Iron Chef Optimisation Challenge in the Playground LXXXIII

[Heliomance]

A dimly-lit library. Rows of bookshelves line the walls, and as the camera slowly pans over them, we see that they are filled with gaming books. From the original brown-cover D&D manuals to the newest fifth edition supplements, we are given a brief but breathtaking history of over four decades of gaming in visual form.

A pair of feet, clad in Converse, appear. The camera pans back to reveal the Chairwoman as she strides out into Optimization Stadium. Slowly, she looks around at the battleground. Rapidly, we are shown shots of the gaming materials here assembled: books, miniatures, maps, dice. The Chairwoman reaches down and picks up a twenty-sided die. She rolls it, then turns to the camera... and smiles.

The camera pulls back from the smile to reveal... the Iron Gamers. Row upon row they stand, clad in the uniform of their trade: t-shirts with fantasy images, buttons with obscure quotes from novels and movies, dice bags at the ready. The shot dissolves into flames and the logo:


Iron Gamer

A montage of the contestants plays, with summaries of their optimization triumphs and achievements. Interspersed are brief interviews. Finally, though, the introductions are over. The contestants stand arrayed before the Chairwoman.

Chairwoman: We unveil the ingredient!

Tense music plays as the pedestal containing the mystery ingredient rises from below. Stacked neatly on the pedestal are copies of Frostburn.

Chairwoman: This month's theme is... Winterhaunt of Iborighu! ALLEZ OPTIMISER!


-----------------------------------------------------------------

Welcome, contestants, judges, and guests to Iron Chef LXIX. Here in Optimisation Colosseum, contestants will endeavour to create an optimized and flavourful character using a specified D&D3.5 prestige class as a "Secret Ingredient".

Contestants: You will need to present a full 20-level build for your entry. Also required is a rundown of how your build works at lower levels, to demonstrate that it is a functional character that could be played from 1-20 in a real game. Traditionally contestants give "snapshots" of tactics and abilities at levels 5, 10, 15, and 20, as well as a "sweet spot" of their choosing that represents what they believe to be the high point of the build. The purpose of these snapshots is not just to showcase your use of the SI, it is to demonstrate that your character is playable at every level. For this reason, it's still worth giving a snapshot before you have entered the SI.

Menu: The "special ingredient" can be drawn from any legal source. Originally, the plan was to mostly use Core and Completes, but that was a long time ago, and we've started running out of interesting classes to use if we restrict ourselves to those.

32 point-buy is the presumed creation method, but we have generally allowed other levels of point-buy.
If you do use a different point-buy, please make your case for its necessity in your entry. Keep in mind that for using exceptionally large or small point-buys may warrant deductions in elegance and/or power.

Kitchen: 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 Elegance 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. Alternate rule systems from UA such as gestalt or Generic Classes are not allowed, as they create a different playing field. Also, item familiars are forbidden because I hate 'em. Please refrain from using Taint unless it's necessary for the Secret Ingredient.
NB: Official Errata and 3.5 updates to 3.0 content are considered valid regardless of whether their sources would otherwise be legal. This includes the 3.5 update of Oriental Adventures given in Dragon Magazine, and the 3.5 updates of Dragonlance Campaign Setting content given in later third party Dragonlance books.

Cooking Time: Contestants will have until 07:59 GMT on Tuesday, Januray 17th, 2017 to create their builds and PM them to the Chairwoman, Heliomance. Please put the name of your build in the subject line of your PM. Builds will then be posted simultaneously, to avoid copying. Judges will have until 07:59 GMT on Tuesday, January 31st, 2017 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.

Judging: Judging will be based on the following criteria, with each build rated on a scale from 1 (very poor) to 5 (exemplary) in each area: Originality, Power, Elegance, Use of Secret Ingredient.

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 could bear a little elaboration. It basically measures how skillfully you put your build together, and whether you sacrificed flavor for 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 considered in poor taste, and judges are asked to take a dim view of this option, taking it into account while grading. Other things that will cause penalties here are excessive multi-classing, and classes that don't fit the concept - using Cloistered Cleric in a front-line melee fighter, for example, will lose you points.Please note the following change: a legal source's relative obscurity should not be considered as penalizing Elegance, excepting the aforementioned issues with Unearthed Arcana. Using too many sources may result in a penalty to Elegance at the judges' discretion, but a book's relative obscurity may not. In that same vein, drawing solely from the Core 3 (and the d20 SRD) should not be punished for lacking Originality.
Presentation: 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!

Due to concerns about standardizing entry format, I'd like everyone to try to 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.
Speculation: Please don't post or speculate on possible builds until the "reveal," in order to avoid spoiling the surprise if a particular competitor is producing a build along those lines.

Leadership is banned; we're producing a meal, not a seven-course banquet for a hundred diners. 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.

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 honourable mention. The honourable mention prize is given to the most daring or unexpected build. Judges, contestants and guests alike are invited to vote for honourable mention via PM. If there are no votes, Honourable Mention will go to the chairwoman's favourite build.

The Builds

Past Competitions

Iron Chef I: Entropomancer (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=142470)
Iron Chef II: Psibond Agent (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=146583)
Iron Chef III: Cancer Mage (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=148584)
Iron Chef IV: Stonelord (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=150595)
Iron Chef V: War Chanter (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=152543)
Iron Chef VI: Master of Masks (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=156876)
Iron Chef VII: Green Star Adept (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=158633)
Iron Chef VIII: Pyrokineticist (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=160266)
Iron Chef IX: Animal Lord (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=162702)
Iron Chef X: Mythic Exemplar (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=164381)
Iron Chef XI: Blade Bravo (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=166539)
Iron Chef XII: War Mind (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=9426386)
Iron Chef XIII: Vigilante (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=172233)
Iron Chef XIV: Seeker of the Song (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=174434)
Iron Chef XV: Drunken Master (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=176049)
Iron Chef XVI: Assassin (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=178202)
Iron Chef XVII: Ardent Dilettante (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=182492)
Iron Chef XVIII: Unseelie Dark Hunter (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=186097)
Iron Chef XIX: Dread Pirate (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=190607)
Iron Chef XX: Incandescent Champion (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=10976416)
Iron Chef XXI: Ghostwalker (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=198921)
Iron Chef XXII: Dervish (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=206576)
Iron Chef XXIII: Divine Crusader (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=210071)
Iron Chef XXIV: Tactical Soldier (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=214198)
Iron Chef XXV: Scion of Tem-Et-Nu (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=217441)
Iron Chef XXVI: Shadowdancer (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=220956)
Iron Chef XXVII: Mindbender (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=224008)
Iron Chef XXVIII: Cryokineticist (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=227304)
Iron Chef XXIX: Consecrated Harrier (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=229688)
Iron Chef XXX: Initiate of Pistis Sophia (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=233346)
Iron Chef XXXI: Shadow Sentinel (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=236908)
Iron Chef XXXII: Temple Raider of Olidammara (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=239786)
Iron Chef XXXIII: Drow Judicator (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=243052)
Iron Chef XXXIV: Dragon Disciple (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=246072)
Iron Chef XXXV: Death Delver (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=249542)
Iron Chef XXXVI: Acolyte of the Skin (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=252923)
Iron Chef XXXVII: Justiciar (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=13865473)
Iron Chef XXXVIII: Hand of the Winged Master (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=255215)
Iron Chef XXXIX: Renegade Mastermaker (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=260333)
Iron Chef XL: Nightsong Infiltrator (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=263173)
Iron Chef XLI: Geomancer (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=266709)
Iron Chef XLII: Shadowblade (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=270196)
Iron Chef XLIII: Bladesinger (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=274122)
Iron Chef XLIV: Urban Soul (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=279116)
Iron Chef XLV: Talon of Tiamat (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=15216595)
Iron Chef XLVI: Cipher Adept (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=287314)
Iron Chef XLVII: Cold Iron Warrior (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=291294)
Iron Chef XLVIII: Shadow Sun Ninja (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=297327)
Iron Chef XLIX: Thrall to Orcus (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=302487)
Iron Chef L: Corrupt Avenger (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=307823)
Iron Chef LI: Black Flame Zealot (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=312773)
Iron Chef LII: Anointed Knight (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=317934)
Iron Chef LIII: Zerth Cenobite (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=325164)
Iron Chef LIV: Osteomancer (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=330890)
Iron Chef LV: Mountebank (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?336373-Iron-Chef-Optimization-Challenge-in-the-Playground-LV)
Iron Chef LVI: Dwarven Defender (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?342807-Iron-Chef-Optimization-Challenge-in-the-Playground-LVI)
Iron Chef LVII: Darkrunner (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?349040-Iron-Chef-Optimization-Challenge-in-the-Playground-LVII)
Iron Chef LVIII: Spellsword (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?357412-Iron-Chef-Optimization-Challenge-in-the-Playground-LVIII)
Iron Chef LIX: Fleet Runner of Ehlonna (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?364667-Iron-Chef-Optimization-Challenge-in-the-Playground-LIX)
Iron Chef LX: Lasher (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?371835-Iron-Chef-Optimisation-Challenge-in-the-Playground-LX)
Iron Chef LX(II): Acolyte of the Ego (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?372145-Iron-Chef-Optimization-Challenge-in-the-Playground-LX)
Iron Chef LXII: Dungeon Lord (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?376810-Iron-Chef-Optimisation-Challenge-in-the-Playground-LXII)
Iron Cheff LXIII: Witchborn Binder (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?382632-Iron-Chef-Optimisation-Challenge-in-the-Playground-LXIII)
Iron Chef LXIV: Slime Lord (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?387166-Iron-Chef-Optimisation-Challenge-in-the-Playground-LXIV)
Iron Chef LXV: Thunder Guide (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?394981-Iron-Chef-Optimisation-Challenge-in-the-Playground-LXV)
Iron Chef LXVI: Dwarven Chanter (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?400810-Iron-Chef-Optimisation-Challenge-in-the-Playground-LXVI)
Irogn Chef LXVII: Gnome Giant Slayer (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?406613-Irogn-Chef-Optimisatiogn-Challegnge-ign-the-Playgrougnd-LXVII)
Iron Chef LXIX: Fang of Lolth (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?412530-Iron-Chef-Optimisation-Challenge-in-the-Playground-LXVIII)
Iron Chef LXIX: Shiba Protector (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?420165-Iron-Chef-Optimisation-Challenge-in-the-Playground-LXIX)
Iron Chef LXX: Order of the Bow Initiate (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?425634-Iron-Chef-Optimisation-Challenge-in-the-Playground-LXX)
Iron Chef LXXI: Silver Key (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?431484-Iron-Chef-Optimisation-Challenge-in-the-Playground-LXXI)
Iron Chef LXXII: Spellfire Channeler (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?439020-Iron-Chef-Optimisation-Challenge-in-the-Playground-LXXII)
Iron Chef LXXIII: Flux Adept (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?448596-Iron-Chef-Optimisation-Challenge-in-the-Playground-LXXIII)
Iron Chef LXXIV: Crinti Shadow Marauder (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?458711-Iron-Chef-Optimisation-Challenge-in-the-Playground-LXXIV)
Iron Chef LXXV: Thief of Life (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?472831-Iron-Chef-Optimisation-Challenge-in-the-Playground-LXXV)
Iron Chef LXXVI: Legacy Champion (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?477153-Iron-Chef-Optimisation-Challenge-in-the-Playground-LXXVI)
Iron Chef LXXVII: Great Rift Skyguard (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?482249-Iron-Chef-Optimisation-Challenge-in-the-Playground-LXXVII)
Iron Chef LXVIII: Risen Martyr (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?487560-Iron-Chef-Optimisation-Challenge-in-the-Playground-LXXVIII)
Iron Chef LXXIX: Black Blood Hunter (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?492923-Iron-Chef-Optimisation-Challenge-in-the-Playground-LXXIX)
Iron Chef LXXX: Master of Many Forms (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?498359-Iron-Chef-Optimisation-Challenge-in-the-Playground-LXXX)
Iron Chef LXXXI: Serene Guardian (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?502666-Iron-Chef-Optimisation-Challenge-in-the-Playground-LXXXI)
Iron Chef LXXXII: Elocator (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?505762-Iron-Chef-Optimisation-Challenge-in-the-Playground-LXXXII)

[Heliomance]

FAQ:
Q: What's this even about?
A: I'm glad you asked, actually... (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=15415117&postcount=1)

Q: Is Dragon Compendium Allowed?
A: Yes (as well as its Errata), but individual issues of Dragon Magazine are not.

Q: What about 3.0 materials?
A: 3.0 materials, whether online or in printed form, are allowed unless they've been officially updated to a 3.5 edition.

Q: Are Dragonlance, Ravenloft, Planescape, Dark Sun, or Kingdoms of Kalamar allowable sources?
A: The Dragonlance Campaign Setting is allowed, but the subsequent books for Dragonlance are considered 3rd party, and are therefore not eligible, despite the "WotC approved" status of those books. The same holds for Oriental Adventures (1st party) and the subsequent Rokugan books (3rd party). Materials from Ravenloft, Planescape, Dark Sun, and Kingdoms of Kalamar are considered 3rd party for purposes of this contest, and are therefore not allowed.

Q: What about online sources in general?
A: If the online source is a) published by WotC, and b) not replaced by an updated version at a later time, it is eligible. Use it, link it.

Q: Where's the line drawn with "acceptable/unacceptable" for Unearthed Arcana? This will likely vary a bit from Chairman to Chairman. Item Familiars and Gestalt have always been verboten, since before IC migrated to GitP; don't expect that to change. Flaws have similarly always been noted as warranting a deduction; while I am Chairman, I'm extending that to Traits, though they warrant 1/2 the penalty in Elegance that a Flaw would because they're roughly 1/2 as useful. Alternate spell systems, alternate skill systems and alternate crafting rules all create an uneven playing field, and as such, will be disallowed for as long as I am Chairman. In a similar vein, LA buyoff and fractional BAB are also disallowed. Bloodlines and the Retraining options presented in the PHB2 are ripe for abuse, and will be strongly discouraged as long as I am Chairman. Note that judges are allowed to look askance at any use of Unearthed Arcana not specifically mentioned above, at their discretion, and otherwise penalize Elegance according to their preference.

Q: What, exactly, does the ban on Leadership mean?
A: As folks have started to try to work around the edges of this one, I'm forced to spell it out more plainly. No Leadership, Draconic Cohort, or Feats that grant a similar ability are allowed EXCEPT Wild Cohort while Heliomance is chairman. Any PrC you choose with Leadership or a Leadership-analog has that ability entirely ignored for this contest, as it may neither be used nor traded away via any means whatsoever.

Q: What's the minimum score in a category?
A: Assuming an entry is legal, the minimum score in any category is 1. If a judge is convinced that an entry is mechanically illegal by the RAW, the judge may give the build a score of 0 in Elegance, and proceed to judge the entry as if the offending material was not included. Failing to meet a special requirement for a prestige class does not merit a 0, but may qualify for a penalty, at the judge's discretion. Because this contest focuses on Player Characters, an entry that is not technically allowed for a PC, but is viable as an NPC, counts as a legal entry, but may receive a minimum score at the judges' discretion.

Q: Creatures and templates with no listed LA are playable, right?
A: No. No listed LA is equivalent to LA: -. It is not suitable for PCs. If you use it, expect judges to look extremely disfavourably on it.

Q: So what's the deal with equipment, anyway?
A: There is no official policy on how much equipment you should list. Historically, judges have frowned upon "item dependent" builds, but unfortunately the definition of that has been applied to mean anything from builds that don't function if you remove one very specific item, to builds that so much as mention a particular weapon. Builds that don't list gear should be assumed to buy useful generics - items to boost their primary stats, cloaks of resistance, appropriate magical weapons and armour, and so forth. If a build would find particular items useful, they should be listed, but experience suggests that the more generic you keep them, the more favourably judges are likely to look upon them, as a build being shut down because the Thundering Bagpipes of Urist McTrumpetbritches were unavailable is considered a weakness. Similarly, requiring items in order to be able to qualify for things tends to be frowned upon.

Q: Do you have any other rules and guidelines on how to judge?
A: We do, actually, designed to try and avoid unpleasantness we've encountered in past contests. The things we've come up with to avoid repeating this are given below.

One Mistake, One Penalty

Judges are only allowed to penalise once for a given mistake. If someone messes up their skills and doesn't qualify for a PrC, ding them as hard as you like. Once. In one category. You don't then get to declare that because they didn't qualify for that PrC, they don't get those levels, and thus don't qualify for anything else. If Ranger is a common ingredient, ding them for Originality. Once. Don't also take off points for Two-Weapon-Fighting being a common ingredient.

Non-exhaustive list of examples:

Skills

Allowed:

Giving a penalty for miscalculating the number of skill points gained
Giving a penalty for not having enough ranks to meet a prerequisite
Increasing the harshness of a skill miscalculation penalty if it affects critical skills including prereqs


Not allowed:

Giving separate penalties for miscalculating skill points and for non-qualification where the non-qualification is solely caused by the miscalculation



Prereqs

Allowed:

Giving a penalty for not meeting prereqs
Scaling the penalty depending on how important the item that the build failed to qualify for is
Giving minimum score in UotSI for not qualifying for the SI
(Trial, may be disallowed later)Not giving credit for (note: not the same as penalising for) tactics using feats or classes other than the SI that were not qualified for (but see below)


Not Allowed:

"Cascading" failures to qualify - declaring that because a build doesn't qualify for a feat, for example, it also doesn't qualify for anything using that feat as a prereq
Treating a build as having fewer levels than it does because of FtQ for classes



Other general things that are no longer allowed:

Penalising because someone has chosen to build a tribute to an existing creative work
Deciding that a backstory has not met a fluff prerequisite well enough, or because its method of meeting it is "unrealistic". You may penalise if a fluff prereq is not addressed at all, but not for how well it is addressed.


Note that these are protections, not licenses. Deliberately taking a feat that you know you don't qualify for hoping to just suck up the judging penalty for a feat that you couldn't normally take is not okay, and may lead to your build being disqualified.

Q: Do you have any contest house rules or clarifications to ambiguous rules?
A: Some that have come up in previous contests and needed answers to:

All creatures are proficient with any natural weapons they may have or acquire.
Bonus feats that are granted even if you do not meet the prerequisites do not require you to meet the prerequisites in order to use.
Able Learner's benefit applies to the level you take it.


Q: Are Christmas themed builds OK for this contest?
A: Absolutely! I was hoping to get this started on Christmas Eve. Sadly, I failed, but that's no reason why you shouldn't consider this the Christmas contest if you want to!

[LordOfCain]

Christmas themed you say....

[Sian]

full caster class? ... really?

[Venger]

Awesome. Down to cook

[Muggins]

full caster class? ... really?
The challenge will probably be in style, not substance. A different method to our madness. :smallwink:

[WhamBamSam]

Well I've got a few ideas. Not sure I'll have enough [redacted] for any of them, but we'll see.

[Sian]

Think I have a cool idea *ba-dum-tish* ... Just have to figure out if it actually work half-way competently

[Troacctid]

Ooh, this is one of my pet classes.


full caster class? ... really?
It's not always full casting!

[Amphetryon]

Winterhaunt? Okay, so. . . . My build is done. :redface:

[danielxcutter]

Full casting PrC? That's a first.

[Sian]

Full casting PrC? That's a first.

well ... Legacy Champion was rather close, being 8/10 :p

[Technetium43]

So uh, how are we handling the item creation prerequisite? Considering that we only have enough XP to hit 20th level (unless infinite crafting is a thing), and crafting an iceheart will necessarily reduce our XP total without resorting to thought bottle/liquid pain cheese.

[Venger]

Full casting PrC? That's a first.
geomancer is full casting

So uh, how are we handling the item creation prerequisite? Considering that we only have enough XP to hit 20th level (unless infinite crafting is a thing), and crafting an iceheart will necessarily reduce our XP total without resorting to thought bottle/liquid pain cheese.

since we're all doing it, can we just ignore it? I don't see the point of putting us all at 19 levels.

[KrimsonNekros]

And so I puz, and I puz, and I'll puzzle some more.

[Virdish]

I may actually cook for this. Not sure if [redacted] will be too obvious but might as well give it a shot. Or possibly [redacted] their [redacted] ability could be really interesting if I can get it to work right. Of course for both of thos I might need to do some fenagling around [redacted] with [redacted]

[Inevitability]

geomancer is full casting

It also requires at least one, probably three levels in a secondary class to enter at all.

[Troacctid]

Dwarven Chanter was a clean full caster.

[Vaz]

full caster class? ... really?

If you can't use the class features outside of I have 9th level spells, good luck. Look at Geomancer for clarification.

[Sian]

If you can't use the class features outside of I have 9th level spells, good luck. Look at Geomancer for clarification.

what I'm slightly concerned about is the opposite ... being punished for not using the "+existing" to land on 9th level spells (both in Power AND UoSI), disregarding that you use most/all of the rest of the class features.

I've seen a number of times people being punished for not squeezing out 9th levels (or perhaps rather, people being overly awarded for doing so), but instead focusing on using the class features together with semi-casters

[danielxcutter]

what I'm slightly concerned about is the opposite ... being punished for not using the "+existing" to land on 9th level spells (both in Power AND UoSI), disregarding that you use most/all of the rest of the class features.

I've seen a number of times people being punished for not squeezing out 9th levels (or perhaps rather, people being overly awarded for doing so), but instead focusing on using the class features together with semi-casters

You mean classes like Bards or Hexblades, right?

[Sian]

You mean classes like Bards or Hexblades, right?

or Duskblades, or Ranger, or Paladin ... anything that doesn't get 9th actually ... or any non-Ur-Priest prestige classes with seperate spell-lists (Ur-priests get hit as well even, if for a lack of originality)

[Zaq]

So we have to craft an Iceheart before we can get in. If you look at the rules for Icehearts, it says only uldras or Winterhaunts can craft them. The fluff section before the PrC says that aspiring Winterhaunts can craft Icehearts even if they aren't uldras, but again, that's the fluff section. (If we treated that section as hard rules, certain things would get even sillier.) Can we please get an official ruling about whether non-uldras can make Icehearts (for the purpose of qualifying for this PrC)?

[Inevitability]

So we have to craft an Iceheart before we can get in. If you look at the rules for Icehearts, it says only uldras or Winterhaunts can craft them. The fluff section before the PrC says that aspiring Winterhaunts can craft Icehearts even if they aren't uldras, but again, that's the fluff section. (If we treated that section as hard rules, certain things would get even sillier.) Can we please get an official ruling about whether non-uldras can make Icehearts (for the purpose of qualifying for this PrC)?

How is the 'aspiring Winterhaunts can craft Icehearts' text not clear? Its location has no bearing on its RAW-ness.

[Sian]

even better


All prospective winterhaunts must first prove their skill to the Frozen King's cult by successfully crafting an iceheart, a magic item capable of maintaining supernatural cold in an area and bestowing resistance to cold upon its owner. Supplicants gain the ability to craft this item, even if they are not Uldras

[Venger]

It also requires at least one, probably three levels in a secondary class to enter at all.

Unless you use southern magician. I chose not to, under the assumption everyone else would do it. No one did.

[KrimsonNekros]

Hmm must have the wheels turning on a build, but having some issues figuring out what to do to finish it.

[Inevitability]

Unless you use southern magician. I chose not to, under the assumption everyone else would do it. No one did.

Still requires a level of the other kind of casting to benefit from the +1 caster level.

[Venger]

Still requires a level of the other kind of casting to benefit from the +1 caster level.

Huh? Southern magician will allow you to cast either kinds of spells.

[Virdish]

Already facing issues with my build. It's just not playing well with the secret ingredient the way I thought it would. Back to the drawing board

[Inevitability]

Huh? Southern magician will allow you to cast either kinds of spells.

Aaaaand here I thought geomancer was a theurge. I apologize for the confusion caused.

[Sian]

Ran into a minor issue with my build, and by trying to fix it I found it heading in a completely different direction :p

[Zaq]

This is definitely going to be an exciting round. This class is damn strong. I don't have any unique ideas yet, but I'm going to keep thinking about it.

The prereqs are, as always, deceptively obnoxious. They're by no means the worst we've ever had (or even necessarily the worst we've had recently), but they're still a little more restrictive than I'd like. Nothing we can't handle, of course.

[The Viscount]

Certainly a challenging ingredient to work with, trying not to let full casting overshadow it. I'm certainly down to try.

[Darrin]

I am having some issues with Coldstrike (Su). Anyone else finding this ability a bit confusing and arbitrary? Notably, let's say I cast the frost weapon spell on a weapon. It's a spell, so it should count for Coldstrike... but not if it actually turns the weapon into an actual frost weapon, which is verboten for Coldstrike. The text of the frost weapon spell includes some wiggle-room, however:



"You imbue a weapon with icy cold, granting it a power similar to the frost special ability."

(emphasis added)

In the interests of pedantry, "similar to" is not the same as granting the actual frost ability. However, rather than relying on semantic nitpickery, I think casting the frost weapon spell here should work for Coldstrike because ultimately the source of the damage is a spell, rather than a weapon property (even if the spell is granting the equivalent of a weapon property).

Similarly, let's say you use Energy Substitution on shocking grasp or blades of fire, the source of the cold damage is still coming from a spell rather than the weapon itself. Likewise, for weaponlike spells, or spells that create actual weapons (Energy Substition with flameblade, let's say), the weapon wouldn't exist if a spell hadn't been cast, so the ultimate source of the cold damage is from a spell.

Maybe I'm overthinking this? I don't want to get too far into speculation, but I also kinda need some of these things nailed down to proceed.

[MisterKaws]

Just something I noticed: could you guys please censor all those instances of [REDACTED]? Mentioning possible builds before the reveal is sort of against the rules of the competition...

[Thurbane]

Since I'm back at work, not sure I'll have the time to compete, but I'll definitely give it a try.

[Venger]

Since I'm back at work, not sure I'll have the time to compete, but I'll definitely give it a try.

Best of luck to you.

[Thurbane]

Was wondering if anyone could help me find an old IC entry (unrelated to this round).

The entry was an ex-Dvati Hellbred, whi managed to being back its twin's "soul" in the form of an intelligent weapon. I thought it was the Legacy CHampion round, but I can't see it there.

[Muggins]

Was wondering if anyone could help me find an old IC entry (unrelated to this round).

The entry was an ex-Dvati Hellbred, whi managed to being back its twin's "soul" in the form of an intelligent weapon. I thought it was the Legacy CHampion round, but I can't see it there.
I remember that one, but I can't seem to find it for the life of me.

Edit: Found it! Jaxa and Jexa Rivensoul (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=16698972&postcount=464), by our esteemed Chairman Heliomance, for Round LII (Anointed Champion).

[Heliomance]

Was wondering if anyone could help me find an old IC entry (unrelated to this round).

The entry was an ex-Dvati Hellbred, whi managed to being back its twin's "soul" in the form of an intelligent weapon. I thought it was the Legacy CHampion round, but I can't see it there.

:smallredface:

It makes me happy that people remember that build well enough to go looking for it. As Muggins said, it is indeed my own Jaxa Rivensoul. I am quite proud of that build, I think it worked really well.

[remetagross]

Nice new avatar, chairwoman :)

Question, though, which was not answered when asked by Darrin: could we have more precision about the Coldstrike ability? Maybe the RAW is actually clear enough to answer, but if it does, I don't find where it hides.

If I use a Magic Missile that I, somehow, converted to deal cold damage, and I spew out 5 missiles; do each of them get the damage bonus or only one of them?

[The Viscount]

All the abilities like this that I've seen that are specific (warmage edge for example) only add once, but I suppose we might as well seek clarification. While we're at it, does coldstrike affect the SLAs of the iceheart itself? I know the class feature doesn't boost magic weapons, but might the effects from this be affected since you made the iceheart with your own winterhaunt power?

On an unrelated note, Winterhaunt of Iborighu is secretly a worse class than it may seem.
In order to enter the class, it requires that you create an Iceheart. If you look at the description, it says you can only make one if you are an Uldra or Winterhaunt of Iborighu. Unless you're an Uldra, the only way to enter this class is to already be in it!
But in seriousness we're going to treat that as meaning "an applicant to be a winterhaunt can make this right before they enter" right?

[Technetium43]

All the abilities like this that I've seen that are specific (warmage edge for example) only add once, but I suppose we might as well seek clarification. While we're at it, does coldstrike affect the SLAs of the iceheart itself? I know the class feature doesn't boost magic weapons, but might the effects from this be affected since you made the iceheart with your own winterhaunt power?

On an unrelated note, Winterhaunt of Iborighu is secretly a worse class than it may seem.
In order to enter the class, it requires that you create an Iceheart. If you look at the description, it says you can only make one if you are an Uldra or Winterhaunt of Iborighu. Unless you're an Uldra, the only way to enter this class is to already be in it!
But in seriousness we're going to treat that as meaning "an applicant to be a winterhaunt can make this right before they enter" right?


All prospective winterhaunts must first prove their skill to the Frozen King’s cult by successfully crafting an iceheart, a magic item capable of maintaining supernatural cold in an area and bestowing resistance to cold upon its owner. Supplicants gain the ability to craft this item, even
if they are not uldras.

From the Winterhaunt of Iborighu section. Yeah it's fluff text, but it does clarify that it's explicitly allowed.

Also look at the wording of, say, Warmage Edge, vs Coldstrike.


Whenever a warmage casts a spell that deals hit point damage, he adds his Intelligence bonus (if any) to the amount of damage dealt.


Starting at 4th level, every time a winterhaunt deals cold damage with a spell, spell-like ability, or supernatural ability (including an uldra's icy touch or a white dragon's breath weapon), he deals an additional 1d6 points of cold damage.

There is a big difference between adding to the spell, and adding to the damage. 'Every time' in the winterhaunt description pretty clearly means every time, at least by my reading.

[Heliomance]

From the Winterhaunt of Iborighu section. Yeah it's fluff text, but it does clarify that it's explicitly allowed.

Also look at the wording of, say, Warmage Edge, vs Coldstrike.





There is a big difference between adding to the spell, and adding to the damage. 'Every time' in the winterhaunt description pretty clearly means every time, at least by my reading.

I'm going to make the same ruling on this that I did with Serene Guardian. Count instances of damage by how many times cold resistance would apply. Coldstrike applies to each instance.

[Darrin]

There is a big difference between adding to the spell, and adding to the damage. 'Every time' in the winterhaunt description pretty clearly means every time, at least by my reading.

Well, it's not precision damage, and it's not identified as a modifier or bonus damage... I'm inclined to say it gets added whenever you damage a separate creature. So magic missile at five separate targets should count as five separate damage events.

What I'm having trouble with is five magic missiles hitting the same target five times. Is that 5x Coldstrike damage? Given the "every time" wording, with no further explication, I'm inclined to say yes.

[danielxcutter]

Might as well ask - will we(the "royal we") be allowed to make icehearts regardless of race due to the "Aspiring Winterhearts can make one" clause, or are we just stuck with uldras? I think that an official statement from the chairwoman would clear this up.

[Troacctid]

I'm going to make the same ruling on this that I did with Serene Guardian. Count instances of damage by how many times cold resistance would apply. Coldstrike applies to each instance.
And of course bear in mind that a weaponlike spell can only apply bonus damage once per round, per RC 136.

(Magic missile is not weaponlike, but still.)

[Darrin]

While we're at it, does coldstrike affect the SLAs of the iceheart itself? I know the class feature doesn't boost magic weapons, but might the effects from this be affected since you made the iceheart with your own winterhaunt power?

I'm inclined to say "No." The iceheart is what's producing the spell effect, not the Winterhaunt:

"On command, a minor iceheart can produce the following effects:"

So, looking at the various magic items... I'd say spell completion works (the user is still considered as casting the spell) but wands/staves don't (the wand/staff produces the spell effect). Command word activated items would be a no. Spell-storing items... this is "iffy". A spell-storing ring allows the wearer to cast the spell, while a spell-storing weapon has the weapon cast the spell. So you may be in "DM's Call" territory there.

I'm going to assume that Coldstrike is not recursive. Otherwise it would do infinite damage, as it is a (Su) ability that deals [cold] damage, invoking itself over and over again.


And of course bear in mind that a weaponlike spell can only apply bonus damage once per round, per RC 136.


Hmm. I'm not sure I agree there. I'd say the "every time" is a specific trumps general exception.

[Troacctid]

Hmm. I'm not sure I agree there. I'd say the "every time" is a specific trumps general exception.
It would have to specifically say something like "even if blah blah blah" in order to be an exception. As written, it just uses more or less the same rules template as any other source of bonus damage. (Sneak attack uses very similar wording, for example.)

[The Viscount]

It would have to specifically say something like "even if blah blah blah" in order to be an exception. As written, it just uses more or less the same rules template as any other source of bonus damage. (Sneak attack uses very similar wording, for example.)

Fortunately we have an answer to this from our chair.


I'm going to make the same ruling on this that I did with Serene Guardian. Count instances of damage by how many times cold resistance would apply. Coldstrike applies to each instance.

I would understand regular magic items and wands not triggering coldstrike, but would the iceheart be grouped in with them since it's magic is derived from a winterheart supplicant?

[Thurbane]

I remember that one, but I can't seem to find it for the life of me.

Edit: Found it! Jaxa and Jexa Rivensoul (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=16698972&postcount=464), by our esteemed Chairman Heliomance, for Round LII (Anointed Champion).

:smallredface:

It makes me happy that people remember that build well enough to go looking for it. As Muggins said, it is indeed my own Jaxa Rivensoul. I am quite proud of that build, I think it worked really well.

The recent Dvati threads got me reminiscing about this character. :smallsmile:

[Muggins]

Unless an idea suddenly strikes me, I think I'm going to be judging this round. Hold onto your britches.

[Grim Reader]

I don't suppose anyone could point me towards an Idiots guide to how to do the tables? A guide written for idiots, not by idiots that is.

[KrimsonNekros]

I don't suppose anyone could point me towards an Idiots guide to how to do the tables? A guide written for idiots, not by idiots that is.

The code for the tables is in the first post. Check the spoilers.

[Darrin]

The code for the tables is in the first post. Check the spoilers.

That only covers the basic build progression. Contestants often like to throw in other tables, particularly for spells, and those often have to be hand-coded.

Everything you need to know about tables:

[table]s in the Playground (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?341034-table-s-in-the-Playground-All-you-want-to-know-about-the-table-code)

If you want to... ahem... "borrow" a table, you can find a post with a similar table, then hit "Reply with Quote", and then cut&paste the table code into a text file somewhere else. This is usually how the Final Reveal/Ranking table gets posted when the round ends.

[The Viscount]

I made the mistake of looking at this classes skill list and cried a little.

Can I say how weird it is that elementals have immunity to poison, but not to disease or nonlethal damage? I guess a body made of ice is only good for so much?

[WhamBamSam]

That is indeed one deeply unfortunate skill list.

[Venger]

I made the mistake of looking at this classes skill list and cried a little.

Can I say how weird it is that elementals have immunity to poison, but not to disease or nonlethal damage? I guess a body made of ice is only good for so much?

That's why germ theory never caught on on Oerth.

[Deadline]

I made the mistake of looking at this classes skill list and cried a little.

The 1/2 BAB progression makes me weep as well. :smallannoyed:

[Inevitability]

The 1/2 BAB progression makes me weep as well. :smallannoyed:

This. For a class where half the challenge is making the class features outshine the casting, they sure make it difficult.

[Korahir]

Since it is so quiet around here, why not start the always fun: "the next ingredient please be..." type of conversation. I'm very much looking forward to a skillmonkeytype prestige class after this round.

[Technetium43]

I actually really wanted Dungeon Delver, but I guess that ship's sailed. :smallfrown:

Other than that, I have some neat ideas for Watch Detective.

[danielxcutter]

I vote for Blackguard.

[Virdish]

How do you experienced builders deal with builds that you know are going to take a penalty in a given category? I've looked at a couple builds and keep running into the same "sure that is unique but you know your gonna take a decent hit in elegence with it." Situation.

[Korahir]

How do you experienced builders deal with builds that you know are going to take a penalty in a given category? I've looked at a couple builds and keep running into the same "sure that is unique but you know your gonna take a decent hit in elegence with it." Situation.

Look for a workaround. If you can't find any, expain what you tried and submit your best version. Just take the penalty. There is no such a thing as a perfect build.

[Muggins]

How do you experienced builders deal with builds that you know are going to take a penalty in a given category? I've looked at a couple builds and keep running into the same "sure that is unique but you know your gonna take a decent hit in elegence with it." Situation.
You weigh up the benefits. Do you think the build will make up in Originality, Power, and UoSI what it loses in Elegance?

If it's worth it, consider doing it. Alternatively, or if it's not worth it, keep tinkering and try to find another way to build it. Back in Round LXXVI I had significant difficulties trying to get all the levels I wanted into the build, qualifying for my prestige classes, and otherwise gaining access to obscure and esoteric spells. In round LVI I had a similar issue, and ended up having to take a dip in Artificer to make my build work at all.

When you've got that many spinning plates to keep track of, it's your choice to either workshop it until the problem goes away or suck it up and take the penalty.

Edit: Korahir speaks truth.

[Troacctid]

There is no such a thing as a perfect build.
Except for my builds, of course, which are always perfect because I am perfect.

[Korahir]

Except for my builds, of course, which are always perfect because I am perfect.

A apologize for my ignorance ;)

[MisterKaws]

How do you experienced builders deal with builds that you know are going to take a penalty in a given category? I've looked at a couple builds and keep running into the same "sure that is unique but you know your gonna take a decent hit in elegence with it." Situation.

I usually just ignore the Elegance score. Can't really make nice builds without going crazy.

[The Viscount]

How do you experienced builders deal with builds that you know are going to take a penalty in a given category? I've looked at a couple builds and keep running into the same "sure that is unique but you know your gonna take a decent hit in elegence with it." Situation.

Focus on what's most important to you, or what your build does best. As mentioned, it's exceptionally rare that a build gets a perfect score, so expect deductions and seek to compensate with your strongest categories. Several times I've made entries that focused on Originality at the cost of other categories, often power. Back in Black Flame Zealot I didn't finish the class because my levels were tied up in Blackguard, but they worked toward a greater clarity of concept, even at the cost of the capstone. I didn't win, but I did medal.

[Virdish]

Thank you all for the advice. I have the basic build outlined now. I think it's turning out decently. Really wish I had more feats to work with though. It would play to the characters focus a bit more if i could just squeeze in the [redacted] feats. Man juggling with these ingredients is actually a lot of fun. I might have to actually try and use this secret ingredient in a real game at some point.

[MisterKaws]

Thank you all for the advice. I have the basic build outlined now. I think it's turning out decently. Really wish I had more feats to work with though. It would play to the characters focus a bit more if i could just squeeze in the [redacted] feats. Man juggling with these ingredients is actually a lot of fun. I might have to actually try and use this secret ingredient in a real game at some point.

Well, if you're dumping Elegance, might as well use [REDACTED] to get your bonus feats, right? Not like the penalty would matter once you're below the minimum. You could also [REDACTED] and get some more, if you're really desperate.

[Thurbane]

My wife is away for the next 5 days, so I'll have a bit of spare time on my hands.

If I don't get an entry in, I should be OK to judge.

[remetagross]

Here is a question, fellow Playgrounders.
Since the OP post specifies that Unearthed Arcana is allowed, does that mean that LA buyoff is? How have builds using LA buyoff traditionally been judged in that regard in the history of IC?

[Vaz]

Judge dependant but usually it risks a hit to Elegance due to the expectation of additional XP to get to level 20 when others have been able to create a build without LA.

[Muggins]

Actually, it turns out that LA buyoff is explicitly banned, though I think that's a recent change.

Q: Where's the line drawn with "acceptable/unacceptable" for Unearthed Arcana?
...
In a similar vein, LA buyoff and fractional BAB are also disallowed.

[remetagross]

Actually, it turns out that LA buyoff is explicitly banned, though I think that's a recent change.

Ok, that's crystal clear. I should have read past the OP :p thanks for your quick answers, Muggins and Vaz.

[Inevitability]

Judge dependant but usually it risks a hit to Elegance due to the expectation of additional XP to get to level 20 when others have been able to create a build without LA.

Fairly sure needing additional XP isn't enough to warrant an elegance penalty on its own. Otherwise meeting the prerequisites is going to be tricky this round. :smalltongue:

[Vaz]

Givne that all others would have recieved the same penalty, it wouldn't make a difference to scores outside the least elegant who already scrape a 1.0 ;)

But I agree it seems petty to penalise for anrequired ingredient when everyone is.

[The Viscount]

Let me ask a silly question.
Why does this class have a prerequisite of a feat that it gives for free at level 6? It's not enough to have regular taxes, they have to be completely useless?

[Korahir]

Let me ask a silly question.
Why does this class have a prerequisite of a feat that it gives for free at level 6? It's not enough to have regular taxes, they have to be completely useless?

Arguably it is not completely useless as you only get it at level 6. It would be utterly pointless if you would get it at level 1.

[Troacctid]

Let me ask a silly question.
Why does this class have a prerequisite of a feat that it gives for free at level 6? It's not enough to have regular taxes, they have to be completely useless?
We must be reading different classes? I don't see where Winterhaunt of Iborighu grants Piercing Cold as a bonus feat.

[Muggins]

Let me ask a silly question.
Why does this class have a prerequisite of a feat that it gives for free at level 6? It's not enough to have regular taxes, they have to be completely useless?
To be fair, the class feature removes the level modifier from Piercing Cold (as the base feat is a +1 to spell level metamagic feat), so it does actually do something.

[Korahir]

We must be reading different classes? I don't see where Winterhaunt of Iborighu grants Piercing Cold as a bonus feat.

I think if it wasn't a prerequisite this would be another case of very badly worded RAW. Thank god this it isn't the case here because I just realized that your interpretation and that of Viscount both seem plausible to me.

[Heliomance]

So with one day left, I only have two entries. Cutting it a little fine, aren't y'all?

[Thurbane]

I gave some thought to an entry, but I honestly couldn't make anything I considered worthwhile entering. I couldn't think of a single combo that made decent use of the SI, or stood out from the crowd.

[Grim Reader]

Me neither. I had a nice and original start that I had considered for the " 4 horsemen" villain builds, but it just didn't go anywhere. Not enough synergy.

[Inevitability]

I took a good look at the prerequisites and realized actually entering was going to be one hell of a tough job on its own. Combine that with a total lack of any functional ideas to actually use the class features and I decided to just sit this one out.

[WhamBamSam]

I actually have just been procrastinating. I'm really going to try to finish on time.

[Sian]

completely forgot everything about it :S

[The Viscount]

To be fair, the class feature removes the level modifier from Piercing Cold (as the base feat is a +1 to spell level metamagic feat), so it does actually do something.

Yes I understand that it does actually do something by removing the cost, and it's not technically granting the feat itself. That being said, I'm comparing it to classes like Suel Arcanamach which auto-extends, or Radiant Servant of Pelor which auto-empowers, in these examples without cost. I'm asking why it makes us buy something it was already going to give to us.


So with one day left, I only have two entries. Cutting it a little fine, aren't y'all?

I'm still working, I just need that looming deadline to make me work. We're living on the edge!

[Inevitability]

I'm still working, I just need that looming deadline to make me work. We're living on the edge!

Relevant quote. (http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/47832-to-achieve-great-things-two-things-are-needed-a-plan)

[Technetium43]

I have a build that I actually really like, and made it work, but can't actually get the fluff to work out. I just have nothing to work with as far as inspiration.

[KrimsonNekros]

So with one day left, I only have two entries. Cutting it a little fine, aren't y'all?

I got hit with work over the weekend. Hopefully I can get all this done in time.

[daremetoidareyo]

I have a build that I actually really like, and made it work, but can't actually get the fluff to work out. I just have nothing to work with as far as inspiration.

As a DM, how would you harass your pcs with your dude?

[Amphetryon]

Build submitted.

[remetagross]

Same as many others, those three entry feats are really cumbersome...I had two neat ideas, but I couldn't make any of those work properly, unless I used either cheese or a completely uninteresting way to enter.

[Virdish]

I feel like I have a compelling build but still having trouble getting the pieces to fit together properly. Or at least in a way that is more synergistic then what I have now. I feel like I'm actually using the SI pretty well but those darn feat taxes are horrendously clunky on the build.

[Thurbane]

Still hoping I have enough time to spare to judge.

[The Viscount]

And it's in. Who cares about sleep? Living on the edge, baby! I care about sleep and will pay for this tomorrow.

[Virdish]

Couldn't get it in on time. The practice was good though maybe I'll be able to get something together in the future.

[Muggins]

Spoilers.
Don't get too excited, buddy. Save the speculation for after the reveal.

[Virdish]

Don't get too excited, buddy. Save the speculation for after the reveal.

Sorry about that. I have removed the offending speculation.

[Mage keeper]

I vote for shadowspy from complete champion for the next challenge,it woul be fun

[Heliomance]

I've had a couple of requests to extend the deadline until tomorrow, so there's still time to sneak in under the wire!

[Heliomance]

Right, let's get this snow on the road.
See what I did there?



Ashhearth - the Innkeeper

Squire Arnold Friedvoll is one of the most promising prospects of the Paladin college. In his final exam on knowledge (religion) he was given the task to gather information on a high ranking member of the church of Iborighu. Here is his written answer, which was graded with an A++:
The church of Iborighu acts in plain sight of anyone entering the frostfell. Most common followers are Uldras, fey creatures who enjoy the frostfell and are exceptional in tune with nature. The main book used in the education of Cold Iron Warriors: "Slaying fey - The Cold Iron Way" by Tarivol Liadon mentions Uldras as mostly evil and lists their natural enemies the rimefire eidolons and rimefire witches of the church of Hleid as possible allies. Reading up on these possible allies I stumbled across the notes of Roywin Folkor.
Roywin Folkor is a crusader of great renounce. In his book "Purifying the remote lands of the north" a necromancer named Ashhearth is mentioned as an exceptional opponent who not only eluded his judgement but killed two of his comrades. On page 35 he writes: "His mastery of necromancy and frost magic surprised our party and only those without fear should try to confront this despicable abomination. Immune to both fire and ice and a lot harder to kill than one would expect, we were not prepared enough to face him and his army of undead."
A search of Ashhearth in the great library revealed the following:
Boddynock Scheren's guide "Good Inns run by gnomes all over the world" is the ultimate source for gnomish adventurers seeking fellow folk in the remote places of the world. The book even has a section on the frostfell. It reads:
"To my knowledge there is only one Inn run by a gnome in the whole frostfell. It is called "The Icy Heart and The Fiery Tongue" and is run by a fiery brother out of Dothion called Ashhearth. He never told me his real name and my instinct tells me he might not even know it. What you should expect: A fire burning in the hearth, spicy food and not many customers. Ashhearth is not a real cook but his food is warm and decent enough. He caters quite a broad variety of alcoholic beverages and likes to consume them himself too, which may loosen his tongue from time to time. The Inn is aptly named as his heart has really turned to ice and I cannot blame the fellow at all for all he horrible things he already suffered. The name of the Inn is also a reference to his parents but he mentioned it once while drinking and he wouldn't speak about it ever again. What I can tell for sure: Ashhearth hates Hleid with a burning fever and he is definitely not a caring or loving innkeeper. He takes money for his services. So your well being relies on you having coin. If you can't pay, you are not served. The most important services Ashhearth offers is a small selection of magic items and protection. I managed to retrieve a lot of information by giving a lot of money to the church of Iborighu which Ashhearth is a priest of. He unraveled many mysteries of frostfell monsters to me and thereby greatly helped me in safely returning home."
Follow up searches on the name of the inn only narrowed down its estimated location but I couldn't find any more details. I cross-referenced the estimated location of the inn with some maps of shattered crusades and it turns out a total of three crusades were defeated in that area, among the casualties high decorated and praised individuals such as Brann "Bronzeaxe" Ungart, Euphemia Brushgather and the most recent Konrad Sprung - "The Knight of the Four roken Wheels".
Looking through all notes I gathered I can tell the following:
Ashhearth is a fire gnome living in the frostfell serving as a priest of Iborighu. If he is an actual Innkeeper or just uses "The Icy Heart and The Fiery Tongue" as a front is not really relevant but it helps tracking him down. He is a powerful necromancer, capable of wielding powerful frost magic and seemingly immune to both fire and ice while commanding undead monstrosities to fight with him. He wields a Scythe in melee, a longbow in ranged combat, though rarely uses either. The exact nature of his corruption is unknown but it is highly likely that he is also an undead himself. If encountered, I'd advise extreme precaution.



Race: Fire Gnome (Planar Handbook p. 125)
Alignment: Chaotic Evil
Patron Deity: Iborighu
Class Levels:
Dread Necromancer 8 (Heroes of Horror p. 84)
Cloistered Cleric 1 (champion variant: UA p. 58, swapping all domains for devotion feats: complete champion p. 53)
Winterhaunt of Iborighu 10
HP: 8d6+1d6+10d8+20

Attributes:



Attribute
Point buy
Racial
Total


Str
12
-2
10


Dex
14
-
14


Con
11
+2
13


Int
14
-
14


Wis
11
-
11


Cha
16
-
16



All level up increases go into Cha.




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


1st
Fire Gnome
-
-
-
-
-
-
+1 LA


2nd
Dread Necromancer
+0
+0
+0
+2
Concentration 4, Intimidate 4, Knowledge (arcana) 4, Spellcraft 4
Tomb-tainted Soul
Charnel touch, rebuke undead


3rd
Cloistered Cleric (champion variant UA p. 58)
+0
+2
+0
+4
Concentration 5, Intimidate 4, Knowledge (arcana) 4, Knowledge (religion) 4, Spellcraft 5
Knowledge devotionB (knowledge (nature), Death devotionB, Water devotionB
Lore, Smite good 1/day, Aura of courage


4th
Dread Necromancer
+1
+2
+0
+5
Concentration 6, Intimidate 5, Knowledge (arcana) 4, Knowledge (religion) 5, Spellcraft 6
Chosen of Iborighu
Lich body DR 2


5th
Dread Necromancer
+1
+3
+1
+5
Concentration 7, Intimidate 6, Knowledge (arcana) 4, Knowledge (religion) 6, Spellcraft 7
-
Negative energy burst 1/day


6th
Dread Necromancer
+2
+3
+1
+6
Concentration 8, Intimidate 7, Knowledge (arcana) 4, Knowledge (religion) 7, Spellcraft 8
-
Advanced learning (Kelgore's Grave Mist), mental bastion +2


7th
Dread Necromancer
+2
+3
+1
+6
Concentration 9, Intimidate 8, Knowledge (arcana) 4, Knowledge (religion) 8, Spellcraft 9
Craft wondrous item
Fear aura


8th
Dread Necromancer
+3
+4
+2
+7
Concentration 10, Intimidate 8, Knowledge (arcana) 4, Knowledge (religion) 8, Spellcraft 10, Skill trick: Never outnumbered

Scabrous touch 1/day


9th
Dread Necromancer
+3
+4
+2
+7
Concentration 11, Intimidate 9, Knowledge (arcana) 5, Knowledge (religion) 8, Spellcraft 11, Skill trick: Never outnumbered

Lich body DR 4, summon familiar


10th
Dread Necromancer
+4
+4
+2
+8
Concentration 12, Intimidate 11, Knowledge (arcana) 5, Knowledge (religion) 8, Spellcraft 12, Skill trick: Never outnumbered
Piercing Cold
Advanced learning (Shivering touch), negative energy burst 2/day, undead mastery


11th
The Winterhaunt of Iborighu
+4
+6
+2
+10
Concentration 13, Intimidate 13, Knowledge (arcana) 5, Knowledge (religion) 8, Spellcraft 13, Skill trick: Never outnumbered
-
Cloak of winter’s chill


12th
The Winterhaunt of Iborighu
+5
+7
+2
+11
Concentration 14, Intimidate 14, Knowledge (arcana) 5, Knowledge (nature) 1, Knowledge (religion) 8, Spellcraft 14, Skill trick: Never outnumbered
-
Resistance to cold 5


13th
The Winterhaunt of Iborighu
+5
+7
+3
+11
Concentration 14, Intimidate 15, Knowledge (arcana) 5, Knowledge (nature) 1, Knowledge (religion) 8, Spellcraft 15, Skill trick: Never outnumbered, Collector of stories
Imperious Command
Frozen skin


14th
The Winterhaunt of Iborighu
+6
+8
+3
+12
Concentration 15, Intimidate 16, Knowledge (arcana) 5, Knowledge (nature) 2, Knowledge (religion) 8, Spellcraft 16, Skill trick: Never outnumbered, Collector of stories
-
Coldstrike +1d6


15th
The Winterhaunt of Iborighu
+6
+8
+3
+12
Concentration 16, Intimidate 17, Knowledge (arcana) 5, Knowledge (nature) 3, Knowledge (religion) 8, Spellcraft 17, Skill trick: Never outnumbered, Collector of stories
-
Resistance to cold 10


16th
The Winterhaunt of Iborighu
+7
+9
+4
+13
Concentration 17, Intimidate 18, Knowledge (arcana) 5, Knowledge (nature) 4, Knowledge (religion) 8, Spellcraft 18, Skill trick: Never outnumbered, Collector of stories
Fell Drain
Constant Piercing Cold


17th
The Winterhaunt of Iborighu
+7
+9
+4
+13
Concentration 18, Intimidate 19, Knowledge (arcana) 5, Knowledge (nature) 5, Knowledge (religion) 8, Spellcraft 19, Skill trick: Never outnumbered, Collector of stories
-
Cold subtype


18th
The Winterhaunt of Iborighu
+8
+10
+3
+14
Concentration 19, Intimidate 20, Knowledge (arcana) 5, Knowledge (nature) 6, Knowledge (religion) 8, Spellcraft 20, Skill trick: Never outnumbered, Collector of stories
-
Coldstrike +2d6


19th
The Winterhaunt of Iborighu
+8
+10
+4
+14
Concentration 20, Intimidate 21, Knowledge (arcana) 5, Knowledge (nature) 7, Knowledge (religion) 8, Spellcraft 21, Skill trick: Never outnumbered, Collector of stories
Craft Wand
Summon the entombed


20th
The Winterhaunt of Iborighu
+9
+11
+4
+15
Concentration 21, Intimidate 22, Knowledge (arcana) 5, Knowledge (nature) 8, Knowledge (religion) 8, Spellcraft 22, Skill trick: Never outnumbered, Collector of stories
-
Wintry apotheosis





Cleric
Usually prepared:
0: Detect Magic, Read Magic, Create Water
1: Protection from Good

Dread Necromancer:



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


1
-










2
3










3
3










4
4










5
5










6
6
3









7
6
4









8
6
5
3








9
6
6
4








10
6
6
5
3







11
6
6
6
4







12
6
6
6
5
3






13
6
6
6
6
4






14
6
6
6
6
5
3





15
6
6
6
6
6
4





16
6
6
6
6
6
5
3




17
6
6
6
6
6
6
4




18
6
6
6
6
6
6
5
3



19
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
4



20
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
5
3




Spells known: All spells listed in the dread necromancer spell list + Kelgore's Grave Mist and Shivering Touch


Class selection:
Why Dread Necromancer?
It fits thematically as Iborighu's follower are described as "necromancers and vile cultists". It has full Cha synergy, gets to 9th level spells, has Intimidate as a class skill as well as all skill preqs needed for winterhaunt and it has the same weird "I could melee but low BAB almost makes this impossible" charm of a chassis as winterhaunt has. Being able to wear light armor while casting also was a strong point. And Kelgore's Grave Mist. You'll see why later.
Why not Sorcerer?
Just google your favourite Cold magic master of the week. I don't want to downtalk any other entries but winterhaunt is a regular recommendation when it comes to "freeze mage" or "frost mage". I won't link any threads. My fault is probably choosing Originality over power. I think we will only see sorcerers this round that will try to do crazy amounts of damage while applying debuffs. Also optimizing a Tier 1 is like decorating your favourite food with sprinkles of yummy sauce.
Why not....?
I also fooled around with bards and warlocks. The first lacks intimidate and I didn't want to spend a feat on that and not progressing bardic music is never a good thing. Warlock would work great (hellrime blast, evards chilling tentalcles) if it weren't for piercing cold being a complete waste of a feat. Ranger, Paladins were out because of the low BAB of Winterhaunt.
Race selection:
Fire Gnome is a staple when it comes to creatures with Fire immunity. Having the inherent Fire immunity and the Cold Subtype (at ECL 17) makes me immune to both and cancels each others weakness. I am pretty sure the final type at ECL 20 would be: Elemental (gnome, extraplanar, evil, cold). The extraplanar is what I am not so sure about. Also I wanted a small character for increased AC and the To-hit bonus although it hurts Intimidate.
The cleric dip:
It just is too perfect regarding chosen of Iborighu erasing multiclass penalty worries. Because dread necromancer already gives rebuke undead, I traded it away for Smite Good and a small buff aura which is probably not relevant but adds another immunity: fear and that may be worth more than one more "level" of Rebuke. The devotion feats: Death is great because all you need is hit and possibly bestow a negative level. Cold domian is swapped for Water devotion via the equivalency option in Complete Champion. If your DM disagrees, just pick Chaos or War Devotion. It is not the biggest of losses. I don't think i have to write about Knowledge devotion in general. Knowledge (nature) is solely picked because rimefire eidolons are fey. In the long run, the cleric dip also enables crafting of wondrous items with 1st level divine spell requirements.
Wait.. how do you craft a minor iceheart?
DMG p.215: Ashhearth and one or more other Follower of Iborighu cooperate on crafting the iceheart. Ashhearth is designated as the crafter, the others provide the spells. I think it is reasonable to assume that this is no problem given Ashhearth's potential and clearly bearing the sign of Iborighu in his eye.

ECL 5 snapshot:
This is is the troubling area. The dip hurts casting progression (still 1st level 1 only). So we use what we can: For melee we use any simple weapon w like, in ranged we use a Longbow. Proficiency with this weapon is given by Dread necromancer which let's us choose one martial weapon of our liking to bestow negative levels. Winterhaunt provides us with proficiency with the scythe later. Main source of discomfort for enemies is of course our spellcasting ability. In between debuffing (Ray of enfeeblement, cause fear, Gaze of Chosen of Iborighu) and some minionmancy (summon undead I, water devotion) we can heal ourselves endlessly (tomb tainted soul) or harm enemies in melee with charnel touch. You can also fall back to the Fire Gnomes SLA's if you are really in trouble.
ECL 10 snapshot:
Initially I entered Winterhaunt earlier but Tomb tainted soul is too good and too important to delay it so given my feat situation I decided to progress Dread Necromancer. Picking up a prestige class was never intended as Dread Necromancer 8 is a great break point (although there are voices against it).
ECL 6: Kelgore's grave mist should renamed into Iborighu's grave mist. You'll see later why. To start: If you fail your save and are fatigued, you turn into an excellent target for the gaze of Iborighu possibly escalating your fatigue to exhaustion although this might be a poor use of your standard action. Shivering touch is a natural staple and is better than pretty much anything I could have picked up by delaying the 8th level in dread necromancer. Fear aura and Intimidate with never outnumbered should work decently against hordes of enemies. Bigger opponents will probably have troubles with your arsenal of debuffs (Shivering touch, an Imp delivering touch spells or scabrous touch, Enervation, Black Tentacles, Blindness/Deafness, and spectral Hand helps of course). At ECL 10 Animate dead will eat into your budget so think wisely about what you want to animate. Common recommendation is a flying mount. Also take into consideration that you have to craft a minor iceheart costing 12.000 GP eating up one quarter of your funds. A possible GP income may be creating wondrous items (i.e.: robe of bones, pipes of haunting, .
ECL 15 snapshot:
Boy do we add icing to the cake of death: Cloak of winter's chill helps Intimidate, Rebuke attempts, convincing called creatures via planar binding and fuels the other class features of the winterhaunt. Resistance of cold is of course excellent given the cold vulnerability. Frozen skin is a nice addition to AC and may surprise people just as much as Lich body, which i never mentioned before. Finally I have a slot for Imperious Command. Coldstrike buffs our bread and butter AoE Spell Kelgore's Grave Mist. Fear: Invest in a fearsome armor (DotU version) and pull off the never outnumbered Imperious Command intimidate combo as a move action (powered up by cloak of winter's chill). Then use a simple fear spell to escalate and finish off cowering targets with your scythe enhanced with death devotion and sudden stunning (DMG II) enhancement should be a given since it targets Reflex and is based of Cha.
ECL 20 snapshot:
At ECL 16 Constant piercing cold adds again to Kelgore's Grave Mist. Fell drain: Kelgore's Grave Mist with Fell drain tacked on seems alright. Who doesn't like an AoE 4d6 Cold damage spell that ignores cold immunity and bestows a negative level and if you don't make your save you are fatigued? ECL 17: Cold immunity. Have already talked about it. ECL 18: Coldstrike upgrade. ECL 19: Summon entombed is okay. You probably have better undead minions but it is free and you
can bolster it further. Feat selection: I thought about Energy substitution or snow casting but neither help out too much (energy substitution has too little targets on the dread necromancers spell list). Craft wand on the other hand gives me a lot of options to produce wands I can sell and produce CLW Wands for living party members. ECL 20: The elemental type is one of the things people abuse to little in my opinion. You can basically coat your whole home with poison and fill the air with poisonous gas too. I thought about levels in Craft (poisonmaking) to be able to craft poison myself but at ECL 20 where GP tend to not matter too much anymore and not having enough skill points at all I dropped the idea.

[Heliomance]

We all know frogs go shatter when you freeze them...



Bonfrag
CE Necropolitan Mulan Human Dread Necromancer 8/Winterhaunt of Iborighu 9/Wyrm Wizard 3
Base Stats: STR 10 DEX 12 CON 10 INT 14 WIS 13 CHA 17
Bonus languages from INT: Draconic, Infernal. Boost CHA every 4th level.

Young Bonfrag picked up the frog he had found buried in the snowdrift by his home in Vaasa. It was stiff from the cold, with no sign of life. As he cupped the icy body of the frog in his mittens, Bonfrag breathed warm air on it, experimentally. After a few minutes, the frog twitched one of its hind legs. Soon, Bonfrag had a fully alert frog in his hands; he let it go on the steps of his hut and watched it hop beneath the foundation, near the chimney.

“Mother, why does Iborighu’s touch kill some things, but not others? Why did that frog survive the cold and snow, when the kitten died in last week’s snowstorm?” he asked, looking up to her brown eyes. “You know magic, so you’re smart. You must know!”

“I’m sorry, Bonnie, but questions of death are outside my magic’s general area. Mine are transformative magics, not healing or killing, remember? Ask your father when he comes home. As a Cleric of Iborighu, he might have an answer for you.”

Bonfrag nodded dejectedly. When his father arrived, Bonfrag repeated his question.

“Such a serious question for one your age, Bonnie!” his father said, laughing and hoisting the slight young man up by his armpits. “Iborighu chooses who lives and dies by his own whims. He has needs and wants far beyond what any of us mortals can grasp, and acts as he sees fit to take or preserve with the cold. He reaches from across the planes, holding some long enough to kill, while letting others go before that time. He chose me as a young man, to travel from Chessentha to learn his message here; I did not question the call. That’s the best answer I can give you, my son.”

“But that can’t be the whole answer! It must be more than that, and if neither of you knows it, I will find out myself!”

Bonfrag became obsessed with finding the point where the cold stopped preserving life and started taking it. He learned all he could on the subject from his mother’s spellbooks and his father’s religious texts, but was unsatisfied. Eventually, he talked his way into a sort of apprenticeship with a travelling Dread Necromancer from the south named Hrappr. Bonfrag impressed Hrappr both with his aptitude, and his complete lack of compunction about inflicting suffering in the name of his magical studies. Further, Bonfrag’s magical heritage allowed him to consider spells and magic from angles Hrappr never even conceived. He didn’t exclude himself from the suffering he inflicted, and Bonfrag ended up needing the Ritual of Crucimigration to continue his quest.

Eventually, Bonfrag set off on his own, first immersing himself in Iborighu’s frozen world, before seeking advice from the great White Wyrm to the south of Halruaa. Wherever he travelled, the icy fingers of death followed. . . .



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


1st
Dread Necromancer 1 (HoH 84) 1
+0
+0
+0
+2
Bluff 2, Concentration 4, Disguise 2, Knowledge (Arcana) 4, Knowledge (Religion) 4, Intimidate 2, Spellcraft 2
Chosen of Iborighu (Fr 47), (Human Bonus) Piercing Cold (Fr 49), (DN Bonus) Martial Weapon Proficiency: Longbow (PHb 97)
Charnel Touch, Rebuke Undead, Spells


2nd
Dread Necromancer 2
+1
+0
+0
+3
Bluff 3, Concentration 5, Knowledge (Arcana) 5, Knowledge (Religion) 5, Spellcraft 3
-
Lich Body (DR 2/Bludgeoning & Magic), +1 caster level


3rd
Dread Necromancer 3
+1
+1
+1
+3
Concentration 6, Intimidate 3, Knowledge (Arcana) 6, Knowledge(Religion) 6, Spellcraft 4
Craft Wondrous Item (PHb 92)
Negative Energy Burst 1/Day, +1 caster level


4th
Dread Necromancer 4
+2
+1
+1
+4
Concentration 7, Disguise 3, Knowledge (Arcana) 7, Knowledge (Religion) 7, Spellcraft 5
-
Advanced Learning: Kelgore’s Grave Mist (PH2 117), Mental Bastion +2, +1 caster level


5th
Dread Necromancer 5
+2
+1
+1
+4
Bluff 4, Concentration 8, Knowledge (Arcana) 8, Knowledge (Religion) 8, Spellcraft 6
-
Fear Aura, +1 caster level


6th
Dread Necromancer 6
+3
+2
+2
+5
Concentration 9, Intimidate 4, Knowledge (Arcana) 9, Knowledge (Religion) 9, Spellcraft 7
Southern Magician (RoF 168)
Scabrous Touch 1/Day, +1 caster level


7th
Dread Necromancer 7
+3
+2
+2
+5
Concentration 10, Disguise 4, Knowledge (Arcana) 10, Knowledge (Religion) 10, Spellcraft 8
-
Lich Body (DR 4 Bludgeoning and Magic), Summon Familiar (Vargouille), +1 caster level


8th
Dread Necromancer 8
+4
+2
+2
+6
Bluff 5, Concentration 11, Knowledge (Arcana) 11, Knowledge (Religion) 11, Spellcraft 9
-
Advanced Learning: Undead Lieutenant (SpC 226), Negative Energy Burst 2/Day, Undead Mastery, +1 caster level


9th
Winterhaunt of Iborighu 1 (Fr 72)
+4
+4
+2
+8
Concentration 12, Knowledge (Arcana) 12, Knowledge (Religion) 12, Knowledge (the Planes) 1.0
Arcane Preparation (CArc 73), (WoI Bonus) Martial Weapon Proficiency: Scythe (PHb 97)
Cloak of Winter’s Chill, +1 level of existing class


10th
Winterhaunt of Iborighu 2
+5
+5
+2
+9
Concentration 13, Knowledge (the Planes) 2.0, Spellcraft 11
-
Resistance to Cold 5, +1 level of existing class


11th
Winterhaunt of Iborighu 3
+5
+5
+3
+9
Concentration 14, Knowledge (Arcana) 13, Knowledge (the Planes) 3.0, Spellcraft 12
-
Frozen Skin, +1 level of existing class


12th
Winterhaunt of Iborighu 4
+6
+6
+3
+10
Concentration 15, Knowledge (the Planes) 5.0
Arcane Disciple: War (CD 79)
Coldstrike +1d6, +1 level of existing class


13th
Winterhaunt of Iborighu 5
+6
+6
+3
+10
Concentration 16, Knowledge (Arcana) 14, Knowledge (Religion) 13, Knowledge (the Planes) 6.0
-
Resistance to Cold 10, + 1 level of existing class


14th
Winterhaunt of Iborighu 6
+7
+7
+4
+11
Concentration 17, Knowledge (Arcana) 15, Knowledge (Religion) 14, Knowledge (the Planes) 7.0
-
Constant Piercing Cold, +1 level of existing class


15th
Winterhaunt of Iborighu 7
+7
+7
+4
+11
Concentration 18, Knowledge (Arcana) 16, Knowledge (Religion) 15, Knowledge (the Planes) 8.0
Energy Substitution: Cold (CAr 79)
Cold Subtype, +1 level of existing class


16th
Winterhaunt of Iborighu 8
+8
+8
+5
+12
Concentration 19, Knowledge (Arcana) 17,Knowledge (Religion) 16, Knowledge (the Planes) 9.0
-
Coldstrike +2d6, +1 level of existing class


17th
Winterhaunt of Iborighu 9
+8
+8
+5
+12
Concentration 20, Knowledge (Arcana) 18, Knowledge (Religion) 18, Spellcraft 13
-
Summon the Entombed, +1 level of existing class


18th
Wyrm Wizard 1 (DrM 55)
+8
+8
+5
+14
Bluff 6, Concentration 21, Knowledge (Arcana) 20, Knowledge (Religion) 20, Knowledge (the Planes) 10
Lord of the Uttercold (CAr 80)
Knowledge of the Wyrm, +1 level of existing arcane caster class


19th
Wyrm Wizard 2
+9
+8
+5
+15
Concentration 22, Disguise 6, Knowledge (Arcana) 22, Knowledge (Religion) 22, Knowledge (the Planes) 11
-
Spell Research: Frostfell (Fr 93)


20th
Wyrm Wizard 3
+9
+9
+6
+15
Concentration 23, Intimidate 6, Knowledge (Arcana) 23, Knowledge (Religion) 23, Knowledge (the Planes 12, Spellcraft 15
-
Draconic Discovery (2nd), +1 level of existing arcane caster class



Spells per Day/Spells Known
Spells per Day/Spells Known


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


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


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


3rd
-
5
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-


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


5th
-
6
4
-
-
-
-
-
-
-


6th
-
6
5
3
-
-
-
-
-
-


7th
-
6
6
4
-
-
-
-
-
-


8th
-
6
6
5
3
-
-
-
-
-


9th
-
6
6
6
4
-
-
-
-
-


10th
-
6
6
6
5
3
-
-
-
-


11th
-
6
6
6
6
4
-
-
-
-


12th
-
6
6
6
6
5
3
-
-
-


13th
-
6
6
6
6
6
4
-
-
-


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


15th
-
6
6
6
6
6
6
4
-
-


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


17th
-
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
4
-


18th
-
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
5
3


19th
-
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
5
3


20th
-
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
4


The table never indicates bonus Spells from CHA, as this can change unpredictably within a campaign, or even a single session.


Bonfrag starts his adventuring career in Studded Leather armor, with a Longbow, a Dagger, and an axe handle he uses as a Club. To an outside observer, he appears to be a Rogue/Scout type, rather than the party’s Arcane caster, before combat. In combat, he opens with Bane against multiple opponents, and Chill Touch against a single enemy, with Summon Undead I as an option given sufficient notice before engaging the enemy. Chosen of Iborighu gives him a CHA-based Gaze attack. The versatility of the Dread Necromancer’s casting mechanics keeps him from being limited to these three spells, of course. Enemies that get too close to him have to deal with Charnel Touch.

He has the social skills and raw CHA to be a decent secondary Face, even without investing in Diplomacy, while also showcasing enough expertise in Knowledge Arcana, Knowledge Religion, and Spellcraft. Rebuke Undead is another obviously useful tool in his kit, allowing him to function smoothly in a variety of situations. He is not the strongest or the sturdiest, even for filling the Arcane role, but he’s not unnecessarily fragile by any means.
By 5th level, Bonfrag has DR, a Fear aura, and False Life as buffers propping up the low CON score he carried through his first 4 levels. Not satisfied with this, he undergoes the ritual of crucimigration in order to bolster his defenses - gaining HP, unlimited out-of-combat healing for himself, and a slew of immunities - in exchange for taking longer to get through 5th level. Negative Energy Burst is a useful way of damaging a crowd at once, or providing some healing to all of his nearby Undead minions within its radius (and himself).With Craft Wondrous Item, he parlays his Spell list into always-on benefits for those able to meet his standards… or his prices. Mental Bastion is nice, but largely superfluous due to the Necropolitan template. Kelgore’s Grave Mist gives him an AoE debuff that delivers the Cold damage that fascinates him so. Conveniently, his Undead minions are immune to this, bolstering their role as supplemental melee.

He continues his studies of Concentration, Knowledge Arcana, Knowledge Religion, and Spellcraft, while splitting his attentions among the Charisma-based interpersonal Skills that he started investing in when he began adventuring. Aided by the Undead he can command, he can adequately supplement or even fill the role of the party’s muscle, the party’s trapkiller, or the party’s Face, while taking on the primary Arcane duties and allowing the party’s Divine caster to do other than just Turn Undead and heal wounds. Even without Advanced Learning, the Dread Necromancer’s Spell list is diverse enough to handle a variety of situations.
6th level nets Bonfrag Southern Magician - bought and paid for by his family’s heritage in Chessenta - as a necessary component of getting him into a Divine-casting exclusive Prestige Class. The verbiage of Southern Magician explicitly allows him to cast more than one Spell per day as Divine, avoiding any potential snags on the ‘Spells, not Spell’ front with rules-lawyers. He also gains the Scabrous Touch ability, for use either as a Touch Attack against enemies, or as a way to use his Undead minions as plague-carriers. While he could technically jump into Winterhaunt of Iborighu at this point - having gained all prerequisites as quickly as was possible, given his route - it is worth his while to stay with Dread Necromancer a while longer.

By staying a Dread Necromancer at 7th level, he gains a Vargouille, a powerful flying Familiar with a Supernatural attack at Range or in Melee, and a Poison bite.

Dread Necromancer 8 gets him another Advanced Learning Spell, with which he selects Undead Lieutenant to further his control over his minions. It also gives him another daily use of the Negative Energy Burst to keep those minions in fighting trim. That said, as his focus is on more than just minionmancy, where he or the DM actually comes down on the ‘Undead Mastery is a Trap ability’ debate is largely irrelevant, and did not figure prominently in his choice to take DN 8.

He enters Winterhaunt of Iborighu at 9th level in order to focus more fully on the cold. It also gains him Arcane Preparation, further diversifying the ways in which he can deliver his magics, and the stylish (if not super-effective) Scythe proficiency. The former will prove vital to further his chosen path, while the latter gives him a thematic Coup de Grace weapon, if nothing else. Cloak of Winter’s Chill boosts his defenses, while simultaneously bolstering the CHA abilities that are his bread and butter. Further, WoI gives his Fort save a boost and fully progresses his Dread Necromancer casting. At this point, Bonfrag starts taking an interest in Knowledge (the Planes), due in part to his future path and in part to the way his father described Iborighu’s influence on the world when he first asked about the frozen frog.

In addition to progressing the casting, 10th level gives him increased Cold Resistance, the better to study the line between ‘frozen stiff’ and ‘frozen to death’ without subjecting himself to the danger.
At 11th level, Frozen Skin pairs up well with his pre-existing DR and armor proficiency to make him just that little bit tougher to injure.

12th level gives him Coldstrike, adding +1d6 Cold Damage to all of his Spells, SLAs, and Supernatural abilities that do Cold damage. He also chooses Arcane Disciple (War) as an homage to his father and as a quick way to add a minimum of 3 new Spells to his otherwise fixed list.

At 13th level, his Cold Resistance becomes stronger; by this point, his Undead minions include Wights, and are supported with spells including (but not limited to): Spiritual Weapon, Crushing Despair, Black Tentacles, Cloudkill, Unhallow, Acid Fog, Circle of Death, and Waves of Exhaustion.

14th level gives him Constant Piercing Cold, as well as 7th-level Spells like Song of Discord and Vile Death.

Then, at 15th level, things change drastically when he gains the Energy Substitution (Cold) Feat. Now all of Bonfrag’s Spells that do Acid or Fire damage (or Electricity, if he had any) can do Cold damage, instead, and become bolstered by Piercing Cold and Coldstrike automatically. That’s an automatic boost of around 3 damage per round per creature within his AoE damaging spells; in cases like Acid Fog, enemies are likely to be hit multiple times due to the Spell’s other effects. If, at any point, the party had lamented its ability to imitate Evocation AoE damage, those complaints just got silenced for good. Bonfrag also gains the Cold subtype here, which is admittedly lackluster when he already has the Necropolitan template’s benefits.
16th level increases that ‘around 3 damage per round per creature within his AoE damaging spells’ amount for Bonfrag to ‘approximately 7,’ on average. It also opens up the DN’s 8th level Spell list for him, with Create Greater Undead and Mass Inflict Critical Wounds among his new options.

WoI 9, at 17th level, puts a 9th level Spell at Bonfrag’s disposal before he can otherwise cast them, allowing him to summon an Entombed. Unfortunately, WoI 10 offers Bonfrag nothing he could not gain elsewhere, due to his pre-existing template’s list of resistances and immunities.

So, he moves on to Wyrm Wizard at 18th level, gaining 9th level Spells like Mass Harm and Wail of the Banshee along with Knowledge of the Wyrm on a slightly more robust Skill point allotment. He also selects, as his last pre-Epic Feat, Lord of the Uttercold, which he has carefully prepped for with Knowledge (the Planes) ranks. Now, his [Cold] subtype Spells can deal Negative Energy, causing those killed to potentially rise as Undead.

For the first and only time in his progression, 19th level does not increase his casting, per se. Instead, it allows him to add a single Spell to his DN Spell List, of any level which he can currently cast. He selects Frostfell. Frostfell allows all of Bonfrag’s [Cold] description Spells - including those altered via Energy Substitution - to be cast as if he had never lost a caster level, but, more importantly, causes a Save-or-Die effect for all living creatures within its 180’ cube. Those who die immediately, and those who survive the initial SoD but take too much damage from the Spell’s secondary effect, rise as Undead due to Lord of the Uttercold. If the Wightocalypse has not already begun under Bonfrag’s purview - perhaps due to a Gentleperson’s Agreement with the DM - it begins here, at a campaign level where such events are perhaps a bit easier on the campaign as a whole.

If Bonfrag had any Metamagic Feats that increased Spell level (see ‘options,’ below), Wyrm Wizard 3’s Draconic Discovery would be very nice indeed. As presented, though, Bonfrag enjoys the increase in Caster level and maxes out what Skills he can at 20th level.

Bonfrag’s player wants a Dread Necromancer Character in an Evil-tolerant campaign. At the same time, the player wants more innate versatility than the DN frame gives automatically, and has little interest in snapping the campaign in half. The DM has pitched a long story arc in the Forgotten Realms, and Bonfrag’s player wants to see that story through. This route lets this happen by taking a quintessential T3 caster, then simultaneously focusing its concept while expanding its repertoire of Spells, without resorting to game-breaking options before appropriate countermeasures are reasonably available to the DM.

None of Bonfrag’s choices should come as a surprise - in fact, virtually all of Bonfrag’s Feats are forced by the Prestige Classes he wants, or by other Feats he wants later, or by the backstory his player pitched at Character creation - but he is using both Dread Necromancer and Winterhaunt of Iborighu in unconventional ways. Bonfrag is always relevant, always capable of filling his role or filling in for someone else, but is never designed to start an arms-race with the DM.

Bonfrag wants items that increase the likelihood that his damaging Spells, SLA’s, and Attacks can get through defenses. With his low BAB, that means targeting the opponents’ Touch ACs, or bypassing AC altogether. Bonfrag wants to enhance his weapons to do Force damage, and collect items that boost his CHA and his ability to penetrate SR. Metamagic Rods and methods of expanding his spell repertoire are also good investments. For his defenses, he seeks items that create Miss Chance through Displacement and similar.

If allowed Flaws, Bonfrag takes Noncombatant and Vulnerable. He then fills these new Feat slots with Scribe Scroll and Fell Drain. This both makes his spells more available and devastating throughout his career, and provides actual utility to the Draconic Discovery ability he gets as a 3rd level Wyrm Wizard.

Player’s Handbook (PHb)
Player’s Handbook II (PH2)
Races of Faerun (RoF)
Heroes of Horror (HoH)
Frostburn
Dragon Magic
Libris Mortis (Necropolitan template, p114)

[Heliomance]

Must - not - sing - Let It Go!


Chyl Hought

Chaotic Evil
Silverbrow Human
Divine Bard (of Iborighu) 3/Dragon Shaman 1/Bard +1/Winterhaunt of Iborighu 10/Bard +5


STR 10
CON 10
DEX 14
INT 14
WIS 14
CHA 16

4th: +1 Cha (17)
8th: +1 Cha (18)
12th: +1 Wis (15)
16th: +1 Wis (16)
20th: +1 Cha (19)

Starting Languages:
Common
Draconic
Abyssal



Have you ever stood beneath the open sky and looked straight up? Have you seen the snow drift from the clouds, descending down upon the earth and blanketing the world in its frosty embrace?

I have. I've done it during every snowfall going way back to my childhood.

There's a beauty in it. A stillness. A quiet that hovers on the edge between peaceful and eerie. If you stop to listen, really listen, you can hear the tune of the world through the falling flakes.
Sorry, you can't really hear it. You sense it. You can see the melody in the dance the snow makes as it tumbles and twists it's way to the ground. You can smell the harmony in the crispness of the chilled air all around you. You can feel the rhythm of the universe, pulsing in its magnitude, leaving you but a quiet, insignificant rest amid the measures.

One night, standing in the solitude, staring up at the swirling snow, I spied a grace that will remain frozen in my memories for eternity. I saw Her. Wings unfurled, She swooped amidst the falling flakes like a ballerina on a three-dimensional stage. Her scales gleamed whiter than the snow in the moonlight for mere moments as I watched Her fly on.

She never noticed me stand there. I was literally frozen to the spot in awe; I couldn't have not noticed Her. And I knew, then and there, the kind of power it takes to force the world to take notice.

And I have been singing that frozen refrain ever since....





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


1st
Divine Bard 1
+0
+0
+2
+2

4 Bluff
4 Concentration
4 Diplomacy
4 K: religion
4 P: percussion
4 P: sing
4 Spellcraft
4 Use Magic Device

1st: Chosen of Iborighu; H: Piercing Cold
Bardic Music; Bardic Knowledge; Countersong; Fascinate; Inspire Courage

+1


2nd
Divine Bard 2
+1
+0
+3
+3

5 Bluff
5 Concentration
5 Diplomacy
5 K: religion
5 P: percussion
5 P: sing
5 Spellcraft
5 Use Magic Device

--
--


3rd
Divine Bard 3
+2
+1
+3
+3

6 Bluff
6 Concentration
6 Diplomacy
6 K: religion
6 P: percussion
6 P: sing
1 SL: Terran
5 Spellcraft
6 Use Magic Device

3rd: Craft Wonderous Item
Inspire Competence


4th
Dragon Shaman 1
+2
+3
+3
+5

6 Bluff
6 Concentration
6 Diplomacy
4 K: arcana
6 K: religion
6 P: percussion
6 P: sing
1 SL: Terran
5 Spellcraft
6 Use Magic Device

--
Draconic Aura +1; Totem Dragon (White)


5th
Divine Bard 4
+3
+3
+4
+6

6 Bluff
8 Concentration
6 Diplomacy
5 K: arcana
8 K: religion
6 P: percussion
8 P: sing
1 SL: Ignan
1 SL: Terran
5 Spellcraft
6 Use Magic Device

--
--


6th
Winterhaunt of Iborighu 1
+3
+5
+4
+8

6 Bluff
8 Concentration
6 Diplomacy
5 K: arcana
8 K: religion
6 P: percussion
9 P: sing
1 SL: Ignan
1 SL: Terran
5 Spellcraft
7 Use Magic Device

6th: Melodic Casting
Cloak of Winter's Chill


7th
Winterhaunt of Iborighu 2
+4
+6
+4
+9

6 Bluff
8 Concentration
6 Diplomacy
5 K: arcana
8 K: religion
6 P: percussion
10 P: sing
1 SL: Ignan
1 SL: Terran
5 Spellcraft
8 Use Magic Device

--
Resistance to Cold 5


8th
Winterhaunt of Iborighu 3
+4
+6
+5
+9

6 Bluff
8 Concentration
6 Diplomacy
5 K: arcana
8 K: religion
6 P: percussion
11 P: sing
1 SL: Ignan
1 SL: Terran
5 Spellcraft
9 Use Magic Device

--
Frozen Skin


9th
Winterhaunt of Iborighu 4
+5
+7
+5
+10

6 Bluff
8 Concentration
6 Diplomacy
5 K: arcana
8 K: religion
6 P: percussion
12 P: sing
1 SL: Ignan
1 SL: Terran
5 Spellcraft
10 Use Magic Device

9th: Dragonfire Inspiration
Coldstrike +1d6


10th
Winterhaunt of Iborighu 5
+5
+7
+5
+10

6 Bluff
8 Concentration
6 Diplomacy
5 K: arcana
8 K: religion
6 P: percussion
13 P: sing
1 SL: Ignan
1 SL: Terran
5 Spellcraft
11 Use Magic Device

--
Resistance to Cold 10


11th
Winterhaunt of Iborighu 6
+6/1
+8
+6
+11

6 Bluff
8 Concentration
6 Diplomacy
5 K: arcana
8 K: religion
6 P: percussion
14 P: sing
1 SL: Ignan
1 SL: Terran
5 Spellcraft
12 Use Magic Device

--
Constant Piercing Cold


12th
Winterhaunt of Iborighu 7
+6/1
+8
+6
+11

6 Bluff
8 Concentration
6 Diplomacy
5 K: arcana
8 K: religion
6 P: percussion
15 P: sing
1 SL: Ignan
1 SL: Terran
5 Spellcraft
13 Use Magic Device

12th: Song of the Heart
Cold Subtype


13th
Winterhaunt of Iborighu 8
+7/2
+9
+6
+12

6 Bluff
8 Concentration
6 Diplomacy
5 K: arcana
8 K: religion
6 P: percussion
16 P: sing
1 SL: Ignan
1 SL: Terran
5 Spellcraft
14 Use Magic Device

--
Coldstrike +2d6


14th
Winterhaunt of Iborighu 9
+7/2
+9
+7
+12

6 Bluff
8 Concentration
6 Diplomacy
5 K: arcana
8 K: religion
6 P: percussion
17 P: sing
1 SL: Ignan
1 SL: Terran
5 Spellcraft
15 Use Magic Device

--
Summon the Entombed


15th
Winterhaunt of Iborighu 10
+8/3
+10
+7
+13

6 Bluff
8 Concentration
6 Diplomacy
5 K: arcana
8 K: religion
6 P: percussion
18 P: sing
1 SL: Ignan
1 SL: Terran
5 Spellcraft
16 Use Magic Device

15th: Empower Supernatural Ability
Wintry Apotheosis


16th
Divine Bard 5
+8/3
+10
+7
+13

6 Bluff
8 Concentration
8 Diplomacy
5 K: arcana
8 K: religion
6 P: percussion
19 P: sing
1 SL: Aquan
1 SL: Auran
1 SL: Ignan
1 SL: Terran
5 Spellcraft
19 Use Magic Device

--
--


17th
Divine Bard 6
+9/4
+11
+8
+14

6 Bluff
8 Concentration
14 Diplomacy
5 K: arcana
8 K: religion
6 P: percussion
20 P: sing
1 SL: Aquan
1 SL: Auran
1 SL: Ignan
1 SL: Terran
5 Spellcraft
20 Use Magic Device

--
Suggestion


18th
Divine Bard 7
+10/5
+11
+8
+14

6 Bluff
8 Concentration
20 Diplomacy
5 K: arcana
8 K: religion
6 P: percussion
21 P: sing
1 SL: Aquan
1 SL: Auran
1 SL: Ignan
1 SL: Terran
5 Spellcraft
21 Use Magic Device

18th: Summon Elemental
--


19th
Divine Bard 8
+11/6/1
+11
+9
+15

10 Bluff
8 Concentration
22 Diplomacy
5 K: arcana
8 K: religion
6 P: percussion
22 P: sing
1 SL: Aquan
1 SL: Auran
1 SL: Ignan
1 SL: Terran
5 Spellcraft
22 Use Magic Device

--
Inspire Courage +2


20th
Divine Bard 9
+11/6/1
+12
+9
+15

15 Bluff
8 Concentration
23 Diplomacy
5 K: arcana
8 K: religion
6 P: percussion
23 P: sing
1 SL: Aquan
1 SL: Auran
1 SL: Ignan
1 SL: Terran
5 Spellcraft
23 Use Magic Device

--
Inspire Greatness





Spells per Day/Spells Known


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


1st
2/4
-
-
-
-
-
-


2nd
3/5
0/2
-
-
-
-
-


3rd
3/6
1/3
-
-
-
-
-


4th
3/6
1/3
-
-
-
-
-


5th
3/6
2/3
0/2
-
-
-
-


6th
3/6
3/4
1/3
-
-
-
-


7th
3/6
3/4
2/3
-
-
-
-


8th
3/6
3/4
2/4
0/2
-
-
-


9th
3/6
3/4
3/4
1/3
-
-
-


10th
3/6
3/4
3/4
2/3
-
-
-


11th
3/6
3/4
3/4
2/4
0/2
-
-


12th
3/6
3/4
3/4
3/4
1/3
-
-


13th
3/6
3/4
3/4
3/4
2/3
-
-


14th
3/6
3/4
3/4
3/4
2/4
0/2
-


15th
4/6
3/4
3/4
3/4
3/4
1/3
-


16th
4/6
4/4
3/4
3/4
3/4
2/3
-


17th
4/6
4/5
4/4
3/4
3/4
2/4
0/2


18th
4/6
4/5
4/5
4/4
3/4
3/4
1/3


19th
4/6
4/5
4/5
4/5
4/4
3/4
2/3


20th
4/6
4/5
4/5
4/5
4/5
4/4
3/4



Draconic Auras Known: Energy Shield; Presence; Vigor

Bard Spells Known:
I'm not going to write up a complete list of spells known. It's going to change from one campaign to another, one DM to another, one party to another. Is there a Cleric in the party? The answer changes how you value Cure spells. Does the campaign feature a lot of undead? Charm Person and it's ilk might hold less value to you. Does the DM offer plenty of leeway for creativity? The "Image" spells may become more attractive.

Instead, here are a few notes for a few spells to consider with this character:

Fro = Frostburn
SpC = Spell Compendium

1st:
Inspirational Boost (SpC): Chyl is an Inspire Courage kind of guy, so this is one spell that's a lock to make his list.

Cure XX Wounds: These spells can be found in wand form at a lot of gaming tables. If so, don't worry so much about including them on the list of known spells. Otherwise...gauge the group. If there are a lot of front-liners and no healers, making room on the spells known list might just be a very good thing.

Undetectable Alignment: Rimefire Witches (Frostburn p.67) will be coming after Chyl. (This is war!) This spell blocks their Detect Minions of Iborighu ability.

Protection From Good: Just a friendly reminder that Chyl is a divine bard and that this spell is, thus, on the list. Not a bad pick.

Summon Monster (I-VI): Handy for summoning allies to battles. Good to have on a D(c)I bard.

2nd:
Ice Darts (Fro): One of the few [cold] spells on the bard list. Chyl will want this one for his Pierce Cold feat (and Constant Pierce Cold ability).

Invisibility: Inspire Courage requires your allies to hear you sing, not see you. A good tactic is to sing, go invisible, and spam the battlefield with summoned monsters.

3rd:
Magic Circle Against Good: Just another friendly reminder that Chyl is a divine bard.

Leomund's Tiny Hut: Useful in combat and out. It makes for a nice place to rest. It also offers total concealment to hole up in while spamming summons around it (or shooting arrows/bolts out into the fray).

4th:
Shadow Conjuration: This is Summon Undead III (SpC) for bards. Also of interest for Chyl: Arctic Haze (Fro); Ice Knife (Spc); Icelance (SpC); Orb of Cold, Lesser (SpC) -- all for their [cold] damage.

5th:
Boreal Wind (Fro): The other bard [cold] spell.

6th:
Snowsong (Fro): How beautifully thematic is this spell? Help your allies, hinder your foes. Some fast healing, extra cold damage per attack. Don't leave home without it!

Summon Monster VI: This is what's going to power Chyl's Summon Elemental reserve feat. Mephit Mob would also work.



Through the first five levels, Chyl is a party face/support character. The four Bard levels provide four uses of bardic music (coincidentaly, the number of presumed encounters through the day). Dragon Shaman provides a few auras that can be useful.
In combat, it's the "Inspire Courage and fire a crossbow routine". Out of combat, bardic knowledge, a few knowledge skills, bluff, diplomacy, spellcraft -- he's the "skill" guy. Summon Monster for a meat-shield/trap finder. The Vigor Aura and wands of the Cure Wounds line of spells makes him the (back-up?) party heal-bot.

Into Winterhaunt of Iborighu!
At ECL 9, two things hit simultaneously. Coldstrike (class feature) and Dragon(cold) Inspiration (feat). With the text in Dragon Magic p.18, the damage from Dragonfire strike is, for Dragon Shamans, of the same elemental type as the Dragon Shaman's totem dragon. So Chyl's Dragon(cold) Inspiration feat is a (Su) ability that deals cold damage each time an ally successfully attacks, which in turn sets off Coldstrike.
Likewise, Coldstrike is set off each time Chyl's Energy Shield Aura (from Dragon Shaman) is activated.
So, Coldstrike goes into effect each time an ally strikes an enemy and most times that an enemy strikes an ally.

By ECL 14, Chyl will Inspire +1d6 cold damage for being a bard, +1d6 (Song of the Heart feat) +1d6 (Inspirational Boost spell) +3d6 (Coldstrike ability with Cloak of Winter's Chill) = +6d6 cold damage with every attack made by an ally. (Hello, summoned Entombed!)

At ECL 15, the Empower Supernatural Ability feat comes along. And guess which (Su) ability is going to be used most often with that feat? Yup, Inspire Courage! Inspire Courage is not a continuous use ability (it has a duration), so ESA will last until the ability ends. So each attack of an ally now deals +9d6 D(c)I damage +3d6 Coldstrike.

Back into Divine Bard for the end of the build. It brings with it more uses of Bardic Music per day and an extra +1d6 to D(c)I (at ECL 19).
The Summon Elemental feat can summon a Medium sized elemental (ask your DM how s/he interprets that) which can be used in all manner of ways (trap finding, meat shield, blocking line of sight/charge lanes, punching a drum to keep rhythm while you sing....) and, of course, is an ally which can be affected by Bardic Music and Energy Shield Aura. (So nice that Chyl speaks all four elemental languages, huh?)




Dragon Magic -- Silverbrow Human; Dragonfire Inspiration feat
Unearthed Arcana -- Divine Bard
Frostburn -- Chosen of Iborighu feat; Piercing Cold feat; Winterhaunt of Iborighu
Player's Handook II -- Dragon Shaman
Eberron Campaign Setting -- Song of the Heart feat
Tome of Magic -- Empower Supernatural Ability feat
Complete Mage -- Summon Elemental feat

[Heliomance]

Sadly, I don't remember The Snow Queen well enough to quote any of it



https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/d/da/Snejnaya_Koroleva_(SMF).jpg
Kaye, Winter’s Consort


NE Daelkyr Half-Blood Shugenja 6/Winterhaunt of Iborighu 10/Contemplative 2/Paragnostic Apostle 2

Stats
Str 8
Dex 10
Con 14
Int 14
Wis 10
Cha 18 (Increases Here)
Build


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


1st
Shugenja 1
+0
+0
+0
+2
Concentration 4, Knowledge (Arcana) 4, Knowledge (Nature) 4, Knowledge (The Planes) 4, Knowledge (Religion) 4, Spellcraft 4
(B)Symbiont Mastery, Piercing Cold
Elemental Focus (Fire), Sense Elements


2nd
Shugenja 2
+1
+0
+0
+3
Concentration 5, Knowledge (Arcana) 5, Knowledge (Nature) 5, Knowledge (The Planes) 5, Knowledge (Religion) 5, Spellcraft 5

Elemental Recognition +2


3rd
Shugenja 3
+1
+1
+1
+3
Concentration 6, Knowledge (Dungeoneering) 1, Knowledge (Local) 1, Knowledge (Religion) 6, Knowledge (The Planes) 6, Spellcraft 6
Craft Wondrous Item
Elemental Recognition +3


4th
Shugenja 4
+2
+1
+1
+4
Concentration 7, Diplomacy 1, Heal 1, Knowledge (Religion) 7, Knowledge (The Planes) 7, Spellcraft 7

Elemental Recognition +4


5th
Shugenja 5
+2
+1
+1
+4
Concentration 8, Diplomacy 2, Heal 2, Knowledge (Religion) 8, Knowledge (The Planes) 8, Spellcraft 8

Sense Elements 4/day, Elemental Recognition +5


6th
Shugenja 6
+3
+2
+2
+5
Concentration 9, Diplomacy 3, Heal 3, Knowledge (Religion) 9, Knowledge (The Planes) 9, Spellcraft 9
Chosen of Iborighu
Elemental Recognition +6


7th
Winterhaunt of Iborighu 1
+3
+4
+2
+7
Concentration 10, Intimidate 1, Knowledge (Religion) 10, Spellcraft 10

Cloak of Winter’s Chill


8th
Winterhaunt of Iborighu 2
+4
+5
+2
+8
Concentration 11, Intimidate 2, Knowledge (Religion) 11, Spellcraft 11

Resistance to Cold 5


9th
Winterhaunt of Iborighu 3
+4
+5
+3
+8
Concentration 12, Intimidate 3, Knowledge (Religion) 12, Spellcraft 12
Energy Substitution (Cold)
Frozen Skin


10th
Winterhaunt of Iborighu 4
+5
+6
+3
+9
Concentration 13, Knowledge (Religion) 13, Intimidate 4, Spellcraft 13

Coldstrike +1d6


11th
Winterhaunt of Iborighu 5
+5
+6
+3
+9
Concentration 14, Intimidate 6, Spellcraft 14

Resistance to Cold 10


12th
Winterhaunt of Iborighu 6
+6/+1
+7
+4
+10
Concentration 15, Intimidate 8, Spellcraft 15
Rapid Metamagic
Constant Piercing Cold


13th
Winterhaunt of Iborighu 7
+6/+1
+7
+4
+10
Concentration 16, Intimidate 10, Spellcraft 16

Cold Subtype


14th
Winterhaunt of Iborighu 8
+7/+2
+8
+4
+11
Concentration 17, Intimidate 12, Spellcraft 17

Coldstrike +2d6


15th
Winterhaunt of Iborighu 9
+7/+2
+8
+5
+11
Concentration 18, Intimidate 14, Spellcraft 18
Versatile Spellcaster
Summon the Entombed


16th
Winterhaunt of Iborighu 10
+8/+3
+9
+5
+12
Concentration 19, Intimidate 16, Spellcraft 19

Wintry Apotheosis


17th
Contemplative 1
+8/+3
+9
+5
+14
Concentration 20, Intimidate 18, Spellcraft 20

Cold Domain, Divine Heatlh


18th
Contemplative 2
+9/+3
+9
+5
+15
Concentration 21, Intimidate 20, Spellcraft 21
Faith in the Frost
Slippery Mind


19th
Paragnostic Apostle 1
+9/+3
+9
+5
+17
Collector of Stories, Concentration 22, Knowledge (Local) 2, Knowledge (Dungeoneering) 2 Spellcraft 22

Holy Texts, Lore, Knowledge is Power (Manifest Ethos: Evil)


20th
Paragnostic Apostle 2
+10/+5
+9
+5
+18
Concentration 23, Knowledge (Local) 5, Knowledge (Dungeoneering) 3, Spellcraft 23

Knowledge is Power (Energy Supremacy: Cold)



Spells
Spells per Day


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


1st
5
3
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-


2nd
6
4
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-


3rd
6
5
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-


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


5th
6
6
4
-
-
-
-
-
-
-


6th
6
6
5
3
-
-
-
-
-
-


7th
6
6
6
4
-
-
-
-
-
-


8th
6
6
6
5
3
-
-
-
-
-


9th
6
6
6
6
4
-
-
-
-
-


10th
6
6
6
6
5
3
-
-
-
-


11th
6
6
6
6
6
4
-
-
-
-


12th
6
6
6
6
6
5
3
-
-
-


13th
6
6
6
6
6
6
4
-
-
-


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


15th
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
4
-
-


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


17th
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
4
-


18th
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
5
3


19th
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
4


20th
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6



Spells Known


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


1st
o+2+2
o+1+1
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-


2nd
o+3+2
o+1+1
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-


3rd
o+3+2
o+2+1
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-


4th
o+3+2
o+2+1
o+1+0
-
-
-
-
-
-
-


5th
o+4+3
o+2+2
o+1+1
-
-
-
-
-
-
-


6th
o+4+3
o+2+2
o+1+1
o+1+0
-
-
-
-
-
-


7th
o+4+4
o+3+2
o+2+1
o+1+1
-
-
-
-
-
-


8th
o+4+4
o+3+2
o+2+1
o+1+1
o+1+0
-
-
-
-
-


9th
o+5+4
o+3+2
o+2+2
o+2+1
o+1+1
-
-
-
-
-


10th
o+5+4
o+3+2
o+2+2
o+2+1
o+1+1
o+1+0
-
-
-
-


11th
o+5+4
o+3+2
o+3+2
o+2+2
o+2+1
o+1+1
-
-
-
-


12th
o+5+4
o+3+2
o+3+2
o+2+2
o+2+1
o+1+1
o+1+0
-
-
-


13th
o+5+4
o+3+2
o+3+2
o+3+2
o+2+2
o+2+1
o+1+1
-
-
-


14th
o+5+4
o+3+2
o+3+2
o+3+2
o+2+2
o+2+1
o+1+1
o+1+0
-
-


15th
o+5+4
o+3+2
o+3+2
o+3+2
o+3+2
o+2+2
o+2+1
o+1+1
-
-


16th
o+5+4
o+3+2
o+3+2
o+3+2
o+3+2
o+2+2
o+2+1
o+1+1
o+1+0
-


17th
o+5+4
o+3+2
o+3+2
o+3+2
o+3+2
o+3+2
o+2+2
o+2+1
o+1+1
-


18th
o+5+4
o+3+2
o+3+2
o+3+2
o+3+2
o+3+2
o+2+2
o+2+1
o+1+1
o+1+0


19th
o+5+4
o+3+2
o+3+2
o+3+2
o+3+2
o+3+2
o+3+2
o+2+2
o+2+1
o+1+1


20th
o+5+4
o+3+2
o+3+2
o+3+2
o+3+2
o+3+2
o+3+2
o+2+2
o+2+1
o+2+1


Spells Known
0th: Resistance, Dancing Lights, Disrupt Undead, Flare, Light, Detect Magic*, Ghost Sound, Guidance, Mage Hand, Mending,
1st: Entropic Shield, Burning Hands, Faerie Fire, Shocking Grasp, Disguise Self, Silent Image, Chill Touch
2nd: Obscure Object, Flame Blade, Flaming Sphere, Produce Flame, Color Spray, Hold Person, Chill Metal
3rd: Dispel Magic, Call Lightning, Keen Edge, Searing Light, Haste, Wingblast, Sleet Storm
4th: Spell Immunity, Fire Shield, Lightning Bolt, Wall of Fire, Death Ward, Spike Stones, Ice Storm
5th: Spell Resistance, Energy Vortex (Fire), Feeblemind, Flame Strike, Control Winds, Dimension Door, Wall of Ice
6th: Antimagic Field, Anger of the Noonday Sun, Fire Seeds, Fires of Purity, Greater Dispel Magic, Teleport, Cone of Cold
7th: Spell Turning, Chain Lightning, Fire Storm, Disintegrate, Flesh to Stone, Control Weather
8th: Protection from Spells, Incendiary Cloud, Sunburst, Earthquake, Polar Ray
9th: Mordenkainen’s Disjunction, Meteor Swarm, Implosion, Etherealness, Obedient Avalanche
Backstory
In the far northern reaches, tucked beyond the imposing barrier of the Sawtooth mountain range, lies a small village where the people scratch a living off the rocks of the land. In the summer and spring they work at the roots of the mountain harvesting ore and lumber, tending to their flocks. In the fall they spin wool and harvest what they can from gardens. And in the long, long, winters, they huddle for warmth in their houses and try to stave off freezing to death.

Kaye and Goethe were two of the handful of children that lived in the village, and they were lucky enough to be born very close to one another and so grew to be very good friends. As they grew older, they began their early studies of magic, which is to say, they learned to read and to copy the writings in the villages meagre collection of magical tomes. Kaye was the headstrong and wild one, and like many of those with the talent in her village, studied the magic of the elements. Like most with a mind to be useful, she was drawn to the protective heat and passionate energy of fire. Goethe was the cautious erudite, and studied the most arcane of magic, magic for its own sake as much as it is for any use in the world. The bond of childhood friendship is one of the strongest there is, and they spent many a winter night at each other’s houses, passing time in the short daylight hours by telling stories their families had passed down. The wind was howling and the frost was thick on the windows as they sat wrapped in furs and Goethe told the story of the Snow Queen for perhaps the tenth time that winter. Kaye was growing increasingly restless, and by the time he was almost finished she was rocking back and forth with energy.

“I almost wish the story were true, Goethe. I sometimes wish she would come here to our village.”
“Kaye don’t say it so loud! The wind carries wishes made in anger, and you can’t really mean that. Why would you ever want to meet such a horrid creature?”
“Because if she were real and came here then I could roast that frozen witch until she melted! I could make the queen into a miserable puddle and dance in it until our village could finally be warm.”
“Kaye don’t speak nonsense like that, you know you could never take her.”
“I’d stand a better chance than you would, you overlearned bookworm! While I was learning to make light and fire, you were learning how to stick two stones together with a spell! We can do that already, Goethe, it’s called glue!”
“I won’t stand for you badmouthing me and my education in my grandmother’s house.”
“Fine! Then I’ll leave!”

She clutched her furs about her tightly and yanked the door open, walking out into the howling blizzard. Goethe chased after with a mixture of apologies and warnings of the weather, coming to a halt when he found she was only a few paces away and stock still in the presence of an otherworldly woman. She was tall to be sure, but her regal bearing made her seem a giant. She was wearing a fur robe so loosely held and fine in construction it was clear it was for decoration rather than warmth. Her long hair was the pure white of a snowy field, and her skin was pale blue of a frozen pond. Her full lips were curled in a patient but somewhat predatory smile. She was beautiful the way the mountains were beautiful in winter, distant, forbidding, and dangerous.

“Well, here I am little girl. This is your chance. Melt me down with your fire.”
Kaye trembled from the bitter cold and from equally chilling fear, but she still raised her hands to call forth the controlled cone of heat she had learned. The woman arched an eyebrow as a feeble sputtering of sparks sprang forth, one of them landing to singe the ruff of her coat. She eyed it for a tense, silent moment before bursting into peals of musical laughter. The air before her fogged and froze, falling to the ground in crackling sheets as if to further the effect.

“You are brave, young warrior, far braver than I gave you credit for, and possessing no small amount of talent. It is not an easy thing to try to bring fire before the Snow Queen. But you are wasting your talent with fire. It is fickle and ephemeral, and bites its master without thought. Cold is enduring. Cold is reliable. Snow and ice are more varied and beautiful that single-formed fire can ever be. Cold is an element befitting of a true master. Come with me, child, and I will teach you the many secrets that cold has. I will take you away from this sad little village and into a glorious castle, where your only cares are how much to learn in a single day. Let me craft you into something better than you could ever be here.”
As she spoke, she spread her arms wide and invitingly, and the thick, honeyed tones of her words oozed into Kaye’s young mind. She was headstrong and passionate, yes, but she was no match for the captivating beckoning of a Frostwind Virago. She walked slowly over as if in a trance to where the woman stood, allowing herself to be embraced and spirited away to the Snow Queen’s castle. And Goethe stood by dumbly as his childhood friend left their village.

The time passed quickly for Kaye studying under her new master, and she learned the ways of twisting her understanding of elements at the core, changing her spells to manifestations of freezing winter in all its frigid power. And as she learned all of the Snow Queen’s secrets, slowly but inexorably, the sinister pull of winter worked its way into her heart.

It was years later when she received a visitor, arriving at their door mounted on a ghostly horse and bundled in furs against the biting winds. When he unwrapped his face, Kaye recognized him as Goethe, but her heart did not leap at the sight. It did nothing of the sort, sitting unresponsively as a block of ice in her chest. He had changed a small amount over the years, but it seemed to Kaye’s eyes as if the changes were all for the worse. His thin frame looked downright gawky beneath his furs, and he looked ridiculous shivering and rubbing his hands together. The more she looked, the more she realized she could find nothing in his appearance that was in any way pleasing to her eye.

“Kaye, it’s so good to see you! I finally found you. I’ve been looking for you whenever my masters gave me any time. I’ve been learning and training, Kaye, I’ve been getting stronger. I’m sorry I couldn’t do anything when she came for you, but I’m ready now. I’m sure you’ve been learning, too. I’m at least as strong as you are, so we can take her if we work together.”
She blinked once, slowly and without emotion.
“Hello, Goethe. Now that you found me I can tell you I’m not leaving, so you can be off.”
“K…Kaye is that all you have to say to me? Don’t tell me you’re still mad at me. I said I was sorry, all right? Stop being silly and come back with me to the village.”
“Why would I come back, Goethe? I’m learning more here than I ever could at the village. I’m not being kept prisoner here. I could leave if I wanted to. I just don’t.”
“This isn’t you, Kaye. You’re not supposed to be like this. You can’t be happy here in this castle of ice.”
“You don’t get it. That’s exactly why I’m here, Goethe. I should be here because this is the only place I’m ever going to learn all that I want. Don’t lecture me about change, Goethe. What could you possibly know? You haven’t seen me in years and – “
“Your eye is blue, Kaye. Your eyes used to be warm brown, and I could see them light up when you got angry. There’s no warmth in that blue eye, Kaye. I can see the way you look at me with it, like the whole world outside your castle is ugly and you just want me gone.”

She took a moment to regard herself in a mirror-sheet of glass she summoned in her hands, and saw that he was right. Her eye had changed. She looked back up at him.
“I’m not cold, Goethe.”
“What?”
“All the miserable winters in the village we wrapped up in furs, we slept by the fire, we tried to chase it away, but the cold got into your bones and it never let go, never fully. I’m not cold here, and I haven’t been in a long time. I can’t give that up. I can’t go back to that sad little life in the village telling stories and praying I wouldn’t die. I’m really living here, and if you care, you’ll let me stay.”
After a few seconds of silence, Goethe gathered his furs and rode off on his ghostly horse. Tears fell from Kaye’s eye, and they hit the floor already frozen.

It was decades later when Goethe returned to the castle once more, his face lined with age and his hands glimmering with rings of power. He approached the castle on a smoky black horse with flaming hooves that sizzled in the snow. He approached the throne room where a snowy white woman sat on her throne of ice, waiting for him to speak.
“I’d like to see Kaye, please.”
“Goethe, I’m right here.”
“Kaye! By the gods, you look just like her! I don’t think I could tell you apart if you were both here.”
“Thank you for the compliment.”
“I wasn’t trying to compliment you, Kaye, I was trying to …. Look, I don’t want to fight, I came here to ask you. Please, come away from here. Come back to the village. The people need someone to work the elements. I promise I can get you away. I’ve been studying pacts and bargains. I’ve learned from the very worst, of them. I’ve bargained all the secrets I can out of the oldest fiends there are, and I know I can break the pact you’re in with the Snow Queen. I can help you, Kaye, you just have to let me in.”
“Don’t try to play on my emotions, Goethe. I have learned secrets and powers beyond anything I ever could anywhere else, and I won’t go back to that wretched village to help grandmothers light their cookfires and keep the well running. I’m realizing my full potential here. I won’t let you drag me back down. Get out before I throw you out.”
He sputtered and stammered for a second before she fixed him with her full furious glare. He felt the weight of winter pressing down on him in her gaze, down to his bones and clutching at his heart. He looked at her in horror before mounting his steed and riding away. Kaye watched him go. No tears fell from either of her perfect blue eyes.

It was some time later when Kaye was chatting with the Snow Queen, and a thought popped into her head.
“My Queen, do you remember a boy name Goethe?”
“Yes, he came to see you, I remember.”
“Do you know what he is up to now? I find myself somewhat curious.”
The Snow Queen smiled.
“You have truly been losing yourself in your studies, Kaye, and not yet oriented yourself in our timescale. It has been a hundred years since he last saw you. I expect he must have died at some point, if I am not forgetting their lifespan.”
She frowned for a moment as she realized how little thought she had given to the passage of time. “No, you’re right, he would have died of old age some time ago. Time really does get away from you on the elemental timeframe, doesn’t it?”
The Snow Queen and her student laughed, and the sound echoed harshly off the ice walls of their castle.
Level 5
Welcome to life as a shugenja! It’s not the easiest thing, but you’ll do fine. Fire Shugenja means you focus on offense, but you can shore up with some air and earth utility. Feats at this point are going towards prerequisites, as are a fair number of your skills. I’ve chosen Order of the Ineffable Mystery for its anti-caster defenses, those spells are listed first in the spells known list, fire spells are after this, and then general spells (Cold Domain spells at the end for when you get them). At this point I’ll note that you have 5 0th level fire spells, but only 4 are listed under fire. If “all” spells count as fire, detect magic is your last one, hence asterisk. If they do not, then you have to have an empty slot I guess? If you’d like to play this before the “fall” as it were feel free to have some good alignment, it really doesn’t matter so long as you’re NE by level 7.

Your spell list is largely self-explanatory. Blast enemies until they die, use the other utility spells to do everything else. Sense Elements is a very strange ability that might prove handy every once in a while, so we gotta keep up Spellcraft to meet its punishing DCs. Elemental Recognition is from dead levels; it boosts your Knowledge (planes) checks to identify creatures, so better than nothing. Daelkyr Half-Blood lets you start with a symbiont, I’d select the throwing scarab, it’s a pretty good ranged weapon to supplement your short sword. Once you hit level 5, swap it out for a winter cyst, because that will be more useful. It’s unclear whether winter cyst replaces your eye or just adds on, either way you have 2 eyes that shoot cold beams.
Level 10
Welcome to the secret ingredient! We waited an extra level to get the extra feat, and also to gather the requisite wealth in order to craft a minor iceheart with the scrolls necessary (Don’t forget the fog cloud and sleet storm slas). First off, the SI gives proficiency with the scythe (which is clearly better than the short sword) and proficiency with light armor, so you can wear it without penalty (no ASF remember). Cloak of winter’s chill can be used to boost social skills and boost your already high will save. Cold resistance and natural armor boost help for general survivability. Coldstrike is the main event here, and you use it in a number of ways. First off is the obvious, using energy substitution on all your fire and electricity spells to make them cold so they deal the extra damage, also piercing cold if you like. The second use of it is to apply it to the winter cyst, which as a supernatural ability is an applicable target. So whenever you decided to zap a guy with it as a ranged touch, you deal 2d6 (increasing to 3d6 with cloak and 4d6 with levels+cloak)cold damage in addition to the -2 to Strength for 1 minute. Remember there’s no save, and you can do it as much as you want. It also does apply for when you use Chosen of Iborighu, so remember that extra damage for when you fatigue enemies.

We’ll discuss some spells of note here. Keen edge on a scythe is extra fun. While you should probably be using energy substitution on most of your spells for the coldstrike damage, remember you still have the option of using fire or electricity when you need to since you’re spontaneous.
Level 15
We’re almost done with the SI at this point, and it keeps on giving gifts. Now all of your cold spells (most, from energy sub) have piercing cold for free, so it’s definitely in your interest to make your spells cold. Coldstrike deals more damage on all your junk, summon the entombed is a nice ability if you need to turn a fight around or stick some guy in the ice. The cold subtype has one large benefit, and that’s that it allows you to carpet bomb your own square with energy substituted spells, like wall of fire or fire storm. You can even get tricky with it, using yourself as an intermediate target for chain lightning, or deciding to get “damaged” by energy vortex in exchange for making it deal double damage. Even with piercing cold, your subtype protects you against cold damage.

Versatile Spellcaster lets you put low level slots to work making higher level slots. Rapid Metamagic removes the full-round cost of applying metamagic, so you should be energy substituting all your spells unless you have some specific reason not to.
Level 20 (Sweet Spot)
That was an exciting last 5 levels! We finish the SI, gaining elemental immunities, which are a pretty wide spread of effects. Next into Contemplative, which has a packed 2 levels for us. First is a free domain (I chose Cold for linked theme and power) and immunity to all diseases. Would you believe you weren’t immune by virtue of being elemental? No matter, that’s now covered. Cold domain adds some neat cold spells you didn’t have before. Slippery mind helps protect you if somehow something got through your will save, you will almost certainly make it the second time. Here I’ll discuss a neat little trick the domain is used for. The granted power is the ability to turn fire creatures and rebuke cold creatures, so already you can add minions to your party. Faith in the frost adds on Cha in cold damage (which of course cold creatures are immune to) and because we have a source of cold damage, we throw on 2d6 or 3d6 extra cold damage, and because they’re fire creatures this deals 1.5 damage. It even makes sense to have cloak of winter’s chill up since it boosts the turn check.

We now turn to Paragnostic Apostle, which advances your turning and gives lore, but we’re really here for the abilities. First is Manifest Ethos, which makes your energy spells have one-half divine power damage like flame strike when used against good targets. There’s still the remaining half as cold, so you can apply piercing cold and coldstrike nonetheless. To cap this all off with a little cherry, energy supremacy gives a +1 caster level on cold spells, so all your offensive spells.

And you made it through with 9th level spells! Between that, order, and domain, you’ve got your bases covered. Offensive blasts, battlefield control, teleports, dispelling/anti-magic, you’re good. Etherealness is a great way to go where others can’t follow, and Mordenkainen’s Disjunction is the magic ender, the perfect opening salvo when fighting those with magic.
Sources
Shugenja, Contemplative, Cold Domain: Complete Divine
Daelkyr Half-Blood: Magic of Eberron
Paragnostic Apostle: Complete Champion
Rapid Metamagic: Complete Mage
Energy Substitution: Complete Arcane
Versatile Spellcaster: Races of the Dragon
Faith in the Frost, Winterhaunt of Iborighu, Piercing Cold: Frostburn
Wingblast: Dragon Magic
Frostwind Virago: MMV
Elemental Recognition: Dead Levels Article (http://archive.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/cwc/20070227x)

[Heliomance]

I... had something pseudo-witty to say about this build. I don't remember what it was. Damn.


Icikill

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CBXeIvyVAAAEB0v.jpg


Icikill strode into the open-air court, and a heavy hush fell on the gathered courtiers like a funeral pall, the only sound the faint tinkling of razor-sharp icicles scraping against each other among the frozen trees. He approached the Queen of Ice and Darkness without hesitation and knelt before her, lowering his head to expose the blue skin on the back of his neck. Every move was deliberate, his stance calm and obedient, and yet...

The Queen could see it instantly. "My dearest pet... my dagger of ice, what is this? You bring me tidings of ill fortune?"

Icikill spoke clearly and crisply, yet there was a sharpness to his tone that hinted of fury and shame. "My queen, I have failed you. The Scarlet Circle escaped before I could kill them all. I do not ask for mercy or forgiveness. Your eternal punishment is my only desire."

The Queen clucked at him. "And the fire mage?"

Icikill hesitated. "She... she still lives, my queen."

A twisted smile pulled at the corners of the queen's lips. "Do you... desire her, my pet?"

Icikill answered instantly, "I desire only to obey you, my queen. She shall die by my hand, as you have commanded."

The Queen's grin broke out in earnest. "You hide it well, my dearest servant, but no one can hide even the faintest spark of desire from the Queen of Ice and Darkness. Kill the the others, my pet, and you can keep the fire mage for yourself. Go forth and consult my Rimefire Hags. I'm sure their divinations can point you back onto the path of this Scarlet Circle."

Icikill rose and strode out of the court. After he'd left the clearing, the winter wolf at the right hand of the queen turned to her and asked, "Is that wise, my queen? Haven't you lost enough weapons melted by the fires of love? Shouldn't you have told him about the fire mage?"

The Queen chuckled. "Told him? Oh... not quite yet. Oh, perhaps I may lose him for a short bit... but once he learns the fire mage killed his sister... then every sliver in what's left of his shattered heart will be mine to command for eternity."


Race: Uldra
Build Stub: Divine Bard 2/Dragonfire Adept 2/Battle Dancer 1/Wu Jen 1/Winterhaunt 4/Eldritch Knight 1/SA Fighter 1/Elemental Warrior 3/Winterhaunt +4
Multiclass Penalty: No, but feel free to savage me on the dips.
Languages: Common, Sylvan, Draconic, Giant, Aquan (Elemental Affinity)
Alignment: CE
Ability Scores:


Ability
Score
Racial
Points
4th
8th
12th
16th
20th


Strength
14
-2
10







Dexterity
10

2







Constitution
16
+2
6







Intelligence
14

6


15
16



Wisdom
12
+2
2







Charisma
14

6
15
16









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


1st
Divine Bard 1
+0
+0
+2
+2
Balance 4, Craft: Ice Sculpture 4, Know: Arcana 4, Know: Planes 4, Know: Religion 4, Perform 4, Tumble 4, UMD 4
Chosen of Iborighu
Bardic Music, Bardic Knowledge, Countersong, Fascinate, Inspire Courage +1


2nd
Divine Bard 2
+1
+0
+3
+3
Balance 5(+1), Craft: Ice Sculpture 5(+1), Know: Arcana 5(+1), Know: Planes 5(+1), Know: Religion 5(+1), Perform 5(+1), Tumble 5(+1), UMD 5(+1)




3rd
Dragonfire Adept 1
+1
+2
+3
+5
Balance 5, Concentration 4(+4), Craft: Ice Sculpture 5, Know: Arcana 5, Know: Planes 5, Know: Religion 6(+1), Perform 5, Tumble 5, UMD 6(+1)
Dragontouched, Craft Wondrous Item
Breath Weapon 1d6, Least Invocation (Magic Insight)


4th
Dragonfire Adept 2
+2
+3
+3
+6
Balance 5, Concentration 7(+3), Craft: Ice Sculpture 5, Know: Arcana 5, Know: Planes 5, Know: Religion 7(+1), Perform 5, Spellcraft 1(+1), Tumble 5, UMD 7(+1)

Frost Breath (15' Cone), Scales +2


5th
Battle Dancer 1
+3
+3
+5
+6
Balance 5, Concentration 7, Craft: Ice Sculpture 5, Know: Arcana 5, Know: Planes 5, Know: Religion 7, Perform 8(+3), Spellcraft 1, Tumble 8(+3), UMD 7
Improved Unarmed Strike
AC Bonus (Charisma)


6th
Wu Jen 1
+3
+3
+5
+8
Balance 5, Concentration 9(+2), Craft: Ice Sculpture 5, Know: Arcana 5, Know: Planes 5, Know: Religion 9(+2), Perform 8, Spellcraft 1, Tumble 8, UMD 7
Piercing Cold, Draconic Heritage (White)
Watchful Spirit


7th
Winterhaunt of Iborighu 1
+3
+5
+5
+10
Balance 5, Concentration 10(+1), Craft: Ice Sculpture 5, Know: Arcana 5, Know: Planes 5, Know: Religion 9, Perform 8, Spellcraft 4(+3), Tumble 8, UMD 7

Cloak of Winter's Chill


8th
Winterhaunt of Iborighu 2
+4
+6
+5
+11
Balance 5, Concentration 11(+1), Craft: Ice Sculpture 5, Intimidate 2(+2), Know: Arcana 5, Know: Planes 5, Know: Religion 9, Perform 8, Spellcraft 5(+1), Tumble 8, UMD 7

Cold Resistance 10


9th
Winterhaunt of Iborighu 3
+4
+6
+6
+11
Balance 5, Concentration 12(+1), Craft: Ice Sculpture 5, Intimidate 5(+3), Know: Arcana 5, Know: Planes 5, Know: Religion 9, Perform 8, Spellcraft 5, Tumble 8, UMD 7
Dragonfire Inspiration
Frozen Skin


10th
Winterhaunt of Iborighu 4
+5
+7
+6
+12
Balance 5, Concentration 13(+1), Craft: Ice Sculpture 5, Intimidate 8(+3), Know: Arcana 5, Know: Planes 5, Know: Religion 9, Perform 8, Spellcraft 5, Tumble 8, UMD 7

Coldstrike +1d6


11th
Fighter 1
+6
+9
+6
+12
Balance 5, Concentration 13, Craft: Ice Sculpture 5, Intimidate 9(+1), Know: Arcana 5, Know: Planes 5, Know: Religion 9, Perform 8, Spellcraft 5, Tumble 11(+3), UMD 7

Sneak Attack 1d6 (Unearthed Arcana), Skilled City-Dweller ACF Ride->Tumble (Cityscape)


12th
Eldritch Knight 1
+7
+11
+6
+12
Balance 5, Concentration 13, Craft: Ice Sculpture 5, Intimidate 9, Know: Arcana 5, Know: Planes 5, Know: Religion 9, Perform 8, Spellcraft 5, Tumble 15(+4), UMD 7
Power Attack, Dragonfire Assault
Skilled City-Dweller ACF Ride->Tumble (Cityscape)


13th
Elemental Warrior 1
+8
+13
+6
+12
Balance 5, Concentration 13, Craft: Ice Sculpture 5, Intimidate 12(+3), Know: Arcana 5, Know: Planes 5, Know: Religion 9, Perform 8, Spellcraft 5, Tumble 16(+1), UMD 7

Elemental Affinity (Water), Cold Resistance 10 (doesn't stack), Skilled City-Dweller ACF Ride->Tumble (Cityscape)


14th
Elemental Warrior 2
+9
+14
+6
+12
Balance 5, Concentration 13, Craft: Ice Sculpture 5, Intimidate 15(+3), Know: Arcana 5, Know: Planes 5, Know: Religion 9, Perform 8, Spellcraft 5, Tumble 17(+1), UMD 7

Elemental Manifestation (Water)


15th
Elemental Warrior 3
+10
+14
+7
+13
Balance 5, Concentration 13, Craft: Ice Sculpture 5, Intimidate 18(+3), Know: Arcana 5, Know: Planes 5, Know: Religion 9, Perform 8, Spellcraft 5, Tumble 18(+1), UMD 7
Dragonfire Strike
Elemental Weapon (Cold)


16th
Winterhaunt of Iborighu 5
+10
+14
+7
+13
Balance 5, Concentration 13, Craft: Ice Sculpture 5, Intimidate 18, Know: Arcana 5, Know: Planes 5, Know: Religion 9, Perform 8, Spellcraft 5, Tumble 18, UMD 9(+4cc)

Cold Resistance 15


17th
Winterhaunt of Iborighu 6
+11
+15
+8
+14
Balance 5, Concentration 13, Craft: Ice Sculpture 5, Intimidate 18, Know: Arcana 5, Know: Planes 5, Know: Religion 9, Perform 8, Spellcraft 5, Tumble 18, UMD 11(+4cc)

Constant Piercing Cold


18th
Winterhaunt of Iborighu 7
+11
+15
+8
+14
Balance 5, Concentration 13, Craft: Ice Sculpture 5, Intimidate 18, Know: Arcana 5, Know: Planes 5, Know: Religion 9, Perform 8, Spellcraft 5, Tumble 18, UMD 13(+4cc)
Energy Subzerostitution
Cold Subzerotype


19th
Winterhaunt of Iborighu 8
+12
+16
+8
+15
Balance 5, Concentration 13, Craft: Ice Sculpture 5, Intimidate 18, Know: Arcana 5, Know: Planes 5, Know: Religion 9, Perform 8, Spellcraft 5, Tumble 18, UMD 15(+4cc)

Coldstrike +2d6





Bard Spells


Level
0th/Day
1st/Day
2nd/Day
0th Known
1st Known
2nd Known


1st
2
-
-
4: mage hand, prestidigitation, read magic, summon instrument
-
-


2nd
3
1
-
5: mage hand, prestidigitation, read magic, summon instrument, ghost sound
2: inspirational boost (Spell Compendium), swift invisibility (Spell Compendium)
-


[...]
[...]
[...]
[...]
[...]
[...]
[...]


18th
3
2
-
6: mage hand, prestidigitation, read magic, summon instrument, ghost sound, stick (Spell Compendium)
3: inspirational boost, swift invisibility, instant of power (Forge of War)
-


19th
3
3
1
6: mage hand, prestidigitation, read magic, summon instrument, ghost sound, stick
4: inspirational boost, swift invisibility, instant of power, no light (BoVD)
2: ice darts (Frostburn), sonic weapon (Spell Compendium)



Wu Jen Spells


Level
0th/Day
1st/Day
2nd/Day
3rd/Day
4th/Day


6th
3
2
-
-
-


7th
4
3
-
-
-


8th
4
3
2
-
-


9th
4
4
3
-
-


10th
4
4
3
2
-


[...]
[...]
[...]
[...]
[...]
[...]


16th
4
4
4
3
-


17th
4
5
4
3
1



Typical Wu Jen Spells Prepared:


0th:
prestidigitation, message, open/close, ray of frost


1st:
magic missile, unseen servant, elemental burst (Complete Arcane), ghost light (Complete Arcane), melt (Complete Arcane)


2nd:
alter self, invisibility, ice blast (Complete Arcane), ice knife (Complete Arcane)


3rd:
dispel magic, haste, heart of water (Complete Mage)


4th:
greater invisibility



Dragonfire Adept Invocation: Magic Insight.




Umm... try not to get killed. Maybe the party needs a cute mascot? Do what you can to be useful: sing, use your skills when you can, and mostly stay out of the way of the Big People. When all else fails, use your breath weapon. Your racial SLAs and Chosen of Iborighu gives you a caster level of 3, so you can take Craft Wondrous Item at 3rd. So you can craft minor wondrous items (Pearl of Power, Hand of the Mage, feather tokens, etc.) and use your identify invocation to raise some money. You're going to need quite a bit of it later.


Wu Jen adds a few offensive spells to your repertoire, so you can start combat with elemental burst, melt, or magic missile, then fall back to your breath weapon (or cowering behind the Big People, however you prefer). Wu Jen also gives us a metamagic feat, so we pick up Piercing Cold here along with Draconic Heritage which you qualify for via Dragontouched (picking White Dragon, of course). If, at this point, your nearly complete lack of any useful combat ability has not thoroughly killed you yet, then you must now beg for immediate death in the most asinine way possible: dump pretty much your entire Wealth By Level into an overpriced and not particularly useful magic item: a Minor Iceheart (24000 GP? Really?). You can already cast ray of frost and obscuring mist, so you'll need help from another spellcaster to cast sleet storm. This horrendously uberpowerful knick-knack will then allow you to cast... sleet storm 3/day, a spell that does no damage and might possibly inconvenience a few of your enemies. But obviously it makes it much easier for you to... winterhaunt, I guess? Is that a thing?

Anyway, all the other smur--I mean, uldras are super-jealous of the snazzy Iceheart bling, so of course we can waltz into Winterhaunt and start... winterhaunting things, I suppose. It's so cool, all the uldra are doing it! And while Divine Bard satisfies the 1st-level divine spells requirement, the Winterhaunt PrC can be used to advance any spellcasting class. So we start advancing Wu Jen spellcasting, which isn't entirely ideal, but involves a few more ice-related spells than the bard's list. Cloak of Winter's Chill of course makes us more charismatic, because only the coolest uldras can become Winterhaunts. Resistance to Cold is super-useful, because of course whenever our enemies see us all frosty and covered with ice, they instantly think "Hey, he must be vulnerable to [cold] stuff!" Frozen Skin stacks with the AC bonus from Battle Dancer and Dragonfire Adept, so that's somewhat useful. But that's not what we're here for... we get what we really want at Winterhaunt 4: Coldstrike.

First, we're smur--I mean, uldra, so our racial Frosty Touch ability counts as an (Su) ability, and this is rather important, as it means it's now almost slightly worthwhile to get close enough to our opponent to hit them with our fists! We can assume Cloak of Winter's Chill will be up because it's a free action and why wouldn't it be, so our unarmed strike damage is 1d4 + 1 [cold] + 2d6 [cold] damage. But we can also stack on Dragonfire Inspiration, since Inspire Courage is (Su) and Draconic Heritage switches the [fire] damage to [cold], so throw on inspirational boost for another 4d6 [cold] damage. Average damage from an unarmed attack is 24.5, so you could probably kill a housecat with a single hit! (But you probably won't, considering your abysmal BAB.)

Speaking of Dragonfire Inspiration, though... it's not necessarily just you who are getting the additional [cold] damage. When your allies take advantage of Dragonfire Inspiration and attack an enemy, your Dragonfire Inspiration is dealing [cold] damage on all those hits, so your Coldstrike should activate there as well. So now all your allies are getting +4d6 [cold] damage. Even better, they should have decent enough BAB to actually hit!



Once Cold Strike is online, we can move into the meaty center of the build. First we add a level of Sneak Attack Fighter, and we've got swift invisibility available from our Bard levels and regular invisibility from Wu Jen to take advantage of the extra 1d6 damage. Next, we pick up Power Attack from Eldritch Knight, which lets us snag Dragonfire Assault. We really shouldn't be lowering our BAB any further, but just a single -1 penalty adds +1 [cold] damage to all our unarmed attacks, which triggers Coldstrike again for another +2d6 [cold] damage. We finally have BAB +7, so we qualify for Elemental Warrior. Elemental Affinity doesn't do all that much (as per the Rules Compendium, cold resistance 10 doesn't stack with our existing cold resistance 10). Elemental Manifestation covers our body with water and can give us DR 3/piercing.

Level 15 is the *SWEET SPOT*, as we get two more (Su) abilities: Dragonfire Strike (from SA Fighter) and Elemental Weapon from Elemental Warrior 3. Dragonfire Strike turns our 1d6 sneak attack into 2d6 [cold] damage, and Coldstrike adds another 2d6 [cold] on top of that. Likewise, Elemental Weapon imbues our unarmed strikes with 2d6 [cold] damage, and Coldstrike adds another 2d6 [cold] on top of that. On the first round of combat:

Swift: cast inspirational boost
Move: activate Elemental Weapon
Standard: activate Dragonfire Inspiration

On the second round of combat, we can activate Coldstrike up to five times:

Unarmed strike: 1d4 + 2 (Str)
Frozen Touch: 1 [cold] + 2d6 [cold]
Dragonfire Inspiration: 2d6 [cold] + 2d6 [cold]
Dragonfire Assault: 1 [cold] + 2d6 [cold]
Dragonfire Strike: 2d6 [cold] + 2d6 [cold]
Elemental Weapon: 2d6 [cold] + 2d6 [cold]

So that's... 1d4 + 2 + 2 [cold] + 16d6 [cold] = 62.5 average damage on every unarmed strike.



For the rest, we add four more levels of Winterhaunt. Cold resistance improves to 15, and Constant Piercing Cold allows our [cold] spells to ignore cold resistance without mucking around with shifting metamagic spell slots. Adding the Cold subzerotype doesn't actually help us all that much, as it makes our Cold Resistance 15 mostly useless, and makes us vulnerable to fire. There aren't really any good Wu Jen spells that add [cold] damage to our weapon attacks, but there is a Bard spell we can use for that, so we can use our last two Winterhaunt levels to advance Bard casting. That gets us to Winterhaunt 8, and our Coldstrike improves to 3d6 with Cloak of Winter's Chill active. This makes our unarmed strikes so much... cooler:

Unarmed strike: 1d4 + 2 (Str)
Frozen Touch: 1 [cold] + 3d6 [cold]
Dragonfire Inspiration: 2d6 [cold] + 3d6 [cold]
Dragonfire Assault: 1 [cold] + 3d6 [cold]
Dragonfire Strike: 2d6 [cold] + 3d6 [cold]
Elemental Weapon: 2d6 [cold] + 3d6 [cold]

1d4 + 2 + 2 [cold] + 21d6 [cold] = 80 average damage on every unarmed strike.

We can also use energy substitution to cast a [cold] version of sonic weapon on our unarmed strike for an additional 4d6 [cold] damage. Near as I can determine, spells that add energy damage to weapons should work with Coldstrike because the text says it explicitly works with [cold] spells, while weapon properties such as Frost don't work because the weapon property isn't an ongoing spell effect.

Best of all... with +12 BAB and three attacks, one of those attacks might actually hit something!



If you prefer a better spell selection than what the Wu Jen offers, you can substitute it with a Dragonblooded Sorcerer level, but you'll have to put off Eldritch Knight and Elemental Warrior a little later as Sorcerers don't get 3rd level spells until CL 6.

There is another way to add a [cold] (Su) into the build, but it's a bit iffy, and I decided to take the second level of Dragonfire Adept instead, as this adds +1 BAB and a [cold] breath weapon into the build (a fire-breathing Winterhaunt just felt kinda wrong). If you're willing to put off Elemental Warrior a couple levels later, you can slip in a level of Divine Mind, because... well, obviously the build wasn't quite pathetic enough in combat without it. However, Divine Mind gets a Psychic Aura as an (Su), and they pick an associated Mantle based on their deity. Unfortunately, Iborighu isn't listed in Complete Psionic, but most of the deities with an energy-based domain get the "Energy" mantle, which can add 1 [cold] damage to all your weapon attacks.

If your DM allows flaws... OMG does this build need some help there. First, some Extra Music would help, as this build only gets Bardic Music 2/day. Melodic Casting should probably be in this build as well, so you can still cast spells and activate spell-trigger items while using Dragonfire Inspiration. Arcane Disciple to pick up the War domain gets you divine powah! at least once a day, and boy does this build need it. If you're looking for something more stylish, Versatile Unarmed Strike + Snowflake Wardance would be pretty darned nifty.



If you don't take the second level of Dragonfire Adept and use LA Buyoff, you can finish the Secret Ingredient within 20 levels. However, I decided the last two levels just didn't make much sense for this build. Why do I need to summon an entombed when I can just turn people into popsicles by hitting them in the face? And I don't quite see much of an advantage to changing type to elemental... most of those immunities can be replicated by magic items or other means, uldras already have 120' darkvision, and it gets a lot harder to bring you back from the dead.

If you hadn't noticed... I decided to see how high I could crank up Coldstrike, so pretty much the entire build revolves around just that ability, although Cloak of Winter's Chill certainly helps there. The cold resistance is rendered useless by the class itself (Cold subzerotype). Frozen Skin stacks up nicely with DFA's Scales, Battle Dancer's AC Bonus, and the small size bonus. Constant Piercing Cold I had some trouble with, as the Bard and Wu Jen casting don't really include a lot of good [cold] spells, but once Energy Substitution finally comes online, there's quite a few energy spells to play around with.



Cityscape: Skilled City-Dweller ACF (http://archive.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/we/20070228a)
Complete Arcane: Wu Jen, Energy Substitution
Dragon Compendium: Battle Dancer
Dragon Magic: Dragonfire Adept, Dragonfire Inspiration, Dragonfire Assault, Dragonfire Strike
Races of the Dragon: Draconic Heritage
Planar Handbook: Elemental Warrior
Unearthed Arcana: Divine Bard, Sneak Attack Fighter

[Heliomance]

And that's your lot! And not a Christmas themed one among them, terribly disappointing. Anyway, get judging!

...I now have Let It Go stuck in my head. Damn.

[Sian]

My Idea was to make a Cloistered Cleric 3 / Warlock 1 / Binder 1 / Winterhaunt 8 / Hellfire Warlock 3 / Eldritch Disciple 4, with a resulting Cleric CL6 and Warlock CL16

never really got further

[Deadline]

I had two ideas floating around:

A Fenrir-themed Lupin Bard/Death Delver/Sublime Chord/Winterhaunt, and a Killoren Cleric/Winterhaunt. The latter was a bit boring, crunch-wise (typical Divine Power beat face stuff), and the former required much more time than I had to tweak it to my satisfaction.

I really wanted to use a non-human Favored Soul/Winterhaunt, but without that bonus feat, getting the required knowledges early enough to matter was a problem. I had a brief idea about mashing together a scythe wielding Paladin of Slaughter/Divine Crusader/Winterhaunt together as a sort of "Frost Reaper", but couldn't get something that I liked the look of together.

[The Viscount]

You never can tell which ingredients will make for a small entry round, can you? Certainly a varied round this time, I look forward to reading the builds



I really wanted to use a non-human Favored Soul/Winterhaunt, but without that bonus feat, getting the required knowledges early enough to matter was a problem. I had a brief idea about mashing together a scythe wielding Paladin of Slaughter/Divine Crusader/Winterhaunt together as a sort of "Frost Reaper", but couldn't get something that I liked the look of together.

Were you using the dead levels article ability to substitute Religion for Arcana and then just taking 7 levels, and finding that too much?

[Inevitability]

I had an idea for a dragoncold inspirator too, but I didn't know about the dragon shaman workaround (my original plan was to be a half-white dragon). I didn't end up submitting it in the end, but I'm glad to see someone executed it so elegantly!

[Lagren]

I was going to go for a Chameleon/Master Thrower build with Energy Substitution Fire Shuriken, but trying to get Chosen Of Iborighu into the Chameleon's floating feat slot (so you can be Not A Winterhaunt until you are) proved to be too much of a pain. :smallsigh:

[WhamBamSam]

I got the tables done apart from the skill points, but never really buckled down to finish them. The builds were...

Human Paragon 3/Sha'ir 4/Winterhaunt 10/Magical Trickster 3. I somehow missed that Winterhaunt progresses any spellcasting and thought I was being terribly clever with my Sha'ir qualification. The build was primarily an Arcane Thesis blaster, with the Constant Piercing Cold allowing me an extra -1 to the cost of another metamagic. Empowered Cold Substituted Piercing Cold Split Ray Fell Weaken Scorching Rays at +0, with Twin or Quicken to kick then up another notch, at only +3 apiece, with Magical Trickster giving one of the two for free 1/day give you 4 Coldstrikes per casting (8 if Twinned), so that's fun. Access to the Sor/Wiz list also let the build access things like Ray of Exhaustion (perhaps split) or Waves of Exhaustion for Fatigue synergy, Kauper's Quickblast for an extra Coldstrike each round as a free action, Command Undead to befriend the permanent Entombed spawned by your summoned ones (with the Cha checks boosted by Cloak of Winter's Chill), the Planar Binding line for Cloak of Winter's Chill synergy (it also helps make up for the lost Sha'ir levels when making Diplomacy checks for spells), and Alter Self for elemental forms (mostly Small Air Elemental for its 100ft perfect flight and Improved Initiative).

Kalashtar Cloistered Divine Magician Spontaneous Domain Cleric 5/Marshal 1/Winterhaunt 10/Divine Disciple 4. The big idea here was to use the immunity to stunning from the Elemental type so that Reserves of Strength would just deal damage, then have fun with the usual Prayer Beads and Divine Spell Power (check boosted by Cloak of Winter's Chill) casting uncapped spells at high caster levels. Mostly those would have been Coldstrike boosted blasting spells, but it also had the fun of Alter Self (Heretic of the Faith for the Transformation Domain) with the level cap broken, access to Elemental forms, and Metamorphic Transfer (meeting the ML requirement with the Kalashtar Mindlink PLA). Two favorite forms were the classic Elemental Weird for fancy free action divination effects, and the Holocaust Disciple (MMIV) for its Fatigue aura, and of course the usual suspects of Blasphemy and Word of Chaos. Divine Magician was there primarily to pick up some of the Necromancy spells mentioned above, though Kelgore's Grave Mist Imbued in various undead pals through Divine Disciple would have been a tempting alternative to Command Undead.

I was going to do their fluff together, like JanusJones' Big Sun entry from the Shadow Sun Ninja round, as a sort of King and Queen of Winter. The Cleric was a mildly heretical prophet seeking to bring about the change to Iborighu's eternal winter, and the Sha'ir his lover and most ardent supporter, drawn to his vision out of her hatred for the desert where she grew up.

I'm sorta disappointed in myself for not getting them in now. It looks like they'd have been a lot more original than I'd have thought.

I also toyed with the idea of using Snowcasting, Black Lore of Moil, and Lord of the Uttercold together. Interestingly, Lord of the Uttercold makes any [cold] spell deal half-cold half-negative energy damage, which under normal, intended circumstances, turns half the cold damage from a spell into negative energy damage, but RAW, can also turn half of a [cold] spell dealing negative energy damage into cold damage. Thus, with Snowcasting adding the [cold] descriptor and Black Lore of Moil adding negative energy damage, any Necromancy spell could be made a valid candidate for Coldstrike. I ultimately decided it wasn't really worth it, since the damage was so small and it took so many feats to pull off, but the idea amused me.

[Zaq]

I just couldn't think of anything unique to do with the class, truth be told. I had a half-baked idea about trying to share Cloud of Knives (with cold damage hacked onto it somehow, which may or may not have actually been doable with the number of feats available) with a familiar and getting several pings of cold damage that way, but that took way too much investment to be anything resembling worthwhile (and I didn't want to even glance at Persist cheese). Everything else I thought of basically boiled down to "yer a Wizard, Harry," with the full casting overshadowing the SI's abilities.

My access to my books is a little more limited than normal right now. If that gets resolved and I end up with the energy for it, I'll contemplate judging, but I don't want to promise anything right this minute. Still, I liked what I saw out of the quick first read I did. Seems like there's some fun tricks on display this round.

[Technetium43]

I had a pretty interesting build that was actually another eldritch disciple build, that ended up something like Warlock 4/Cleric 1/Winterhaunt 4/Eldritch Disciple 5/Winterhaunt 6. Ended up with 7th level spells and a greater invocation, which was of course Chilling Tentacles. Basically just Divine Power and Eldritch Glaive kinda stuff, but I found an awesome picture too.

http://i.imgur.com/SJo8OIP.jpg

I wanted to find a way to get an Ardent/Cryokinetecist build going, but Coldstrike specifically excludes Psi-like Abilities, and I refuse to get into that stupid interpretation of the Magic Mantle. Also, ya know, depression and not being able to finish fluff.

[Thurbane]

Build I was considering was:

Human Cloistered Cleric 1/Domain Wizard (cold) 5/WoI 10/Elemental Savant 4 (or MT 4)

...nothing exciting, just focusing on cold spells and pumping out direct damage...

http://orig12.deviantart.net/aff9/f/2015/030/d/9/d955e586e5d8edfea6ebe08dbdd5236c-d8fzakv.jpg

I will do my best to submit judging for this comp over the weekend. :smallwink:

[remetagross]

This picture is crazy cool :smallcool:

I wanted to exploit ColdStrike by using a Sorcerer 5/ Force Missile Mage 5/ Winterhaunt of Iborighu 10 build, that would have cranked out a ton of cold damage on any Magic Missile spell. But between Southern Magician and the various prerequisite feats, it was impossible to pull off. Another idea was something along the lines of Cleric 5/ Malconvoker 5/ Winterhaunt of Iborighu 10, and use Cloak of Winter's Chill to amp up the opposed checks for Planar Binding, and summon two enhancement Entombed at a time with the spell-like ability. But there was no Cha synergy, and the build was, all in all, fairly bland.

I'm impressed by the use of Dragonfire Inspiration to brilliantly exploit Coldstrike, though! :smallsmile:

[Technetium43]

Also I'm a little sad no one made this guy:

http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/JackFrostSlasher_6068.jpg

[KrimsonNekros]

I was looking at a OA Shaman 5/ Tainted Sorcerer 1/ Blood Magus 4/ Winterhaunt 10. Primary emphasis was going to be on touch attacks, using Blood Magus for healing.

[The Viscount]

Now i'm kicking myself for not trying to make some sort of frostrager to be that jack frost. Everyone always assumes it's a ripoff of the Michael Keaton one and forgets it came a year erlier.

[Darkcouch]

My first thought was Divine Bard 2 / Sorc 3 / Frost Mage 4 / Winterhaunt 1 / Sublime Chord 1 / Winterhaunt +9, but it took too many feats get into the prestige classes and be able to make use of Frost Mage's class features so I didn't have any room to accentuate the SI class features.

[Muggins]

Some interesting builds this round. Sad that we didn't get any builds using the Claws of Darkness psionic power for some good Coldstrike use.

Time to get started on judging.

[Technetium43]

Some interesting builds this round. Sad that we didn't get any builds using the Claws of Darkness psionic power for some good Coldstrike use.

Time to get started on judging.

Well, that's probably because it's a psionic power, and transparency pretty distinctly does not get around the 'spell, spell-like ability, or supernatural ability' clause in Coldstrike. 'S why I didn't make a cryokineticist.

[Venger]

Well, that's probably because it's a psionic power, and transparency pretty distinctly does not get around the 'spell, spell-like ability, or supernatural ability' clause in Coldstrike. 'S why I didn't make a cryokineticist.

psionic powers are spell-like abilities.

[Technetium43]

psionic powers are spell-like abilities.

That might possibly be one of the most interesting sentences I've ever read on these forums, what did I apparently miss?

[Venger]

That might possibly be one of the most interesting sentences I've ever read on these forums, what did I apparently miss?

here (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/specialAbilities.htm#psionics) you go. it's hidden in there, but that's always been part of how psionics work. it's why they don't have any components.

[Technetium43]

here (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/specialAbilities.htm#psionics) you go. it's hidden in there, but that's always been part of how psionics work. it's why they don't have any components.

That specifically refers to the 'Psionics' monster ability, that things like Aboleths and Illithids got (which are just modified SLAs). Not the ability to cast Psionic Powers. It existed before 3.5 psionics did at all, and the Expanded Psionics Handbook is the primary source on psionics.

[The Viscount]

And on page 55 of XPH we see the following text.

The default rule for the interaction of psionics and magic is simple: Powers interact with spells and spells interact with powers in the same way a spell or normal spell-like ability interacts
with another spell or spell-like ability.

Seems straightforward to interpret from there.

Also, if psionics aren't considered spells, and they aren't considered spell like abilities, and they aren't considered supernatural, they'd have to be Ex, which can't be right.

[Darrin]

That specifically refers to the 'Psionics' monster ability, that things like Aboleths and Illithids got (which are just modified SLAs). Not the ability to cast Psionic Powers. It existed before 3.5 psionics did at all, and the Expanded Psionics Handbook is the primary source on psionics.

XPH page 65:

"The manifestation of powers by a psionic character is considered a psi-like ability, as is the manifestation of powers by creatures without a psionic class"

[Technetium43]

XPH page 65:

"The manifestation of powers by a psionic character is considered a psi-like ability, as is the manifestation of powers by creatures without a psionic class"

Ah, this seems to clear it up a fair bit. Good find.

[Korahir]

And that's your lot! And not a Christmas themed one among them, terribly disappointing. Anyway, get judging!

...I now have Let It Go stuck in my head. Damn.


I had brief thoughts about building a Grinch or Bad Santa who would send out presents which would be magical traps, but I must admit I wasn't able to pull it off as I think my optimization fu is to weak for such concepts.

I am a little sad that there is no Ragner or Paladin of Slaughter build although I am sure it would be hard to justify progessing Paladin or Ranger casting on a 10/10 advancement.

[Grim Reader]

I had a build that got Shadowcaster 20 shadow casting. But it had very little synergy beyond some cold stuff, and in the end I just had to look at it and admit that it would probably have been better without the Winterhaunt, and just gone Shadowcaster 20. Which still isn't all that good.

[Darrin]

I had an idea for a dragoncold inspirator too, but I didn't know about the dragon shaman workaround (my original plan was to be a half-white dragon). I didn't end up submitting it in the end, but I'm glad to see someone executed it so elegantly!

My first idea was Divine Bard with Warlock, combining Hellrime Blast with DragonNotFire Inspiration, but I tried to make it into a Glaivelock, and ran into too many problems trying to get that to count as a "Weaponlike spell". I tried to get Hideous Blow to work instead but it was... hideous, and gave up on it.

It's good to see Divine Bard and Warlock making such a strong showing this round, but I was expecting to see more Tier 1 casters.

I was also expecting to see a lot more "Frozen" references.


I am a little sad that there is no Ragner or Paladin of Slaughter build although I am sure it would be hard to justify progessing Paladin or Ranger casting on a 10/10 advancement.

Paladin of Slaughter, Smite Good (Su), hrmm... I'm not quite seeing a way to turn smite damage into [cold] damage.

[Korahir]

Paladin of Slaughter, Smite Good (Su) hrmm... I'm not quite seeing a way to turn smite damage into [cold] damage.

I am not seeing any. Is there one? But smite good would help in actually hitting something. It was just a small hope someone would find a way. Although the paladin of slaughter code is still a major issue in my book. You have to be a murderhobo or very close to it. Meh...

[Inevitability]

Smite Fiery Foe gives one the ability to deal cold damage with a smite attack, but it's only 1/day and doesn't work on creatures without the [Fire] subtype.

[WhamBamSam]

I'd assume Winterhaunt having poor BAB was also a major deterrent to Ranger and Paladin of Slaughter entry. You're basically forced into a more castery role, unless you break out the old Persisted Divine Power standby.

[Sian]

... or somehow managed to consistently make your attacks target 'touch'

[Thurbane]

So, I present my judging. All scores start at 3.0 in each category, with modifiers as listed.

If I've missed anything or otherwise wish to disagree with anything, please feel free to message the chair and I will do my best to address it. :smallsmile:


Ashhearth - the Innkeeper [14.5]
Originality [3.5]: There's two Dread Necros in this round, but I won't apply a penalty for that. Cleric dip to qualify is quite expected. I can't say I saw Fire Gnome coming (+0.25). You're writeup is taken from an interesting angle, and I like it. (+0.25).
Power [4.25]: Getting immunity to both fire and cold is nice, and addresses a weakness inherent to the SI. (+0.5). You get 9ths, which is a benchmark for any (full) caster (+0.5). Unlimited out of combat healing is nice (0.25). The Intimidate tricks are nice, but I feel that on a full caster, you've probably got much better ways to incapacitate foes.
Elegance [3.25]: While you technically can have others assist you in crafting an item, this feels like a minor cheat to me. I know it's RAW, but since you're relying on others to qualify for the SI, I'm going to apply a small penalty (-0.5). At least you address this issue, which the most of other builds with a similar issue don't (+0.25). You appear to qualify for all feats and classes, and aside from one dip, the flow of you build is quite straightforward. (+0.5). You don't have a sources list - this really irks me, but I'm not going to penalize you for it this time.
UoSI [3.5]: You take all 10 levels, which is the benchmark. Your snapshots explain what value you are getting from WoI abilities - I feel you make good, but not quite great, use of these. (+0.5)

Bonfrag [13.5]
Originality [3.5]: There's two Dread Necros in this round, but I won't apply a penalty for that. Wyrm wizard was not expected (+0.25). Necropolitan wasn't entirely surprising, and either was Southern Magician to qualify for the SI. Your background story is a little brief, but I enjoyed it (+0.25).
Power [4.0]: You get 9ths, which is a benchmark for any (full) caster (+0.5). Being undead gives you a bunch of great immunities (+0.5).
Elegance [3.0]: You don't explain how you craft the Iceheart, as you don't have all of the required spells (-0.5). Ashhearth addresses this in his writeup, so I'm going to assume you use the same method, of relying on others. You list your sources, which is appreciated. The flow of classes is quite smooth (+0.5).
UoSI [3.0]: As you only take 9 levels of the SI, I need to apply a penalty (-0.5). Your snapshots explain what value you are getting from WoI abilities - I feel you make good, but not quite great, use of these (+0.5).

Chyl Hought [12.25]
Originality [3.75]: There's two Divine Bards in this round, but I won't apply a penalty for that. The Dragon Shaman dip is unexpected (+0.5). Human is standard fare, even if it is a subrace. You're background story is a little brief, but I enjoyed it (+0.25).
Power [3.0]: I can definitely see why you use bard, but you're only getting 6ths in a round where a lot of others are getting 9ths. (-0.5). You are a decent skillmonkey, and your bardic abilities are a boon to any party, especially the damage boost (+0.5).
Elegance [2.25]: I don't believe you have access to all of the required spells for creating the Iceheart? (-0.5). Which leads me to the next point: I know it's a pain, but it really is a must to list all spells known for a character like a Bard or Sorcerer. Without this, I really have no way of knowing what your character is capable of. (-0.5). The Dragon Shaman dip feels quite tacked on, and (apart from thematics), I'm not sure what it's there for (-0.25). Other than that, the flow of classes is quite smooth. (+0.5) You appear to qualify for all feats and classes . You list your sources, which is appreciated.
UoSI [3.25]: You take all 10 levels, which is the benchmark. Some of SI abilities work with your Bardic spells and abilities, but with such a limited repertoire of spells with the Cold descriptor, I'm not convinced you're getting the most out of them (+0.25).

Kaye, Winter's Consort [15.0]
Originality [4.25]: Can't say I was expecting Daelkyr Half-Blood, Shugenja, Contemplative or Paragnostic Apostle. I certainly wasn't anticipating a symbiont based character at all. (+0.75). I like the backstory a lot. (+0.5)
Power [4.25]: You get 9ths, which is a benchmark for any (full) caster (+0.5). There's a focus on blasting, but you also get some utility and control spells (+0.25). You have a lot of tricks and combos (+0.5).
Elegance [3.0]: You don't appear to have all the spells needed to create your Iceheart (-0.5). Even though you cram a few classes into this build, they all flow well (+0.5). You appear to qualify for all feats and classes . Spells known are all listed. You list your sources, which is appreciated.
UoSI [3.5]: You take all 10 levels, which is the benchmark. I feel like you make decent use of the SI abilities (+0.5).

Icikill [12.75]
Originality [4.0]: There's two Divine Bards in this round, but I won't apply a penalty for that. This is definitely one of the more unique character concepts in the round (+0.75). You're background story is a little brief, but I enjoyed it (+0.25).
Power [3.25]: Your spell power is very limited considering this is a full caster SI, but I do get that casting is not the focus of this character (-0.25). You have a lot of melee and other tricks and combos going on, and you have decent damage potential (+0.5).
Elegance [2.25]: I'm sorry, I get that you are working towards a quite specific build here, but there's too many class dips going on; the build just feels "messy" (-0.5). You don't qualify for all the spells required to make the Iceheart, but you do address the issue (-0.25). You appear to qualify for all feats and classes . You list your sources, which is appreciated.
UoSI [3.25]: As you only take 8 levels of the SI, I need to apply a small penalty (-0.5). You seem to make solid use of most of the SI abilities (+0.75).

[The Viscount]

Wow, that's a fast turnaround on judging! Much appreciated, Thurbane!

[Korahir]

Thanks Thurbane. Looks solid.

[Darrin]

Scores After One Judge


EntryPlaceThurbaneTotal

Kaye (link) (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=21615807&postcount=110)Gold1515

Ashhearth (link) (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=21615789&postcount=107)Silver14.514.5

Bonfrag (link) (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=21615794&postcount=108)Bronze13.513.5

Icikill (link) (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=21615822&postcount=111)Fourth12.7512.75

Chyl Hought (link) (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=21615801&postcount=109)Fifth12.2512.25



It's been pretty quiet. No disputes, I suppose. Judging deadline is still Tuesday, I think... How you doing, Muggins?

As far as next ingredient goes... here's Helio's list of possible ingredients (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=21386199&postcount=54):


Arboreal Guardian
Aerial Avenger
Astral Dancer
Berserk
Cavestalker
Dungeon Delver (?)
Elocator
Gatecrasher
Kinslayer
Oozemaster
Shaper of Form
Shining Blade of Hieronymous Bosch
Soldier of Light
Twisted Lord
Visionary Seeker


...but since Winterhaunt wasn't on that list, then maybe she's added a few to it.

[The Viscount]

Come on, Prophet of Erathaoi!

[WhamBamSam]

I was a bit hesitant, but I'm now largely on board the Watch Detective train.

Outside of Heliomance's list I'll also repeat my usual refrain of Beast Heart Adept, Eye of Gruumsh, Rage Mage, Bayushi Deciever, Doomlord, Mortal Hunter, Scar Enforcer, and Demonologist.

[Venger]

I was a bit hesitant, but I'm now largely on board the Watch Detective train.

Outside of Heliomance's list I'll also repeat my usual refrain of Beast Heart Adept, Eye of Gruumsh, Rage Mage, Bayushi Deciever, Doomlord, Mortal Hunter, Scar Enforcer, and Demonologist.

scar enforcer horrifies me. I'd ask what you see in it, but i know that'd be speculation in case it comes up, so I'll assume I'm missing something.

twisted lord or watch detective both sound like a lot of fun. I'd be game for any dragonmarked class as always.

[Inevitability]

Yath! Rin! Shee! Yath! Rin! Shee!

[KrimsonNekros]

Guess I'll toss out my usual cry for DotU Arachnomancer.

[WhamBamSam]

Guess I'll toss out my usual cry for DotU Arachnomancer.I actually have something lined up for Arachnomancer that I'm pretty happy with. I'll definitely be down to build when you finally get your wish.

[ZamielVanWeber]

I actually have something lined up for Arachnomancer that I'm pretty happy with. I'll definitely be down to build when you finally get your wish.

If we do DotU arachnomancer I may have to submit something for the first time.

[KrimsonNekros]

*listens to crickets.* I'm not sure if the lack of disputes is good or bad, but it's definitely different for things to help those quiet.

[Heliomance]

Are we likely to get a second judge, or should I call it imminently?

[Darrin]

Are we likely to get a second judge, or should I call it imminently?

Muggins mentioned judging, but I may have misunderstood whether it was a personal statement of intent or a more general admonishment to judges of a more hypothetical nature.

[Korahir]

Muggins mentioned judging, but I may have misunderstood whether it was a personal statement of intent or a more general admonishment to judges of a more hypothetical nature.

Thanks for showing me in a pretty brutal but elegant way that I am not a native speaker.

[ZamielVanWeber]

If we need a second judge I can do it tomorrow.

[Darrin]

If we need a second judge I can do it tomorrow.

It's a short round, so... go for it?

[Korahir]

Any update on whether we get a second judge or not?

[ZamielVanWeber]

I got swamped with game work for other games, so I am about halfway done.

[ZamielVanWeber]

Sorry I was in the hospital for a good chunk of Thursday and am still recovering. I don't think I'll be able to finish until Sunday at this rate, so I will bow out instead of delaying this until then.

[The Viscount]

Everything all right?

[Muggins]

Muggins mentioned judging, but I may have misunderstood whether it was a personal statement of intent or a more general admonishment to judges of a more hypothetical nature.
I was indeed planning to judge. Moving house on short notice threw a bit of a spanner in those works, but it's still in the stars.

As for admonishment, I'm just used to disputes is all.

[Darrin]

ZamielVanWeber, I hope you're on the mend and getting back up to full HP quickly.

With no other judges forthcoming, I think we may have to put this ingredient to bed and get the next one into the on-deck circle.

[Venger]

ZamielVanWeber, I hope you're on the mend and getting back up to full HP quickly.

With no other judges forthcoming, I think we may have to put this ingredient to bed and get the next one into the on-deck circle.

Hope everything turns out all right.

I agree.

[WhamBamSam]

Yeah, let's call this one and move on.

[Heliomance]

Ack I just realised I haven't checked over here in like a week. Scores time!

Scores After One Judge


EntryChefPlaceThurbaneTotal

Kaye (link) (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=21615807&postcount=110)The ViscountGold1515

Ashhearth (link) (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=21615789&postcount=107)KorahirSilver14.514.5

Bonfrag (link) (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=21615794&postcount=108)AmphetryonBronze13.513.5

Icikill (link) (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=21615822&postcount=111)DarrinFourth12.7512.75

Chyl Hought (link) (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=21615801&postcount=109)MacabaretFifth12.2512.25



Congratulations to The Viscount, Korahir, and Amphetryon for medaling!

[Korahir]

Grats my fellow competitors. This must have been one of the most unspectacular rounds ever. No disputes, solid builds all around.

Really hoping for a noncaster for next round ;)

[Heliomance]

Grats my fellow competitors. This must have been one of the most unspectacular rounds ever. No disputes, solid builds all around.

Really hoping for a noncaster for next round ;)

Wish granted!

[arclance]

Here is a link to make it easier to find if posts fall off while people build and it moves off the first page. (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?514631-Iron-Chef-Optimisation-Challenge-in-the-Playground-LXXXIV)

[Venger]

Really great round. Super exciting builds.

I especially liked your build, Darrin, but I feel like I'm missing something. How'd you nab CWI?

[The Viscount]

I had a lot of fun this round. Congratulations to everyone for some good builds. I was inspired to make my build by the Antipodes from way back in Cryokineticist, and by the sweet Snow Queen cartoon of course.

[Venger]

I had a lot of fun this round. Congratulations to everyone for some good builds. I was inspired to make my build by the Antipodes from way back in Cryokineticist, and by the sweet Snow Queen cartoon of course.

They played clips of that janky russian snow queen cartoon on the pre-show reel at the alamo drafthouse before a screening of "the huntsman: winter's war" I was convinced no one else was aware of its existence.

[daremetoidareyo]

My honorable mention goes to chyl hout

I love how clever your build was.

[Darrin]

Really great round. Super exciting builds.

I especially liked your build, Darrin, but I feel like I'm missing something. How'd you nab CWI?

"Your racial SLAs and Chosen of Iborighu gives you a caster level of 3"

CWI requires CL 3. If you have an SLA and it doesn't specify a caster level, then your caster level = HD. Uldras have several racial SLAs: ray of frost 3/day, speak with animals 1/day, touch of fatigue 1/day. At the time I put it together, apparently I thought Chosen of Iborighu gave me another SLA with a caster level, but it's an (Su). I think I may have confused the feat with the minor iceheart thingy.

If I'm looking at a CL requirement but don't necessarily want to focus on spellcasting, then I usually look for an SLA that doesn't specify a CL. For example, if you need a human bonus feat but need a caster level, Silverbrow Humans have a featherfall SLA that gives them a CL equal to their HD.

I originally had Sorcerer in the build instead of Wu Jen, but thought I needed the metamagic feat more than Draconic Heritage... I went back and forth on this, trying to figure out which class gave me a stronger build. I thought Wu Jen + 8 levels of spellcasting was better, since it gave me 5th level spells (CL 9 Sorcerer only gets 4th), but when I looked at the 5th level Wu Jen spells and none of them were worth taking, so I put two of those Winterhaunt +1 CLs into bard to pick up sonic weapon. And of course after the build was posted, I finally decided I should have switched it back to Dragonblood Sorcerer 1, and taken Sorcerer 2 instead of DFA 2. This gives me 5th level spells and a much more interesting spell list. I lose the cone of cold breath weapon and some natural armor, but that really wasn't the focus of the build.

Oh... and I thought Macabaret would bring this up in a dispute, but to clarify something Thurbane mentioned:



The Dragon Shaman dip feels quite tacked on, and (apart from thematics), I'm not sure what it's there for (-0.25).


It's there to switch the [fire] damage from Dragonfire Inspiration to [cold], as per the sidebar in Dragon Magic p. 18. "Whenever a dragon shaman selects a feat or other option whose effect depends on a character's draconic heritage (from the Draconic Heritage feat), treat his totem dragon as his heritage selection."

...and I remember reading that text, but for some reason it didn't occur to me that Dragon Shaman 1 was a much better way to switch all my [fire] damage to [cold] damage. I think that saves me two feats (Dragontouched and Draconic Heritage) that I desperately needed for something else (like Extra Music and Melodic Casting). Instead of DFA 2/Wu Jen 1, I could have gone Dragon Shaman 1/Martial Wizard 2...?

So. Yeah. You always get the best build ideas after the deadline.

[Troacctid]

At the time I put it together, apparently I thought Chosen of Iborighu gave me another SLA with a caster level, but it's an (Su). I think I may have confused the feat with the minor iceheart thingy.
(Su) abilities also have a caster level equal to your HD.

[Thurbane]

It's there to switch the [fire] damage from Dragonfire Inspiration to [cold], as per the sidebar in Dragon Magic p. 18. "Whenever a dragon shaman selects a feat or other option whose effect depends on a character's draconic heritage (from the Draconic Heritage feat), treat his totem dragon as his heritage selection."

Ah, makes sense. good to know.