Jewellcaster

[Lix Lorn]

I have an interesting idea for a spellcasting class-but i actually know very little about D&D. (Read: Nothing. I need to stop getting useless ideas.)

The first level would give you the following ability.

Jewellcaster-At any time, the character may imbue a jewel, gem, or any other near synonym with any form of magical spell they have access to. This process takes twice the amount of time it would to cast the spell. At any point, the character may have total imbued stones equasl to twice their spellcasting level.
First Level Spell-
Call of the Jewellcaster
Creates a single jewel/gem/precious stone etc worth 100GP, for the use of the above ability. It cannot exist for longer than an hour without being within ten metres of the Jewellcaster who created it.

Anyone know enough to help me actually make it? DXD

[Latronis]

for what purpose?

[Cataphract]

Here's an easy way to integrate it- potions and scrolls.

In Complete Arcane or Mage, it goes into the details of how a caster may create different kinds of said magic items with the same effect. At least one of the two involved gems.

Thus, you could simply have two kinds- one, like scrolls, usable only by casters, and the other, like potions, by anybody.

[Xallace]

Well, what else would you like it to do? Is there a direction you want to go with the jewelcaster?

You could have any number of abilities in here...

• Selection of spells unique to the class, focused around gems and crystals, that you gain access to upon entering (ala Shaper of the Sand)
• Caster Level bonus for casting spells from gems
• Spells that require gems require less gems when you use them (i.e. Resurrection)
• Your damaging spells deal partial piercing/slashing damage from the magically conjured crystals that appear when you use them
• Teleportation between gems
• Some kind of "rotational casting" ability symbolized by the many facets of gemstones
• A crystalline familiar, ala a psi-crystal

And that's just off the top of my head.

[Lix Lorn]

No reason. Just for the sake of it.

Well, i think the advantage is that you can store spells when you're safe and warm and well fed, and then you can activate them instantly when you actually need them.

Gem based spells sound interesting.
Oh, and i also had the idea that these gems can store other people's spells. (only if they agree) That would probably be a higher level thing.

[Xallace]

OK, so let's write up a rough draft.

Spoiler

Show

Jewelcaster


Prerequisites:
Skills: Craft (gemcutting) 8 ranks
Feats: Craft Wondrous Item
Special: Ability to cast 3rd-level spells
Special: Must not be barred from casting Conjuration spells

Class Skills: Appraise (Int), Concentration (Con), Craft (Int), Knowledge (all skills, taken individually)(Int), Profession (Wis), and Spellcraft (Int)
Skill Points per Level: 2 + Intelligence modifier

{table=head]Level | BaB | Fort | Ref | Will | Special | Spellcasting
1 | +0 | +0 | +0 | +2 |Imbue Jewel (Self), Crystalline Casting| -
2 | +1 | +0 | +0 | +3 |???|+1 level of existing spellcasting ability
3 | +1 | +1 | +1 | +3 |Imbue Jewel (Allies)|+1 level of existing spellcasting ability
4 | +2 | +1 | +1 | +4 |???|+1 level of existing spellcasting ability
5 | +2 | +1 | +1 | +4 |Imbue Jewel (Absorb) |-[/table]

Imbue Jewel (Su): A jewelcaster's signature ability is that of imbuing a jewel with a spell. So long as the jewelcaster holds a gemstone worth at least 100gp, she may take a full-round action to cast a spell of her choice and hold it within the gemstone. She may hold a number of spells within her jewel equal to her class level.

The jewelcaster may cast any spell held in her gemstone. This takes as long as the spell would normally take to cast. The caster level and Saving Throw DC (if any) for any spell cast in this way is increased by 1.

At 3rd level, an ally may cast a spell into the gem, so long as the jewelcaster is willing. The ally must touch the jewel to cast the spell. The jewelcaster chooses when to expend the spell from the gemstone. Any ally's spell uses the jewelcaster's caster level Save DC (if any) and receives the bonuses for casting from the jewel.

At 5th level, the jewelcaster can absorb hostile spells. This ability requires the jewelcaster to ready an action to counterspell while holding her jewel, and her jewel must have at least one available slot open for the new spell. When spell is cast, the jewelcaster harmlessly absorbs it into her gem.

The jewelcaster may cast the absorbed spell as she could any imbued spell. The spell uses the jewelcaster's caster level and Save DC, including the bonuses from casting from the jewel.

Crystalline Casting (Ex): Upon entering the class, a jewelcaster gains access to a special suite of gem-based spells. These spells all require a jewel worth at least 100gp as a focus. When using the Imbue Jewel ability, these spells may be cast into your jewel as a swift action.

Does this look good so far?

Edit: Had a slightly different idea.

Spoiler

Show

Imbue Jewel (Su): A jewelcaster's signature ability is that of imbuing a jewel with a spell. So long as the jewelcaster holds a gemstone worth at least 100gp, she may take a full-round action to cast a spell of her choice and hold it within the gemstone. She may hold a number of spells within her jewel equal to her class level.

The jewelcaster may cast any spell held in her gemstone. This takes as long as the spell would normally take to cast.

At 3rd level, an ally may cast a spell into the gem, so long as the jewelcaster is willing. The ally must touch the jewel to cast the spell. The jewelcaster chooses when to expend the spell from the gemstone.

At 5th level, the jewelcaster can absorb hostile spells. This ability requires the jewelcaster to ready an action to counterspell while holding her jewel, and her jewel must have at least one available slot open for the new spell. When spell is cast, the jewelcaster harmlessly absorbs it into her gem.

The jewelcaster may cast the absorbed spell as she could any imbued spell.

Crystalline Casting (Ex): When a jewelcaster casts an imbued spell from her gem, the caster level and Save DC of the spell are increased by 1.

Additionally, the jewelcaster can convert any imbued spell into a special crystal spell. These spells never need to be prepared or learned; they are inherent to the jewel focus. An imbued spell can be converted into any crystal spell of its level or lower (i.e. a 5th level spell can be converted into any crystal spell of 5th level or lower).

The crystals spells are....

[Latronis]

I didn't mean why homebrew the rules, I meant for what purpose would casting the spells into the gems serve.

Why would a caster want too so we can we work out some mechanics to make it doable.

[Lix Lorn]

That looks great! Only thing is-and this is explaining the question of why do it-I was thinking it would take the standard casting time (or maybe even longer) to imbue the spell, and only a standard action to activate it. That's their strength. They can respond much faster, but take more time to get prepared.

[Xallace]

That looks great! Only thing is-and this is explaining the question of why do it-I was thinking it would take the standard casting time (or maybe even longer) to imbue the spell, and only a standard action to activate it. That's their strength. They can respond much faster, but take more time to get prepared.

Hmm... Well, what we could do...

{table=head]Casting Time | Imbuing Time
Free, Swift, or Immediate Action | Standard Action
Standard Action | Full-Round Action
Full-Round Action | 1 Round
1 Round | 2 Rounds
Longer Times | Normal Casting Time[/table]

Crystalline Quickening (Ex): At 2nd level, you have further attuned yourself to the mystical resonance within your jewel, supplanting the need for certain laws of spellcasting. When you cast a spell that you have imbued into your jewel, the spell requires no somatic components and is cast as a Standard Action if the casting time would be longer.

[Lix Lorn]

(points approvingly)
Nice. Like it. Have a Free Hug Voucher. (Gives)

Now, for a final uber ability... capstone, is it sometimes called?

[Xallace]

Well, it's not quite finished. Level 4 is a little blank and the class-unique spells should be statted up. Then the capstone can bring it all together.

I don't suppose you have ideas of what kind of spells you'd want? Not mechanically, just conceptually (and don't say "jewel-themed" ). The way it's set up now, they'll be what gives the jewelcaster some oomph, so to speak.

Edit: Class so far.

Spoiler

Show

Jewelcaster


Prerequisites:
Skills: Craft (gemcutting) 8 ranks
Feats: Craft Wondrous Item
Special: Ability to cast 3rd-level spells
Special: Must not be barred from casting Conjuration spells

Class Skills: Appraise (Int), Concentration (Con), Craft (Int), Knowledge (all skills, taken individually)(Int), Profession (Wis), and Spellcraft (Int)
Skill Points per Level: 2 + Intelligence modifier

{table=head]Level | BaB | Fort | Ref | Will | Special | Spellcasting
1 | +0 | +0 | +0 | +2 |Imbue Jewel (Self), Crystalline Casting| -
2 | +1 | +0 | +0 | +3 |Crystalline Quickening|+1 level of existing spellcasting ability
3 | +1 | +1 | +1 | +3 |Imbue Jewel (Allies)|+1 level of existing spellcasting ability
4 | +2 | +1 | +1 | +4 |???|+1 level of existing spellcasting ability
5 | +2 | +1 | +1 | +4 |Imbue Jewel (Absorb) |-[/table]

Imbue Jewel (Su): A jewelcaster's signature ability is that of imbuing a jewel with a spell. So long as the jewelcaster holds a gemstone worth at least 100gp, she may imbue a spell into the gemstone to be cast at a later time. The time it takes to imbue a spell depends upon the spell's casting time, as shown on the following table.

{table=head]Casting Time | Imbuing Time
Free, Swift, or Immediate Action | Standard Action
Standard Action | Full-Round Action
Full-Round Action | 1 Round
1 Round | 2 Rounds
Longer Times | Normal Casting Time[/table]

The jewelcaster may hold a number of imbued spells equal to her class level. At any point after imbuing the spell, she may cast it at its normal casting time.

At 3rd level, an ally may cast a spell into the gem, so long as the jewelcaster is willing. The ally must touch the jewel to cast the spell. The jewelcaster chooses when to expend the spell from the gemstone.

At 5th level, the jewelcaster can absorb hostile spells. This ability requires the jewelcaster to ready an action to counterspell while holding her jewel, and her jewel must have at least one available slot open for the new spell. When spell is cast, the jewelcaster harmlessly absorbs it into her gem.

The jewelcaster may cast the absorbed spell as she could any imbued spell.

Crystalline Casting (Ex): When a jewelcaster casts an imbued spell from her gem, the caster level and Save DC of the spell are increased by 1.

Additionally, the jewelcaster can convert any imbued spell into a special crystal spell. These spells never need to be prepared or learned; they are inherent to the jewel focus. An imbued spell can be converted into any crystal spell of its level or lower (i.e. a 5th level spell can be converted into any crystal spell of 5th level or lower).

Crystalline Quickening (Ex): At 2nd level, you have further attuned yourself to the mystical resonance within your jewel, supplanting the need for certain laws of spellcasting. When you cast a spell that you have imbued into your jewel, the spell requires no somatic components and is cast as a Standard Action if the casting time would be longer.

[Lix Lorn]

Ooh, something themed about jewells! XD

I dunno. The primary spells i imagined storing are Healing and offensive magics, so some special variations on that?
How about they can be cast normally, but have enhanced effects when Crystal-stored?

Crystal Heal-As Cure Serious. If crystalcast, as Cure Critical.

... i dunno.
Maybe one that changes a crystal into a blade, and they can use it as if they were proficient with it? Of course, if it was crystalcast then it would get bonuses?

[Latronis]

Disposal recyclable magic items?

Instead of crafting a wand of fireball, you imbue a gem with a fireball that has one shot?

Can a gem store another spell afterwards or is it consumed by use?

Providing it said gem never leaves your person how long does last? forever?

[Lix Lorn]

Yes, Destroyed (But the spell allows you to get more pretty easily), and forever, yes. Unless some antimagic thing hits it.

[Latronis]

Honestly I think it would work better as a feat, It's a nifty kind of boon to any spellcaster (eg a cleric could store a righteous might before handing it over to mr barbarian the next day.. here popeye have some spinach)

Then you can use the feat as a prerequisite for the specialist PrC Jewel-Caster. And give them the spell as a bonus spell.

Forever has issues, you can expand your spell list by preparing them the day before. I suggest scaling the price up for higher level spells.

Craft Spell Gem[Item Creation]
Prerequisite
Caster level 3rd.

Benefit
You can create a spell gem by casting any spell that you know into a jewel, gem or similiar item of appropriate value in your possession. Casting spells into gems takes longer than normal casting as detailed in table: Spell Gem casting times. When you create a spell gem, you set the caster level, which must be sufficient to cast the spell in question and no higher than your own level.

When you create a spell gem, you make any choices that you would normally make when casting the spell. Anyone who knows the command word can activate the spell gem, though spell gems not in your possession only hold the charge of a spell for a number of hours equal to the stored spell's caster level. When activated or the charge in a spell gem expires the gem is destroyed leaving behind a valueless lump of a charcoal like rock.

A spell gem affected by a targetted dispel magic effect can lose it's charge(use the spell gem's stored caster level) And entering an anti-magic field erases a stored spell.

Any spell that would be stored with a costly material component may have that cost included in the value of the gem storing the spell instead of being used while casting the spell into the gem. Any spell that would be stored with an XP cost is paid when casting the spell into the gem.

The base value of a gem required to a store a spell is the spell level × its caster level × 10 gp (plus the value of any costly material components if desired).

A spellcaster with this feat can only have at most a number of spell gems active equal to half his caster level.

Spell Gem casting time adjustments:
{table=head]Casting Time | Imbuing Time
Free, Swift, or Immediate Action | Standard Action
Standard Action | Full-Round Action
Full-Round Action | 1 Round
1 Round | 2 Rounds
Longer Times | Normal Casting Time[/table]


Call of the Jewel-Caster

Conjuration (Creation)
Level: sorc\wiz 1
Components: V, S
Casting Time: 1 round
Range: Close
Effect: a gem worth 100gp/level
Duration: Instantaneous (see below)
Saving Throw: None
Spell Resistance: No

This spell creates a single Jewel\Gem\Precious Stone worth 100gp per caster level. Gems created by this spell not imbued with spells via the Craft Spell Gem feat have a distinct magical aura detected as a summoned item and only last for a number of minutes equal to caster level once it leaves the casters possession.

[Xallace]

I like it. Works much better than Craft Wondrous Item.

[Forever Curious]

I'm liking this concept...permission to use this if I ever desire to?

[Lix Lorn]

You're right, it works better as a PrC.

Sure, go ahead!
The secret origin of this class comes from an OC for Sailor Moon. XD