lolcat
2023-04-21, 08:40 AM
Greetinngs Playground!
After watching playthroughs of "Bendy and the dark revival" (trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R365IYrPgoE), i got inspired and tried my hand at creating a prestige class for D&D 3.5 that captured the style and feeling of the game.
I also tried to take inspiration from existing classes like the Sandshaper, but wanted to give it a more creepy/otherworldly bent at higher levels.
In any case, since this is my first attempt at homebrewing an entire class, feedback and criticism would be much appreciated.
Thanks a bunch,
your friendly neighborhood lolcat
https://www.gameactuality.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/bendy-and-the-dark-revival-guide-soluce-head.jpg
The Ink Caster
Requirements:
Arcane or Divine spellcasting ability (must be able to cast 3rd-level spells)
Skill ranks in Craft (painting or calligraphy): 5
Knowledge (nature): 2 ranks
Profession (artist) 5 ranks
Feat: Spell Thematics (Ink)
Successful creation of an ink-based artwork or magical item worth at least 1000GP
Hit Dice: d4
BAB: progression as Sorc, Fort: Bad, Refl & Will: good
Class Skills: Concentration, Craft (painting or calligraphy), Decipher Script, Forgery, Knowledge (arcana), Knowledge (nature), Knowledge (the planes), Profession (artist), Spellcraft.
Skill Points per Level: 4 + Intelligence modifier.
Class Features:
Spellcasting: At each level except 1st and 9th, you gain new spells per day and an increase in caster level (and spells known, if applicable) as if you had also gained a level in an arcane or divine spellcasting class to which you belonged before adding the prestige class level. You do not, however, gain any other benefit a character of that class would have gained. If you had more than one arcane spellcasting class before becoming an ink caster, you must decide to which class to add each level for the purpose of determining spells per day, caster level, and spells known.
Create Ink[Sp], Lvl 1: A first tentative connection to the Ink magic gives an Ink Caster access to the spell “Create Ink”. They can add it to their list of known spells or add it to their spell- or prayerbook for free (if they have one). This spell works identically to the spell “Create Water”, only that it creates one ounce of well-made artists-ink for every gallon “Create Water” would have created. The caster can choose the ink to be of any color of their choosing. The ink, once created, is non-poisonous and non-magical in nature. It can be used in many of the Ink Casters abilities, or to create regular artworks or magical items.
Magic of the Ink [Lvl 1]: As an Ink Caster, you gain knowledge of the deeper magic of the ink, which gives you access to additional spells (see the list below). If you were a caster who previously prepared spells (such as a wizard), you can prepare these spells like any other spell to which you have access. If you are a spontaneous caster (such as a sorcerer), these spells are available to you like any other spell you know. You cannot cast a spell of higher level than the maximum spell level you can cast. These spells become options for you when you gain access to the appropriate spell level.
At first level every second level thereafter, an Ink Caster can choose one of the spells on the following list. Further on, she is capable of losing a prepared spell, in addition to a number of ink-vials equal to the spell level, in order to cast it spontaneously without having prepared it beforehand.
O Level: Arcane Mark, Amanuensis, Stick
1st Level: Animate Ink (as Animate Water), Grease, Illusory Script, Silent Image, Color Spray
2nd Level: Blur, Ghoul Glyph, Minor Image, Mirror Image
3rd Level: Sepia Snake Sigil, Glyph of Warding, Major Image, Secret Page
4th Level: Hallucinatory Terrain, Shadow Conjuration, Solid Fog
5th Level: Symbol of Sleep, Mirage Arcana, Persistent Image, Shadow Evocation
6th Level: Programmed Image ,Veil, Symbol of Fear, Symbol of Persuasion
7th Level: Greater Shadow Conjuration, Project Image, Symbol of Stunning
8th Level: Greater Shadow Evocation, Symbol of Insanity
9th Level: Shades
Intent Made Manifest [Ex] Lvl 2: As you delve into the mysteries of ink magic, you learn to weave your art and magic into a more permanent form. You can create mundane, non-alchemical items out of ink, using their paintbrush or quill as a tool. You can create any solid object you can imagine, provided you have access to enough ink, and you can successfully make a caster level check. The DC of the check is determined by the size and complexity of the item:
(table identical to Sandshaper ability)
Vivid Imagination [Su] Lvl 4: An Ink Caster can channel stored spell energy into summoning spells that she hasn’t prepared ahead of time. She can lose a prepared spell, in addition to a number of ink-vials equal to the spell level, in order to cast any summon nature’s ally spell of the same level or lower.
The summoned creatures, known as “inkwell creatures”, have the visual appearance of an artwork of the chosen creature (in the casters chosen art-style), and have identical characteristics to the original creature, with the following exception:
The summoned creature does not possess any Supernatural, Spell-Like or Spellcasting abilities. The Ink Caster can summon an inkwell version of any creature that they have seen before or can make a Knowledge (nature) check with a DC equal to 10 + the creature's CR.
While in contact with an ink-covered surface, an inkwell creature has fast healing 5 and damage reduction 5
A vial of ink thrown on an inkwell creature has the same effect as a cure light wound spell, CLvl of the character having created the ink.
Subtle Art[Ex] Lvl 3: Drawing ink forth from within her, an ink caster can cloak herself in a near-perfect imitation of her surroundings, all but disappearing into the background. This ability grants a circumstance bonus to the ink casters Hide check equal to her Craft(painting or Calligraphy) modifier. An Ink Caster can use this ability up to one minute per class level per day, split up however she desires. Activating and dismissing this ability is a move action.
Art Moves[Sp] Lvl 5: At level 5, the Ink Caster can teleport from one surface of liquid ink to another. They can teleport as a move action to any pool within 10 ft. per caster level which they have seen before or personally created. The Ink Caster can teleport a number of times per day equal to their class level plus modifier of casting ability. One vial of ink can create a surface large enough to accommodate a medium-sized creature. For example, an Ink Caster who is already standing in a puddle of ink can throw a vial of ink through an open window 30 ft. away as a ranged attack (standard action), where it shatters on the floor, and then teleport to the inky surface they created as a move action.
At level 7, her connection to the ink has grown to such a point that she no longer needs to touch an inky surface to teleport to another. In addition, her range increases to that or a “Teleport” spell.
Inkwell Transformation[Sp] Lvl 6: The Ink Caster gains the ability to transform her own body into a pool of living ink, for one minute plus 1 minute per Ink Caster level per day. This ability otherwise works identical to the spell “Sandform”.
Inkwell Dimension [Ex] Lvl 8: Deciphering the deeper secrets of the Ink Magic and its origins, the Ink Caster gains the ability to create a small demi plane by drawing power from the mysterious source of ink magic. Drawing its features through use of her Craft(painting or calligraphy) skills, the demi plane has a radius of 10 ft. per Ink Caster Level.
Any drawn elements within that plane are considered mundane versions and have the same hardness and hit points as their regular counterparts. No exotic materials such as adamantium can be drawn to create the inkwell dimension.
While they are dry to the touch, any drawn item or surface in the Inkwell Dimension is considered liquid ink concerning other Ink Caster abilities.
Within the Inkwell Dimension no extra ink is necessary to spontaneously cast spells from the “Magic of the Ink” ability.
Creating this refuge is costly and takes one vial of ink per 5-ft. cube of created volume to initially make, to change or to repair. The Ink Caster can make slight changes to the visual traits of the demi plane (I.e. if all creatures and objects in it are monochrome or a appear a certain artistic style, form and source of lighting etc.) but cannot change the laws that govern physics or magic as they exist on the prime material plane.
The Ink Caster can attempt to extend her domain beyond the size it could naturally take by making a caster-lvl check of 10+5 for each 5-ft radius beyond what it could normally have. If this check fails, her Inkwell Dimension collapses back into a 5 ft.-radius core around the ink caster. All ink-based features and creations outside this core are lost, as are all non-magical items in these areas. Magical Items and non-ink-based creatures make a Reflex Save (DC 10 + Distance from Core/10) or are also irretrievably lost as the demiplane collapses.
Living Art [Sp] Lvl 10: Learning the deepest secrets of the Ink Magic, the Ink Caster gains the ability to bring their drawings and sketches to true, sentient life. This ability can be applied to any painting or sketch of a physical being she made, but otherwise works as the spell “Awaken”. As with “Awaken”, the Ink Caster has no special ability to command or control her creations, even though she senses if they are destroyed and can, as a move action and at any distance within the same plane, retrieve the life-force she spent on creating the being. This kills the awakened creature permanently and returns ½ of the spent XP to the Ink Caster. The Ink Caster can use this ability once per casting ability modifier per day (withdrawing the life force can be done at will).
Edit: Here is the latest version (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1pa4_YrRFOtvLLyRssg7L0tIujfGp3NNm9WO5dZWeqdI/edit?usp=sharing) of the Ink Caster and two more prestige classes, the Inkwell Guardian and the Inkwell Cultist, plus some spells, items and monsters:
After watching playthroughs of "Bendy and the dark revival" (trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R365IYrPgoE), i got inspired and tried my hand at creating a prestige class for D&D 3.5 that captured the style and feeling of the game.
I also tried to take inspiration from existing classes like the Sandshaper, but wanted to give it a more creepy/otherworldly bent at higher levels.
In any case, since this is my first attempt at homebrewing an entire class, feedback and criticism would be much appreciated.
Thanks a bunch,
your friendly neighborhood lolcat
https://www.gameactuality.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/bendy-and-the-dark-revival-guide-soluce-head.jpg
The Ink Caster
Requirements:
Arcane or Divine spellcasting ability (must be able to cast 3rd-level spells)
Skill ranks in Craft (painting or calligraphy): 5
Knowledge (nature): 2 ranks
Profession (artist) 5 ranks
Feat: Spell Thematics (Ink)
Successful creation of an ink-based artwork or magical item worth at least 1000GP
Hit Dice: d4
BAB: progression as Sorc, Fort: Bad, Refl & Will: good
Class Skills: Concentration, Craft (painting or calligraphy), Decipher Script, Forgery, Knowledge (arcana), Knowledge (nature), Knowledge (the planes), Profession (artist), Spellcraft.
Skill Points per Level: 4 + Intelligence modifier.
Class Features:
Spellcasting: At each level except 1st and 9th, you gain new spells per day and an increase in caster level (and spells known, if applicable) as if you had also gained a level in an arcane or divine spellcasting class to which you belonged before adding the prestige class level. You do not, however, gain any other benefit a character of that class would have gained. If you had more than one arcane spellcasting class before becoming an ink caster, you must decide to which class to add each level for the purpose of determining spells per day, caster level, and spells known.
Create Ink[Sp], Lvl 1: A first tentative connection to the Ink magic gives an Ink Caster access to the spell “Create Ink”. They can add it to their list of known spells or add it to their spell- or prayerbook for free (if they have one). This spell works identically to the spell “Create Water”, only that it creates one ounce of well-made artists-ink for every gallon “Create Water” would have created. The caster can choose the ink to be of any color of their choosing. The ink, once created, is non-poisonous and non-magical in nature. It can be used in many of the Ink Casters abilities, or to create regular artworks or magical items.
Magic of the Ink [Lvl 1]: As an Ink Caster, you gain knowledge of the deeper magic of the ink, which gives you access to additional spells (see the list below). If you were a caster who previously prepared spells (such as a wizard), you can prepare these spells like any other spell to which you have access. If you are a spontaneous caster (such as a sorcerer), these spells are available to you like any other spell you know. You cannot cast a spell of higher level than the maximum spell level you can cast. These spells become options for you when you gain access to the appropriate spell level.
At first level every second level thereafter, an Ink Caster can choose one of the spells on the following list. Further on, she is capable of losing a prepared spell, in addition to a number of ink-vials equal to the spell level, in order to cast it spontaneously without having prepared it beforehand.
O Level: Arcane Mark, Amanuensis, Stick
1st Level: Animate Ink (as Animate Water), Grease, Illusory Script, Silent Image, Color Spray
2nd Level: Blur, Ghoul Glyph, Minor Image, Mirror Image
3rd Level: Sepia Snake Sigil, Glyph of Warding, Major Image, Secret Page
4th Level: Hallucinatory Terrain, Shadow Conjuration, Solid Fog
5th Level: Symbol of Sleep, Mirage Arcana, Persistent Image, Shadow Evocation
6th Level: Programmed Image ,Veil, Symbol of Fear, Symbol of Persuasion
7th Level: Greater Shadow Conjuration, Project Image, Symbol of Stunning
8th Level: Greater Shadow Evocation, Symbol of Insanity
9th Level: Shades
Intent Made Manifest [Ex] Lvl 2: As you delve into the mysteries of ink magic, you learn to weave your art and magic into a more permanent form. You can create mundane, non-alchemical items out of ink, using their paintbrush or quill as a tool. You can create any solid object you can imagine, provided you have access to enough ink, and you can successfully make a caster level check. The DC of the check is determined by the size and complexity of the item:
(table identical to Sandshaper ability)
Vivid Imagination [Su] Lvl 4: An Ink Caster can channel stored spell energy into summoning spells that she hasn’t prepared ahead of time. She can lose a prepared spell, in addition to a number of ink-vials equal to the spell level, in order to cast any summon nature’s ally spell of the same level or lower.
The summoned creatures, known as “inkwell creatures”, have the visual appearance of an artwork of the chosen creature (in the casters chosen art-style), and have identical characteristics to the original creature, with the following exception:
The summoned creature does not possess any Supernatural, Spell-Like or Spellcasting abilities. The Ink Caster can summon an inkwell version of any creature that they have seen before or can make a Knowledge (nature) check with a DC equal to 10 + the creature's CR.
While in contact with an ink-covered surface, an inkwell creature has fast healing 5 and damage reduction 5
A vial of ink thrown on an inkwell creature has the same effect as a cure light wound spell, CLvl of the character having created the ink.
Subtle Art[Ex] Lvl 3: Drawing ink forth from within her, an ink caster can cloak herself in a near-perfect imitation of her surroundings, all but disappearing into the background. This ability grants a circumstance bonus to the ink casters Hide check equal to her Craft(painting or Calligraphy) modifier. An Ink Caster can use this ability up to one minute per class level per day, split up however she desires. Activating and dismissing this ability is a move action.
Art Moves[Sp] Lvl 5: At level 5, the Ink Caster can teleport from one surface of liquid ink to another. They can teleport as a move action to any pool within 10 ft. per caster level which they have seen before or personally created. The Ink Caster can teleport a number of times per day equal to their class level plus modifier of casting ability. One vial of ink can create a surface large enough to accommodate a medium-sized creature. For example, an Ink Caster who is already standing in a puddle of ink can throw a vial of ink through an open window 30 ft. away as a ranged attack (standard action), where it shatters on the floor, and then teleport to the inky surface they created as a move action.
At level 7, her connection to the ink has grown to such a point that she no longer needs to touch an inky surface to teleport to another. In addition, her range increases to that or a “Teleport” spell.
Inkwell Transformation[Sp] Lvl 6: The Ink Caster gains the ability to transform her own body into a pool of living ink, for one minute plus 1 minute per Ink Caster level per day. This ability otherwise works identical to the spell “Sandform”.
Inkwell Dimension [Ex] Lvl 8: Deciphering the deeper secrets of the Ink Magic and its origins, the Ink Caster gains the ability to create a small demi plane by drawing power from the mysterious source of ink magic. Drawing its features through use of her Craft(painting or calligraphy) skills, the demi plane has a radius of 10 ft. per Ink Caster Level.
Any drawn elements within that plane are considered mundane versions and have the same hardness and hit points as their regular counterparts. No exotic materials such as adamantium can be drawn to create the inkwell dimension.
While they are dry to the touch, any drawn item or surface in the Inkwell Dimension is considered liquid ink concerning other Ink Caster abilities.
Within the Inkwell Dimension no extra ink is necessary to spontaneously cast spells from the “Magic of the Ink” ability.
Creating this refuge is costly and takes one vial of ink per 5-ft. cube of created volume to initially make, to change or to repair. The Ink Caster can make slight changes to the visual traits of the demi plane (I.e. if all creatures and objects in it are monochrome or a appear a certain artistic style, form and source of lighting etc.) but cannot change the laws that govern physics or magic as they exist on the prime material plane.
The Ink Caster can attempt to extend her domain beyond the size it could naturally take by making a caster-lvl check of 10+5 for each 5-ft radius beyond what it could normally have. If this check fails, her Inkwell Dimension collapses back into a 5 ft.-radius core around the ink caster. All ink-based features and creations outside this core are lost, as are all non-magical items in these areas. Magical Items and non-ink-based creatures make a Reflex Save (DC 10 + Distance from Core/10) or are also irretrievably lost as the demiplane collapses.
Living Art [Sp] Lvl 10: Learning the deepest secrets of the Ink Magic, the Ink Caster gains the ability to bring their drawings and sketches to true, sentient life. This ability can be applied to any painting or sketch of a physical being she made, but otherwise works as the spell “Awaken”. As with “Awaken”, the Ink Caster has no special ability to command or control her creations, even though she senses if they are destroyed and can, as a move action and at any distance within the same plane, retrieve the life-force she spent on creating the being. This kills the awakened creature permanently and returns ½ of the spent XP to the Ink Caster. The Ink Caster can use this ability once per casting ability modifier per day (withdrawing the life force can be done at will).
Edit: Here is the latest version (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1pa4_YrRFOtvLLyRssg7L0tIujfGp3NNm9WO5dZWeqdI/edit?usp=sharing) of the Ink Caster and two more prestige classes, the Inkwell Guardian and the Inkwell Cultist, plus some spells, items and monsters: