Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground LV

[Kuulvheysoon]

Welcome, contestants, judges, and guests to Iron Chef LV. Here in Optimization Colosseum, contestants will endeavor to create an optimized and flavorful character using a specified D&D3.5 prestige class as a "Secret Ingredient".

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: For most challenges, the "special ingredient" will be drawn from Core plus Completes. There will, from time to time, be special challenges that showcase secret ingredients from other books--for example, the XPH.

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. Keep in mind that for using exceptionally large or small point-buys may warrant deductions in elegance and/or power.

Kitchen: Competitors will be free to use any official 3.5 rulebook in constructing their builds. Dragon magazine is disallowed, 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 hate 'em. Please refrain from using Taint unless it's necessary for the Secret Ingredient.

Cooking Time: Contestants will have until 23:59 GMT on Tuesday, March 25thSunday, March 30th, 2014 15:59 GMT on Tuesday, April 1st, 2014 to create their builds and PM them to the Chairman, Kuulvheysoon. Builds will then be posted simultaneously, to avoid copying. Judges will have until 23:59 GMT on Tuesday, April 8thSunday, April 13th, Tuesday, April 15th, 2014 to judge the builds and submit their scores. If no judges have scored by that point, only the scores of the first judge to submit will be counted.

Judging: Judging will be based on the following criteria, with each build rated from 1 (very poor) to 5 (exemplary) in each area: Originality, Power, Elegance, Use of Secret Ingredient.

Power level is up to you. Cheese is acceptable, but should be kept to a sane level unless you're showcasing a new TO build you've discovered. In the words of one of my predecessors, a little cheddar can be nice, but avoid the mature Gruyere unless you're making a cheese fondue.
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. Please note the following change: a legal source's relative obscurity should not be considered as penalizing Elegance, excepting the aforementioned issues with Unearthed Arcana. Using too many sources may be an Elegance deduction at the judges' discretion, but a book's relative obscurity may not. In that same vein, drawing solely from the Core 3 (and the d20 SRD) should not be punished for lacking Originality.
Presentation: Builds will be posted anonymously, in order to avoid the potential of bias towards a particular competitor. For this reason, please don't put your name in the build, as I'm likely to miss it when reviewing the entries!

Due to concerns about standardizing entry format, I'd like everyone to try to use the following table for their entry.NAME OF ENTRY


Level
Class
Base Attack Bonus
Fort Save
Ref Save
Will Save
Skills
Feats
Class Features


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


20th
New Class Level
+x
+x
+x
+x
Skills
Feats
New Class Abilities



Code immediately below (spoiler).

Level
Class
Base Attack Bonus
Fort Save
Ref Save
Will Save
Skills
Feats
Class Features


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


20th
New Class Level
+x
+x
+x
+x
Skills
Feats
New Class Abilities



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


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
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-


Code immediately below (spoiler)Spells per Day/Spells Known


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
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-



For other systems (Psionics, ToB, Incarnum, etc.) keep track of PP/maneuvers/essentia separately, preferably in a nice neat list.
Speculation: Please don't post or speculate on possible builds until the "reveal," in order to avoid spoiling the surprise if a particular competitor is producing a build along those lines.

Leadership is banned; we're producing a meal, not a seven-course banquet for a hundred diners. If your entry includes a prestige class or ACF that grants Leadership or a Leadership-like ability as a bonus feat, the feat should be ignored and is not eligible to be traded away for another feat or ACF through any means.

So! Who wants to sign up as a contestant, and who wants to sign up as a judge? Looking for as many contestants and judges as feel like playing!

This week's special ingredient is:
Complete Scoundrel's Mountebank!
We will award 1st through 3rd places, as well as a shout-out for honorable mention. The honorable mention prize is given to the most daring or unexpected build. Judges, contestants and guests alike are invited to vote for honorable mention via PM.

Allez, optimiser!

Contestants

Judges

The Builds

Past Competitions

Iron Chef I: Entropomancer (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=142470)
Iron Chef II: Psibond Agent (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=146583)
Iron Chef III: Cancer Mage (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=148584)
Iron Chef IV: Stonelord (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=150595)
Iron Chef V: War Chanter (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=152543)
Iron Chef VI: Master of Masks (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=156876)
Iron Chef VII: Green Star Adept (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=158633)
Iron Chef VIII: Pyrokineticist (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=160266)
Iron Chef IX: Animal Lord (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=162702)
Iron Chef X: Mythic Exemplar (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=164381)
Iron Chef XI: Blade Bravo (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=166539)
Iron Chef XII: War Mind (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=9426386)
Iron Chef XIII: Vigilante (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=172233)
Iron Chef XIV: Seeker of the Song (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=174434)
Iron Chef XV: Drunken Master (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=176049)
Iron Chef XVI: Assassin (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=178202)
Iron Chef XVII: Ardent Dilettante (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=182492)
Iron Chef XVIII: Unseelie Dark Hunter (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=186097)
Iron Chef XIX: Dread Pirate (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=190607)
Iron Chef XX: Incandescent Champion (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=10976416)
Iron Chef XXI: Ghostwalker (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=198921)
Iron Chef XXII: Dervish (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=206576)
Iron Chef XXIII: Divine Crusader (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=210071)
Iron Chef XXIV: Tactical Soldier (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=214198)
Iron Chef XXV: Scion of Tem-Et-Nu (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=217441)
Iron Chef XXVI: Shadowdancer (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=220956)
Iron Chef XXVII: Mindbender (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=224008)
Iron Chef XXVIII: Cryokineticist (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=227304)
Iron Chef XXIX: Consecrated Harrier (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=229688)
Iron Chef XXX: Initiate of Pistis Sophia (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=233346)
Iron Chef XXXI: Shadow Sentinel (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=236908)
Iron Chef XXXII: Temple Raider of Olidammara (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=239786)
Iron Chef XXXIII: Drow Judicator (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=243052)
Iron Chef XXXIV: Dragon Disciple (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=246072)
Iron Chef XXXV: Death Delver (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=249542)
Iron Chef XXXVI: Acolyte of the Skin (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=252923)
Iron Chef XXXVII: Justiciar (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=13865473)
Iron Chef XXXVIII: Hand of the Winged Master (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=255215)
Iron Chef XXXIX: Renegade Mastermaker (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=260333)
Iron Chef XL: Nightsong Infiltrator (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=263173)
Iron Chef XLI: Geomancer (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=266709)
Iron Chef XLII: Shadowblade (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=270196)
Iron Chef XLIII: Bladesinger (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=274122)
Iron Chef XLIV: Urban Soul (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=279116)
Iron Chef XLV: Talon of Tiamat (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=15216595)
Iron Chef XLVI: Cipher Adept (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=287314)
Iron Chef XLVII: Cold Iron Warrior (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=291294)
Iron Chef XLVIII: Shadow Sun Ninja (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=297327)
Iron Chef XLIX: Thrall to Orcus (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=302487)
Iron Chef L: Corrupt Avenger (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=307823)
Iron Chef LI: Black Flame Zealot (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=312773)
Iron Chef LII: Anointed Knight (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=317934)
Iron Chef LIII: Zerth Cenobite (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=325164)
Iron Chef LIV: Osteomancer (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=330890)

[Kuulvheysoon]

FAQ:
What's this even about? I'm glad you asked, actually... (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=15415117&postcount=1)

Is Dragon Compendium Allowed? Yes (as well as its Errata), but individual issues of Dragon Magazine are not.

What about 3.0 materials? 3.0 materials, whether online or in printed form, are allowed unless they've been officially updated to a 3.5 edition.

Are Dragonlance, Ravenloft, Planescape, Dark Sun, or Kingdoms of Kalamar allowable sources? The Dragonlance Campaign Setting is allowed, but the subsequent books for Dragonlance are considered 3rd party, and are therefore not eligible, despite the "WotC approved" status of those books. The same holds for Oriental Adventures (1st party) and the subsequent Rokugan books (3rd party). Materials from Ravenloft, Planescape, Dark Sun, and Kingdoms of Kalamar are considered 3rd party for purposes of this contest, and are therefore not allowed.

What about online sources in general? If the online source is a) published by WotC, and b) not replaced by an updated version at a later time, it is eligible. Use it, link it.

Where's the line drawn with "acceptable/unacceptable" for Unearthed Arcana? This will likely vary a bit from Chairman to Chairman. Item Familiars and Gestalt have always been verboten, since before IC migrated to GitP; don't expect that to change. Flaws have similarly always been noted as warranting a deduction; while I am Chairman, I'm extending that to Traits, though they warrant 1/2 the penalty in Elegance that a Flaw would because they're roughly 1/2 as useful. Alternate spell systems, alternate skill systems and alternate crafting rules all create an uneven playing field, and as such, will be disallowed for as long as I am Chairman. Bloodlines and the Retraining options presented in the PHB2 are ripe for abuse, and will be strongly discouraged as long as I am Chairman. Note that judges are allowed to look askance at any use of Unearthed Arcana not specifically mentioned above, at their discretion, and otherwise penalize Elegance according to their preference.

What, exactly, does the ban on Leadership mean? As folks have started to try to work around the edges of this one, I'm forced to spell it out more plainly. No Leadership, Draconic Cohort, or Feats that grant a similar ability are allowed EXCEPT Wild Cohort while Kuulvheysoon is chairman. Any PrC you choose with Leadership or a Leadership-analog has that ability entirely ignored for this contest, as it may neither be used nor traded away via any means whatsoever.

What's the minimum score in a category? Assuming an entry is legal, the minimum score in any category is 1. If a judge is convinced that an entry is mechanically illegal by the RAW, the judge may give the build a score of 0 in Elegance, and proceed to judge the entry as if the offending material was not included. Failing to meet a special requirements for a prestige class does not merit a 0, but may qualify for a penalty, at the judge's discretion. Because this contest focuses on Player Characters, an entry that is not technically allowed for a PC, but is viable as an NPC, counts as a legal entry, but may receive a minimum score at the judges' discretion.

What's the deal with the Alter Ego class feature? Assume that it works as the alter self spell, but only one specific form (for a total of three forms at 9th level).

[Amphetryon]

I'll once again toss my hat in the ring as a contestant.

[Piggy Knowles]

Hmm. It's not Thief of Life or Eye of Gruumsh, but it's still the kind of secret ingredient that's usually right up my ally. Tentatively in to cook.

[Fax Celestis]

Yesssssssssssss.

[Kazudo]

Cue Mountebank 10/Mountebank 10 jokes.

Oh, and I'll be judging. I'm going to read over the class and hone my judging criteria just a smidge before I copypaste it from last contest and just vow to stick to it a bit better this time.

[dysprosium]

I'm going to have to take a look at this one.

As usual I will participate one way or the other.

[Nihilarian]

I thought it was mountebank?

[Kazudo]

Idiot question here (for my own edification, since I'm not competing): Does the Mountebank's Alter Ego ability cap at 5HD, since it bases itself in Alter Self and (at least in the book) says nothing to the contrary?

[Tim Proctor]

In to Judge.

What I'm looking for:

Originality - I'm looking for unique features (race, class, feats, maxed skills, etc.) that aren't part of the SI and used by another character.

Power - I'm looking for the ability to deliver higher amount of damage quickly, defensive capabilities (ability to wear armor type, HPs, etc.), and versatility that isn't part of the SI.

Elegance - I'm looking for staying with levels for long periods of time, and avoidance of flaws, splashes, mistakes, questionable rules.

UotSI - I'm looking for enhancements to the features/aspects of the SI, I already have them determined (there are 7) and hope you can figure them out, time of entry, etc.

[OMG PONIES]

So many ideas...
Cheap joke builds: 3
Viable options: 0

[Kuulvheysoon]

Idiot question here (for my own edification, since I'm not competing): Does the Mountebank's Alter Ego ability cap at 5HD, since it bases itself in Alter Self and (at least in the book) says nothing to the contrary?

It does indeed. It's still "cast" at CL10, but that's used only for dispelling/duration calculations. It says nothing in the class ability about removing the 5HD cap, so that stays in place.

[Kazudo]

In that case, would it be too overbearing for me as a judge to request that each Alter Ego be explained as a separate entity within each entrant's post for ease of judging?

I don't want to come off as trying to "Mandate Fluff" or anything.

EDIT: With appropriate HD and physical abilities for each Alter Ego

[Darrin]

With appropriate HD and physical abilities for each Alter Ego

I think we need to clarify that first. The text says "only the appearance", so while there may be a HD cap, you don't get any physical abilities.

[Kazudo]

I think we need to clarify that first. The text says "only the appearance", so while there may be a HD cap, you don't get any physical abilities.


You acquire the physical qualities of the new form while retaining your own mind. Physical qualities include natural size, mundane movement capabilities (such as burrowing, climbing, walking, swimming, and flight with wings, to a maximum speed of 120 feet for flying or 60 feet for nonflying movement), natural armor bonus, natural weapons (such as claws, bite, and so on), racial skill bonuses, racial bonus feats, and any gross physical qualities (presence or absence of wings, number of extremities, and so forth).

As I read it, there's no mention of this changing in Mountebank, it only specifies that you can only change into your Alter Ego(s).

Edit: And therein lies the rub, after rereading it. That sentence can be read (depending on where the influence is put) in two ways:

1. You only assume physical appearance, and they can only be of your Alter Ego.

2. You only assume the form of your alter ego, and gain none of the open-ended benefits of the Spell Like Ability.

Hence the need for a ruling.

[Chimaera]

I'm new in these contests, but I guess I'll try cooking a nice mountebank :smallamused:

[The Viscount]

Tentatively in. There certainly are a lot of fun things to do with this one.

[Venger]

I have dreamed of this day.

Down to cook.

[Thurbane]

Interesting ingredient - pretty open entry reqs.

Having just started a new job with a steep learning curve, and also just starting a brand new relationship with an awesome girl, very unlikely I will get to put an entry in.

[Sian]

Everyone ... make sure to notice the Complete Scoundel Errata ...it got a few notes on the Prestige class

[Fax Celestis]

Idiot question here (for my own edification, since I'm not competing): Does the Mountebank's Alter Ego ability cap at 5HD, since it bases itself in Alter Self and (at least in the book) says nothing to the contrary?

Yes, but you don't get any actual features from the emulated race, just the appearance.

[Amphetryon]

Interesting ingredient - pretty open entry reqs.

Having just started a new job with a steep learning curve, and also just starting a brand new relationship with an awesome girl, very unlikely I will get to put an entry in.

Congratulations on both of your excuses reasons not to participate.

[Kuulvheysoon]

Interesting ingredient - pretty open entry reqs.

Having just started a new job with a steep learning curve, and also just starting a brand new relationship with an awesome girl, very unlikely I will get to put an entry in.


Congratulations on both of your excuses reasons not to participate.

Indeed, there are awesomerbetter things in life. Smooth sailing, friend.

[Sian]

Sometimes erratas can be quite annoying :p

[Darrin]

Yes, but you don't get any actual features from the emulated race, just the appearance.

I'd still like to see an official ruling on what exactly "appearance" means with regards to what exactly the spell effect does or does not add to the new form. A new form can have the appearance of claws and wings. Does the appearance of claws mean claw attacks/damage? Does the appearance of wings mean the form is capable of flying/gliding?

[Fax Celestis]

I'd still like to see an official ruling on what exactly "appearance" means with regards to what exactly the spell effect does or does not add to the new form. A new form can have the appearance of claws and wings. Does the appearance of claws mean claw attacks/damage? Does the appearance of wings mean the form is capable of flying/gliding?

No. Just because you look like an angel doesn't mean you are an angel. It's stage magic: it doesn't have to work, it just has to look like it does.

[Piggy Knowles]

No. Just because you look like an angel doesn't mean you are an angel. It's stage magic: it doesn't have to work, it just has to look like it does.

This seems to run contrary to the fact that it is used as Alter Self, which explicitly grants movement modes, natural armor and natural attacks of the granted form. If it was cosmetic only, wouldn't it be based off if Disguise Self instead?

I too would like clarification as to whether Alter Ego functions as Alter Self. I guess the big question is whether "as Alter Self except that you only gain the appearance of your alter ego" means "as Alter Self, but only for your alter ego" or "as Alter Self, but only appearance."

[Kazudo]

The errata concerning this class unfortunately doesn't cover this issue. The wording is pretty tough there. It does seem to me though that because of the limitations of type and other such things in Alter Self, that it could be entirely meant to mean that you get Alter Self at will as long as it's only one form per acquired use of Alter Ego.

I don't want to give examples due to potential speculation, but as I stated (really poorly) earlier, it has two potential readings.

1. You gain only the appearance of your Alter Ego(s), eschewing the remainder of the Alter Self spell

2. You gain the Alter Self spell as it pertains only to your Alter Ego(s).

The difference between these two things could be drastic when it comes to the entrants.

[Tim Proctor]

The way I understand it would be that it works like Alter Self with only the targets being an Alter Ego.

I think if it only gives a +10 to disguise that would be a fairly bad ability (not that it is super good anyways).

I will abide by the chairman's decision regardless.

[Piggy Knowles]

I think if it only gives a +10 to disguise that would be a fairly bad ability (not that it is super good anyways).

For me, it's not so much that it would be a bad ability, but that it would be functionally identical to Disguise Self at that point - so why bother referencing Alter Self? I mean, even the changeling's ability references Disguise Self rather than Alter Self, despite explicitly being a physical transformation.

[Fax Celestis]

This seems to run contrary to the fact that it is used as Alter Self, which explicitly grants movement modes, natural armor and natural attacks of the granted form. If it was cosmetic only, wouldn't it be based off if Disguise Self instead?

Because terrible editing, quite honestly. I really think the designer meant to put in disguise self instead of alter self (I know I've made that mixup in my head).


Alter Ego (Sp): Starting at 3rd level, you establish an alternate identity. This alter ego has its own distinct physical characteristics, quirks, preferred clothing, and so on. At will, you can switch your form between that of your normal identity and that of your alter ego. This ability works like the alter self spell, except that you can assume only the appearance of your alternate identity. Your caster level for this ability is equal to your mountebank class level.

As you advance in this prestige class, you develop additional alter egos, gaining a new one every three levels beyond 3rd (two at 6th and three at 9th).

[dysprosium]

Oh those writers at WotC!

They've done it again!

My hypothesis is that whoever wrote that particular line was thinking of the 3.0 alter self which more or less acted liked disguise self. Otherwise it makes no sense to reference alter self at all--as Piggy pointed out.

In 3.5 disguise self can be disbelieved as it is an illusion. It seems to me the intent was to make the alter ego not an illusion so it could not be disbelieved. Thus only being able to assume an appearance of a different race. It would look like you could have claws but they would be non functional, since they are really not claws--pretty much what Fax Celestis said earlier.

Edit: pretty much swordsaged there . . .

[Piggy Knowles]

Right, what I'm saying is that there are two ways you can parse that bolded sentence.

The first is as you've parsed it: it works like Alter Self, except that unlike Alter Self, you don't get the actual form of your alter ego - you only get the appearance.

The second is that it works like Alter Self, but unlike Alter Self, you can't pick any form - you only get the appearance of your alter ego.

I've got no qualms with our esteemed Chairman ruling for either potential reading, but I want to make sure we've all got a level playing field.

EDIT:


In 3.5 disguise self can be disbelieved as it is an illusion. It seems to me the intent was to make the alter ego not an illusion so it could not be disbelieved.

Fair point, although the changeling and egoist abilities still reference Disguise Self and yet are not illusory.

Also, I'm mostly arguing for clarification - I fully understand that the ability could be taken either way. I've got a build concept for either interpretation right now, so I don't really have a horse in this race.

[Kuulvheysoon]

Right, what I'm saying is that there are two ways you can parse that bolded sentence.

The first is as you've parsed it: it works like Alter Self, except that unlike Alter Self, you don't get the actual form of your alter ego - you only get the appearance.

The second is that it works like Alter Self, but unlike Alter Self, you can't pick any form - you only get the appearance of your alter ego.

I've got no qualms with our esteemed Chairman ruling for either potential reading, but I want to make sure we've all got a level playing field.


I would read it as the second reading - RAW, it quite explicitly states 'as alter self'. It's entirely possible that they meant to say disguise self, but at the end of the day, they didn't (for whatever reason).

Piggy, would we be reading it the same if it was rephrased as "as alter self, but only a single unique form per Alter Ego"?

[Kazudo]

"as alter self, but only a single unique form per Alter Ego"?

That's how I read it.

[relytdan]

interesting selection I will look and decide whether to judge or build ..

[Amphetryon]

That awkward moment when you realize a single detail makes your entire build concept invalid. :smallfurious:

[Tim Proctor]

That awkward moment when you realize a single detail makes your entire build concept invalid. :smallfurious:
You're trying to go Gnome Slimelord Mountebank too? It's gnot speculation because it's always Slimelord.

[Amphetryon]

You're trying to go Gnome Slimelord Mountebank too? It's gnot speculation because it's always Slimelord.

Gmountebank Gniant Gslayer.

[Kazudo]

And now, I can offer my criteria BEFORE the reveal!

My Judging Criteria:


Originality:
This appears to be a somewhat cut and dry section at first, but can be pretty tricky as some of the competitions have made apparent. Therefore, I will go ahead and advise that all builds will be considered when dealing with this category. Originality is such a relative concept. I will only deduct for "unoriginal builds" being defined by a rising trend (specifically three or more competitors). That being said, I'd like to point out the following things as far as my judging are concerned.
1. Using the same number of levels in the same class as another competitor will not necessarily garner a point deduction unless there is a trend.
2. Using the same tactic as another competitor will not necessarily garner a point deduction unless, again, there is a trend.
3. Using the same racial combination as another competitor will, barring incredibly similar looking somewhat complex combinations, not necessarily garner a point deduction unless there is a trend.

This list is not exhaustive, but merely a guideline.



Power:
This is again a section that should be simple but is very complex due to the nature of the game and competition. Therefore, my stance on this will be to compare to other characters in the same party dynamic as the individual in question. Party dynamic here is, again, a relative term. I don't have a specific party in mind to compare to, however if the build is presented, for example, as a sneak attack rogue, I will compare its power and effectiveness to that of other sneak attack rogues regardless of whether the build has any levels in rogue or, say, substitutes sneak attack for sudden strike or other similar game mechanics. I will not be judging competitors' builds against each other for this category, but will be considering each entrant separate.



Elegance:
This one is special. It's not cut and dry, and will be used in the most careful way possible. When dealing with this specific category, I will be considering each entrant separate. This category will be used to determine how relatively well the build flows together. As in my originality statement above, I will point out a few examples.
1. Dipping classes (dipping defined as two levels or fewer for the purpose of gaining a special ability or skillset) may not necessarily garner a point deduction unless there appears to be no connecting fluff to ensure it meshes well with the remaining build.
2. Use of certain elements such as known cheese, template stacking, variant rules (such as LA buyoff) may not necessarily garner a point deduction unless it violates any of my own personal concepts of sanity checks or any other point in this criteria.
3. Awkward placement of classes in the progression may not garner a point deduction if there is connecting fluff.

Again, this list is not exhaustive but merely a guideline.



Use of Secret Ingredient:
This one is very simple. If the ingredient is used as the primary focus of the build, it will score well. If it does not, then it simply won't. Merely utilizing every level of the Secret Ingredient does not immediately make it the primary focus of the build. Synergy must be present in order to score well in this area. Each build will be judged separately. There is an important caveat to this though: should one build fully exemplify synergy and UoSI, it may subconsciously be used as a benchmark for other builds. I apologize if this happens, but this is simply because I may not have ever seen the Secret Ingredient used firsthand and might have very little in the way of a personal benchmark to compare to.



On the subject of fluff versus crunch: I do not require any form of excessive backstory, nor does the entry have to be submitted with any kind of accompanying narrative. However, fluff and description are indispensable tools to helping me see the character as you envision it while creating it. I reference that crunch penalties may not be crunch penalties if smoothed over with appropriate levels of fluff. This does not mean that excessively long fluff entries will be additionally penalized or will have penalties ignored, simply that a crunch penalty may, in fact, not be a crunch penalty if presented with fluff to connect everything together. Sorry if I appear confusing, but it was the easiest way I could explain the notion.

In addition, any additional explanation you feel is necessary for your character presentation is always welcome. I don't expect to have the build spoonfed to me as one would an infant or first time player, however assuming that I can draw the same conclusions you did during your cooking would be unwise as evidenced by at least one judge in every competition. If you're banking on me making an assumption, explain it anyway. Worst comes to worse, you'll have punched a few extra keys and made a few extra lines of text.

[Kuulvheysoon]

Curmudgeon can weigh in on this
A 221

This ability has been updated (slightly) in the Complete Scoundrel Errata file, without the designers seeing a necessity to change the word which is the source of your confusion: "appearance". "Form" is a synonym of "appearance" (reference here (http://thesaurus.com/browse/appearance)). Appearance meaning "semblance" is recorded from early 15c.; that of "visible state or form" from late 14c. (reference here (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/appearance?s=t&path=/)); the more-inclusive definition (qualities of the form beyond mere semblance) is actually of slightly longer standing.

Because English treats "form" and "appearance" as synonyms, and I can find no D&D citation giving a more restricted meaning (equivalent to the difference between Disguise Self and Alter Self, say), there is no RAW basis for "only the appearance" to be treated differently than if it said "only the form" in the Mountebank's Alter Ego ability. Alter Ego works like Alter Self, but limited to only a single appearance/form at levels 3-5 of this PrC.Nice to see how close my reading is to RAW.

[Darrin]

Curmudgeon can weigh in on thisNice to see how close my reading is to RAW.

So... just to be clear, "appearance" of claws = claw attacks/damage, and "appearance" of wings = fly speed?

[Deadline]

I've got a couple of ideas for this, we'll see if I can peel off the time to do them up right this time. :smallbiggrin:

[Shinken]

Ooooh I'm interested.

[Eldonauran]

... I have a rather flavorful idea. :smallamused:

I'm in as a competitor.

[KrimsonNekros]

I think I've got a nice build figured. I'm in as a competitor.

[Ikeren]

I'm in the mood for some optimization. I think I'll submit a build.

[Kazudo]

So... just to be clear, "appearance" of claws = claw attacks/damage, and "appearance" of wings = fly speed?

Within the limits of Alter Self (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/alterSelf.htm), as I understand it.

[Sian]

Am I going to be hated if i submit a build that can do anything the Prestige class can do, as well or better, without the prestige class? :smallbiggrin:

[Tim Proctor]

You mean like Lvl 20 Wizard?

[Kazudo]

Am I going to be hated if i submit a build that can do anything the Prestige class can do, as well or better, without the prestige class? :smallbiggrin:

You'll definitely get points in originality. I'm pretty sure everyone else is using Mountebank.

[Sian]

You mean like Lvl 20 Wizard?

Nah, merely having similar of better of everything that the prestige class have :)


You'll definitely get points in originality. I'm pretty sure everyone else is using Mountebank.

Mountebank / Mountebank?

[Tim Proctor]

Nah, merely having similar of better of everything that the prestige class have :)



Mountebank / Mountebank?

I'm fairly sure that the Zinc Saucier is the competition that does exactly that and you'd get hated out for not taking the SI here. But if you do do it now, since we've talked about it we'll know who it is and therefore get a RtJ anyways.

[Sian]

I know that Zinc Saucier is the propper place for it ... i 'merely' stumbled over a build idea that perfectly mimics the SI, without actually having it.

[Kazudo]

and therefore get a RtJ anyways.

Not from me. However, a 0 in UoSI would probably result.

Sian's just kiddin' though. Right?

:smalleek:...Right?

That being said, this is actually a really interesting SI. I mean, it's no Slime Lord or Gnome Giant Slayer, but it's definitely a fun one. I've had some interesting ideas with combining [redacted] and, get this. Instead of taking [redacted], I'd [redacted] some [redacted] and cross into [redacted] while [redacted] to make a really interesting [redacted].

But I'm judging, not competing. :smallbiggrin:

[Tim Proctor]

It breaks the first rule of the competition.


Here in Optimization Colosseum, contestants will endeavor to create an optimized and flavorful character using a specified D&D3.5 prestige class as a "Secret Ingredient".

The builds must use the prestige class in the build.

[Kazudo]

It breaks the first rule of the competition.



The builds must use the prestige class in the build.

While I agree, if anyone WERE to endeavor to submit a build (for the first time in the contest's history, might I add) that included none of the Secret Ingredient, and our chairman does decide to post it in that fact, then I'll go by sheer logic in saying that it fails to use the SI at all, and gets a 0. Then I'll judge the build in the other three categories.

RTJ caused issues, and I refuse to refuse to judge.

[Deadline]

RTJ caused issues, and I refuse to refuse to judge.

This is a can of worms you probably don't want to open.

Because what happens if the build scores #1? Should it be prevented from placing, as it didn't follow the rules of the contest? Isn't your solution a bit like awarding the first place medal to a racer who didn't run the course (i.e., it's a 10K course, and this person started at the finish line, walked a few feet, then walked around the finish line and crossed it)? Etc., etc.

Long story short, refusing to refuse to judge also causes issues.

[Kazudo]

This is a can of worms you probably don't want to open.

Because what happens if the build scores #1? Should it be prevented from placing, as it didn't follow the rules of the contest? Isn't your solution a bit like awarding the first place medal to a racer who didn't run the course (i.e., it's a 10K course, and this person started at the finish line, walked a few feet, then walked around the finish line and crossed it)? Etc., etc.

Long story short, refusing to refuse to judge also causes issues.

It's still possible for a build to score higher than others and not place. Just because the build got 15/20 points with a 0 in UoSI while everyone else was 14.5 or below, doesn't mean that it got gold. It scored well. Great. It wasn't a legal entry and thus is disqualified from getting a medal, and the entrant can brag that he got a high score, but the Gold Medalist would be able to point out that it was illegally.

I doubt very seriously, however, that a build which used 0 levels of the SI would even be presented by the chairman, so this issue shouldn't come up in the first place. If it comes down to illegal ELEMENTS (Gestalt, alternate systems, etc) then the build should still be judged but as if the illegal elements just weren't there. Ergo, the build which Gestalted every level would effectively have 0 class levels. The one who uses spell points instead of spells/day? Can't cast spells. Etc. That would, itself, levy heavy penalties in most if not all areas. The possibility of a build which, in itself, BREAKS the rules scoring higher than the rest is, with this solution in mind, very, very low.

[Amphetryon]

It's still possible for a build to score higher than others and not place. Just because the build got 15/20 points with a 0 in UoSI while everyone else was 14.5 or below, doesn't mean that it got gold. It scored well. Great. It wasn't a legal entry and thus is disqualified from getting a medal, and the entrant can brag that he got a high score, but the Gold Medalist would be able to point out that it was illegally.

I doubt very seriously, however, that a build which used 0 levels of the SI would even be presented by the chairman, so this issue shouldn't come up in the first place. If it comes down to illegal ELEMENTS (Gestalt, alternate systems, etc) then the build should still be judged but as if the illegal elements just weren't there. Ergo, the build which Gestalted every level would effectively have 0 class levels. The one who uses spell points instead of spells/day? Can't cast spells. Etc. That would, itself, levy heavy penalties in most if not all areas. The possibility of a build which, in itself, BREAKS the rules scoring higher than the rest is, with this solution in mind, very, very low.
If you believe that being outscored by a build that's disqualified from winning the medal won't bother a contestant, I'd wager that's a minority view.

[Kazudo]

It would bother me as well. It's not that I think the contestants would be magically OK with that, but that as a judge my stance personally is that the builds will be all be judged.

Without the chairperson coming down with an official ruling one way or the other, it's left to the judges to handle the issue in the way they see the most fit. Perhaps there needs to be a method of determining build legality before judging using pure RAW and rulings by the chairman so that this ISN'T an issue. If that person (or decision by the judging committee) comes down and says that a build won't be judged, no one judges it. That avoids the RtJ issues from previous sessions.

[Darrin]

The builds must use the prestige class in the build.

In the interests of pedantry, that's not actually an official rule.


While I agree, if anyone WERE to endeavor to submit a build (for the first time in the contest's history, might I add) that included none of the Secret Ingredient, and our chairman does decide to post it in that fact, then I'll go by sheer logic in saying that it fails to use the SI at all, and gets a 0. Then I'll judge the build in the other three categories.


I tried that in Iron Chef Appetizer II (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=11175045&postcount=52). Mostly I think I just annoyed and confused people. I am forever indebted to OMG Ponies for judging Mordekai anyway.

[Eldonauran]

There is no way to plan for every eventuality or hypothetical situation. Why get up in arms about something so unlikely to occur? :smallconfused:

[Kazudo]

There is no way to plan for every eventuality or hypothetical situation. Why get up in arms about something so unlikely to occur? :smallconfused:

:smallsigh:I'm not trying to get up in arms.

All I'm trying to do is say that unless a better option presents itself, I'll judge everything that comes out during the reveal. But I don't think anyone will submit a build that doesn't use the SI.

Though I thought that about Gestalt too, and that's already happened once. So...Yaknow...

Don't put us judges in a predicament please

:frown:

[Eldonauran]

:smallsigh:I'm not trying to get up in arms.

All I'm trying to do is say that unless a better option presents itself, I'll judge everything that comes out during the reveal. But I don't think anyone will submit a build that doesn't use the SI.

Though I thought that about Gestalt too, and that's already happened once. So...Yaknow...

Don't put us judges in a predicament please

:frown:

Aw, it was more of a generalization. Wasn't directed at you, personally. :smallwink:

No predicaments for the judges. I agree. I already gave you a run for your money with my "Leo" submission. :smallbiggrin:

[Piggy Knowles]

My opinion: I've got no problem with refusing to judge an entry that uses elements expressly not allowed in this competition. For example, if you include third party stuff? Sure, go ahead, RtJ.

Beyond that... I don't know. I have a problem with leaving the RtJ option too open ended, because one judge deciding to RtJ functionally disqualifies a build from the contest, even if all the other judges disagree. That risk, to me, is a much bigger problem than the risk of one build possibly scoring higher than another even with an illegal element.

[Tim Proctor]

My opinion: I've got no problem with refusing to judge an entry that uses elements expressly not allowed in this competition. For example, if you include third party stuff? Sure, go ahead, RtJ.
As I've expressed numerous time previously, I am not a huge RtJ guy. I think one of the only ways I would is if someone didn't use the SI at all (even if they were trying to duplicate/surpass). It's like battle Swordfish where one chef decides Blue Marlon tastes better and has a pointy thing so it is the equivalent of a Swordfish. Or entering a hot-wings competition and serving fried-chicken and waffles, yes you can put hot sauce on fried chicken and it's kinda like wings but better and you got waffles. It says you're not really competing, and not even close to the same terms.

If someone used a homebrew class/race (that's what 3rd party material is to me), or decided to put up an Epic only (20 to 30) level build, or something along those lines would be a RtJ from me also. An FtQ or using an excluded material (Gestalt, Bloodlines, Flaws, etc.) would just get a penalty. I think it's easy enough to imagine how a build would be without Leadership and a lot harder to imagine how it would be if 10-levels were different.

[Kazudo]

As I've expressed numerous time previously, I am not a huge RtJ guy. I think one of the only ways I would is if someone didn't use the SI at all (even if they were trying to duplicate/surpass). It's like battle Swordfish where one chef decides Blue Marlon tastes better and has a pointy thing so it is the equivalent of a Swordfish. Or entering a hot-wings competition and serving fried-chicken and waffles, yes you can put hot sauce on fried chicken and it's kinda like wings but better and you got waffles. It says you're not really competing, and not even close to the same terms.

If someone used a homebrew class/race (that's what 3rd party material is to me), or decided to put up an Epic only (20 to 30) level build, or something along those lines would be a RtJ from me also. An FtQ or using an excluded material (Gestalt, Bloodlines, Flaws, etc.) would just get a penalty. I think it's easy enough to imagine how a build would be without Leadership and a lot harder to imagine how it would be if 10-levels were different.

I agree on most points. The homebrew or 3rd party material would just be excluded from the build and judged as it is. It would be sure to score horribly, but yeah, this could be a problem in the long run.

[OMG PONIES]

I've had some interesting ideas with combining [redacted] and, get this. Instead of taking [redacted], I'd [redacted] some [redacted] and cross into [redacted] while [redacted] to make a really interesting [redacted].

Every [redacted] round, someone makes the same [redacted] joke and it makes me want to [redacted]. Every exciting round, someone makes the same hilarious joke and it makes me want to laugh. What did you think I meant?

It breaks the first rule of the competition.


Here in Optimization Colosseum, contestants will endeavor to create an optimized and flavorful character using a specified D&D3.5 prestige class as a "Secret Ingredient".

The builds must use the prestige class in the build.

Is that the RAW crunch of contest rules, or a fluff introduction? Speaking of...


In the interests of pedantry, that's not actually an official rule.

I tried that in Iron Chef Appetizer II (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=11175045&postcount=52). Mostly I think I just annoyed and confused people. I am forever indebted to OMG Ponies for judging Mordekai anyway.

Wait, you're in my pocket? Sweet! One order of cheese fries and I'll call it even.


RTJ caused issues, and I refuse to refuse to judge.

The force is strong with this one. :smalltongue:


Beyond that... I don't know. I have a problem with leaving the RtJ option too open ended, because one judge deciding to RtJ functionally disqualifies a build from the contest, even if all the other judges disagree. That risk, to me, is a much bigger problem than the risk of one build possibly scoring higher than another even with an illegal element.

Yeah, that happened to me a while back when some of the judges disagreed with my reading of whether a savant could qualify for Unseen Seer and use it to advance savant's divine casting in order to qualify for Black Flame Zealot.


As I've expressed numerous time previously, I am not a huge RtJ guy.

Quoth the man who refused to judge all the entries in the last round. :smalltongue:

[Tim Proctor]

Quoth the man who refused to judge all the entries in the last round. :smalltongue:
Well if I wasn't competing I would have actually judged, but there is certainly a conflict with doing both (competing and judging) in the same round.

[Piggy Knowles]

Actually, he gave my build a zero instead of an RTJ. I think that technically means Nikolai won, right?

[Kazyan]

I am the one who started the RtJ problem. It is me. Blame goes here.

[Kazudo]

Now now. If there's going to be any self deprecation going on, OMG PONIES and I will man that helm.

[OMG PONIES]

Now now. If there's going to be any self deprecation going on, OMG PONIES and I will man that helm.

A family business? It's only fitting. Okay, I've killed that joke now.

See, I'm just the best at being the worst. :smalltongue:

[dysprosium]

Though it may not actually be a rule to use the SI, it certainly goes against the spirit of this particular competition.

And as it was already noted, emulating secret ingredients is what Zinc Saucier is all about.

It would put more work on the Chairman but I think the answer would be to refuse to post an entry that did not have any of the SI. Picking up some of the more subtle indiscretions (like an obscure 3rd party feat or UA generic class skills) would be the judge's job to discover and disqualify. But looking at a build table and seeing none of the SI should be relatively easy to spot and not post in the first place . . .

Refusing to judge is the worst thing that has happened to this competition in my opinion. It really came to a head in Black Flame Zealot.

But that is just my two coppers as a non celebrity . . .

[Piggy Knowles]

Basically, I just feel like it should be up to the chairman to outright disqualify an entry, not a judge. Since RtJ is functionally the same as a disqualification, then if a judge feels like a build should be disqualified altogether, why not have the judge get in touch with the chairman, and request that said build be removed from judging? This way, we'll never see an issue where only one judge refuses to judge something.

[Kesnit]

Basically, I just feel like it should be up to the chairman to outright disqualify an entry, not a judge. Since RtJ is functionally the same as a disqualification, then if a judge feels like a build should be disqualified altogether, why not have the judge get in touch with the chairman, and request that said build be removed from judging? This way, we'll never see an issue where only one judge refuses to judge something.

Judges don't see the creations until the Chairman posts. If a judge did do that, then everyone would know that a judge deemed a build invalid. And if there's more than one judge, what happens if 1 judge thinks a build is invalid, but another doesn't?

[Piggy Knowles]

Judges don't see the creations until the Chairman posts. If a judge did do that, then everyone would know that a judge deemed a build invalid. And if there's more than one judge, what happens if 1 judge thinks a build is invalid, but another doesn't?

It would still ultimately fall to the chairman's discretion in that case. The chairman can then decide if the build really is worth disqualifying outright or not. This way, it's not a single judge making the decision for everyone.

[dysprosium]

It would put more work on the Chairman but I think the answer would be to refuse to post an entry that did not have any of the SI. Picking up some of the more subtle indiscretions (like an obscure 3rd party feat or UA generic class skills) would be the judge's job to discover and disqualify. But looking at a build table and seeing none of the SI should be relatively easy to spot and not post in the first place . . .

:cough cough:

[Kazudo]

And "Illegal Ingredients" that would result in an entrant being removed from judging (by requesting via the chairman)

1. Alternate rule systems (Gestalt, spell points, spell refresh, etc. etc.)
2. Zero usage of the SI
3. Anything that violates board rules.
4. Use of races/classes from forbidden sources.
5. Does not provide all 20 levels, or is an epic only (posts only levels 20+) build.

I think there needs to be a crowbar of separation though between an "Illegal Build" and a "Build with Illegal Elements". The difference being that an "Illegal Build" has elements that simply can't be ignored. A build without a race isn't a build, a build that has to have 10 levels ignored from a PRC from a forbidden source would run into number 5 (which is a rule), and a build that has no levels in the SI shouldn't even be here.

There are cases in which Illegal Elements have been included in the build (feats, templates, etc) which can be removed and the build judged per normal. This ALSO includes builds that, for example, wouldn't qualify for a PRC or the SI by nature of, for example, having the prerequisites but listed in such an order as to rule it illegal, with said order being easily switched around and suffering an Elegance or UoSI penalty, or having miscalculated Skill Points in such a way that if calculated differently (but still correctly and in the spirit of the build), it would suddenly be legal again, and suffering the same or similar Elegance or UoSI penalty.

The above speculation would lend itself to the argument that, in the case of a build with easily ignored illegal elements, such a build COULD score higher than the 100% legal builds. This is unfortunately a possibility. However, the argument could also be made that this would permit those who submitted an entry with an illegal (but easily overlooked) element accidentally.

Essentially, a build that contained, for example, an illegal feat, could score higher than 100% legal builds, however the illegal element and its effects would not be a part of that build's judgment, and there would be an Elegance penalty included (not to mention a hole where the element used to be). So if it succeeds it would actually be in spite of the illegal element, not because of it.

Does that seem a bit more fair to all parties involved?

[Amphetryon]

Something to keep in mind: Some of the 'illegal' elements for a build in the Iron Chef have established penalties already. There's been at least one reference to Flaws, for example, which have always had an explicit -1 penalty attached to them.

[yougi]

So, not trying to change the subject or anything (that was sarcasm, I definitely am), but someone in this room just realized, AFTER making a build, that it couldn't work because of a short line of rules.

Can't believe I skipped work yesterday to work on that.

[Zaq]

Hmm.

I'm basically not working now. (Call it medical leave, for lack of a better term.) I'm not feeling super-duper inspired by the secret ingredient (my general response was ". . . okay?"), but maybe it's time for me to get back in the ring.

Not officially cooking yet, but I'm thinking about it. If I get inspired over the next couple days, we'll see just what happens. It's been a long time, hasn't it? My last entry was . . . well, a few of the E6 Appetizer Edition contests (we need more of those, by the way! They were awesome!), but other than that . . . was it Tactical Soldier? I think it was Tactical Soldier.

Good hell, Tactical Soldier was bad. So bad, you guys. My entry was basically a cry of frustration, as I recall.

Anyway. Mountebank. Hmm. We shall see.

To clarify, the general consensus is that Alter Ego functions as Alter Self, but only for a pre-determined list of forms, correct? So you do get all the goodies of Alter Self (NOT just the cosmetic appearance), but you don't get all the versatility? If I'm wrong about that being the consensus, someone please correct me.

[Nihilarian]

So, not trying to change the subject or anything (that was sarcasm, I definitely am), but someone in this room just realized, AFTER making a build, that it couldn't work because of a short line of rules.

Can't believe I skipped work yesterday to work on that.Don't do that. It wouldn't be worth it if it was due tomorrow, and submissions are open for longer than that. There's plenty of time.

[Kazudo]

Don't do that. It wouldn't be worth it if it was due tomorrow, and submissions are open for longer than that. There's plenty of time.

Work comes and goes, but Iron Chef is forever!

[Sian]

currently weighting off tossing my first build idea, for a second one, which probably would end off feeling rather similar, while both being stronger (if slightly) and much stronger fluff :smallbiggrin:

[OMG PONIES]

Can't believe I skipped work yesterday to work on that.

I'm once again amazed by how diehard some of our chefs are. Either that, or they're just lazy...


maybe it's time for me to get back in the ring.

Welcome back!


To clarify, the general consensus is that Alter Ego functions as Alter Self, but only for a pre-determined list of forms, correct? So you do get all the goodies of Alter Self (NOT just the cosmetic appearance), but you don't get all the versatility? If I'm wrong about that being the consensus, someone please correct me.

That's what I'm getting from the Chairman's ruling and Curmudgeon's insight.

[Kuulvheysoon]

...Or entering a hot-wings competition and serving fried-chicken and waffles, yes you can put hot sauce on fried chicken and it's kinda like wings but better and you got waffles. It says you're not really competing, and not even close to the same terms...
...Say what? Fried Chicken and Waffles?

It would still ultimately fall to the chairman's discretion in that case. The chairman can then decide if the build really is worth disqualifying outright or not. This way, it's not a single judge making the decision for everyone.
If everyone like, I can start sending out messages to entrants if they are using something illegal (Gestalt, Alternate Skills systems, etc...).

Zaq, PONIES, your reading of Alter Ego is the correct one (for the purposes of this competition). Adding to the FAQs now.

[Kazudo]

...Say what? Fried Chicken and Waffles?

Gonna stop the quote there. Fried. Chicken. And. Waffles. BEST thing ever.


If everyone like, I can start sending out messages to entrants if they are using something illegal (Gestalt, Alternate Skills systems, etc...).

Yeah, I think that would be best to make sure that the entrant doesn't...yaknow...mean to do that...stuff.

[Kuulvheysoon]

Gonna stop the quote there. Fried. Chicken. And. Waffles. BEST thing ever....I've never even heard of that before.

[Nihilarian]

...I've never even heard of that before.Really? It's definitely a thing that exists. (http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicken_and_waffles)

Edit: Apparently it's most popular in Maryland.

[yougi]

Don't do that. It wouldn't be worth it if it was due tomorrow, and submissions are open for longer than that. There's plenty of time.

Well yeah, but...


I'm once again amazed by how diehard some of our chefs are. Either that, or they're just lazy...

That.

[The Viscount]

And my submission is in. It's a great relief to be done with it. Amazing what a sick day can do for your productivity.

[Macabaret]

There are just SSOOOOOOOOOOOOO many character ideas running through my mind with this SI. I mean, actual characters, those already famous and lauded in song and story. My head may burst from them all trying to get out.

How would it be viewed, I wonder -- by judges, contestants, the Chairman, general passersby -- if a build was submitted using the varient detailed in the "Adaptation" section for Mountebank on page 59 of the Complete Scoundrel?

[Korahir]

You did beat me to that question macabaret. personally I think it's fair game since we used the same adaptation rule to get the unarmed damage progression out of swordsage and I cannot recall any penalties doing that.

[Amphetryon]

How would it be viewed, I wonder -- by judges, contestants, the Chairman, general passersby -- if a build was submitted using the varient detailed in the "Adaptation" section for Mountebank on page 59 of the Complete Scoundrel?
Unofficial thoughts: In the past, when there's been a variant to the SI listed, contestants were officially discouraged from using the variant because it produces an uneven playing field in judging the entries, particularly in UoSI.

[Piggy Knowles]

Unofficial thoughts: In the past, when there's been a variant to the SI listed, contestants were officially discouraged from using the variant because it produces an uneven playing field in judging the entries, particularly in UoSI.

The big exception I can think of was in the assassin contest, where the psionic version was allowed. And of course, the winner was a psionic assassin - it's a much better class overall. On the one hand, Spoons was a really clever build and probably wouldn't have existed if the variant assassin wasn't allowed. On the other hand, power-wise, the variant was way ahead of its more common arcane version, so as you say it really wasn't a fair contest.

Just more food for thought.

[yougi]

The big exception I can think of was in the assassin contest, where the psionic version was allowed. And of course, the winner was a psionic assassin - it's a much better class overall. On the one hand, Spoons was a really clever build and probably wouldn't have existed if the variant assassin wasn't allowed. On the other hand, power-wise, the variant was way ahead of its more common arcane version, so as you say it really wasn't a fair contest.

Just more food for thought.

So what I take back from this is that there should be a penalty, but if a build needs the variant, and is awesome enough to overcome the penalties, then good for you.

[Kazudo]

So what I take back from this is that there should be a penalty, but if a build needs the variant, and is awesome enough to overcome the penalties, then good for you.

Pretty much. It would be like using a known build. There's likely going to be a penalty, but if you think the benefits will outweigh the penalties, go for it.

[Tim Proctor]

I view book written adaptations similar to ACFs, and don't have problems with them. However, if someone takes an adaptation that is not specifically written then it becomes homebrew and I would certainly impose a high penalty on it.

[KrimsonNekros]

Woot first build is done just need to write up the fluff now. That went fairly quickly because [redacted] makes things so much easier!

Hmmm I wonder if anyone will notice the extra levels of Slime Lord taking it up to level 30...

[Vaz]

Resigning myself to gno Slime Lord yet again =(. I think I have something for this, though.

[Piggy Knowles]

I've got my build table done, although I haven't started on the rest of the entry yet.

[KrimsonNekros]

Oh great i just got an utterly ridiculous idea for this.

[Kuulvheysoon]

Oh great i just got an utterly ridiculous idea for this.

Those can turn out to be pretty awesome - I mean, Old Nob? Completely ridiculous.

[Tim Proctor]

Oh great i just got an udderly ridiculous idea for this.
FTFY, and please limit speculation someone else might have been going for anthropomorphic cow too.

[Kazudo]

FTFY, and please limit speculation someone else might have been going for anthropomorphic cow too.

Milked that joke for all it was worth? Huh?

...too much bull?

[KrimsonNekros]

Milked that joke for all it was worth? Huh?

...too much bull?

Not until someone gets creamed.

[Kazudo]

Not until someone gets creamed.

Buttering me up with puns, eh? I don't know if I can churn anymore out, unfortunately. They sure were cheesy though, right? I got rather fond-ue of them. Uh oh. I've crossed into cooking puns. Wait. That's on topic, right?

[OMG PONIES]

Those can turn out to be pretty awesome - I mean, Old Nob? Completely ridiculous.

Whodat, and was he anything like Old Lob?

[Tim Proctor]

Whodat, and was he anything like Old Lob?
I'm guessing he's a dairy farmer...

Old Nob had a farm, e i e i o
On his farm there was an anthropomorphic cow, e i e i o...

[KrimsonNekros]

Buttering me up with puns, eh? I don't know if I can churn anymore out, unfortunately. They sure were cheesy though, right? I got rather fond-ue of them. Uh oh. I've crossed into cooking puns. Wait. That's on topic, right?

only if you desire to be lam-basted.

[Kazudo]

only if you desire to be lam-basted.

You're right. I don't want anyone to have a beef with me. Not that I'm chicken or anything, but I don't want to end up eating crow.

Thinking I should probably just quit the puns cold turkey.

How're the builds coming along, y'all? :smallbiggrin:

[Kreuz]

I have an idea that itches to be released... if I find something satisfying to do with it.

[dysprosium]

I like the idea of the build I am coming up with. Of course that means there will be someone else who will post the exact same idea . . .

Looks like I'm going to have to submit two entries this round.

[Tim Proctor]

Yeah I'm set for judging, I have a build just in case a bunch of people jump into judging. Otherwise I'll just post it afterwards.

[Kazudo]

I like the idea of the build I am coming up with. Of course that means there will be someone else who will post the exact same idea . . .

Looks like I'm going to have to submit two entries this round.

Ah, Vizzini. I'm actually really looking forward to judging this time around, especially if there will be some other judges around to take the hea....er...provide their input!

[Kreuz]

I wonder, since some variants seem to exist... has there ever been a cooperative version of Iron Chef?

[Kazudo]

How do you mean? There's plenty of competitor/judge/chairman crossover between the most of them.

Though I do wonder sometimes what premise an ICitP version of "Chopped" would entail. Something like

"And in your basket of mystery ingredients, you find the following:
1. From Complete Divine: The Ur-Priest PRC!
2. The Sneak Attack Class Feature!
Aaaaaand
3. From the Player's Handbook, the Monk Base Class!"

And you have to make a 20 level build making the best out of that stuff.

[Kreuz]

That is quite an interesting idea...

[Kazudo]

If there were enough demand for it, I may consider starting such a contest...attempting to stagger it with ICitP and ZS...If that's possible :smalleek:

Oh well.

[OMG PONIES]

I wonder, since some variants seem to exist... has there ever been a cooperative version of Iron Chef?

This has come up every so often, and it's been received positively. However, for multiple reasons, we've usually shied away from doing it competitively.


How do you mean? There's plenty of competitor/judge/chairman crossover between the most of them.

Though I do wonder sometimes what premise an ICitP version of "Chopped" would entail. Something like

"And in your basket of mystery ingredients, you find the following:
1. From Complete Divine: The Ur-Priest PRC!
2. The Sneak Attack Class Feature!
Aaaaaand
3. From the Player's Handbook, the Monk Base Class!"

And you have to make a 20 level build making the best out of that stuff.

It would definitely be fun, but I wonder how much variety we'd actually see between builds.

[Kazudo]

If it was hewed down to specifics. Like item 1 always being a PRC of some sort, item 2 being a class feature or feat, and item 3 being a race or base class, keeping a general theme but nothing else. But I can see what you mean, it would be a lot of similar looking builds. At the same time, an option could exist for doing something only SIMILAR to Chopped, wherein players use two out of three of the items instead. That way, if there's a particularly unwieldy one, then judges could see their way towards granting additional score bonuses to people who use it. Like for example if the ingredients were Initiate of the Sevenfold Veil, Heighten Spell, and CW Samurai, then...yeah.

Maybe. It is a tad off topic, however. How're them builds cooking up? :smallbiggrin:

[Ikeren]

And in your basket of mystery ingredients, you find the following:
1. From Complete Divine: The Ur-Priest PRC!
2. The Sneak Attack Class Feature!
Aaaaaand
3. From the Player's Handbook, the Monk Base Class!"

Well, let's check variety; here's what I consider obvious/first thought.

Rogue1/Monk2/Spellthief1/Thug1/UrPriest2/Sacred Fist10/Contemplative1/Swordsage 2, +2 other sneak attack classes (or +1 crusader +1 warblade), use contemplative domain to snag persisted hunters eye (there's probably a way; anyspell?). Laugh with 11d6+ sneak attack and full cleric casting and monk goodies and some Tome of Battle goodies.

You don't even need flaws or human:
1st level: Iron Will
Monk 1: Improved Unarmed Strike, Stunning Fist
Monk 2: Combat Reflexes
Level 3: Spell Focus: Evil
Level 6 Feat: Combat Casting


Text

[Kazudo]

Wow. That's a pretty smooth runthrough without too much. I mean, granted, you only used 2 levels of monk, and 2 levels of Ur-Priest, but 11d6 SA isn't terrible.

For a "dartboard joke" that kinda proved that it might be a thing. Hmm.

[Ikeren]

More levels of monk/ur priest = less sneak attack, less power. Rogue 1/Monk4/UrPriest10/Monk+5 is a legal build, but you have to get hunters eye via the extra spell feat, which is of dubious legality.

Submitted my Mountebank. Now to work on my Rogue1/Monk2/Spellthief1/Thug1/UrPriest2/Sacred Fist10/Contemplative1/Swordsage 2 build chart :p

[arkangel111]

I am looking at possibly making an entry for the first time ever. Been watching these boards for years now and think I may have a concept cooking. but first two things.

The main one: Alter Ego - as written it sounds like a mostly fluff type idea, however in pathfinder the master chymist has a similar alter ego ability that actually changes Alignment and such. Is it just fluff (with alterself) or more like an actual ego as in the master chymist?

Two:
without giving away my idea, does refluffing an existing class lose you points? What if it is the main feature of the class? ex. My character believes he is psionic, he functions in all ways as a sorcerer but he is psionic in fluff (changing nothing mechanically just maybe visually, touching his head and closing eyes for somatic components).

[Macabaret]

How do you mean? There's plenty of competitor/judge/chairman crossover between the most of them.

Though I do wonder sometimes what premise an ICitP version of "Chopped" would entail. Something like

"And in your basket of mystery ingredients, you find the following:
1. From Complete Divine: The Ur-Priest PRC!
2. The Sneak Attack Class Feature!
Aaaaaand
3. From the Player's Handbook, the Monk Base Class!"

And you have to make a 20 level build making the best out of that stuff.

I'd toyed around with an idea like this. The Alloy Chef. Give contestants two ingredients (feat tree, magic item, 5-level PRC, spell, class feature...) and let them make a 20 level build to showcase the synergy between them. People kept asking about 5-level PRCs for IC and were always told that it wasn't gonna happen. So I thought an Alloy Chef would be good for that.
But, ultimately, what's stopped me has been the question of whether or not there would be enough room for different contestants to create builds that were different enough to be interesting.

[Theomniadept]

I'm still a bit new to these boards, but I'd like to throw my nonexistent hat into the ring for this competition.

Small question: After our entry is accepted, who do we send the build to? Do we just post our builds here?

[Piggy Knowles]

I'm still a bit new to these boards, but I'd like to throw my nonexistent hat into the ring for this competition.

Small question: After our entry is accepted, who do we send the build to? Do we just post our builds here?

Send it to Kuulvheysoon, the chairman, via PM.

In other news, I have done NO additional work on my entry, and I'm going on vacation this weekend. I don't know why I've been procrastinating on this stuff so much...

[Kazudo]

Well, once we've had the reveal here and I'm done with my judge duty, I'll consider starting a new thread with a new competition just to see what happens out of it. Would have a similar judging, but may decide to change it up a little bit. I like the four categories thing, but I may mash Elegance and UoSI together, simply because even in this competition the line between the two tends to blur quite a bit, and in a competition where you have to pick from 2/3 ingredients, the two are bound to agree more than conflict.

EDIT: Ah! It hit me! It should totally be a "These two things but not this" competition. Three things that all work in synergy, but you don't get one! like: "Your build must include Sneak Attack, and the Shadowdancer PRC, but may NOT include the Rogue base class!" :smallamused:

[dysprosium]

Since I've been involved here with the Iron Chef competitions for the past year, there has been talk about various spin offs--including a live version. Sadly most of the time though they don't get past the planning stages.

I love the side competitions, maybe because I love building characters so much. So count me in with whatever one you come up with Kazudo.


I'd toyed around with an idea like this. The Alloy Chef. Give contestants two ingredients (feat tree, magic item, 5-level PRC, spell, class feature...) and let them make a 20 level build to showcase the synergy between them. People kept asking about 5-level PRCs for IC and were always told that it wasn't gonna happen. So I thought an Alloy Chef would be good for that.
But, ultimately, what's stopped me has been the question of whether or not there would be enough room for different contestants to create builds that were different enough to be interesting.

This sounds like an interesting idea. I bet if one was started you would be surprised at how different some builds could be.

[Theomniadept]

What's 'the reveal'? Is it something we need to know before making the build?

[Piggy Knowles]

The reveal is when the chairman posts all of the builds that have been submitted to him. I might recommend checking out one of the old contests - the first post has a link to all the older ones. Any of the last twenty or so should do; the contest format hasn't really changed in the last couple of years. That will give you a good idea of how things work.

[Kazudo]

Or you could be like me and meticulously read every single iteration.

Just avoid Green Star Adept. And Justiciar. For your own sanity. :smalleek:

[Kuulvheysoon]

I'd toyed around with an idea like this. The Alloy Chef. Give contestants two ingredients (feat tree, magic item, 5-level PRC, spell, class feature...) and let them make a 20 level build to showcase the synergy between them. People kept asking about 5-level PRCs for IC and were always told that it wasn't gonna happen. So I thought an Alloy Chef would be good for that.
But, ultimately, what's stopped me has been the question of whether or not there would be enough room for different contestants to create builds that were different enough to be interesting.I've actually considered having a pair of 5 level PrCs as the Secret Ingredient before, or classes with a similar theme. Never found anything that quite fit, though.


Send it to Kuulvheysoon, the chairman, via PM.

In other news, I have done NO additional work on my entry, and I'm going on vacation this weekend. I don't know why I've been procrastinating on this stuff so much...Ah, in True Iron Chef spirit - leave it to the last possible minute.

[Kazudo]

Ah, in True Iron Chef spirit - leave it to the last possible minute.

Yes, he's a credit to his uniform. er...badges. Er...trophy? No, those haven't happened recently either. I'm gonna start getting good at drawing again so that I can make those blasted things again. *cue 80's training montage*

[Tim Proctor]

I've actually considered having a pair of 5 level PrCs as the Secret Ingredient before, or classes with a similar theme. Never found anything that quite fit, though.
Challenge Accepted.

Mindspy + Zentrium spy

Geometer + Harper Agent

If we can go with 3 levels and other non-even ones we can do some cool stuff.

[Sian]

Combat Trapsmith + Trapsmith :smallbiggrin:

[The Viscount]

Or you could be like me and meticulously read every single iteration.

Just avoid Green Star Adept. And Justiciar. For your own sanity. :smalleek:

Yeah those were some....interesting rounds. Bladesinger was probably the worst for me. Upwards of 20 builds, almost all hamstrung into mediocrity by the SI, and mine was definitely one of the more mediocre ones.


Yes, he's a credit to his uniform. er...badges. Er...trophy? No, those haven't happened recently either. I'm gonna start getting good at drawing again so that I can make those blasted things again. *cue 80's training montage*

Are you serious? Because that would be fantastic.

[Deadline]

Yeah those were some....interesting rounds. Bladesinger was probably the worst for me. Upwards of 20 builds, almost all hamstrung into mediocrity by the SI, and mine was definitely one of the more mediocre ones.

Hey, at least your build didn't cause a stir about entries that were refused judging. :smallwink:

Although I did get my first Iron Chef trophy there (it was an honorable mention). I've been hooked ever since.

[Kazudo]

Super serious. I'm borrowing my wife's drawing pad, trying to get inspiration, downloading freeware drawing software, the works. I'm brilliant at still life, maybe I can learn stick figures too. They're actually pretty tough.

[Fax Celestis]

Super serious. I'm borrowing my wife's drawing pad, trying to get inspiration, downloading freeware drawing software, the works. I'm brilliant at still life, maybe I can learn stick figures too. They're actually pretty tough.

Try Inkscape if you have iOS.

[Kazudo]

Try Inkscape if you have iOS.

I don't, but my wife wants me to use Inkscape or Adobe Photoshop CS2 or GIMP or all three, actually. She used to do this as a thing.

[Sian]

if used to Photoshop, try take a look at GIMPshop ... it's GIMP with the look and UI similar to Photoshop

[Sian]

after going through a number of versions my build is all but done ... only need to cook the fluff, which shouldn't be the hardest thing in the world since the build lends itself to a certain direction

[Deadline]

Fluff sorted on at least one dish, rough concepts done for two. This should be an interesting round...

[Ardantis]

I've never posted on the Iron Chef competitions, but I have been lurking and secretly waiting for Mountebank to be used as the SI.

It's a horrible prestige class (not unlike the others), but I absolutely love the flavor.

However, the ruling that Alter Ego works exactly as written (like Alter Self) means we'll probably be seeing some ridiculous stuff that isn't quite in line with how I envision the fluff.

Still, it will make for much more interesting builds than if it were treated as Disguise Self, so I'm all in to watch.

I'm not familiar enough with Alter Self to throw my hat in the ring with a build, though.

[Fax Celestis]

I don't, but my wife wants me to use Inkscape or Adobe Photoshop CS2 or GIMP or all three, actually. She used to do this as a thing.

Sorry, Inkscape is Windows. I'm thinking Inkflow.

[Tim Proctor]

I just thought of a cool idea for Osteomancer an anthropomorphic toad called Napoleon Bonen'a'Toad, is it too late?

I like the interest in this round, lots of contestants and positive flow.

[Kazudo]

I just thought of a cool idea for Osteomancer an anthropomorphic toad called Napoleon Bonen'a'Toad, is it too late?

A tad.


I like the interest in this round, lots of contestants and positive flow.

Me too! The SI isn't too challenging to work with, we've got a good crop of potential participants, someone's spouting crazy talk about a spin off and actually attempting to do trophies for these things, it's turning out to be a pretty swell round! Let's hope that daring outlaw comes through with his goals and that the round keeps going strong!

[Tim Proctor]

A toad.
FTFY, sorry I can't help myself.

[Hangwind]

Okay, after several days of frustration, I am in this one as a judge. Mostly because I just don't get a ton of inspiration on this sort of character.

So, my judging criteria:
Originality- Avoid established builds. Others using your feats, class, ect. is not necessarily a deduction if you use it in a unique way. Fluff is good, but .5 is about the max I would be willing to add for good fluff.

Power-Impress me. I am, at my black core, a power-gamer. I will be looking very closely at what you come up with for power for both power and versatility.

Elegance-Make it clear. If you have a complicated build, making it easier to read will help me judge. Otherwise, everything has been said in the intro.

UotSI-Use the ingredient. The big thing here is that I won't necessarily take off points for not taking all the levels. If you have a build that takes 9/10 levels of the SI but makes the SI truly central to the build, that would be perfectly acceptable. If you have a build with all of the levels but that ignores the SI, expect a low score here.

Stay spicy!:smalltongue:

[OMG PONIES]

Hangwind is back, and so the avatar apocalypse continues. Soon you shall all be like us... :smallamused:


EDIT: Ah! It hit me! It should totally be a "These two things but not this" competition. Three things that all work in synergy, but you don't get one! like: "Your build must include Sneak Attack, and the Shadowdancer PRC, but may NOT include the Rogue base class!" :smallamused:

Yessss, now this is an interesting wrinkle. I will, of course, need a link as soon as this happens.


Or you could be like me and meticulously read every single iteration.

Not everyone is like us; some folks are "normal."


Yes, he's a credit to his uniform. er...badges. Er...trophy? No, those haven't happened recently either. I'm gonna start getting good at drawing again so that I can make those blasted things again. *cue 80's training montage*

So, you're just going to do everything, eh? You know you can't chair, judge, compete, and draw your own trophy, right? :smalltongue:


Napoleon Bonen'a'Toad

The mental image that conjures is certainly in violation of a few forum rules. :smalltongue:

[Kreuz]

Aaagh! I had it, almost had it! then I noticed something, and down with my feeble dream.

Back to square zero. I've skipped enough ICs, I have to do something this time!

[Kazudo]

So, you're just going to do everything, eh? You know you can't chair, judge, compete, and draw your own trophy, right? :smalltongue:

Let me be the moon! I can be the wall too! And the lion!

[KoboldsAreLittl]

I lurk around the competitions, and have entered one in the past. I really like this PrC. I will try my hand at competing.

[Deadline]

Must ... Not ... Enter ... Joke ... Build ...

[Kuulvheysoon]

Yessss, now this is an interesting wrinkle. I will, of course, need a link as soon as this happens.
This concept intrigues me as well - do link us in.

Not everyone is like us; some folks are "normal."
Pffft. Normal's overrated.

Must ... Not ... Enter ... Joke ... Build ...
Why resist? Join the Dark Side (of the ForcePlayground)

[Deadline]

Why resist? Join the Dark Side (of the ForcePlayground)

Because I like the other two concepts I'm working on. And because the joke build isn't really as original as I'd like it to be. :smallwink:

[Kazudo]

Because I like the other two concepts I'm working on. And because the joke build isn't really as original as I'd like it to be. :smallwink:

This is one of the few instances where you can use [REDACTED]/[REDACTED]. You know what I mean.

EDIT: Junkyard Wars in the Playground is up! (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=17212312#post17212312)

EDIT2: TOTALLY not just bumping the thread, honest. Look at how close the date's coming! I'm so interested to see these builds! Zomg!

[dysprosium]

Just read about the forum update starting on March 22.

It may (or may not) interfere with the reveal . . .

I imagine that if it does we get an impromptu extension?

[Deadline]

Dish #1 is complete except for fluff, which is writing itself. Should have a submission in hopefully today.

[Kazudo]

Just read about the forum update starting on March 22.

It may (or may not) interfere with the reveal . . .

:smalleek:

Actually, Skype's (worry) emote would work so much better here. Well, I hope it works out either way...it may just be an interesting few days.

[Kuulvheysoon]

Alright, it doesn't makes sense to cut the submission deadline by 3 days, so entries are now due Sunday, March 30th, 23:59GMT. I'll also ask for all of the entries to be submitted with the new {TABLE] coding, as found here (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=332237).

Judges will have until Sunday, April 13th to complete their judging.

[Tim Proctor]

Alright, it doesn't makes sense to cut the submission deadline by 3 days, so entries are now due Sunday, March 30th, 23:59GMT. I'll also ask for all of the entries to be submitted with the new {TABLE] coding, as found here (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=332237).

Judges will have until Sunday, April 13th to complete their judging.
But the suspense was already maddening, now I'm gonna end up completely insane... when people get a Power score of 'Apple' they can thank the Chairman.

[Kazudo]

But the suspense was already maddening, now I'm gonna end up completely insane... when people get a Power score of 'Apple' they can thank the Chairman.

Please. Everyone knows the minimum score in any category is "Orange". Keep to the rules.

[Vaz]

Would that count as a refusal to Banana?

[Kazudo]

Well, not everyone's gonna score a perfect grape on everything. Let's not bring up RtB again...Last time there were so few survivors.

[OMG PONIES]

I step away from the thread for one second, and it gets berried in shenanigans! I understand that puns are always ripe for the picking, but some might call them low-hanging fruit. I can stop whenever I want. Self-control is the key...wi. Dammit!

[Taffimai]

I just read the mountebank and fell in love with a build idea, so please sign me up as a contestant.

Will there be some lenience with regards to the deadline in case the forum does not come back up before the 30th? I am not sure I'll get it done before it goes down.

[Kazudo]

I step away from the thread for one second, and it gets berried in shenanigans! I understand that puns are always ripe for the picking, but some might call them low-hanging fruit. I can stop whenever I want. Self-control is the key...wi. Dammit!

Yeah...Sorry...I may have sowed the seeds of that personally. Normally I don't beat about the bush, but sometimes I just branch out into subjects I should really just leave alone.

I regret nothing!

[Tim Proctor]

I think we're getting to the root of the issue here. I've been trying to photosynthisize the difference between punny and funny jokes. I got to say the grotesque/macabe nature of jokes is along my sense of humor, (jokes like berries) the darker the berry the sweeter the juice. Just saying I like it.

[Hangwind]

This used to be such a wholesome place. Now it seems to be getting seedier and seedier...

[Kazudo]

This used to be such a wholesome place. Now it seems to be getting seedier and seedier...

It IS still a part of this wholesome breakfast.

Look at all the minerals! Seriously!

[The Viscount]

Alright, it doesn't makes sense to cut the submission deadline by 3 days, so entries are now due Sunday, March 30th, 23:59GMT. I'll also ask for all of the entries to be submitted with the new {TABLE] coding, as found here (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=332237).

Judges will have until Sunday, April 13th to complete their judging.

Looks like it's time for a reformat, then. That'll teach me to submit early, counter to Iron Chef tradition.

EDIT: I'm unfamiliar with how to work this new system. Would someone more technologically inclined be willing to provide a skeleton?

[Ikeren]

I'll also ask for all of the entries to be submitted with the new {table] coding, as found here.

Can you or someone else make up one of those fancy tables code chart thingies like you did in the first post? I'm exceptionally bad at this stuff.

[Sian]

I made a code in the previous IC after the change were announced, which should look quite similar to how it should look like after the change.

here (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=17039222&postcount=143)

[Amphetryon]

I have no doubt that Sian's grasp of writing code is stronger than mine, but can anyone else confirm that her table is correct for the forum change?

[Deadline]

I have no doubt that Sian's grasp of writing code is stronger than mine, but can anyone else confirm that her table is correct for the forum change?

It will work, but the resulting table won't have any lines separating the cells. For that you need to add a bit to the opening table tag. So instead of this:

{table]

You would use this:

{table="class:grid"]

[relytdan]

on the forum shutdown I will commence with daily checks to see if the forums are back up. the only question that is related to such is will there be any extensions on submissions or judging due to forum shutdown ???-= see you on the otherside

[Kazudo]

Most Honorable Chairperson actually said that there would be some extensions. Unless I'm in the Playground blind stumbling drunk again.

[OMG PONIES]

And we're back! Most honorable Chairperson, any word on when the submission deadline is now that 3/30 has passed?

[Kazudo]

Whew. Good to be back. I see no reveal just yet, so I need not judge just yet!

Needless to say I'll be judging like lightning this time around if possible so that I get it done before my wife finishes casting Summon Monster. Er...my third child's born.

[Kuulvheysoon]

And we're back! Most honorable Chairperson, any word on when the submission deadline is now that 3/30 has passed?

Alright, how's about 24 hours from the time of this post? That work for everyone?

Also, thoughts on the new look?

[Kazudo]

Alright, how's about 24 hours from the time of this post? That work for everyone?

Also, thoughts on the new look?

It sure is swanky.

The extension on the deadline works for me. I ended up doing pretty much the same 1 day extension. Well, time to dust off Evernote and get a new pre-emptive judging file started.

As far as the trophies go, I think I've got a rough idea of how to do what I want to do. Haven't been able to test it since the realization yesterday. My tablet's lost its pen (NOOOOOOOOOOOO) so I'm having to improvise. Long story short, having a huge phone with its own stylus and really, really good app support is a benefit when it needs to be.

I'll make sure to buzz in when I do manage to get that thing figured out.

EDIT: Also, uh...Looking back at that skeleton that Sian posted a few pages back, it appears to be nonfunctioning. I'm a coding moron (why I had to drop out of Computer Science in college) and I can't figure it out. Can someone post a table with code using the new system either here or on JWitP?

[Kuulvheysoon]

For everyone who hasn't got around to making a new table, here you go:

Level
Class
Base Attack Bonus
Fort Save
Ref Save
Will Save
Skills
Feats
Class Features


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


20th
New Class Level
+x
+x
+x
+x
Skills
Feats
New Class Abilities



I make no claims that this thing is pretty (like they used to be), and I have little/no experience with HTML, so if anyone can prettyfy it up, that'd be much appreciated. Also tossing this in the OP for easier access (spells table coming soon! Now Online!).

Code immediately below (spoiler).

Level
Class
Base Attack Bonus
Fort Save
Ref Save
Will Save
Skills
Feats
Class Features


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


20th
New Class Level
+x
+x
+x
+x
Skills
Feats
New Class Abilities

[Deadline]

Honorable Chairman, I have humbly submitted my dish. Can you confirm that it has been received, and that the table looks right (structure-wise) to you? I think it is all in order, but it would be nice to get some confirmation.

[Kuulvheysoon]

Honorable Chairman, I have humbly submitted my dish. Can you confirm that it has been received, and that the table looks right (structure-wise) to you? I think it is all in order, but it would be nice to get some confirmation.

Everything appears to be in order, good sir.

[Deadline]

Everything appears to be in order, good sir.

You are indeed a gentleman and a scholar!

[Kuulvheysoon]

You are indeed a gentleman and a scholar!

No problem.

KoboldsAreLittle, relytdan and Ikeren - would you guys mind reformatting your builds into the New Table code?

[arkangel111]

I have been watching these forums for a long time now. finally got a dish I am wanting to submit. so quick question how do I do spoiler tags?

[Deadline]

I have been watching these forums for a long time now. finally got a dish I am wanting to submit. so quick question how do I do spoiler tags?

Like this:

spoilered text goes here

[relytdan]

ok forums are live again - cheer

[Tim Proctor]

Mr. Chairman, how many builds do we have submitted?

[KoboldsAreLittl]

Mr. Most Honorable Chairman, I have resubmitted the build. I think the table looks nice and all. Lemme know if things are not in order.

[Kuulvheysoon]

Mr. Chairman, how many builds do we have submitted?

Depends on what you're counting - I've got 3 builds in the 'correct' format, and 3 in the Old format.

On that note, I'll also need an updated submission from Gwachitallemall and The Viscount.

[Sian]

Currently in the process of rebuilding my Fluff (it got lost somehow and while i had saved the build itself the fluff wasn't backupped) ... might cut it close

[OMG PONIES]

...before my wife finishes casting Summon Monster. Er...my third child's born.

You win. Internet over. And congrats--now that she can cast Summon Monster III you're one step closer to "So I Married a Malconvoker!"


Alright, how's about 24 hours from the time of this post? That work for everyone?

Also, thoughts on the new look?

Enough time to grant real entries clemency, not enough time to get my horrendous joke build slapdashed together. I may be in to judge.

As far as the redesign, I'm still in the "GAH, IT'S NOT THE SAME!" phase and thus haven't formed an actual opinion yet.

EDIT: I just saw my post auto-save as I was typing. I may be able to live w/ that.

[Vaz]

Well, this is new. Going to have to reformat etc. Posting from a phone atm, not too sure on the mobile version of the site, so might just be using the full version, depending on load times.

On the bright side, the downtime has allowed me to catch up on breaking bad. Not sure what i think about it so far. S2 has been a drag....

Oh yeah mountebank....

[Tim Proctor]

To make things easier for everyone I have a template that people can use, it is in Excel format.

IC Entry Template (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0ArwzEhoOzHkodDVkaEpRYy15bmdpV3Ewc0dMajdiZ EE&usp=sharing)

It looks like this:


Name
Race, Alignment, Class 1/ Class 2/ Class 3/ Class 4

Fluff:


Build:


Level Class BAB Fort Ref Will Skills Feats Features
1 - - - - - - - -
2 - - - - - - - -
3 - - - - - - - -
4 - - - - - - - -
5 - - - - - - - -
6 - - - - - - - -
7 - - - - - - - -
8 - - - - - - - -
9 - - - - - - - -
10 - - - - - - - -
11 - - - - - - - -
12 - - - - - - - -
13 - - - - - - - -
14 - - - - - - - -
15 - - - - - - - -
16 - - - - - - - -
17 - - - - - - - -
18 - - - - - - - -
19 - - - - - - - -
20 - - - - - - - -



Spells/Manuvers Per Day:

Level Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4 Level 5 Level 6 Level 7 Level 8 Level 9
1 - - - - - - - - -
2 - - - - - - - - -
3 - - - - - - - - -
4 - - - - - - - - -
5 - - - - - - - - -
6 - - - - - - - - -
7 - - - - - - - - -
8 - - - - - - - - -
9 - - - - - - - - -
10 - - - - - - - - -
11 - - - - - - - - -
12 - - - - - - - - -
13 - - - - - - - - -
14 - - - - - - - - -
15 - - - - - - - - -
16 - - - - - - - - -
17 - - - - - - - - -
18 - - - - - - - - -
19 - - - - - - - - -
20 - - - - - - - - -



Spells/Manuvers Known:

Level List
1 -
2 -
3 -
4 -
5 -
6 -
7 -
8 -
9 -
10 -
11 -
12 -
13 -
14 -
15 -
16 -
17 -
18 -
19 -
20 -



Sources:



Notes:





I hope it helps people transition over.

EDIT: It was made public, so everyone can see it now.

[Kazudo]

I may be in to judge.

:amused:

Mmmyes.

[Ikeren]

I just found the forum up. Figuring out how to resubmit my chart thingy

[Kazudo]

I just found the forum up. Figuring out how to resubmit my chart thingy

It's ok. Not everyone was checking the forums every four hours and signing up for twitter just to lurk the Giant's twitter to find out when we were being let back inside over the last few weeks while I sobbed into my wife's shoulder.

...Which is totally NOT what I did. :smallredface:

[Deadline]

It's ok. Not everyone was checking the forums every four hours and signing up for twitter just to lurk the Giant's twitter to find out when we were being let back inside over the last few weeks while I sobbed into my wife's shoulder.

...Which is totally NOT what I did. :smallredface:

You are far too manly (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGpU4qCdYa8) for that.

[OMG PONIES]

To make things easier for everyone I have a template that people can use, it is in Excel format.

IC Entry Template (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0ArwzEhoOzHkodDVkaEpRYy15bmdpV3Ewc0dMajdiZ EE&usp=sharing)
I hope it helps people transition over.

I've requested access. You may want to make that public so you don't have to keep allowing folks.

[arkangel111]

Submitted. let me know if there is anything wrong with it.

[Ikeren]

I think the charts are my least favourite part of the competition.

[Amphetryon]

Just now managed to get back on the forum. I'll apparently have to judge this round.

[Kazudo]

I think the charts are my least favourite part of the competition.

They do unfortunately help clean and unify the entrants.


Just now managed to get back on the forum. I'll apparently have to judge this round.

OMG PONIES and Amphetryon judging in the same round again!?

*awkward young girl squee*

[Tim Proctor]

I've requested access. You may want to make that public so you don't have to keep allowing folks.

Yeah, I clicked the share with anyone with a link, and I guess I did it wrong. I'm working on getting it as public but am having difficulty via my phone.

[The Viscount]

Depends on what you're counting - I've got 3 builds in the 'correct' format, and 3 in the Old format.

On that note, I'll also need an updated submission from Gwachitallemall and The Viscount.

Done, let me know if it didn't work. This new table will take some getting used to, especially the side scrolling on my little computer.

[Kazudo]

Chairman, I have a question.

I've heard a rumor or five that double posting isn't possible in the new forum system. If that's the case, what should we do come the reveal? Have someone post a "reserved post" between your reveals?

[KrimsonNekros]

Tim thanks for the table input. It's making life a lot easier.

[Ikeren]

They do unfortunately help clean and unify the entrants.

Yeah, I understand and respect their necessity. I just chart by hand in a word document.

Here's something I'm working on right now, for example:
Cloistered Cleric 1: d6, 6+skills, 0.5 BAB, 2/0/2 saves: Level 1 feat, human feat, flaw, flaw, trait, trait, simple weapons, light armor, lore, knowledge devotion, +2 domains
Cloistered Cleric 2: d6, 6+ skills, 1 BAB, 3/0/3 saves,
Cloistered Cleric 3: d6, 6+ skills, 1.5 BAB, 3/1/3 saves, Feat
Crusader 1: d10, 4+ skills, 2.5 BAB, 5/1/3 saves, Attribute, martial weapons and all armor, furious counterstrike, steely resolve, and 5 (5/2) manoeuvres at IL 2.5.
Warblade 1: d12, 4+ skills, 3.5 BAB, 7/1/3 saves, Battle Clarity (ref), weapon aptitude, 3 manouevers at IL 3.
Ruby Knight Windicator 1: d8, 4+ skills, 4.5 BAB, 7/1/5 saves --- Feat, stance
Ruby Knight Windicator 2: d8, 4+ skills, 5.5 BAB, 7/1/6 saves --- Divine Recovery, manouver known, IL5,
Ruby Knight Windicator 3: d8, 4+ skills, 6.5 BAB, 8/2/6 saves --- Attribute
Ruby Knight Windicator 4: d8, 4+ skills, 7.5 BAB, 8/2/7 saves --- Feat, manouver known, IL7
Ruby Knight Windicator 5: d8, 4+ skills, 8.5 BAB, 8/2/7 saves --- Armored Stealth, +1 readied
Ruby Knight Windicator 6: d8, 4+ skills, 9.5 BAB, 9/3/8 saves --- manouver known, IL9, +1 stance
Ruby Knight Windicator 7: d8, 4+ skills, 10.5 BAB, 9/3/8 saves --- Feat, attribute, Divine Impetus
Ruby Knight Windicator 8: d8, 4+ skills, 11.5 BAB, 9/3/9 saves --- manouver known, IL 11
Ruby Knight Windicator 9: d8, 4+ skills, 12.5 BAB, 10/4/9 saves --- Divine Fury, +1 readied
Ruby Knight Windicator 10: d8, 4+ skills, 13.5 BAB, 10/4/10 saves – Feat, manouver known, IL13

Apply 2 readied to Crusader, and you're up to 5 known, 7(4) readied.

I plan the loose build, fill out feats, tinker lots --- I usually don't do skills except to note if I can make prerequisites or not. (This build may or may not work; I'm obviously still finishing it).

It's sloppy-ish, but it's super quick.

And I'm usually pretty lazy.

[Macabaret]

We're back!! Whoo-hoo!

Entry PMed.

- - - Updated - - -


Chairman, I have a question.

I've heard a rumor or five that double posting isn't possible in the new forum system. If that's the case, what should we do come the reveal? Have someone post a "reserved post" between your reveals?

This is a test of the double-post rumor. This is only a test. If this were an actual double-post, well, then, your head would have exploded by now and you wouldn't have been able to finish reading this sentence.

- - - Updated - - -

(Third post starts here.)

Hmm, they just seem to stack up one after the other in one long post. That could make things difficult for posting the entries. Any thoughts or ideas from the Playground?

[Ikeren]

Get another user to be online at the same time, interject short alphanumeric string posts.
DM creates dummy account to post between his posts, or alternates with dummy account called Iron Chef DM LV.

[Vaz]

Having an alternate account specifically for that purpose seems to be the most rational. However, it seems like there'd be a lot of effort gone into the whole Log In/Log Out/Log In/Log Out/Log In etc just to post. Is the post character limit still in place, even for "double posts"? Is there an Anchor tag? I think it's possible in HTML (which is why we can click to specific posts in any case), but I'm not sure if that is carried over into this forum's code.

In regards to competing, I have my idea, but I don't think I'm going to finish it, procrastination has killed it for me. I'll post up my idea after the reveal unless anyone else has said otherwise. And I'll judge as well, I think, time being forgiving.

[Taffimai]

I have just made two double posts in the game I'm playing, so it appears to be time sensitive. Perhaps if we found out how long you have to wait to avoid the merging, this might offer a solution.

[OMG PONIES]

OMG PONIES and Amphetryon judging in the same round again!?

*awkward young girl squee*

Just remember that when I start slapping down scores. :smallamused:


Get another user to be online at the same time, interject short alphanumeric string posts.
DM creates dummy account to post between his posts, or alternates with dummy account called Iron Chef DM LV.

Both of these ideas are in violation of forum rules, IIRC.


I have just made two double posts in the game I'm playing, so it appears to be time sensitive. Perhaps if we found out how long you have to wait to avoid the merging, this might offer a solution.

This sounds like the most viable, even though multi-posting is also a rules violation. The most rules-friendly way to post the reveal is for the Chairman to swap posts with an unbiased party as such: Chairman posts build 1, Helper posts build 2, and so forth. Granted, we've gone this many rounds with the Chairman multi-posting, so I don't know if that implies it's okay in limited practice.

[Sian]

Character sent :smallbiggrin:

[KrimsonNekros]

This sounds like the most viable, even though multi-posting is also a rules violation. The most rules-friendly way to post the reveal is for the Chairman to swap posts with an unbiased party as such: Chairman posts build 1, Helper posts build 2, and so forth. Granted, we've gone this many rounds with the Chairman multi-posting, so I don't know if that implies it's okay in limited practice.


I think we're given a pass on this because of the type of thread we have. That and nobody raises any complaints about it so there's nothing to draw attention to it when it happens.

[Deadline]

The anticipation, it is killing me.

Also, had I known that the reveal would be on April Fool's day, I would have scrambled to make my joke build a reality.

[Kazudo]

Alternatively, someone could always just post a "reserved post" between each entrant being posted, then remove all of his "reserved posts" after the reveal is over.

[dysprosium]

Whew. I got my entry in.

Welcome back everyone and good luck!

[KrimsonNekros]

The anticipation, it is killing me.

Also, had I known that the reveal would be on April Fool's day, I would have scrambled to make my joke build a reality.

I had a joke build started, but didn't get it done in time. Pity too, because I know Tim would have loved it.

[Kazudo]

How odd would it be if everyone had the same idea for that joke build? I passed a bit of humorous witty banter back and forth with the Chairperson about a joke build shortly after the SI was announced. I wonder if it's the same? :smallconfused: Worse to think yet, what if someone actually submitted the joke build we're all thinking of?

We'll see soon enough on this exciting episode of Dragonba-

er...

Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground!

EDIT: The problem's been solved. The post update feature has been disabled for now. Apparently problems galore.

[Tim Proctor]

So I submitted an 11th hour build, since a bunch of people jumped in for judging and the # of confirmed competitors is low I figured I'd transfer over the entrant side of things. I think I got it in close enough to the deadline that it'll be okay.

[Tim Proctor]

Just testing the back-to-back post issue, there is only a 60-second wait between posts, so it'll take the Chairman 20-30 minutes to post builds.

EDIT: and it looks like we're in the clear with separate posts!

[Kazudo]

The anticipation! It's growing! It builds!

Look! It's even grasped triangular building references and basic weight load capacity mathematics!

[Gwachitallemall]

As I missed the deadline, I'll be judging as well. (Never fluffed my build out, just had the old table and the new table is taking too long for me to understand.

[Tim Proctor]

As I missed the deadline, I'll be judging as well. (Never fluffed my build out, just had the old table and the new table is taking too long for me to understand.

Sorry to hear that you're having trouble, I made a template (excel style) for people where it is really easy to update and change, IC Entrant Template (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0ArwzEhoOzHkodDVkaEpRYy15bmdpV3Ewc0dMajdiZ EE&usp=sharing), I hope that it helps people.

But I am glad that you're judging.

[Kuulvheysoon]

Sorry guys, waiting for confirmation of the double-posts (that, and I had to step away for a bit).

Please, refrain from posting until I give the all-clear. And away we go!

[Kuulvheysoon]

Mystical Monkey Power? Why not?

The Inscrutable Master Gau
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Ck8T22NxxeA/S9XhPoOp7gI/AAAAAAAAA2M/jDB3bTSGiaQ/s1600/shifterdoodle.jpg

Background
Master Gau's story began in the ancient ruins of Sinanju. Living in the shadow of the crumbling capitol city, the feral Brood Monkey descendents of the survivors of that long forgotten kingdom served as a dangerous deterrent to would-be thieves. Despite that, the fabled wealth of the ruins drew treasure hunters from all over. One such group, a crew of unsavory bandits known as the Band of the Red Hand, spent a great deal of time and effort pulling valuables from the ruins and selling them on the black market. During one of their forays, they were beset upon by Gau and his tribe. The fight was brief, and not in Gau's favor. Many of them were taken to be sold as slaves or "pets". Gau made numerous escape attempts, using trickery, brute force, and anything else that might give him an edge, but was always recaptured before he could break free. However, the Red Hand's leader, Arturo Porcuna, took a liking to Gau's savage cunning and relatively amoral outlook. And so over the course of many months Gau became a "mascot" for the Red Hand. Arturo took the time to teach Gau how to speak proper Common, showed him a few tricks of the trade, and eventually offered him a place as a member of the gang. Gau readily agreed. With his lethal training, his natural magical abilities, and his gift for lying, Gau proved to be a very productive member of the gang.

Eventually Gau began to consider alternative ways to a wealthy and comfortable life. With this thought in mind, Gau snuck away from the Red Hand camp in the middle of the night, after stealing as much as he could carry from Arturo's personal treasure cache. Gau left the bandits behind and began to pursue an alternate path to prosperity. Taking what you wanted by force or stealth was all well and good, but what if there was a way to get people to simply hand over their wealth to you? Gau decided to pursue this option, and created a magical disguise for himself, and began to spin the legend of The Inscrutable Master Gau, a wise warrior who wandered the land with his acolytes and helped those who could not help themselves, for a price. His first alter ego, Stone Fist, was a mighty gargoyle who had been training with "Master" Gau for quite some time, and was a skilled foe of the unjust. Gau would disguise himself as a traveller, enter a town, and spin a story about the Great Master Gau and his brave acolytes. With this story in place, Gau found it quite easy to find work in numerous villages and towns, fending off bandits and earning twice the reward (payment for his services, and payment for Stone Fist's services). But still, this was work. He was only being hired when there was a legitimate problem, or the fear of a problem (which quickly went away once he was hired, so his services were not retained for long). This was close to what he desired, but was not enough. So "Master" Gau hatched another plan, and created a new magical disguise for himself.

His new alter ego was that of Hidden Dragon, formerly "Master" Gau's finest apprentice, now fallen to banditry and murder. Gau used Hidden Dragon to drum up fear in a village prior to his arrival by stealing valuables, killing the occasional noble, and generally causing mayhem. Some towns would throw their wealth at him in the hopes that he could stop Hidden Dragon. In addition to this, Gau found that Hidden Dragon provided an additional benefit, he was sought out and hired on more than one occasion for an assassination. For a time, this setup worked very well. He would drum up fear and panic with Hidden Dragon, and hire out Stone Fist and himself to help deal with the problem. But Gau was not satisfied. Playing the part of Hidden Dragon was hard work, and dangerous. Not only that, but once he arrived in a village and was hired to deal with the problem, his time there was limited. He either had to deal with the problem, leaving the village no reason to continue paying him, or fail to deal with Hidden Dragon, resulting in no payment for failure. He needed to find a way to extend his stay in a village. He needed to find a way to scare a populace into paying protection money without exposing himself to danger all the time. And so "Master" Gau created his final magical disguise.

His last alter ego was that of Preying Mantis, one of "Master" Gau's brave warriors, and an individual dedicated to tracking down Hidden Dragon. Gau spread the tale across the countryside - Preying Mantis had vowed to face his master's fallen acolyte in single combat and determine which of them was truly Master Gau's greatest student. He was an incredibly skilled tracker (he could "find evidence" of Hidden Dragon's passing where the skilled hunters of a village could not), and he was always hot on the heels of Hidden Dragon. And so it was that Gau at last found what he was looking for. When Preying Mantis showed up in a town, it was a sure sign to the populace that Hidden Dragon was nearby, so they hired "Master" Gau's brave warriors to protect them. If Hidden Dragon didn't show up, it was because the village had hired protection. As long as Preying Mantis was around, the threat was always there, and so they kept paying. If a villager grew disillusioned and started grumbling about paying protection money, Hidden Dragon would conveniently be spotted in the surrounding area. In this way, Gau could make a decent living for quite some time in one place, and then "Master" Gau and his brave warriors would move to the next village or town and repeat the process.

And at long last, The Inscrutable Master Gau was happy.

Build
The Inscrutable Master Gau
CN Brood Monkey Rogue 3/Mountebank 10/Swordsage 3



Level
Class
Base Attack Bonus
Fort Save
Ref Save
Will Save
Skills
Feats
Class Features


4th
Brood Monkey
+2
+0
+3
+3
Hide 5, Listen 1, Spellcraft (1), Spot 1, Tumble 1
Alertness(B), Improved Unarmed Strike
Flurry of blows, Spell-like Abilities: 3/day -- Cure Minor Wounds, Doom (DC 12); 1/day -- Cause Fear (DC 12), Cure Light Wounds, Shield of Faith. Caster level 2, Darkvision 120 ft., Immune to Enchantment, Low-light vision, +1 Natural Armor, Bite (1d3), +8 racial bonus on Climb checks and can choose to take 10 on a Climb check even when rushed or threatened, +4 racial bonus on Balance, Jump, and Tumble checks.


5th
Rogue 1
+2
+0
+5
+3
Bluff 6, Spellcraft (2)
Deceitful
Sneak Attack +1d6, Mimic


6th
Rogue 2
+3
+0
+6
+3
Bluff 7, Knowledge(Local) 4, Move Silently 1, Spellcraft (3)

Evasion


7th
Rogue 3
+4
+1
+6
+4
Bluff 8, Move Silently 5, Spellcraft (4), Use Magic Device 1

Sneak Attack +2d6, Penetrating Strike


8th
Mountebank 1
+4
+1
+8
+4
Bluff 8, Knowledge(Local) 5, Sleight of Hand 1, Spot 2, Tumble 2
Trickery Devotion
Tongue of the Devil


9th
Mountebank 2
+5
+1
+9
+4
Bluff 9, Spellcraft 5, Spot 3, Tumble 3

Sneak Attack +1d6


10th
Mountebank 3
+6
+2
+9
+5
Bluff 10, Diplomacy 1, Sleight of Hand 2, Spot 4, Tumble 4

Alter Ego


11th
Mountebank 4
+7
+2
+10
+5
Bluff 11, Diplomacy 2, Sleight of Hand 3, Spot 5, Tumble 5
Weapon Finesse
Sideslip 1/day


12th
Mountebank 5
+7
+2
+10
+5
Bluff 13, Diplomacy 5

Sneak Attack +2d6


13th
Mountebank 6
+8
+3
+11
+6
Bluff 14, Diplomacy 6, Sleight of Hand 4, Spot 6, Tumble 6

Alter Ego, Sideslip 2/day


14th
Mountebank 7
+9
+3
+11
+6
Bluff 15, Diplomacy 7, Listen 2, Spot 7, Tumble 7
Sun School
Slippery Mind


15th
Mountebank 8
+10
+3
+12
+6
Bluff 16, Diplomacy 8, Listen 3, Spot 8, Tumble 8

Sideslip 3/day, Sneak Attack +3d6


16th
Mountebank 9
+10
+4
+12
+7
Bluff 17, Diplomacy 9, Listen 4, Spot 9, Tumble 9

Alter Ego


17th
Mountebank 10
+11
+4
+13
+7
Bluff 18, Diplomacy 10, Listen 5, Spot 10, Tumble 10
Snap Kick
Sideslip 4/day, Sudden Escape


18th
Swordsage 1
+11
+4
+15
+9
Bluff (19), Hide 10

Quick to Act +1, Discipline Focus (Weapon Focus)


19th
Swordsage 2
+12
+4
+16
+10
Bluff (20), Move Silently 10

AC Bonus


20th
Swordsage 3
+13
+5
+16
+10
Bluff (21), Listen 10
Shadow Blade





Ability Scores

Starting Ability Scores:
Str - 12
Dex - 18
Con - 16
Int - 10
Wis - 16
Cha - 12

Final Ability Scores:
Str - 12
Dex - 20 (+2 12th, 16th)
Con - 16
Int - 12 (+1 4th, +1 8th)
Wis - 16
Cha - 12


Maneuvers/Stances Known

Maneuvers/Stances Known
Stances: Assassin's Stance (3rd, Shadow Hand), Giant Killing Style (3rd, Setting Sun)
Maneuvers (* indicates usual loadout): * Cloak of Deception (2nd, Shadow Hand), Comet Throw (4th, Setting Sun), * Counter Charge(1st, Setting Sun), Distracting Ember(1st, Desert Wind), * Leaping Flame (5th, Desert Wind), Shadow Jaunt (3rd, Shadow Hand), * Shadow Stride(5th, Shadow Hand), * Zephyr Dance (3rd, Desert Wind)


Level Breakpoints

Level 5

Early on, Gau is naught but a cunning and savage little skirmisher. He's got a level of Rogue granting him several useful abilities, but he leverages his Sneak Attack and Mimic abilities the most. With Flurry of Blows, a natural bite attack, and a flanking position, he is capable of unleashing a solid amount of damage on a full attack. His spell-like abilities give him a little added versatility, and despite the Int penalty for his race, he's quite the skill monkey. His racial bonuses on Balance, Climb, Jump, and Tumble ensure that he's quite capable of getting around. His Darkvision, Low-light vision, and Alertness bonus feat coupled with his high wisdom make him a good scout. His Rogue Mimic feature coupled with his natural charisma, the Deceitful feat, and synergy from his great bluff skill allow him to pass as a variety of different creatures with little effort, allowing him to do a little infiltration. His natural immunity to Enchantment also means that he can never be charmed or dominated.

Level 10

At 10th level, things get interesting. By this point in his career, Master Gau has discovered that simple disguises and lies just aren't quite enough to get by. So he creates his first Alter Ego, Stone Fist (detailed below). Stone Fist is a battle form pure and simple. It grants him flight, good natural armor and strength, an impressive array of natural weapons to carry sneak attack damage, and some useful skill bonuses. In addition to the benefits of his new alter ego, Master Gau has picked up an array of offensive, defensive, and fun utility abilities. His sneak attack is now +3d6, meaning he can drop a potential 21d6 (7 attacks) of sneak attack damage on an enemy. That sneak attack is even useful against things normally immune to it, thanks to his Penetrating Strike class feature (which lets him apply half of it to things normally immune to it). On the defensive side, Master Gau has Evasion, Trickery Devotion, and a high bluff check (for use with Trickery Devotion). For utility, Master Gau has continued to enhance his Bluff skill (Tongue of the Devil now grants a small bonus to it), and has started to work on his Diplomacy and Sleight of Hand (both of which are kept useful through natural charisma, natural dex, and synergy bonuses). He still makes a reasonably effective scout, even more so as Stone Fist. Trickery Devotion needs to be mentioned under utility as well - assuming that the duplicate you make with Trickery Devotion looks just like you do when you make it, then it can be used to really sell the idea that Stone Fist and Master Gau are different people by allowing them to be seen together. Gau can create a duplicate of himself, then shift to his alter ego (or vice-versa) and have the two of them walk around together. Lastly, Master Gau has a rank in UMD, and a synergy bonus from Spellcraft that should be enough for him to activate the occasional scroll for added utility.


Alter Ego#1 - Stone Fisthttp://i62.tinypic.com/2ibc86h.jpg

Source (http://fc01.deviantart.net/fs70/i/2013/311/7/e/spirit_gargoyle_by_mscorley-d6tdgr0.jpg)
Master Gau's first Alter Ego is the mighty Stone Fist, a Gargoyle who is spiritually enlightened, but ferocious and relentless in his pursuit of justice. Stone Fist is the Alter Ego Master Gau uses when he is feeling generous towards his marks (Stone Fist often likes to help people for a much reduced fee), or when he needs to really fire up the populace of a village with righteous indignation. Stone Fist is a "Lawful Neutral" styled Alter Ego.

Benefits of Gargoyle form: Str 15, Dex 14, Con 18
Size: Medium
Movement: 40ft., Fly 60ft.
Natural Armor: +4
Natural Attacks: 2 Claws (1d4 each), Bite (1d6), Gore (1d6)
Bonus Feats: None
Skill Bonuses: +2 racial bonus on Hide, Listen, and Spot. +8 bonus on Hide checks when it is concealed against a background of stone.

Level 15

Master Gau now has a whole new bag of tricks. Seeing that his first Alter Ego wasn't always enough to make the con work, Master Gau creates Hidden Dragon (described below). Hidden Dragon is used as an instrument of terror. Through him, Master Gau can steal, silence naysayers, and finally give up having to actually fight bandits to earn his pay. Master Gau's martial arts "style" starts to really pick up steam at this point. Weapon Finesse ensures that more of his attacks hit thanks to his good Dex (and Hidden Dragon's good Dex). Master Gau now adds +5d6 of sneak attack to every strike. But the featured benefit at this point is two-fold: Master Gau's Sideslip ability (3/day at this point), and the Sun School tactical feat. Now, 3/day as an immediate action, Master Gau can teleport a short distance and punch someone. From a utility standpoint, Master Gau is still an excellent scout, and he now has a good Diplomacy skill to go with his already impressive Bluff skill. In the Hidden Dragon alter ego, the racial bonuses of the form grant him an even more impressive Bluff skill, and enough of a boost to make him a good sneak.


Alter Ego#2 - Hidden Dragonhttp://i59.tinypic.com/2j2hilu.jpg

Source (http://th01.deviantart.net/fs70/PRE/i/2011/120/b/6/dragonborn_shogun_by_peachyco-d3faxoc.jpg)
Master Gau's second Alter Ego is that of the stealthy and deadly Hidden Dragon. Hidden Dragon is a known scoundrel, thief, and assassin. For the right price, Hidden Dragon will steal any bauble you desire, uncover any secrets your foes wish to hide, or kill anyone who stands in the way of your rise to power. Hidden Dragon is known to be a former disciple of Master Gau. Sometimes, when he is far into his cups, Master Gau will lament that such a promising student of his could have fallen so far. Hidden Dragon is the Alter Ego Master Gau uses when he needs to convince a village to hire Master Gau's brave warriors "for protection". Hidden Dragon is a "Neutral Evil" styled Alter Ego.

Benefits of Greenspawn Sneak form: Str 11, Dex 16, Con 13
Size: Small
Movement: 30ft.
Natural Armor: +3
Natural Attacks: None
Bonus Feats: Two Weapon Fighting
Skill Bonuses: +5 racial bonus on Bluff, Hide, and Move Silently.

Level 20 - "Sweet Spot"

Growing tired of always using Hidden Dragon to actually stir up trouble to justify his pay, Master Gau hits on an even better plan. He now creates his third and final Alter Ego, Preying Mantis (detailed below). Preying Mantis acts as additional "muscle" to make people feel better about hiring Master Gau and his acolytes (3 heroes are better than 2!), but his primary function is to serve as a harbinger of ill tidings. Since he tirelessly stalks Hidden Dragon, if he shows up in your village, that is a sure sign that you need to hire Master Gau and his warriors before Hidden Dragon strikes. Master Gau is now an actually accomplished martial artist with the addition of his swordsage levels and some handy feats. Snap Kick grants him an additional attack to carry sneak attack damage, Assassin's Stance brings his sneak attack dice up to +7d6, and Shadow Blade gives him a damage boost by letting him add is solid Dex mod (all of his Alter Egos have good Dex) to his damage. Leaping Flame, Shadow Stride, and Sideslip give Master Gau plenty of opportunity to use his Sun School feat. Cloak of Deception and Distracting Ember give him more opportunities to get his Sneak Attack damage in. Weapon Focus and Quick to Act give him slight offensive boosts. Defensively, Counter Charge and Zephyr Dance give him a boost, and he can now add his impressive Wisdom modifier to his AC in addition to his Dex and light armor. As Preying Mantis, he's got fast movement, good natural armor, 5 additional attacks to carry Sneak Attack dice, and Deflect Arrows as a defensive measure. Master Gau's skills are also doing well. He's a consummate liar and smooth-talker, a good sneak, a good scout, a decent pickpocket, and can Tumble to reliably position himself on the battlefield. Lastly, Sudden Escape gives him a relatively long distance teleport in the even that he needs more than the short distances that Shadow Stride, Shadow Jaunt, and Sideslip give him (this has the nice side benefit of getting him out of jail should he ever wind up there).


Alter Ego#3 - Preying Mantishttp://fc07.deviantart.net/fs71/f/2010/230/b/2/Mantis_style_by_chief_orc.jpg
Master Gau's final Alter Ego is that of the nimble and fast Preying Mantis. Preying Mantis is an eternal wanderer who claims to seek universal truth. His skill in battle is "legendary", and he often speaks in puzzling riddles or koans. Preying Mantis relentlessly pursues Hidden Dragon, not in an effort to slay him, but in an effort to determine which of them is the greatest student of Master Gau. If Preying Mantis shows up in a village, it is likely that Hidden Dragon has either already been there, or will strike in the area soon. Any village that is visited by Preying Mantis would be well served to hire Master Gau and his brave warriors for protection before Hidden Dragon strikes. Preying Mantis is the Alter Ego Master Gau uses when he wants to try and scare a village into paying for protection without having to actually attack it with Hidden Dragon. Preying Mantis is a "True Neutral" styled Alter Ego.

Benefits of Thri-Kreen form: Str 12, Dex 15, Con 11
Size: Medium
Movement: 40ft.
Natural Armor: +3
Natural Attacks: 4 Claws (1d4 each), Bite (1d4)
Bonus Feats: Deflect Arrows
Skill Bonuses: +4 racial bonus on Hide checks in sandy or arid settings.


Sources

Player's Handbook
Dugeonscape (Penetrating Strike Alternate Class Feature - Replaces Trap Sense)
Exemplars of Evil (Mimic Alternate Class Feature - Replaces Trapfinding)
Online Web Enhancement (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/fw/20041126a) (Brood Monkey race)
Tome of Battle (Swordsage, Snap Kick, Shadow Blade)
Complete Champion (Trickery Devotion)
Complete Warrior (Sun School)
Monster Manual (Gargoyle)
Expanded Psionics Handbook (Thri-kreen)
Monster Manual IV (Greenspawn Sneak)

[Kuulvheysoon]

Crouching Monkey, Hidden Spellthief
Li Chan

CG, Vanara, Spellthief 5/Mountebank 10/Swordsage 1/Warblade 4

Background

Background

Once there was a master of the staff ( must imagine this character is based on the monkey god from forbidden kingdom due to possible forum rules and copywrites this is the background)

Race: Vanara
+2 Intelligence, +2 Wisdom, -2 Strength
speed is 30 feet
climb speed of 20 feet
Low-light Vision
+8 racial bonus on all Climb checks,
+4 racial bonus on Balance and jump checks
+2 racial bonus on Hide and Move Silently checks
Automatic Languages: Common and Vanara
Bonus Languages: Giant, Sylvan

Alignment: CG



Abilities

Abilities

32 point buy
Str 16, Dex 14 Con 12 Int 14 Wis 10 Cha 12

L4 Con+1
L8 Con+1
L12 Str+1
L16 Str+1
L20 Wis+1



Build
Effective Character Levels

LevelClassBase Attack BonusFort SaveReflex SaveWill SaveSkillsFeatsClass Features
1stSpellthief0002bluff 4, Escape Artist 4, knowledge arcana 4, Listen 4, Move Silently 4, spellcraft 4, Spot 4, Tumble 4DeceitfulSneak attack +1d6, steal spell (0 or 1st), trapfinding
2ndSpellthief1003bluff 5, Escape Artist 5, knowledge arcana 5, Listen 5, Move Silently 5, spellcraft 5, Spot 5, Tumble 5-Detect magic, spellgrace +1, steal spell effect
3rdSpellthief2113bluff 6, Escape Artist 6, knowledge arcana 6, Listen 6, Move Silently 6, spellcraft 6, Spot 6, Tumble 6Power AttackSteal spell, energy resistance 10
4thSpellthief3114bluff 7, Escape Artist 7, knowledge arcana 7, Listen 7, Move Silently 7, spellcraft 7, Spot 7, Tumble 7-Steal spell (2nd)
5thSpellthief3114bluff 8, Escape Artist 8, knowledge arcana 8, Listen 8, Move Silently 8, spellcraft 8, Spot 8, Tumble 8-Sneak attack +2d6, steal spell-like ability
6thMountebank3134bluff 9, knowledge arcana 9, Listen 9, spellcraft 9, Spot 9, Tumble 9Blind-Fighttongue of the devil
7thMountebank4144bluff 10, knowledge arcana 10, Listen 10, spellcraft 10, Spot 10, Tumble 10-sneak attack 1d6
8thMountebank5245bluff 11, Intimidate 2, Listen 11, Spot 11, Tumble 11-alter ego*
9thMountebank6255bluff 12, Intimidate 4, Listen 12, Spot 12, Tumble 12Improved Sundersideslip 1/day
10thMountebank6255bluff 13, Intimidate 6, Listen 13, Spot 13, Tumble 13-sneak attack 2d6
11thMountebank7366bluff 14, Intimidate 8, Listen 14, Spot 14, Tumble 14-alter ego, sideslip 2/day
12thMountebank8366bluff 15, Intimidate 10, Listen 15, Spot 15, Tumble 15Combat Bruteslippery mind
13thMountebank9376bluff 16, Intimidate 12, Listen 16, Spot 16, Tumble 16-sideslip 3/day, sneak attack 3d6
14thMountebank9477bluff 17, Intimidate 14, Listen 17, Spot 17, Tumble 17-alter ego
15thMountebank10487bluff 18, Intimidate 16, Listen 18, Spot 18, Tumble 18Improved Bull Rushsideslip 4/day, sudden escape
16thSwordsage104109bluff 19, Intimidate 19, Listen 19, Move Silently 9, Spot 19, Tumble 19-Quick to act +1, discipline focus<setting sun> (Weapon Focus - quarter/bo staff)
17thWarblade116109Intimidate 20, Tumble 20, bluff 20cc, Move Silently 10cc-Battle clarity (Reflex saves), weapon aptitude
18thWarblade127109Intimidate 21, Tumble 21, bluff 21cc, Spot 20ccShock TrooperUncanny dodge
19thWarblade1371110Intimidate 22, Tumble 22, bluff 22cc, Spot 21cc-Battle ardor (critical confirmation)
20thWarblade1481110Intimidate 23, Tumble 23, bluff 23cc, Spot 22cc--





Spells per Day

Spellsper Day
Level0lvl1st2nd3rd4th5th6th7th8th9th
1st--------




Spells & Powers Prepared/Memorized

Spells & Powers Prepared/Memorized

1st 2* provided spellthief has cha bonus
Fist of Stone
Weapon Shift


Maneuvers Known

Maneuvers Known
Initiator Level =12th, Maneuver Level=6th
Sword Sage mk6 mr4 sk1
Setting Sun

Mighty Throw
Clever Positioning
Devastating Throw
Strike of the Broken Shield

Giant Killing Style: Stance

Warblade mk5 mr4 sk2
Iron Heart

Disarming Strike
Iron Heart Surge
Mithral Tornado

Punishing Stance
Absolute Steel Stance



Sources

Sources
(OA 15)
(Cadv 13)
(Cscnd 57)
(tob 16, 20)

[Kuulvheysoon]

Buffy the VampireIllithid Slayer
The Build
The Build: CG Elan Paladin of Freedom 3/Ranger 1/Slayer 6/Mountebank 10


Level
Class
Base Attack Bonus
Fort Save
Ref Save
Will Save
Skills
Feats
Class Features


1st
Paladin of Freedom 1
+1
+2
+0
+0
Bluff +4, Spellcraft +1, Knowledge (Dungeoneering) +1, Knowledge (Psionics) +2, Disguise +1, Forgery +1
Deceitful
Aura of good, detect evil, smite evil 1/day, Elan Racial Traits


2nd
Paladin of Freedom 2
+2
+3
+0
+0
Bluff +5, Knowledge (Dungeoneering) +2, Handle Animal +1

Divine Grace, Lay on Hands


3rd
Paladin of Freedom 3
+3
+4
+1
+1
Bluff +6, Spellcraft +2, Handle Animal +2
Combat Expertise
Aura of Resolve, Divine Health


4th
Ranger 1
+4
+6
+3
+2
Bluff +7, Knowledge (Dungeoneering) +4, Knowledge (Psionic) +3, Spellcraft +3
(Bonus) Track
Favored Enemy (Aberration), Wild Empathy


5th
Slayer 1
+5
+6
+3
+3
Bluff +8, Knowledge (Psionic) +4, Spellcraft +4

Favored enemy +2 (Illithid), Enemy Sense


6th
Mountebank 1
+5
+6
+5
+3
Bluff +9, Spot +5
Improved Feint
Tongue of the Devil


7th
Mountebank 2
+6
+6
+6
+3
Bluff +10, Spot +10

Sneak Attack +1d6


8th
Mountebank 3
+7
+7
+6
+4
Bluff +11, Concenration +5

Alter Ego 1


9th
Slayer 2
+8
+7
+6
+5
Bluff +12, Concentration +10
Deft Strike
Brain Nausea


10th
Slayer 3
+9
+8
+7
+5
Bluff +13, Knowledge (Dungeoneering) +7, Spot +11, Concentration +11

Lucid Buffer


11th
Slayer 4
+10
+8
+7
+6
Bluff +14, Knowledge (Dungeoneering) +10, Spot +12, Concentration +12

Favored Enemy +4 (Illithid)


12th
Mountebank 4
+11
+8
+8
+6
Bluff +15, Spot +15, Concentration +14
Improved Unarmed Strike
Sideslip 1/day


13th
Mountebank 5
+11
+8
+8
+6
Bluff +16, Spot +16, Concentration +16, Intimidate +2

Sneak Attack +2d


14th
Mountebank 6
+12
+8
+8
+7
Bluff +17, Intimidate +7

Alter Ego 2, Sideslip 2/day


15th
Slayer 5
+13
+8
+8
+7
Bluff +18, Concentration +18, Spot +18, Knowledge (Dungeoneering) +11
Improved Grapple



16th
Slayer 6
+14
+9
+9
+8
Bluff +19, Intimidate +9, Knowledge (Dungeoneering) +12

Cerebral Blind


17th
Mountebank 7
+15
+9
+9
+8
Bluff +20, Concentration +20, Spot +20, Intimidate +10

Slippery Mind


18th
Mountebank 8
+16
+9
+10
+8
Bluff +21, Concentration +21, Spot +21, Intimidate +13
Scorpions Grasp
Sideslip 3/day, Sneak Attack +3d6


19th
Mountebank 9
+16
+10
+10
+9
Bluff +22, Concentration +22, Spot +22, Intimidate +16

Alter Ego 3


20th
Mountebank 10
+17
+10
+11
+9
Bluff +23, Concentration +23, Spot +23, Intimidate +19

Sideslip 4/day, Sudden Escape




Ability Scores
Abilities: Str 16(20) Dex 10 Con 12 Int 14 Wis 12 Cha 15(16) (Level 20 ability scores in parentheses)
Level 4: +1 Charisma
Level 8: +1 Strength
Level 12: +1 Strength
Level 16: +1 Strength
Level 20: +1 Strength

Background

Eelis awoke to find herself in a strange place. Her memory was foggy, she couldnt remember anything from her previous life. She knew only one thing: she was different. Without much to go on, she began to ask wander the lands, broke and starving, until she was taken in by a local church dedicated to Trithereon. She pledged her loyalty to the church in return for them caring for her, and began her service in His name. Of the many things she learned from the clergy, one fact remained utmost in her mind: Slavery is wrong. She dedicated her life to eradicating those who would seek to enslave others. Eelis spent many years training herself to live up to the standards put forth to her by Trithereon, but felt that she would be better put to use hunting the slavers where they lived.
Not far from where her church was located, a small cave opened into the mountains. Many of the local townspeople feared the cave, and adventurers who went in never returned. The church organized a group to adventure into the cave to determine if there were foul forces at play. Eelis joined the expedition in an effort to free the people from the fears that haunted them. Not long after the expedition began, the adventuring group ran into strange forces. In addition to the normal beasts that dotted the cavernous expanses, old adventurers who had once been lost to the cave were now protecting the cave mindlessly and attacking intruders. The group chose to capture one of the adventurers in an effort to determine what was wrong with them. The clergy determined later that the man had been enslaved to a foul beast that dwelled within the cave.
Further expeditions into the cave saw more and more losses as they tried to determine what the creature was that kept men under its sway. After many months a final congregation was held to rally a large party to enter the cave and eradicate the beast. Eelis and many others were sent into the cave with supplies and a simple set of instructions: identify and destroy the creature. After many days scouring the expanse, the party found a large opening with a twisted, tentacled creature seated on a protrusion; a man was kneeling before the creature and much to the parties dismay, the beast had wrapped tentacles around the man's head. In a moment, the party was on it. Upon realizing what was happening the creature dropped the man before him, allowing the party to see that his brain was still leaking out of the orifices.
The party had no chance; they were quickly beset against each other, obviously the beast's doing. During the fight, one of the clergy instructed the group to fall back. Satisfied that it had routed the party, the creature, which Eelis found out was called an "Illithid," also fell back - with a few of the original party in tow. The party decided that in order to slay the beast, they needed a more capable force. Eelis had lost many friends that day, and with that she vowed Trithereon's holy retribution against the Illithid.
The church sent word to a nearby noble for help to defeat the beast. While they awaited word, Eelis set about to study as much about this aberration some called a "Mind Flayer." She soon learned that they practice an abhorrent form of mental slavery, and eat the brains of some of their victims. Eelis could see no way she could allow them to maintain a hold in a world where she lived. Once the noble had sent word of a heroic group that he had established to slay the beast, Eelis decided to follow them to its lair. The heroes assembled by the noble had no problems dispatching the cave's protectors, and were quick to discover the Illithid resting amongst its ill-gotten gains with another of its foul kind. Eelis burst from behind the group to call down righteous fury upon the beasts.
The heroic group's stealthy rogue turned on the party in a instance, and Eelis received a strange suggestion from the Illithid: "Protect me." Knowing that they often dominate minds, Eelis feigned to fall for this trickery quickly rushing to the sides of the Illithids and taking a defensive posture. Satisfied that she had been commanded, she saw them malign the party one by one. Just when all looked bleak, Eelis stabbed out at the Illithids from behind with her sharp spear penetrating one that had been riddled by more than one arrow from the archer in the group. She felled the beast, and quickly turned the tides in favor of the party.
The feeling that Eelis felt after having freed so many from the grasp of these unearthly creatures led her to understand that this was Trithereon's mission for her. She soon found a passageway in the back of the cave that led to a deeper darker area of the world. She spent days, weeks, months down there, maintaining herself on her psychic energies alone. She studied what she saw. She noted that the Illithids she did come across had no fear of the lesser aberrant beings in the caves. After some time alone with no one to talk to, she developed her own alter ego. One she could converse with to keep her company. It would tell her to do things she would not normally do. This personality she created was Flax. And she liked him.
Not long after Flax had appeared in her mind, he began instructing her to strike out at the creatures when they were solitary or straggling behind. She noted that Flax's personality seemed to resemble the chokers she had seen in the depths. Soon Eelis began to manifest a body for Flax to control. SHe twisted herself, and using only her mind she created a new form for Flax to use to strike down the beasts. Flax, much like Eelis herself, was none too fond of the Illithids that roamed the underdark. Too long they had made slaves of his kind as well. Eelis and Flax were unlikely friends in the dark depths.
After years roaming down below the surface, Eelis felt a pang she hadn't felt for a very long time: Hunger. Eelis was able to maintain herself using just her mind and her willpower, so hunger was almost completely foreign to her. The hunger grew over the course of many months, and soon she found the hunger began to speak to her. The hunger would tell her that she needed to eat; that she needed to feed it. The hunger had a name, and it was Glubdrub.
It was never full. It was never satisfied. It hungered for the Illithids. Eelis took solace that it had similar goals and motivations as her, never once contemplating the possibility that it could be part of her own fractured mind established by her loneliness in doing Trithereon's work. Eelis's mind allowed her to give Glubdrub a form. She gave him the form of one of the beasts she felt exemplified his inslakable thirst: the Gibbering Mouther. It's many mouths almost perfectly reminiscent of their gluttony.
Shortly after meeting Glubdrub, Eelis found a small group of intelligent creatures that had been spending motnhs narrowly escaping the Illithids, while hunting them all the same. They were an ettercap couple. Eelis followed them and watched as they would lay elaborate traps and hide within the webs of their arachnid pets. Once the traps were sprung, the couple would send their pets to attack the creatures. Eelis watched in amazement as the illithids were skewered by one of their more voracious pets, a harpoon spider that Eelis believed they called "Strafe." It would grab the creatures and reel them in like a fish on a line, then toss their bodies onto its spiny back. After a few weeks watching the creatures, Eelis witnessed their pets slaughtered and the couple enslaved by a mighty Illithid.
Eelis's sadness was thereafter consoled by a small voice in her head. The voice instructed her to hunt down the Illithids that had enslaved those poor creatures trying to make a living. The voice told Eelis it was the spirit of their slain pet, and she must help it avenge their master. She quickly took up the banner of Tritheroen to repay the mighty Illithid for its injustice. She hunted the Illithid to a place where it rested, following it for days until the moment was right. Using her force of will, she allowed Strafe's form to manifest in her own body; Strafe was quick to reel the creature into its awaiting maws and free the ettercaps from their dominator. Not wanting to fall back into the servitude it once was in, Strafe released the ettercaps and chose not to follow them back to where they came from.
Eelis still ives in the depths. Hunting the slavers with her friends.

Alter Egos



Alter Ego
Name
Creature Type
Bonuses From Form
Personality


Alter Ego 1
Flax
Choker
Small Size, Speed 30, Climb 15, +4 Natural Armor, 10ft reach on 2 tentacles (1d3), Improved Grab, Constrict, +4 on Grapple, Improved initiative bonus feat
Flax is impulsive, and a little too forward at times. He tends to eschew stealth, and is Eelis's primary form for exploring the Underdark in search of Illithids.


Alter Ego 2
Glubdrub
Gibbering Mouther
Medium Size, Speed 10, Swim 20, +8 Natural Aromr, 6 Bites (1d4), Amorphous, Improved Grab, Swallow Whole, Blood Drain
Glubdrub is representative of Eelis's hate of the Illithids with an untamed hunger for them. It becomes insatiable when it smells the blood of Illithids.


Alter Ego 3
Strafe
Harpoon Spider
Large Size, Speed 40, Climb 20, +3 Natural Armor, Bite (1d8), 2 Fangs (1d4 + Harpooning), Harpooning, Spines, Web Movement, Improved Trip feat
Strafe is a hunter. She enjoys hunting her foes and reeling them in before letting Glubdrub take care of them.



Level Breakdowns

Levels 1-5: In early levels, Eelis will use her strength and high hit dice to be a front line fighter, preferring to fight with her deity's favored weapon: the longspear. Her Aura of Resolve is necessary as she has a low Will save. Her Lay on Hands coupled with her Elan racial abilities should help her mitigate some damage in the front ranks. She prefers to fight with her combat expertise, offset by her strength and full BAB. At this point she has a decent ability to bluff aberrations (between her ranks, charisma, ranger and slayer bonuses, she has a +13 vs aberrations and +15 vs. Illithids at level 5) which will help her feign having been dominated for infiltration purposes. She can achieve rather high saves coupling her divine grace and her Elan Racial ability to boost saves for a short time. She will always prefer to feign having been dominated or
controlled by her enemies should they employ those tactics so as to gain the upper hand when she turns on them.

Levels 6-10: This is where it gets fun. Eelis picks up another bonus to our bluff here as well as Improved Feint for a total of +18 to feint at lvl 10 (+20 vs. aberration, +22 vs. Illithids). Additionally, she utilises the SI's sneak attack to net us the Deft Strike feat for hitting foes that are far more armored than she is. Her tactics now change a little to using feints and attacking with combat expertise. Couple this with Deft Strike to make any foe strike-able. She also picks up her first Alter Ego. She can now change focus on grappling and constricting foes in addition to her normal combat tactics. Her first alter ego form gives her better AC through it's small size and natural armor as well as improved initiative (which she needs at this point). In addition, she picks up the Slayer's Lucid Buffer to help with non-compulsion mind-affecting Will saves.

Levels 11-16: At 16 is where I feel Eelis hits her sweet spot. Eelis now has become a feint and grapple machine in combat. Her second alter ego comes online with swallow whole for creatures up to medium size (most Illithids included). To make up for the fact that her second alter ego has some serious mobility problems, she invests in Concentration. Her tactics now change to her using her Choker form to initiate the grapple, and then she will use her ability to change her form at will to change while grappling with the creature (depending on how the text is interpreted, she may have to first change to original form and then can change into her second alter ego, but it shouldnt be too much of an issue). In addition, she can utilize her sideslip ability to appear next to a foe and begin munching down, allowing for a quick take-down. Feinting remains the first action in most combat rounds against individual foes as it allows her to make foes a little more susceptible to her grab attacks. From Slayer, she picks up a little more effectiveness against Illithids as well as the Cerebral Blind ability, which makes her virtually un-findable by her foes should they choose to try to locate her magically or psionically, which will help her in infiltrating or escaping.

Levels 17-20: Eelis rounds out her tactics, by adding a virtual grab ability to her normal form through scorpion's grasp. In addition, she picks up her largest alter ego. As a harpoon spider, she can harpoon enemies, reel them in and change forms to start the grappling process. The addition of Slippery mind benefits Eelis by giving her necessary defense against a variety of mind-affecting statuses that are not compulsions. In emergency events, she can use her Sudden escape ability to disappear from the scene an remain untrackable via magic or psionics. All this is in addition to the fact that she maintains the high BAB she needs to remain effective in combat.

Sources:
SRD: Paladin of Freedom variant (Also, UA), Choker (Also MM), Gibbering Mouther (Also MM), Slayer (Also HPH), Elan (Also XPH)
MM3: Harpoon Spider
Complete Adventurer: Deft Strike Feat
Sandstorm: Scorpion's Grasp Feat

[Kuulvheysoon]

Well, at least he doesn't have a cheesy catch phrase. *coughcough* Bond *coughcough*
No, he doesn't have a name. At least, not one you'd ever heard of.

The unnamed assassin

32 point buy: Str: 10, Dex 16, Con 14, Int 14, Wis 14, Cha 10.
Human Rogue2/Fighter2/Swordsage1/Chameleon7/Mountebank8

Hit dice: 6+9d6+8d8+2d10 = 6+31.5+36+11 = 84.5, ~10 lower than straight d8, ~10 higher than straight d6.


You probably saw this coming


Level
Class
Base Attack Bonus
Fort Save
Ref Save
Will Save
Skills
Feats
Class Features


1st
Rogue 1
+0
+0
+2
+0
Sense Motive +4, Spellcraft +2, Bluff +4, Disguise +4, Knowledge Arcana +2, Hide +4, Move Silently +4, Use magic device +4, search +4, disable device +4, open lock +4
Able Learner, Deceptive
Trapfinding, Sneak Attack +1d6


2nd
Rogue 2
+1
+0
+3
+0
Sense Motive +4, Spellcraft +2, Bluff +5, Disguise +5, Knowledge Arcana +2, Hide +5, Move Silently +5, Use magic device +5, search +5, disable device +5, open lock +5, Craft magical tattoo +2
No Feats
Evasion


3rd
Fighter 1
+2
+2
+3
+0
Sense Motive +4, Spellcraft +3, Bluff +6, Disguise +6, Knowledge Arcana +3, Hide +5, Move Silently +5, Use magic device +5, search +5, disable device +5, open lock +5, Craft magical tattoo +2
Weapon Finesse, Darkstalker (LoMpg179)
Armored Mage (Cmpg32)


4th
Fighter 2
+3
+3
+3
+0
Sense Motive +4, Spellcraft +3, Bluff +7, Disguise +7, Knowledge Arcana +3, Hide +6, Move Silently +5, Use magic device +5, search +5, disable device +5, open lock +5, Craft magical tattoo +3
Two Weapon Fighting
Attribute


5th
Swordsage 1
+3
+3
+5
+2
Sense Motive +4, Spellcraft +4, Bluff +8, Disguise +8, Knowledge Arcana +4, Hide +6, Move Silently +6, Use magic device +8, search +5, disable device +5, open lock +5, Craft magical tattoo +3
Feats
Quick to Act +1, Discipline Focus (Weapon Focus: Shadow Hand), Manoeuvres known: 6, IL 3: Shadow Jaunt, Rabid Wolf Strike, Fire Riposte, Flashing Sun, Cloak of Deception, Distracting Ember, 4 Readied, which are usually Distracting Ember, Flashing Sun, Cloak of Deception and Shadow Jaunt. Stance Known: Child of Shadow


6th
Chameleon 1
+3
+3
+5
+2
Sense Motive +4, Spellcraft +4, Bluff +9, Disguise +9, Knowledge Arcana +4, Hide +8, Move Silently +7, Use magic device +9, search +5, disable device +5, open lock +5, Craft magical tattoo +3
Extend Spell
Aptitude Focus 1/day (+2)


7th
Chameleon 2
+4
+3
+5
+2
Bluff +10, Disguise +10, Hide +10, Move Silently +8, Use magic device +10, Sense Motive +4, Spellcraft +4, Knowledge Arcana +4, , search +5, disable device +5, open lock +5, Craft magical tattoo +3
Chameleon Floating Feat
Chameleon Floating Feat


8th
Chameleon 3
+5
+4
+6
+3
Bluff +11, Disguise +11, Hide +11, Move Silently +10, Use magic device +11, Sense Motive +4, Spellcraft +4, Knowledge Arcana +4, , search +5, disable device +5, open lock +5, Craft magical tattoo +3
No Feat
Mimic class feature 1/day, Attribute


9th
Chameleon 4
+6/+1
+4
+6
+3
Bluff +12, Disguise +12, Hide +12, Move Silently +12, Use magic device +12, Sense Motive +4, Spellcraft +4, Knowledge Arcana +4, search +5, disable device +5, open lock +5, Craft magical tattoo +3
Persistent Spell (Complete Arcane pg..62?)
Ability Boon +2


10th
Chameleon 5
+6/+1
+4
+6
+3
Bluff +13, Disguise +13, Hide +13, Move Silently +13, Use magic device +13, Sense Motive +4, Spellcraft +4, Knowledge Arcana +4, search +5, disable device +5, open lock +5, Craft magical tattoo +4
No Feat
Aptitude Focus 2/day (+4)


11th
Chameleon 6
+7/+2
+5
+7
+4
Bluff +14, Disguise +14, Hide +14, Move Silently +14, Use magic device +14, Sense Motive +4, Spellcraft +4, Knowledge Arcana +4, search +5, disable device +5, open lock +5, Craft magical tattoo +5
No Feat
Mimic class feature 2/day


12th
Chameleon 7
+8/+3
+5
+7
+4
Bluff +15, Disguise +15, Hide +15, Move Silently +15, Use magic device +15, Sense Motive +4, Spellcraft +4, Knowledge Arcana +4, search +5, disable device +5, open lock +5, Craft magical tattoo +6
Staggering Strike (Complete Aventurer)
Ability Boon +4, Double Aptitude, Attribute


13th
Mountebank 1
+8/+3
+5
+9
+4
Bluff +16, Disguise +16, Hide +16, Move Silently +16, Use magic device +16, Sense Motive +4, Spellcraft +4, Knowledge Arcana +4, search +5, disable device +5, open lock +5, Craft magical tattoo +7
No Feat
Tongue of the Devil


14th
Mountebank 2
+9/+4
+5
+10
+4
Bluff +17, Disguise +17, Hide +17, Move Silently +17, Use magic device +17, Sense Motive +4, Spellcraft +4, Knowledge Arcana +4, search +5, disable device +5, open lock +5, Craft magical tattoo +8
No Feat
Sneak Attack +2d6


15th
Mountebank 3
+10/+5
+6
+10
+5
Bluff +18, Disguise +18, Hide +18, Move Silently +18, Use magic device +18, Sense Motive +4, Spellcraft +4, Knowledge Arcana +4, search +5, disable device +5, open lock +5, Craft magical tattoo +9
Martial Stance: Assassin's Stance (Sneak Attack 4d6)
Alter Ego 1


16th
Mountebank 4
+11/+6/+1
+6
+11
+5
Bluff +19, Disguise +19, Hide +19, Move Silently +19, Use magic device +19, Sense Motive +4, Spellcraft +4, Knowledge Arcana +4, search +5, disable device +5, open lock +5, Craft magical tattoo +10
No Feat
Sideslip 1/day, Attribute


17th
Mountebank 5
+11/+6/+1
+6
+11
+5
Bluff +20, Disguise +20, Hide +20, Move Silently +20, Use magic device +20, Sense Motive +4, Spellcraft +5, Knowledge Arcana +4, search +5, disable device +5, open lock +5, Craft magical tattoo +10
No Feat
Sneak Attack +5d6


18th
Mountebank 6
+12/+7/+2
+7
+12
+6
Bluff +21, Disguise +21, Hide +21, Move Silently +21, Use magic device +21, Sense Motive +5, Spellcraft +5, Knowledge Arcana +4, search +5, disable device +5, open lock +5, Craft magical tattoo +10
Improved Two Weapon Fighting
Alter Ego 2, Sideslip 2/day


19th
Mountebank 7
+13/+8/+3
+7
+12
+6
Bluff +22, Disguise +22, Hide +22, Move Silently +22, Use magic device +22, Sense Motive +5, Spellcraft +5, Knowledge Arcana +5, search +5, disable device +5, open lock +5, Craft magical tattoo +10
No Feat
Slippery Mind


20th
Mountebank 8
+14/+9/+4
+7
+13
+6
Bluff +23, Disguise +23, Hide +23, Move Silently +23, Use magic device +23, Sense Motive +5, Spellcraft +5, Knowledge Arcana +5, search +5, disable device +5, open lock +5, Craft magical tattoo +10, ]24 free skill points --- I forgot to allocate humans, and there is 1 extra here after making all secondary skills +5. Probably a mix of the trap finding skills is best
No Feat
Sideslip 3/day, Sneak Attack +6d6





Spells per day/Spells Known
Spells per Day/Spells Known


Level
0lvl
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
5th
6th
7th
8th
9th


1st
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-


2nd
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-


3rd
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-


4th
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-


5th
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-


6th
4
2
0
-
-
-
-
-
-
-


7th
4
3
1
-
-
-
-
-
-
-


8th
4
3
2
0
-
-
-
-
-
-


9th
4
4
3
1
-
-
-
-
-
-


10th
4
4
3
2
0
-
-
-
-
-


11th
4
4
4
3
1
-
-
-
-
-


12th
4
4
4
4
2
0
-
-
-
-


13th
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-


14th
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-


15th
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-


16th
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-


17th
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-


18th
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-


19th
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-


20th
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-








Breakpoints and some flavour text.

You know, the streets really aren't so bad. People here are so damn gullible. I really should learn to fight a little better, though. And maybe hide a little better.
Level 1: You're a rogue with meh feat selection.

I've gotten better at hiding, these days. And a friend of mines teaching me to fight with two blades. Nobody finds me, when I don't want them to.
Level 5: With Darkstalker, you can hide from basically anything. With the swordsage dip, combat round one you can open up with move and distracting ember for sneak attack bonus, and drop a rabid wolf strike on top of that for 3d6 bonus damage. Your flashing sun full attack with two weapon fighting provides 3 attacks (at -4), so you probably want to use cloak of deception, both to ensure sneak attack, and to boost your attack bonus. If you're having movement trouble, a couple cheap chronocharms of the horizonwalker (500gp a piece) can help, letting you move half your speed as a move action.



Not only can I fight and hide with the best of them, I can change my shape and and cast, too. Is there anything I can't do? The gods themselves shall tremble before my might! *cough, cough*

Level 10: Hopefully that was a slightly unexpected twist. Going Chameleon is a little obvious --- the skill requirements are basically identical, with Chameleon requiring a bit of Disguise and Sense Motive, and Mountebank requiring a bit of Knowledge Arcana. Going the DMM persist route on your floating feat offers a lot of oomph to this build: with a +2 charisma item (4000gp), a single, non-stacking nightstick (7500gp) and a single, non-stacking reliquary holy symbol (1000gp), you have 10 shots of turn undead, which is good for your first persist. Boosting charisma or getting another nightstick to bring you to the 14 turn (and thus 2 persist) breakpoint is an eventual goal. You can throw out Divine Power for a persist from a 3rd level spot (thanks Runescarred Berserker). A second persist can be hunters eye, for a beautiful +3d6 sneak attack. The aptitude focus 2/day lets you bring out a cleric aptitude, buff up (10 hour magic vestement? Throw out some needed cures?), and then pick up your choice of fighter aptitude (+4 attack/damage/fort save) or a wizard aptitude for casting or more buff and bash. The options here are substantial, as you'd expect --- especially when you look at non-cleric/wizard spell books. This is a good level for the build. You can cast your 3rd level arcane spells without failure, too; but you need to do something about the 4th and 5th level spells; either mithril breastplate, or take armor off, or go without.



Better at fighting, better at hiding, and better at slipping away into the shadows.
Level 15: With Staggering Strike, Assassin's Stance, some Mountebank Levels, and two uses of mimic class feature, you can mimic a turning pool, blow it (CL14 Chameleon = +4d6 sneak attack from hunters eye), then switch to the sneak attack s feature for 2d6 more sneak attack, all with full BAB, all day long. Your Flashing Sun full attack is 15 BAB + Dex (Probably in the range of +6-8, this is where level ups go) + Weapon Bonus (5, Greater magic weapon)+ Weapon Focus + whatever = 5 attacks starting at around +20-+25, with 10d6 sneak attack already. And each hit requires a fortitude save, ensuring that the creature you're fighting will be staggered.

The joke here is that you don't actually have to rely on stealth. You can walk up and mow through almost any single combatant, with a fair bit of magic to back you up. When it comes to getting out, you have three separate sources of short range teleport (Dimension Door is 2nd level on the Trapsmith List, of course, Shadow Jaunt, and the Mountebank Sideslip), as well as two sources of invisibility (Cloak of Deception and the spell), and the skills necessary to hide and the Darkstalker feat as well. You can walk up, beat someone as long as you like, and then vanish; teleporting, going invis, or hiding.

Ten seconds later, you look completely like someone else --- you have access to the actual spell Alter Self, as well of, of course, your first Alter Ego.

All the builds major tricks are online here. The continuation of mountebank just brings up the numbers of uses of various tricks, increasing sneak attack dice, and giving you slippery mind.



I am a god! Ahahahahahaha
Level 20:
BAB 20 from persisted divine Power, dex 16+6 dex item +5 dex levels + 4 dex ability focus = 31 dex (+10 bonus, +11 with a +1 tome) + 5 Greater magic weapon +1 weapon focus = +37 attack, and there are probably a bunch of other spells and things I'm missing. With flashing sun, and Improved Two Weapon Fighting, the attack pattern is
+33/+33/+33, +28, +28, +23, +18 --- throw a haste on there for another attack at the highest bonus

With persisted hunters eye and chameleon sneak attack, the total sneak attack is 14d6, beating a traditional rogue out --- not something you'd ever really expect from a Mountebank. 6-8 attacks per round with an average of 50 precision damage each (on top of whatever else you can pull out of 5th and lower level spells from any list you like, and the ability to use any item crafting feat you want during downtime thanks to Chameleon's floating feat), and you should have no trouble when it comes to beat downs.

When it comes to stealth and mobility, you've got that covered, too. And secondary casting as well. Grab Glibness off the Bard list and lie like a champ. You can natively use the immunity piercing golem/grave/vine strike spells, too.

Really, there isn't much this Mountebank can't do. And the skill and flavour synergy with chameleon is basically perfect, as well as the mechanics.

You can get to CL20 on your Chameleon caster level with a prayer bead of karma (20000gp), a +1 CL ioun stone (30000gp), and a magical tattoo (2nd level slot, 100gp/day). I even put in the ranks of craft: magical tattoo (or whatever the hell the skill tax for that spell is).

Endgame stats you probably want are int and wis 20 for the bonus 5th level slot, and then all the dex you can get. Int and wis 20 are easy with +6 items, so I'd say all level ups probably go into dexterity.



One awesome part of the Chameleon floating feat is that during your downtime, you can use it to craft whatever it is you want!

You want some of the CL gear (A bead of karma and an ioun stone) and probably some of the standard casting gear (rods of quicken and extend). A Nightstick (or two), and a reliquary holy symbol (or two). You're looking at stat boosters, primarily in Dexterity, with a lesser focus in your choice of Con/Int/Wis.

You want some of the TWFing gear, using a shadowhand weapon, which is probably short swords. So enchant them up in your favourite way. The http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=279079 Two Weapon Fighting Offhandbook has some great suggestions. Also the standard +1 eager warning wand chamber nerveskitter wand staff to carry around and win initiative then drop as a free action.

I particularly like multicharging a stack of chronocharms of the horizonwalker, the shadow cloak (5500gp to duplicate mountebank class features? Yes please). Deathstrike bracers (crit/sneak attack whatever you want for 5000gp), bracers of lightning (11000gp for +1d6 lightning damage), Gloves of Ghost Fighting (4000gp for ghost touch), Gloves of the Balanced Hand (pick up Greater TWFing), Ring of Adamanite Touch (6000gp), the ever cheesy belt of battle.

Armor wise, you can only cast up to 3rd in arcane without failure, so you probably want Twilight Thistledown Mithril Breastplate, with your favourite enchantments.

Really, there are no shortage of good options when you're looking for things to boost your offensive, defensive, skills, arcane, and divine all in the same build. But your item needs are relatively low; your casting can shore up defenses in a lot of ways; you have access to Greater Magic Weapon, Magic Vestement, Superior Resistance, and many other important buffs.

You have IL10, so you can also drop in items for 5th level or lower manoeuvres off of items, such as Shadow Stride, Dancing Mongoose and Pouncing Charge.


Spellbooks: You can use extra spell to add whatever you want during downtime; take the feat, then save the memorized spell for a day and the next day grab scribe scroll; write the scroll down and add it to your spell book.

Spells I mentioned you probably wanting:
Greater Magic Weapon, Magic Vestement, Superior Resistance, Divine Power, Hunter's Eye. Heal as a 5th level spell from the Adept list is pretty sweet too. Greater Invisibility, Dimension Door, Freedom of Movement, Haste and Alter Self are all good options --- just more ways to mimic Mountebank class features, at the same level, and of higher quality, than the Mountebank abilities you'd get if you were just X5/Mountebank 10.

Manoeuvres known: 6, IL 10: Shadow Jaunt, Rabid Wolf Strike, Fire Riposte, Flashing Sun, Cloak of Deception, Distracting Ember, 4 Readied (usually Distracting Ember, Flashing Sun, Cloak of Deception and Rabid Wolf Strike at lower levels, Shadow Jaunt at higher)
Stances Known: Assassin's Stance, Island of Blades




Sourcing:
Class: Chameleon (Race of Destiny page 111)
Class: Swordsage (Tome of Battle page 20), manouevers and feat: Assassin's stance also from Tome of Battle.
Feat: Darkstalker (LoMpg179)
Feat: Persistent Spell (Complete arcane, page 81)
Feat: Divine metamagic: Persistent spell (Complete divine, page 80)
Alternative Class Feature: Fighter: Armored Mage (Cmpg32)
Feat: Staggering Strike: Complete Adventurer, pg 112

Spells: SpC, other sources. Items from MiC and other sources. Both recommendations and non-essentials, though getting Divine Power as a 3rd level spell rather than 4th from Runescarred Berserker (unapproachable east page 31) is awesome. Hunter's eye is from Player's Handbook 2

[Kuulvheysoon]

If you'll believe this, I've got a bridge to sell you...
Race: Silverbrow Human, TN****, Binder 4, Cleric 1, Chameleon 6, Mountebank 9

Starting Stats

STR 12
Dex 12
Con 10
Int 16
Wis 14
Cha 14


Fluff:

The story
Demos began adventuring after stumbling across an ancient manuscript that explained how to call forth outsiders and bind them to your will. Coming across a band of orcs he could not hope to take out on his own, he bound Naberius and disguised himself as an orc and claimed to be a long lost son of the tribe. He thought the con would never succeed and he would end up in the cooking pot. Boy, was he wrong. The orcs believed his tale so much that they showered him with treasures and sent him on his way to be their champion.

He was hooked from that moment on Demos used the Vestiges to con people out of their belongings. He grew to be quite the con man and had little trouble making people believe his stories. After awhile Demos realized that he had the skill to do something more with his ability. He purchased a church, hoping to proselytize, and earn a killing, leaving the poor saps to wallow in their misery while he was long gone counting his gold pieces. Again the con worked too well. He managed to convince the town that he was a priest of a made up goddess, Luhvedit, the goddess of the ultimate plan. He had no experience in being a priest and quickly had to seek out other churches and learn their teachings. Since the god was one he had only made up, it took many hard hours of preparation, constructing the fake works of the goddess. He devoted so much of his time to her that she became real in his own mind as well, and he learned to cast spells granted by his belief in her. Soon though, the masses that followed were waning in their own belief and he vowed to them that she was real.

Unable to use his spells or his vestiges to produce the goddess as he had envisioned her he sought out the ancient teachings of the mysterious Mimic Mansion. After many months of study he learned how to manifest himself as the goddess, and returned to the people. Luhvedit manifested herself to the church, though only few members at the time it quickly grew and surpassed all his expectations. He could feel her becoming more and more real until one day he felt as if he were truly her, and she him, two minds in one body.

The inner him, his core self, sought to grab hold and he started blacking out for periods of time, being neither Luhvedit nor Demos. An animalistic side raged against the cages during his lucid moments, and he had nightmares of the killings performed by the beast that raged within his own body. Yenras had unleashed himself from the deepest recesses of Demos’ own subconscious; The Assassin the Chameleons helped create. A creature that felt no remorse for killing innocents. Demos struggled against the two invaders of his mind only to discover a third had taken up residence. This new creature reveled in the death caused by Yenras and toyed with the victims bodies bringing them back to life in a twisted exercise of torture. The more he struggled the worse it got. In a rare moment of lucidity Demos summoned Naberius, his long time friend and associate. Explaining to the Outsider his dilemma, he hoped desperately that the creature could provide insight.

“Demos my friend, we are all many people. To our loved ones, a shoulder to cry on; our children a protector; our coworkers, a trusted member of the team.” The words he spoke rang clear and Demos accepted that he was all of these and more, once again gaining control over his own mind.

The Four Ego’s at 20


Luhvedit Artin’lerie- Female Avariel: Fly 50 (avg); +4 to jump and spot; +2 listen and search; Dive attack; wpn prof. longsword/lasso. A primary divine caster. Luhvedit prefers to boost her Wisdom. She usually casts mass lesser vigor in the morning Using Tenebrous to fuel her turning for DMM or Buer for out of combat healing but is not opposed to changing it up if necessary. Luhvedit abhors combat unless its against undead and will normally buff the party or debuff the enemy. She rarely chooses to focus on anything but her divine power. Her bonus feat usually lends itself as practiced spellcaster. Her pact augmentation usually lends itself to assist her savings throws. She is a master diplomancer and will not stoop to intimidating someone to do her will, relying on charm monster mass and her diplomacy skills. People her know her would say she is the epitome of LG and will always help those in need. She has been known to utilize mage buffs in the morning for extended hour/lvl spells and then preparing her cleric spells as normal, and saving her DMM buffs for the party.

Example level 20 stats without spell buffs
Str 13
Dex 12
Con 12
Int 18
Wis 18
Cha 14

Yenras Slrnissi- Male Tren: 40ft swim; +4 (+8 rocky/subterranean); 2xclaws 1d4, 1xbite (1d4); Multiattack. A snake at heart. Yenras prefers to boost his Str or Con. He prefers to do as much damage as possible and believes wholeheartedly “that might makes right”. He will typically augment his damage and is normally focused on Combat though will refocus if needed especially for his buffs in the morning. He usually uses Amon, Aym, Ronove, Dahlver Nar, or Paimon, but has been known to use Savnok, and Andromalius on rare occasion. He has been known to fly into a violent rage in combat. He has no qualms with killing anyone, and many rumors abound of orphans gone missing that may have tried pickpocketing him. He loves to bluff (feint) and intimidate his opponents and is known for savoring kills if he has the time. He is the antithesis to Luhvedit and many would put his alignment at CN, but not to his face. He prefers to use the morning preparing cleric spells and buffing with DMM. Typically expending as many spell slots as possible on hour/level buffs before switching to a melee aptitude. The typical Persisted ones are Divine power, bite of the werewolf and Hunter’s eye. His bonus feat usually lends itself as Power attack or on occasion improved natural attack (bite). With these buffs Yenras can sneak attack for 9d6 at lvl 20 only 1d6 behind a typical rogue, he has a strength of 21 without items and can power attack to make good use of his exceptional strength.

Example level 20 stats without spell buffs
Str 15
Dex 12
Con 12
Int 18
Wis 16
Cha 14

Mystrin - Male Catfolk (calico): 40ft move; +2 listen and move silent. The crafter/Necromancer. Mystrin prefers to boost his intelligence. Malphus is a favored vestige as he can keep hidden while he lays down destruction or controls the battlefield with his minions. Amon, Focalor, or Karsus are known to occasionally be in his repertoire, especially when dungeon delving. He is also known for using his bonus feat as practiced spellcaster for the CL boost. He will usually buff in the morning using DMM and extend on as many of the divine spells as possible before switching to arcane aptitude. While bound he will usually shore up his AC or HP with the vestige augment. He is very curious and sadistic preferring to mix and match spells “just to see what happens”. He has a natural instinct for when people are telling him the truth and is rarely surprised in how they act. If he were given an alignment many would call him NE.

Example level 20 stats without spell buffs
Str 13
Dex 12
Con 12
Int 20
Wis 16
Cha 14

Demos Thenan - while still an amazing diplomancer and infiltrator Demos typically fits in where needed, though he favors the rogue role. Unlike his other personalities he has no qualms about switching roles at a moments notice and tries to make the best use of his abilities based on a parties current needs. Should a party have no specific need, he has been known to change roles on a daily basis, just to keep it interesting. His longtime use of naberius makes him a preferred vestige during downtime, though during combat he will use any vestige that best suits his needs. He prefers Naberius or Ronove when breaking into places stealthily or any of the following for combat Andromalius, Paimon, or Malphus.

Example level 20 stats without Buffs
Str 13
Dex 12
Con 12
Int 18
Wis 16
Cha 14
+2 anywhere though usually placed in Con for the hitpoints or Cha if needed for the turn attempts


Overall
Overall Demos is a jack of all trades, and while not as powerful as others of his level he does have a lot of versatility, more so than most classes. He still manages to pick up 3 attacks though his to-hit is a little lower than most unless using DMM divine power. He has the ability to craft every type of magic item that matters and unless I am missing something he can use arcane spell trigger items without issue because of the Chameleon levels. Even if there were issues he has the skill points to dump into UMD if needed. This can lead Demos to be a wand caster if needed, even for times when his ego’s or aptitude aren’t favoring spellcasting. If wanted he could buff using both divine and arcane spells getting the best of both worlds, and being a formidable melee gish. Demos excels at infiltrating the enemy and can be tailored to be THE skill monkey of the party and he can grab the stealth aptitude for trapfinding if needed. Demos is a character that can be taken straight from one adventure into a new one with entirely new party make-ups and never be hindered. His alter ego’s can be tailored to a specific adventure and he has the bluff/diplomacy to make it believable, and chameleon helps to fully make these ego’s distinct characters, not just an imposter with no skill. His biggest strength lies in the chameleon’s ability to choose spells from any spell list granting him spells he might not ordinarily have access to and a floating feat to further define his Ego’s. Practiced spellcasting either puts him at CL 16 or 20 depending on DM judgement with lvl 4 spells, baring cheese. To make it easier for yourself, grab a weapon with transformative property, and any of the many ways to change your clothing set. A helm of disguise can let you use your ability to change appearance on the fly while maintaining a vestige other than naberius.




The breakdown



Level
Class
Base Attack Bonus
Fort Save
Ref Save
Will Save
Skills
Feats
Class Features


1st
Binder 1
+0
+2
+0
+2
Knowledge Arcana 4, Intimidate 4, Bluff 4, Diplomacy 4, Disguise 4
Able Learner, Deceitful
Soul Binding (1)


2nd
Binder 2
+1
+3
+0
+3
Bluff 5, Diplomacy 5, Disguise 5, Spellcraft 2
--
Pact Augmentation (1), Suppress Sign


3rd
Binder 3
+2
+3
+1
+3
Bluff 6, Spellcraft 3, Sense Motive 3
Improved Binding
--


4th
Binder 4
+3
+4
+1
+4
Bluff 7, Disguise 7, spellcraft 4, Sense Motive 4
Persuasive(BF)
Bonus Feat


5th
Binder 4 / Cleric 1
+3
+4
+1
+6
Disguise 8, Bluff 8, Knowledge Religion 3
Extend Spell (D), Extra Turning (D)
Rebuke Undead, Domains: Undeath, Planning


6th
Binder 4 / Cleric 1 / Chameleon 1
+3
+4
+1
+6
*knowledge religion 5, Knowledge arcana 5
Expel Vestige
Aptitude focus 1/day (+2)


7th
Binder 4 / Cleric 1 / Chameleon 2
+4
+4
+x
+x
*
--
**Bonus Feat (Floating)


8th
Binder 4 / Cleric 1 / Chameleon 3
+5
+5
+2
+7
*
--
Mimic Class Feature 1/day


9th
Binder 4 / Cleric 1 / Chameleon 3 / Mountebank 1
+5
+5
+4
+7
*
Persistent Spell
Tongue of the devil


10th
Binder 4 / Cleric 1 / Chameleon 3 / Mountebank 2
+6/1
+5
+5
+7
*
--
Sneak Attack +1d6


11th
Binder 4 / Cleric 1 / Chameleon 3 / Mountebank 3
+7/2
+6
+5
+8
*
--
Alter Ego (1)


12th
Binder 4 / Cleric 1 / Chameleon 3 / Mountebank 4
+8/3
+6
+6
+8
*
***Divine Metamagic-Persistent Spell
Sideslip 1/day


13th
Binder 4 / Cleric 1 / Chameleon 3 / Mountebank 5
+8/3
+6
+6
+8
*
--
Sneak Attack +2d6


14th
Binder 4 / Cleric 1 / Chameleon 3 / Mountebank 6
+9/4
+7
+7
+9
*
--
Alter Ego (2), Sideslip 2/day


15th
Binder 4 / Cleric 1 / Chameleon 4 / Mountebank 6
+10/5
+7
+7
+9
*
***Easy Metamagic-Persistent spell
Ability Boon +2


16th
Binder 4 / Cleric 1 / Chameleon 5 / Mountebank 6
+10/5
+7
+7
+9
*
--
Aptitude focus 2/day (+4)


17th
Binder 4 / Cleric 1 / Chameleon 5 / Mountebank 7
+11/6/1
+7
+7
+9
*
--
Slippery Mind


18th
Binder 4 / Cleric 1 / Chameleon 5 / Mountebank 8
+12/7/2
+7
+8
+9
*
Extra turning
Sideslip 3/day, Sneak Attack +3d6


19th
Binder 4 / Cleric 1 / Chameleon 5 / Mountebank 9
+12/7/2
+8
+8
+10
*
--
Alter Ego (3)


20th
Binder 4 / Cleric 1 / Chameleon 6 / Mountebank 9
+13/8/3
+10
+11
+12
*
--
Mimic Class Feature 2/day



Cleric Spells

Spells per Day/Spells Known


Level
0lvl
1st


5th
3
2+1





Chameleon Spells

Spells per Day/Spells Known

[tr]
Level
0lvl
1st
2nd
3rd
4th


6th
4
2
0
-
-


7th
4
3
1
-
-


8th
4
3
2
0
-


9th
4
3
2
0
-


10th
4
3
2
0
-


11th
4
3
2
0
-


12th
4
3
2
0
-


13th
4
3
2
0
-


14th
4
3
2
0
-


15th
4
4
3
1
-


16th
4
4
3
2
0


17th
4
4
3
2
0


18th
4
4
3
2
0


19th
4
4
3
2
0


20th
4
4
4
3
1



Chameleon spells can be chosen from any class list, this will make many spells a lower level than either a cleric or wizard could hope for, with some spells dropping as many as 2 full levels. Spells per day for arcane are based on intelligence, and Divine based on Wis. Both would receive bonus spells depending on which type you are using and are not factored into the table above.

Notes:

Stat boosts can go in any stat depending on your playstyle. If you wish to grab power attack grab some Str. Primary divine caster grab Wis, arcane or skill monkey grab Int. finding yourself in melee grab some Dex for AC or Con for hp. This Build allows for the stats to be adjusted based on playstyle and is only as MAD as you wish, though focusing on any one area will limit the versatility.

*Skills - At this point Demos has all the skill points he needs to max every skill needed for both PRC req’s and any binding requirements. In addition to those skills Demos makes sure to keep Diplomacy, Bluff, Disguise, and Sense Motive maxxed. After that it is dependant on personal taste and what might be needed for a situation. He has the skill points to cover the skillmonkey position if needed or the knowledge checks. He can also bind different vestiges for bonuses to certain skills and the ability to try some trained only skills if needed. Different Aptitudes also give a +4 modifier to various skills depending on the aptitude chosen.

**Bonus Feat (Floating) - can be changed daily and there is room for lots of abuse if the DM is lenient. This Build assumes that we have a sane DM and abuse is kept to a minimum. On a daily basis here is a few good options that Demos (as written) prefers: Improved Initiative (possible +6 total with Binder pacts before dex mod), Improved toughness (possible 5+lvl HP with pacts), Crafter feats, Practiced spellcaster (gives +4 to spellcasting class (it requires spellcraft not ability to cast spells) which as written should give a plus 8 CL when applied to chameleon class), ability focus/sudden ability focus, Any feat that gives a skill boost if he knows it will be needed ahead of time. This feat can also allow him to pick up Dragonblood feats, such as Draconic aura (presence boosts every skill Demos is focused on). Also of note, the Silverbrow’s ability to feather fall has a CL based on HD so he can easily qualify for all of the crafting feats.

***DMM Persistent spell - Here is the combo. Easy metamagic reduces the metamagic cost of Persistent to +5. Every 5 rounds a Tenebrous binding grants +1 turning attempt, effectively “reducing” the cost by 1, for a total of +4. Demos and his Ego’s all have 3+(cha=2) +8 (extra turningx2). Giving us 13 total spell turn attempts to burn before adding any items (night sticks, and cha buffing items recommended). That is 3 spells that can be persisted before items.

****A quick note on alignments. Being true neutral, Demos must ultimately stay in balance, being neither too good or evil, nor too Chaotic or lawful. His Ego’s help him maintain this balance by shoring up any area’s he may have begun to stray towards. In theory an average day as Luhvedit would require a day as both Yenras to cancel the lawful, and Mystrin to cancel the good. While Demos’ alignment never actually changes, he does tend to make them seem that way even if no real actions have been taken.




Munchkin-size me!
Grab a flaw and take improved binding with it, moving expel vestige to level 3. At 5 pick up extra turning for 4 more turn attempts, thats one more Persisted spell. Switch out cleric for the cloistered cleric and give yourself another domain. Grab a nightstick (if they stack get more) for one more persisted spell per stick. A holy symbol nets you +2 more attempts. After that stack cha bonus, only +2 needed for one more persisted spell. The floating feat can also be used to grab another extra turning if needed. Allowing maximum cheese Demos could be quite abusive with the floating feat and we could switch out to an actual sorcerer class and a spontaneous cleric-like class and abuse the crap out of it with any of the extra spell cheese for lvl 9 spells, and still stay well within his current theme. Additionally we could grab a flaw and pickup vow of poverty and sacred vow, moving all of his feats down one step. This would allow us to grab many of the very nifty additions (vow of nonviolence/peace) to diplomacy that could allow Demos to make epic level diplomacy checks. by either going into epic levels or dropping one level of mountebank you could grab a 7th chameleon level giving access to 5th level spells and the amazing ability to use double aptitude allowing for some truly amazing combo’s.

[Kuulvheysoon]

Come on, the Dark Tower? Insert witty Stephen King reference of choice here.
The Outcast
N Lupin Factotum 3/Swordsage 2/SI 10/Twisted Lord 5
Stats
Str 10
Dex 15 (All increases here)
Con 14
Int 16
Wis 10
Cha 12
Alter Egos of Groundling, Thri-Kreen, Kir-lanan Gargoyle
BackstoryThe Outcast was not always as he is now. As a young pup, he had a childhood much like the other members of his tribe, learning under the tutelage of the elders to hunt for food and fight in tribal combat, especially against werewolves, their ancient foe. Like many of the other males, when he came of age he went off into the cities to relieve the burden on his tribe and to seek his own greatness.

In a number of the cities they laughed him off as a foolish tribal who did not know the dangers of what he was getting into. One day while in the town square of one of many forgettable villages he was looking for notices of mercenaries wanted when he spied a small notice asking for help combating a newly made werewolf. He leapt at the opportunity, and quickly set out for the town. After a long day’s ride he came upon the creature preying upon a penned flock. He was able to make quick work of the beast, and when the townspeople emerged to examine the scene he was beaming with pride. When they saw him, many fled back into their homes, and others began screaming that more monsters had come to kill them. He tried to explain, but they would not listen, and eventually he left in shame. The elders had not warned him the people in the cities would be so ignorant or so fearful.

With time, he began to realize just how much the city people feared those that were not like them. Many of the jobs offered did not seem to be motivated by their desire to be protected from danger. They seemed to want to be protected from the very sight of what they feared. More and more he found himself turning to the less hateful tasks of thieving and delivery for a mysterious shadowy group that seemed present in every town. When some time had passed, he decided to try a different approach with the city people. Perhaps it was simply him they feared. So one day, using some of the old magic he had learned from the elders, he came to them in a less predatory form, asking after work they might have for him. He was met with equal parts distrust and revulsion. When he slipped in the space between spaces and into another room, he heard them mock him in both his true form and the new, and at last he finally understood. The city people would never accept his people, or any like his people. They would only ever regard his kind with hate and fear. He left the village in disgust.

He sought out the only city people he had ever seen that had not treated him with disdain or suspicion, the mysterious group from the dark tower. The men of the tower welcomed him into their folds. Men so twisted and gnarled as they cared not for appearance. They taught him their ways, to shift his form and twist perceptions. He returned to the towns of the city people to carry out the assassinations the people of the tower demanded in return for their aid. He eagerly accepted the opportunity. The people of the city had branded him a monster. Let them now run in fear of one.
Build


Level
Class
Base Attack Bonus
Fort Save
Ref Save
Will Save
Skills
Feats
Class Features


1st
Factotum 1
+0
+0
+2
+0
Autohypnosis 4, Bluff 4, Disguise 4, Hide 4, Knowledge (Arcana) 4, Move Silently 4, Spellcraft 4, Tumble 4, Use Magic Device 4
Darkstalker
Inspiration, Cunning Insight, Cunning Knowledge, Trapfinding



2nd
Factotum 2
+1
+0
+3
+0
Autohypnosis 5, Bluff 5, Disguise 5, Hide 5, Intimidate 2, Move Silently 5, Tumble 5, Use Magic Device 5

Arcane Dilletante (1 Spell)


3rd
Factotum 3
+2
+1
+3
+1
Second Impression, Autohypnosis 6, Bluff 6, Disguise 6, Hide 6, Move Silently 6, Tumble 6, Use Magic Device 6
Deceitful
Brains Over Brawn, Cunning Defense


4th
Swordsage 1
+2
+1
+5
+3
Balance 4, Bluff 7, Hide 7, Move Silently 7, Tumble 7

Quick to Act +1, Discipline Focus (Weapon Focus in Tiger Claw)


5th
Swordsage 2
+3
+1
+6
+4
Balance 5, Bluff 8, Hide 8, Intimidate 5, Move Silently 8, Tumble 8

AC Bonus


6th
Mountebank 1
+3
+1
+8
+4
Bluff 9, Disguise 9, Jump 2, Tumble 9
Weapon Finesse
Tongue of the Devil


7th
Mountebank 2
+4
+1
+9
+4
Bluff 10, Disguise 10, Jump 5, Spot 1, Tumble 10

Sneak Attack +1d6


8th
Mountebank 3
+5
+2
+9
+7
Group Fake-Out, Bluff 11, Disguise 11, Listen 1, Spot 2, Tumble 11

Alter Ego


9th
Mountebank 4
+6/+1
+2
+10
+5
Bluff 12, Disguise 12, Listen 3, Spot 4, Tumble 12
Staggering Strike
Sideslip 1/day


10th
Mountebank 5
+6/+1
+2
+10
+5
Bluff 13, Disguise 13, Listen 5, Spot 6, Tumble 13

Sneak Attack +2d6


11th
Mountebank 6
+7/+2
+3
+11
+6
Bluff 14, Disguise 14, Listen 8, Spot 8

Alter Ego, Sideslip 2/day


12th
Mountebank 7
+8/+3
+3
+11
+6
Bluff 15, Disguise 15, Listen 10, Spot 11
Martial Study (Death From Above)
Slippery Mind


13th
Mountebank 8
+9/+4
+4
+12
+7
Bluff 16, Disguise 16, Listen 13, Spot 13

Sideslip 3/day, Sneak Attack +3d6


14th
Mountebank 9
+9/+4
+4
+12
+7
Bluff 17, Disguise 17, Listen 15, Spot 16

Alter Ego


15th
Mountebank 10
+10/+5
+4
+13
+7
Bluff 18, Disguise 18, Listen 18, Spot 18
Spectral Skirmisher
Sideslip 4/day, Sudden Escape


16th
Twisted Lord 1
+10/+5
+4
+15
+7
Hide 13, Move Silently 13, Use Magic Device 7

Twisted Form


17th
Twisted Lord 2
+11/+6/+1
+4
+16
+7
Hide 18, Move Silently 18, Use Magic Device 8

Sneak Attack +4d6


18th
Twisted Lord 3
+12/+7/+2
+5
+16
+8
Hide 21, Move Silently 21, Use Magic Device 13
Evasive Reflexes
Improved Feint


19th
Twisted Lord 4
+13/+8/+3
+5
+17
+8
Bluff 22, Disguise 22, Hide 22, Move Silently 22, Use Magic Device 14

Peripheral Invisibility


20th
Twisted Lord 5
+13/+8/+3
+5
+17
+8
Bluff 23, Disguise 23, Hide 23, Listen 21, Move Silently 23, Spot 22

Sneak Attack +5d6


Maneuvers
1st Level Maneuvers
Wolf Fang Strike
Sudden Leap
Distracting Ember
Burning Blade
Stone Bones
Charging Minotaur
Child of Shadow (Stance)
Island of Blades (Stance)

2nd Level Maneuvers
Cloak of Deception

Level 5Yes, it’s Lupin, an amusing oddity from Dragon Compendium. It’s a monstrous humanoid, which will come up later. Darkvision means you’re better at detecting than most, and Pseudo-scent can even serve as crude see invisibility. Darkstalker is a must for any sneak, and it pays off at level 1.Factotum is a great starting class, giving you Int to almost everything. For Arcane Dilletante spells, I’d recommend things like Grease for rendering your targets flatfooted. Swordsage gives you a variety of useful maneuvers and stances, most of which help in rendering your enemies vulnerable to sneak attack; Island of Blades and Distracting Ember make for an automatic flanking.
Level 10Nicely settled into mountebank at this point, and the benefits are already rolling in. Weapon Finesse means you can pretty much turn your back on strength, and Staggering Strike lets you make full use of your sneak attack to give your enemies a hard time. Tongue of the Devil lets you make use of your nice Int bonus. Sideslip combined with sudden leap mean you can get around the battlefield pretty well, positioning well for attacks. The immediate action means you can use it to avoid getting hit, so do. Alter Ego 1 is up and running, see the Alter Egos section for more details. Group Fake-Out is a nice trick that will come into play later.
Level 15Slippery Mind is exceptionally helpful, especially since you can add your Int mod to both rolls, increasing your chances of success. Sudden Escape is useful if for whatever reason you really need to move farther than you usually could, because even you have limitations. Alter Egos 2 and 3 are up and running to great effect. Spectral Skirmisher makes it even harder to find you while invisible (from cloak of deception or twisted lord) and will get better later.
Level 20 (Sweet Spot)Yes it’s Twisted Lord, a blast from the past. As part of the entry into the class you must rack up an affiliation score by doing jobs for them, which is easy enough to do, and this association gives you 2 free magic items, both of which are neat little perks of temp hp, save bonus vs spells, and a few utility SLAs. Peripheral invisibility means spectral skirmisher comes up even more frequently, and allows you to use evasive reflexes to stay hidden from your enemies, shifting to another square when they miss you. Improved Feint combined with Group Fake-Out mean you can render whole encounters flatfooted. Nothing goes with sneak attack like more sneak attack. Its many beautiful skill points mean that UMD is up to no chance of failure, so make free use of wands.
Alter Egos1. Groundling. As the first form you select, it must be 3HD, but you get a lot for those 3HD. 2 claws and bite are already more attacks than you have, and as light weapons you can apply weapon finesse to them. Claws are one of Tiger Claw’s favored weapons, so enjoy the weapon focus with them. Having some natural armor doesn’t hurt, but the most important thing here is burrow speed, which you can use to move about unseen and covered by ground, thus you cannot be targeted. It has all sorts of uses in bypassing walls and entering buildings, as the floor is rarely as fortified as the walls.

2. Thri-kreen. This is an exceptionally useful form that gives all sorts of benefits. Firstly, it has 40 ft movement speed to move about the battlefield better. Second, it has natural armor to help when the going gets tough. A +30 racial bonus (as changed in XPH) on jump checks mean you can sudden leap 30 feet during a fight, and death from above will always be successful. If you factor in the +4 from having a faster movement speed you can easily get higher results, though you have to talk with your DM about whether you can actually jump that distance, since the chart only goes up to 30. Thri-kreen have 4 claws which benefit from weapon focus and finesse, and a bite capable of inflicting poison once per day. Thri-kreen are capable of wielding weapons, which means you are free to use a one-handed weapon like a handaxe for iteratives, which means you get up to 7 attacks in a round, and with sneak attack applying to all of them, that damage adds up quickly. Deflect Arrows as a bonus feat is pretty nice, in case you go against the ranged type. This should be your default combat form from the time you get it.

3. Kir-lanan Gargoyle. Fly 90 feet (good) is extremely useful, and lets you maneuver and travel very quickly. If you get in a fight where you want to strafe enemies it can be useful, with claws of its own to supplement your attacks. Combined with all the other means of movement and invisibility you have, it will make a real headache for your enemies.
Sources
Factotum: Dungeonscape
Swordsage, Martial Study, Evasive Reflexes: Tome of Battle
Twisted Lord: Shattered Gates of Slautergarde
Group Fake-Out, Second Impression: Complete Scoundrel
Darkstalker: Lords of Madness
Staggering Strike: Complete Adventurer
Spectral Skirmisher: Player’s Handbook II
Groundling: Monsters of Faerun
Thri-kreen: Expanded Psionics Handbook
Kir-lanan Gargoyle: Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting
Deceitful, Weapon Finesse: srd

[Kuulvheysoon]

Or is it YoSaffBridge?
Littlefingers
CG Gnome Beguiler 6/Agent of the Crown 5/Mountebank 9

Gnomes go by many names, often as many as they have social circles. "Littlefingers" has a face and personality for every name, and nobody suspects that Venerable Laurius Sprinklebottom, the King's wizened Master Oenologist, and Prissy Applecheeks, vivacious lady-in-waiting to the neighbouring realm's Dowager Duchess, are one and the same. He (or she?) is the perfect infiltrator, not because of any proclivity for stealth, but by virtue of his silver tongue. After all, why slink through shadows like a common thief when a few well-placed words can open the front door?

Take that time, for example, when Griknik the Kobold Pedlar convinced the night watch at the Erlinmude Estate that he was a new recruit, broke into Lady Gertryn's bed chamber, disabled all the wards on the vault, got caught in flagrante delicto, "reminded" her that she had summoned him there herself and walked out not only with her late uncle's true testament, but also with her deepest apologies for making him wait thirty minutes. Somehow that testament found its way onto the King's Marchal's desk, allowing for Lady Gertryn's arrest and her brother's release.

Little's motives are his own. Depending on who's asking, he might profess to seek the stability of the realm, financial gain, personal power, the greater good, revenge, or whatever else you would find credible.
Being a gnome, apart from being thematically appropriate, brings all the advantages of being small (+1 to hit and AC), improves the save DC for half your spell list and has none of the usual drawbacks, as this character really won't care about his weapon damage.

Starting Stats: Str 8 Dex 14 Con 8 Int 18 Wis 8 Cha 16
Racial adjustments: Str 6 Dex 14 Con 10 Int 18 Wis 8 Cha 16
Level adjustments: +1 Int (levels 4, 8, 12 and 16) +1 Str (Level 20)
Final Stats: Str 7 Dex 14 Con 10 Int 22 Wis 8 Cha 16



Level
Class
Base Attack Bonus
Fort Save
Ref Save
Will Save
Skills
Feats
Class Features


1st
Beguiler 1
+0
+0
+0
+2
(40) Bluff 4, Concentration 4, Decipher Script 1, Diplomacy 4, Disable Device 4, Knowledge (Arcana) 3, Knowledge (Local) 3, Open Lock 4, Search 4, Sense Motive 4, Speak Language* (Giant), Spellcraft 4
Weapon Finesse
Armored Mage, Trapfinding


2nd
Beguiler 2
+1
+0
+0
+3
(10) Bluff 5, Concentration 5, Decipher Script 1, Diplomacy 4, Disable Device 5, Disguise 1, Forgery 1, Knowledge (Arcana) 5, Knowledge (Local) 5, Open Lock 4, Search 5, Sense Motive 4, Speak Language* (Giant), Spellcraft 4

Cloaked Casting (+1 DC), Surprise Casting


3rd
Beguiler 3
+1
+1
+1
+3
(10) Bluff 6, Concentration 6, Decipher Script 1, Diplomacy 6, Disable Device 5, Disguise 1, Forgery 1, Gather Information 1, Knowledge (Arcana) 5, Knowledge (Local) 6, Open Lock 4, Search 6, Sense Motive 6, Speak Language* (Giant), Speak Language* (Sylvan), Spellcraft 4
Obtain Familiar
Advanced Learning (Serene Visage)


4th
Beguiler 4
+2
+1
+1
+4
(10) Bluff 7, Concentration 7, Decipher Script 1, Diplomacy 7, Disable Device 7, Disguise 1, Forgery 1, Gather Information 1, Knowledge (Arcana) 5, Knowledge (Local) 7, Open Lock 5, Search 7, Sense Motive 7, Speak Language* (Giant), Speak Language* (Sylvan), Spellcraft 4




5th
Beguiler 5
+2
+1
+1
+4
(10) Bluff 8, Concentration 8, Decipher Script 1, Diplomacy 8, Disable Device 8, Disguise 1, Forgery 1, Gather Information 1, Knowledge (Arcana) 5, Knowledge (Local) 8, Open Lock 5, Search 8, Sense Motive 8, Speak Language* (Giant), Speak Language* (Sylvan), Spellcraft 4, Tumble 3

Silent Spell


6th
Beguiler 6
+3
+2
+2
+5
(10) Bluff 8, Concentration 9, Decipher Script 1, Diplomacy 8, Disable Device 8, Disguise 1, Forgery 1, Gather Information 1, Knowledge (Arcana) 5, Knowledge (Local) 8, Open Lock 5, Search 8, Sense Motive 8, Speak Language* (Giant), Speak Language* (Sylvan), Spellcraft 9, Swim 4, Tumble 3
Skill Focus (Sense Motive)
Surprise Casting (move action)


7th
Agent of the Crown 1
+3
+2
+4
+5
(12) Bluff 10, Concentration 9, Decipher Script 1, Diplomacy 8, Disable Device 10, Disguise 1, Forgery 1, Gather Information 5, Knowledge (Arcana) 5, Knowledge (Local) 8, Open Lock 5, Search 10, Sense Motive 10, Speak Language* (Giant), Speak Language* (Sylvan), Spellcraft 9, Swim 4, Tumble 3
Skill Focus (Sense Motive)
Agent of the Crown, Smooth Talker


8th
Agent of the Crown 2
+4
+2
+5
+5
(13) Bluff 11, Concentration 9, Decipher Script 1, Diplomacy 8, Disable Device 11, Disguise 1, Forgery 1, Gather Information 11, Knowledge (Arcana) 5, Knowledge (Local) 8, Open Lock 5, Search 11, Sense Motive 11, Speak Language* (Giant), Speak Language* (Sylvan), Spellcraft 9, Swim 4, Tumble 6

Friends in Low Places


9th
Agent of the Crown 3
+5
+3
+5
+6
(13) Bluff 12, Concentration 9, Decipher Script 2, Diplomacy 10, Disable Device 12, Disguise 2, Forgery 2, Gather Information 12, Knowledge (Arcana) 5, Knowledge (Local) 8, Open Lock 5, Ride 2, Search 12, Sense Motive 12, Speak Language* (Giant), Speak Language* (Sylvan), Spellcraft 9, Swim 4, Tumble 7
Deceitful
Social Chameleon


10th
Agent of the Crown 4
+6/+1
+3
+6
+6
(13) Bluff 13, Concentration 9, Decipher Script 9, Diplomacy 10, Disable Device 13, Disguise 2, Forgery 2, Gather Information 13, Knowledge (Arcana) 5, Knowledge (Local) 8, Open Lock 5, Ride 2, Search 13, Sense Motive 13, Speak Language* (Giant), Speak Language* (Sylvan), Spellcraft 9, Swim 4, Tumble 8

Man of a Thousand Faces


11th
Agent of the Crown 5
+6/+1
+3
+6
+6
(13) Bluff 14, Concentration 9, Decipher Script 14, Diplomacy 10, Disable Device 14, Disguise 2, Forgery 2, Gather Information 14, Knowledge (Arcana) 5, Knowledge (Local) 8, Open Lock 5, Ride 4, Search 14, Sense Motive 14, Speak Language* (Giant), Speak Language* (Sylvan), Spellcraft 9, Swim 4, Tumble 9

Charming Demeanor


12th
Mountebank 1
+6/+1
+3
+8
+6
(9) Bluff 15, Concentration 15, Decipher Script 14, Diplomacy 10, Disable Device 14, Disguise 2, Forgery 2, Gather Information 14, Knowledge (Arcana) 5, Knowledge (Local) 8, Open Lock 5, Search 14, Sense Motive 15, Speak Language* (Giant), Speak Language* (Sylvan), Spellcraft 10, Swim 4, Tumble 9
Skill Focus (Bluff)
Tongue of the Devil


13th
Mountebank 2
+7/+2
+3
+9
+6
(9) Bluff 16, Concentration 15, Decipher Script 14, Diplomacy 10, Disable Device 14, Disguise 3, Forgery 3, Gather Information 14, Knowledge (Arcana) 5, Knowledge (Local) 8, Open Lock 5, Search 14, Sense Motive 16, Speak Language* (Giant), Speak Language* (Sylvan), Spellcraft 10, Swim 4, Tumble 14

Sneak Attack +1d6


14th
Mountebank 3
+8/+3
+4
+9
+7
(9) Bluff 17, Concentration 15, Decipher Script 14, Diplomacy 10, Disable Device 14, Disguise 7, Forgery 3, Gather Information 14, Knowledge (Arcana) 5, Knowledge (Local) 8, Open Lock 5, Search 14, Sense Motive 17, Speak Language* (Giant), Speak Language* (Sylvan), Spellcraft 10, Swim 4, Tumble 17

Alter Ego


15th
Mountebank 4
+9/+4
+4
+10
+7
(9) Bluff 18, Concentration 15, Decipher Script 14, Diplomacy 10, Disable Device 14, Disguise 7, Forgery 4, Gather Information 14, Knowledge (Arcana) 5, Knowledge (Local) 8, Listen 3, Open Lock 5, Search 14, Sense Motive 18, Speak Language* (Giant), Speak Language* (Sylvan), Spellcraft 10, Spot 3, Swim 4, Tumble 17
Combat Expertise
Sideslip 1/day


16th
Mountebank 5
+9/+4
+4
+10
+7
(10) Bluff 19, Concentration 15, Decipher Script 14, Diplomacy 10, Disable Device 14, Disguise 7, Forgery 4, Gather Information 14, Knowledge (Arcana) 5, Knowledge (Local) 8, Listen 7, Open Lock 5, Search 14, Sense Motive 19, Speak Language* (Giant), Speak Language* (Sylvan), Spellcraft 10, Spot 7, Swim 4, Tumble 17

Sneak Attack +2d6


17th
Mountebank 6
+10/+5
+5
+11
+8
(10) Bluff 20, Concentration 15, Decipher Script 14, Diplomacy 10, Disable Device 14, Disguise 7, Forgery 5, Gather Information 14, Knowledge (Arcana) 5, Knowledge (Local) 8, Listen 10, Open Lock 5, Search 14, Sense Motive 20, Speak Language* (Giant), Speak Language* (Sylvan), Spellcraft 10, Spot 10, Swim 4, Tumble 17

Alter Ego, Sideslip 2/day


18th
Mountebank 7
+11/+6/+1
+5
+11
+8
(10) Bluff 21, Concentration 20, Decipher Script 14, Diplomacy 10, Disable Device 14, Disguise 7, Forgery 5, Gather Information 14, Knowledge (Arcana) 5, Knowledge (Local) 8, Listen 10, Open Lock 5, Search 14, Sense Motive 21, Speak Language* (Giant), Speak Language* (Sylvan), Spellcraft 10, Spot 10, Swim 4, Tumble 20
Improved Feint
Slippery Mind


19th
Mountebank 8
+12/+7/+2
+5
+12
+8
(10) Bluff 22, Concentration 20, Decipher Script 14, Diplomacy 10, Disable Device 14, Disguise 7, Forgery 5, Gather Information 14, Knowledge (Arcana) 5, Knowledge (Local) 8, Listen 14, Open Lock 5, Search 14, Sense Motive 22, Speak Language* (Giant), Speak Language* (Sylvan), Spellcraft 10, Spot 14, Swim 4, Tumble 20

Sideslip 3/day, Sneak Attack +3d6


20th
Mountebank 9
+12/+7/+2
+6
+12
+9
(10) Bluff 23, Concentration 20, Decipher Script 14, Diplomacy 10, Disable Device 14, Disguise 10, Forgery 5, Gather Information 14, Knowledge (Arcana) 5, Knowledge (Local) 8, Listen 15, Open Lock 5, Search 14, Sense Motive 23, Speak Language* (Giant), Speak Language* (Sylvan), Spellcraft 10, Spot 15, Swim 4, Tumble 23

Alter Ego

* Automatic Languages: Common and Gnome. Bonus Languages: Draconic, Dwarven, Elven, Orc
Spells per Day:

Level Cantrips Level 1 Level 2 Level 3
1 5 4 - -
2 6 5 - -
3 6 6 - -
4 6 7 4 -
5 6 7 5 -
6 6 7 6 4


Spells Known:

See class spell list in PHB II p.11, and Serene Visage (SC p. 182) starting from level 3.
PHB: Combat Expertise, Deceitful, Improved Feint, Skill Focus (Bluff), Skill Focus (Sense Motive)
PHB II: Beguiler (p. 6)
Ultimate Prestige Classes (3.0): Agent of the Crown (p.154)
Complete Scoundrel: Mountebank (p. 57)
Complete Arcane: Obtain Familiar (p.81), Weapon Finesse (p. 73)
Spell Compendium: Serene Visage (p. 182)



As a Beguiler, you are a fairly standard skill monkey relying partially on skill and partially on magic to help you through the day. Your familiar is obviously a snake for the +3 bonus to Bluff (which will become important in the rest of the build), and to give some range to your touch spells in a pinch. Other skill and feat choices have largely been made to qualify for prestige classes.

The choice for Serene Visage for your Advanced Learning at level 3 also builds towards building a high Bluff score. Even though it will only ever add 3, it has a nice duration and is not restricted in what the Bluff can be used for (contrary to Glibness). If you are somehow restricted to the Player's Handbook, your best option is Ventriloquism for shenanigans.

Although technically you now qualify for the Agent of the Crown prestige class, the 6th level of Beguiler offers 3rd-level spells, Surprise Casting as a move action and a +3 instead of +2 to Bluff from Serene Visage, so we are going to take that first.

You have shed your humble beginnings and are living it up with the high society. Being an Agent of the Crown is almost as good as printing your own money. We have added to our repertoire of Bluff bonuses, gained a feature that pushes the boundaries of the "no Leadership" rule, and finally found a way to make use of all the different voices in our head. People who don't know you unquestionably accept you as you are. Even if you do have the bad luck to run into a rival or close friend, you have a backup: Glibness severely restricts which uses of the Bluff skill it applies to, but "No your Majesty, I have no idea why I remind you of this brachydactylous agent of yours, I am just a milkman who has never been here before" totally qualifies, and is nowhere near a polymorphed lammasu.

This level marks the pinnacle of all the various Bluff bonuses this build accrues:

Skill Ranks: 15
Charisma: +3
Intelligence: +5
Snake Familiar: +3
Skill Focus: +3 feat bonus
Smooth Talker (AotC): +2 competence bonus
Serene Visage (Spell): +3 insight bonus

This all adds up to a beautiful +34, not counting masterwork tools or magic items. The reason for this madness is twofold. Firstly, you add all of this to your Bluff to feint in combat (Surprise Casting, Beguiler feature), vastly improving your chances to hit. It is still a move action at this point, but we're working on that. Secondly, your Agent of the Crown's Charming Demeanour is essentially a "Win-Button". Sure, dedicated "Bluffomancer" builds could seriously rack up the numbers even more, but they'd have to reduce Mountebank to a one-level dip to add in Psion, Marshall and more Beguiler levels. For us, however, the fun has only just begun.

Another reason why this level is a sweet spot is because your skill monkey skills are almost all maxed at this level, something which will sadly change as the Mountebank's class skills don't support them.


As we really get into the swing of things, you practically become a one-man party, with the four dependable Aliases from the Agent of the Crown supported by the fast-transformation Alter Egos that the Mountebank brings to the table.

Sideslip is your newest class feature and fits in very well with the overall non-confrontational side of the build.

You have now also had your first taste of Sneak Attack, which the Beguiler's Feint allows you to do often and reliably. Thanks to the particular wording of Surprise Casting and (Improved) Uncanny Dodge, you can sneak attack any Rogues and Barbarians regardless of their level. Happy days!

Compared to the full Beguiler, you have lost a little on your Will Save, but gained some BAB and turned a weak Reflex Save into a strong one.

While it is always sad when you can't take a Prestige Class to its capstone, in this case the last Mountebank level really wouldn't bring as much to this build as the 6th level of Beguiler does. Your feint is now a swift action, you have more faces than the average hydra, and everybody wants to be your friend.

[Kuulvheysoon]

Note: the 'Captain' part of Captain Shynauf Whitehair is very important to remember.
Captain Shynauf 'Whitehair' the Male Lesser Drow Swashbuckler 3 / Fighter 2 / Scarlet Corsair 5 / Mountebank 10





Ability
Base Score
Racial Modifer
Total Score



Strength
8

8



Dexterity
16
+2
18



Constitution
12
-2
10



Intelligence
16

16



Wisdom
8

8



Charisma
15

15



4th, 8th, 12th and 16 ability bonus is put into Intelligence, 20th is in Charisma






Level
Class
Base Attack Bonus
Fort Save
Ref Save
Will Save
Skills
Feats
Class Features



1st
Swashbuckler 1

+1

+2

+0

+0
Balance 4, Bluff 4, Diplomacy 4, Knowledge (Local) 2 (cc), Profession (Sailor) 4, Spellcraft 2(cc), Swim 4
Exotic Weapon Proficiency (Spiked Chain), (Weapon Finesse)
Bonus Feat



2nd
Fighter 1

+2

+4

+0

+0
Intimidate 5
(Combat Expertise)
Hit-And-Run Tactics, Bonus Feat



3rd
Swashbuckler 2

+3

+5

+0

+0
Balance 5, Bluff 6, Knowlegde (Local) 3(cc), Spellcraft 3(cc)
Deceitful
Arcane Stunt (Blur)



4th
Fighter 2

+4

+6

+0

+0
Intimidate 7, Swim 7
(Improved Trip)
Bonus Feat



5th
Swashbuckler 3

+5

+6

+1

+1
Bluff 8, Knowledge (Local) 4(cc), Spellcraft 4(cc) Profession (Sailor) 5

Insightful Strike



6th
Mountebank 1

+5

+6

+3

+1
Bluff 9, Disguise 4, Intimidate 9
Weapon Focus (Spiked Chain
Tounge of the Devil



7th
Mountebank 2

+6/+1

+6

+4

+1
Bluff 10, Disguise 9, Intimidate 10

Sneak Attack +1d6



8th
Mountebank 3

+7/+2

+7

+4

+2
Bluff 11, Disguise 11, Forgery 2, Intimidate 11, Group Fake-Out

Alter Ego



9th
Scarlet Corsair 1

+8/+3

+7

+6

+2
Knowledge (Geography) 5, Profession (Sailor) 8
Vae School, (Improved Feint)
Bonus Feat



10th
Scarlet Corsair 2

+9/+4

+7

+7

+2
Knowledge (Geography) 10, Profession (Sailor) 9, Second Impression

Sneak Attack +2d6



11th
Scarlet Corsair 3

+10/+5

+8

+7

+3
Balance 6, Forgery 8, Profession (Sailor) 10

Corsair's Feint (once per 2d4)



12th
Scarlet Corsair 4

+11/+6/+1

+8

+8

+3
Bluff 12, Disguise 12, Forgery 12, Nimble Charge
Surprising Riposte
Sailors Step +2



13th
Scarlet Corsair 5

+12/+7/+2

+8

+8

+3
Balance 10, Bluff 14, Forgery 13, Swim 8

Scourge of the Seas



14th
Mountebank 4

+13/+8/+3

+8

+9

+3
Bluff 17, Intimidate 16

Sideslip 1/day



15th
Mountebank 5

+13/+8/+3

+8

+9

+3
Bluff 18, Disguise 16, Forgery 14, Intimidate 18
Scourge of the Seas
Sneak Attack +3d6



16th
Mountebank 6

+14/+9/+4

+9

+10

+4
Bluff 19, Disguise 19, Forgery 18, Intimidate 19,

Alter Ego, Sideslip 2/day



17th
Mountebank 7

+15/+10/+5

+9

+10

+4
Bluff 20, Diplomacy 8, Disguise 20, Forgery 20, Intimidate 20

Slippery Mind



18th
Mountebank 8

+16/+11/+6/+1

+9

+11

+4
Bluff 21, Diplomacy 13, Disguise 21, Forgery 21, Intimidate 21
Imperious Command
Sideslip 3/day, Sneak Attack +4d6



19th
Mountebank 9

+16/+11/+6/+1

+10

+11

+5
Bluff 22, Diplomacy 18, Disguise 22, Forgery 22, Intimidate 22

Alter Ego



20th
Mountebank 10

+17/+12/+7/+2

+10

+12

+5
Bluff 23, Diplomacy 23, Disguise 23, Forgery 23, Intimidate 23

Sideslip 4/day, Sudden Escape








Shynauf had always been a bit of an rarity in the Drow society, as he preferred to stay aboveground. Unfavorable tounges suggested that he hated the Matriarchy of the Drow cities, wanting to become more than a male could become there. More favorable tounges suggested that he merely considered his place aboveground, on a ship buccaneering around the seas, the most profit for House Vae which he were born off.

Truth was that both were equally correct. Even early in his life he had been very savvy about getting what he wanted out of people, and by the time he had grown he managed to seduce a Matriarch daughter and got her to believe that she had gotten the idea to expand the influence of the House and send him and others aboveground paying regular tribute to her. This got him away from the Matriarchal world of the Drow and moved him into the wider world where he were less constricted by society.

Level 1-5
Early on the build is a fairly basic Spiked Chain Tripper, utilizing his high Intelligence and Dexterity to lay a good groundwork to become a decent skill monkey. Sundark Goggles (from Races of the Dragon) have the duel bonus of looking damn cool and all but negating the light sensitivity a Lesser Drow gets while being quite cheap.



Shynauf looked at the seedy Captain with a smile in his eyes, which really should have made him nervous. He had taken hire on a ship and quickly discovered the gold mine that a ship could be, not in terms of trading but in piracy for goods and for slaves, which could be sent to the new Matriarch as tribute. Only problem was that the Captain were still alive, but that was a minor problem since he wouldn't be so much longer, as Shynauf had intimidated and sweettalked the crew into mutiny tonight, with him becomming the new Captain, promising them more loot and free access to caught slaves.

Level 6-10
Shynauf is starting to get together strongly, The first three Mountebank levels is taken (primary target being the +1d6 sneak attack, secondary target being Alter Ego as Mountebank is the showcased Prestige Class), and his tripping routine is now even simpler since Vae School makes tripping a free action that can be initiated as part of a regular attack.

Alter Ego is going to be used to make an innocent alias for himself, augmenting his Disguise checks (including neutral colors on the ship) so he can sneak into ports to get infomation of rich merchants plying their trade on the open waters, and to fence off his ill gotten goods at a better price with Forgery to make papers proving that they are not from the ship that got captured and plundered last week.



Shynauf looked up towards the Crow's Nest where the lookout were yelling that a merchant was in sight. 'Finally, been some time since we last saw something worthwhile plundering' Shynauf thought and hollered to his Crew "Okay men!, Rig up double time in the colors"

The merchant obviously noticed them since it tried fleeing, but Shynauf's ship was faster and got up on their side and boarded, Shynauf sidestepping onto the enemy bridge and feinted their captain slicing him to pieces with his chain.

'Lucky us' Shynauf thought at looking at the haul after fighting down the guards on the ship 'maybe not much cargo but quite a few pretty little slaves to make us comfortable before selling them to the Bitcharchy'

Level 11-15
Now Shynauf is very rapidly reaching a point where the build meshes together perfectly, as he grabs Corsair's Feint (Free Feint every 2d4 rounds) and Surprising Riposte (Feinting makes opponents flatfooted till their next turn), which makes him quite deadly as he can (together with Vae School) feint an enemy (well, due to Group Fake-Out, multiple enemies) as a free action, attack a flatfooted opponent dealing +dex+int+sneak attack damage, tripping as a free action and then keep attacking either the prone target or other feinted enemies for even more damage. Sailors Step makes for a decent extra Armor

Furthermore he also grabs Scourge of the Seas^2 (just couldn't not take the feat of the same name when i noticed it, for hilarity, bonus being that they work well together), which together with keeping Intimidate high makes for quite an efficient demoralizer (Frightened + Shaken = Panicked, Shaken + Shaken = Frightened) against everything not a Immune to fear. Sidestep is used to get into combat easily.




Shynauf looked at the Fortress protecting the harbour with distaste. They had turned against the argeement that he had made with the commander about paying him tribute to not harass the ships leaving the harbour.

He looked at his Helmsman nodding his head, and the Helmsman steered the ship towards the Fortress, staying just out of range of regular siege engine range, and after a quick word from his primary lookout he linked up with his primary 6 man battle crew and Dimension doored onto the Bastion with the intention to disable their seaside siege engines so the ship could get close with their own siege engines.

Level 16-20
While Shynauf doesn't get worse as he gains the last levels, he doesn't gain a whole lot of stuff either, only suplementing what he allready haves, Imperious Command fits nicely with his Intimidate focus, the two new Alter Egos can be used for pretty much what you'd will (something aquatic might be useful). Lastly he gets more sneak attack dice (although still at a mesely +4d6) and more charges of his daily Sidestep and the ability to use it as a full blown Dimension door.



While building the dish i kept jumping between 'pure' Drow, Lesser drow and Half-Drow since all three had good reasons why to pick them, but in the end i decided to take Lesser Drow since it were the happy medium. While the feats and ACF from Drow of the Underdark doesn't explicitly state that you have to be Drow, some of them (specially the ACF and Vae School) feels like they really should have had a Race: Drow or training by a Drow, so i went from that.

If Mountebank weren't to be taken to completion, a good way to get a good table build would probably be to trade 2 Mountebank Levels for 2 Scarlet Corsair levels so it can get so much more often free feints (once per 1d4 turns). Another Option that i fiddled with for some time before abandoning it were to take 2 levels of Assassin instead of getting to 5th level Scarlet Corsair and run with Insightful feint (Assassin Spell from Complete Adventurer) and load up on tons of 1st level Memento Magica's (Magic Item Compendium), but while an interesting idea it ended up feeling to cumbersome, as it started being to dependent on items and goodwill of the DM to allow Memento Magica stacking.

The Character is built with Dambrath in Forgotten Realms in mind, but the story itself is setting neutral






Source
Materials Used



Complete Mage
Arcane Stunt (Swashbuckler ACF)



Complete Scoundrel
Mountebank, Group Fake-Out, Nimble Charge, Second Impression



Complete Warrior
Swashbuckler



Drow of The Underdark
Hit-and-Run Tactics (Fighter ACF), Imperious Command, Surprising Riposte, Vae School



Players Handbook To Faerun
Lesser Drow



Stormwreck
Scarlet Corsair, Scourge Of The Seas

[Kuulvheysoon]

How can you know thine enemy if he doesn't know himself?

Ainatarmannave Miinuume
Who is like God in the West?

My name is Ainatarmannave Miinuume. I used to be a spy for King Shaaladel the Shining One until his daughter Allurah assassinated him and usurped his authority. When you’re working for a new monarch, you rely on everyone you used to talk to: a twitchy ex-girlfriend with an itchy draw string finger, a former agent of the king who used to give secrets out to the Emperor, and family too—desperate or not. Bottom line, until you know how the new monarch is going to use your skills, it’s just status quo.

Basics
N gray elf Factotum 5/Mountebank 10/Avenger 5
32 point buy
Starting abilities (after racial adjustments) Str 10, Dex 16, Con 8, Int 18, Wis 12, Cha 14
Increase Dex at Level 4, increase Int at Level 8, 12, 16, and 20
When you work in intelligence, you get used to the idea that some information is worth risking everything for. You sign up for the lifestyle, or the chance to serve your country, or the millions of frequent teleport miles. But finally, it all comes down to putting your ass on the line to learn something.

Build


Level
Class
BAB
Fort
Ref
Will
Skills
Feats
Class Features


1st
Factotum 1
+0
+0
+2
+0
Bluff 4, Disable Device 4, Forgery 4, Hide 4, Iaijutsu Focus 4, Move Silently 4, Perform (act) 4, Search 4, Sense Motive 2, Sleight of Hand 2, Use Magic Device 4
Darkstalker
cunning insight, cunning knowledge, elf traits, inspiration, trapfinding


2nd
Factotum 2
+1
+0
+3
+0
Bluff +1, Forgery +1, Hide +1, Iaijutsu Focus +1, Knowledge (local) 1, Move Silently +1, Perform (act) +1, Sleight of Hand +1, Spellcraft 1, Use Magic Device +1

arcane dilettante (1 spell)


3rd
Factotum 3
+2
+1
+3
+1
Bluff +1, Forgery +1, Hide +1, Iaijutsu Focus +1, Knowledge (local) +1, Move Silently +1, Perform (act) +1, Sleight of Hand +1, Spellcraft +1, Use Magic Device +1
Deceitful
brains over brawn, cunning defense


4th
Factotum 4
+3
+1
+4
+1
Bluff +1, Forgery +1, Hide +1, Iaijutsu Focus +1, Knowledge (local) +1, Move Silently +1, Perform (act) +1, Sleight of Hand +1, Spellcraft +1, Use Magic Device +1

arcane dilettante (2 spells), cunning strike


5th
Factotum 5
+3
+1
+4
+1
Bluff +1, Forgery +1, Hide +1, Iaijutsu Focus +1, Knowledge (local) +1, Move Silently +1, Perform (act) +1, Sleight of Hand +1, Spellcraft +1, Use Magic Device +1

opportunistic piety


6th
Mountebank 1
+3
+1
+6
+1
Bluff +1, Diplomacy 1, Forgery +1, Intimidate 1, Knowledge (local) +1, Sense Motive +1, Sleight of Hand +1, Tumble 1
Quick Draw
tongue of the devil


7th
Mountebank 2
+4
+1
+7
+1
Bluff +1, Forgery +1, Intimidate +1, Knowledge (local) +1, Sense Motive +1, Sleight of Hand +1, hidden blade skill trick

sneak attack +1d6


8th
Mountebank 3
+5
+2
+7
+2
Bluff +1, Forgery +1, Intimidate +1, Knowledge (local) +1, Sense Motive +1, Sleight of Hand +1, sudden draw skill trick

alter ego (Fianna)


9th
Mountebank 4
+6
+2
+8
+2
Bluff +1, Diplomacy +1, Forgery +1, Intimidate +1, Knowledge (local) +1, Sense Motive +1, Sleight of Hand +1, Tumble +1
Flick of the Wrist
sideslip 1/day


10th
Mountebank 5
+6
+2
+8
+2
Bluff +1, Diplomacy +1, Forgery +1, Intimidate +1, Knowledge (local) +1, Sense Motive +1, Sleight of Hand +1, Tumble +1

sneak attack +2d6


11th
Mountebank 6
+7
+3
+9
+3
Bluff +1, Diplomacy +1, Forgery +1, Intimidate +1, Knowledge (local) +1, Sense Motive +1, Sleight of Hand +1, Tumble +1

alter ego (Chuck Finley), sideslip 2/day


12th
Mountebank 7
+8
+3
+9
+3
Bluff +1, Diplomacy +1, Forgery +1, Intimidate +1, Knowledge (local) +1, Sense Motive +1, Sleight of Hand +1, mosquito’s bite skill trick
Fade into Violence
slippery mind


13th
Mountebank 8
+9
+3
+10
+3
Bluff +1, Diplomacy +1, Disguise 1, Forgery +1, Intimidate +1, Knowledge (local) +1, Sense Motive +1, Sleight of Hand +1, Tumble +1

sideslip 3/day, sneak attack +3d6


14th
Mountebank 9
+9
+4
+10
+4
Bluff +1, Diplomacy +1, Disguise +1, Forgery +1, Intimidate +1, Knowledge (local) +1, Sense Motive +1, Sleight of Hand +1, Tumble +1

alter ego (Samael the Axe)


15th
Mountebank 10
+10
+4
+11
+4
Bluff +1, Diplomacy +1, Disguise +1, Forgery +1, Intimidate +1, Knowledge (local) +1, Sense Motive +1, Sleight of Hand +1, Tumble +1
Combat Panache
sideslip 4/day, sudden escape


16th
Avenger 1
+10
+4
+13
+4
Bluff +1, Forgery +1, Hide +1, Intimidate +1, Move Silently +1, Sense Motive +1, Sleight of Hand +1, Tumble +1, Use Magic Device +1

death attack, sneak attack +4d6, poison use


17th
Avenger 2
+11
+4
+14
+4
Bluff +1, Forgery +1, Hide +1, Intimidate +1, Move Silently +1, Sense Motive +1, Sleight of Hand +1, Tumble +1, Use Magic Device +1

poison save +1, uncanny dodge


18th
Avenger 3
+12
+5
+14
+5
Bluff +1, Forgery +1, Hide +1, Intimidate +1, Move Silently +1, Sense Motive +1, Sleight of Hand +1, Tumble +1, Use Magic Device +1
Deadly Precision
sneak attack +5d6


19th
Avenger 4
+13
+5
+14
+5
Bluff +1, Forgery +1, Hide +1, Intimidate +1, Move Silently +1, Sense Motive +1, Sleight of Hand +1, Tumble +1, Use Magic Device +1

poison save +2


20th
Avenger 5
+13
+5
+14
+5
Bluff +1, Disguise +1, Forgery +1, Hide +1, Intimidate +1, Move Silently +1, Sense Motive +1, Sleight of Hand +1, Tumble +1, Use Magic Device +1

improved uncanny dodge, sneak attack +6d6



Skill Ranks at Level 20: Bluff 23, Disable Device 4, Diplomacy 8, Disguise 4, Forgery 23, Hide 13, Iaijutsu Focus 8, Intimidate 15, Knowledge (local) 14, Move Silently 13, Perform (act) 8, Search 4, Sense Motive 17, Sleight of Hand 19, Spellcraft 4, Tumble 12, Use Magic Device 13; hidden blade, mosquito’s bite, and sudden draw skill tricks

Spells per day


Level
1st
2nd
3rd


16th
0
-
-


17th
1
-
-


18th
2
0
-


19th
3
1
-


20th
3
2
0


* table does not include bonus spells from high Intelligence

Avenger Spells Known
1: feather fall, ghost sound, jump, true strike
2: darkness, invisibility, spider climb
3: false life, misdirection

Class Features Showcase
Tongue of the Devil: Mundane people generally want to be left alone to continue their own lives without them getting too complicated. The trick is how to get what you want without complicating their lives. How great is it that our hero now gets to add his Intelligence bonus to Bluff? It’s like brains over brawn for Bluff! His bluffs just got even more potent and will continue to do so since Intelligence is the ability boost from here on out. We start our approach to epic skill bonuses now. By Level 20 he has a Bluff check of +30 before adding any bonuses from items. Standard WBL would augment that number immensely and Ainatarmannave should be able to induce suggestions via an epic Bluff check.
Sneak Attack: The ability to take your opponent out of commission minimizes risk to yourself and your team. Every would be assassin needs to have some form of extra damage attack and our hero is no exception. His Factotum levels give one sneak attack die (at a cost of an inspiration point). He then gains six “real” sneak attack dice through the course of the SI and his follow up prestige class entry. Combine these with an iaijutsu attack and suddenly our hero has the equivalent sneak attack of a single classed Rogue of the appropriate level.
Alter Ego 1: Fianna (female half elf): A beautiful woman can gain access to just about anywhere. She can be more deadly to an enemy commander than a fully armed attack squad.
Alter Ego 2: Chuck Finley (male human): Facts are the hallmark of a good false identity. It's harder to create history, than it is to alter it. Plus, the more truth to your lie, the easier it is to remember. Chuck is the go to guy for just about anything. He’s a charismatic bastard that can make friends and (sometimes) enemies easy. Ainatarmannave can use this persona anywhere as humans are just about accepted everywhere. Thanks to the ranks in acting, Chuck can pretend to be just about anyone that he needs to be on the fly and can use Bluff when things get too squirrelly.
Alter Ego 3: Samael of the Axe (male raptoran):Aerial reconnaissance is something most spies only dream of. Actually being able to at least glide over the surrounding area can give your team the advantage it needs to complete the job.
Sideslip: Sometimes assassinations fail. That is when you need to have an escape plan. This ability can be used as an immediate action which means that when attacked our hero can effectively take himself out of harm’s way and take advantage of Fade into Violence or (later) Combat Panache (fortuitous tumble). Not only are you not threatened by an enemy, that enemy is most likely going to cause damage to his own comrades. It’s a win-win for Ainatarmannave and his allies.
Slippery Mind: Sometimes people tell you to do things that you don’t want to do. It’s always better to be able to not have to listen. Our hero does not have the best base Will save so any chance to overcome a failure here is welcome. Again compare to a single classed Rogue. Such a Rogue can pick this ability as early as Level 10 (but won’t—I’m partial to improved evasion personally). The next opportunity for a Rogue special ability is Level 13. Our hero gets this ability at Level 12.
Sudden Escape: Sometimes twenty feet just is not enough for an escape. Sometimes you might want to take an ally with you. These are the times when you need a sudden escape.

Design Notes
Our hero will most likely work best in a campaign of political intrigue and heavy roleplaying, like most social type characters. With maximum ranks in Bluff, a good Charisma and the tongue of the devil, Ainatarmannave should be able to avoid all combats that he does not want to have. Having said that, he is not helpless in other kinds of campaigns but your mileage may vary.

As far as assassinations go, combining all of the feats, skills, and skill tricks together: hide a light weapon (a light pick is a good choice) on your person via Sleight of Hand, use Hide and Move Silently with Darkstalker assistance to approach the target, use the hidden blade or Flick of the Wrist to make sure the victim is flat flooted, deal iaijutsu damage along with sneak attack damage to profit. Hide multiple light weapons upon your person so that you can take advantage of sudden draw skill trick for attacks of opportunity. When faced with a superior force, you can do two things: you can retreat quietly or you can attack with as much fanfare as possible. In the heat of a longer combat, Ainatarmannave can use hidden blade or Flick of the Wrist (basically the one he did not start a combat with) to continue to press his sneaky potential. Fade into Violence and Combat Panache help guarantee his safety with making the enemies hit someone else. Considering brains over brawn and the rather high Intelligence, all Sleight of Hand, Hide, and Move Silently checks are going to be quite high before relying on WBL. Remember the best offense isn't always a show of force. Keep an adversary in the dark about what you're capable of, and he has to assume the worst.

Source List
Burn Notice: television series and the inspiration of this build (in case you didn’t know)
Complete Scoundrel: Mountebank prestige class, skill tricks
Complete Warrior: Flick of the Wrist feat
Dungeonscape: Factotum base class
Lords of Madness: Darkstalker feat
Player's Handbook II: Combat Panache and Fade into Violence feats
Wizards of the Coast Website (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/prc/20070401a): Avenger prestige class

[Kuulvheysoon]

...Yes, but where has the rum gone?

http://static.comicvine.com/uploads/original/11/113701/2313892-jack.jpg

Captain Jackie Spae Row
CN Human Rogue 8/ Swashbuckler 3/ Mountebank 6/ Uncanny Trickster 3

Abilities: Str 10, Dex 15, Con 10, Int 16, Wis 12, Cha 14

All Ability points from leveling go to Dex


Fluff:

I've always been a bit of a scallywag. Even as a youth lurking about the docks, stowing away on ships. Even dabbled a bit in piracy during the beginning of my career. Didn't really stick at the time. Eventually ended up working a legitimate trade vessel. Not to say we did do our fair share of sketchy work, but it wasn't anything that would get us hung at any rate.


Still work with the legal authorities didn't suit me, and so after a final bout with my commander, I hijacked my ship, and set sail with a crew to engage in piracy on the high seas. There wasn't any other life for me than this. Absolute freedom. They try to catch me, but they never will. As long as there a trick up this old sea dogs sleeve, they may get close, but it will be forever rememberd as the day they almost caught Captain Jackie Spae Row.

As for the rest of my tale, well you've all hard the legends haven't you? If not I'm sure Mr Tibbs here will be happy to regale you with them. Now excuse me while I stagger off in search of some more grog.


Build:


Level Class BAB Fort Ref Will Skills Feats Features
1 Rogue 0 0 2 0 Appraise (Int), Balance 4, Bluff 4, Climb 4, Gather Information 4, Jump 4, Knowledge (Local) 4, Profession (Sailor) 4, Spot 4, Spellcraft 2, Swim 4, Tumble 4, Use Rope 4 Decietful, Combat Reflexes Sneak attack +1d6, trapfinding
2 Swashbuckler 1 2 2 0 Balance 5, Bluff 5, Climb 5, Gather Information 4, Jump 5, Knowledge (Local) 4, Profession (Sailor) 5, Spot 4, Spellcraft 2.5, Swim 5, Tumble 5, Use Rope 4 Weapon Finesse -
3 Swashbuckler 2 3 2 0 Balance 5, Bluff 6, Climb 6, Gather Information 4, Jump 5, Knowledge (Local) 4, Profession (Sailor) 6, Spot 4, Spellcraft 3, Swim 6, Tumble 6, Use Rope 4 Mobility, Quick Swimmer Grace +1
4 Swashbuckler 3 3 3 1 Balance 5, Bluff 7, Climb 7, Gather Information 4, Jump 5, Knowledge (Local) 4, Profession (Sailor) 7, Spot 4, Spellcraft 3.5, Swim 7, Tumble 7, Use Rope 4 Nimble Charge Insightful Strike
5 Rogue 4 3 4 1 Balance 8, Bluff 8, Climb 8, Gather Information 4, Jump 5, Knowledge (Local) 4, Profession (Sailor) 8, Spot 4, Spellcraft 4, Swim 8, Tumble 8, Use Rope 5 - Evasion
6 Mountebank 4 3 6 1 Balance 8, Bluff 9, Climb 8, Escape Artist 1, Gather Information 4, Jump 5, Knowledge (Local) 4, Profession (Sailor) 8, Spot 9, Spellcraft 4, Swim 8, Tumble 9, Use Rope 5 Daring Outlaw Tongue of the Devil, Sneak Attack +3d6, Dodge Bonus +1
7 Mountebank 5 3 7 1 Balance 8, Bluff 10, Climb 8, Escape Artist 5, Gather Information 4, Jump 5, Knowledge (Local) 4, Profession (Sailor) 8, Spot 10, Spellcraft 4, Swim 8, Sleight of Hand 1, Tumble 10, Use Rope 5 - Sneak Attack +4d6
8 Mountebank 6 / 1 4 7 2 Balance 8, Bluff 11, Climb 8, Escape Artist 5, Gather Information 4, Jump 5, Knowledge (Local) 4, Profession (Sailor) 8, Spot 10, Spellcraft 4, Swim 8, Sleight of Hand 5, Tumble 11, Use Rope 5 Slipping Past Alter Ego
9 Mountebank 7 / 2 4 8 2 Balance 8, Bluff 12, Climb 8, Escape Artist 5, Gather Information 4, Jump 5, Knowledge (Local) 4, Profession (Sailor) 8, Spot 12, Spellcraft 4, Swim 8, Sleight of Hand 9, Tumble 12, Use Rope 5 Einhander Sideslip 1/day
10 Mountebank 7/ 2 4 8 2 Balance 8, Bluff 13, Climb 8, Escape Artist 5, Gather Information 4, Jump 5, Knowledge (Local) 4, Profession (Sailor) 8, Spot 13, Spellcraft 4, Swim 8, Sleight of Hand 12, Tumble 13, Use Rope 5 Back on Your Feet Sneak Attack +5d6
11 Rogue 8/ 3 5 8 3 Balance 14, Bluff 14, Climb 8, Escape Artist 5, Gather Information 4, Jump 8, Knowledge (Local) 4, Profession (Sailor) 10, Spot 14, Spellcraft 4, Swim 8, Sleight of Hand 12, Tumble 14, Use Rope 5 - Penetrating Strike
12 Mountebank 9/ 4 6 9 4 Balance 14, Bluff 15, Climb 8, Escape Artist 5, Gather Information 4, Jump 8, Knowledge (Local) 4, Profession (Sailor) 10, Spot 15, Spellcraft 4, Swim 8, Sleight of Hand 15, Tumble 15, Use Rope 5 Spring Attack, Slipping Past Alter ego, sideslip 2/day
13 Rogue 10/ 5 6 10 4 Balance 16, Bluff 16, Climb 8, Escape Artist 8, Gather Information 4, Jump 9, Knowledge (Local) 4, Profession (Sailor) 10, Spot 16, Spellcraft 4, Swim 8, Sleight of Hand 16, Tumble 16, Use Rope 5 Group Fakeout Uncanny Dodge, Sneak Attack +6d6
14 Rogue 11/ 6/ 1 6 10 4 Balance 17, Bluff 17, Climb 8, Escape Artist 8, Gather Information 8, Jump 10, Knowledge (Local) 4, Profession (Sailor) 10, Spot 17, Spellcraft 4, Swim 8, Sleight of Hand 17, Tumble 17, Use Rope 5 Speedy Ascent -
15 Rogue 11/ 6/ 1 7 11 5 Balance 18, Bluff 18, Climb 10, Escape Artist 8, Gather Information 8, Jump 10, Knowledge (Local) 9, Profession (Sailor) 10, Spot 18, Spellcraft 4, Swim 8, Sleight of Hand 18, Tumble 18, Use Rope 5 Shi`Quos School Sneak Attack + 7d6
16 Rogue 12/ 7/ 2 7 11 5 Balance 19, Bluff 19, Climb 10, Escape Artist 8, Gather Information 10, Jump 10, Knowledge (Local) 10, Profession (Sailor) 10, Spot 19, Spellcraft 4, Swim 10, Sleight of Hand 19, Tumble 19, Use Rope 5 Leaping Climber Dodge +2
17 Rogue 13/ 8/ 3 7 13 5 Balance 20, Bluff 20, Climb 10, Escape Artist 10, Gather Information 10, Jump 10, Knowledge (Local) 10, Profession (Sailor) 10, Spot 20, Spellcraft 4, Swim 15, Sleight of Hand 20, Tumble 20, Use Rope 5 "
" Improved Uncanny Dodge, Grace +2
18 Uncanny Trickster 13/ 8/ 3 7 14 5 Balance 21, Bluff 21, Climb 10, Escape Artist 10, Gather Information 10, Jump 10, Knowledge (Local) 10, Profession (Sailor) 10, Spot 21, Spellcraft 4, Swim 20, Sleight of Hand 21, Tumble 21, Use Rope 5 Quick Draw, Listen to This, Point it Out Favorite Trick: Group Fakeout
19 Uncanny Trickster 14/ 9/ 4 7 14 5 Balance 22, Bluff 22, Climb 10, Escape Artist 10, Gather Information 10, Jump 10, Knowledge (Local) 10, Listen 7, Profession (Sailor) 10, Spot 22, Spellcraft 4, Swim 22, Sleight of Hand 22, Tumble 22, Use Rope 5 Sudden Draw Favorite Trick: Nimble Charge, Slippery Mind
20 Uncanny Trickster 15/ 10/ 5 8 - 6 Balance 23, Bluff 23, Climb 10, Escape Artist 10, Gather Information 10, Jump 10, Knowledge (Local) 10, Listen 10, Profession (Sailor) 10, Spot 23, Spellcraft 4, Swim 23, Sleight of Hand 23, Tumble 23, Use Rope 6 Mosquito Bite, Hidden Blade Favorite Trick: Back on Your Feet, Tricky Defense, Sideslip 3/day, Sneak Attack +8d6



Sources: Einhander: ( Player's Handbook II, p. 94)
Swashbuckler: (Complete Warrior, p. 11)
Daring Outlaw ( Complete Scoundrel, p. 76)
Skill Tricks: ( Complete Scoundrel, p. 82)
Uncanny Trickster: ( Complete Scoundrel, p. 67)
Shi`Quos School: ( Drow of the Underdark, p. 56)
Penetrating Strike: ( Dungeonscape, p. 13)



Notes: So I'm a pirate saavy? That means I need to have more tricks up my sleeve than the man after me. After all I'm a dishonest man, so what's the point of playing fair when I can use a few underhanded sleights to gain an edge. Primarily being a rogue means that I've got an abundant source of skills and plenty of knowledge to apply to them. Dabbling a little as a swashbuckler confers a few other perks that stack nicely with my roguish nature as a daring outlaw. Obviously sometime I have to fight...to run away, and during these enconters I'm loaded with plenty of ways to move about and keep my foes on their toes. Top it off with a couple of alter egos to make it easier to evade the authorities, and you'll never forget the day you almost caught Captain Jackie Spae Row

[Kuulvheysoon]

Take my love,
Take my land,
Take me where I cannot stand.
I don't care,
I'm still free
You can't take the sky from me.
Momeo Rontague
Savant 2/Human Paragon 3/Mountebank 8/Uncanny Trickster 3/Exemplar 4


Once upon a time, they say,
In a land not far away
A man was charmed by loving arms,
Her heart to his was swayed.

A river nymph he met between
Two flowing little streams
They froliced, gay, and danced all day
And lavished in their dreams.

But human boy and sylvan girl
Find trouble in this world,
And thus, beware, for sooth, take care,
Their anger is unfurled.

For both Faerie Queen and Human King
Deny matrimony rings
To those who've tried t'be groom and bride,
Their realms to blend one hing.

"'Tis wrong," both Royals huff and haw,
And so each passes law.
"When Love's sharp dart comes for your heart,
Your own kind must you awe!"

So human man and girl of fey
Were split and kept away.
They made their Vow to not allow
These laws to rule the day.

Back to the City in disguise
Our hero bluffs and lies.
And from within, repays the sin
Of the Kingdom with demise.

Then slipping down 'neath rippled wave
He finds his Love held as Queen's slave.
Unsettled score; another war
He'll fight for love to save.



Str 08
Dex 14
Con 13
Int 16
Wis 13
Cha 14

Level Ups: 4 (Int), 8 (Int), 12 (Int), 16 (Int), 20 (Con)





Level
Class
Base Attack Bonus
Fort Saves
Ref Saves
Will Saves
Skills
Skill Tricks
Languages
Feats
Class Features


1st
Savant 1
+0
+0
+0
+2
Autohypnosis 1, Bluff 4, Diplomacy 4, Disguise 4, Forgery 4, K: Nobility and Royalty 4, Listen 4, Sense Motive 4, Sleight of Hand 4, Spellcraft 4, Spot 4
--
Celestial; Common; Drow Sign Language; Elven; Sylvan
1st: Nymph's Kiss; BH: Master Linguist
Academic Lore; Skill Assistance (Disguise); Trapfinding


2nd
Savant 2
+1
+0
+0
+3
Autohypnosis (1), Bluff 1(5), Diplomacy 1(5), Disguise 1(5), Forgery (4), K: Local 5(5), K: Nobility and Royalty 1(5), Listen 1(5), Sense Motive (4), Sleight of Hand (4), Spellcraft (4), Spot 1(5)
--
Gnome
B:EWP: Gnome Quick Razor
--


3rd
Human Paragon 1
+1
+0
+0
+5
Autohypnosis (1), Bluff 1(6), Diplomacy 1(6), Disguise 1(6), Forgery (4), Iaijutsu Focus 1(1), K: Local (5), K: Nobility and Royalty (5), Listen 1(6), Sense Motive 2(6), Sleight of Hand 1(5), Spellcraft (4), Spot 1(6)
--
Draconic
3rd: Combat Expertise; B: MWP: Bolas
Adaptive Learning (Iaijutsu Focus)


4th
Human Paragon 2
+2
+0
+0
+6
Autohypnosis (1), Bluff 1(7), Diplomacy 1(7), Disguise 1(7), Forgery (4), Iaijutsu Focus 2(3), K: Local (5), K: Nobility and Royalty (5), Listen 1(7), Sense Motive 1(7), Sleight of Hand 1(6), Spellcraft (4), Spot 1(7)
--
Abyssal
B: Deceitful
--


5th
Human Paragon 3
+3
+1
+1
+6
Autohypnosis (1), Bluff 1(8), Diplomacy 1(8), Disguise 1(8), Forgery (4), Iaijutsu Focus 2(5), K: Local (5), K: Nobility and Royalty (5), Listen 1(8), Sense Motive 1(8), Sleight of Hand 2(8), Spellcraft (4), Spot 1(8)
--
Auran
--
+2 Int


6th
Mountebank 1
+3
+1
+3
+6
Autohypnosis (1), Bluff 1(9), Diplomacy 1(9), Disguise 1(9), Forgery (4), Iaijutsu Focus 3(8), K: Local (5), K: Nobility and Royalty (5), Listen 1(9), Sense Motive 1(9), Sleight of Hand 1(9), Spellcraft (4), Spot 1(9)
--
Infernal
6th: Improved Feint
Tongue of the Devil


7th
Mountebank 2
+4
+1
+4
+6
Autohypnosis (1), Bluff 1(10), Diplomacy 1(10), Disguise 1(10), Forgery (4), Iaijutsu Focus 2(10), K: Local (5), K: Nobility and Royalty (5), Listen 1(10), Sense Motive 1(10), Sleight of Hand 1(10), Spellcraft (4), Spot 1(10)
Assume Quirk
Aquan
--
Sneak Attack +1d6


8th
Mountebank 3
+5
+2
+4
+7
Autohypnosis (1), Bluff 1(11), Diplomacy 1(11), Disguise 1(11), Forgery 1(5), Iaijutsu Focus 1(11), K: Local (5), K: Nobility and Royalty (5), Listen 1(11), Sense Motive 1(11), Sleight of Hand 1(11), Spellcraft (4), Spot 1(11)
Second Impression
Kenku
--
Alter Ego 1 (Karsite)


9th
Mountebank 4
+6/1
+2
+5
+7
Autohypnosis (1), Bluff 1(12), Diplomacy 1(12), Disguise 1(12), Forgery 1(6), Iaijutsu Focus 1(12), K: Local (5), K: Nobility and Royalty (5), Listen 1(12), Sense Motive 1(12), Sleight of Hand 1(12), Spellcraft (4), Spot 1(12)
Group Fake-Out
Dwarven
9th: Assume Supernatural Ability (Magic Draining Attacks)
Sideslip 1/day


10th
Mountebank 5
+6/1
+2
+5
+7
Autohypnosis (1), Bluff 1(13), Diplomacy 1(13), Disguise 1(13), Forgery 1(7), Iaijutsu Focus 1(13), K: Local (5), K: Nobility and Royalty (5), Listen 1(13), Sense Motive 1(13), Sleight of Hand 1(13), Spellcraft (4), Spot 1(13)
Listen To This
Giant
--
Sneak Attack +2d6


11th
Mountebank 6
+7/2
+2
+5
+7
Autohypnosis (1), Bluff 1(14), Diplomacy 1(14), Disguise 1(14), Forgery 1(8), Iaijutsu Focus 1(14), K: Local (5), K: Nobility and Royalty (5), Listen 1(14), Sense Motive 1(14), Sleight of Hand 1(14), Spellcraft (4), Spot 1(14), Tumble 2(2)
--
Goblin
--
Alter Ego 2 (Changeling); Sideslip 2/day


12th
Mountebank 7
+8/3
+3
+6
+8
Autohypnosis (1), Bluff 1(15), Diplomacy 1(15), Disguise 1(15), Forgery (8), Iaijutsu Focus 1(15), K: Local (5), K: Nobility and Royalty (5), Listen 1(15), Sense Motive 1(15), Sleight of Hand 1(15), Spellcraft (4), Spot 1(15), Tumble 3(5)
--
Halfling
12th: Assume Supernatural Ability (Minor Shape Change)
Slippery Mind


13th
Mountebank 8
+9/4
+3
+7
+8
Autohypnosis (1), Bluff 1(16), Diplomacy 1(16), Disguise 1(16), Forgery 3(11), Iaijutsu Focus 1(16), K: Local (5), K: Nobility and Royalty (5), Listen 1(16), Sense Motive 1(16), Sleight of Hand 1(16), Spellcraft (4), Spot 1(16), Tumble (5)
--
Terran
--
Sideslip 3/day; Sneak Attack +3d6


14th
Uncanny Trickster 1
+9/4
+3
+9
+8
Autohypnosis (1), Bluff 1(17), Diplomacy 1(17), Disguise 1(17), Forgery 2(13), Iaijutsu Focus 1(17), K: Local (5), K: Nobility and Royalty (5), Listen 1(17), Open Lock 5(5), Sense Motive 1(17), Sleight of Hand 1(17), Spellcraft (4), Spot 1(17), Tumble (5)
Spot the Weak Point
Ignan
--
Favorite Trick (Group Fake-Out)


15th
Uncanny Trickster 2
+10/4
+3
+10
+8
Autohypnosis (1), Bluff 1(18), Diplomacy 1(18), Disguise 1(18), Forgery 2(15), Iaijutsu Focus 1(18), K: Local (5), K: Nobility and Royalty (5), Listen 1(18), Open Lock (5), Search 5(5), Sense Motive 1(18), Sleight of Hand 1(18), Spellcraft (4), Spot 1(18), Tumble (5)
Clarity of Vision
Darfellan
15th: Skill Focus (Iaijutsu Focus)
Alter Ego 3 (Aquatic Elf); Favorite Trick (Spot the Weak Point)


16th
Uncanny Trickster 3
+11/5
+4
+10
+9
Autohypnosis (1), Bluff 1(19), Diplomacy 1(19), Disguise 1(19), Forgery 1(15), Iaijutsu Focus 1(19), K: Local (5), K: Nobility and Royalty (5), Listen 1(19), Open Lock (5), Search (5), Sense Motive 1(19), Sleight of Hand 1(19), Spellcraft (4), Spot 1(19), Tumble 8(13)
Acrobatic Backstab
Kup-Toan
--
Favorite Trick (Acrobatic Backstab); Sideslip 4/day; Sudden Escape


17th
Exemplar 1
+11/5
+4
+10
+9
Autohypnosis 4(5), Bluff 1(20), Diplomacy 1(20), Disguise 1(20), Forgery (15), Iaijutsu Focus 1(20), K: Local (5), K: Nobility and Royalty (5), Listen 1(20), Open Lock (5), Search (5), Sense Motive (19), Sleight of Hand (19), Spellcraft (4), Spot 1(20), Tumble (13), Use Magic Device 6(6)
--
Gnoll
--
Skill Artistry (Iaijutsu Focus); Skill Mastery (Autohypnosis, Iaijutsu Focus, K: Local, Open Lock, Search, Tumble, Use Magical Device)


18th
Exemplar 2
+12/6/1
+4
+10
+12
Autohypnosis 4(9), Bluff 1(21), Diplomacy 1(21), Disable Device 4(4), Disguise 1(21), Forgery (15), Iaijutsu Focus 1(21), K: Local (5), K: Nobility and Royalty (5), Listen 1(21), Open Lock (5), Search (5), Sense Motive 1(20), Sleight of Hand 1(20), Spellcraft (4), Spot 1(21), Tumble (13), Use Magic Device (6)
--
Orc
18: Quick Reconnoiter
Lend Talent; Skill Mastery (K: Nobility & Royalty)


19th
Exemplar 3
+13/7/2
+4
+11
+12
Autohypnosis (9), Bluff 1(22), Diplomacy 1(22), Disable Device 7(11), Disguise 1(22), Forgery 1(16), Iaijutsu Focus 1(22), K: Local (5), K: Nobility and Royalty (5), Listen 1(22), Open Lock (5), Search (5), Sense Motive 1(21), Sleight of Hand 1(21), Spellcraft (4), Spot 1(22), Tumble (13), Use Magic Device (8)
--
Treant
B: Skill Focus (Bluff)
Skill Mastery (Disable Device)


20th
Exemplar 4
+14/8/3
+5
+11
+13
Autohypnosis (9), Bluff 1(23), Diplomacy 1(23), Disable Device (11), Disguise 1(23), Forgery 3(19), Iaijutsu Focus 1(23), K: Local (5), K: Nobility and Royalty (5), Listen 1(23), Open Lock 3(8), Search (5), Sense Motive 2(23), Sleight of Hand 2(23), Spellcraft (4), Spot 1(23), Tumble (13), Use Magic Device (8)
--
Undercommon
--
Skill Artistry (Bluff); Skill Mastery (Forgery)






At this point, staying at range in combat is not a bad idea. Your round will consist of a move action to load a crossbow and a standard action to shoot. Try not to hit your friends. Use Bolas to make trip attacks at range. If an enemy does get close, use a standard action to feint, then follow up with a quickrazor attack the following round. At 5th level, Iaijutsu Focus is enough so that even a roll of 1 on a d20 will net a +1d6 to damage. (It only goes up from there, depending on what you roll.) Your best bet, though, is to control combat. Where, when, and how. Use of the Disguise spell should be able to set up ambushes and surprise rounds.



Out of combat is where you shine.
Max. rank skills: Bluff, Diplomacy, Disguise, Listen, Sense Motive, Sleight of Hand, Spot

Bluff and Diplomacy make you the party face. Add in the synergies from K: N&R (including the extra uses in Races of Destiny) and Sense Motive.

Listen and Spot make you a good scout.

Disguise and Sleight of Hand make you a good infiltrator/spy/double agent. Knowing a plethora of languages opens up more versatility for your Disguises.






Improved Feint comes at the same level as Tongue of the Devil. Drop that crossbow and wade in. Move action to feint, standard action to attack; whip out the quickrazor and bring the Iaijutsu damage. A level later adds Sneak Attack. At 9th level, things get fun. The Group Fake-out Skill Trick means you can feint three people at once as a move action, then attack enemy #1. The following round, full-attack to attack #2 and #3. Doing so as your Alter Ego (Karsite) with Magic Draining Attacks strips your enemies of the magic in their items. (Note: Assume Supernatural Ability actually changes the DC formula of the ability, so you can actually use Magic Draining Attacks at a higher DC than and actual Karsite, although, at a penalty to attack.) Keep hold of a longspear (reach weapon!) to use for attacks of opportunity and to help other party members with a flanking bonus.



Max. rank skills: Bluff, Diplomacy, Disguise, Iaijutsu Focus, Listen, Sense Motive, Sleight of Hand, Spot

Party-face, scout, and spy abilities just keep getting better. The Assume Quirk and Second Impression Skill Tricks make Bluff and Disguise all the better. Listen To This makes scouting more effective. Sideslip makes infiltration easier.






Everything that came before continues here. Iaijutsu Focus has gotten stronger still. The Spot the Weak Point Skill Trick makes it easier to hit heavily armored enemies. Spot the Weak Point and Group Fake-Out are usable twice as often in each encounter now (thanks to being Favorite Tricks). Clarity of Vision and a well tossed flour pouch helps the whole party against a hidden foe.


Max. rank skills: Bluff, Diplomacy, Disguise, Iaijutsu Focus, Listen, Sense Motive, Sleight of Hand, Spot

Your role as infiltrator gets amazing now. A wide plethora of languages combines well with Alter Ego #2. By Assuming the (Su) ability Minor Change Shape of a Changeling, you can appear to be nearly any bi-pedal creature, humanoid or otherwise. Changeling also adds a new racial bonus to Bluff, Intimidate, and Sense Motive. (The +2 racial bonus on sleep and charm effects adds nicely to the Mounteback Slippery Mind feature, as well.)

Your ranks in the Forgery skill are coming along nicely, now, too, and add to your ability to bluff/disguise your way into large groups and organizations.

At 15th level, Alter Ego #3 comes into play. The Aquatic Elf offers gills and a swim speed, opening up the chance to infiltrate (and thus, take advantage of) several underwater communities as well as those on the surface. Racial bonuses to Listen, Search, and Spot (along with the ability to detect concealed doors just by moving near them) help with scout/spy roles. The only real downside to the Aquatic Elf is the time limit spent out of the water, which is long enough to not affect you and your self altering ways.



At these levels, you gain access to having more than one Alter Ego. Check with your DM to determine whether or not you are able to shift from one ego straight into another, or if you have to move back to your original 'you-ness' in between. (In other words, can you use Alter Ego to shift from Human into Changeling, and then shift from Changeling straight into Aquatic Elf? Or do you have to move from Changeling back into Human before becoming an Aquatic Elf?) It's a bit of a ticky-tack rule involving RAW vs. RAI, and I can see it being ruled differently at different tables.

If you are allowed to move straight from one Ego to another, remember that you keep your racial (SU) abilities. Changing from a Human to a Changeling grants you Minor Change Shape through Assume Supernatural Ability. Switching straight from there to Karsite adds Magic Draining Attacks (also through ASA). Switching from there to Aquatic Elf would then grant you the best of all three Egos in one form.

Do make sure to consult your DM before trying this at home.





Acrobatic Backstab makes and appearance (and becomes a Favorite Trick), offering another option for causing opponents to be flat-footed against your attacks. (13 ranks (at level 16) + 2 (Dex) + 10 (Skill Mastery) = 25, which auto-succeeds the DC 25 Tumble check needed.) Iaijutsu Focus gains a bonus from Skill Artistry and stabilization from Skill Mastery. Lend Talent can boost allies' Iaijustsu Focus, as well.
Skill Focus and Skill Artistry for Bluff (combined with everything else from before) gives an even better chance to use Group Fake-Out on multiple foes, which should let you use a third ititarive attack.



The Quick Reconnoiter feat gives you better spy/scout powers. Lend Talent with Bluff helps you lead a group in infiltration.

Skill Mastery skills: (When taking 20 isn't an option, what happens when you take 10)

Autohypnosis: Autohit: 20 Result: Among other things (tolerate poison, resist fear, resist dying, ignore caltrop wound, willpower), you can memorize just about anything. Maps, diagrams, income and expense reports. Perfect for a spy/infiltrator.
Disable Device: Autohit: 27 Result: Disarm complex (and easier) traps.
Forgery: Autohit: 37 Result: Force a DC 37 Forgery check to notice the fake.
K: Local/N&R: Autohit: 21 Result: Answer on topic questions (some of which are "really tough").
Open Lock: Autohit: 20 Result: Pick a "very simple lock".
Search: Autohit: 21 Result: Notice secret door or simple trap; notice some difficult non-magic traps.
Use Magic Device: Autohit: 20 Result: Use wands.








Dragon Compendium: Savant Class
Expanded Psionics Handbook: Autohypnosis skill
Oriental Adventures: Iaijutsu Focus skill
Book of Exalted Deeds: Nymph's Kiss feat
Races of Stone: Gnome Quick Razor
Unearthed Arcana: Human Paragon class
Complete Scoundrel: Mountebank PRC; All Skill Tricks; Uncanny Trickster PRC
Tome of Magic: Karsite race
Savage Species: Assume Supernatural Ability feat
Races of Eberron: Changling race; Master Linguist feat
Complete Adventurer: Exemplar PRC
Stormwrack: Aquatic Elf race
Dungeonscape: Quick Reconnoiter feat

[Kuulvheysoon]

Do mine eyes deceive me?
"Charolette, the Charlatan"
CN, Human (scorpion), Spell Thief 5, Mountebank 10, Bayushi Deceiver 5

Abilities:

Strength Dexterity Constitution Intelligence Wisdom Charisma Reason
10 14 12 16 10 15 32-point buy
10 14 12 16 10 16 4th
10 14 12 17 10 16 8th
10 14 12 18 10 16 12th
10 14 12 19 10 16 16th
10 14 12 20 10 16 20th


Build:


Level Class BAB Fort Ref Will Skills Feats Features
1 Spellthief (CA 13) 0 0 0 2 Bluff 4, Jump 4, Knowledge (arcana) 4, Knowledge (local) 4, Listen 4, Spellcraft 4, Spot 4, Tumble 4, and Speak Language Fey Heritage (CM 43), Fey Skin (CM 43) Sneak attack +1d6, steal spell (0 or 1st), trapfinding
2 Spellthief 1 0 0 3 Bluff 5, Jump 5, Knowledge (arcana) 5, Knowledge (local) 5, Listen 5, Spellcraft 5, Spot 5, Tumble 5, and Tumbling Crawl (CS 90) - Detect magic, spellgrace +1, steal spell effect
3 Spellthief 2 1 1 3 Bluff 6, Jump 6, Knowledge (arcana) 6, Knowledge (local) 6, Listen 6, Spellcraft 6, Spot 6, Tumble 6, and Speak Language Deceitful (PHB 93) Steal energy resistance 10
4 Spellthief 3 1 1 4 Bluff 7, Jump 7, Knowledge (arcana) 7, Knowledge (local) 7, Listen 7, Spellcraft 7, Spot 7, Tumble 7, and Listen to This CS 87) - Steal spell (2nd)
5 Spellthief 4 1 1 4 Bluff 8, Jump 8, Knowledge (arcana) 8, Knowledge (local) 8, Listen 8, Spellcraft 8, Spot 8, Tumble 8, and Speak Language - Sneak attack +2d6, steal spell-like ability
6 Mountebank (CS 57) 4 1 3 4 Bluff 9, Diplomacy 1, Jump 8, Knowledge (arcana) 9, Knowledge (local) 9, Listen 8, Spellcraft 9, Spot 8, Tumble 9 and Point it Out (CS 88) Improved Initiative (PHB 96) Tongue of the devil
7 Mountebank 5 1 4 4 Bluff 10, Diplomacy 4, Jump 8, Knowledge (arcana) 10, Knowledge (local) 10, Listen 8, Spellcraft 10, Spot 8, and Tumble 10 - Sneak attack +3d6
8 Mountebank 6 2 4 5 Bluff 11, Diplomacy 5, Jump 8, Knowledge (arcana) 11, Knowledge (local) 11, Listen 8, Spellcraft 11, Spot 8, Tumble 11, and Extreme Leap (CS 86) - Alter ego
9 Mountebank 7 2 5 5 Bluff 12, Diplomacy 8, Jump 8, Knowledge (arcana) 12, Knowledge (local) 12, Listen 8, Spellcraft 12, Spot 8, and Tumble 12 Fey Legacy (CM 43) Sideslip 1/day
10 Mountebank 7 2 5 5 Bluff 13, Diplomacy 9, Jump 8, Knowledge (arcana) 13, Knowledge (local) 13, Listen 8, Spellcraft 13, Spot 8, Tumble 13, and Acrobatic Backstab (CS 84) - Sneak attack +4d6
11 Mountebank 8 3 6 6 Bluff 14, Diplomacy 12, Jump 8, Knowledge (arcana) 14, Knowledge (local) 14, Listen 8, Spellcraft 14, Spot 8, and Tumble 14 - Alter ego, sideslip 2/day
12 Mountebank 9 3 6 6 Bluff 15, Diplomacy 13, Jump 9, Knowledge (arcana) 15, Knowledge (local) 15, Listen 8, Spellcraft 15, Spot 8, Tumble 15, and Spot the Weak Point (CS 89) Momentary Alteration (UA 94) Slippery mind
13 Mountebank 10 3 7 6 Bluff 16, Diplomacy 15, Jump 10, Knowledge (arcana) 16, Knowledge (local) 16, Listen 8, Spellcraft 16, Spot 8, and Tumble 16 - Sideslip 3/day, sneak attack +5d6
14 Mountebank 10 4 7 7 Bluff 17, Diplomacy 16, Jump 11, Knowledge (arcana) 17, Knowledge (local) 17, Listen 8, Spellcraft 17, Spot 8, Tumble 17, and Clarity of Vision (CS 85) - Alter ego
15 Mountebank 11 4 8 7 Bluff 18, Diplomacy 18, Jump 12, Knowledge (arcana) 18, Knowledge (local) 18, Listen 8, Spellcraft 18, Spot 8, and Tumble 18 Quick Reconnoiter (CA 112) Sideslip 4/day, sudden escape
16 Bayushi Deceiver (OA 225) 11 6 10 7 Bluff 19, Diplomacy 19, Jump 15, Knowledge (arcana) 19*, Knowledge (local) 19*, Listen 8, Spellcraft 19*, Spot 8, and Tumble 19. *cross class skill - Sneak attack +6d6, poison use
17 Bayushi Deceiver 12 7 11 7 Bluff 20, Diplomacy 20, Jump 15, Knowledge (arcana) 20*, Knowledge (local) 20*, Listen 10, Spellcraft 20*, Spot 8, and Tumble 20. *cross class skill - Strike first, strike last
18 Bayushi Deceiver 13 7 11 8 Bluff 21, Diplomacy 21, Jump 15, Knowledge (arcana) 21*, Knowledge (local) 21*, Listen 10, Spellcraft 21*, Spot 10, and Tumble 21. *cross class skill Master Manipulator (PHB II 80) Sneak attack +7d6
19 Bayushi Deceiver 14 8 12 8 Bluff 22, Diplomacy 22, Jump 15, Knowledge (arcana) 22*, Knowledge (local) 22*, Listen 10, Spellcraft 22*, Spot 10, Tumble 22 and Group Fake-Out (CS 87). *cross class skill - Scorpion feint
20 Bayushi Deceiver 14 8 12 8 Bluff 23, Diplomacy 23, Jump 15, Knowledge (arcana) 23*, Knowledge (local) 23*, Listen 10, Spellcraft 23*, Spot 10, Tumble 23 and Social Recovery (CS 89). *cross class skill - Sneak attack +8d6



Fluff:
Rather than a background and story (since that can be changed for each campaign), I wanted to highlight build concepts.

When building this I wanted to do a number of things, the first being to capitalize on the features of the SI, second to have a build that could actually do something in a game, and third to entertain the readers. I broke the SI down into 7 aspects Bluff, Smarts, Chaos, Teleportation, Sneak Attack, Enchantment Defense, and Alter Egos.

Bluff, besides maxing the skill out I wanted to capitalize on what you can do while bluffing thus Group Fake-Out, Social Recovery. While a feinting build is cool the ability to tumble and flank is generally better. I really took a look at Invisible Blade but there were just too many feats required.

Smarts, Mountebank requires 1 of 3 knowledges, I am taking 2 when only needing one cross classing them just to fit the persona, and maxing them out. I figured that speak language is also a sign of 'smarts' and also helps the Alter Ego thing. Also with the way that Devil's Tongue works I wants to mirror that with the speak languages as well as the INT to initiative.

Chaos, fey feats x3 and Bayushi Deceiver all require nonlawful alignment and that forced the chaos in the build. I wanted to reinforce the alignment requirements.

Teleportation, fey legacy allows another non-limited use of dimension door. I would have loved to build on this but 5x teleportation per day seemed okay.

Sneak Attack, besides carrying SA through out the build (8d6) I wanted to highlight it with skill tricks, feinting, summon nature's ally (for flanking) and going first w/ a very high init. I wanted to hit first and last!

Enchantment Defense, fey heritage gives a +3 defense, spellgrace a +1 against spells.

Alter Ego, momentary alteration is kinda like a 4th alter ego and that was the closest thing to getting an alter self ability that is limited to a specific type.

Some cool stuff, starts off with DR 3/Cold Iron. I shall say that DR 3 rocks the early levels and is borderline abusive with Sneak Attack, Social skills, etc. at the end level when games transition to you negotiating more than dungeon crawling.

The amount of initiative this build have +4 from Improved Initiative, +2 Dex, and +4-5 from Strike first, strike last (+12-13) and ability to relate things to teammates for Spot, Listen, etc. allows him to be a great party defense against stealthy foes (while those foes are flat footed and about to get 9d6 damage[with a dagger]).


Notes:
Depending on the campaign you can pick the alter egos, however the suggested ones are due to forms of movement, Locathah MM 169 (swims), Asabi MoF 15 (burrows), Avarial RoF 31 (flys), and Varag MM4 168 (land speed). Pick them based on how much of the terrain you're seeing in the campaign, I'd probably start with Flying as it is a very important ability.

[Kuulvheysoon]

...and that's all for this incarnation of ICOC, guys.

[Kazudo]

Wow! Awesome lineup just from a cursory glance!

Time to check build legality and move into preliminary judging phases.

[Deadline]

There is some great stuff here, but I've spotted a few mistakes (I think one entry uses disallowed material), and a couple of people who included stuff that does the job of a Mountebank better than the Mountebank. Still, I'm curious to see what our judges think.

I had two other builds in consideration. The first was a joke build using the Gazebo Jones trick: A warforged con-man and thief who sold high-end furniture to wealthy clients. His alter egos matched the furniture sets he sold in every detail (because he could choose animated objects as Alter Self forms), so a wealthy customer would buy his "furniture", put it in their house, and he'd case the joint before robbing them blind and teleporting out of their home. I would have figured some way to work an Ikea pun into his name. I assure you it would have been top drawer.

The other was a Neraphim spy working for both sides in the Blood War. I thought I was on to something with including Invisible Blade until I found out that the "free" feint was errata'd to be only 1/round. Also, I just couldn't seem to get things working right with that build overall. I had a blast writing up the one I submitted. :smallsmile:

I also had it in my head to try and do a build with a Magical Beast as the base chassis, in order to be able to pick a 5-headed Hydra as one of the Alter Egos, but that never really went anywhere.

[Kazudo]

No way! The Gazebo Jones Mk. II was EXACTLY what I was talking about earlier!

[The Viscount]

I'm honestly surprised we didn't get a construct or outsider build, and more surprised we only have 3 non-humanoids. I was half expecting a volodni, just for the heck of it.