brian c
2007-06-11, 10:47 PM
Okay, this is a Meditation (with Levitation) ability for a homebrewed Mystic class that I'm writing up. I'm posting this separate from the rest of the class just because I have so much to say about it. I tried to say everything that could be said, to avoid creative interpretations and misuse. I'll post the full class in a day or two probably, after I see what kind of response this gets.
What you should know before you read this: This is a class ability for mystics only. No one else can Meditate or Levitate. Mystics are support/healing/utility/defensive buff characters, kind of like a very conservatively played cleric (ie not tanking). They're basically my "uncivilized" cleric, they get healing and a bunch of cool abilities but no offensive spells or offensive buff spells, and they have 1/2 BAB and only simple proficiencies. Levitation is intended to be a utility-type ability, not something to help in combat, although it could help a little bit.
Also, if it seems like I'm posting a lot lately, it's not that I've been very creative, just that I've been sitting on things and just now posting them here. I've had this worked out for a couple months just tweaking it before it's presented for review.
Once again, please comment and tell me what you think, be descriptive or critical if you can or want to, but just saying "nice work" would be appreciated also.
Meditation: A mystic may enter a meditative state with a Concentration check DC 10. If the mystic fails the check he may retry at no penalty (except during combat, see below). For mystics, all Concentration checks use the Intelligence modifier instead of Constitution. While meditating, a mystic gains Fast Healing equal to his Wisdom modifier (if positive); this quality comes into effect on the start of the mystic's next turn after entering meditation. Additionally, because their minds are not focused on the Material Plane, a mystic gains a +10 bonus on saves against mind-affecting spells or spell-like abilities while meditating. A mystic needs to succeed on a DC 15 Concentration check every round in order to continue meditation; a mystic may take 10 on this check when not in combat or otherwise stressed.
Starting to meditate is a move action for a mystic, and it provokes an attack of opportunity from any opponent who threatens the mystic. If the attack of opportunity succeeds, the DC for the mystic to enter meditation is increased by the amount of damage dealt. Failing to enter meditation during combat still uses the move action. If a mystic is attacked while meditating, they must succeed on a Concentration check in the same way (DC = 15+ damage dealt) in order to remain meditating. Ending meditation is a free action for the mystic that provokes no attacks of opportunity.
While meditating, a mystic does not threaten any squares and therefore cannot take attacks of opportunity and cannot provide flanking for another character. A meditating mystic is not aware of their surroundings; they automatically fail any Spot or Listen checks, and count as flat-footed (but not helpless) against attacks. A mystic may choose to be aware while meditating, but they must add 5 to the DC of any Concentration check related to their meditation. A meditating mystic who is aware is not considered flat-footed, and may make Listen and Spot checks at a -5 penalty, but cannot attack or take any other action. They may still apply their Wisdom modifier to their AC if attacked while meditating. A mystic may not move while meditating unless he uses the special levitation ability.
A meditating mystic has the extraordinary ability to levitate. At any time while meditating, a mystic may make a DC 15 concentrate check to begin levitating. During levitation, the mystic's body is 6 inches above the ground. Mystics can levitate over any solid or liquid surface, provided that they stood or sat on it when the levitation started, or if they moved there. Beginning to levitate is a move action that does not provoke attacks of opportunity, however a mystic may not begin levitating on their first turn of meditation. Maintaining levitation requires a Concentration check at DC 15 + 1 per round the mystic has been levitating. This check replaces the standard check to remain in meditation. While levitating, a mystic may move 5 feet per round if they make their Concentration check to stay levitating. However, for each consecutive round the mystic moves while levitating, the DC of the Concentration check increases by 2. A mystic can move without being aware, but he risks running into enemies (and walls!). A mystic cannot take the "5 foot step" action while levitating.
Mystics may move vertically while levitating, but at a penalty. Upward movement is at a speed of up to 5ft per round, downward at a speed of up to 10ft per round. The Concentration check to remain levitating if the mystic has moved upwards has a DC = 15 + (1/round levitating) + (height in feet above starting height of levitation). If the mystic moves over a pit or overhang while levitating and is greater than 6 inches above the ground, he descends automatically at 10ft/round until he has reached his previous levitating height.
At 13th level a mystic gains Improved levitation, making the DC increase by only 1 per 5 feet of movement, and letting him move up to 10 feet horizontally or upwards in a single turn (although then the DC does increase by 2). Downward speed is increased to 20ft/round.
What you should know before you read this: This is a class ability for mystics only. No one else can Meditate or Levitate. Mystics are support/healing/utility/defensive buff characters, kind of like a very conservatively played cleric (ie not tanking). They're basically my "uncivilized" cleric, they get healing and a bunch of cool abilities but no offensive spells or offensive buff spells, and they have 1/2 BAB and only simple proficiencies. Levitation is intended to be a utility-type ability, not something to help in combat, although it could help a little bit.
Also, if it seems like I'm posting a lot lately, it's not that I've been very creative, just that I've been sitting on things and just now posting them here. I've had this worked out for a couple months just tweaking it before it's presented for review.
Once again, please comment and tell me what you think, be descriptive or critical if you can or want to, but just saying "nice work" would be appreciated also.
Meditation: A mystic may enter a meditative state with a Concentration check DC 10. If the mystic fails the check he may retry at no penalty (except during combat, see below). For mystics, all Concentration checks use the Intelligence modifier instead of Constitution. While meditating, a mystic gains Fast Healing equal to his Wisdom modifier (if positive); this quality comes into effect on the start of the mystic's next turn after entering meditation. Additionally, because their minds are not focused on the Material Plane, a mystic gains a +10 bonus on saves against mind-affecting spells or spell-like abilities while meditating. A mystic needs to succeed on a DC 15 Concentration check every round in order to continue meditation; a mystic may take 10 on this check when not in combat or otherwise stressed.
Starting to meditate is a move action for a mystic, and it provokes an attack of opportunity from any opponent who threatens the mystic. If the attack of opportunity succeeds, the DC for the mystic to enter meditation is increased by the amount of damage dealt. Failing to enter meditation during combat still uses the move action. If a mystic is attacked while meditating, they must succeed on a Concentration check in the same way (DC = 15+ damage dealt) in order to remain meditating. Ending meditation is a free action for the mystic that provokes no attacks of opportunity.
While meditating, a mystic does not threaten any squares and therefore cannot take attacks of opportunity and cannot provide flanking for another character. A meditating mystic is not aware of their surroundings; they automatically fail any Spot or Listen checks, and count as flat-footed (but not helpless) against attacks. A mystic may choose to be aware while meditating, but they must add 5 to the DC of any Concentration check related to their meditation. A meditating mystic who is aware is not considered flat-footed, and may make Listen and Spot checks at a -5 penalty, but cannot attack or take any other action. They may still apply their Wisdom modifier to their AC if attacked while meditating. A mystic may not move while meditating unless he uses the special levitation ability.
A meditating mystic has the extraordinary ability to levitate. At any time while meditating, a mystic may make a DC 15 concentrate check to begin levitating. During levitation, the mystic's body is 6 inches above the ground. Mystics can levitate over any solid or liquid surface, provided that they stood or sat on it when the levitation started, or if they moved there. Beginning to levitate is a move action that does not provoke attacks of opportunity, however a mystic may not begin levitating on their first turn of meditation. Maintaining levitation requires a Concentration check at DC 15 + 1 per round the mystic has been levitating. This check replaces the standard check to remain in meditation. While levitating, a mystic may move 5 feet per round if they make their Concentration check to stay levitating. However, for each consecutive round the mystic moves while levitating, the DC of the Concentration check increases by 2. A mystic can move without being aware, but he risks running into enemies (and walls!). A mystic cannot take the "5 foot step" action while levitating.
Mystics may move vertically while levitating, but at a penalty. Upward movement is at a speed of up to 5ft per round, downward at a speed of up to 10ft per round. The Concentration check to remain levitating if the mystic has moved upwards has a DC = 15 + (1/round levitating) + (height in feet above starting height of levitation). If the mystic moves over a pit or overhang while levitating and is greater than 6 inches above the ground, he descends automatically at 10ft/round until he has reached his previous levitating height.
At 13th level a mystic gains Improved levitation, making the DC increase by only 1 per 5 feet of movement, and letting him move up to 10 feet horizontally or upwards in a single turn (although then the DC does increase by 2). Downward speed is increased to 20ft/round.