Junkyard Wars XV: Ruathar + Stoneblessed - Human

[Inevitability]

Welcome to Junkyard Stadium! It is in this hallowed pile of miscellaneous parts that we will hold a competition of Practical Optimization with three components. The catch? Competitors may not use the third item in their builds!

Goal: Create a build that showcases the selected ingredients while steering clear of the Forbidden Ingredient.

This competition has two Necessary Components and one Forbidden Component. This round's components are...


Necessary: From Races of the Wild... the Ruathar prestige class!
Necessary: From Races of Stone... the Stoneblessed Prestige class!
Forbidden: From PHB... the human race!

That's right: this round is all about getting chummy with mountain- and forest-folk alike! Will people find ways to balance elvish and dwarvish/gnomish/goliathic traits, or will they fail?

Round-Specific FAQ

Contestants:

The rules are as follows:
Creation: 32 point-buy is the presumed creation method. You may assume that you will have enough exp to reach ECL 20, and that the occasional bit of crafting, use of spells with exp components, or the like won't prevent you from doing so. However, LA buyoff is an alternate rule which is not in play.
Workshop: 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 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. If you use web material, please link it. Dragon Magazine Compendium is allowed, as are Oriental Adventures and the Dragonlance Campaign Setting. Alternate rule systems from UA such as gestalt and fractional saves are not allowed, as they create a different playing field.
Speculation: Please don't post or speculate on possible builds until after the reveal in order to avoid spoiling the surprise if a particular competitor is producing a build along those lines.
Disputes: Any scoring disputes should be sent to the Chair via PM. Valid disputes include RAW misreadings, arithmetic errors, things missed that are present in the entry, and inconsistently applied criteria. Invalid disputes include disagreements on matters of opinion, a judge not catching something not explicitly presented in the entry, and the like. Invalid disputes will be responded to via PM by the Chair, but valid disputes will be posted in-thread for the judge to review. When disputing, please indicate the judge the dispute is intended for and provide a quote of the disputed comment or comments. Note: the Chair may edit or paraphrase any disputes in presenting them to the judges.
Leadership is banned: We're creating one thing, not all of the things. 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.
Presentation: 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. Please give a rundown of the build's abilities and playability throughout its life. 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. Also for this reason, PLEASE do not include any material that may or may not offend any potential viewers/judges/competitors OR break forum rules. Any builds which violate forum rules WILL be withheld from posting.


Due to concerns about standardizing entry format, please 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
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
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.

Judges:

Scoring: Each judge is required to provide the criteria by which they are judging the builds. By "criteria," we mean a simple explanation of what the judge is looking for in each of the below categories and what kind of scoring we can expect. If a judge deems a build to be illegal, they may provide a 0 in Elegance but may not refuse to judge any build presented by the Chairman.
The Categories: 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 Components.


Originality: Is the build unique? Does it deviate from the obvious? Does it forge its own path, or does it fall back on common, established optimization tricks? Some judges score entries for the quality of their concept & backstory as well, though not all do. Providing at least some backstory is heavily encouraged, as it helps the judges figure out who the entry is. Note that the purpose of this category is not to penalize entries that independently came up with the same idea as another entry, but rather to reward entries that explore underutilized and non-obvious areas of optimization, so, judges, try not to base your judging in this category too heavily on what other builds are doing. Multiple entries using the same element may certainly be evidence that the element is unoriginal, but you shouldn't impose anything like a "-1 for each other build using the same class" penalty.
Power: 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: This category was formerly titled "Build Stability." Here, we're essentially measuring how skillfully you put your build together and how you balanced flavor with 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 (meaning any multiclassing that results in an xp penalty), and classes that don't fit the concept - using Cloistered Cleric in a front-line melee fighter, for example, may lose you points. Rule adherence and legality of sources is scored under this category; additionally, reliance on a questionable, controversial, or ambiguous ruling can and should result in a deduction. Neither the number of sources nor their relative obscurity should be penalized--contestants should feel free to use any books they like. Dipping should not be penalized unless it results in a multiclass xp penalty; if the system won't penalize it, neither should judges.
Use of Components: Was the Forbidden Component avoided? Were the Necessary Components showcased, or simply used because they were necessary?

Disputes: Any scoring disputes will be posted by the Chairman in-thread after reviewing them privately. Valid disputes include RAW misreadings, arithmetic errors, things missed that are present in the entry, and inconsistently applied criteria. Invalid disputes include disagreements on matters of opinion, a judge not catching something not explicitly presented in the entry, and the like. Invalid disputes will be responded to via PM by the Chair, but valid disputes should be responded to by each individual judge. Judges are obligated to respond to disputes to ensure that everyone gets a fair shake. A judge's scores will only be recognized if they have recognized all disputes. In the absence of any other judges, the entries will be judged by the chairman.

Completion Time:

Contestants will have until 11:59 PM GMT Saturday September 10th to create their builds and PM them to the chairman.
Builds will then be posted simultaneously to avoid copying.
Judges will have until 11:59 PM GMT Saturday September 24th 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.
As the precedent has been set from Episode 2, should all prospective judges have posted their rulings in a neat, timely fashion and all disputes have been settled satisfactorily (to either judges, contestants, or the Chairperson), the judging period may end prematurely to give way to a new episode. No reason to keep working on a finished building and avoid moving onto the next one.

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! 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 that doesn't gain a medal. Contestants are invited to vote for honorable mention via PM. Everyone else can vote in-thread. Ready? Steady? Get to the junkyard and start building!

Previous Competitions:
Episode 1: Shadowdancer + Sneak Attack - Rogue (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?337864-Junkyard-Wars-in-the-Playground-I)
Episode 2: Healing Spells + Ruby Knight Vindicator - Cleric (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?342896-Junkyard-Wars-in-the-Playground-II)
Episode 3: Dragon Type + Mystic Theurge - Kobold (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?347412-Junkyard-Wars-in-the-Playground-III-Dragons-Theurges-Kobolds)
Episode 4: Book of Exalted Deeds + Undead Type - Completes Books (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?355278-Junkyard-Wars-in-the-Playground-IV-BoED-Undead-Type-Completes)
Episode 5: Dread Witch + Reaping Mauler - Fighter (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?360271-Junkyard-Wars-in-the-Playground-V-Dread-Witch-Reaping-Mauler-Fighter)
Episode 6: Wonderworker + the Profession Skill - Factotum (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?369604-Junkyard-Wars-in-the-Playground-VI-Wonderworker-Profession-Skill-Factotum)
Episode 7: Metamagic Feats + Level Adjustment - Metamagic-Reducers! (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?374504-Junkyard-Wars-in-the-Playground-VII-Metamagic-Feats-LA-Metamagic-Reducers!)
Episode 8: Pounce + Small Size - Barbarian (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?388151-Junkyard-Wars-VIII-Pounce-Small-Size-Barbarian)
Episode 9: Earth Dreamer + Ordained Champion - Cleric (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?395791-Junkyard-Wars-IX-Earth-Dreamer-Ordained-Champion-Cleric)
Episode 10: Meldshaping + Natural Attacks - Totemist (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?403880-Junkyard-Wars-X-Meldshaping-Natural-Attacks-Totemist)
Episode 11: Magical Darkness + Improved Familiar - Wizard (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?409650-Junkyard-Wars-XI-Magical-Darkness-Improved-Familiar-Wizard)
Episode 12: Dragonmark Heirs + Touchstones - Martial Weapons (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?430214-Junkyard-Wars-XII-Dragonmark-Heirs-Touchstones-Martial-Weapons)
Episode 13: Mulhorandi Divine Minion + Monk - Any Other Wildshaping (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?465901-Junkyard-Wars-XIII-Mulhorandi-Divine-Minion-Monk-Any-Other-Wildshaping)
Episode 14: Racial Paragon Classes + Spellcasting - Base Classes (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?479427-Junkyard-Wars-XIV-Racial-Paragon-Classes-Spellcasting-Base-Classes&p=20457656&viewfull=1#post20457656)

[MisterKaws]

Hmm... Got an idea; might work.

Still, the worst part in this round is properly balancing Ruathar. Stoneblessed gives you the ability to pick any class from your granted race at third level, with Stoneborn. Ruathar, on the other hand, gives you an age boost, and that's it.

[Inevitability]

Hmm... Got an idea; might work.

Still, the worst part in this round is properly balancing Ruathar. Stoneblessed gives you the ability to pick any class from your granted race at third level, with Stoneborn. Ruathar, on the other hand, gives you an age boost, and that's it.

It wouldn't be a GitP optimization contest if it didn't have at least one horribly weak ingredient, wouldn't it? :smalltongue:

[Sian]

Well, Ruathar also gives +Level, so it aren't exactly bad, just unimpressive

By the way ... could the +level be extended to alternate subsystems?

[MisterKaws]

Well, Ruathar also gives +Level, so it aren't exactly bad, just unimpressive

By the way ... could the +level be extended to alternate subsystems?

It's extended by default to Invocations and Mysteries. Binding, Melshaping, Truenaming, Psionics, and Martial Maneuvers are out, though.

[Inevitability]

Well, Ruathar also gives +Level, so it aren't exactly bad, just unimpressive

By the way ... could the +level be extended to alternate subsystems?

Going to say it can't this time. The previous round had restraints that made it nearly impossible to create characters living up to their full potential so I felt a small buff was in order there, but this time no such boost seems necessary.

[MisterKaws]

Going to say it can't this time. The previous round had restraints that made it nearly impossible to create characters living up to their full potential so I felt a small buff was in order there, but this time no such boost seems necessary.

Yeah, these ingredients are fine as-is, the only problem I see is that there's absolutely nothing to showcase with Ruathar. Showcasing it basically means: "do something elf-like." The class has just no effects on your performance. It can't be showcased, because it doesn't grant you anything worth noting, and even the age boost is trivialized by picking Elan or some other immortal race.

Other than early entry cheese, Ruathar has no shtick.

[DontEvenAsk]

How are we defining "human" here? Is it just the Human statistics in the PHB that's restricted, leaving other "human" races like Neanderthals and Karsites fair game? Is it any race noted as having "human traits except as follows?" Any race with the Human subtype? Any race that's denoted in fluff as being human, regardless as statistics?

[MisterKaws]

How are we defining "human" here? Is it just the Human statistics in the PHB that's restricted, leaving other "human" races like Neanderthals and Karsites fair game? Is it any race noted as having "human traits except as follows?" Any race with the Human subtype? Any race that's denoted in fluff as being human, regardless as statistics?

I think any Humanoid(Human), including, but not limited to: Silverbrow, Karsite, Neanderthal, Azurin, Illumian, Mongrelfolk, Sea Kin, Sharakim, Skulk, Underfolk and Aventi. I don't know if (Lesser)Planetouched and Changeling are included, so that still needs clarification.

Human Heritage might also be out.

[Inevitability]

How are we defining "human" here? Is it just the Human statistics in the PHB that's restricted, leaving other "human" races like Neanderthals and Karsites fair game? Is it any race noted as having "human traits except as follows?" Any race with the Human subtype? Any race that's denoted in fluff as being human, regardless as statistics?

No humanoid (humans), which includes most of the things MisterKaws listed. Changelings and the like are okay, but Human Heritage is out.

[DontEvenAsk]

All right, thank you. I might have an idea. It's still cooking, but I'm still on fire from the VC, so.

[Thurbane]

Colour me interested - if I can meet the deadline, I'd like to get an entry in.

[Sian]

If i could actually find a way to not have Ruathar being flat out uninspiring and in all plausibility worse than another prestige class, I'd love to craft for this one ... but i can't

[weckar]

Two classes I love and a banned ingrediënt I avoid anyway? Sign me up!

Too bad this is a bit of a busy period for me...

[DontEvenAsk]

Does Wild Cohort (http://archive.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/re/20031118a) count as a Leadership-like ability?

[Inevitability]

Does Wild Cohort (http://archive.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/re/20031118a) count as a Leadership-like ability?

I've seen it used several times in past rounds without negative consequences, so I'm going to rule it doesn't. The same goes for Obtain Familiar.

[CasualViking]

The requirement for a fully-fleshed out level 20 build kills my interest.

[Inevitability]

The requirement for a fully-fleshed out level 20 build kills my interest.

It's kind of customary in threads like these.

[Thurbane]

I have the bar bones of a build, which I must say, I'm quite happy with. Race and class levels are set, now I just need to finalize the rest, shoehorn in a back-story, and get the formatting under control. :smallbiggrin:

[weckar]

I found only two elements of Ruathar thus far that could be potentially employed to do anything, and even those things could be done far more 'elegantly' elsewhere... Still, I may be able to build around it.

[Thurbane]

I'm honestly puzzled by the general dislike for Ruathar - not just in this comp, but on these forums in general. It's a not a great PrC, for sure, but it has possibly the easiest entry reqs of any PrC I can recall, it's 3/3 casting progressing, decent skill list, and you get a few little perks on top of that. Yes, the "class features" are very underwhelming, but it's still not as bad as a lot of other PrCs, especially in a caster build.

[Korahir]

I have a finished table. Let's see if I can finish the write up in time, pretty hectic time for me. If I end up not finishing, I'll share the table and some basic thoughts.

[weckar]

I'm honestly puzzled by the general dislike for Ruathar - not just in this comp, but on these forums in general. It's a not a great PrC, for sure, but it has possibly the easiest entry reqs of any PrC I can recall, it's 3/3 casting progressing, decent skill list, and you get a few little perks on top of that. Yes, the "class features" are very underwhelming, but it's still not as bad as a lot of other PrCs, especially in a caster build.I think it is rather the passiveness of everything it gives that makes it so underwhelming.

[weckar]

Right, finished my build. Now I just have to ...

Oh yeah, right. No Humans...

Back to the drawing board :smallbiggrin:



EDIT: Managed to adapt it, actually like it better now! Submitted!

[Inevitability]

Right, finished my build. Now I just have to ...

Oh yeah, right. No Humans...

Back to the drawing board :smallbiggrin:

The Wars strikes again!

[Thurbane]

NOt really sure if I'm going to have this done and formatted by the deadline. I really hope I can get it finished and entered.

[AvatarVecna]

I'm honestly puzzled by the general dislike for Ruathar - not just in this comp, but on these forums in general. It's a not a great PrC, for sure, but it has possibly the easiest entry reqs of any PrC I can recall, it's 3/3 casting progressing, decent skill list, and you get a few little perks on top of that. Yes, the "class features" are very underwhelming, but it's still not as bad as a lot of other PrCs, especially in a caster build.

It's about the comparison. It does basically nothing for a non-caster (most builds without full casting will see a downgrade in multiple categories on their base chassis), and what it does for casters is better done by a slew of other PrCs (it gives full casting progression, but it's class features are ****, and other PrCs give full progression along with actual class features). A Wizard X is better than a Wizard (X-3)/Ruathar 3 solely by the virtue of having an extra Metamagic or Item Creation feat for most of their career.

[DontEvenAsk]

Unfortunately won't be able to submit. An extremely unfortunately timed computer reboot and private messaging error resulted in the loss of all my progress. Will post build stub after the contest, though.

[weckar]

A day before the deadline this one is looking a little dead...

[Inevitability]

A day before the deadline this one is looking a little dead...

I've received two entries so far, and if anyone is still interested in applying I might extend the deadline a bit.

But yeah, seems like we should just let the competition die after this one.

[weckar]

I don't know. The format seems more approachable than an Iron Chef. But from what I can tell all the build competitions are a little dormant lately.

[Thurbane]

I've received two entries so far, and if anyone is still interested in applying I might extend the deadline a bit.

But yeah, seems like we should just let the competition die after this one.

I am still hoping to be in before the deadline...


I don't know. The format seems more approachable than an Iron Chef. But from what I can tell all the build competitions are a little dormant lately.

Yeah, I've noticed that too. Sad.

[Inevitability]

Tremble in fear, ye mortals, for I bring builds!

That is, I'll be bringing them the next few minutes. Please refrain from posting for the time being.

[Inevitability]

Can we craft it? Yes we can! First of the builds: Bob Bold!




Bob the Builder a.k.a CO/CO Bob Bold


http://orig11.deviantart.net/04cf/f/2011/308/b/2/kobold_reading_scroll_by_d_mac-d4f2j62.jpg


Backstory


In an ancient wizard school, in an elven town, a very odd guest teacher is holding a lecture.
“Today my dear students, I have asked an old acquaintance of mine to teach you about crafting in general and working with stone in particular. Especially using magic to enhance and improve to outcome. Without further ado: You’ll introduce yourself, I guess?”

“With pleasure. Hello, my name is CO Bob Bold, I’m a customization operator for the stronghold builder union as well as a certified operator of the arcane guild. Often I am referred to as Bob the Builder or CO Bold. I am responsible for the reconstruction of Mire Keep as well as the complete overhaul of Windcrag Castle. You may ask yourself, how does a kobold end up at an elven wizard college teaching students and I can’t blame you. I would have never thought I’d do that ever but life gave me opportunities and I seized them.
The first thing you need to know is that I was born in a dwarfen city. My family and some other fellow kobold families lived there. My mother told me that my kin would kill me on the spot for living with the dwarves bt as far as I could puzzle my heritage together, it seems our family branch has no “true” kobolds, if you consider my kin with true dragon heritage to be true kobolds. Anyways our community supplied something very valuable for dwarves: traps. So in this regard, I am the walking stereotype: I am a kobold trapmaker and an expert ad that If I may add. I was introduced to this craft when I was 6 months old. While working with my father and uncles on traps, I realized that I wanted more. I was fascinated by the arcane arts, but no wizard school would even consider taking me in. My father, never short of clever ideas, managed to get me into the local chapter of boccob’s church, which lacked manpower and so I could at least study there. I was - and still am - a terrible priest but after 2 years and some hard work the head of the local church spoke to the headmaster of the dwarven wizard university and I was admitted. When the headmaster what kind of magic I want to learn, I answered: all of it. So I became a generalist wizard. The first years were incredibly tough. I may have written more scrolls than all of you combined, all while working hard to earn enough to pay the tuition. I was a student half the day and the other half a stonemason and trapmaker. Many teachers didn’t like my racial heritage and it took me years to gain their trust. After years of hard effort I managed to impress master Ironclad, the Master of Runes. He took me in and taught me the dwarven secrecy of rune magic. Since he travelled a lot and wasn’t often in town to teach me, I had a lot of time to craft. I took a lot of jobs for the arcane guild and quickly rose through their ranks. In this time I helped create the first so called Runespire, a tower with very intricate design and some of the nastiest traps you’ll ever see. I won’t recommend entering it without permission. Your most honored teacher heard of the design and wanted to meet me and several other members of the stronghold builder union. He commissioned a Runespire for himself and as you all know, it is still standing and guarding all the treasures of your master. While working here I met many young arcane students and while many were very sceptic about the kobold in your ancient town, some loved to debate with me about the intricate world of arcane theories. With permission of your master and master Ironclad I stayed with your kin and became a Ruathar for overhaul of Windcrag Castle. Something I am still very proud of although I would add some things if I was given the chance again. I returned to master Ironclad after ten years of study with your kin. He gladly took me in as a student again. I finished my studies in Rune magic right around the time I was commissioned with Mire Keep. Already while building it I focused my studies on spontaneous arcane casting as well as crafting magic items and constructs. Right now I am working on some very interesting things but that would be too much for your students at this level. So after this introduction, what would you like to know?”


Build basics


LN Kobold Cleric of Boccob 1 / Generalist Wizard 1/ Stoneblessed 3/ Runesmith 2 /Ruathar 3 /Runesmith 3 /Dweomerkeeper 7

Languages: Draconic, Common, Undercommon, (Dwarven, Terran, Elven picked up via Speak Language)

Attributes:
Str 11-4=7
Dex 8 +2= 10
Con 12 -2=10
Cha 14
Int 18 all adjustments by level ups go here
Wis 11





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


1st
Cleric
+0
+2
+0
+2
Speak language (Dwarven, Terran) 2
Appraise 2
Craft (stoneworking) 4
Craft (trapsmith) 4
Knowledge (architecture andengineering) 4
Concentration 4
Knowledge (arcana) 2
Spellcraft 2
Apprentice: Craftsman
Bonus: Extend Spell (Planning Domain)
Turn undead, Domains: Magic and Planning


2nd
Wizard
+0
+2
+0
+4
Speak language (Dwarven, Terran) 2
Appraise 2
Craft (stoneworking) 5
Craft (trapsmith) 5
Knowledge (architecture and engineering) 5
Concentration 5
Knowledge (arcana) 3
Spellcraft 3
Bonus: Scribe Scroll
Summon familiar (Raven)


3rd
Stoneblessed
+0
+4
+0
+4
Speak language (Dwarven, Terran) 2,5 Appraise 4
Craft (stoneworking) 6
Craft (trapsmith) 6
Knowledge (architecture and engineering) 6
Concentration 5
Knowledge (arcana) 3
Spellcraft 3
Extraordinary Artisan
Stonebond (Dwarf)


4th
Stoneblessed
+1
+5
+0
+4
Speak language (Dwarven, Terran, Elven) 3
Appraise 6
Craft (stoneworking) 7
Craft (trapsmith) 7
Knowledge (architecture and engineering) 7
Concentration 5
Knowledge (arcana) 3
Spellcraft 3

Racial battle technique


5th
Stoneblessed
+2
+5
+1
+5
Speak language (Dwarven, Terran, Elven) 3
Appraise 7
Craft (stoneworking) 8
Craft (trapsmith) 8
Knowledge (architecture and engineering) 8
Concentration 5
Knowledge (arcana) 3
Spellcraft 4

Stoneborn (Dwarf)


6th
Runesmith
+2
+7
+1
+7
Speak language (Dwarven, Terran, Elven) 3
Appraise 8
Craft (stoneworking) 9
Craft (trapsmith) 9
Knowledge (architecture and engineering) 9
Concentration 5
Knowledge (arcana) 4
Spellcraft 5
Favored in guild (arcane)
Rune Magic


7th
Runesmith
+3
+8
+1
+8
Speak language (Dwarven, Terran, Elven) 3
Appraise 9
Craft (stoneworking) 10
Craft (trapsmith) 10
Knowledge (architecture and engineering) 10
Concentration 5
Knowledge (arcana) 5
Spellcraft 6

Stonecraft expertise


8th
Ruathar
+3
+8
+3
+10
Speak language (Dwarven, Terran, Elven) 3
Appraise 9
Craft (stoneworking) 11
Craft (trapsmith) 11
Knowledge (architecture and engineering) 11
Concentration 5
Knowledge (arcana) 7
Spellcraft 11

Word of friendship, gift of the elves


9th
Ruathar
+4
+8
+4
+11
Speak language (Dwarven, Terran, Elven) 3
Appraise 10
Craft (stoneworking) 12
Craft (trapsmith) 12
Knowledge (architecture and engineering) 12
Concentration 5
Knowledge (arcana) 12
Spellcraft 12
Create Wondrous Item
Low-light vision, elfwise


10th
Ruathar
+5
+9
+4
+11
Speak language (Dwarven, Terran, Elven) 3
Appraise 13
Craft (stoneworking) 13
Craft (trapsmith) 13
Knowledge (architecture and engineering) 13
Concentration 7
Knowledge (arcana) 13
Spellcraft 13

Star blessing, Arvandor’s grace


11th
Runesmith
+5
+9
+5
+11
Speak language (Dwarven, Terran, Elven) 3
Appraise 14
Craft (stoneworking) 14
Craft (trapsmith) 14
Knowledge (architecture and engineering) 14
Concentration 7
Knowledge (arcana) 14
Spellcraft 14

Share runes


12th
Runesmith
+6
+10
+5
+12
Speak language (Dwarven, Terran, Elven) 3 Appraise 15
Craft (stoneworking) 15
Craft (trapsmith) 15
Knowledge (architecture and engineering) 15
Concentration 7
Knowledge (arcana) 15
Spellcraft 15
Create magic arms and armors



13th
Runesmith
+6
+10
+5
+12
Speak language (Dwarven, Terran, Elven) 3 Appraise 16
Craft (stoneworking) 16
Craft (trapsmith) 16
Knowledge (architecture and engineering) 16
Concentration 7
Knowledge (arcana) 16
Spellcraft 16

Permanent rune


14th
Dweomerkeeper
+6
+10
+5
+14
Speak language (Dwarven, Terran, Elven) 3 Appraise 17
Craft (stoneworking) 17
Craft (trapsmith) 17
Knowledge (architecture and engineering) 17
Concentration 7
Knowledge (arcana) 17
Spellcraft 17

Mantle of spells 1


15th
Dweomerkeeper
+7
+10
+5
+15
Speak language (Dwarven, Terran, Elven) 3 Appraise 18
Craft (stoneworking) 18
Craft (trapsmith) 18
Knowledge (architecture and engineering) 18
Concentration 7
Knowledge (arcana) 18
Spellcraft 18
Craft Construct
Arcane Sight


16th
Dweomerkeeper
+7
+11
+6
+15
Speak language (Dwarven, Terran, Elven) 3 Appraise 19
Craft (stoneworking) 19
Craft (trapsmith) 19
Knowledge (architecture and engineering) 19
Concentration 7
Knowledge (arcana) 19
Spellcraft 19

Mantle of spells 2


17th
Dweomerkeeper
+8
+11
+6
+16
Speak language (Dwarven, Terran, Elven) 3 Appraise 20
Craft (stoneworking) 20
Craft (trapsmith) 20
Knowledge (architecture and engineering) 20
Concentration 7
Knowledge (arcana) 20
Spellcraft 20

Supernatural Spell 1/day


18th
Dweomerkeeper
+8
+11
+6
+16
Speak language (Dwarven, Terran, Elven) 3 Appraise 21
Craft (stoneworking) 21
Craft (trapsmith) 21
Knowledge (architecture and engineering) 21
Concentration 7
Knowledge (arcana) 21
Spellcraft 21
Bind Elemental
Mantle of spells 3


19th
Dweomerkeeper
+9
+12
+7
+17
Speak language (Dwarven, Terran, Elven) 3 Appraise 22
Craft (stoneworking) 22
Craft (trapsmith) 22
Knowledge (architecture and engineering) 22
Concentration 7
Knowledge (arcana) 22
Spellcraft 22

Supernatural Spell 2/day


20th
Dweomerkeeper
+9
+12
+7
+17
Speak language (Dwarven, Terran, Elven) 3 Appraise 23
Craft (stoneworking) 23
Craft (trapsmith) 23
Knowledge (architecture and engineering) 23
Concentration 7
Knowledge (arcana) 23
Spellcraft 23

Mantle of spells 4



Spells per Day

Divine Spells per Day



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


1st
3
1+1
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-



I think it is pointless to continue the table. That's all the divine casting bob gets.


Arcane Spells per Day/Spells Known



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


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


2nd
3
2
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-


3rd
3
2
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-


4th
3
2
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-


5th
3
2
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-


6th
4
3
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-


7th
4
3
2
-
-
-
-
-
-
-


8th
4
5
3
-
-
-
-
-
-
-


9th
4
5
3
2
-
-
-
-
-
-


10th
4
5
4
3
-
-
-
-
-
-


11th
4
6
4
3
2
-
-
-
-
-


12th
4
6
4
4
3
-
-
-
-
-


13th
4
6
5
4
3
2
-
-
-
-


14th
4
6
5
4
4
3
-
-
-
-


15th
4
6
5
5
5
3
1
-
-
-


16th
4
6
6
5
4
4
3
-
-
-


17th
4
6
6
5
5
4
3
1
-
-


18th
4
6
6
5
5
4
4
2
-
-


19th
4
6
6
5
5
5
4
2
1
-


20th
4
6
6
5
5
5
4
3
2
-



The table assumes that all level ups increase your INT and does not calculate any INT increase by magic items (which may it should realistically).


Level breakdown (including use of Stoneblessed and Ruathar)

Level 1 to 5
I'll admit this is a mess, but it is the only way to make the whole build work. I need heavy armor proficiency and the only way to avoid any martial class, which would be vompletely pointless is Cleric. I considered Marshal but it doesn't do anything for me while Cleric opened up Dweomerkeeper. Artificer was strongly considered but a wizard is simply the better option for the following prestige classes. Stoneblessed opens up runesmith and of course it sucks to not advance casting but the bonus on crafting. For the life of me I couldn't fit in Search and trapfinding, which I would have liked but I think maxing Appraise, Craft (stoneworking) and Knowledge (architecture and engineering) is enough skillwise. The Constitution bonus is also pretty nice bumping HP.

Level 6 to 10
Runesmith is why we became a stoneblessed in the first place. The Cleric, Wizard, Runesmith, Dweomerkeeper build is nothing new but i needed some punch with my very fluffy skill and feat choices. Rune Magic is awesome for many reasons and Arcane Sight is very handy. The switch to Ruathar before finishing has skill reasons: I needed to smoothe progression and entering Ruathar at 7 did that almost perfectly (you can see this in the table above). Also being a kobold gives me an edge in using Ruathar: Arvandor's grace gives me 90 more years. So my lifespan is around 225 (120+90+Cha) years which means I actually live longer than some dragonwrought kobold (at least some chromatic ones). This longevity comes in handy when focussing on crafting which oftens consumes a lot of time.

Levels 11 to 20
Back to runesmith and into dweomerkeeper. Here is were most of the magic crafting is done and also were the powerlevel rises quickly. We never reach 9th level spells due to stoneblessed. Many choices in these levels depend on your group and playstyle. I don't feel I have to write a lot about being an Tier 1 caster. Some thoughts on it follow in the other sections.


Spell selection, mantle of spells and permanent rune

This one is a little hard to flesh out. Bob is basically a crippled T1 caster, so he can be anything. From level 6 on you progress regularly before you have to choose your spells at level 2 wisely. Since Bob isn't built for combat, your role in combat from level 1 to 5 should be: cast your divine spells and wear armor (maybe even heavy armor). Only use your arcane spells as utility tools. I'd recommend: Prestidigitation, Detect Magic, Identify, Comprehend Languages, Mount, Magecraft. Pick the rest according to your party needs.
After level 6 you can use rune magic and run around in full plate, which means you can now use arcane spells in combat. Cater to your parties needs and plan ahead, which magic items would you like to create? I'd focus on buffing since you are behind every other caster.

One of the main concepts of Bob is longevity, so Bob will always end up with a lot of spells. Bob is utterly pointless in a dungeon crash and rush on campaign. Bob can build a stronghold (or anything else out of stone), he crafts traps, wondrous items, weapons, armor and constructs.

Dweomerkeeper is considered broken by a variety of players and DMs alike and I agree. Mantle of spells is crazy good. Your pick should be valuable in one of two ways: life saver or versatility gone crazy. I'd go for Polymorph, Dimension Door, (Greater) Dispel Magic and Magic Circle against [alignment].

Permanent Rune: You should wait for a higher level spell to be available. Since a twice per day SLA isn't too powerful, simply use something you always want to have at hand and which you can't get access too with your mantle. For fun I'd suggest antimagic field for shenanigans with supernatural spell.


Item creation

Example: A Stronghold
Let's say you want to build a stronghold. (Actually there is a sourcebook for building a stronghold, which is 3.0 if my memory serves right. There you can find other methods to reduce cost and how to price everything.)
You would do so at a level were strongholds actually matter, so let's say below level 10. Let's assume your friend with leadership needs a stronghold for his minions. You are level 7. Let's check on your appropriate skills:
Craft (stoneworking): 10 ranks + 4 INT + 2 (apprentice) +2 (stoneblessed) + 2 (runesmith)
Appraise: 9 ranks + 4 INT + 2 (stoneblessed) + 2 (runesmith)
Craft (trapsmith): 10 ranks + 4 INT + 2 (Kobold) + 2 (apprentice)
Knowledge (architecture and engineering): 10 ranks + 4 INT

Not too shabby. Then you can reduce the price of everything you craft to 67,5% of the usual costs (Apprentice Craftsman 10%, Extraordinary Artisan 25%).



Example: Greater Stone Golem
You are level 15 and decide to craft a greater stone golem.

Base Price: 105.000 GM+ 7640 XP
Reduction:
Apprentice Craftsman 10%
Extraordinary Artisan 25%
Favored in guild 5%
GP: 67331,25

XP Cost:
XP is a river. If your DM disagrees and shuts down all XP regeneration tricks (thought bottles, negative levels and restoration, etc.), I recommend switching the Favored in guild feat with Legendary artisan (ECS) to cut into XP costs.

Is a CR 16 Stone golem worth 67331,25 GP? I'd say yes. Also they are excellent gifts.
Note: I am aware that the entry for stone golem states craft (stonemasonry). I always considered this a screw up, if you or your DM disagrees: the craft check is almost pointless anyway, just find a stonemason.
Very late you can further reduce the cost of items by binding elementals in it. Maybe your DM agrees and let's you create a airship out of stone or even a flying stronghold. Be creative.

[Inevitability]

I'm not saying it's boxing glove arrows... but it's boxing glove arrows. Here's Sweeping Wind!


Sweeping Wind a.k.a. Silly Man With Silly Bow
Male CG Stony Elf
Starting Ability Scores: STR: 14 DEX: 20 CON: 16 INT: 12 WIS: 12 CHA: 6



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


1st
Factotum 1
+0
+0
+2
+0
Appraise 4, Craft(Stoneworking) 4, Iaijutsu Focus 4, Spot 4, Climb 4, Survival 4, Speak Language: [Elven, Goliath, Terran, Battle Signs]
Aereni Focus(Iaijutsu Focus), Point-Blank Shot (FLAW: Weak Will)
Inspiration, Cunning Insight, Cunning Knowledge, Trapfinding


2nd
Dungeon Crasher Fighter 1
+1
+2
+2
+0
Craft(Stoneworking) 5, Iaijutsu Focus 5, Climb 5
Power Attack
-


3rd
Dungeon Crasher Fighter 2
+2
+3
+2
+0
Iaijutsu Focus 6, Climb 6, Survival 5
Improved Bull Rush
Dungeon Crasher(2)


4th (+DEX)
Dungeon Crasher Fighter 3
+3
+3
+3
+1
Iaijutsu Focus 7, Climb 7, Survival 6
-
-


5th
Dungeon Crasher Fighter 4
+4
+4
+3
+1
Iaijutsu Focus 8, Climb 8, Survival 7
Mountain Warrior
-


6th
Dungeon Crasher Fighter 5
+5
+4
+3
+1
Iaijutsu Focus 9, Climb 9, Survival 8
Far Shot
-


7th
Dungeon Crasher Fighter 6
+6
+5
+4
+2
Iaijutsu Focus 10, Climb 10, Survival 9
-
Dungeon Crasher(6)


8th (+DEX)
Stoneblessed (Goliath) 1
+7
+7
+4
+4
Iaijutsu Focus 11, Climb 11, Survival 10
-
Stonebond


9th
Stoneblessed (Goliath) 2
+8
+8
+4
+5
Iaijutsu Focus 12, Climb 12, Survival 11
Woodland Archer
Racial battle technique


10th
Stoneblessed (Goliath) 3
+9
+8
+5
+5
Iaijutsu Focus 13, Climb 13, Survival 12
-
Stonebond


11th
Ruathar 1
+9
+8
+7
+7
Hide 1, Iaijutsu Focus 14, Spot 5, Listen 5, Survival 13
-
Word of friendship, gift of the elves(+1 composite longbow)


12th (+DEX)
Ruathar 2
+10
+8
+7
+7
Hide 2, Iaijutsu Focus 15, Spot 6, Listen 6, Survival 14
Knockback
Low-light vision, elfwise


13th
Ruathar 3
+11
+9
+8
+8
Hide 3, Iaijutsu Focus 16, Spot 7, Listen 7, Survival 15
-
Star blessing, Arvandor's grace


14th
Cragtop Archer 1
+12
+11
+8
+8
Hide 5, Iaijutsu Focus 17, Spot 8, Climb 14
-
Adept Climber, farsight


15th
Cragtop Archer 2
+13
+12
+8
+8
Hide 7, Iaijutsu Focus 18, Spot 9, Climb 15
Able Sniper
Strike from above


16th (+DEX)
Cragtop Archer 3
+14
+12
+9
+9
Hide 9, Iaijutsu Focus 19, Spot 10, Climb 16
-
Arcing shot


17th
Cragtop Archer 4
+15
+13
+9
+9
Hide 11, Iaijutsu Focus 20, Spot 11, Climb 17
-
Horizon Shot


18th
Fighter 7
+16
+13
+9
+9
Iaijutsu Focus 21, Climb 19
Rapid Shot
-


19th
Fighter 8
+17
+14
+9
+9
Iaijutsu Focus 22, Climb 21
Manyshot
-


-
LEVEL ADJUSTMENT
-
-
-
-
-
-
-



Technical write-ups:
The weapon of choice for this build is a composite longbow with a bow blade (CSc). This means that whenever we draw said bow, we are also drawing a melee weapon; allowing us to open our sniping with a ranged Iaijutsu focus attack. This is a benefit we can make use of right from 1st level, but one that improves as we gain greater sniping abilities. At level 12 we get Knockback, courtesy of qualifying for feats as if we were a Goliath as well as an Elf. We can now need to use Power Attack every round. This makes our melee attacks more likely to miss, but as we are not making any melee attacks anyway it doesn't really matter. The important point is that as we are using Power Attack, we can get Knockback to trigger off our longbow attacks, therefore giving access to all the glory of Dungeoncrasher at a safe distance. Up until this point we would have likely closed distance after the initial skirmish to do the same, making use of bull-rushes to set up for more ranged attacks. From now on, however we are the shadow that somehow pushes you around - and does damage. A lot of it.

The idea for this build came from trying to combine the favored combat tactics of the Elves and Goliath. I chose to use a Stony Elf mostly because I wanted to use a race that was already a bit inbetween from the start. Mechanically, the template is likely more a detriment than an asset. The favored battleground would likely be a craggy mountain range with plenty of large rocks about to slam people into, or steep slopes to push them off.

[Inevitability]

The wolf who cried gnome: Kinvig Arrumskor!



http://i63.tinypic.com/28v7e1.jpg

Kinvig Arrumskor - LN Male Lupin Archivist 3/Stoneblessed (Gnome) 3/Ruathar 3/Dragonslayer 1/Hexer 10

Medium Monstrous Humanoid

HD: 3d6+3d8+3d6+1d10+10d6+60 (137hp)

Languages: Common, Elven, Gnome, Lupin and Terran* (purchased with skill points at 1st level)

Ability Scores:

Str 14
Dex 14
Con 14 (+2 from Stoneblessed 3)
Int 15 (all increases from HD go here, +5 total)
Wis 14
Cha 8



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


1st
Archivist 1
+0
+2
+0
+2
Appraise 2, Concentration 4, Craft (stoneworking) 4, Knowledge (arcana) 1, Speak Language (Terran), Spellcraft 4, Tumble 2
Iron Will, Scribe ScrollB
Dark Knowledge (tactics) 3/day


2nd
Archivist 2
+1
+3
+0
+3
Appraise 2, Concentration 5, Craft (stoneworking) 5, Knowledge (arcana) 1, (dungeoneering) 1, (the planes) 1, (religion) 1, Spellcraft 5, Tumble 2

Lore Mastery


3rd
Archivist 3
+1
+3
+1
+3
Appraise 2, Concentration 6, Craft (stoneworking) 5, Knowledge (arcana) 5, (dungeoneering) 1, (the planes) 1, (religion) 1, Spellcraft 6, Tumble 2
Expeditious Dodge
Dark Knowledge 4/day


4th
Stoneblessed 1
+1
+5
+1
+3
Appraise 2, Concentration 6, Craft (stoneworking) 5, Jump 4, Knowledge (arcana) 5, (dungeoneering) 1, (the planes) 1, (religion) 1, Spellcraft 7, Tumble 2

Stonebond


5th
Stoneblessed 2
+2
+6
+1
+3
Appraise 2, Concentration 6, Craft (stoneworking) 5, Jump 6, Knowledge (arcana) 5, (dungeoneering) 1, (the planes) 1, (religion) 1, Listen 2, Spellcraft 8, Tumble 2

Racial Battle Technique


6th
Stoneblessed 3
+3
+6
+2
+4
Appraise 2, Concentration 6, Craft (stoneworking) 5, Jump 6, Knowledge (arcana) 5, (dungeoneering) 1, (the planes) 1, (religion) 1, Listen 6, Spellcraft 9, Tumble 2
Knowledge Devotion
Stoneborn


7th
Ruathar 1
+3
+6
+4
+6
Appraise 2, Concentration 6, Craft (stoneworking) 5, Jump 6, Knowledge (arcana) 9, (dungeoneering) 1, (the planes) 1, (religion) 1, Listen 6, Spellcraft 9, Survival 3, Tumble 2
Martial Weapon Proficiency (longsword)B
Word of friendship, gift of the elves


8th
Ruathar 2
+4
+6
+5
+7
Appraise 2, Concentration 9, Craft (stoneworking) 5, Jump 6, Knowledge (arcana) 10, (dungeoneering) 1, (the planes) 1, (religion) 1, Listen 6, Spellcraft 9, Survival 6, Tumble 2

Low-light vision, elfwise


9th
Ruathar 3
+5
+7
+5
+7
Appraise 2, Concentration 9, Craft (stoneworking) 5, Jump 6, Knowledge (arcana) 10, (dungeoneering) 2, (local) 1,(nature) 1, (the planes) 1, (religion) 1, Listen 6, Spellcraft 9, Survival 10, Tumble 2
Draconic Archivist
Star blessing, Arvandor's grace


10th
Dragonslayer 1
+6
+9
+5
+9
Appraise 2, Concentration 9, Craft (stoneworking) 5, Jump 8, Knowledge (arcana) 13, (dungeoneering) 2, (local) 1, (nature) 1, (the planes) 1, (religion) 1, Listen 6, Spellcraft 9, Survival 10, Tumble 2

Aura of courage, damage bonus


11th
Hexer 1
+7
+9
+5
+11
Appraise 2, Concentration 12, Craft (stoneworking) 5, Jump 8, Knowledge (arcana) 13, (dungeoneering) 2, (local) 1, (nature) 2, (the planes) 2, (religion) 1, Listen 6, Spellcraft 9, Survival 10, Tumble 2

Hex 1/day


12th
Hexer 2
+8
+9
+5
+12
Appraise 2, Concentration 12, Craft (stoneworking) 5, Jump 8, Knowledge (arcana) 13, (dungeoneering) 3, (local) 2, (nature) 3, (the planes) 2, (religion) 1, Listen 6, Spellcraft 12, Survival 10, Tumble 2
Trivial Knowledge
Bonus spell, hex 2/day


13th
Hexer 3
+9
+10
+6
+12
Appraise 2, Concentration 13, Craft (stoneworking) 5, Jump 8, Knowledge (arcana) 13, (dungeoneering) 4, (local) 3, (nature) 3, (the planes) 3, (religion) 3, Listen 6, Spellcraft 12, Survival 10, Tumble 2

Sicken hex


14th
Hexer 4
+10
+10
+6
+13
Appraise 2, Concentration 15, Craft (stoneworking) 5, Jump 8, Knowledge (arcana) 13, (dungeoneering) 4, (local) 3, (nature) 4, (the planes) 3, (religion) 3, Listen 6, Spellcraft 15, Survival 10, Tumble 2

Bonus spell, hex 3/day


15th
Hexer 5
+11
+10
+6
+13
Appraise 2, Concentration 16, Craft (stoneworking) 5, Jump 8, Knowledge (arcana) 13, (dungeoneering) 5, (local) 4, (nature) 4, (the planes) 4, (religion) 4, Listen 6, Spellcraft 16, Survival 10, Tumble 2
Power Attack
Fear hex


16th
Hexer 6
+12
+11
+7
+14
Appraise 2, Concentration 17, Craft (stoneworking) 5, Jump 8, Knowledge (arcana) 14, (dungeoneering) 5, (local) 4, (nature) 5, (the planes) 5, (religion) 5, Listen 6, Spellcraft 17, Survival 10, Tumble 2

Bonus spell, hex 4/day


17th
Hexer 7
+13
+11
+7
+14
Appraise 2, Concentration 18, Craft (stoneworking) 5, Jump 8, Knowledge (arcana) 15, (dungeoneering) 6, (local) 5, (nature) 6, (the planes) 5, (religion) 5, Listen 6, Spellcraft 18, Survival 10, Tumble 2

Sleep hex


18th
Hexer 8
+14
+11
+7
+15
Appraise 2, Concentration 19, Craft (stoneworking) 5, Jump 8, Knowledge (arcana) 15, (dungeoneering) 7, (local) 5, (nature) 7, (the planes) 6, (religion) 6, Listen 6, Spellcraft 19, Survival 10, Tumble 2
Leap Attack
Bonus spell, hex 5/day


19th
Hexer 9
+15
+12
+8
+15
Appraise 2, Concentration 20, Craft (stoneworking) 5, Jump 8, Knowledge (arcana) 15, (dungeoneering) 7, (local) 7, (nature) 8, (the planes) 7, (religion) 6, Listen 6, Spellcraft 20, Survival 10, Tumble 2

Charm hex


20th
Hexer 10
+16
+12
+8
+16
Appraise 2, Concentration 22, Craft (stoneworking) 5, Jump 8, Knowledge (arcana) 15, (dungeoneering) 8, (local) 7, (nature) 8, (the planes) 7, (religion) 7, Listen 6, Spellcraft 22, Survival 10, Tumble 2

Bonus spell, hex 6/day



Racial Traits:
Move 30 ft
Darkvision 60 ft
Acute Sense of Smell
Expert Rider

"Racial" Enemies:
+1 bonus on attack rolls and damage vs. werewolves (Lupin)
+4 dodge bonus to AC vs. giants (Stoneblessed)
+1 bonus to attacks rolls vs kobolds and goblinoids (Stoneblessed)
+1 bonus on weapon damage rolls vs. dragons (Dragonslayer)
+1 to +3 bonus on attacks rolls for allies vs. aberrations, constructs, dragons, elementals, magical beasts, outsiders and undead (Archivist)
+1 to +5 insight attack rolls and damage rolls vs. aberrations, animals, constructs, dragons, elementals, fey, giants, humanoids, magical beasts, monstrous humanoids, oozes, outsiders, plants, undead and vermin (Knowledge Devotion)

Skill Bonuses:
+2 bonus to Listen and Ride Checks (Lupin)
+2 racial bonus on Survival checks to follow tracks (Lupin)
+5 racial bonus on Spot Checks vs. Disguise within 5 ft (Lupin)
+2 bonus to Decipher Script and Knowledge (arcana) checks (Archivist - Lore Mastery)
+2 bonus on Listen and Craft (alchemy) checks (Stoneblessed)

Spells Per Day (before ability modifier bonus spells)


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


1st
3
2
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-


2nd
4
3
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-


3rd
4
3
2
-
-
-
-
-
-
-


4th
4
3
2
-
-
-
-
-
-
-


5th
4
3
2
-
-
-
-
-
-
-


6th
4
3
2
-
-
-
-
-
-
-


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


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


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


10th
4
5
4
3
2
-
-
-
-
-


11th
4
5
4
4
3
-
-
-
-
-


12th
4
5
5
4
3
2
-
-
-
-


13th
4
5
5
4
4
3
-
-
-
-


14th
4
5
5
5
4
3
2
-
-
-


15th
4
5
5
5
4
4
3
-
-
-


16th
4
5
5
5
5
4
3
2
-
-


17th
4
5
5
5
5
4
4
3
-
-


18th
4
5
5
5
5
5
4
3
2
-


19th
4
5
5
5
5
5
4
4
3



20th
4
5
5
5
5
5
5
4
3
2




"Bonus" spells from class levels (note: the wording in PrCs that advance casting is unclear as to whether classes like Archivist or Wizard get their extra spells added to their book through the PrC. For this reason, I have not included such spells here)
Archivist 1 (ECL 1)
0-level: all 0 level Cleric spells
1st Level: Conviction, Protection from Evil, Resurgence, Shield of Faith, Sign
Archivist 2 (ECL 2)
1st level: Blade of Blood, Lesser Vigor
Archivist 3 (ECL 3)
2nd level: Divine Insight, Guidance of the Avatar
Hexer 2 (ECL 12)
5th level: Teleport
Hexer 4 (ECL 14)
6th level: Disintegrate
Hexer 6 (ECL 16)
7th level: Reverse Gravity
Hexer 8 (ECL 18)
8th level: Mind Blank
Hexer 10 (ECL 20)
9th level: Shapechange

Recommended Archivist spells by level:
1st: Aspect of the Wolf, Bless, Divine Favor, Entangle, Entropic Shield, Grease, Shillelagh
2nd: Alter Self, Bear's Endurance, Bite of the Wererat, Blinding Spittle, Brambles, Bull's Strength, Darkbolt, Invisibility, Living Undeath, Lore of the Gods, Mirror Image, Owl's Wisdom, Primal Instinct, Spiritual Weapon, Web
3rd: Blur, Dispel Magic, Evard's Black Tentacles, Fly, Greater Magic Weapon, Haste, Lightning Bolt*, Magic Circle Against Evil, Primal Senses, Protection from Energy, Restoration
4th: Air Walk, Bite of the Wereboar, Dimension Door, Divine Power, Enervation, Freedom of Movement, Greater Resistance, Heart of Earth, Panacea, Polymorph, Primal Speed, Sheltered Vitality, Slow, Spell Immunity, Summon Giants, Vortex of Teeth
5th: Antilife Shell, Baleful Polymorph, Heart of Fire, Owl's Insight, Plane Shift, Righteous Might, Righteous Wrath of the Faithful, Spell Resistance, Surge of Fortune, Swift Etherealness, Triadspell, True Seeing, Valiant Fury
6th: Antimagic Field, Bite of the Werebear, Contingency, Energy Immunity, Greater Dispel Magic, Planar Ally, Spiritual Guardian, Summon Monster VI, Summon Nature's Ally VI, Superior Resistance
7th: Acid Fog, Destruction, Forcecage, Fortunate Fate, Greater Teleport, Holy Star, Holy Word, Limited Wish, Spell Turning, Storm Tower, Summon Monster VII, Summon Nature's Ally VII
8th: Dimensional Lock, Foresight, Great Spell Immunity, Greater Planar Ally, Iron Body, Otto's Irresistible Dance, Stormrage, Summon Monster VIII, Summon Nature's Ally VIII
9th: Astral Projection, Gate, Implosion, Miracle, Mordenkainen's Disjunction, Summon Monster IX, Summon Nature's Ally IX, Time Stop

*This is required for entry into Hexer, and can be obtained as an Adept 3 spell.
**Archivist spells may be obtained from any divine class list, often giving them earlier and easier access to spells via domain and prestige class spell lists
Early Years
Kinvig was found orphaned as a cub by gnome scouts, after a werewolf attack decimated his tribe. The scouts brought him back to the gnomish settlement, where he was adopted by an elderly childless couple: Dalfen Arrumskor (Gnome Expert 4) and Janwed Arrumskor (Gnome Archivist 3). Dalfen was a respected stonemason, and Janwed was the settlement's lore-keeper.
Kinvig took after his adopted mother, taking up the mantle of lore-keeper, always with his head in books, but also took a keen interest in his father's stoneworking.
He proved himself an asset to the gnomish community, as both a spellcaster and a craftsman.
ECL 5
At this point there isn't a lot going on with Kinvig. His casting is good but not great. His Dark Knowledge checks can assist allies to a small degree.

Kinvig enjoyed his life of collecting knowledge, working stone, and occasionally training with the gnomish warriors to learn their fighting techniques.
On a foray with some of the warriors one day, they came across a local elf encampment, under attack from a group of brutish goblinoids, led by a huge mountain troll. Kinvig and the warriors joined the fight, and together with the elven guards, defeated the attackers.
The elves were so grateful they invited Kinvig to become an honorary member of their village. Kinvig lived with the elves for some time, learning their ways.
Then, one ill-omened day, a gnomish scout came to the village, summoning Kinvig home.
An infamous green dragon called Klertannavol had attacked the settlement, killing many gnomes, including Kinvig's parents.
After a time of grief, he swore vengeance on the dragon, and studied the best ways to kill the beast.
ECL 10
Kinvig is starting to come into his own as a divine gish here. He is proficiency in all martial weapons and heavy armor, has a respectable spell repertoire, and can get decent bonuses in melee using Knowledge Devotion

Kinvig hunted the dragon down, confronting it in its forest lair. After a fierce battle, Kinvig eventually bested the creature. Even though his quest for revenge had been fulfilled, he still felt bitter and hollow. First his birth parents were taken from him, then his beloved gnomish parents.
Kinvig grew more and more embittered, cursing all evil beings for the losses he had suffered. He hunted them down, and mercilessly eradicated them.
ECL 15
With a respectable BAB and Power Attack to supplement Knowledge Devotion, along with an arsenal of long term buffs, Kinvig is filling the role of martial spellcaster quite well. Trivial Knowledge, available through his Stoneblessed levels, helps boost the output for both Dark Knowledge and Knowledge Devotion.

Years later, Kinvig became a figure to be feared throughout the land. He earned the a reputation for being a ruthless adversary of any who would threaten the gnomes or elves of his forest. Truth be told, though, even the elves and gnomes themselves feared him. He had grown ever more cold and heartless in his endless pursuit of enemies to punish.
ECL 20 - sweet spot
Kinvig is a full-fledged divine gish, complete with 9th level spells and a BAB of +16. Leap Attack is icing on the cake. He routinely has 24 hour and other long term buffs up, and often has a planar ally (generally a marut or planetar) accompanying him. He likes to shapechange into powerful melee forms, especially those with pounce or a similar ability.

Recommended Gear
Ability boosters are a good idea, especially for Wisdom - this helps both with bonus spells, and the DC for hexes. Con boosters are also desirable. No gish should be without the finest arms and armor, of course. After ECL 10, heavy armor and martial weapons become an option. Pearls of Power are always handy for a prepared caster. Scrolls, Wands and Staves can be useful if expensive.

Use in a Campaign
Kinvig is a fierce defender of his forest and the gnomish and elven communities therein. It's conceivable that he could be an ally or opponent to a group, depending on their motives. He could also be useful if the party is seeking a particular piece of knowledge, as Kinvig has very respectable knowledge skills (especially arcana). He has a particular hatred of dragons, and to a lesser degree, werewolves - so these could be adventure hooks of their own.

Sources
Complete Adventurer: Leap Attack
Complete Champion: Knowledge Devotion, various spells
Complete Mage, Player's Handbook II, Spell Compendium: various spells
Draconomicon: Dragonslayer
Dragon Magazine Compendium: Lupin
Frostburn: Summon Giants
Heroes of Horror: Archivist, Draconic Archivist
Masters of the Wild: Hexer
Online: Guidance of the Avatar (http://archive.wizards.com/dnd/article.asp?x=dnd/sb/sb20010504a)
Races of Stone: Stoneblessed, Trivial Knowledge
Races of the Wild: Ruathar, Expeditious Dodge

Disclaimer 1: Yes, Stoneblessed is shoehorned in there. It fits with the backstory, but really the only thing it's "used" for is Trivial Knowledge.
Disclaimer 2: The bonus Sor/Wiz spells from Hexer can mostly be obtained through Domains or other sources anyway, but are selected for utility and power. In the case of a DM being tough on allowing an Archivist access to Domain scrolls etc. this is a straightforward way to get them.

[Inevitability]

And that's all: three builds, one more than last time. If I keep this up we may reach Iron Chef levels of popularity within a few years. :smalltongue:

[Sian]

But yeah, seems like we should just let the competition die after this one.

I would have been more interested in competing if Ruathar wasn't one of the most 'meh' prestige classes, its not that the class is bad, since it got full caster, but it aren't particularly good either, and it doesn't really have any significant flavor ... and placing it so it runs opposite to Iron Chef instead of opposite to Villainous would probably be better, since Iron Chef is the big one.

[weckar]

If nothing else, the builds this time around are all wildly different. Could mean either a fun or a horrifying judging job, depending on standards.

[Inevitability]

I would have been more interested in competing if Ruathar wasn't one of the most 'meh' prestige classes, its not that the class is bad, since it got full caster, but it aren't particularly good either, and it doesn't really have any significant flavor ... and placing it so it runs opposite to Iron Chef instead of opposite to Villainous would probably be better, since Iron Chef is the big one.

Guess I might try another iteration, then.

By the way, does anyone have suggestions for future competitions? Combining two prestige classes and removing an obvious option is something I'd like to explore further, but I'd also like to see a contest with Iaijutsu Focus being one of the mandatory ingredients and Factotum prohibited.

[weckar]

I'm not sure. I think this is one of those that can easily be too restrictive or too open. Maybe even working with seemingly contradictory elements could be fun...

Something like: Arcane Spellcasting + Heavy Armor - Heavy Armor Proficiency.

It's open-ended but poses a very definitive challenge to overcome. I think puzzles like that make for the best challenges, because you have to find creative uses for the ingredients to make them work.

(note: don't use the above one because I know already how I would approach it.)

[Sian]

By the way, does anyone have suggestions for future competitions? Combining two prestige classes and removing an obvious option is something I'd like to explore further, but I'd also like to see a contest with Iaijutsu Focus being one of the mandatory ingredients and Factotum prohibited.

One that i've tried floating a couple of times is Cloaked Dancer (Scoundrel) + Spelldancer (Magic of Faerun) without Bard or Jester (as that for practical intends are a reskin of Bard)

[Thurbane]

Guess I might try another iteration, then.

By the way, does anyone have suggestions for future competitions? Combining two prestige classes and removing an obvious option is something I'd like to explore further, but I'd also like to see a contest with Iaijutsu Focus being one of the mandatory ingredients and Factotum prohibited.

I like all of those ideas. Especially Iajutsu Focus - Factotum.


I'm not sure. I think this is one of those that can easily be too restrictive or too open. Maybe even working with seemingly contradictory elements could be fun...

Something like: Arcane Spellcasting + Heavy Armor - Heavy Armor Proficiency.

It's open-ended but poses a very definitive challenge to overcome. I think puzzles like that make for the best challenges, because you have to find creative uses for the ingredients to make them work.

(note: don't use the above one because I know already how I would approach it.)

That would be interesting, if frustrating.


One that i've tried floating a couple of times is Cloaked Dancer (Scoundrel) + Spelldancer (Magic of Faerun) without Bard or Jester (as that for practical intends are a reskin of Bard)

Another good suggestion.

The PrCs I'd like to see are Elemental Warrior, Witch Slayer, Occult Slayer and/or Squire of Legend (who doesn't want to play second banana?).

How about Prestige Paladin - Cleric, or Prestige Ranger - Druid?

Also, here are some more ideas that aren't likely to get used in IC: List of PrCs with "nonstandard" levels (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?226460)

Ooh, how about a "non-core only" round. Nothing except Skills allowed from core sources? Bonus points if you can avoid using core skills as well. :smalltongue:

...I think JYW has life left in it yet. I'm going to try and compete as often as I can, and I'll try to judge in any rounds where I don't compete.

[Palanan]

Originally Posted by Sweeping Wind
I chose to use a Stony Elf mostly because I wanted to use a race that was already a bit inbetween from the start.

Where is "Stony Elf" from? It doesn't seem to be in Races of Stone, and my google-fu is chop suey here.

:smallconfused:

[Kaje]

Stony is another name for the mineral warrior template.

[Troacctid]

Also found online here (http://archive.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ex/20031003e)!

[weckar]

Wait, did we actually attract any judges this round? Can't wait for my entry to be shredded.

[Inevitability]

Wait, did we actually attract any judges this round? Can't wait for my entry to be shredded.

I believe not. Anyone interested?

Perhaps to make things more attractive: whoever volunteers for judging can decide the next competition's special ingredients. If you have no idea, judging is still possible: I'll look at the other suggestions in that case.

[Thurbane]

I've already got some ideas for the suggested themes so far. :smallsmile:

...if I wasn't an entrant, I'd volunteer to judge. 3 entries is a good number form a judge's perspective - not too many to be intimidating, and not few enough so that the judging feels pointless.

[weckar]

I'd almost be willing to bounty this whole judge thing.

Although, if no judges show we could alternate back to each entrant judging the other two? As we are not judging our own stuff it's still rather unbiased...

[Thurbane]

I'd almost be willing to bounty this whole judge thing.

Although, if no judges show we could alternate back to each entrant judging the other two? As we are not judging our own stuff it's still rather unbiased...

I think that's a decent workaround idea. I might crib that for the Villanous Comp at some point - fortunately we've just had a judge step up.

[Thurbane]

Shameless plug - new Villainous Competition is up!

http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?500829-Villainous-Competition-XV-The-Horsemen-Are-Drawing-Nearer

http://i66.tinypic.com/1zeb4wi.jpg

[Inevitability]

Still no judges?

[Thurbane]

Still no judges?

Seems to be the toughest part of running comps thesedays. :smalleek:

[weckar]

Maybe the resident crickets can Judge :smallbiggrin:

[weckar]

Heh, did your post with the cricket picture disappear?

I think it may be time to mothball this one, and maybe consider some serious retooling of the game we play here for future iterations. I still think a peer judging system would be best, because then everyone involved to judge already has a vested interest in getting the judging done. It will also help set it apart more from things like the Chef.

[Thurbane]

Yeah, cricket picture is gone.

Really bums me out that no one was willing to judge three entries... :smallfrown:

[daremetoidareyo]

All scores start at 2.5 and I add or subtract points when things please or displease me. Except for the elegance category, which starts at a score of 5 and is deducted points.

Originality:
Bob the builder 3.0: Why kobold and not some other race? Dweomerkeeper and runesmith are cool in this assemblage. I do have some concerns about this guys early game viability for play. I am not entirely understanding how this dweomerkeeper runesmith wouldn't be better built from a dwarf in the first place.
KinVig 3.5 Why Lupin? Wouldn't this build be about the same or better by being a gnome? Archivist into hexer is a good combo. I really like the feel of this as a character and would put it into a game as an NPC.
Sweeping Wind a.k.a. Silly Man With Silly Bow 4.5: I'll talk about being an elf later, what source is stony elf from, or is that a template? I like your sniping shenanigans. They get more and more attractive to purloin for other builds. I get why you are an elf, but I think you should have pushed for one of those halflings that gets and extra feat or maybe a killoren for the ranged smite to offset some of the power attack problems. That aside, your build is delicious. Purely mechanically, I feel that this is the most creative build in the contest.

Power:
Bob the builder: 4.5: You don't get ninths and thus can be defeated by another tier 1 without super tactical planning. But runes are amazingly powerful as a utility tool. Your character, beginning at level 11 finally becomes fun to play. Without a spell list, I can't really judge this more accuracy. You have the potential to be 5 despite only having access to 8ths, but I need to see what spells.
KinVig:5 Dagnab! you soaked up all of them high power spells! On top of that you can curse peoples saves against those high power spells. Plus you maxed out knowledge devotion. This is, in my opinion the most powerful build. Thank you for the work you put into your spell list.
Sweeping Wind a.k.a. Silly Man With Silly Bow:3. You got one ever expanding in danger combat trick. And you can use it to kill the heck out of your opponents. You didn't max out spot nearly enough, and instead focused on climb, which perplexes the living turds out of me. This build

Elegance:
Bob the builder 5 Not inelegant on skills or feats or rules shenanigans
KinVig: 5 Not inelegant on skills or feats or rules shenanigans
Sweeping Wind a.k.a. Silly Man With Silly Bow: 3.5 You used a flaw....but you were a factotum and thus got access to full advance of iaijutsu and you didn't really need climb or survival except for pre-reqs so why not just bump your intelligence at the expense of your wisdom score? You used an elf to become a ruathar...a friend of his own kind? I mean the stat bonuses are cool, and it does qualify you for aereni focus, but it just seems off. Your bow hijinx require a certain type of RAW vs RAI discussion/agreement, but it's clever enough to compensate for that.

Use of Stuff:
Bob the builder: 3.5: You use Stoneblessed for runesmith entry, you use ruathar to grow your spellcasting. You continue to grow your trap building but don't exploit magic trap crafting rules.
KinVig:3.0 : You use stoneblessed to qualify for trivial knowledge...meh. Did you need stoneblessed? You used ruathar to grow your spellcasting.
Sweeping Wind a.k.a. Silly Man With Silly Bow: 2.5 You don't use ruathar for anything but a bow and it's BAB is less good than a combat option. It doesn't advance your casting... Cuz you got none. You rocked the heck out of being an elfy goliath stoneblessed. I understand that you just dumped ruathar on there to comply with the competition, but you couldn't use it as well as any spellcasting class could.

Totals
Bob the builder: 16
KinVig:16.5
Sweeping Wind a.k.a. Silly Man With Silly Bow: 13.5

Double check my math please.

Feel free to justify your decisions, especially if I asked questions. Ya'll inhabit your builds for days and I only spent 3 hours on this. So if there is a genius to some of the decisions you made, maybe I'm just not seeing it.

[Sian]

I would have loved to judge but the times that I've tried previously, I found it overwhelmingly difficult to figure out how to tackle getting though them systematically and how to quantify my thought of the builds.

[Thurbane]

...judging...

Bless you kind sir!

[weckar]

Looks like I achieved what I set out to do. Got points where I expected them, lost them where I expected them.

[Inevitability]

Looks like I achieved what I set out to do. Got points where I expected them, lost them where I expected them.

Please do not share information on the identity of competitors until the final scores have been posted.

That said, one dispute:


First, thank you for the judging.

Secondly, not so much disputes as clarifications:
> Why Lupin? First and foremost, hexer has some strict racial reqs, and monstrous humanoid is one of the most straightforward ways to meet the reqs. Gnome definitely does not qualify. A giant or goblinoid would also qualify, but seemed a weird choice for stoneblessed, given racial enmity and all that. Lupins share some territory (and bonus languages) with both gnomes and elves, and thus seemed a decent choice.
> Admittedly, stoneblessed is not really a crucial component of this build - I'll take that on the chin. However, thought I would just point out that as well as progressing casting, ruathar is also required for skill the survival skill ranks for hexer.

[weckar]

Apologies, edited for anonimity.

[Inevitability]

And one more dispute!


It's really no big deal, and I agree with most of what's been said, but there's two tiny things I'd like to make known before the final tally:

>Climb was favored over spot for mobility reasons in the favored environment.
>Yes stony is a template (also known as mineral warrior), while elf ruathar are explicitly called out in the ruathar text as a reasonable choice.

[Inevitability]

Can we dispute it? Yes we can!


Thanks for judging.

Short annotations, not really disputes:
Kobold was chosen because of the long lifespan, their bonus to trapmaking and a kobold close to dwarves and elves amused me.

spell selection: i always find it hard to list spells in a vacuum. Is bob a PC or NPC? Is his spellbook a possible ressource for the PCs if he is an NPC and so on. Personal favourite of mine would be antimagicfield into supernatural spell: black tentacle.

Use of stoneblessed: I also profit from stoneblessed's bonus on crafting. Minor thing but was the basic idea of the whole character.
Use of ruathar: spell progression is of course the main thing, but i actually use arvandor's grace to increase my lifespan.

[daremetoidareyo]

Secondly, not so much disputes as clarifications:
> Why Lupin? First and foremost, hexer has some strict racial reqs, and monstrous humanoid is one of the most straightforward ways to meet the reqs. Gnome definitely does not qualify. A giant or goblinoid would also qualify, but seemed a weird choice for stoneblessed, given racial enmity and all that. Lupins share some territory (and bonus languages) with both gnomes and elves, and thus seemed a decent choice.
> Admittedly, stoneblessed is not really a crucial component of this build - I'll take that on the chin. However, thought I would just point out that as well as progressing casting, ruathar is also required for skill the survival skill ranks for hexer.

Add plus .25 to your originality score for your lupin explanation.

Stoneblessed surely can't be the best 3 level dip that also grants survival. No change there.


t's really no big deal, and I agree with most of what's been said, but there's two tiny things I'd like to make known before the final tally:

>Climb was favored over spot for mobility reasons in the favored environment.
>Yes stony is a template (also known as mineral warrior), while elf ruathar are explicitly called out in the ruathar text as a reasonable choice.

I think, for optimization, you should have gotten a climb related piece of equipment after getting your mandatory 9 ranks or so. Spot is much more useful for a sniper with mad far shot skillz.

Mineral warrior? Well worth the LA.

I looked up ruathar
Elves can become ruathars, but such characters are somewhat
unusual. An elf becomes a ruathar when he renders
a great service to an elf realm that is not his homeland, or
when one or more of his nonelf companions receive the
honor in recognition for a deed he also shared in. When an
individual elf is singled out for this kind of recognition in
his homeland, he is usually called “star-friend” rather than
“elf-friend.”

It seems that you're correct. add +.5 to your elegance score


Short annotations, not really disputes:
Kobold was chosen because of the long lifespan, their bonus to trapmaking and a kobold close to dwarves and elves amused me.

spell selection: i always find it hard to list spells in a vacuum. Is bob a PC or NPC? Is his spellbook a possible ressource for the PCs if he is an NPC and so on. Personal favourite of mine would be antimagicfield into supernatural spell: black tentacle.

Use of stoneblessed: I also profit from stoneblessed's bonus on crafting. Minor thing but was the basic idea of the whole character.
Use of ruathar: spell progression is of course the main thing, but i actually use arvandor's grace to increase my lifespan.

Spell selection: I understand entirely. But a spell list gives me a feel for a character's inherent values. A build with all broken core spells is more powerful than a spell list which is more flavorfully themed. I don't think that I'm the only judge on these boards that would feel lost on this front. Further, I would better understand your early game survivability if I saw some spells (colorspray, grease) that are guaranteed to get you through it. No change on the power score.

What do you get out of expanding your lifespan? I'm not understanding that as anything mechanically superior?

But...it does appear that you do make a number of sacrifices in service of a specific flavor. Not to harp on this, but a curated spell list would surely have helped me understand that flavor better. Regardless, all of those decisions in service of the character's uniqueness were not properly compensated. Add +.5 to originality.

[Thurbane]

So, Mr Chair, we have judging and disputes resolved - ready for the reveal? :smallsmile:

[Inevitability]

Reveal!



Name
Originality
Power
Elegance
UoSI
Total


Bob Bold (Korahir)
3
4.5
5
3.5
16


Kinvig (Thurbane)
3.5
5
5
3
16.5


Sweeping Wind (weckar)
4.5
3
3.5
2.5
13.5



Winner: Thurbane with Kinvig! Congratulations!

[weckar]

I don't think the jury post was edited with the scores post-disputes though. But, it doesn't change the rankings.

Seriously, this was fun - if a little slow :smallsmile:

[DontEvenAsk]

Now that the judging is over, I would post a build stub... except that the very mishap which prevented me from submitting lost me the stub, and it's complicated enough that I forgot the blasted thing.

Character concept was a Glimmerskin Halfling dragon hunter, a mounted archer type. I think I started out with Ranger, then into Stoneblessed (Dwarf), then... either Dragonfire Adept or Sorcerer into Ruathar, don't recall which, and then some Dragon Shaman, and something else I don't recall, and then Dragonrider.

I shared it with friends in a different community once I thought I'd submitted it (ones who literally never come here, don't worry) and they crowned me the God of Multiclassing. :smallamused:

[Thurbane]

My first win! Woohoo! Thanks to the judge, chair, and fellow competitors.

Kinvig was based in a build idea I'd had for a while (without Stoneblessed levels).

Lupin Archivist 6/Ruathar 3/Dragonslayer 1/Hexer 10 - full casting, +16 BAB

...I think this comp still has life left in it, and I'd be up to compete next time one rolls around.

[Inevitability]

That's good to hear.

Does anyone have any suggestions for a future comp? I'm still toying with the Iaijutsu Focus + ??? - Factotum idea...

[Malroth]

Had an idea for a Dragonwroght kobold Dragonfire Initiate who used Stoneblessed (goliath) to qualify for Goliath Barbarian so he could take the wingstorm feat. Diddn't submit because the idea was too much of a 1 trick pony.

[Thurbane]

That's good to hear.

Does anyone have any suggestions for a future comp? I'm still toying with the Iaijutsu Focus + ??? - Factotum idea...

I'd totally be down with Factotumless Iaijutsu, and in fact, have already been working on a build stub. :smalltongue:

[Inevitability]

I'd totally be down with Factotumless Iaijutsu, and in fact, have already been working on a build stub. :smalltongue:

Note to self: make second special ingredient obscure and hard to implement.

[weckar]

Another obscure skill that virtually no class gets? :smalltongue:

[Inevitability]

Another obscure skill that virtually no class gets? :smalltongue:

Lucid Dreaming, perhaps? I foresee many an expert.

Or if I'm feeling particularly evil, Control Shape. :smalltongue:

[daremetoidareyo]

Sleight of hand?
Lucid dreaming?
Hulking hurler?

[Sian]

be very aware that it doesn't turn into a dartboard competition

[weckar]

Yeah that kind of concerns me too. Ideally I think the two ingredients should benefit each other or have obvious synergy, but the forbidden ingredient should either break that combo or remove the obvious path to it...

[Thurbane]

Yeah that kind of concerns me too. Ideally I think the two ingredients should benefit each other or have obvious synergy, but the forbidden ingredient should either break that combo or remove the obvious path to it...

Agreed. I think this comp was great (be a friend to two different races, and not be human) - but if it gets too "hodge podge" it feels a bit directionless.

[weckar]

And just personally I'm still in favor of an alternate judging system to make the back half run a little smoother. The fact that judges have 0 incentive just doesn't work.