[3.5] Khayal Genie NPC

[Thurbane]

So, just after some general feedback.

If I want to use a Khayal Genie (ToM p.162) as a recurring NPC/MBEG in game, what class levels would you slap on him?

8 RHD, CR 6: Str +4, Dex +8, Con +10, Int +4, Wis +2, Cha +4; class levels will be added as associated/non-associated for CR purposes.

He will be entering the game at CR 9 or so, so that's either 3 associated class levels, or 6 non-associated class levels.

I'm thinking maybe a Binder dip to deal with Con drain from staying on the material plane?

Usual disclaimers: no psionics, no incarnum, no PF, no Dragon Mag (other than compendium).

How to make him a challenging an interesting recurring foe or foil for the party? Party is Paladin (non-casting variant) 9, Ranger (non-casting variant) 9, Warmage 6/Sandshaper 3, and favoured SOul 9, if that matters.

Cheers - T

[Biffoniacus_Furiou]

Dipping Binder for Naberius won't work, as that gives fast healing for ability damage, but it takes ability drain. However, it only occurs after 24 consecutive hours away from the Plane of Shadow, and it can use Pass Into Shadow at will.

It's a sneak attacker with a few shadow/darkness abilities, I'd add Battle Sorcerer (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/classes/variantCharacterClasses.htm#sorcererVariantBattleS orcerer) 7, which as non-associated class levels rounds down to +3 CR. That comes with the elite array for no additional CR increase. It should still wear light armor, despite what the illustration shows, hence the reason for using Battle Sorcerer. It will know one 3rd level spell, two 2nd level, and four 1st level. It will be at 15 HD for six feats on top of the two racial bonus feats, and a single +1 to an ability score.

Use the Dragonblood Sorcerer 1 substitution level to give it Draconic Heritage (shadow dragon) instead of a familiar, it will have the dragonblood subtype from having that feat. It's a bit of circular logic, but it's fitting for the build. Feats should be Mindsight, Practiced Spellcaster, Split Ray, Practical Metamagic: Split Ray, Invisible Spell, and Craven. Ability scores should be Str 8+4, Dex 13+8, Con 12+10, Int 14+4, Wis 10+2, Cha 15+4+1

Spells known should include Scorching Ray, Wings of Cover, and probably Dispel Magic, plus whatever 1st level spells would be useful (Shield, Wall of Smoke, Nerveskitter, etc.). If you want to give it one more level of Sorcerer it can have Greater Invisibility, otherwise it's relying on flight and darkness effects.

The idea is that it flies around unseen, uses Split Ray Invisible Spell Scorching Ray to fire four rays which deal 4d6 fire damage, with an additional 3d6+15 per ray if he's sneak attacking. It takes a full-round action to cast that with metamagic, and the Rules Compendium says if it takes a full-round action, every attack gets to add the precision damage. So that's potentially 28d6+60 damage per 3rd level spell slot spent each round, for an average of 158 damage per round. He can only 5-ft. adjust after casting one of those, but with darkness effects and Invisible Spell, plus moving silently with perfect flight, they shouldn't be able to pinpoint his location very easily.

He'll still be capable in melee, but his priority should be to stay at a distance and use ranged attacks. He can use Pass Into Shadow or Umbral Body (and go through a wall/ceiling/floor) as an escape mechanism if he doesn't think he'll win the fight.

[Thurbane]

That's some good advice and ideas, thanks.

Good to know I don't need to worry about Con drain with at will Pass Into Shadow. What's the equivalent spell level of PIS, for Quicken SLA? 5th? Probably not achievable with a base CL of 8th.

[Biffoniacus_Furiou]

All the spell-like abilities it gets are from that same book, starting on page 140. Pass Into Shadow is 5th level, it's basically Plane Shift to or from the Plane of Shadow.

[Mr Adventurer]

If it's Plane Shift then it's also super inconvenient to use daily unless you also have Teleport...

[Mr Adventurer]

Also, if the base creature is a sneak attacker, I don't think Battle Sorcerer - a fighting class - would count as non-associated.

[Mr Adventurer]

OP: what's the NPC's objectives? Why does he stay on the Prime?

[Thurbane]

OP: what's the NPC's objectives? Why does he stay on the Prime?

His goals are still being fleshed out, TBH.