I played D&D with Dio... [3.5 PrC] P.E.A.C.H.

[Wavelab]

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This entire class is based on metal songs(even the title) so I have included youtube links to all the abilities. Feel free to help with any aspect of this class.

Starchild



"I'm going to make bards metal. I'm going to make everything metal. Blacker than the blackest black times infinity!" (Based on this)"

Every few thousand years The Metal is implanted within a special child, and that child will grow up to be the greatest musician of the period. This is the Starchild.

Entry Requirements
Skills: Bluff 13, Perform 13;
Spellcasting: Able to cast 3rd level spells;
Special: Must be descended from The Metal, Must have the Bardic Music ability;

Hit Die: d6
{table=head]Level|BAB|Fort|Ref|Will|Special|Spellcasting

1st|+0|+0|+0|+2|Angel of Death, Bardic Music|

2nd|+1|+0|+0|+3|Through the Fire and Flames 1d6|+1 level of existing Spellcasting class

3rd|+1|+1|+2|+3|More Metal than you| +1 level of existing Spellcasting class

4th|+2|+1|+1|+4|Through the Fire and Flames 1d8, Crucify The Dead| +1 level of existing Spellcasting class

5th|+2|+1|+1|+4|On the Backs of Angels|+1 level of existing Spellcasting class

6th|+3|+2|+2|+5|Thank God for the Suffering|+1 level of existing Spellcasting class

7th|+3|+2|+2|+5|Fear of the Dark| +1 level of existing Spellcasting class

8th|+4|+2|+2|+6|Through the Fire and Flames 2d6|+1 level of existing Spellcasting class

9th|+4|+3|+3|+6|Go Forth and Die| +1 level of existing Spellcasting class

10th|+5|+3|+3|+7|Enter Sandman| [/table]
Class skills (4 + Int Modifier): Bluff(Cha), Concentration(Con), Intimidate(Cha), Hide(Dex), Knowledge(All)(Int), Move Silently(Dex), Preform(Cha), Spellcraft(Int), Use Magic Device(Cha);

Armor and Weapon Proficiencies: You gain no new proficiencies with weapons, armor, or shields.

Spells per Day/Spells Known:
When a new Starchild level is gained(except 1 and 10), the character gains new spells per day (and spells known, if applicable) as if he had also gained a level in whatever spellcasting class in which he could cast 3rd-level spells before he added the prestige class level. He does not, however, gain any other benefit a character of that class would have gained. If a character had more than one spellcasting class in which he could cast 3rd-level spells before he became a Starchild, he must decide to which class he adds each level of Starchild for the purpose of determining spells per day.

Bardic Music:
He continues to advance bardic music just as if he gained a new level of bard, he does not however gain any new songs.

Angel of Death (Ex):
A first level Starchild learns how to never be defenceless, as he musters the strength of his bloodline. He can summon one instrument of his choice as a standard action. While playing the instrument he gains a bonus to perform(chosen instrument) checks equal to his Starchild level.

Through the Fire and Flames (Su):
At 2nd level the Starchild can play his instrument with such power that divine energy shoots from it. When playing his chosen instrument he can use a standard action to shoot a ray at one target within medium range(100ft. + 10 per Starchild level). If it hits the target is instantly dealt 1d6 damage per Starchild level. The Starchild can use his charisma modifier instead of his dexterity modifier on this roll.

At 4th level this increases to 1d8 per starchild level. He also gains an additional feature of this ability. Anytime you use your countersong ability succesfully(the ally makes his/her save with the perform check) you gain a instant use of this ability usable as an immediate action.

More metal than you (Ex):
The divine power starts to protect the Starchild from his enemies. At 3rd level he gains an insight bonus to his AC equal to his charisma modifier(to a maximum of his Starchild level).

Crucify The Dead (Ex):
At 4th level the Starchild's music becomes enticing even to the dead. Any undead that would normally be resistant to the bardic music instead only gains a bonus to its save(if any) equal to 10 - The Starchild's level. At level 10 the undead won't have any bonus.

On the Backs of Angels (Ex):
At 5th level the Starchild manifests the divine blood in the form of wings. He gains a flight speed of 60 ft. with good manueverability. These wings appear as either black feathers or bat wings.

Thank God for the Suffering (Su):
A Starchild of 6th level is no longer affected by pain and merely discards it. Any time he takes damage he gains a +1(to a maximum of his Starchild level) to all skill checks and rolls for 1 hour(The timer resets each time he gains the bonus).

Fear of the Dark (Sp):
A Starchild of 7th level has learned how to channel darkness into the world. As a standard action he can start or stop emnating a deeper darkness spell centered around himself. Any enemy within the darkness must succeed on a will save(DC 10 + Starchild level + Charisma modifier) or become shaken. The Starchild can now also see through any darkness even those magical in origin.

Go Forth and Die (Sp):
At 9th level the Starchild can strike so deeply into his enemies hearts that they wither away. He can spend a full round to target one enemy. That enemy must succeed on a fortitude save(DC 10 + character level + Charisma modifier) or die instantly.

Enter Sandman:
At 10th level the Starchild reaches the ultimate metal achievement. He learns how Keith Richard has achieved immortality. He becomes a dry lich with no xp penalty or LA. His canopic jars instantly appear with his organs removed, he may then place them where he wishes.

The Metal

Part of the Asgardian pantheon, The Metal was spawned when the berserks and barbarians lusted for music. This god created the music and he smote all those who stood against it.

Basic Information
{table]Title|The Metal
Power Level|Greater Deity
Alignment|Neutral
Favored Weapon|Lute
[/table]

Influence
{table]Dominion|Niflheim
Sphere of Influence|Music
Portfolio|Music, Metal, Heavyness
Domains|Death, Destruction, Trickery
[/table]

Worshipers
{table]Worshipers|Musicians, Bards, Metalheads, Barbarians
Worshiper Alignment|NG, LN, CN, NE
[/table]

[The Tygre]

That is the most god-damn beautiful thing I have ever seen.

[Fredaintdead]

Only one word can describe this... metal.

[Sgt. Cookie]

*Sheds a manly tear*

This, is the greatest thing I have ever seen on the homebrew forum.

[Sgt. Cookie]

Grr, damn you 500 error.

[Wavelab]

They love me! They really love me!

I think go forth and die might be a little weak for 19th level. Any thoughts?

[The Bandicoot]

Just a random idea.... What about an ability that gives you an immediate use of Through The Fire and the Flames any time you successfully countersong. "Punk Rock tried to kill the metal...and it was stricken down."

[Wavelab]

Alright added the above mentions ability, adde The Metal and upped the DC for go forth and die.

I'm planning on doing spells next. Any ideas?

[Cieyrin]

Through the Fire and Flames mentions getting an additional use of the ability at 4th level yet seems to be at will.

Slight typo in the prereqs with Preform, instead of Perform. Angel of Death has a typo in 'strenght of the bloodline,' as opposed to strength.

I'd have this class continue to gain Bardic Music uses and possibly Inspire Courage, just not gain any new songs from Bard. I'd also have a look over Seeker of the Song, since I can now only think of it rocking so hard that they literally burn and freeze listeners, though we can obviously improve on that.

Finally, I now can't get the Metal Duel from Reboot out of my head and it doesn't seem to bother me one bit.

[wiimanclassic]

Isn't part of becoming a dry lich putting your organs in jars? Wouldn't this kinda...make them immortal due to lacking the way to permakill a dry lich since they don't actually make the canopic jars to put organs in?

[Veklim]

You can't kill the metal...

[Wavelab]

• Alright fixed the wording of Through the Fire and Flames' ability.
• Added Bardic Music.
• Added Canopic Jars

[commander panda]

i'm sorry to commit necro, but this is just to awesome to let it die out (if you want it left alone, i wont post again.)

one point i'd like to raise. since the starchild ultimately becomes a lich (and therefore becomes immune to the affects of it's own bardic music,) wouldn't it be a good idea to grant the ability to affect undead with music?
you could call it let the bodies hit the floor, but that might not be accurate for the power's affect.

[Haldir]

20D6 damage is pretty huge for a class that also gets mostly-full spellcasting advancement.

[anacalgion]

I cannot yes any harder. I love you, you majestic metal man.

Although, it's perform, not preform.

[Wavelab]

i'm sorry to commit necro, but this is just to awesome to let it die out (if you want it left alone, i wont post again.)

one point i'd like to raise. since the starchild ultimately becomes a lich (and therefore becomes immune to the affects of it's own bardic music,) wouldn't it be a good idea to grant the ability to affect undead with music?
you could call it let the bodies hit the floor, but that might not be accurate for the power's affect.

That's a good idea. I added it, and while I liked the song I feel that the class has too little Ozzy, and Crucify the Dead sounds a tad metal as well.

20D6 damage is pretty huge for a class that also gets mostly-full spellcasting advancement.

I thought about that. But it's bardic spellcasting, so it was sort of warranted. You are right though, it puts them on par with wizard in terms of damage then, which is not really a good thing, so I'll keep it at 10d8, which is a bit stronger than a warlock.

Although, it's perform, not preform.

Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

-----------

I've been thinking of rebooting this as a base class and instead making the abilities spells, maybe even make it warlock-like in the way it has spells. Eh, maybe one day. But for now, any improvements for this are welcome, just be aware that adding more abilities will drown this class in features, which it already sort of is.

[Veklim]

I thought about that. But it's bardic spellcasting, so it was sort of warranted. You are right though, it puts them on par with wizard in terms of damage then, which is not really a good thing, so I'll keep it at 10d8, which is a bit stronger than a warlock.

Actually, I'll have to disagree with you there...the way you have the requirements, it's actually possible (and in fact very much worth it) to multi-class this, since in basic terms you only NEED one level in Bard, the rest can be fullcaster simply enough, all you need is to have perform and bluff as class skills (easy enough with a fair number of different optimising methods)...it doesn't even have to be arcane since you only specify 3rd level spells. Doubt it's intentional, but it's easily possible.

I still love the class mind you, just thought I'd point this out...

[Fates]

20D6 damage is pretty huge for a class that also gets mostly-full spellcasting advancement.

...if you're a 19th-level spellcaster, even a bard, an attack that does 20d6 damage to a single opponent is nothing. It's a goddamned waste of time. A well-optimized bard of that level is already doing way more than 70 damage (the average of 20d6) with most of his melee attacks, not that he should really be bothering with outright damage at that point. No spellcaster worth his salt should be taking out enemies by pure damage output at that level- it's inefficient and unreliable. I see no reason whatsoever to reduce the damage.

[Lentrax]

that is the most metal thing I ever heard.

[chaos_redefined]

Going through his abilities...

Angel of Death - Isn't there a cantrip that can do this? Why am I getting a cantrip (even at will) at 11th level? Maybe make it swift?

Throught the Fire and the Flames - OK... 10d8 damage at will isn't completely irrelevant... But at 12th level it's 2d6. Maybe make this start at 6 dice and it gets +1 dice every 2nd level. Kinda like a warlock. Also, what's supposed to happen at 8th level? (Table has an entry, but the text mentions nothing)

More metal than you - Sure. No problem here.

Crucify the Dead - What happens if you have a party member who's undead? While it's generally sorta obvious, you should probably specify that undead can be affected by the morale bonuses from your songs as well.

On the Backs of Angels - Once again, no problems here.

Thank God for the Suffering - As stands, it doesn't stack (unnamed bonuses from the same source), but it kinda implies it does? Might need to specify what's going on there.

Fear of the Dark - So, at will version of a quickened 3rd level spell... that noone got excited by. Can you switch this to Blacklight (SpC) instead of deeper darkness? (Noone cares about shaken at this level)

Go Forth and Die - 19th level, single target, save or die. Sure, I can believe that. I assume it counts as a Death effect, and therefore, all the things that protect against Death effects protect against it? You should specify either way.

Enter the Sandman - Transformation capstone, with a pretty good template to work with. Sounds good to me.

Overall... While the idea of being a metal-focused bard is awesome, some of the abilities need some help. I think you kinda forgot that you made it so that the first level would be taken at level 11.