A New Base Class: The Cardcaptor

[LordErebus12]

Originally Posted by AuraTwilight

I'm not normally a fan of Pathfinder, but can you tell me where I can find the class?

thats sad to hear, i love pathfinder, finding it more balanced overall than 3.5

the problem is unless you allow every module and companion guide and what not, the list to pull from is only 8 Core books (3 bestiaries, 4 Core Books, 1 Race Guide).

PS: please clean up the class post. spaces... paragraph breaks... im dying!!!

Towers, a game played for coin in the gutters and back alleys of cities, uses a Harrow deck to make or break fortunes. Most participants don’t realize that the game of Towers is based off six ancient Varisian philosophies, which the Varisians correspond to six of the towers of Desna’s palace (the seventh tower represents the unknown future—a subject of endless fascination to a harrower). Fortunetellers use the six towers to influence and inspire their meditation, but some forge a strange and wondrous connection to the six principles. Those who learn to channel and wield this power develop amazing abilities tied to the use of a Harrow deck and claim the title of harrower.

A Harrow deck consists of 54 cards divided into six suits of nine cards. The six suits correspond to the six ability scores (hammer for Strength, key for Dexterity, shield for Constitution, book for Intelligence, star for Wisdom, and crown for Charisma). Each card in a suit ties in with one of the nine alignments, corresponding with the location of the symbol on the face of the card. In addition, each card has its own unique name, independent of its suit and alignment.

Even if you do not have access to a Harrow deck, you can still play a harrower by using a d6 and a d10.

Roll 1d6 to determine a card’s suit, as follows: 1—Strength, 2—Constitution, 3—Dexterity, 4—Intelligence, 5—Wisdom, 6—Charisma. The 1d10 determine its alignment, as follows: 1—LG, 2—NG, 3—CG, 4—LN, 5—N, 6—CN, 7—LE, 8—NE, 9—CE.

Reroll results of 10. For most of the harrower’s class features, you need only roll the d6, which allows you to determine how many cards of each suit are drawn for a Harrow casting. Only the blessing of the Harrow and spirit deck class features pay attention to a card’s alignment.

Requirements
To qualify to become a harrower, a character must fulfill all the following criteria.
Alignment: Must be chaotic, evil, good, or lawful (cannot be true neutral).
Special: Ability to cast 3rd-level spells. Must be able to cast at least three divination spells.
Special: Must own a Harrow deck.

Class Skills (2 + Int bonus per level): Bluff, Concentration, Craft, Diplomacy, Knowledge (arcana), Knowledge (local), Knowledge (the planes), Perform, Profession, Spellcraft.

The Harrower Hit Die: d6

Table: Harrower Prestige Class
Level	BAB	Fort	Reflex	Will	Special	Spells Per Day
1st	+0	+0	+0	+2	Blessing of the Harrow	—
2nd	+1	+0	+0	+3	Harrow casting, tower of intelligence	+1 level of spellcasting class
3rd	+1	+1	+1	+3	Tower of strength	+1 level of spellcasting class
4th	+2	+1	+1	+4	Tower of charisma	+1 level of spellcasting class
5th	+2	+1	+1	+4	Spirit deck	+1 level of spellcasting class
6th	+3	+2	+2	+5	Divination	+1 level of spellcasting class
7th	+3	+2	+2	+5	Tower of constitution	+1 level of spellcasting class
8th	+4	+2	+2	+6	Tower of dexterity	+1 level of spellcasting class
9th	+4	+3	+3	+6	Tower of wisdom	+1 level of spellcasting class
10th	+5	+3	+3	+7	Reading the signs	+1 level of spellcasting class

Class Features
The following are class features of the harrower prestige class.

Spells: When a harrower gains a level (except for her first harrower level), she gains new spells per day as if she had also gained a level in a spellcasting class she belonged to before she added the prestige class. She does not, however, gain any other benefits a character of that class would have gained. This essentially means that she adds the level of harrower to the level of whatever other spellcasting class she has.

If the character had more than one spellcasting class before she became a harrower, she must choose to which class she adds each harrower level for the purposes of determining spells per day. As long as the harrower owns a Harrow deck, she gains access to the harrow spell >(Here)<, as if it were on her spell list as a 3rd-level spell (regardless of her spellcasting class). If the harrower prepares spells as a wizard, she prepares the spell from her Harrow deck instead of her spellbook.

Blessing of the Harrow (Ex): The harrower may, once per day, perform a harrowing for herself and all allies within 20 feet of her. This harrowing takes 10 minutes, and allies to be affected by it must remain within 20 feet for the entire time. The harrower interprets the harrowing as normal. At the conclusion of the harrowing, count up suits of cards used in the reading. This harrowing provides a bonus based upon the suit with the most cards showing.

In case of a tie, choose one suit. The bonus lasts for 24 hours. The suits grant morale bonuses as follows. Strength: +1 on attack rolls; Dexterity: +1 to AC; Constitution: +1 on weapon damage rolls; Intelligence: +1 on all skills; Wisdom: +1 on all saving throws; Charisma: +1 on caster level checks. All of these bonuses are insight bonuses.

Harrow Casting (Su): Beginning at 2nd level, the harrower may, as she casts a spell, draw three cards from her Harrow deck. This adds both a somatic component (if the spell does not already have one) and a focus component to the spell, but does not add to the spell’s casting time. Depending on the harrower’s level, the cards she draws might change the parameters of her spell or grant her some other benefit, as described in each tower ability.

The harrower gains all of the different tower abilities available to her. If she draws cards for which she has not yet gained use, those cards provide no benefit. Each card the harrower draws that are exact matches to her alignment count as two cards of the proper suit. A spell may not be affected by both Harrow casting and a metamagic feat. The harrower may use this ability a number of times per day equal to her class level.

Tower of Intelligence (Su): Beginning at 2nd level, whenever the harrower uses her Harrow casting ability, for each card she draws from the suit of Intelligence she gains a +1 insight bonus on caster level checks made to penetrate Spell Resistance.

Tower of Strength (Su): Beginning at 3rd level, whenever the harrower uses her Harrow casting ability to augment a spell that inflicts damage to hit points, the spell deals +1 point of damage per die for each card from the suit of Strength she draws.

Tower of Charisma (Su): Beginning at 4th level, whenever the harrower uses her Harrow casting ability, for each card she draws from the suit of Charisma the save DC of the spell increases by +1.

Spirit Deck (Su): A 5th-level harrower may, as a standard action, summon a shimmering, translucent Harrow deck that flies through the air and engulfs a target within 30 feet in a whirling cloud of knife-edged cards. The harrower then draws a number of Harrow cards equal to her harrower level, and the spirit deck deals damage based on the number of matches she draws.

Each exact match (based on her alignment, as shown on the chart to the right) deals 5 points of damage, each partial match deals 3 points, and each non-matched card deals 1 point, and each opposite match deals 0 points. The harrower may use this ability a number of times per day equal to 1 + her Charisma modifier (minimum 1/day).

Divination (Sp): A 6th-level harrower gains the ability to cast divination once per day as a spell-like ability. Her caster level equals her character level.

Tower of Constitution (Ex): Beginning at 7th level, whenever the harrower uses her Harrow casting ability, for each card from the suit of Constitution, she heals 3 points of damage.

Tower of Dexterity (Su): At 8th level, whenever the harrower uses her Harrow casting ability, for each card she draws from the suit of Dexterity, she gains a +1 insight bonus on Reflex saves and to AC until the beginning of her next turn.

Tower of Wisdom (Su): At 9th level, whenever the harrower uses her Harrow casting ability, for each card she draws from the suit of Wisdom, she increases the spell’s effective caster level by +1.

Reading the Signs (Ex): Whenever a 10th-level harrower draws cards from any deck of cards, she may draw an extra card and choose one to discard. The harrower may not use this ability when performing a harrowing. She may use this ability at will, but she must wait 1d4 rounds between each use.

Table: Matches and Opposites
Alignment	Opposite	Partial Matches
LG	CE	NG, CG, LN, LE
NG	NE	LG, CG, N, NE
CG	LE	LG, NG, CN, CE
LN	CN	N, LG, LE
N	—	—
CN	LN	N, CG, CE
LE	CG	NE, CE, LG, LN
NE	NG	LE, CE, NG, N
CE	LG	LE, NE, CG, CN

[LordErebus12]

And they have beautiful images for the cards. i really want an actual deck.

[AuraTwilight]

It's interesting, I suppose, but it doesn't seem like there's anything here that'll assist in capturing the intent of the Cardcaptor class. It doesn't really function like the Harrower in any majorly significant way.

[Lestroisrois]

Bring the thread back from the Abyss of Death...
[10 minutes later]
...Raise Thread!!!

I bring this back to life. I have added a description for every card, and am working on data for the stat blocks for each and every one. As I complete it on my Notepad file (keeps the code from switching to <br />; they need to fix that...), I'll update it here. I'm sorry I took so long to return; I've been very busy with school for the last couple months, which has really bothered me. I'm back now, however, and I'll be updating a lot more often from now on.

P.S. Long live the Thread Necromancer Prestige Class!!!!!

[Lestroisrois]

Originally Posted by LordErebus12

PS: please clean up the class post. spaces... paragraph breaks... im dying!!!

What do you mean by "clean it up"? Are you saying I should double-space after each paragraph?

[AuraTwilight]

Hurray, one of my favorite projects is back!

Of course, the descriptions are technically nothing new, but I can't wait for those juicy, juicy stat blocks and powers!

[Lestroisrois]

Originally Posted by AuraTwilight

Hurray, one of my favorite projects is back!

Of course, the descriptions are technically nothing new, but I can't wait for those juicy, juicy stat blocks and powers!

Again, sorry I took so long. Also, it may not be much, but it is coming along...

Also, would it be too powerful to have the Windy, Watery, Firey, and Earthy count as large Elementals of their respective elements as a Clow power?

[jamieth]

OK, first of all: congratulations! I am totally into making Cardcaptor in a PF class (granyed, I'm into pretty much any project aiming to increase the presence of Magical Girls in RPGs), and the amount of work alone that went into making this is impressive (I haven't read through the crunch yet, so can't comment on balance and stuff). So, I'm definitely cheering for you.

That said, I hope a bit of critique would be met with understanding.

One thing I personally don't like about this design, is that it isn't really reads as much as a Cardcaptor class, as a Sakura Kinomoto base class. (A requirement for a flower-related name? Seriously? Also, the requirents as to which order cards must be taken in; why exactly is Fiery 5th or 6th level only? In the same vein, Trial of Destiny is a campaign material... not something you build into a class mesh.)

All in all, I think this class sacrifices too much flexibility in trying to stay true to the source material.

(If the above sounds a bit harsh, please understand that was probably caused by English not being my native language. Therefore, I do tend to be somewhat blunt when writing it.)

Oh, and Tomoyo is most definitely a Commoner/Expert with the Eldritch Heritage feat (PF Ultimate Magic.)

[AuraTwilight]

Also, would it be too powerful to have the Windy, Watery, Firey, and Earthy count as large Elementals of their respective elements as a Clow power?

No, that sounds about appropriate, actually. The four of them are meant to be some of the most powerful cards, and Firey in particular can burn down entire forests in minutes.

One thing I personally don't like about this design, is that it isn't really reads as much as a Cardcaptor class, as a Sakura Kinomoto base class. (A requirement for a flower-related name? Seriously? Also, the requirents as to which order cards must be taken in; why exactly is Fiery 5th or 6th level only? In the same vein, Trial of Destiny is a campaign material... not something you build into a class mesh.)

All in all, I think this class sacrifices too much flexibility in trying to stay true to the source material.

You know, I wasn't paying as much attention to things outside of the cards and class features, but now that I look at it...yea, you're kind of right.

I would still include Trial of Destiny as part of the class, atleast for the time being.

Oh, and Tomoyo is most definitely a Commoner/Expert with the Eldritch Heritage feat (PF Ultimate Magic.)

I think the intent for this class is 3.5, but I otherwise agree.

[Lestroisrois]

Originally Posted by jamieth

...A requirement for a flower-related name? Seriously?

That actually isn't a requirement. What it says is that Cardcaptors' names are often that of a type of flower, not that it is required.

Also, on the Trials, what if I changed it to be a ritual that can be performed at the listed level instead of forcing you to do it right at obtaining the level? I mean, the only reason I require it is because the class is supposed to be based on the canon, by which I mean:

• There can only be one master of the Clow Cards
• The Clow Cards require their master/mistress's magic to survive
• etc, etc, etc.

The critique you gave wasn't mean or harsh in the slightest. I do admit that I'm trying to keep it based off the original story, but I do understand that some things can't be kept exact. Also, this class is for 3.5, but once this version is done, I might end up posting skills for Pathfinder. I'm going to focus on 3.5 for now though...

[jamieth]

Originally Posted by Lestroisrois

Also, on the Trials, what if I changed it to be a ritual that can be performed at the listed level instead of forcing you to do it right at obtaining the level? I mean, the only reason I require it is because the class is supposed to be based on the canon, by which I mean:

• There can only be one master of the Clow Cards
• The Clow Cards require their master/mistress's magic to survive
• etc, etc, etc.

But even in canon, you don't actually have to be a Clow Reed's Chosen to wield His cards; Shaoran managed to both capture and use them just fine, after all, and he, in my opinion, is a Magus (or, whatever this class was called in 3.5... Duskblade? Spellblade? Don't have the books on me atm... the CCS version, of course. The T:RC Shaoran is probably a Monk.)

[AuraTwilight]

Shaolin was essentially using the cards as Wondrous Items or Magical Artifacts, though. Sakura is actually demonstrated as having powers beyond that; she's the only one who can actually SEAL the cards regardless of who receives them, she can use them for tarot, she can change their natures...

[jamieth]

Fair enough, considering that Sakura's very existence is a result of a millennia-spanning magenetic project, and she was explicitely stated to be potentially the most powerful magic-user of all time-space, had she not sacrificed her power to the immortal witch as a payment for fulfilling a wish of someone she never even really met; than again, that, too, was "just as planned". Or, to put it in Yuuko's words, "not a coincidence, but a necessity".
/shutting up before the thread gets derailed into a discussion of CLAMPverse's metaplot.

[Lestroisrois]

Originally Posted by jamieth

Fair enough, considering that Sakura's very existence is a result of a millennia-spanning magenetic project, and she was explicitely stated to be potentially the most powerful magic-user of all time-space, had she not sacrificed her power to the immortal witch as a payment for fulfilling a wish of someone she never even really met; than again, that, too, was "just as planned". Or, to put it in Yuuko's words, "not a coincidence, but a necessity".
/shutting up before the thread gets derailed into a discussion of CLAMPverse's metaplot.

A note on that: I'm following specifically the canon of Cardcaptor Sakura (the japanese version), not the CLAMPverse in general. Also, I've finished The Sword, but GitP won't let me update the main post right now, so I'll do that later, when the server's less busy/problematic.

I'm also going to keep you guys in the loop (no not by the card) from now on by posting what I call the "Next 5 Cards", which will tell you what I'm doing and whether I need help with a specific card.

Next 5 cards:

1. The Windy
2. The Watery
3. The Firey
4. The Earthy
5. The Shield

I'll let you guys know how it goes.

[Lestroisrois]

Sorry I haven't posted here in a while. My computer has been having issues for the last month (blue-screening a lot ) and so I haven't been able to work on the Cards for a while. Hopefully, the problem will be solved soon, and I'll be able to resume work on this build. I PROMISE TO SEE THIS THROUGH TO THE END!!!

[Razanir]

I know it's based on an anime and all, but there are a few things that don't quite work in D&D. Mainly the rule that there can only be 1 cardcaptor of level 11+. There haven't been rules like that since AD&D (maybe 2e, but I've never played 2e). Also, what about more masculine costumes? You know, for the guys that take this class

EDIT: Oh, and you should mention in the OP that Clow is pronounced "crow." I didn't know until I saw the other version of this that was linked to

[AuraTwilight]

Yea, I totally upvote making the class properly unisex, and really dumping all the stuff that requires the player to be Sakura Kinomoto.

I don't really mind the whole Trial of the Cards thing. Given that there's only a finite number of cards to go around, you really can't have 2 or more fully leveled Cardcaptors anyway.

[Razanir]

Originally Posted by AuraTwilight

Yea, I totally upvote making the class properly unisex, and really dumping all the stuff that requires the player to be Sakura Kinomoto.

I don't really mind the whole Trial of the Cards thing. Given that there's only a finite number of cards to go around, you really can't have 2 or more fully leveled Cardcaptors anyway.

I get the point that in the anime there were a finite number of cards. The thing is, I, at least, wouldn't want to take levels in the class unless the DM completely reassured me I'd be able to advance above level 10. And even worse– what if two people in the same party wanted to be cardcaptors?

One thing I noticed though– How can the one NPC from the 3rd post be level 20? Wouldn't that mean that by default PCs can only go to level 10 if you use her with the class?

Also, there's a mistake in level 19. You have more cards converted than you have cards

[AuraTwilight]

Time travel is a thing that Sakura Kinomoto could canonically do, just sayin'.

And yea, the party dynamics thing could be iffy, but like all class choices and set ups, you really should talk to the Gamemaster beforehand anyway. It's not like it'd be difficult to refluff things accordingly; Perhaps two people in the party could both advance to full level and share the deck between themselves, cue romantic or platonic soulmate plot seeds etcetera, or they both equally qualified in the relevant Trial in a way Yue couldn't account for?

IDK. A gamemaster has options. I'd rather focus on getting the crunch on things like the Cards and class features done before worrying about campaign implementation.

[jamieth]

Originally Posted by AuraTwilight

Time travel is a thing that Sakura Kinomoto could canonically do, just sayin'.

Only as a plot device, though, if memory serves me. Though then again, ANY kind of time traveling should only be done as a plot device, if you desire your game to retain any semblance of making sense. Otherwise, you risk ending up with Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicles ending...

Anyway, my stance on this is still, "don't try to fit as many of the CCS plot elements as you can into the class". Not only Trial of Cards, but I also vote for Dress for Success being unneeded. They (costumes), explicitely, are not the part of being a Cardcaptor; if you really want them, go and take Leadership and take a Noble/Expert with craft(tailor) as your cohort :-) (that was the way Sakura gained them, after all)

[AuraTwilight]

Only as a plot device, though, if memory serves me. Though then again, ANY kind of time traveling should only be done as a plot device, if you desire your game to retain any semblance of making sense. Otherwise, you risk ending up with Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicles ending...

By the end of the series Sakura's stronger than Clow Reed and can effectively do anything. Luckily this isn't part of being a Cardcaptor. D:

Anyway, my stance on this is still, "don't try to fit as many of the CCS plot elements as you can into the class". Not only Trial of Cards, but I also vote for Dress for Success being unneeded. They (costumes), explicitely, are not the part of being a Cardcaptor; if you really want them, go and take Leadership and take a Noble/Expert with craft(tailor) as your cohort :-) (that was the way Sakura gained them, after all)

I agree, actually. If someone wants to go ahead and stat out the costumes anyway, go ahead, but it's pretty much a bottom priority for me.

[Lestroisrois]

Sorry I've been gone for so long. My computer broke and I had to get it fixed. Luckily, they were able to retrieve the info on it, so I should be able to start this back up. And I promise, this will be finished.

Originally Posted by Razanir

I know it's based on an anime and all, but there are a few things that don't quite work in D&D. Mainly the rule that there can only be 1 cardcaptor of level 11+. There haven't been rules like that since AD&D (maybe 2e, but I've never played 2e). Also, what about more masculine costumes? You know, for the guys that take this class

Originally Posted by AuraTwilight

I don't really mind the whole Trial of the Cards thing. Given that there's only a finite number of cards to go around, you really can't have 2 or more fully leveled Cardcaptors anyway.

Originally Posted by Razanir

I get the point that in the anime there were a finite number of cards. The thing is, I, at least, wouldn't want to take levels in the class unless the DM completely reassured me I'd be able to advance above level 10. And even worse– what if two people in the same party wanted to be cardcaptors?

On the whole "only one of level 11+" thing, that's mostly due to the fact that the Clow Cards are effectively minor artifacts, and that there is only one copy of each card. If your campaign has, for example, two pc's wanting to take more than 10 levels in the class, then you can do it, but it'll probably have to either be a "master and apprentice" sort of thing, or sharing them between the two like AuraTwilight said.

Originally Posted by Razanir

EDIT: Oh, and you should mention in the OP that Clow is pronounced "crow." I didn't know until I saw the other version of this that was linked to

I'll be sure to do that. Thanks.

Originally Posted by AuraTwilight

Yea, I totally upvote making the class properly unisex, and really dumping all the stuff that requires the player to be Sakura Kinomoto.

I'm currently focused on making the main feature of the class usable: the Clow Cards. Once that's done, I'll go back and make changes like those.

Originally Posted by Razanir

One thing I noticed though– How can the one NPC from the 3rd post be level 20? Wouldn't that mean that by default PCs can only go to level 10 if you use her with the class?

Sakura is there just as an example, in the case of a DM wanting to show their party the Cardcaptor system. Also, most classes in D&D have an example of someone with the class; can't remember why, but they do. Finally, Sakura can fulfill the role of the mentor, like Clow Reed was for her. In your campaign, you could hae it be that Sakura passes them on to you, etc. Most important of all, by the time Clow Reed had gained this level, he basically could do everything the class could do without the cards. Same thing for Sakura, basically...

Originally Posted by Razanir

Also, there's a mistake in level 19. You have more cards converted than you have cards

Not exactly. If you'd read the class feature of level 19, you end up making your own card, "the nameless," which was never a Clow card to begin with. Therefore, it's less "cards converted" at that level and more "cards that are your own (whether converted or created)." That's also how The Hope works (was the Clow Card "the Nothing," fused with the Nameless and converted to become "The Hope").

Originally Posted by jamieth

Anyway, my stance on this is still, "don't try to fit as many of the CCS plot elements as you can into the class". Not only Trial of Cards, but I also vote for Dress for Success being unneeded. They (costumes), explicitely, are not the part of being a Cardcaptor; if you really want them, go and take Leadership and take a Noble/Expert with craft(tailor) as your cohort :-) (that was the way Sakura gained them, after all)

Dress for Success was me trying to take advantage of Sakura's many kawaii outfits, combined with my trying to get around the whole "casters can't wear armor" thing. Also, Leadership is dangerously cheesy, and forbidden at most tables, including my own. In fact, I've only seen Leadership allowed once, and that went out-of-control overpowered fast (Leadership+Ring Gates+lots and lots of Wands of Magic Missiles).
I thought the outfits would be a fun addition, partially for game purposes, partly for story purposes, and partially for pointing fingers at the many weird things adventurers wear in a campaign (third arms, robes of eyes, mage hands, astral constructs[ACMA & ACME], etc.). That, and my younger cousins, neighbor's kids, etc. are proof enough that kids like to dress up, not to mention fans at events like ComiCon, etc.
As for the Trials, those were (from a game perspective) inspired by the Weapons of Legacy feats; to get those feats, a ritual has to be performed first. If it bothers you guys so much, however, then I guess I can change it to be more like the Jade Phoenix Mage's 6th level ability.

I'm sorry I've been gone for so long; I openly admit that I really dropped the ball, and I humbly ask for your forgiveness. :bow:

[AuraTwilight]

Well I'm really excited to hear you back. This thread is in my top bookmarks, so as usual, lemme know if you need help on anything!

[Lestroisrois]

Originally Posted by AuraTwilight

Well I'm really excited to hear you back. This thread is in my top bookmarks, so as usual, lemme know if you need help on anything!

Glad to know that my absence hasn't lead to hatred.

Also, Sword is up.

[Lestroisrois]

Windy, Earthy, Firey, and Watery's Clow card abilities and stat blocks are up.

[Lestroisrois]

Anyone know how to stick two tables side-by-side?

[Debihuman]

i'd say don't bother. It would take up too much room. Just make 2 separate tables.

Also you need to have some lines in between your paragraphs. It's one big wall of text.

Debby

[Lestroisrois]

Originally Posted by Debihuman

i'd say don't bother. It would take up too much room. Just make 2 separate tables.

Also you need to have some lines in between your paragraphs. It's one big wall of text.

Debby

That better?