QuixTen
2013-11-08, 05:33 PM
I have altered the template fairly drastically, and made it into a full class. For posterity, I have preserved the original post here:
I'd like to get some feedback on a template I've been working on. Any feedback would be welcome. The idea is a character who has an in-born gift for magic like a sorcerer, but instead of just winging it, they take pains to study magic like a wizard does, and gains versatility as a result. I especially need ideas for drawbacks, because sorcerers are already crazy powerful even with their abysmal versatility.
Template: The Studious Sorcerer
Prerequisites:
Any non-Lawful
Any spontaneous casting class, bard excluded
A spellbook
Scribe Scroll
Description:
A Studious Sorcerer (or Favored Soul/Spirit Shaman/etc) is a spontaneous caster who supplements his natural magical prowess with inquisitive study. After taking this template, the caster no longer gains spells per level as he usually would. Instead, at each level, he chooses one spell of each level that he can cast, and makes an Intelligence (or Wisdom, if the base class casts Divine spells) check against a DC of 15 + the spell's level. If he succeeds, he learns the spell, and if not, he chooses another spell of that level and rolls again. If after 3 attempts, he has failed to learn a spell of that level, he learns no spells of that level until he next levels up. Carrying a scroll of the spell he is trying to learn, or having copied the spell into a spellbook that he carries with him adds a +4 circumstance bonus to this check, however, any other bonuses, such as bonuses from magic items, do not apply.
Instead of calculating spells-per-day by the usual method for the base class, a character with this template gains one spell-per-day for each spell of that level that he knows, plus his Charisma modifier.
Because a Studious Sorcerer spends almost all his time mastering the magic that suffuses his soul, his physical abilities gradually atrophy. He loses a single weapon proficiency feat at every level until he is left proficient with only simple weapons (and, if applicable, his deity's favored weapon). If he wishes to keep a weapon proficiency feat beyond this, he may do so at the cost of losing a spell of a level equal to or greater than that indicated by the following list according to class level (multiclass characters add all spontaneous casting class levels besides bard together):
Levels 1-4: Lose a 1st level or higher spell
Levels 5-8: Lose a 2nd level or higher spell
Levels 9-12: Lose a 3rd level or higher spell
Levels 13-16: Lose a 4th level or higher spell
Levels 17-20: Lose a 5th level or higher spell
Alternatively, he may give up a feat, if he is a level at which he gains a new feat. Either way, one of these sacrifices must be made every level if he wishes to keep a weapon proficiency besides Simple indefinitely. This sacrifice is done before the Studious Sorcerer learns his new spell(s) for that level, so he may attempt to relearn the same spell immediately. Any attempt to learn a spell that the character already knew, but lost as a result of this sacrifice, is treated as if the Studious Sorcerer possesses a scroll or spellbook with the spell (+4 circumstance bonus to the INT/WIS check)
A Mystic Theurge who takes this template gains spells for both of his casting classes separately, but in the same way, and he loses two weapon proficiencies per level instead of one, and must give up two spells (both arcane, both divine, or one of each type) or one feat and one spell in order to keep a chosen proficiency.
New post follows:
Alright, second try. I've converted it to an actual class rather than a template. Also, no more divine spells, no more complete reliance on the dice gods, and no more relying on leveling up to gain spells. Also also, that constant danger of losing weapon proficiencies was bad, so I've changed it.
Class: The Mage
Alignment: Any neutral (Lawful Neutral, Chaotic Neutral, Neutral Good, or Neutral Evil). A mage is first and foremost concerned with study. They cannot be too invested in too many causes apart from that.
Hit Die: d4
Class Skills:
The mage's class skills are Bluff (Cha), Concentration (Con), Craft (Int), Knowledge (arcana) (Int), Profession (Wis), and Spellcraft (Int).
Skill Points at 1st level: (2 + INT) x 4
Skill Points at Each Subsequent Level: 2 + INT
Description:
A naturally gifted user of magic drawn to the world of academic study, the mage combines the versatility of a wizard and the spontaneity of a sorcerer. Requiring both a deep intellect and a cunning wit, the path of the mage is for few to take.
Spells Known:
The mage draws his spells from the wizard spell list. When he levels up, he gains a number of study points equal to 1d4 times half his caster level. He may spend these points to learn spells, with any one spell costing a number of points equal to its spell level. He may also gain one study point by performing an hour of study either directly before or directly after he sleeps or trances. When he wishes to learn a spell, he designates the spell he is endeavoring to learn, and thenceforth must spend his hour's study time on committing the spell to memory, successfully learning the spell after a number of study sessions (and therefore days) equal to its spell level. Study sessions do not reward study points while the mage is thus endeavoring to learn a specific spell. Additionally, he may learn up to two spells of any level that he can cast, instantly on leveling up, but he must still pay the study point cost. When he does this, it is assumed that he has been studying those spells in anticipation of being able to cast them. The mage starts play knowing all cantrips (0th level spells) and two 1st level spells.
Spells-per-day:
The mage casts spells as a sorcerer, casting any spell he knows at any time, but is only able to cast a certain number of spells in each spell level per day. The number of spells he may cast of each level per day is equal to the number of spells of that level that he knows. Additionally, if he has learned all the spells of a particular level that he can, he may increase his number of spells-per-day of that level by one, by spending a number of study points and a number of daily study sessions, both equal to double that spell level.
Armor and Weapon Proficiencies:
Mages are proficient in only simple weapons, and no armor. Their dedication to magical study is so in-depth that they may not take a Weapon or Armor Proficiency feat without spending an initial 5 study points when they take the feat, and an additional 2 study points every level thereafter for five levels, for a total of 15 study points.
Book Bond:
A mage has no familiar. Instead, he cultivates an emotional attachment to his own spellbook. Pick a single familiar in the list of familiars. Whenever his spellbook is on his person, he gains all the benefits a familiar of that type would provide at his level. If his spellbook is destroyed or lost, he loses 200 experience points per mage level, as well as two spells of each level that he can cast, as well as taking 2 points of Constitution damage that cannot be repaired by any means. He also loses all study points he has accumulated, resetting them to zero. If it is lost but not destroyed, finding it again restores all spells and experience he lost when he lost the spellbook. However, the Constitution damage repairs at a rate of 1 point per 1d6 days, after which he returns to normal. His study points do not return, but when he next studies after relocating his spellbook, a number of study points equal to one half of the number that he originally lost are given to him instead of the single point he would otherwise gain.
Bonus Languages: None, but the mage can spend five study points to learn a new language. He must designate this language and spend the study points beforehand, and when he next levels up he adds the language to the list of languages he knows.
Scribe Scroll: A mage gains Scribe Scroll at 1st level.
Bonus Feats: A mage gains a bonus feat at level 5, and at every 5 levels thereafter. He may use this to gain a metamagic feat, an item creation feat, or Intuit Spell.
Intuit Spell
Prerequisites: Mage
Benefit: Designate a single spell that you do not know but which you could potentially cast. Spend study points and add it to your list of spells as if you had been studying it. This feat may be taken multiple times. This feat cannot be used to learn Epic spells.
EDIT: Added another penalty to losing your spellbook
I'd like to get some feedback on a template I've been working on. Any feedback would be welcome. The idea is a character who has an in-born gift for magic like a sorcerer, but instead of just winging it, they take pains to study magic like a wizard does, and gains versatility as a result. I especially need ideas for drawbacks, because sorcerers are already crazy powerful even with their abysmal versatility.
Template: The Studious Sorcerer
Prerequisites:
Any non-Lawful
Any spontaneous casting class, bard excluded
A spellbook
Scribe Scroll
Description:
A Studious Sorcerer (or Favored Soul/Spirit Shaman/etc) is a spontaneous caster who supplements his natural magical prowess with inquisitive study. After taking this template, the caster no longer gains spells per level as he usually would. Instead, at each level, he chooses one spell of each level that he can cast, and makes an Intelligence (or Wisdom, if the base class casts Divine spells) check against a DC of 15 + the spell's level. If he succeeds, he learns the spell, and if not, he chooses another spell of that level and rolls again. If after 3 attempts, he has failed to learn a spell of that level, he learns no spells of that level until he next levels up. Carrying a scroll of the spell he is trying to learn, or having copied the spell into a spellbook that he carries with him adds a +4 circumstance bonus to this check, however, any other bonuses, such as bonuses from magic items, do not apply.
Instead of calculating spells-per-day by the usual method for the base class, a character with this template gains one spell-per-day for each spell of that level that he knows, plus his Charisma modifier.
Because a Studious Sorcerer spends almost all his time mastering the magic that suffuses his soul, his physical abilities gradually atrophy. He loses a single weapon proficiency feat at every level until he is left proficient with only simple weapons (and, if applicable, his deity's favored weapon). If he wishes to keep a weapon proficiency feat beyond this, he may do so at the cost of losing a spell of a level equal to or greater than that indicated by the following list according to class level (multiclass characters add all spontaneous casting class levels besides bard together):
Levels 1-4: Lose a 1st level or higher spell
Levels 5-8: Lose a 2nd level or higher spell
Levels 9-12: Lose a 3rd level or higher spell
Levels 13-16: Lose a 4th level or higher spell
Levels 17-20: Lose a 5th level or higher spell
Alternatively, he may give up a feat, if he is a level at which he gains a new feat. Either way, one of these sacrifices must be made every level if he wishes to keep a weapon proficiency besides Simple indefinitely. This sacrifice is done before the Studious Sorcerer learns his new spell(s) for that level, so he may attempt to relearn the same spell immediately. Any attempt to learn a spell that the character already knew, but lost as a result of this sacrifice, is treated as if the Studious Sorcerer possesses a scroll or spellbook with the spell (+4 circumstance bonus to the INT/WIS check)
A Mystic Theurge who takes this template gains spells for both of his casting classes separately, but in the same way, and he loses two weapon proficiencies per level instead of one, and must give up two spells (both arcane, both divine, or one of each type) or one feat and one spell in order to keep a chosen proficiency.
New post follows:
Alright, second try. I've converted it to an actual class rather than a template. Also, no more divine spells, no more complete reliance on the dice gods, and no more relying on leveling up to gain spells. Also also, that constant danger of losing weapon proficiencies was bad, so I've changed it.
Class: The Mage
Alignment: Any neutral (Lawful Neutral, Chaotic Neutral, Neutral Good, or Neutral Evil). A mage is first and foremost concerned with study. They cannot be too invested in too many causes apart from that.
Hit Die: d4
Class Skills:
The mage's class skills are Bluff (Cha), Concentration (Con), Craft (Int), Knowledge (arcana) (Int), Profession (Wis), and Spellcraft (Int).
Skill Points at 1st level: (2 + INT) x 4
Skill Points at Each Subsequent Level: 2 + INT
Description:
A naturally gifted user of magic drawn to the world of academic study, the mage combines the versatility of a wizard and the spontaneity of a sorcerer. Requiring both a deep intellect and a cunning wit, the path of the mage is for few to take.
Spells Known:
The mage draws his spells from the wizard spell list. When he levels up, he gains a number of study points equal to 1d4 times half his caster level. He may spend these points to learn spells, with any one spell costing a number of points equal to its spell level. He may also gain one study point by performing an hour of study either directly before or directly after he sleeps or trances. When he wishes to learn a spell, he designates the spell he is endeavoring to learn, and thenceforth must spend his hour's study time on committing the spell to memory, successfully learning the spell after a number of study sessions (and therefore days) equal to its spell level. Study sessions do not reward study points while the mage is thus endeavoring to learn a specific spell. Additionally, he may learn up to two spells of any level that he can cast, instantly on leveling up, but he must still pay the study point cost. When he does this, it is assumed that he has been studying those spells in anticipation of being able to cast them. The mage starts play knowing all cantrips (0th level spells) and two 1st level spells.
Spells-per-day:
The mage casts spells as a sorcerer, casting any spell he knows at any time, but is only able to cast a certain number of spells in each spell level per day. The number of spells he may cast of each level per day is equal to the number of spells of that level that he knows. Additionally, if he has learned all the spells of a particular level that he can, he may increase his number of spells-per-day of that level by one, by spending a number of study points and a number of daily study sessions, both equal to double that spell level.
Armor and Weapon Proficiencies:
Mages are proficient in only simple weapons, and no armor. Their dedication to magical study is so in-depth that they may not take a Weapon or Armor Proficiency feat without spending an initial 5 study points when they take the feat, and an additional 2 study points every level thereafter for five levels, for a total of 15 study points.
Book Bond:
A mage has no familiar. Instead, he cultivates an emotional attachment to his own spellbook. Pick a single familiar in the list of familiars. Whenever his spellbook is on his person, he gains all the benefits a familiar of that type would provide at his level. If his spellbook is destroyed or lost, he loses 200 experience points per mage level, as well as two spells of each level that he can cast, as well as taking 2 points of Constitution damage that cannot be repaired by any means. He also loses all study points he has accumulated, resetting them to zero. If it is lost but not destroyed, finding it again restores all spells and experience he lost when he lost the spellbook. However, the Constitution damage repairs at a rate of 1 point per 1d6 days, after which he returns to normal. His study points do not return, but when he next studies after relocating his spellbook, a number of study points equal to one half of the number that he originally lost are given to him instead of the single point he would otherwise gain.
Bonus Languages: None, but the mage can spend five study points to learn a new language. He must designate this language and spend the study points beforehand, and when he next levels up he adds the language to the list of languages he knows.
Scribe Scroll: A mage gains Scribe Scroll at 1st level.
Bonus Feats: A mage gains a bonus feat at level 5, and at every 5 levels thereafter. He may use this to gain a metamagic feat, an item creation feat, or Intuit Spell.
Intuit Spell
Prerequisites: Mage
Benefit: Designate a single spell that you do not know but which you could potentially cast. Spend study points and add it to your list of spells as if you had been studying it. This feat may be taken multiple times. This feat cannot be used to learn Epic spells.
EDIT: Added another penalty to losing your spellbook