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KnightErrantJR
Great Reader
USA
5402 Posts |
 Posted - 04 Jun 2006 : 01:12:32
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I don't know why this occured to me, but I was wondering if anyone had ever given any thought to a "Spellfire Weilder" template. Having the only way to express it in game terms be a PrC doesn't make much sense, as that implies that it is something one can learn, and while I understand that one get get training in how to hone one's abilities, its not a "I think I'll learn how to throw spellfire today" kind of thing. If anything, if you are born with it, it should be a base class like sorcerer, but I don't really like that option either, especially to represent something that shows up only once in a blue moon, and beyond that, making it any kind of class implies that it has to be balanced. Shandril blew up dracoliches and Manshoon with it.
So I was wondering if it might not work out better as a template. It could be like the "half" templates, where the abilities you have go up depending on what hit dice you are (and if they start out really powerful, could really explain why tons of groups would want a spellfire weilder either dead or on their side). I imagine the level adjustment could choke a Tarrasque, but at least it would work out for what it is intended for then.
I was also thinking that there might be some room for Spellfire Wielder feats to show continued training in Spellfire ability. They would be useless for almost anyone except the extreemly rare spellfire weilder, but they could show more specific skills and talents.
Anyone have any ideas on this?
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scererar
Master of Realmslore
USA
1618 Posts |
Posted - 04 Jun 2006 : 03:20:10
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Magic of Faerun references this. It covers spellfire as a supernatural ability.The PRC referenced within, is a spellfire channeler, a person, who has been identified as having this"gift" and has practiced and honed his/ her skills.
Additionally the spellfire weilder feat is used for someone who was born with this ability, not just someone, who woke up and said hey, I am leveling up today, I think I will add this feat to my file.  |
Edited by - scererar on 04 Jun 2006 03:21:17 |
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KnightErrantJR
Great Reader
USA
5402 Posts |
Posted - 04 Jun 2006 : 04:21:25
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| Yeah, sorry for the imprecise terminology. I wrote this at work so I couldn't reference Magic of Faerun, but I still would like to see an over the top template for this sort of thing . . . |
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Kuje
Great Reader
USA
7915 Posts |
Posted - 04 Jun 2006 : 18:08:20
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I'd love to see this as a template instead of a feat and two prestige classes.... or even a base class. I love my base classes better then I enjoy prestige classes. :)
But that's my issue with the 3/3.5e rules and my disagreement with the whole feat/prestige class for abilities. |
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Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31701 Posts |
Posted - 05 Jun 2006 : 01:36:00
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I'm not too sure about this...
A template has some merit, I agree... but I've never really been a fan of 3e templates -- there's the odd couple that really make sense according to the lore, but others seem to exist "just for the sake of presenting" the next cool thing as a template to use in your games. But that's only partly due to my own feelings with regard to 3e mechanics.
I've never used spellfire in my campaigns partly because I have yet to find a translation of the magic system that satisfies me completely. Spellfire exists in my campaign, of course, as part of Ed's work with the setting... I'm just not sure "how" it can be presented in my campaign.
As it is... I'm actually happier with and more interested in Ed's working of Spellfire as presented in VGtATM. That's how I'd like to see Spellfire translated into my Realms. But I have no idea how to reflect that 2e system into 3e.
Would it be a template? Would it be like the feat and two prestige class system we've got in 3e?
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AlacLuin
Learned Scribe
131 Posts |
Posted - 05 Jun 2006 : 04:17:22
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In the way it was done in 2ed, there is almost no way to simulate it by existing 3.X rules.
Looking at the 2ed rules for it, the leveling appears to be a record keeping nightmare.
Something can be done if one wanted to incorperate a similar nightmare (I have thought of a few ideas, some may or may not work)
Template is close, and may be the best choice, if sticking to current rules.
I'm thinking it would be at least an LA+3 if the higher spellfire powers are used and or follow 2ed rules closely (like recharging by the sunlight).
Otherwise, it would still be at least an LA+2
I think I'm being lenient with the LA also. |
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KnightErrantJR
Great Reader
USA
5402 Posts |
Posted - 05 Jun 2006 : 04:34:35
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| Given that I would never let a PCs have it, LA would be a formality at any rate, or a least a rough estimate if they ran into someone that had the ability. I was looking at the VGTATM entries myself, and it would make for a complicated template, but I like that better then the current system . . . |
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Aaron L
Acolyte
USA
21 Posts |
Posted - 05 Jun 2006 : 21:17:33
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I think a template would be the best bet, with a complementing prestige class.
It isnt something learned but instad an inborn ability, which would be a template. Maybe +1 or 2 LA.
But it is something you could learn to get better with, which would be a class. But I dont see it as a full class, it isnt in the same league as an archetype like fighter to qualify for a full class. Perhaps as KnightErrant mentioned feats would be better than a PrC, though. That way it wouldnt have the clutter of class skills and hit dice and such associated with a class. A Commonner stays a Commoner, with approptiate skills and combat ability, but takes Spellfire feats to represant devoting his time to learning to wield Spellfire with more skill.
Maybe the only prerequisite would be the Spellfire Wielder template and a few ranks in concentration. That way even a commoner could get into it after a few levels, maybe 3 or so.
Shandril would have had the Spellfire Wielder template, had a few levels in commoner, maybe one or two in rogue, and then gone into the Spellfire Channeler prestige class. |
"Sustenance is not frivolous." |
Edited by - Aaron L on 05 Jun 2006 21:23:58 |
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KnightErrantJR
Great Reader
USA
5402 Posts |
Posted - 06 Jun 2006 : 00:57:08
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quote:
Originally posted by Aaron L
Shandril would have had the Spellfire Wielder template, had a few levels in commoner, maybe one or two in rogue, and then gone into the Spellfire Channeler prestige class.
Yeah, thats what I was thinking as well. It was pretty clear in the books that while she should be powerful enough to blow up Manshoon or the odd dracolich here or there if they were overconfident, if a skilled combantant got within arms reach of her, she should still be in deep poo doo. |
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Spellfire Weilder as a Template
