Strike, one as a swift action for Arcane Wrath, and a turn attempt as a free action for Divine Might all in the same round...for when you get bored casting 8th-level Dread Necromancer spells. We also have a slew of maneuvers that allow us to drop some serious hurt, and all three of our damage boosters work with them, too.
Can't Touch This: So, we can get 100 temporary HP. But they run out eventually, right? Well, we still have Stone Power to grant more temporary HP while attacking and Dreadful Wrathing. If that's not enough, we've got d12 HDs, fast healing 1 from being Curst alongside DR 4 from Dread Necromancer and 5 points of delayed damage from Crusader. Out of combat, we can use the Dread necromancer's negative energy touch and burst to heal ourselves and undead minions/allies back to full. Assuming that an enemy can chip through all of that, and we soak up enough in our delayed damage pool that we're about to go...hello Emerald Immolation! We go out in a blaze of glory that will probably wipe out the enemy that's still standing in our war of attrition, and we come back all topped off. Did I mention we have minions that can use similar tricks?
Say Hello to my Little Friend: the great thing about the Curst template is that an evil spellcaster [present!] can create them by casting Bestow Curse on a dying subject, followed by create undead or greater create undead. Conveniently, all three spells happen to be on our list, and we've got enough slots to spam it away. So go ahead and create an army of unstoppable killing machines, because why not? Command Undead can be spammed at them, and Practiced Spellcaster along with the CL boost from Jade Phoenix Mage's Mystic Phoenix Stance will allow you to get around their pesky SR. Enjoy your unkillable, unturnable, loyal servants. Even if you need to go bye-bye via Emerald Immolation, the big belch of fire damage you do on your way out won't harm your Curst minions, because they're also immune to fire and cold. Leave them behind to finish the job.
Ask Your DM: If you can create a Curst using Bestow Curse and create undead (or greater create undead), what can you do with GREATER Bestow Curse? We can pick this up at level 20 via advanced learning, and ideally we can use this to make a Greater Curst--I'm picturing an undead with all the attributes of a Curst, but they can only be killed by a Miracle. It's pretty strong, but it had better be.

The Recipe:

Lost Empires of Faerun (Curst template)
Heroes of Horror (Dread Necromancer)
Tome of Battle (Crusader, Stone Power, Jade Phoenix Mage, maneuvers)
Libris Mortis (Mother Cyst)
Player's Guide to Faerun (Dreadful Wrath)
Complete Scoundrel (Never Outnumbered)
Complete Arcane (Battle Caster, Practiced Spellcaster)
Complete Warrior (Arcane Strike, Divine Might)
Races of the Dragon: Versatile Spellcaster

Challenge Requirements
3rd Level Spells[Check], Medium Armor Casting[Check], Undead[Check]

Secondary Challenges
Not Druid/Cleric[Check], Mix Magic & Swordplay[Check]

Judges
Vknight; Power(4.75), Elegance(4.25), Flavor(4.5)
Guigarci; Power(4.3), Elegance(5), Flavor(4.2)
Vaz; Power(), Elegance(), Flavor()
Zombulian; Power(), Elegance(), Flavor()
Kulosle; Power(4.4), Elegance(4.6), Flavor(4)

Average; Power(), Elegance(), Flavor()

Anyone got a download link for Lost Empires of Faerun?

[Vknight]

Aerestaer the Wind of Death
LE Dracolich Venerable Wyrm of War Dragonwrought Kobold Duskblade 13/Blackguard 3/Crusader 2
Ability Scores
Point Buy:
Str 17, Dex 11, Con 8, Int 15, Wis 8, Cha 15
Adjustments for Venerable Dragonwrought Kobold
Str 13, Dex 13, Con 6, Int 18, Wis 11, Cha 18
Adjustments for Dracolich Template
Str 13, Dex 13, Con - , Int 18, Wis 11, Cha 20
All stat increases from levels go to strength.
Freeze Them All…
Every lizardfolk knows of the horror that was the Great Cold Night. Armies of the Dead marched in to our desert from the north, bringing sickness and destruction in their wake. Our people died in numbers beyond counting to the nameless, shambling legions, but worse still were the captains, possessed of cruel, cunning minds and powers beyond those of mortals. Of these dread abominations, none is regarded with greater horror than Aerestaer, the Wind of Death. The skeletal kobold who singlehandedly destroyed entire armies, dragging the corpses of our brethren off of the battlefield to serve his vile purposes.

I am the only one yet living who has gazed upon Aerestaer’s visage, and it was I who at long last brought him down. Even after the host he marched with had been destroyed, he fought on. Many fell rigid from his gaze alone, and those who endured the sight fared little better. I saw many of my brothers struck down by the horrible chain that the monster carried, and which lashed out all around him like a howling wind, carrying fell magic and the touch of undeath with it. Those it touched were first frozen stiff then torn to pieces unable to protect themselves. It seemed that the desert’s night had fallen on us all, but we fought on. Finally, in the end, we prevailed. With my hammer, his terror was finally ended. I smashed every bone in his skeletal body to dust. I’ll never forget the twisted grin on his horrible face or the gleam of light in his dead eyes, even as I caved his skull in.

To the very last, he kept hissing the same words in draconic: “Freeze them all. Freeze them all.” Even when nothing remained of him the wind still seemed to whisper those words in his horrible cold voice.

The Build
{table=head]ECL|Class|Base Attack Bonus|Fort Save|Ref Save|Will Save|Skills|Feats|Class Features

1st|Duskblade 1|
+1|
+2|
+0|
+2|Concentration 4, Spellcraft 4, Knowledge(Religion) 4, Craft (Trapmaking) 4 , Craft (Poisonmaking) 4, Hide 2 (cross class) |Dragonwrought|Arcane Attunement, Armored Mage (Light), Wyrm of War Sovereign Archetype (Fighter Bonus Feat every 4 HD)

3rd|Dracolich LA|
+1|
+2|
+0|
+2| Concentration 4, Spellcraft 4, Knowledge(Religion) 4, Craft (Trapmaking) 4 , Craft (Poisonmaking) 4, Hide 2 (cross class)|-|+2 Natural Armor, +1d6 Cold Damage on each hit, Control Undead 1/3 days, Paralyzing Gaze, Paralyzing Touch, DR 5/Bludgeoning, Immunities, Invulnerability, SR 16, Undead Type, +2 Cha

4th|Duskblade 2|
+2|
+3|
+0|
+3| Concentration 5, Spellcraft 5, Knowledge(Religion) 5, Craft (Trapmaking) 5 , Craft (Poisonmaking) 5, Hide 2 ½ (cross class)|Combat Casting (Bonus)|-

5th|Duskblade 3|
+3|
+3|
+1|
+3| Concentration 6, Spellcraft 6, Knowledge(Religion) 5, Craft (Trapmaking) 6 , Craft (Poisonmaking) 6, Hide 3 (cross class), Diplomacy ½ (cross class) |Exotic Weapon Proficiency (Spiked Chain)|Arcane Channeling

6th|Duskblade 4|
+4|
+4|
+1|
+4| Concentration 7, Spellcraft 7, Knowledge(Religion) 5, Craft (Trapmaking) 7 , Craft (Poisonmaking) 7, Hide 3 ½ (cross class), Diplomacy 1 (cross class) |Power Attack (Wyrm of War Bonus Feat)|Armored Mage (Medium)

7th|Duskblade 5|
+5|
+4|
+1|
+4| Concentration 8, Spellcraft 8, Knowledge(Religion) 5, Craft (Trapmaking) 8 , Craft (Poisonmaking) 8, Hide 4 (cross class), Diplomacy 1½ (cross class) |-|Quick Cast 1/day

8th|Duskblade 6|
+6/+1|
+5|
+2|
+5| Concentration 9, Spellcraft 9, Knowledge(Religion) 5, Craft (Trapmaking) 9 , Craft (Poisonmaking) 9, Hide 4 ½ (cross class), Diplomacy 2(cross class) |Cleave|Spell Power +2

9th| Duskblade 7|
+7/+2|
+5|
+2|
+5| Concentration 10, Spellcraft 10, Knowledge(Religion) 5, Craft (Trapmaking) 10 , Craft (Poisonmaking) 10, Hide 5 (cross class), Diplomacy 2½ (cross class) |-|Armored Mage (Heavy Shield)

10th| Duskblade 8|
+8/+3|
+6|
+2|
+6| Concentration 11, Spellcraft 11, Knowledge(Religion) 11, Craft (Trapmaking) 11 , Craft (Poisonmaking) 11, Hide 5, Knowledge (Arcana) 1, Diplomacy 3 (cross class) |Combat Expertise (Wyrm of War Bonus Feat)|-

11th| Duskblade 9|
+9/+4|
+6|
+3|
+6| Concentration 12, Spellcraft 12, Knowledge(Religion) 5, Craft (Trapmaking) 12 , Craft (Poisonmaking) 12, Hide 5, Diplomacy 3½ (cross class) , Knowledge (Arcana) 2,|Dodge|-

12th| Duskblade 10|
+10/+5|
+7|
+3|
+7| Concentration 13, Spellcraft 13, Knowledge(Religion) 5, Craft (Trapmaking) 13 , Craft (Poisonmaking) 13, Hide 5, Diplomacy 4 (cross class) Knowledge (Arcana) 3|-|Quick Cast 2/day

13th| Duskblade 11|
+11/+6/+1|
+7|
+3|
+7| Concentration 14, Spellcraft 14, Knowledge(Religion) 5, Craft (Trapmaking) 14 , Craft (Poisonmaking) 14, Hide 5, Diplomacy 4½ (cross class), Knowledge (Arcana) 4|-|Spell Power +3

14th| Duskblade 12|
+12/+7/+2|
+8|
+4|
+8| Concentration 15, Spellcraft 15, Knowledge(Religion) 5, Craft (Trapmaking) 15 , Craft (Poisonmaking) 15, Hide 5, Diplomacy 5 (cross class), Knowledge(Arcana) 5|Mobility, Improved Sunder (Wyrm of War Bonus Feat)|-

15th| Duskblade 13|
+13/+8/+3|
+8|
+4|
+8| Concentration 16, Spellcraft 16, Knowledge(Religion) 6, Craft (Trapmaking) 16 , Craft (Poisonmaking) 16, Hide 5, Diplomacy 6, Knowledge(Arcana) 5|-|Arcane Channeling (Full Attack)

16th|Blackguard 1|
+14/+9/+4|
+10|
+4|
+8| Concentration 17, Spellcraft 17 (cross class), Knowledge(Religion) 6, Craft (Trapmaking) 17 , Craft (Poisonmaking) 17, Hide 5, Diplomacy 7, Knowledge(Arcana) 5|-|Aura of Evil, Detect Good, Poison Use

17th| Blackguard 2|
+15/+10/+5|
+11|
+4|
+8| Concentration 18, Spellcraft 18 (cross class), Knowledge(Religion) 6, Craft (Trapmaking) 18 , Craft (Poisonmaking) 18, Hide 5, Diplomacy 8, Knowledge(Arcana) 5|Spring Attack|Dark Blessing, Smite Good 1/day

18th| Blackguard 3|
+16/+11/+6/+1|
+12|
+5|
+9| Concentration 19, Spellcraft 19 (cross class), Knowledge(Religion) 6, Craft (Trapmaking) 19, Craft (Poisonmaking) 19, Hide 5, Diplomacy 9, Knowledge(Arcana) 5|Whirlwind Attack (Wyrm of War Bonus Feat)|Command Undead, Aura of Despair

19th| Crusader 1|
+17/+12/+7/+2|
+14|
+5|
+9| Concentration 20, Spellcraft 20 (cross class), Knowledge(Religion) 6, Craft (Trapmaking) 20 , Craft (Poisonmaking) 20, Hide 5, Diplomacy 12, Knowledge(Arcana) 5, Knowledge(Nobility and Royalty)|-|Furious Counterstrike, Steely Resolve 5

20th| Crusader 2|
+18/+13/+8/+3|
+15|
+5|
+9| Concentration 21, Spellcraft 21 (cross class), Knowledge(Religion) 6, Craft (Trapmaking) 21 , Craft (Poisonmaking) 21, Hide 5, Diplomacy 15, Knowledge(Arcana) 5, Knowledge(Nobility and Royalty) 5|Divine Might| Indomitable Soul[/table]
Spells and Maneuvers
Duskblade Spells per day/Spells Known
{table=head]ECL|0lvl|1st|2nd|3rd|4th
1st|3/6|2+1/2|-|-| -

3rd|4/6|3+1/3|-|-| -

4th|5/6|4+1/4|-|-| -

5th|6/6|5+1/5|-|-| -

6th|6/6|5+1/5|-|-| -

7th|6/6|6+1/5|2+1/1|-| -

8th|6/6|6+1/5|3+1/2|-| -

9th|6/6|6+1/5|5+1/3|-| -

10th|6/6|7+1/5|6+1/4|-| -

11th|6/6|7+1/5|6+1/4|2+1/1| -

12th|6/6|8+1/5|7+1/4|3+1/2| -

13th|6/6|8+1/5|7+1/4|5+1/3| -

14th|6/6|8+1/5|8+1/4|6+1/4| -

15th|6/6|9+1/5|8+1/4|6+1/4| 2+1/1
[/table]
Spells Known:
Level 0: Acid Splash, Disrupt Undead, Ray of Frost, Touch of Fatigue
Level 1: Shocking Grasp, Chill Touch, Ray of Enfeeblement, True Strike, Blade of Blood
Level 2: Ghoul Touch, Bull’s Strength, Dimension Hop, Melf’s Acid Arrow
Level 3: Vampiric Touch, Dispelling Touch, Greater Magic Weapon, Crown of Might
Level 4: Dimension Door

Aerestaer only gets one first level Blackguard spell, starting at ECL 17. He typically prepares Corrupt Weapon.

Crusader Maneuvers
{table=head]ECL|Maneuvers Known|Maneuvers Readied|Stances Known

19th|Vanguard Strike, Douse The Flames, White Raven Tactics, Defensive Rebuke, Covering Strike|5 (2)| Iron Guard’s Glare

20th|-|5 (2)| Thicket of Blades[/table]

Level Snapshots
ECL 6: The Dracolich template is picked up as early as possible to get rid of your abysmal Con, and because it is integral to Aerestaer’s trick. The Dracolich’s gives you deals 1d6 extra cold damage and a save or lose paralysis effect on all physical attacks. Not natural, physical, that means with weapons too. At ECL 5 we’ve picked up EWP (Spiked Chain) and Arcane Channeling as well, which means that the skeleton (pun very much intended) of the build is already set up. Hit your enemy with your chain and make them eat an attack, a touch spell, and your paralyzing touch all at once. Being undead, you can coat the weapon in poison (which you can make yourself with your Craft(poisonmaking) ranks) without fear as well, giving them an additional save to roll. You have Craft(trapsmithing) and a +2 racial bonus, which allows you to set traps (which you can also apply poison to) to protect your phylactery.
From there, ECL 6 tacks on the ability to cast in Medium Armor that the challenge wants so badly along with Power Attack for a boost to damage.
Note on taking the Dracolich template as a Dragonwrought Kobold: While taking the Wyrm of War archetype is dependent on the true dragon argument, Dracolich only requires that you be an evil dragon, so a Kobold can definitely take it. The issue for Kobolds becoming Dracoliches is as follows.

A spirit contained in a phylactery can sense any reptilian or dragon corpse of Medium or larger size within 90 feet and attempt to possess it. Under no circumstances can the spirit possess a living body. The spirit's original body is an ideal vessel, and any attempt to possess it is automatically successful. To possess a suitable corpse other than its own, a dracolich must make a successful Charisma check (DC 10 for a true dragon, DC 15 for any other creature of the dragon type, or DC 20 for any other kind of reptilian creature, such as a giant snake or lizardfolk). If the check fails, the dracolich can never possess that particular corpse.
A Kobold Dracolich cannot possess its own corpse by RAW because said corpse is small. Thus, you need to find yourself corpses to try to possess when acquiring the template. That means massacring some lizardfolk or going grave robbing, but you are evil after all, and even with how frail you are at first level, it should be a manageable task acquiring enough corpses to make the chance that you won’t be able to possess any of them negligible. Once you possess a corpse other than your own it assumes your original form over the course of 2d4 days, during which you can’t talk or use spells.

ECL 15: More Duskblade stuff happens, Wyrm of War helps us pump out the feats we need. There’s nothing terribly surprising in the levels between 6 and 15. Aerestaer just gets better at the stuff he was already doing. At ECL 15 he gets full attack channeling, which means his trick starts to really get crazy.

ECL 18 (Sweet Spot): Three levels of Blackguard gets a 1/day Smite Good, Charisma to saves, and Aura of Despair weakens opponents’ saves against paralyzing touch, paralyzing gaze, and the touch spells that you’re handing out. More importantly though, Aerestaer’s finally got Spring Attack, which allows him to take advantage of having reach and keep an individual enemy at bay with AoO’s and such until they fail a save against paralyzing touch or are otherwise beaten down. Even better, he picks up Whirlwind Attack thanks to Wyrm of War, meaning he can hit every enemy within 10 feet as a full attack action, delivering his paralyzing touch and a touch spell to all of them.

ECL 20:A Crusader dip finishes things off. Aerestaer picks up Thicket of Blades to make his Spiked Chain/Paralysis shenanigans even more fearsome, some maneuvers, a second Cha modifier boost to his Will save (Indomitable Soul explicitly doesn’t stack with Divine Grace, but Dark Blessing is not Divine Grace), and the Divine Might feat, which allows him to add his Cha modifier to damage using his Rebuke attempts from Blackguard. He incurs multiclass penalties for the dip, but I think it’s worth it over more Duskblade or Blackguard.
WBL Wish List
Apart from obviously wanting the best Spiked Chain he can get his hands on and good medium armor, Aerestaer wants anything that can boost his Str, Cha, and Int. He also needs supplies for his crafting.
Source List
Dracolich Template: Monsters of Faerun
I like to look things up on Google instead of through book diving when possible and didn’t realize until it was too late that Dracolich was updated to 3.5 in Draconomicon, reducing the paralyzing touch to natural attacks only and hence ruining my trick. I’m submitting anyway with the 3.0 version, though I expect to be penalized heavily in elegance.
Dragonwrought: Races of the Dragon
Wyrm of War Sovereign Archetype: Dragons of Eberron
Duskblade: PHII
Crusader: Tome of Battle
Divine Might: Complete Warrior
Everything else should be in the SRD.

---------------------------------------------------

Challenge Requirements
3rd Level Spells[Check], Medium Armor Casting[Check], Undead[Check]

Secondary Challenges
Not Druid/Cleric[Check], Mix Magic & Swordplay[Check]

Judges
Vknight; Power(4), Elegance(3.25), Flavor(4.75)
Guigarci; Power(4.5), Elegance(4.9), Flavor(5)
Vaz; Power(), Elegance(), Flavor()
Zombulian; Power(), Elegance(), Flavor()
Kulosle; Power(3.2), Elegance(2.5), Flavor(4.4)

Average; Power(), Elegance(), Flavor()

And that is the last build judges?
After that those that would enter, what were you all planning away and thinking about?
And then as a community time to decide who had the most out there build!

How I Have Been Grading
Start at 3. Raise did you meet what was called for. Is it effective. and so on. At the end you get the final grades

[Gildedragon]

Some thoughts:
JPM doesn't quite work with undead fluffwise. The reincarnation-bound fluff of them (crunch, seeing the time limit to be resurrected as one) doesn't quite jive with undeath, and their signature ability actually made me a bit worried it'd resurrect the characters (it doesn't but I guess that speaks to how i see the fluff of it). Sadly it is the only initiator-wizard theurge so necessity wins this time, but I still don't quite like it.

The duskblade is just disappointing for a Lich. Lich evokes broad mastery of schools of magic, utter arcane power... the duskblade is too mediocre, magically speaking, to fulfill that vision for me.

Judging:
Guvikoth Kanon'ethni
Power: 4
This seems like a particularly combat heavy build. A front liner that can hit hard. Seems not to benefit at all from being undead, in all honesty.
Elegance: 4.5
Attacking with touch spells at range thing is golden; love it.
Flavor: 3
Its undead, so what? The idea of tossing enchantments through weapons is pretty cool; plus using maneuvers at a range is awesome.
Citing Sources: 4 Where is Kn. Tactics from?
Martial throw doesn't allow treating thrown weapons as melee. That is Thunderous Throw.
Is it spells per day or spells known?


Keldath, Warden of the Restless Dead
Power:4
A fairly versatile character with decent bab and spell repertoire.I would care to see more of the spells used, but its (potentially) pretty good. A very magic oriented build. It loses points for not having a sample spell loadout. As with casters, loadout is the key to their power
Elegance: 3.9
Its a dwarf to go for the rune caster PRC but the PRC is barely used and not really worked upon.
Flavor: 3.5
So its billed as a very dwarfy wardeny type. Not seeing it much. I do like the interaction of the classes' abilites; especially the idea that it is a reassembling undead guardian.



Lowe Miedaehl Power: 3
It's a bard. Its a bard that if for some reason not around people, goes hungry. Respectable social modifiers for what its worth. Not combat power per se but respectable. Cha to attack and damage is a saving grace to it

Elegance: 5
It sticks to the bard shtick and goes with it the whole way. Not much multiclassing, pretty lean and tight. It is elegant just ... well, see below

Flavor: 2.2
Being undead's kinda just a footnote with this guy. Sure its cute they can seduce and chomp on their target but... where is the follow up to that. What instrument does this fella play? Bonus for an unusual undead choice... but where's the meat here?

Citing Sources: 0.5
There is the dragon magazine reference for one of their feats


Avalon the Fallen General

Power: 3.9
BAB is a mite low, but your CL is okay. It would be nice to see which skills are had.
Elegance: 4.5
Its a focused build, with an interesting c. But it fails to make use of being a lich. As such it suffers in this category.
Flavor: 4.3
A Lich! I like it; though Archlich might have fit better. My first impression was higher than the final rating but there was some poor aftertaste. I find the disconect between backstory, concept and abilities a bit odd (runaway paladin, for one, feels like a fall by concientiously forsaking oaths; also unmotivated paladin is peculiar to me; furthermore runaway paladin + the notion of a "fallen general" makes the whole inspiring grounded leader intent a bit... implausible?).


King Desmond Blackwing

Power: 4.3
Less versatile but the minionmancy is worth a fair something. Your spell selection is tailored to benefit you.
Elegance: 5
Its straightforward. It emphasises marshalling army and leading a dreadful charge.
Flavor: 4.2
As mentioned above JPM doesn't quite work flavorwise with undead characters; especially ones so detached or causeless as Desmond. However Desmond feels very much evil overlord. A bit cuckoo in the head, but that works as a BBEG.


Aerestaer the Wind of Death


Power: 4.5
You're big, cold and mean. Pretty powerful punches, lotsa abilities and magic that's okay I guess. You got options
Elegance:4.9
Taking advantage of your undeath to boost your attacks is cool. Furthermore actually going into a true dragon's corpse. That's some Fiendish Dire Donkey stuff! Very few classes and straightforward, crusader complements blackguard. That doesn't stop the crusader and blackguard additions to feel superfluous. Probably because they're such a short dip at the very end: Crusader in particular
Flavor: 5
Dracolich, good story. Levels all work. I like it



Personal Build Ideas:

Archivist worshiping Atropus + Alternate Spell Source, or sticking to archivist as divine casting can be done in armor.
Possibly trying out Suel Lich or Walker in the Waste for Dry Lich.

[OMG PONIES]

Thanks for posting judging already, VKnight and Guidarci! A quick question for Guidarci: on all but two of your comments, there's nothing about source citation. I'm compiling average scores, and it makes it a little tricky. Should I assume absence of comments = 0, or is this something you're filling in later?

[Piggy Knowles]

My plan had been an Ex-Paladin 1/Blackguard 10/Horned Harbinger 7, with the standard lich template (reduced to +2 per contest rules).

The general idea would have been to use Blade of Pain and Fear + Death Devotion + Fell Drain to drain multiple levels and cause fear effects whenever he would whack enemies with his weapon. He'd have +16 BAB despite the level adjustment, able to animate dead from range without paying ANY material components, the ability to control 5*(7+Cha) undead (and being Cha-focused, that would have been a huge number), and even a component-free create undead once per day.

Thematically he would be a pretty standard trope: fallen paladin turned to death knight, riding into battle on his fiendish servant, wielding a dark blade powered by undeath, with a crown of bones (that also deals double damage on a charge, for Shock Trooper fun).

I was having a little trouble with feats (I wanted to be self-sufficient, but needed both Practiced Spellcaster and Craft Wondrous Item to perform the lich ritual myself, but those didn't really fit with everything else I wanted to do), and I didn't really have time to get a write-up together, so I decided not to enter.

[Kazyan]

Neat.

I was thinking of an Evolved Necropolitan Gold Dwarf Binder 1/Stalwart Sorcerer 4/Runsmith 3/Anima Mage 10/Runesmith +2. Use Vestige Metamagic to persist Divine Power (acquired through Arcane Disciple), Wraithstrike, and Glorious Master of the Elements, so that you can smash and blast all day. Magic Jar into a Gated-in Drowned for ludicrous HP, thanks to it Unholy Toughness, and use the Magic Jar as your "phylactery". Be superglued to Savnok to qualify for Runesmith, and at 18th level, Zceryll access or whatever.

[Deadline]

Some thoughts from the contestant angle for Vknight and the future of this competition.


You shouldn't bother to have a Sources category if it is 0 or 5. Just make it a requirement for valid builds and be done with it. It is otherwise pointless (assuming that the only valid scores are 0 or 5). Also, according to the very brief blurbs about the categories, you are double penalizing builds for not citing their sources (Elegance and Sources). Given that, the sources category could be eliminated entirely, since Elegance already covers it.
Vknight, your scoring seems capricious and arbitrary. Absent any feedback (which is what I find the most useful from the Iron Chef competition), there's nothing of benefit there (and at least for me, no reason to compete). At least guicari made an effort to explain his judgings (which was somewhat helpful, thanks guicari). Taking the time to explain why you scored each entry the way you did would be helpful to the chefs, helpful to you, and helpful to future judges and chefs. After all, a trophy in one of these competitions doesn't mean much if it seems like the judging is accomplished via magic 8-ball (I'm not saying it was, but if I can't agree with the way you scored any contestants, and you didn't include any reasoning, I'm left to simply guess at your criteria/process).
Absent any criteria, I cannot see how the judges came to their decisions on Power for any of the entries. Seriously, the scoring in that category seems wildly random, even within a single judges scores. I understand that such things will mature and come together as the contest grows, but take advantage of the groundwork laid by the other competitions and don't re-invent the wheel.


There are some great entries here folks, and I feel bad for doing as well as I did with my 10 minute tossed together entry (I did one thing quite intentionally, because I wanted to see how the judges handled it) - some of these look really well thought out. Good luck to the eventual winner!

[Macabaret]

I was having trouble with this because I've always played my undead characters as the-guy-behind-the-lines, hiding behind literal meat-shields and trying to rule the world from a bunker somewhere. It took awhile for me to shift thinking to a front-line undead.

Once I did, I was trying to squeeze together a Half-Ogre Psy-warrior with 5 levels in War Mind and the Illithid Extraction feat chain. Tack on the Mummified Creature template. Four tentacles dealing int damage (when fully grappled), str damage (through Strength of My Enemy), and causing Mummy Rot (for con and cha damage). And, as a War Mind, hitting multiple enemies with each smack. It seemed like it would be a spooky build, but I just didn't have the inspiration soon enough to leave me with the time to build it.

[WhamBamSam]

Some thoughts from the contestant angle for Vknight and the future of this competition.


You shouldn't bother to have a Sources category if it is 0 or 5. Just make it a requirement for valid builds and be done with it. It is otherwise pointless (assuming that the only valid scores are 0 or 5). Also, according to the very brief blurbs about the categories, you are double penalizing builds for not citing their sources (Elegance and Sources). Given that, the sources category could be eliminated entirely, since Elegance already covers it.
Vknight, your scoring seems capricious and arbitrary. Absent any feedback (which is what I find the most useful from the Iron Chef competition), there's nothing of benefit there (and at least for me, no reason to compete). At least guicari made an effort to explain his judgings (which was somewhat helpful, thanks guicari). Taking the time to explain why you scored each entry the way you did would be helpful to the chefs, helpful to you, and helpful to future judges and chefs. After all, a trophy in one of these competitions doesn't mean much if it seems like the judging is accomplished via magic 8-ball (I'm not saying it was, but if I can't agree with the way you scored any contestants, and you didn't include any reasoning, I'm left to simply guess at your criteria/process).
Absent any criteria, I cannot see how the judges came to their decisions on Power for any of the entries. Seriously, the scoring in that category seems wildly random, even within a single judges scores. I understand that such things will mature and come together as the contest grows, but take advantage of the groundwork laid by the other competitions and don't re-invent the wheel.


There are some great entries here folks, and I feel bad for doing as well as I did with my 10 minute tossed together entry (I did one thing quite intentionally, because I wanted to see how the judges handled it) - some of these look really well thought out. Good luck to the eventual winner!I'll second all of those recommendations. I'd be very interested to read over his thought process in more detail, especially as my build also wildly outperformed my expectations.

[Vknight]

I'll second all of those recommendations. I'd be very interested to read over his thought process in more detail, especially as my build also wildly outperformed my expectations.

Huh, it didn't post that I'd give my reasoning's today cause I was tired and needed to sleep.

Removing Site Sources from the points(Not going to go back and edit it out), but the next challenge won't include it, except that it would be beneficial to have sited sources so the judges may look at the work in question. I'll not count site sources towards the end results so other judges ignore it

As for Power
Guvikoth: He plays well fulfills his niche and can hurt enemies with his powerful throws. His magic boosts that further and his ability to have his weapon(whoever that may be), return lets him produce a powerful full attack.

Keldath: He is a interesting and pretty darn powerful with his magical arsenal. And feels similar to Guvikoth, rather then focusing upon the physical but the magical

Lowe: I feel is lacking in anything super powerful, outside of his social capabilities

Avalon: Fulfills the idea of a undead commander. He's strong effective, can boost his troops and can mix it in melee or magic at a effective level. He does not have amazing power magical or physical but is still a major threat in both fields.

Desmond: I see Desmond as everything Keldath is but better. I could go into all the details but that is the simplest way to describe it.

Aerestar: Is, along with powerful magic, a Dracolich a competent melee build and extremely hard to kill. He can mix that magic and melee into a spinning, swirling swinging chain of death. Dancing across the battlefield

----------------------------------

Elegance:
Penalized-To many 1 or 2 level dips
Bonus-5 or more levels in a class
Bonus-Completing a Class
Bonus-Finishing a Prestige Class
Penalized-The Undead Trait feeling added on
Penalize-Class that did not seem to fit the build or was added randomly into the progression of another class, especially a prestige class.

----------------------------------

Flavor
This one is simple. Good Story benefits, no Story you don't take negatives
Build Breakdown Benefits, no High Point for the build less benefits.
No Build Breakdown penalties

Actually sorry. Desmond should have 4.25 on Flavor, let me go fix that

------------------------------------

Power I think will fluctuate a tad on these builds which can include things from the Duskblade too a Runesmith Wizard.
But I agree non-the-less it will probably even out over the next few challenges so bare with me please.
I also think on challenges with a more centralized idea then undead caster in armor will get better results on the power curve.
Such as a challenge focused on making a Half-Fiendish, Master Swordsman(Note to self don't make that next challenge like you had planned to)

I think Flavor will be a bit inconsistent but stay the same.

I think there should be some minor reward for citing sources any ideas. Also this is the first challenge I did not expect it to not be bumpy.

Thanks for all the feedback from everyone.

[Amidus Drexel]

Some rather interesting builds. Mine was going to be a lich Bard 6/Assassin 7/Sublime Chord 2/Arcane Trickster 3, taking lich off of assassin with practiced spellcaster. I hacked medium armor onto it with Battle Caster. *shrug*

[Gildedragon]

Interesting. I find that while Desmond has more power than Keldath, it is not nearly as big a discrepancy. Keldath's spell possibilities are far vaster.
With the right spell loadout Keldath's power can be 5 or close, with greater adaptability. Desmond on the other hand has a very limited repertoire of spells, but manages to make the best of them by focusing on minionmancy.

I discuss those two because their builds struck me as very similar in some ways

[Vknight]

I agree, with the right load-out Keldath shoots from 3.75 right up to 4.75-5 area.

In a straight what do we have here look though. Desmond is more reliable, harder to kill, and can with a reliable method create powerful spawn to serve him. And said spawn are extremely hard to hill, along with being immune to his death burst.

I see it this way.
Alone Keldath does his best. In a group they would be a hindarance
Alone Desmond does well and can replenish his ranks with a kill or two. In a group his minions actively make him better.

Frankly I debated along time between 3.75 and 4 for Keldath and still am debating on that.

[Deadline]

Removing Site Sources from the points(Not going to go back and edit it out), but the next challenge won't include it, except that it would be beneficial to have sited sources so the judges may look at the work in question. I'll not count site sources towards the end results so other judges ignore it

Don't get me wrong, I think that because it was listed, you should include it this time around. I'm simply saying that for future competitions, you should consider making it a requirement for valid builds, as the 0 or 5 nature of it means that is what it is anyway (anyone getting a 0 in it is knocked out of the running, so you might as well save your judges some time). Or, just eliminate it as a category entirely.

That said, you already include it as part of Elegance, so you already have a place to reward or penalize builds that cite their sources.

Seeing the reasoning behind why the judges scored the way they did is useful to the dispute process, and is, for most contestants, the only reward they get for participating. It allows judges to avoid appearing arbitrary, and it allows chefs to improve for future competitions.

Basically, the judgings in the Iron Chef competition are wonderful to read because they show that the judge spent at least as much time on the judgings as a contest would spend cooking. You'll see a few disputes crop up because of misunderstandings, but for the most part it's very smooth. With these judgings, while there are justifications, they are very sparse, and I find myself wanting to initiate disputes on behalf of other dishes.

Before anyone gets the wrong idea, I'm grateful that we've had at least two judgings, and want to give the judges credit, because as I recently found out in the latest Iron Chef round, it is very hard. My comments here are strictly in an effort to see to it that Scrap Iron Chef grows into something excellent. The early Iron Chef rounds had the same issues when it came to judging, which is what I was referring to with the "don't reinvent the wheel" comment.

My only real recommendation for future competitions would be to remove Tier 1 classes from the list of allowable ingredients in some way (perhaps just state that any use of Tier 1 classes results in an Elegance or Flavor penalty? I don't really have a good suggestion for this.). This isn't an issue in Iron Chef, because the focus is on an awful Prestige Class, but here, it will be problematic mainly because a Tier 1 caster can, with minimal preparation, do everything better than any more focused build (and if it wants to be lazy, it can just play GOD to make the party do all the work better than they would be able to otherwise. Tier 1s are just plain better, whether solo or in a group). For example, Keldath and Avalon can both cast 8th level Wizard spells and have great BAB. Any argument that either of those builds is less powerful than the others is ... odd. Desmond is another solid powerhouse, but the rather awful Dread Necromancer list is at least somewhat detrimental. That's just one example that I see.

At any rate, I'm not going to run any disputes past you this round, mainly because all I can really say in two of the categories is "Well, I disagree with your number, but without knowing how you got to it, I can't really tell you why." I entered this first round mainly because I wanted to see how scoring would shake out, and because I really didn't have time for a proper entry (honestly, if it turns out that I somehow wind up in the running for a trophy, I'd like to point out to the chairman that my build is invalid :smallwink: [and it's not the only one]).

[Kuulvheysoon]

Heh. I should have entered my Drow Judicator from ICOC into this for laughs. Necropolitan Lesser Drow that gets 4th level spells from Pious Templar.

Actually, I'm surprised/disappointed to see a lack of Ur-priest here.

[Gildedragon]

You're kidding deadline... Damn I hope you are. I thought I'd been pretty good in the reading through the entries and builds. Damnit! I'm gonna have to go through them all again.

[Vknight]

I did give how I graded. And I agree things should get better they start out a bit rocky even if people did copy Iron Chef. I think part of it will come from how

I may very well say. Max Elegance and Flavor is 3 if you use a Tier 1 Class, for all further competitions

Also I feel its not fair to say I don't like how a judge graded me. The judge spends time working out how he views each and every build. And I think it's up to each judge if they want to say how they graded each build.
Disputing a grade seems like bad sportsmanship.
But that is my personal take on the matter of judges and explaining why. Though I can understand why people would want it.

Deadline is refering to how Warblade only has medium armor
And Runesmith for some reason needs Heavy Armor Proficiency. This can be fixed with a flaw and/or different feat; or being a Crusader

I'm not sure about any other build.

[WhamBamSam]

Heh. I should have entered my Drow Judicator from ICOC into this for laughs. Necropolitan Lesser Drow that gets 4th level spells from Pious Templar.

Actually, I'm surprised/disappointed to see a lack of Ur-priest here.I considered an Ur Priest build, but ultimately realized that one of the challenge parameters was holding it back. Discussing it in too much detail would make it easy to guess which of the builds is mine, but I'll discuss it after all the chefs are revealed.

[Deadline]

I'm not picking on you Vknight, I'm trying to provide thoughts that may improve Scrap Iron Chef for future competitions. I see that you did post some explanations. They are very brief, but at least give some insight into why you scored the way you did.


Also I feel its not fair to say I don't like how a judge graded me. The judge spends time working out how he views each and every build. And I think it's up to each judge if they want to say how they graded each build.
Disputing a grade seems like bad sportsmanship.
But that is my personal take on the matter of judges and explaining why. Though I can understand why people would want it.

You ... don't have a dispute process? What happens when a judge scores someone low because the judge doesn't understand something or missed something? And for an example of how it works from a sportsmanship perspective, check out the Iron Chef or Zinc Saucier competitions. Basically, it's as far from bad sportsmanship as you could imagine. What you describe (just not liking the judges scores) isn't what the dispute process is about.

I will take a moment to say that in my opinion, any judge who refuses to admit they made a mistake, or listen to differing opinions, is unworthy of the title.


Deadline is refering to how Warblade only has medium armor
And Runesmith for some reason needs Heavy Armor Proficiency. This can be fixed with a flaw and/or different feat; or being a Crusader

Well, I was trying to keep my build anonymous until the reveal (isn't that a rule?), but ok. It also suffers the xp penalty for disparate levels in classes that aren't a favored class (Dwarf favored class is fighter - the build works fine with a single fighter level and a few different feats).

It seems like I've hurt your feelings Vknight, which wasn't my intent. If I'm mistaken and you are interested in feedback, I'd be happy to provide more via PM if you'd like.

Either way, I'll go ahead and bow out of this thread so that the builds with issues I spotted still have a shot.

Good luck chefs!

[Gildedragon]

I would disagree with tier 1s penalizing elegance that much and flavor at all.
For certain things a tier 1 has the best fluff and fit, and using anything else would work less than well.

Pelordangit! It does indeed not qualify. I've gotten too used to the Warblade = Fighter schtick I assumed the HAP. And it was a build I liked. Question though: why toss in an illegal build?
Seeing that I'd drop the elegance of it to 0...

[Vknight]

I know your not.
I am brief because how I think, I've found when I describe my thought process it only makes sense to me.

If the contestants & judges are ok with it then they can. As long as the dispute process is not used to because a person does not like a judges score.
My scores are not changing unless I think they have reason to be(I.E someone brings a good enough point).

If a judge is confused about a build they can say so.
Or if a contestant is worried the build may be confusing they can explain it.
Which would also help the process.

Yeah if you want you can PM me about things. Including the other builds.
You did not hurt me feelings.
Also I never said whose build the Warblade belonged too I simply pointed out that Warblade has medium armor and Runesmith needs Heavy. You did that yourself, Deadline as that could have been me pointing out someone else's build does not meet requirements and not yours(as you did mention not all builds worked, and I never said whose build it was).

Also on the note of XP Penalty for Disparate Class Levels. (1)Its an XP penalty you can still reach 20th. (2) Who plays with that rule. (3) Its a stupid rule which interferes with ideas so no point to include it

[Deadline]

Pelordangit! It does indeed not qualify. I've gotten too used to the Warblade = Fighter schtick I assumed the HAP. And it was a build I liked. Question though: why toss in an illegal build?
Seeing that I'd drop the elegance of it to 0...

Oh, I didn't purposefully toss in an illegal build. I purposefully didn't include my sources. I didn't have a lot of time for my entry, and was mostly curious how the scoring would work (and I didn't want to be responsible for shunting someone's hard worked entry with my half-baked entry). I didn't see the illegal build thing until after.


Also on the note of XP Penalty for Disparate Class Levels. (1)Its an XP penalty you can still reach 20th. (2) Who plays with that rule. (3) Its a stupid rule which interferes with ideas so no point to include it

You may want to point that out in your OP for future contests.

The bit about restricting Tier 1s is that mostly I'm worried you'll see nothing but Tier 1 submissions eventually, no matter what concept you put out there.

Anyway, we've taken this to PM for further discussion, so I'll cover anything else there.

Thanks again to my fellow chefs, and to Vknight and Guigarci for judging.

[kulosle]

hey sorry guys RL problems. I have some of my scores decided and written out already but i have to go to bed. I'll post all of them in the morning.

[Vknight]

I don't think the XP thing needs be said. Though I'll put it up next challenge.

I'm going to say use a Tier 1 take major penalties. So a max of 4 in Power/Elegance/Flavor is a good way of doing that. I don't want to say you can't use this. I want to say use this and suffer penalties in its usage.


Also anyone who plays with that XP rule you are bad people and should feel bad.
Also this is a challenge about building an idea, a concept; the charming gentleman stranger, the lone wanderer as such making the build feel like that is a part of the challenge.

[kulosle]

I had a particular vision for what i thought a gish lich should be and judge based off of that preconceived image. 9th level spells, 16 BAB, favors spell casting, etc.


Guvikoth Kanon'ethni
power 3
elegance 4.5
flavor 3.2
so your build is fairly powerful, but it doesn't get 9th level spells so obviously there is room for improvement

I really like how elegant the build is though. No shenanigans, no cheese just loads of good fluff.

I always thought the lich gish would always lean more towards spells than fighting. But you do have good flavor, just not what I wanted.

Keldath, Warden of the Restless Dead
Power 5
Elegance 2
Flavor 3
This build is very powerful. Everything i would expect from the build.

The build is kind of dicey. I feel like this is where i should mark you down for lack of sources, plus it flip flops between classes.

Nice but not very extensive. Needed more to be fully drawn in.


Lowe Miedaehl
power 3.5
elegance 4
flavor 2
so you have 8th level spells but not 16th bab so your close to the over all goal. Bardic music also goes a long way to help gish builds but still not optimal, specially because you have no way of mixing the sword play and magic

very nice and straight forward. I really like how elegant this is, just straight forward sensible progression. It would be higher but you didn't use the format when posting so I took a point out.

So you have know idea how much I wanted to give this a 5. You have no idea. I was going to enter a bard build but didn't have the time. And bards are my favorite class. But you are more sneaky than combaty. And you don't really feel like the warrior wizard that I want it to be. What flavor you do have is wonderful! But it doesn't meet the idea of the challenge very well.

Avalon the Fallen General
power 4
elegance 3
flavor 4.6
Lots of power but not the ideal 9th level spells and 16 BAB. Still a really strong build.

Your build doesn't flow well. Wizard levels are split up, a dip into spellsword, the build just looks a little chaotic. But you didn't do anything cheesy so your score didn't suffer too much.

I really like the feel of the character. The fallen paladin specifically feels like a great start to a gish lich.

King Desmond Blackwing
Power 4.4
Elegance 4.6
Flavor 4
8th level spells and 15 BAB is so close. But very powerful none the less. Although your spells are very limited.

Very nice straight forward build, one quick dip but you continue the crusader in a way any ways. No nonsense.

I like your flavor, but it wasn't anything that pulled me in.

Aerestaer the Wind of Death
power 3.2
elegance 2.5
flavor 4.4
You don't have strong spells, but you do have great martial abilities.

Eh, the whole being venerable thing isn't very elegant. And you have an odd blackgaurd and crusader dip

Very nice flavor. Thoroughly enjoyed it. Would have been higher if you had better spellcasting because I feel the lich gish would favor spell casting over martial abilities.

[Gildedragon]

What about Guvikoth?

[Vknight]

Umm Kulosle, your judging seems to have missed, Guvikoth Kanon'ethni
Just a heads up

Anyways thank-you all for the interest in the challenge. The critiques and feedback on things. If someone would like to help me edit up a new and better version of the OP post for the next challenge would be great.
I'm asking for help because I know that, well I can tell a good story, I can't write a good story.

And in other news people discussion of things and stuff.

[mattie_p]

Anyways thank-you all for the interest in the challenge. The critiques and feedback on things. If someone would like to help me edit up a new and better version of the OP post for the next challenge would be great.
I'm asking for help because I know that, well I can tell a good story, I can't write a good story.

And in other news people discussion of things and stuff.

I would suggest you check out the Iron Chef (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=291294) and Zinc Saucier (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=289233) Competitions for examples of versions of the OP. Also, someone a while back in ZS suggested a theme like the one you have started, I'll see if I can find it later for ideas for you.

[Vknight]

Thanks I have a few myself but the more ideas can always help.
And parts of the OP post are copied from Iron Chef(Not just the tables)

[Zombulian]

Guvikoth Kanon'ethni

Power: 4

Ranged Melee attacks with spells are mixing two very awesome damage types. Very frontliney, heavy hitter and such.

Elegance: 4

It seems to me that it could be a little smoother, but I like the way you kind of foreshadow the Bloodstorm Blade with the Rock Throwing early on. Makes it seem less like a plan an much more of an organic progression.

Flavor: 3

Yea... the flavor seems more like an explanation for all this than an actual backstory. He works just fine (maybe better) without being undead.


Keldath

Power: 4.5

Hit that magical 16 BAB for 4 attacks and 9th level spells? Very nice.

Elegance: 4

Mostly smooth waters along the build path, only thing that throws me off is the 5 levels of Wizard before Runesmith, looks like it may be a little hard to hit things around then. On top of that, flavor-wise with dwarves Runesmith seems great, but it doesn't seem to contribute much to the build.

Flavor: 3.75

Hot damn I love Dwarven stuff. The backstory is pretty cool, and I like the way the build looks... right up until JPM. Really, it's a great gish PrC, but what is it doing here?

Been super busy, I'll edit this post for the rest of the judging later today.

[kulosle]

Sorry about that I actually did get Guvikoth Kanon'ethni it was suppose to be the first one, i forgot Keldath, i got the names mixed up some how when i posted it. So i edited it to fix everything.

[kulosle]

Are all the judgings in? Who won?

[OMG PONIES]

Are all the judgings in? Who won?

Other Iron Chef contests list a deadline for judging 2 weeks after the deadline for cooking. I don't see such a deadline posted here, but don't know if one is implied.

[Vknight]

That will be included in the next OP
But judging will be from 1 to 2 weeks. So judging will end Tomorrow at Noon EST.
I'm not sure who the current winner is by what is put down.

And setting up the next challenge which will go up at 1pm EST that same day; along with a revised OP post and the new challenge and the winner's build.

Also most interesting/unique build votes from contestants, onlookers and judges?

[OMG PONIES]

The following scores are based on averages (total score/total number of categories judged) in order to account for the fact that Zombulian has only judged two entries. If judging is completed, we could go by totals as well.

Final(?) Tallies
{table=head]Entry|Place|Avg Score
Desmond Blackwing|Gold|4.44
Avalon|Silver|4.15
Aerestaer|Bronze|4.06
Guvikoth Kanon'ethni|Fourth|3.81
Keldath|Fifth|3.72
Loew Miedaehl|Sixth|3.38[/table]

[Vknight]

I'll leave it open to give him time as it could change who is Gold/Silver/Bronze

And also what was the most unexpected build?

The one who actually caught my eye was Avalon, 2 levels of Paladin for armor BAB etc. even if he could do a Good Lich which shows a certain commitment to a build. Also dropping ASF without abusing equipment or just grabbing the feat Battle Caster, which I expected everyone to have.

[Vknight]

So besides sleeping in. No new judging so doing averages
Ponies are correct

So the winner of the first Scrap-Iron Chef is!

Desmond Blackwing!

Silver Goes too
Avalon the Fallen General

and Bronze goes to
Aerestar the Wind of Death

Congratulations all of you that participated. I'll put up another post with a link too the next challenge

Builders you may reveal who made what now.

And give us some critiques for things to change. I've already gotten a few so time to do some edits.

[mattie_p]

Builders you may reveal who made what now.

And give us some critiques for things to change. I've already gotten a few so time to do some edits.

It is customary, I believe, for the chairman to reveal the competitors.

[Vknight]

Fair enough, oh and the new challenge is up

New Challenge
(http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=291847)

Deadline made Keldath
WhamBamSam made Aerestar the Wind of Death

And I can't find the messages the build were sent in so I can't find out who the others were cause I did not right it down.

Fairly Certain
Chaotic Stupid did Avalon the Fallen General
Why/How/Was it deleted I didn't do that!:smallsigh::smallfurious::smallannoyed::small sigh::smallmad:

[WhamBamSam]

I'm surprised that the elegance hits that Aerestaer took were for dips and for aging to venerable as opposed to the use of a 3.0 template and using true dragon cheese to get the Wyrm of War archetype.

One thing which I really liked about him but didn't play up much in the writeup was his maxed Craft(Trapsmithing) and the +2 racial bonus to protect his phylactery. If he fights in his own lair, he can also do a Whirlwind Attack channeled Dimension Hop to drop enemies into various traps, which is fun.

On the whole, I'm pretty happy with the build and with how it did. I was really disappointed when I saw that Dracolich was updated, but I'm still pretty pleased.

My other idea was also based around the same Dracolich template. I had planned to go Dracolich Venerable Wyrm of War Dragonwrought Kobold Bard 5/Ur Priest 2/Geomancer 10 (this was back when I thought we had to do true LA Buyoff, not really sure what I'd do with the extra level). Gets 9ths from Ur Priest along with DMM Persist fun. Geomancer lets me key all spell DCs off of Cha, boosts CL in the right environment, and grants pounce and a few extra natural attacks which all benefit from the Dracolich's paralyzing touch. Wyrm of War feats net the TWF and Multiattack lines so I force as many paralyzing touch saves as possible. Finally, I was hoping to work in some DFI stuff, so that all the attacks would be doing Fire and Cold damage. It could even cast everything without failure in heavy armor, as that's a casting parameter of Ur Priest which Geomancer would then extend to Bard spells.

Ultimately I dropped it because a) I realized it was better staying in light armor and picking up Snowflake Wardance, and b) it's more of a "charge into battle with magical buffs" than "mix magic and swordplay" kind of build, so I felt the Duskblade channeling was more in the spirit of what the challenge wanted.

I also briefly considered getting spellcasting in heavy armor by just using Practical Metamagic to bring Still Spells down to their regular level, but I realized that I'd lose the Dragonblood subtype and stop qualifying for Practical Metamagic if I became undead.

[Vknight]

It was a good build, its both clever and effective

[Kuulvheysoon]

Why/How/Was it deleted I didn't do that!:smallsigh::smallfurious::smallannoyed::small sigh::smallmad:

I feel your pain - I did the exact same thing the first time I chaired Iron Chef.

...Man, was that embarrassing.

[OMG PONIES]

And I can't find the messages the build were sent in so I can't find out who the others were cause I did not right it down.

King Desmond Blackstone was mine. I'll be joining in the new challenge, but I do feel that we could benefit from some additional organization in order for this to be a successful side competition.

[Bloodorian]

Glad I registred on this forum to submit my buil :)
Taking second place is a good start lets hope the next challenges will be as fun as this one.
Ps: I did Avalon not chaotic

[Vknight]

Glad I registred on this forum to submit my buil :)
Taking second place is a good start lets hope the next challenges will be as fun as this one.
Ps: I did Avalon not chaotic

Thankyou Bloodorian he did Avalon

And what would you suggest Ponies?

[OMG PONIES]

Thankyou Bloodorian he did Avalon

And what would you suggest Ponies?

I'll address by PM or in the new thread, since this round's over.

[Vknight]

I'll address by PM or in the new thread, since this round's over.

PM would be preferable to messages in the new thread