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View Full Version : D&D 3.x Other Exalted Feat Revamp -- Yes including Vow of Poverty (WIP) PEACH



dextercorvia
2015-05-12, 10:39 PM
The Premise of this revamp is that Vow of Poverty could be viable and even a worthwhile choice if:

1) There were enough decent choices for your bonus Exalted feats, and
2) The restrictions were written in such a way as to not make you fall for turning a doorknob.

The Goal of this project, then is to present enough interesting and reasonably powerful options to make both Vow of Poverty in specific and Exalted characters in general fun to play and at least somewhat balanced against their Christmas Tree counterparts.

Flaws
True allegiance and voluntary poverty have considerable drawbacks. This project introduces new flaws to better model the dual nature of some Exalted options. This will allow any character, not just Humans to benefit from Exalted feats from level 1. These flaws are different from those presented in Unearthed Arcana in that they restrict the choice of feat you receive in exchange for taking them.

Vow Feats
Any rewrite of VoP needs to begin with Sacred Vow. This project will introduce Vow feats. Vow feats represent a dedication your character has to uphold the principles of a particular deity. It is possible to take a Vow to more than one deity, and therefore to take more than one Vow feat. Your alignment does not need to match the alignment of the deity you are swearing to, but since these are all Exalted Vow feats, they will only except characters who are Exalted. Sacred Vow (BoED) should be considered a Vow feat.

Each of the Vow feats presented here expands the lists of options for bonus exalted feats available a given character.

Exalted Feats
The Vow feats allow a character to choose to treat existing feats as Exalted feats. In addition we present several new Exalted feats here. These obey all the rules of Exalted feats as first presented in Book of Exalted Deeds and updated with this project.

Initiate Feats
This project also introduces several new Initiate feats, as well as revamping some old ones. The options presented here will allow Exalted spellcasters of all stripes to more closely align their spellcasting with their patron deity. Unlike the Initiate feats presented in Player's Guide to Faerun and elsewhere, these are not limited to clerics. This is an option for characters who want to go beyond even Exalted status and truly embrace the ethos of their patron.

dextercorvia
2015-05-12, 10:41 PM
Voluntary Poverty
You have chosen the life of an ascetic.

Effect: Your total possessions must have a value of less than 5g*your Character level. You may not directly benefit from consumable magic items used by other people. No possession of yours may be ornately decorated or masterwork.

Choose an organization, any wealth that you accumulate must be donated to the organization. You can transport the wealth, but you may not use it for your own purposes.

If you ever discover that you possess to much wealth (likely due to a counting error) simply stop using the excess and donate it to your chosen organization as soon as possible. If you forsake the life of poverty (not just a counting error) you must spend 24 hours in prayer, complete a quest as specified by your spiritual leader, and receive an Atonement spell to regain this Flaw. Failure to complete this within one week of your transgression will result in the temporary loss of benefit of the Vow of Poverty feat, and any bonus exalted feats you gained from that Feat. Failure to complete this penance within one year will result in the permanent loss of those feats.

Special: You may only select the Vow of Poverty feat in exchange for this flaw. You need not take this flaw at character creation; you can take it any time. (DM Note: If you allow a limited number of flaws, consider not counting this flaw toward that limit.)

Code of Conduct
Your life is bound to something more than this plane, and your actions exemplify it, even when the way would be easier otherwise.

Effect: Much like a Paladin or Knight you have a Code of Conduct. Work out the details with your DM of exactly what this entails.

If you break your Code (even under duress or the mental control of another), you must spend 24 hours in prayer, complete a quest as specified by your spiritual leader, and receive an Atonement spell to retain this flaw. Failure to complete this within one week of your transgression will result in the temporary loss of benefit of the Vow feat you chose in exchange for this flaw, and any feats you no longer qualify for because of the loss of that feat. Failure to complete this penance within one year will result in the permanent loss of those feats.

Special: You may only select a Vow feat in exchange for this flaw. You need not take this flaw at character creation; you can take it any time. (DM Note: If you allow a limited number of flaws, consider not counting this flaw toward that limit.)



Bahamut's Vow [Exalted, Vow]

Prerequisite: Cha 11

Benefit: You gain the dragonblood subtype. Choose one type of Metallic dragon that matches your alignment from the Draconic Hertage list. You are treated as having Draconic Heritage for that type of dragon for the purpose of meeting prequisites for other feats. You gain no other benefit of the Draconic Heritage feat. Any time you are allowed to choose an Exalted bonus feat, you may instead pick a Draconic feat as though you were a sorcerer of your character level.

Feats gained in this manner are considered Exalted feats in addition to Draconic feats.

Special: Bahamut's Vow can be used in place of Sacred Vow to qualify for a feat, prestige class, or other special ability.


Corellon's Vow [Exalted, Vow]

Prerequisite: Elf or Dexterity 13

Benefit: You gain a +2 Perfection bonus on Spot checks.

Any time you are allowed to choose bonus Exalted feats, you may instead choose feats from the following list: Elf feats, Protection Devotion (CC), War Devotion(CC), Good Devotion(CC), Point Blank Shot, Far Shot, Precise Shot, Improved Precise Shot, Rapid Shot, Manyshot, Greater Manyshot (XPH), Shot on the Run, Defensive Archery (RotW), Improved Rapidshot (CW)

Feats gained in this manner are considered Exalted feats.

Special: Corellon's Vow can be used in place of Sacred Vow to qualify for a feat, prestige class, or other special ability.


Ehlonna's Vow [Exalted, Vow]

Prerequisite: Knowledge Nature 1 rank or Survival 1 rank

Benefit: You gain a +2 perfection bonus on Wild Empathy and Handle Animal checks.

Any time you are allowed to choose bonus Exalted feats, you may instead choose feats from the following list: Wild feats, Animal Devotion(CC), Plant Devotion (CC), Good Devotion(CC), Sun Devotion (CC), Spontaneous Summoner (CD)

Feats gained in this manner are considered Exalted feats.

Special: Ehlonna's Vow can be used in place of Sacred Vow to qualify for a feat, prestige class, or other special ability.


Garl's Vow [Exalted, Vow]

Prerequisite: Gnome or Perform 2 ranks

Benefit: Add +1 to the DC for all saving throws agains illusion spells you cast.

Any time you are allowed to choose bonus Exalted feats, you may instead choose feats from the following list: Gnome feats, Trickery Devotion (CC), Protection Devotion (CC), Good Devotion (CC), Bardic Music feats, Devoted Performer (CAdv)

Feats gained in this manner are considered Exalted feats.

Special: Garl's Vow can be used in place of Sacred Vow to qualify for a feat, prestige class, or other special ability.


Heironeous's Vow [Exalted, Vow]

Prerequisite: Knowledge History 1 rank or Martial Weapon Proficiency (any)

Benefit: You gain a +2 Perfection bonus on attack and damage rolls when you use a Smite ability.

Any time you are allowed to choose bonus Exalted feats, you may instead choose feats from the following list: Combat Expertise, Combat Reflexes, Dodge,
Mobility, Hold the Line (CW), Improved Disarm, Improved Trip, Extra Smiting (CW), Karmic Strike (CW), Phalanx Fighting (CW), Stand Still (XPH) Improved Smiting (CD), Awesome Smite (CC), Battle Blessing (CC), Good Devotion (CC), Law Devotion (CC), War Devotion (CC), Serenity (DC), Devoted Inquisitor (CAdv)

Feats gained in this manner are considered Exalted feats.

Special: Heironeous's Vow can be used in place of Sacred Vow to qualify for a feat, prestige class, or other special ability.


Kord's Vow [Exalted, Vow]

Prerequisite: Str 13

Benefit: You gain a +2 perfection bonus on Strength checks.

Any time you are allowed to choose bonus Exalted feats, you may instead choose feats from the following list: Improved Unarmed Strike, Improved Grapple, Power Attack, Improved Bull Rush, Improved Overrun, Improved Sunder, Clever Wrestling (CW), Knock-Down, Snap Kick (ToB), Knockback (RoS), Improved Trip, Strength Devotion (CC), Good Devotion (CC), Luck Devotion (CC).

Feats gained in this manner are considered Exalted feats.

Special: Kord's Vow can be used in place of Sacred Vow to qualify for a feat, prestige class, or other special ability.


Lirr's Vow [Exalted, Vow]

Prerequisite: Knowledge Arcana 1 rank or Perform 1 rank

Benefit: Add +1 to the DC for all saving throws against any of your [Good] spells.

Any time you are allowed to choose bonus Exalted feats, you may instead choose feats from the following list: Arcane Disciple (Good, Knowledge, Magic, or Travel) (CD), Eschew Materials, Nonlethal Substitution (CA), Extra Music (CAdv), Lingering Song (CAdv), Captivating Melody (CM), Knowledge Devotion (CC), Travel Devotion (CC), Good Devotion (CC), Magic Devotion (CC), Melodic Casting (CM), Rapid Metamagic (CM), Consecrate Spell (BoED), Nonlethal Substitution (CA)

Feats gained in this manner are considered Exalted feats.

Special: Lirr's Vow can be used in place of Sacred Vow to qualify for a feat, prestige class, or other special ability.


Moradin's Vow [Exalted, Vow]
Prerequisite: Dwarf or Craft (any) 2 ranks

Benefit: You gain a +2 perfection on Craft checks to create metal objects and Knowledge (Architecture and Engineering) checks.

Any time you are allowed to choose bonus Exalted feats, you may instead choose feats from the following list: Dwarf feats, Craft Rod, Craft Wondrous Item, Craft Magic Arms and Armor, Forge Ring, Improved Toughness (CW), Earth Devotion (CC), Good Devotion (CC), Protection Devotion (CC),

Feats gained in this manner are considered Exalted feats.

Special: Moradin's Vow can be used in place of Sacred Vow to qualify for a feat, prestige class, or other special ability.


Pelor's Vow [Exalted, Vow]

Prerequisite: Knowledge (Religion) 1 rank

Benefit: You gain a +2 perfection bonus on Turning Checks and Turning Damage rolls. Choose a class which does not advance the turn undead class feature. You may stack levels in that class with your levels in classes that grant turn undead for all purposes related to turning undead. This ability has no benefit to characters that do not already have the ability to turn undead.

Any time you are allowed to choose bonus Exalted feats, you may instead choose feats from the following list: Improved Turning, Extra Turning, Augment Healing (CD), Empower Turning (CD), Quicken Turning (CD), Spontaneous Healer (CD), Disciple of the Sun (CD), Sacred Boost (CD), Healing Devotion (CC), Imbued Healing (CC), Touch of Healing (CC), Good Devotion(CC), Sun Devotion(CC)

Feats gained in this manner are considered Exalted feats.

Special: Pelor's Vow can be used in place of Sacred Vow to qualify for a feat, prestige class, or other special ability.


Yondalla's Vow [Exalted, Vow]

Prerequisite: Halfling or Hide 2 ranks

Benefit: You gain a +1 Perfection bonus on all Saving Throws

Any time you are allowed to choose bonus Exalted feats, you may instead choose feats from the following list: Halfling feats, Good Devotion (CC), Protection Devotion (CC), Confound the Big Folk (RotW), Improved Initiative, Quick Draw, Weapon Finesse, Devoted Inquisitor (CAdv), Luck feats

Feats gained in this manner are considered Exalted feats.

Special: Yondalla's Vow can be used in place of Sacred Vow to qualify for a feat, prestige class, or other special ability.



Draconic Aura [Exalted]

Prerequisite: Character level 3rd, Bahamut's Vow

Benefit: This feat functions like Draconic Aura (DM 16) except as noted here.


Draconic Familiar [Draconic]

Prerequisite: Bahamut's Vow, abiilty to acquire a new familiar, Arcane Spellcaster level 3rd

Benefit: You can obtain a draconic version of any of the familiars available to you. Any familiar you call has the Draconic Creature Template (RotD 74). In addition, you acquire and replace a familiar in the manner that a druid acquires an animal companion. Acquiring a familiar in this manner requires 24 hours of uninterrupted prayer, but does require any expensive components. You do not lose XP for the death of a familiar, and need not wait to summon a new one.


Dragon Tail [Exalted]

Prerequisite: Bahamut's Vow

Benefit: This feat functions like Dragon Tail (RotD 98) except as noted here. It does not need to be taken at first level.



Initiate of Bahamut [Initiate, Exalted]

Prerequisite: Spellcaster level 3rd, deity Bahamut, Bahamut's Vow

Benefit: This feat functions like Initiate of Bahamut (DM p20), except as noted here. Choose a spellcasting class you belong to. Once per day, you can smite evil (as the paladin class feature, PH 44), using your level in your chosen spellcasting class as your paladin level. If you have the ability to smite evil from another class, your chosen spellcasting class levels and levels in that class stack for the purpose of determining the extra damage dealt by your smite evil ability.


Initiate of Ehlonna [Initiate, Exalted]

Prerequisite: Spellcaster level 5th, patron deity Ehlonna, Ehlonna's Vow

Benefit: You can rebuke or command animals or plant creatures as an evil cleric rebukes or commands undead. You can use this ability a number of times per day equal to 3 + your Charisma modifier.

In addition, you may add the following spells to the spell list of one of your spellcasting classes.

2nd: Barkskin
3rd: Searing Light
4th: Briartangle(PGtF)
5th: Tree Healing(PGtF)
7th: Animal Shapes
9th: Prismatic Sphere

Initiate of Kord [Initiate, Exalted]

Prerequisite: Kord's Vow, patron diety Kord, Spellcaster level 3rd

Benefit: You gain a +4 bonus on bull rush, disarm, grapple, overrun, sunder, and trip attempts. In addition, you may add the following spells to one of your class spell lists.

1st - Rhino's Rush (SC)
2nd - Strength of Stone (SC)
3rd - Righteous Fury (SC)
4th - Bite of the Wereboar (SC)
6th - Bite of the Werebear (SC)


Initiate of Heironeous [Initiate, Exalted]

Prerequisite: Spellcaster level 5th, patron deity Heironeous,

Heironeous' Vow

Benefit: Whenever you strike an evil creature with a longsword, you may add your Charisma bonus (if any) to that damage roll.

In addition, you may add the following spells to the spell list of one of your spellcasting classes.

1st: Shieldbearer (SC)
2nd: Snake's Swiftness, Mass (SC)
3rd: Magic Vestment
4th: Favor of the Martyr


Initiate of Lirr [Initiate, Exalted]

Prerequisite: Spellcaster level 5th, patron deity Lirr, Lirr's Vow

Benefit:You can make Knowledge checks untrained. If you have ranks in any Knowledge skill, you gain a +2 bonus to Knowledge checks made with that skill.

In addition, you may add the following spells to the spell list of one of your spellcasting classes.

1st: Identify
2nd: Haste, Swift (SC)
4th: Imbue with Spell ability
5th: Spell Theft (CS)
6th: Mage's Lucubration


Initiate of Moradin [Initiate, Exalted]

Prerequisite: Spellcaster level 3rd, patron deity Moradin, Moradin's Vow

Benefit: You may use Fabricate once per day as a spell like ability to make a metal object. Unlike most spell-like abilities you must expend the material component (the raw materials to make the object).

In addition, you may add the following spells to the spell list of one of your spellcasting classes.

1st: Surefooted Stride (SC)
3rd: Magic Vestment
4th: Ruin Delver's Fortune (SC)
7th: Earthquake
8th: True Creation (SC)


Initiate of Pelor [Initiate, Exalted]

Prerequisite: Pelor's Vow, Patron diety Pelor, Spellcaster level 1st

Benefit: This feat functions like Initiate of Lathandar (PGtF 80) except as noted here. Choose a spellcasting class in which you have levels. You may add the indicated spells to your spell list for your chosen class instead of your cleric spell list.


Initiate of Yondalla [Initiate, Exalted]

Prerequisite: Spellcaster level 3rd, patron deity Yondalla, Yondalla's Vow

Benefit: You may shrug off magical effects that would otherwise harm you. If you make a successful Will or Fortitude saving throw that would normally reduce the spell’s effect, you suffer no effect from the spell at all. Only those spells with a Saving Throw entry of “Will partial,” “Fortitude half,” or similar entries can be negated through this ability.

In addition, you may add the following spells to the spell list of one of your spellcasting classes.

1st: Surefoot (SC)
2nd: Lesser Restoration
4th: Freedom of Movement
5th: Heroes' Feast
9th: Foresight

dextercorvia
2015-05-12, 10:43 PM
Reserved, just in case

dextercorvia
2015-05-12, 10:44 PM
Reserved. This is the last one.

Aegis013
2015-05-13, 10:15 PM
The wording on Voluntary poverty flaw could use a rewrite. It reads as if the only way to get Vow of Poverty feat is by taking that flaw, rather than being an additional path to gaining the feat.

Perhaps: "Instead of being able to select a feat for taking this flaw, you gain the Vow of Poverty Feat. You must still qualify for the feat to gain its benefits." Or something along those lines might be better.

Kord's Vow has Strength Devotion listed twice as a new exalted feat option (and is really strong compared to most of the other Vows, which contain a few junk feats and a few feats that are good if you're going for a specific combo, that ones got a load of gems).

Initiate of Heironeous could also use to be bolded.

It'd probably also be a good idea to have a set of non-deity vow based Exalted Feats. After all, plenty of Exalted Characters aren't going to be doing it out of deific devotion but rather simply devotion to good as a concept or ideal.

Maybe some things like:

Aura of the Exalted
Prerequisite: Exalted Character level 3 or higher
Benefit: As a swift action, you can channel your pure goodness to bolster allies and weaken enemies. Every ally who is not Evil within 10ft per character level gains a +1 exalted bonus to hit, damage, and saves. Every Evil creature within the same range takes a -1 penalty to hit, damage, and saves. This effect lasts until it is dismissed or its total duration expires. It may be dismissed as an immediate or swift action, and can be used a total number of rounds per day equal to your character level times two.

I guess this could made to scale so it doesn't get weak by the late game. Perhaps another +1/-1 per 4 character levels (so +5 to allies, -5 to enemies at 19th level)? Not too sure, as I don't make homebrew often.

dextercorvia
2015-05-13, 10:29 PM
I'm torn on the Vow of Poverty feat vs. flaw thing. I shifted most of the downsides to the flaw, so I'm tempted to say they have to be taken together, but I haven't decided yet.

I see what you meant about Kord's Vow. I shifted Stand Still to Heironeous' Vow (my theory there was raw strength type fighting for Kord and maneuver kinds of feats for Heironeous), and removed Leap Attack altogether. I'm not sure if that's enough.

I don't intend for PCs to only have to choose one Vow feat. I'm thinking of classical literary characters making a vow to Athena and a different vow to Zeus, all while honestly preferring Apollo.

Edit: I have a dozen or so different ideas for Exalted feats that just aren't well formed enough to include. Those will cover non-vow type things, and include ways to get alternate sense, flight, and protection from status effects.

Aegis013
2015-05-13, 10:45 PM
I don't intend for PCs to only have to choose one Vow feat. I'm thinking of classical literary characters making a vow to Athena and a different vow to Zeus, all while honestly preferring Apollo.

Edit: I have a dozen or so different ideas for Exalted feats that just aren't well formed enough to include. Those will cover non-vow type things, and include ways to get alternate sense, flight, and protection from status effects.

I wouldn't expect a PC to be willing to take more than one, and probably only to replace Sacred Vow. You're using a bonus feat to unlock additional bonus feat options. It's a feat tax and frankly, it's not only a boring expenditure of a feat until the next feat comes along (which can be a long time), but now it comes with following some deity's principles. After all, the tiny benefits (that aren't new feat options) from taking most of the Vow feats are pretty insubstantial with a few exceptions (Bahamut, Garl, and Lirr are head and shoulders above the rest).

My personal opinion is that the best place to put the efforts would be in the not-linked-to-a-Vow feat category. So I think it's a good thing that such a thing is in the works. I might consider doing no more than 3-5 feats for each Vow, and try to do the same number for each Vow feat, but have the vast majority of the options be independent of the Vow feats.

Zaydos
2015-05-14, 10:27 AM
Code of Conduct doesn't work as a flaw, as usually it won't impact you, when it does impact you all it does is at worst make the feat temporarily unavailable unless you choose to ignore it at which point it's just like you never took the flaw in the first place. It's pure power buff and at that point the DM might as well just say "get a bonus feat". Now that doesn't say Code of Conduct as a flaw is a bad idea, just that it needs a downside for breaking it other than "lose the feat you gained with it." Unless you think the vow feats just aren't worth taking as feats (some really aren't, but some *cough* nonviolence *cough* really are) at which point it's probably better to fix them.

I'd say don't make Vow of Poverty a flaw or a feat. Just make it something that you can opt to take at character creation or at level up. Trust the players not to just try and take it when they are stripped of gear and immediately switch back to normal gear later.

As for the vow feats... the Garl one has problems in that it's an extra Spell Focus which just makes it much better than the rest all on its own, and honestly I'd be more inclined to remove Sacred Vow as a prerequisite than make more options of vows to replace it. I mean making feats to represent vows to specific gods isn't a bad idea, but tying it in with the other just ends up awkward.

dextercorvia
2015-05-14, 12:20 PM
Vow of Peace/Poverty/Nonviolence are not [Vow] feats. I see what you mean about the flaws, though. That still needs some work.

What do you think Garl's Vow needs to bring it in line with the others?

Edit: The reason for Writing replacements for Sacred Vow rather than doing away with it on its own, was to give a mechanic for expanding the list of Exalted feat options, without just making it Anything.

I've got a few more options for getting bonus Exalted feats in the works -- some ACFs and PrCs.

Zaydos
2015-05-14, 03:10 PM
Vow of Peace/Poverty/Nonviolence are not [Vow] feats. I see what you mean about the flaws, though. That still needs some work.

The basic problem still stands.


What do you think Garl's Vow needs to bring it in line with the others?

Well just making it Spell Focus which stacks with Spell Focus is significantly more powerful in the case where it is useful and useless except to people who are just trying to maximize their Illusion save DCs.


Edit: The reason for Writing replacements for Sacred Vow rather than doing away with it on its own, was to give a mechanic for expanding the list of Exalted feat options, without just making it Anything.

Make feats to expand the list of options which are feats in their own right, they don't need to be prerequisites for Vow of Poverty/Vow of X. That let's you make them interesting feats on their own, instead of something to be taken as a stepping stone. Also means a character can focus on the truly Exalted feats that makes a character feel Good if they choose but still expand their bonus feat options


I've got a few more options for getting bonus Exalted feats in the works -- some ACFs and PrCs.

Those'll be good to see.

dextercorvia
2015-05-14, 04:22 PM
Make feats to expand the list of options which are feats in their own right, they don't need to be prerequisites for Vow of Poverty/Vow of X. That let's you make them interesting feats on their own, instead of something to be taken as a stepping stone. Also means a character can focus on the truly Exalted feats that makes a character feel Good if they choose but still expand their bonus feat options


Excellent advice right here. I'll try to incorporate this.