Building a sorcerer

[VenomTongue]

I am building a backup character for a Ravenloft campaign. So I need to build a level 7 character and the group lacks an arcanist so...
Currently I am thinking about building a monk 1/ sorcerer 6 with the ascetic mage feat to add my CHA mod to AC in order to make myself a little harder to hit.
Here is the thing, I have never played a monk before. And I am unsure if it's worth it to lose a level of casting for any reason. Also I can't think of any other ways to optimize the build.
If anyone has any suggestions I am ready to listen.

[Tiri]

It's not really worth a level of casting to get Charisma to AC, and even if it was, you can accomplish it without a feat by using Battle Dancer instead of Monk, provided Dragon Compendium is allowed.

Again, though, not really worth it. What kind of a sorcerer do you want to build? Just a caster? Or maybe a gish, since the choice of Monk seems to indicate you want some fighting ability (although if you do Monk realy isn't the way to go).

[Inevitability]

If you want charisma to AC at the cost of one caster level, maybe take a level in the Ghost Template Progression Class? It makes you incorporeal, thereby also giving you charisma to AC.

[Jack_Simth]

If you want charisma to AC at the cost of one caster level, maybe take a level in the Ghost Template Progression Class? It makes you incorporeal, thereby also giving you charisma to AC.
That also changes a rather lot of things about the character. Re-equipping becomes a hassle, it adds a few required feats, and (unless you're using Pathfinder undead mechanics) it has a hefty tendency to make your character considerably more fragile vs. stuff that can hit it.

[Gruftzwerg]

Imho Enlightened Fist is the PRC to go. 8/10 spellcasting progression and progresses monk AC, movement speed bonus & unarmed strike damage. Adds a few theme based abilities which are nice to have.

If you like the idea, maybe consider to switch sorcerer to warlock and go for a clawlock build. Have a look at my Claw of Malar build in my sig if you should be interested in a clawlock build.

[KillingAScarab]

I am building a backup character for a Ravenloft campaign. So I need to build a level 7 character and the group lacks an arcanist so...
Currently I am thinking about building a monk 1/ sorcerer 6 with the ascetic mage feat to add my CHA mod to AC in order to make myself a little harder to hit.
Here is the thing, I have never played a monk before. And I am unsure if it's worth it to lose a level of casting for any reason. Also I can't think of any other ways to optimize the build.
If anyone has any suggestions I am ready to listen.Are Unearthed Arcana and Complete Mage available? Your spells known suffer, but battle sorcerer (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/classes/variantCharacterClasses.htm#sorcererVariantBattleS orcerer) would give you the ability to cast spells with somatic components in light armor, a larger hit die and a high enough base attack bonus to allow you to qualify for abjurant champion at ECL 8 (as well as the martial weapon proficiency needed). Abjurant champion doesn't loose spellcasting ability, lets you add your abjurant champion level to the bonus gained by abjuration spells which grant an AC or shield bonus, and offers an even larger hit die.

[VenomTongue]

So I decided. I am going to Sor5, Mindbender1, Not Sure after that.
The monk thing was neat, but wasn't the character I wanted to build.
I am going Meta-magic specialist then taking Obtain Familiar. Its a nice trick that allows my familiar to scale with all the prestige shenanigans I expect to get up to.
Now I need ideas on what to do next. I am playing an elf, basically because I want to be able to shoot a bow if everything goes to hell.
So now I need to figure out what feats, spells, and familiar to take. Then I have to get gear. 7th level character wealth is 19000 gp, and I can buy no item of higher value than half that.
I am stuck between Incantrix and Fiend-Blooded.
As far as character I am planning to play a young overly confident punk. If you've ever seen Yuri on Ice, I'll be playing a character like the Russian Yuri.

[Inevitability]

So I decided. I am going to Sor5, Mindbender1, Not Sure after that.
The monk thing was neat, but wasn't the character I wanted to build.
I am going Meta-magic specialist then taking Obtain Familiar. Its a nice trick that allows my familiar to scale with all the prestige shenanigans I expect to get up to.
Now I need ideas on what to do next. I am playing an elf, basically because I want to be able to shoot a bow if everything goes to hell.
So now I need to figure out what feats, spells, and familiar to take. Then I have to get gear. 7th level character wealth is 19000 gp, and I can buy no item of higher value than half that.
I am stuck between Incantrix and Fiend-Blooded.
As far as character I am planning to play a young overly confident punk. If you've ever seen Yuri on Ice, I'll be playing a character like the Russian Yuri.

Mindbender is pretty great dip, but I don't recommend continuing in it. Fortunately, that's what you seem to know already.

I really want to recommend star elf (preferably dragonborn), which is one of the few LA-less races that grants a charisma bonus, but apparently they lose their racial weapon proficiencies. Is having a bow to shoot that important? Can't you just take a reserve feat, such as Acidic Splatter?

[VenomTongue]

Because we are doing Ravenloft I am going to drop the whole metamagic specialist thing. I won't get enough bonus feats to make it worth it.
This will free up a feat. So I plan to go standard Elf, Sorcerer 5/ Mindbender 1/ Fiend-blooded (foreseeable future).
I plan on taking Blood Calls to Blood, Eschew Materials (which should just be given to sorcerers), and Craft Wondrous Item, so that I can make magic items at half cost.

I'd like to thank everyone who helped. But now I need ideas for spells and equipment.
Also how does crafting magic items work? I mean I know I spend gold and XP and time, but is there a skill check involved?
Also can anyone think of a way I can cast Siren's Grace?

[Long_shanks]

With a level in Mindbender, don't forget to nab Mindsight (Lords of Madness) for sheer awesomeness.

[Inevitability]

Also can anyone think of a way I can cast Siren's Grace?

The Extra Spell feat is usually interpreted as being able to grant you a spell that's not on your list. You'd need to wait until you can cast 5th-level spells, though. Maybe ask your DM if you can take your 9th-level feat one level later?

[VenomTongue]

So a lot of the things I want to do aren't working out. Is there a sorcerer optimization guide anywhere that focuses on the middle levels?
For example, I was thinking of using the Meta magic specialist ACF but it occurred to me that it's unlikely that I'll accumulate enough metamagic feats for it to matter.
Then I thought about about going for Mage of the Arcane Order, but that means I'll have to get Cooperative Spell, a metamagic feat, and Arcane Prep. Which seems like a lot feats to devote to not getting a whole lot in exchange (as I'll probably only get to level 10 or 11). Then I tried to make an Ultimate Magus but that set me back far enough to make it not worth it.
So suggestions would be super appreciated

[Vizzerdrix]

Metamagic is easaly doable if you have flaws and human or strongheart hafling. If you are careful with prc dipping you can get a bunch too. Even if you only grab heighten and invisable you will get your moneys worth out of metamagic specialest. Sculpt and enervating are also good options. Heighten especialy is important for its ability to keep lower level spells usefull.

If you arent going for mage of the arcane order dont bother with crafting feats. Youll have to waste far too many spells known on item requirements. Ancestrial relic is good if you just want a specific item.

Versatile spellcaster is amazing. Make sure you take it early.

Look into rune staves and a drake helm to help expand your list of spells. Knowstones are good too if you can get dragon magazine allowed.

Finally, the changeling has a casting prc that is very neat. Someone else will have to tell you about it as I am half asleep atm.

[Calthropstu]

Here's how sorcerers don't get hit: Stay away from combat.

To be honest, a 1 level dip into monk is pretty much a wasted level as most sorcerers. Unless you are going melee sorcerer, which is a thing, just hide behind the melee people.

Beef up your hit points and concentration so you can survive a few hits and cast something to escape melee whenever it happens.