You just gained a level in real life: 2024 edition!

[Kalkra]

The feat I had in my notes was Improved Familiar, but at this point I've had my familiar for six years and I like to think I've gotten to know it too well to want it to change!

Personally, the way I've always thought of it is that your familiar was an ordinary animal imbued/possessed by some sort of magical spirit, and changing familiars is just moving that magical spirit to another host, but that's kind of a houserule on my part. I say "kind of" because there's not a lot of explanation for familiars outside of the mechanical. But this is your thread and you can do what you want.

[Llyarden]

Well, I'm a little late to the party here, but hey ho. Gonna be doing 3pp Pathfinder.

Spoiler: Idle Musings

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Let's start with being an incanter. Not going to bother with any specialisations, since I don't really plan on...well, specialising, so just more feats for me.

Now I don't know exactly what the rules for making sphere traditions are, but the other sphere-y folks from past years seem to have just made up their own, so I shall follow suit. Since I'm never going to expect to be in combat on account of, you know, it being the real world, I'll just cheese things to high heavens by taking Squid's card casting drawback and all its little extras, which I then just ignore by spending a minute to cast my talents. And while I'm thinking about it I'll swap my class skills out for a Spheres of Guile trade tradition (only at Competent level, but that's still plenty.)

For magic talents, I want the Veilweaving sphere, and in particular to shape the Goldhoard Vestments veil, because who needs to go through the hassle of selling things when you can just magic them into...well, I guess since the Goldhoard Vestments state they'd be 'ancient' coins (but still valid tender), I guess the IRL counterpart would mean that I'd end up with the old paper banknotes that are still technically valid but never introduced into circulation any more? Hmm, now that I say that I feel like that would lead to questions of money laundering. Maybe I should pick a different veil! If I take the Limited Essence drawback I won't have any Essence, but as long as none of my veils critically require it, that's not really a big deal. So in exchange I'll take the Veil Knowledge talent, which - since I don't have a (tradition) talent, gives me two more veils. I can only shape one per day and don't have any ability to change which one is shaped other than after a rest, so I can only practically use ones that I can know I'm going to need in advance - but at the same time, since there's no guarantee I'd have one at any given day, I also can't take one I'd absolutely rely on. That being the case, I'll take Hag's Shawl (which most of the time will probably be used to take Moldable Magics, giving me a free talent that I can change each day if I know I'll need something unusual) and Envoy of the Lord (because a bunch of ghosts doing the household chores for me when I don't have anything else to do with my veil sounds amazing.)

Well, leaving aside the minor risk of being kidnapped by criminals to be a walking money laundering machine, my other three talents will be Creation, with Down to Earth and Limited Creation (no Alter) to enable me to pick up Exquisite Detail and Sustanence (all one talent), Warp, with Bender and Extradimensional Storage (again, all one talent), Life and finally Restore Health.

Over on the guile side of things, my competent trade tradition grants me two (trade) talents and one base sphere. The base sphere will be Study, since it lets me make Knowledge checks untrained and that seems useful for dealing with all this wacky magic and stuff that's suddenly happened, while my trade talents will be Explorer and Technician. That means my class skills are Climb, Craft, Disable Device, Heal, Knowledge (dungeoneering), Knowledge (engineering), Knowledge (geography), Perception, Perform, Profession, Survival, Swim.

Now before I go any further, I should figure out what I'm doing with my race. Obviously I have to be human, but as far as I can see there's no restriction that 3pp stuff has to actually be freely accessible online, so at this point I will take a bit of a delve into some of my random 3pp books and take the alternate traits 'Monster-Mek Strength' and 'Battle Beast' in lieu of Skilled and Bonus Feat respectively. The former gives me Improved Unarmed Strike as a bonus feat and doubles my carrying capacity (...and also means I have nanotech cyber-arms, so hopefully I never need to get a blood test done!), and the latter gives me an animal companion at full level. Is this somewhat overpowered? Well...yes. But I mean if this was my real life I would absolutely pick the most OP nonsense I could. Just be glad I'm not taking Super Genius Games' Gestalt and Magic-User feats.

Now, as for feats, I still have two feats even if I traded out my human one, so I'll take Ritual Caster and Spell Dabbler to give myself some Vancian casting for random spells if needed, although I don't actually have any spells known yet. I'll fix that in a couple levels. Hopefully.

For skills...I don't think there's really an appropriate skill for 'software developer,' so sadly I'll still have to rely on my IRL skills for work, and I'll pick up Spellcraft, Disable Device, Knowledge (Engineering), Perception and Sense Motive. Having the Study Sphere gives me up to 5 ranks in one Knowledge skill of my choice (capped by my HD, of course), so I'll put those into Knowledge (Local). EDIT: I will then remember that I need Profession (Chef) in order for my magically-conjured food to actually taste good, and swap Perception out for that.

So, for my animal companion, I will get a dog...I guess it's going to be a puppy for a few years, but that's fine. To be specific, it will be a collie (courtesy of another 3pp book), which is identical to a normal dog animal companion except once I reach 4th druid level it gains the Fast Learner ability, reducing the DC to teach it tricks by 5, which will come in handy. And just to make things interesting, let's make it a Bestial Kineticist. I'll pick Dex for the ability score to increase alongside Con. And as for its feat, it can get Basic Kinetic Training, so it can fix my phone for me when I inevitably drop it on the floor or something. Goodest of doggos.

Spoiler: My Stats

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Human incanter 1
ARTs: Monster-Mek Strength, Battle Beast

Str 8
Dex 9
Con 11 (+2 racial = 13)
Int 13
Wis 12
Cha 10

Incanter class features: Casting, Specialisations (none), Bonus Feat

Magic Talents (x4):
Creation
- Limited Creation (no Alter), Down to Earth
+ Sustanence, Exquisite Detail

Life
Restore Health

Veilweaving [Goldhoard's Vestments]
- Limited Binder
+ Veil Knowledge [Envoy of the Lord, Hag's Shawl]

Warp
- Bender
+ Extradimensional Storage

Casting Tradition (Int; SP 1 base + 1 tradition + 1 Int)
Card Casting [Five-Coloured Magic, Cooldown, Mana Pool] (counts as 5 drawbacks)

Skill Talents x3:
Study

Vocation [Explorer]
Technician

Feats:
Bonus from racial trait: Improved Unarmed Strike
1 - Ritual Caster
Incanter Bonus - Spell Dabbler

Skills (4 + 1 Int)
Disable Device 1 + 3 CS - 1 Dex = +3
Knowledge (Engineering) 1 + 3 CS + 1 Int = +5
Knowledge (Local) 1 + 1 Int = +2 [from Study Sphere]
Profession (Chef) 1 + 3 CS + 1 Wis = +5
Sense Motive 1 + 3 CS + 1 Wis = +5
Spellcraft 1 + 3 CS + 1 Int = +5

Spoiler: Doggo Stats

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Collie bestial telekineticist

Str 13
Dex 17
Con 15
Int 2
Wis 12
Cha 6

Class Features (2nd-level kineticist): Elemental Focus (Aether), Gather Power, Basic Telekinesis, Telekinetic Blast, Wild Tricks, Wild Kineticism.

Special Qualities: Low-light Vision, Scent

Tricks (6+1):
Speak
Fetch
Deliver
Utility Talent (Telekinetic Finesse)
Attack
Attack All
Down

Feats:
Basic Kinetic Training (Machine)

[Troacctid]

Personally, the way I've always thought of it is that your familiar was an ordinary animal imbued/possessed by some sort of magical spirit, and changing familiars is just moving that magical spirit to another host, but that's kind of a houserule on my part. I say "kind of" because there's not a lot of explanation for familiars outside of the mechanical. But this is your thread and you can do what you want.

It's like how Ash doesn't evolve his Pikachu. Do I need my cuddly kitty to ascend beyond the limitations of a mortal corporeal form to become a being of pure light? Questionable.

[EndlessKng]

One more level of Investigator this year please!

[Cruiser1]

I take a 3rd level of Cloistered Cleric, adding on to the 2nd level of CC taken last year. Welcome to 2nd level spells!

[Troacctid]

Right, taking stock of my 3PP build, last year I took my 5th level of Sphere Wizard, and I picked up Craft Marvelous Item as my bonus feat, although I don't actually remember what talents I picked. But this year, I'm dipping back into Incanter for a second level, which gives me another talent and a bonus feat! The new talent is going to be Extradimensional Capacity, which will give me an extra 50 pounds per caster level of extradimensional storage. That's a lot. I figure I'm pretty good at moving furniture around at this point.

For my level 9 feat, I'm taking Second Bond to get a bonded item in addition to a familiar. As a Sphere Wizard, the bonded item lets me use talents I don't actually know, which is great, and I can do it twice a day for 1 minute each time. That'll give me a lot of flexibility, and save me from having to take a few talents that I might only have used on rare occasions, like Permanent Transformation. And for my incanter bonus feat, I'm taking Wondrous Wardrobe, which just seems like a fabulous IRL power to have. It'll let me conjure non-magical clothing and jewelry at will, with a permanent duration. Permanent! That's pretty sweet. I'll take a rank in Craft (Clothing) to go with it.

[Firebug]

Adding a third level of Master Specialist to my 3.5 Conjurer Wizard!

Spoiler: Previous Levels

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1: Specialist Wizard(Conjuration) 1: Immediate Magic (PH2) (Enchantment, Evocation Banned)
Str: 9, Dex 10, Con 11, Wis 8, Int 13+2, Cha 12
1st feat: Extend Spell, Human: Variant +2 Int;
Concentration 4, Spellcraft 4, Knowledge(Arcana) 4, Craft(Jewelry) 4
Spellbook 0th:All(except enchantment/evocation)
Spellbook 1st: Mage Armor, Comprehend Language, Fist of Stone, Shield, Unseen Servant, Endure Elements

2: Specialist Wizard(Conjuration) 2
+1 Concentration, Spellcraft, Knowledge(Arcana), Craft(Jewelry)
Spellbook 1st: Low-light Vision, Disguise Self

3: Specialist Wizard(Conjuration) 3
3rd feat: Craft Wondrous Item -> Retrained to -> Spell Focus(Conjuration)
+1 Concentration, Spellcraft, Knowledge(Arcana), Craft(Jewelry)
Spellbook 2nd: Cloud of Knives, Invisibility

4: Specialist Wizard(Conjuration) 4
4th ability increase: +1 Int
+1 Concentration, Spellcraft, Knowledge(Arcana), Craft(Jewelry), Knowledge(The Planes)
Spellbook 2nd: Glitterdust, Cloud of Bewilderment

5: Specialist Wizard(Conjuration) 5
Bonus feat: Craft Wand
+1 Concentration, Spellcraft, Knowledge(Arcana), Craft(Jewelry), Knowledge(The Planes)
Spellbook 3rd: Icelance, Haste

6: Master Specialist(Conjuration) 1 / Specialist Wizard(Conjuration) 5
6th feat: Dimensional Reach
Bonus Feat: Skill Focus(Spellcraft)
+1 Concentration, Spellcraft, Knowledge(Arcana), Craft(Jewelry), Knowledge(The Planes)
Spellbook 3rd: Regal Procession, Shrink Item

7: Master Specialist(Conjuration) 2 /Specialist Wizard(Conjuration) 5
Class Feature: Expanded Spellbook
+1 Concentration, Spellcraft, Knowledge(Arcana), Craft(Jewelry), Knowledge(The Planes)
Spellbook 4th: Stone Shape, Black Tentacles, Minor Creation

8: Master Specialist(Conjuration) 3 /Specialist Wizard(Conjuration) 5
Class Feature: Greater Spell Focus
8th ability increase: +1 Int (to 17 Int)
+1 Concentration, Spellcraft, Knowledge(Arcana), Craft(Jewelry), Knowledge(The Planes)
Spellbook 4th: Column of Ice, Dispelling Screen

[Coventry]

It is time to return to gaining levels in my main class: (Synthesist) Summoner. The fused eidolon gains wings and a fly speed this time around.

[bekeleven]

All right, I did out my crafting XP calculations. After looking through all of the special materials, I concluded that the only one I could realistically access was starmetal, which is "made from meteoric iron." With that said here's my use of my 3k crafting XP:

Spoiler: Crafting

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3 +1 [Clean] Fast-Donning Muffling Silk armor - I'll have thee magic fancy suits.
2 +1 [Clean] Fast-Donning Muffling Soft Leather Armor - I'll have two magic leather jackets.
1 +1 [Clean] Fast-Donning Muffling Silk Swath Armor - I'll have one... whatever this thing is. For casual wear or something.
2 +1 [Clean] Starmetal Dagger - A self-defense knife and a kitchen knife capable of ignoring any ingredient's hardness (I hope).
13 +1 [Clean] Dagger - Spending the excess of my XP on products I can sell or give away.

Chaotic Neutral Human Warlock 4
8/11/9/14/10/12
Languages: English, Mandarin (Comprehend all written languages)

Attacks: BAB +3; Melee +3 (+1 Starmetal Dagger); Ranged +3 (Eldritch Blast 2D6); Grapple +2
Saves: Fort +0; Ref +1; Will +4

HP 12 (6+3D6-4). AC 14 (+4 Armor)

Feats: Murky Eyed (Flaw), Grudge Keeper (Flaw). Feats: Able Learner (1), Silver Tongue (Human), Noble Born (+Flaw), Slow Maturation (+Flaw), Craft Magical Arms and Armor [Trait:Clean] (3).
Class Features and Invocations: DR 1/Cold Iron, Eldritch Blast 2D6, Detect Magic, Beguiling Influence, Call of the Beast, All-Seeing Eyes.

Skills at this point: Bluff +14, Diplomacy +18, Disguise +4, Intimidate +13, Knowledge (Arcana) +3, Sense Motive +5, Spellcraft +3, Use Magic Device +2, Search +8, Spot +6.

[47948201]

Alrighty I suppose I'll take my first level of wizard in this thread. If I'm gonna go Spellsword/Abjurant Champion later then it's not like I need multiple levels of fighter anyway.

While familiars and scrolls aren't the most exciting to me, I'll go for a taste of the classic generalist wizarding experience. But I will retrain Point-Blank Shot into Eschew Materials (It's a bit strange that EM doesn't require you to be a spellcaster yet, but I didn't use PBS a single time last year and EM will be nice quality of life to not need to constantly buy fleece and such)

I'll also put a point each into Concentration, Knowledge (Arcana), and Spellcraft. Standard wizard stuff.

I'd like my apparently free spellbook to contain Unseen Servant to handle chores, Disguise Self as a kindasorta first step towards the eventual Alter Self, Silent Image so I can pretend I'm good at art, and Scholar's Touch because what the heck why did I only just learn about this spell. There are lots of other cool classic spells, but alas I only get 4 so I'll pick these for their actual everyday utility. I wonder if I also get Amanuensis, Repair Minor Damage, or Stick (and if so, if my spellbook is necessarily filled with pages of other 0-level spells I don't care about lol)

Anyway with that, and copying the type of statblock I tend to see in adventure books, I think I'll look something like...

Spoiler

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47948201: Female human Ftr1/Wiz1; CR ??; Medium-size humanoid (human); HD 1d10-1/1d4-1; Init +1; Spd 30 ft.; AC 11; Atk +0 melee (1d10/19-20/x2 crit, bastard sword), +2 ranged (2d6, gun); AL LN; SV Fort +1, Ref +1, Will +2; Str 8, Dex 12, Con 9, Int 13, Wis 10, Cha 11

Skills and Feats: Concentration +0, Craft (Weaponsmithing) +2, Knowledge (Arcana) +4, Listen +2, Perform (Sing) +1, Perform (String Instruments) +2, Sense Motive +2, Spellcraft +4, Spot +2, Tumble +3; Able Learner, Eschew Materials, Exotic Weapon Proficiency (firearms), Scribe Scroll
Possessions: Don't worry about it
Spells Prepared (3/2): 0- flare, ghost sound, prestidigitation; 1st-disguise self, silent image
Spellbook: 0-all 0-level wizard spells; 1st-disguise self, scholar's touch, silent image, unseen servant

I believe that's it? Oh yeah just for future reference I still know Draconic apparently. The statblock didn't ask for that.

[Maat Mons]

Go ahead and give me +1 level in my current class for each of my selves. That's +1 level of Cloistered Cleric for my 3.5 self, and +1 Level of Oracle for my Pathfinder self.

The feat I had in my notes was Improved Familiar, but at this point I've had my familiar for six years and I like to think I've gotten to know it too well to want it to change!

This is why, for characters on which I plan to take Improved Familiar, I don't summon any familiar until after I take the feat.

[TheHalfAasimar]

Well, I think I'm doing this right. I'm confused.
Well, since this is my first level gained, here I go:

13 INT (+1)
12 DEX (+1)
11 WIS (+0)
10 CON (+0)
9 STR (-1)
8 CHA (-1)

(My IRL wisdom is probably the 8)

Class: Wizard

(did I do it right?)

Spells:
3 0 level spells per day
2 1st level spells per day (I think, because of INT score)

Anyways, that's my lvl 1 wizard, from someone who has never played 3.5, but really wants to.

[Troacctid]

Well, I think I'm doing this right. I'm confused.
Well, since this is my first level gained, here I go:

13 INT (+1)
12 DEX (+1)
11 WIS (+0)
10 CON (+0)
9 STR (-1)
8 CHA (-1)

(My IRL wisdom is probably the 8)

Class: Wizard

(did I do it right?)

You did! If you like, you can also pick out what spells you would give yourself.

[bekeleven]

A wizard begins play with a spellbook containing all 0-level wizard spells (except those from her prohibited school or schools, if any; see School Specialization, below) plus three 1st-level spells of your choice. For each point of Intelligence bonus the wizard has, the spellbook holds one additional 1st-level spell of your choice.

you can get four first-level spells!

I have a few questions about things that don't exist (to my knowledge) in our world. I've already taken levels in warlock, suggesting that there's an entity out there capable of giving me this type of power, and others in the thread are clerics. You've also mentioned dragon cohort. However, I'm curious about how (or, I guess, whether) some of the following function:

1) Gaining a magical creature as a familiar using something like Darkness Familiar, Planar Familiar, or just Improved Familiar.

2) Summon Monster spells.

3) (if you couldn't tell from my crafting) crafting materials or weapon templates that require other magical beings or alchemical processes.

4) I'm guessing I can't find the extant creatures to hang out with for the purposes of feats like Faerie Mysteries Initiate or Nymph's Kiss?

5) Prestige classes that call out gods. Can you take them? Does it depend on the specific entry requirements?

[Troacctid]

you can get four first-level spells!

I have a few questions about things that don't exist (to my knowledge) in our world. I've already taken levels in warlock, suggesting that there's an entity out there capable of giving me this type of power, and others in the thread are clerics. You've also mentioned dragon cohort. However, I'm curious about how (or, I guess, whether) some of the following function:

1) Gaining a magical creature as a familiar using something like Darkness Familiar, Planar Familiar, or just Improved Familiar.

2) Summon Monster spells.

3) (if you couldn't tell from my crafting) crafting materials or weapon templates that require other magical beings or alchemical processes.

4) I'm guessing I can't find the extant creatures to hang out with for the purposes of feats like Faerie Mysteries Initiate or Nymph's Kiss?

5) Prestige classes that call out gods. Can you take them? Does it depend on the specific entry requirements?

1. You can use an existing creature, or you can have the ritual conjure one. There are examples of both in the lore, so I'll rule that both are canon.
2. They work like the rules say.
3. Alchemy is available to casters, as per the rules; any caster level is fine for this purpose. If you want the aid of a magical being, you'll have to find a magical being.
4. A sharp-eyed reader will note that neither of the feats you mentioned actually require the creature in question—only a partner with the same feat (and a regional requirement) for the former, and the ability to take exalted feats for the latter.
5. A call-out of a specific deity falls under the broader umbrella of setting-specific requirements. See the FAQ.

[TheHalfAasimar]

You did! If you like, you can also pick out what spells you would give yourself.

Okay, and someone pointed out that I can have 4 instead of three 1st level spells, so here I go:
Comprehend Languages (I can barely read in languages other than my native language, English)
Magic Missile (good for offense)
Disguise Self (for stealth)
Guided Shot (too weak for big weapons, would probably fight with bows and stuff)

Anyways, those are my spells. Thanks! First time doing this.

[Brackenlord]

*ding*
Another year, another step in the path of truenaming.

Truenamer 4

+1 INT
+1 autism diagnosis
-1 job
The burnout debuff has nearly expired.

[thethird]

Also, note to self, build pf / 3pp version.

You fool, now that's all you've been thinking about for a week. Stupid third, you can't resist the desire to build convoluted things.

So yeah, I have mostly finished building a pf 3pp build. Going heavy into Radiant (Lifebinder, Collectivist). Might do a writeup at some point before next year (or next year).

[Awakeninfinity]

Awakeninfinity here; I think I'll take a level of Human Paragon to nab a bonus feat later; Current feat selection is Weapon Finesse and I will select the following ten skills as my class skills: Balance; Bluff; Diplomacy; Intimidate; Knowledge (Nobility and Royalty); Sense Motive; Speak Language; Survival; Tumble; Use Magic Device.

The skill I wish to select for Adaptive Learning is Use Magic Device.

I will spend my five ranks of skills as follows: 5 points in Sense Motive

[Elrak]

I'll be taking another bloodline level. 2 more years and then I can start with some shenanigans xD

EDIT: I forgot to pick my feat - Persist Spell Metamagic

EDIT 2: AND I forgot my order of operation so The feat has to be heighten spell metamagic

[Elvensilver]

And another level of bard for me!
Nothing too exciting as a bard level 5, but I'll definitively use my favored class bonus to get another 1. level spell known.

[Kaladin]

Time to take a third level in wizard.

[thethird]

You fool, now that's all you've been thinking about for a week. Stupid third, you can't resist the desire to build convoluted things.

So yeah, I have mostly finished building a pf 3pp build. Going heavy into Radiant (Lifebinder, Collectivist). Might do a writeup at some point before next year (or next year).

So... there it goes.

PF 3pp build. Up to level 5, might come back later and upgrade it to level 10.

Spoiler: lvl 1

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A level of Radiant (Lifebinder, Collectivist)

Using the alternative racial trait of multiskilled to grab skill accuity with bluff (i.e. skill focus).

Stats: STR:9 DEX:10 CON: 11 INT: 12 WIS: 9 CHA 13+2

Traits: Finding your Kin, Apprentice Veilweaver

Trade tradition is: Socialite (a custom one)
- [vocation: trade] Con Artist (can use CHA for k. local)
- [vocation: trade] Gossip (can use CHA for sense motive)
Class skills are: Bluff, Disguise, Diplomacy, Knowledge (local), Knowledge (nobility), Knowledge (planes), Linguistics, and Sense Motive
- [subterfuge] Subterfuge sphere (with fashionista alternate start, gaining prestigious disguise)

Martial tradition is: Field Medic
- [equipment] Fast Draw
- [alchemy] Alchemy sphere, formulae: salve (alternative-brew, heal)
- [scout] Scout Sphere
- [scout] Great Senses

Casting tradition is: Gathering of cards (a custome one)
- [DW] Card Casting, Cooldown, Mana Pool, Gradual Ramp, Stagnant Pool, Focus Casting, Mental Focus, Somatic Casting
- [Boons] Bound Creature, Feat: Manifold Foci, Feat: Multi-Headed Play, Feat: Control Caster

Bonus talents (from casting tradition):
- War Sphere ([DW]: Squadron Elite, Small Unit Strategist, Commando; [Boons]: Damaging Momentum, Resilient Momentum, Squadron Commander(feat))
- Conjuration Sphere ([DW] Elongated Summoning, Material Weakness (cold iron), Object bound (rings); [Boons]: Greater Summoning, Capable companion, Extra Companion, Extra Companion)

Bonus talents (from radiant):
- Life Sphere ([DW]: Slow recovery, Limited restoration (cure); [Boons]: Restore capacity, revitalize)
- Divination Sphere ([DW]: Hidden Magic; [Boon] Prying eyes)

Feats:
- Linked Squadron, Homogenous companion (capable companion)

Skills: Bluff 1, Disguise 1, Diplomacy 1, Heal 1, Knowledge (local) 1, Knowledge (the planes) 1, Linguistics 1, Perception 1, and Sense Motive 1, Stealth 1

Spoiler: Focus Companion

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Biped (Martial Companion)
- Bonus form: Battle Creature
- Bonus form (from Martial Companion): Battle Creature
- Bonus form (from talent by summoner): Capable Companion

Trade Tradition: Engineer (custom)
- [vocation trade] Artisan
- [vocation trade] Technician
- [Artifice] Artifice (Fabrication Package) DW: Careful Engineer; Boon: Exquisite Equipment, Favorite Tools
Skills: Disable Device, Disguise, Heal, Knowledge (dungeoneering), Knowledge (engineering)*, Sleight of Hand, and Use Magic Device

Martial Tradition: Daring Scholar
- [Equipment] Staff Mastery
- [Alchemy] Alchemy Sphere: Universal Alcohol
- [Scout] Scout Sphere
- [Alchemy] Liquid Nice

Feats: traded for journeyman skill talent progression
Bonus feat: Basic Magic Training: Veilweaving Sphere (Chef's Armory)

Talents:
- [Artifice] Magical Crafter

Skills: Craft (Alchemy) 1, Craft (Metalworking) 1, Knowledge (engineering) 1

Spoiler: Warp Companion

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Orb (Mage Companion)
- Bonus form: Lingering Companion
- Bonus form (from Mage Companion): Magical Companion
- Bonus form (from Mage Companion): Implement Bearer (Warp)
- Bonus form (from Homogenous Companion): Capable Companion

Casting tradition is: Cards (a custome one)
- [DW] Card Casting, Cooldown, Mana Pool, Gradual Ramp, Stagnant Pool
- [Boons] Feat: Deckbound Companion, Feat: Card Shark, Essence Pool (1)


Feats: Extra Talent: Veilweaving Sphere (Blinkstep sandals) DW: Limited Essence Boon: Sphereshaper talent
Bonus Feat: Eternal Transformation (Human)

Skills: Perception, Stealth

Spoiler: Protection Companion

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Orb (Mage Companion)
- Bonus form: Lingering Companion
- Bonus form (from Mage Companion): Magical Companion
- Bonus form (from Mage Companion): Implement Bearer (Protection)
- Bonus form (from Homogenous Companion): Capable Companion

Casting tradition is: Cards (a custome one)
- [DW] Card Casting, Cooldown, Mana Pool, Gradual Ramp, Stagnant Pool
- [Boons] Feat: Deckbound Companion, Feat: Card Shark, Essence Pool (1)


Feats: Extra Talent: Veilweaving Sphere (Aegis of the Valiant Guardian) DW: Limited Essence Boon: Sphereshaper talent
Bonus Feat: Eternal Transformation (Human)

Skills: Perception, Stealth

Spoiler: Mind Companion

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Orb (Mage Companion)
- Bonus form: Lingering Companion
- Bonus form (from Mage Companion): Magical Companion
- Bonus form (from Mage Companion): Implement Bearer (Mind)
- Bonus form (from Homogenous Companion): Capable Companion

Casting tradition is: Cards (a custome one)
- [DW] Card Casting, Cooldown, Mana Pool, Gradual Ramp, Stagnant Pool
- [Boons] Feat: Deckbound Companion, Feat:Card Shark, Essence Pool (1)


Feats: Extra Talent: Veilweaving Sphere (Jewel of Mind's sight) DW: Limited Essence Boon: Sphereshaper talent
Bonus Feat: Eternal Transformation (Human)

Skills: Perception, Stealth

Some tricks at level 1:
Card casting:
Multi-headed play means all squadron (basically the summoned companion decks are combined), allowing for out of combat use of the companion's talents.
Deckbound companion (on the casting companions) means that I can use two of their effects (that cost spell points) without using cards.
Control caster means that all the companions have hoarded power, in effect they can use each others talents to create effects that cost spell points.
Character has Specialized Mana (planar alliance), and Wild Card deck talents, while the conjured companions have Wild Card x3.

Veilweaving sphere (sphereshaper veil):
The veilweaving sphere sets veilweaving level to level in classes granting casting, since the companion counts it's hd as mid caster this effectively means it has veilweaving level = HD.
The sphereshaper veils set the cl of the sphere effects derived of those veils as veilweaving level. So basically, CL of the chosen sphere = HD.
The sphereshaper veils are implements, and get combined with implement bearer (and thus get an enhancement bonus to that sphere).
The sphereshaper talent is basically a floating talent that can be changed as necessary.

[B]Squadron / Collective:[B]
The linked squadron feat equates the squadron and the collective. And makes collective members count as being close.

Spoiler: lvl 2

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Level 2 gets me a vivifiation (effectively all casting companions get +1 to CHA, that improves their spell pool) and a talent.
Veilweaving sphere (The Resolute), (DW: Self Entitled, Limited Essence, Boon: Extra essence)
Skills: Bluff 2, Disguise 2, Diplomacy 2, Heal 2, Knowledge (local) 2, Knowledge (the planes) 2, Linguistics 2, Perception 2, and Sense Motive 2, Stealth 2

My companions don't get much changes other than the crafting one that gets two talents. The casting ones basically get a caster level on their associated sphere.

Spoiler: Focus Companion

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-[Artifice] Stupendous Crafter: Brew Stable Formulae
-[Alchemy] Elixir

Going to sell some alcohol

Spoiler: lvl 3

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Instead of a feat I grab Adept Soul Forger (Vigilante). This gives me a second persona to do disguised stuff with. Also disguises my veils. Aaaand makes some other skills class skills. Since I can basically switch my vigilante persona easily I am going to be switching it in case I need to burn it. Layering the Obscurity (aegis), prestigious disguise, and vigilante identity with social skills should let me get to places. I am also healing people, I am a rather good healer, but I don't want people to link that to me.

My talent this level is shape additional veil (grabbing a psionic halo), that basically lets me get some floating psionic powers (up to 2nd level powers, due to investing two essence into it).

My companions are also growing on power.

Spoiler: Crafting Companion

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-[Artifice] Confident Craftmanship, going to be crafting faster

Spoiler: Casting Companions

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They all grab their focused sphere (this basically allows them to use the full suit of the sphere's powers, without the limitations of the veil)

Spoiler: lvl 4

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Another vivification, and being able to join unwilling people into the collective (I am choosing harming, obviously). But I am doing that more... for non nefarious purposes? Like getting people into the collective and healing them. Yes. I'm doing that.
For talents... I am grabbing the technomancy sphere, not wanting to charge my phone anymore. Taking Outmoded Encroachment (I basically want to power stuff). Gaining sprite sustenance, that would basically reduce charge expenditure (and thus increase the rate to charge).

Nothing really changes for the companions this level. Oh, I get a point to CON

Spoiler: lvl 5

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This level has interesting things. It's the last level I am getting a free point to disguise and heal. Since disguise I want to keep leveling up, I am basically not supporting... diplomacy (hey, linguistics keeps giving me languages, and improving my forgery skills a good disguise needs forged documents).

I am also power leveling! Because I am getting a feat (close formation, squadron members aiding each other provide and additional +2) and a vigilante talent (which is... Increased Magical Capacity, it gives me an additional CL and gives me an additional magic talent)

Speaking of talents: I am grabbing eye of the cabal, for furthering my infiltration / being able to see what my summons are doing. I am also grabbing the mana sphere (DW: Incongruent, and Reset Duration as a bonus talent).

My summons are power leveled, as my CL increased by two so did their HD.

Spoiler: Crafting Companion

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-[Artifice] Stupendous crafter: Craft Wondrous Item, let's goooo
-[Equipment] Craftsman (Craft jewelry)
-[Artifice] Underwater Basketweaving

Basically this has greatly expanded the crafting capacities of the crafter, now being able to create any craftable thingie, and getting craft wondrous items.

Spoiler: Casting Companions

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They all are geting shape additional veil (hag's shawl), it gives a hex, used to grab an akashic feat (which you probably gessed, sphereshaper talent). Next hd they will be able to bind two essence into the veil to get another akashic feat, and you gessed it, another sphereshaper talent.

[Auerkan]

I havent appeared in the last years thread? Well thats a loss. And no notes on what I planned? Doubly unfortunate. Oh well. 3.5 edition without apocryphal sourcebooks.

Spoiler: My first level

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Str 9 Dex 11 Con 12 Int 13 Wis 10 Cha 8. I feel like I will regret this allocation, but oh well.

LN Complacent Human Wizard 1, +2 Int.
ACF:
Combat Wizard. Trade away scroll-making for fighter feat, good.
Domain Wizard - Transmutation. I am not dropping any school of magic, so getting Domain is a freebie. I would quite prefer to make a custom one (I swear I`d keep it to some common theme) but lets stick to the rules.
Wilderness Companion - Riding Dog. Not vibing with a familiar and as non-specialist without dragonmag my options are quite tight. I get a dog of working breed which I can train slightly better(+1 trick and +4 on Handle Animal), and if it dies I can get a new one for free. Cool-io.

Following skills to 4 ranks: Decipher Script, Knowledge(Arcana), Knowledge(Religion), Spellcraft

Bonus Languages: Chinese, Japanese.

Flaws: Noncombatant, Vulnerable.

Feats: Able Learner, Collegiate Wizard, Extend Spell, Point Blank Shot. I will probably retrain them all later. And its honestly hilarious in a way, getting permanent benefit from CW to drop it later.

Spells known:
0: Acid Splash, Amanuensis, Arcane Mark, Caltrops, Dancing Lights, Daze, Detect Magic, Detect Poison, Disrupt Undead, Electric Jolt, Flare, Ghost Sound, Launch Bolt, Launch Item, Light, Mage Hand(*), Mending, Message, Open/Close, Prestidigitation, Ray of Frost, Read Magic, Repair Minor Damage, Resistance, Silent Portal, Sonic Snap, Stick, Touch of Fatigue. 28 spells, 3 casts per day + 1 additional use of *
1: Cheat, Comprehend Languages, Disguise Self, Expeditious Retreat(*), Mage Armor, Masters Touch, Mount, Scholars Touch, Unseen Servant. 9 spells, 1 cast per day + 1 additional use of *

Gear: Spellbook(37/100), 75 gp

Sadly writing even a single new spell takes 100gp which is more than I have

Are we limited by 20 standard levels, or can we potentially accumulate 40+ of them?

Spoiler: My plans

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The final build would be Wizard 1 / Human Paragon 3 / Wizard +1 / Pale Master 10 / Cleric 1 / Dweomerkeeper 4, for total of 20 levels. If I can level up further than that, Wyrm Wizard 2 to get any spell in the game

I can turn 3 creatures a day into my eternal undead minions, and got a supernatural spell a day. Besides that I grasp precisely 17 wizards casting levels for 9-level spells. So even if I dont want to necromance, I am a wizard which is not the worst outcome.

As soon as I can I go hunt for a giant squid which I death touch. Its the creature with most HD of real life - 12 base, doubled for Zombifying. Then I spellstitch it with Extract Gift and do the biggest Extracts I can manage onto myself and my allies.

When I get Paragon, drop some ranks into Handle Animal to teach my dog.

Spend most of my free WBL onto researching spells. As per DMG 198, researching a spell takes twice the cost of getting it cast for me by NPC. But of course, if possible I would rather get them for cheaper from other Playgrounders. With every level-up the spent gold recovers so its simply optimal to do so.

Get a Transducer-Capacitor linked psionic tattoo of Psy Reformation, meaning I can redo my last X levels of various choices every week. Keep it updated to my current level. Maybe get a Spellblade(Powerblade?) linked to PR and sell my services of complete redo for minimal cost.

[Kalkra]

Are we limited by 20 standard levels, or can we potentially accumulate 40+ of them?

I believe we're limited to 20. Also, I believe that Dragon Mag is allowed even in an otherwise no-3rd-party build, and I don't think you get starting gear.

[Lvl 2 Expert]

I've decided on my big move to rise above being a simple level 2 Expert. My answer is... a third level of Expert, but I've decided it's a Pathfinder build, variant multiclassed into alchemist. I now add my level to Craft (Alchemy) checks and can use it to identify potions. It's just like running a proper mass spectrometer.

Moohaha, fear my nearly respectable power!

[Shalist]

Another year, another level of artificer (-> sorc1/artificer8). I'd like to dive a little deeper, but I've always got bunches of deadlines making it difficult to really shift gears around this time of year.

[Rebel7284]

Third level of conjurer please!

[Peelee]

I was watching this sub-forum for the first several days of the year waiting on this thread and then stuff happened and i forgot about it. Whoopsie!

Taking a level in Sorcerer, with the Force of Personality feat. One of these days I'll get around to working out the spell list and skill set.

[TheHalfAasimar]

I was watching this sub-forum for the first several days of the year waiting on this thread and then stuff happened and i forgot about it. Whoopsie!

Taking a level in Sorcerer, with the Force of Personality feat. One of these days I'll get around to working out the spell list and skill set.

Well, it can't possibly be as hard as wizard, right? I mean, sorcerers don't get nearly as many spells as Wizards...