T.G. Oskar
2015-03-03, 10:24 PM
This is another "for fun" build, but this one has a pretty nice chance of working, so here goes:
Recently, I got an idea of mixing Malconvoker with Tome of Magic's Fiendbinder (the PrC that lets you use Truespeak to bind fiends to permanent service), mostly out of fluff reasons (someone got the Vital Pact book, which had the Truename annotation at the end, and "promoted" the character into binding fiends for purposes of fighting the good fight. While figuring which would be the best entry method, I figured that Archivist could do the job nicely (and with its spell selection, it'd be insanely good on its own, even with the loss of spell levels of both Malconvoker and Fiendbinder), and that pretty much evolved into a summoning build. Which at the end led to Paragnostic Apostle and its Call of Worlds class feature.
Now, the entry requirements are insanely easy, and with Archivist as a starter class (which has all Knowledge skills as class skills), it's even easier. Qualifying to enter the Paragnostic Assembly before 3rd level should be a cinch, since all you need is the right ability score (Archivists love both of the required ones) and ranks that you already need to enter Paragnostic Apostle, so both complement each other. The problem is the spellcasting requirement: you need to cast 3rd level spells or use 3rd level Spell-Like Abilities. That's the mitigating part.
However, it specifically says "spell-like abilities of equivalent (3rd) level", so that is where we can work. What races, or templates, grant the ability to cast at least one spell-like ability of 3rd level or higher, within the range of a Level Adjustment of +1? With that, you could get early entry into Paragnostic Apostle and net 2 class features from it, plus Lore (which fits the bill of the Archivist, if not by a lot). Feats aren't a choice because they're pretty much taken (for Augment Summoning and Spell Focus [conjuration], needed for entry into Malconvoker), unless you can do so with 1 feat (therefore making Humans, Strongheart Halflings and Silverbrow Humans a valid way to enter), so keep it in mind.
However, I want to try keeping the cheese to a minimum. Thus, try not to use content from Dragon magazine. I'd also want to refrain from using Savage Progressions from the Wizards' web archives, just in case (other content would be left to discretion). Because of the requirements, Heighten Spell + Earth Spell/Sanctum Spell is not a viable method either, and flaws would be left to discretion, so try not to rely on them. Other than that, be my guest.
So far, I got two ways to enter:
Aasimar, which gets Daylight as an SLA. +1 LA.
Half-Giant, with the Primordial Giant template from Secrets of Xen'drik. As a creature of the Giant type, the Half-Giant should be capable of qualifying. One of the template features is the ability to get Invisibility Purge at-will, which is another 3rd level spell.
Other than that...I'm drawing a blank. So - would you be nice chaps and, with your collective brainpower, help me to find alternative entries to Paragnostic Apostle before level 3 (with +1 level adjustment or not)?
Recently, I got an idea of mixing Malconvoker with Tome of Magic's Fiendbinder (the PrC that lets you use Truespeak to bind fiends to permanent service), mostly out of fluff reasons (someone got the Vital Pact book, which had the Truename annotation at the end, and "promoted" the character into binding fiends for purposes of fighting the good fight. While figuring which would be the best entry method, I figured that Archivist could do the job nicely (and with its spell selection, it'd be insanely good on its own, even with the loss of spell levels of both Malconvoker and Fiendbinder), and that pretty much evolved into a summoning build. Which at the end led to Paragnostic Apostle and its Call of Worlds class feature.
Now, the entry requirements are insanely easy, and with Archivist as a starter class (which has all Knowledge skills as class skills), it's even easier. Qualifying to enter the Paragnostic Assembly before 3rd level should be a cinch, since all you need is the right ability score (Archivists love both of the required ones) and ranks that you already need to enter Paragnostic Apostle, so both complement each other. The problem is the spellcasting requirement: you need to cast 3rd level spells or use 3rd level Spell-Like Abilities. That's the mitigating part.
However, it specifically says "spell-like abilities of equivalent (3rd) level", so that is where we can work. What races, or templates, grant the ability to cast at least one spell-like ability of 3rd level or higher, within the range of a Level Adjustment of +1? With that, you could get early entry into Paragnostic Apostle and net 2 class features from it, plus Lore (which fits the bill of the Archivist, if not by a lot). Feats aren't a choice because they're pretty much taken (for Augment Summoning and Spell Focus [conjuration], needed for entry into Malconvoker), unless you can do so with 1 feat (therefore making Humans, Strongheart Halflings and Silverbrow Humans a valid way to enter), so keep it in mind.
However, I want to try keeping the cheese to a minimum. Thus, try not to use content from Dragon magazine. I'd also want to refrain from using Savage Progressions from the Wizards' web archives, just in case (other content would be left to discretion). Because of the requirements, Heighten Spell + Earth Spell/Sanctum Spell is not a viable method either, and flaws would be left to discretion, so try not to rely on them. Other than that, be my guest.
So far, I got two ways to enter:
Aasimar, which gets Daylight as an SLA. +1 LA.
Half-Giant, with the Primordial Giant template from Secrets of Xen'drik. As a creature of the Giant type, the Half-Giant should be capable of qualifying. One of the template features is the ability to get Invisibility Purge at-will, which is another 3rd level spell.
Other than that...I'm drawing a blank. So - would you be nice chaps and, with your collective brainpower, help me to find alternative entries to Paragnostic Apostle before level 3 (with +1 level adjustment or not)?