Homebrew DesignRoll up your sleeves and get working: there's lots of homebrewin' to be done! Post your custom creation for critiques or review those of your peers.
I've decided that I'm going to use the development of a new PrC as a tutorial of how I create classes and PrCs.
[hr] Step 1: The Skeleton We begin with a basic skeleton of the class, consisiting mostly of an Idea and a Framework.
Idea: Person who uses the fundamental language of universe to alter and control intelligent creatures
Step 2: The Crunchy Bits This step is where we set the crunchy bits of the class: BAB, Fort, Ref, Will, and spellcasting progression, if any. The En, being nonmartial in nature, will have poor BAB, poor Fort and Ref, and good Will, as well as partial Truenaming progression.
Step 4: Requirements and Flesh This part is where we flesh out the abilities and use the information from that to determine requirements.
Requirements Skills: Truespeak 10 ranks Abilities: See The Named class ability, Know Personal Truename
Telepathy: An En unlocks one of the most basic elements of his craft at first level. He gains the ability to communicate telepathically with any creature with a language within 100'.
Logorrhea: At second level, an En can cause any creature he has telepathic contact with to become logorrheic. As a standard action, the En can force the target creature to make a Will save (DC = 5 + En's Truename ranks) or be forced to do nothing but speak. While logorrheic, a creature is susceptible to mind-affecting affects and receives a -2 to Will saves. In addition, the creature is affected as if by a suggestion spell cast by the En.
Manipulate The Complacent Mind: At third level, an En can overtake minds when their guards are down. As a standard action, the En can activate this ability against any sleeping, helpless, or unaware creature he has telepathic contact with or is within hearing range of.
First, the En must succeed on a truespeak check. If successful, the targeted creature must make a Will save versus a DC of 5 + the En's Truename ranks, +1 for each 5 points the En exceeds the original DC.
If this will save fails, the creature becomes awake but is now under the mental control of the En, as the dominate spell.
The En may control up to a number equal to 1/2 his class level in this way.
Tongues: At fourth level, the En is considered constantly under the effects of a tongues spell.
Focused Lexicon: At fourth level and again at eighth level, the En gains the Focused Lexicon feat.
Manipulate the Violent Mind: As Manipulate the Complacent Mind, except that the En can now use the ability against any target, regardless of current status. In addition, he may now control a number of creatures equal to his class level, and the DC for the Will save becomes 10 + Truename ranks.
Insanity: At ninth level, the En gains the ability to inflict insanity or remove insanity on creatures he has telepathic contact with.
By performing a successful truespeak check, the En inflicts the target with the effects of the insanity spell, except that it cannot be dispelled.
In addition, the En can remove insanity from creatures he has telepathic contact with by performing a successful truespeak check.
Chaining Logorrhea: At tenth level, the En gains the ability to use truespeak skills by speaking through any number of creatures he has telepathic contact five times per day. Each creature he affects can choose a different target, and each utterance is resolved as normal.
Step 5: Editing This step is all about going back and fixing things. For instance, here I swap the Tongues and Telepathy abilities, since Tongues is less powerful than Telepathy and is more central to the classes' concept. I also tone down the Logorrhea ability by making it require a successful Truespeak check to activate, and turn up Manipulate the Violent Mind by making it act as greater dominate. Lastly, I add the Quest ability, because it seems to fit the flavor of the class, even if it probably won't see much actual use.
Requirements Skills: Truespeak 10 ranks Abilities: See The Named class ability, Know Personal Truename
Tongues: At first level, the En is considered constantly under the effects of a tongues spell that cannot be dispelled.
Logorrhea: At second level, a En can cause any creature he has telepathic contact with to become logorrheic. As a standard action, the En can perform a truespeak check. If successful, he can force the target creature to make a Will save (DC = 5 + En's Truename ranks) or be forced to do nothing but speak. While logorrheic, a creature is susceptible to mind-affecting affects and receives a -2 to Will saves. In addition, the creature is affected as if by a suggestion spell cast by the En.
Manipulate The Complacent Mind: At third level, a En can overtake minds when their guards are down. As a standard action, the En can activate this ability against any sleeping, helpless, or unaware creature he has telepathic contact with or is within hearing range of.
First, the En must succeed on a truespeak check. If successful, the targeted creature must make a Will save versus a DC of 5 + the En's Truename ranks, +1 for each 5 points the En exceeds the original DC.
If this will save fails, the creature becomes awake but is now under the mental control of the En, as the dominate spell.
The En may control up to a number equal to 1/2 his class level in this way.
Telepathy: An En unlocks the ability to communicate telepathically at fourth level. He gains the ability to communicate telepathically with any creature with a language within 100'.
Focused Lexicon: At fourth level and again at eighth level, the En gains the Focused Lexicon feat.
Manipulate the Violent Mind: As Manipulate the Complacent Mind, except that the En can now use the ability against any target, regardless of current status. In addition, he may now control a number of creatures equal to his class level, and the DC for the Will save becomes 10 + Truename ranks. Finally, the creature is affected as per greater dominate instead of dominate.
Insanity: At ninth level, the En gains the ability to inflict insanity or remove insanity on creatures he has telepathic contact with.
By performing a successful truespeak check, the En inflicts the target with the effects of the insanity spell, except that it cannot be dispelled.
In addition, the En can remove insanity from creatures he has telepathic contact with by performing a successful truespeak check.
Quest: At ninth level, the En gains the ability to send creatures he has dominated through manipulate the violent mind on long-term quests.
Three times per day, the En can attempt a truespeak check against a single creature he has dominated through manipulate the violent mind. If successful, the creature is affected as per the geas/quest spell. If the En fails this check, he loses one use of this ability.
Chaining Logorrhea: At tenth level, the En gains the ability to use truespeak skills by speaking through any number of creatures he has telepathic contact five times per day. Each creature he affects can choose a different target, and each utterance is resolved as normal.
Step 6: Publish Post it up on the forums and see what people have to say about it. Expect criticism and recommended alterations. Also expect someone to find a way to twink it out.
Requirements Skills: Truespeak 10 ranks Abilities: See The Named class ability, Know Personal Truename
Tongues: At first level, the En is considered constantly under the effects of a tongues spell that cannot be dispelled.
Logorrhea: At second level, a En can cause any creature he has telepathic contact with to become logorrheic. As a standard action, the En can perform a truespeak check. If successful, he can force the target creature to make a Will save (DC = 5 + En's Truename ranks) or be forced to do nothing but speak. While logorrheic, a creature is susceptible to mind-affecting affects and receives a -2 to Will saves. In addition, the creature is affected as if by a suggestion spell cast by the En.
Manipulate The Complacent Mind: At third level, a En can overtake minds when their guards are down. As a standard action, the En can activate this ability against any sleeping, helpless, or unaware creature he has telepathic contact with or is within hearing range of.
First, the En must succeed on a truespeak check. If successful, the targeted creature must make a Will save versus a DC of 5 + the En's Truename ranks, +1 for each 5 points the En exceeds the original DC.
If this will save fails, the creature becomes awake but is now under the mental control of the En, as the dominate spell.
The En may control up to a number equal to 1/2 his class level in this way.
Telepathy: An En unlocks the ability to communicate telepathically at fourth level. He gains the ability to communicate telepathically with any creature with a language within 100'.
Focused Lexicon: At fourth level and again at eighth level, the En gains the Focused Lexicon feat.
Manipulate the Violent Mind: As Manipulate the Complacent Mind, except that the En can now use the ability against any target, regardless of current status. In addition, he may now control a number of creatures equal to his class level, and the DC for the Will save becomes 10 + Truename ranks. Finally, the creature is affected as per greater dominate instead of dominate.
Insanity: At ninth level, the En gains the ability to inflict insanity or remove insanity on creatures he has telepathic contact with.
By performing a successful truespeak check, the En inflicts the target with the effects of the insanity spell, except that it cannot be dispelled.
In addition, the En can remove insanity from creatures he has telepathic contact with by performing a successful truespeak check.
Quest: At ninth level, the En gains the ability to send creatures he has dominated through manipulate the violent mind on long-term quests.
Three times per day, the En can attempt a truespeak check against a single creature he has dominated through manipulate the violent mind. If successful, the creature is affected as per the geas/quest spell. If the En fails this check, he loses one use of this ability.
Chaining Logorrhea: At tenth level, the En gains the ability to use truespeak skills by speaking through any number of creatures he has telepathic contact five times per day. Each creature he affects can choose a different target, and each utterance is resolved as normal.
Step 7: Editing Yes, we already did the Editing step in Step 5. However, after Step 6, people will ultimately come to you with reccomendations, ideas, and notes about what you missed. For instance, someone will probably note that I have forgotten a class skill list and proficiencies, so I shall add that now.
HD: d6
Requirements Skills: Truespeak 10 ranks Abilities: See The Named class ability, Know Personal Truename
Class Skills (4+Int modifier per level): Bluff, Concentration, Craft, Diplomacy, Intimidate, Perform (Oratory), Knowledge (all skills taken individually), Truespeak, Use Magic Device
Weapon and Armor Proficiencies: An En gains no proficiencies with weapons or armor.
Tongues: At first level, the En is considered constantly under the effects of a tongues spell that cannot be dispelled.
Logorrhea: At second level, a En can cause any creature he speaks with or has telepathic contact with to become logorrheic. As a standard action, the En can perform a truespeak check. If successful, he can force the target creature to make a Will save (DC = 5 + En's Truename ranks) or be forced to do nothing but speak. While logorrheic, a creature is susceptible to mind-affecting affects and receives a -2 to Will saves. In addition, the creature is affected as if by a suggestion spell cast by the En.
Manipulate The Complacent Mind: At third level, a En can overtake minds when their guards are down. As a standard action, the En can activate this ability against any sleeping, helpless, or unaware creature with whom he has vocal or telepathic contact with or is within hearing range of.
First, the En must succeed on a truespeak check. If successful, the targeted creature must make a Will save versus a DC of 5 + the En's Truename ranks, +1 for each 5 points the En exceeds the original DC.
If this will save fails, the creature becomes awake but is now under the mental control of the En, as the dominate spell.
The En may control up to a number equal to 1/2 his class level in this way.
Telepathy: An En unlocks the ability to communicate telepathically at fourth level. He gains the ability to communicate telepathically with any creature with a language within 100'.
Focused Lexicon: At fourth level and again at eighth level, the En gains the Focused Lexicon feat.
Manipulate the Violent Mind: As Manipulate the Complacent Mind, except that the En can now use the ability against any target, regardless of current status. In addition, he may now control a number of creatures equal to his class level, and the DC for the Will save becomes 10 + Truename ranks. Finally, the creature is affected as per greater dominate instead of dominate.
Insanity: At ninth level, the En gains the ability to inflict insanity or remove insanity on creatures he has telepathic contact with.
By performing a successful truespeak check, the En inflicts the target with the effects of the insanity spell, except that it cannot be dispelled.
In addition, the En can remove insanity from creatures he has telepathic contact with by performing a successful truespeak check.
Quest: At ninth level, the En gains the ability to send creatures he has dominated through manipulate the violent mind on long-term quests.
Three times per day, the En can attempt a truespeak check against a single creature he has dominated through manipulate the violent mind. If successful, the creature is affected as per the geas/quest spell. If the En fails this check, he loses one use of this ability.
Chaining Logorrhea: At tenth level, the En gains the ability to use truespeak skills by speaking through any number of creatures he has telepathic contact five times per day. Each creature he affects can choose a different target, and each utterance is resolved as normal.
Minor nitpick: Nam-shub isn't the term for the person, it's the incantation. The people who used them were called ens, if I recall correctly. Also, the tongues ability should come before telepathy, which doesn't really fit the concept of the class.
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I no longer actively read the forums, and probably won't respond to any PMs. I'm fine with people using my homebrew in anything, including fan-compilations and wikis, as long as you credit me.
Minor nitpick: Nam-shub isn't the term for the person, it's the incantation. The people who used them were called ens, if I recall correctly. Also, the tongues ability should come before telepathy, which doesn't really fit the concept of the class.
Right! *edits*...wait, what doesn't fit the concept: the telepathy, or the tongues?
Right! *edits*...wait, what doesn't fit the concept: the telepathy, or the tongues?
Telepathy. Nam-shubs are all about the spoken word, no telepathic aspects to it. Tongues, however, fits right in.
__________________
I no longer actively read the forums, and probably won't respond to any PMs. I'm fine with people using my homebrew in anything, including fan-compilations and wikis, as long as you credit me.
See, I'm trying to emulate Snow Crash's wireheads with the telepathy.
That seems like it'd be better done with magical items, or some sort of magical effect. Maybe he can mark people with a magical glyph in order to communicate/manipulate them over long distances?
__________________
I no longer actively read the forums, and probably won't respond to any PMs. I'm fine with people using my homebrew in anything, including fan-compilations and wikis, as long as you credit me.
I also found it odd that the En gets abilities requiring telepathy before getting the Telepathy ability (namely Logorrhea and MtCM). Was this deliberate?
Ok, I must admit I'm a little nervous critiquing a master of homebrew and I'm not great at balancing PrCs, but I'll try my best and use my usual break down.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Fax_Celestis
Requirements Skills: Truespeak 10 ranks Abilities: See The Named class ability, Know Personal Truename
Seems like a good setup, this can be taken as your 8th level, so high-ish abilities to look forward...
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Tongues: At first level, the En is considered constantly under the effects of a tongues spell that cannot be dispelled.
Hm...I never really see tongues as more than utility, so it's a bit weak, but fits none the less. It is kind of a put off for a 1st level ability tough.
Quote:
Logorrhea: At second level, a En can cause any creature he speaks with or has telepathic contact with to become logorrheic. As a standard action, the En can perform a truespeak check. If successful, he can force the target creature to make a Will save (DC = 5 + En's Truename ranks) or be forced to do nothing but speak. While logorrheic, a creature is susceptible to mind-affecting affects and receives a -2 to Will saves. In addition, the creature is affected as if by a suggestion spell cast by the En.
Ouch, that's a little too powerful for 9th level, I'd say make it a full-round action. Also, you don't have a duration, that should be included but should be no more than 1d4 or 1d4+1 rounds.
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Manipulate The Complacent Mind: At third level, a En can overtake minds when their guards are down. As a standard action, the En can activate this ability against any sleeping, helpless, or unaware creature with whom he has vocal or telepathic contact with or is within hearing range of.
First, the En must succeed on a truespeak check. If successful, the targeted creature must make a Will save versus a DC of 5 + the En's Truename ranks, +1 for each 5 points the En exceeds the original DC.
If this will save fails, the creature becomes awake but is now under the mental control of the En, as the dominate spell.
The En may control up to a number equal to 1/2 his class level in this way.
Tough powerful, I think this is decent ability and gained at the same time a wizard would, however, I'd limit its use to be 1/2 class level times per day. Otherwise, you could spam this too easily. Also, I'd include that the target becomes aware of your attempt and awakes to counter spamming as well, maybe add that the same target cannot be targeted for 24 hours after a successful save.
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Telepathy: An En unlocks the ability to communicate telepathically at fourth level. He gains the ability to communicate telepathically with any creature with a language within 100'.
I guess it works, I don't think its that overpowered...
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Focused Lexicon: At fourth level and again at eighth level, the En gains the Focused Lexicon feat.
Bonus feats are good to fill levels with
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Manipulate the Violent Mind: As Manipulate the Complacent Mind, except that the En can now use the ability against any target, regardless of current status. In addition, he may now control a number of creatures equal to his class level, and the DC for the Will save becomes 10 + Truename ranks. Finally, the creature is affected as per greater dominate instead of dominate.
Woah, that's powerful, but I don't think rediculusly so if you use the same kind of limits as I suggested on Manipulate the Complacent Mind, though upgraded to fit this ability.
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Insanity: At ninth level, the En gains the ability to inflict insanity or remove insanity on creatures he has telepathic contact with.
By performing a successful truespeak check, the En inflicts the target with the effects of the insanity spell, except that it cannot be dispelled.
In addition, the En can remove insanity from creatures he has telepathic contact with by performing a successful truespeak check.
Woah! Too much, way too much. A X/day limit is needed to prevent spamming, I suggest class levels or 1/2 class levels per day. Also, it should be a full-round action for this powerful of an ability.
Quote:
Quest: At ninth level, the En gains the ability to send creatures he has dominated through manipulate the violent mind on long-term quests.
Three times per day, the En can attempt a truespeak check against a single creature he has dominated through manipulate the violent mind. If successful, the creature is affected as per the geas/quest spell. If the En fails this check, he loses one use of this ability.
Not bad, I like it.
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Chaining Logorrhea: At tenth level, the En gains the ability to use truespeak skills by speaking through any number of creatures he has telepathic contact five times per day. Each creature he affects can choose a different target, and each utterance is resolved as normal.
Nice capstone ability, not too powerful I think.
Now question time: How do you process setting up the prerequisites (crunch-wise)? I'd like a somewhat in-depth answer. I've always had trouble determining how to do that besides just using "what feels right".
Two points: a lot of your suggestions are "uses per day". Do remember that Truespeak abilities are subject to the two Laws of Truespeech, and therefore suffer from the Law of Repetition. Each use makes it harder to use.
The second: setting prerequisites are largely arbitrary, but try to focus them towards what your target audience is. Choose an intended entrance level--this is important.
For instance, if I were to make a thief PrC for a caster class, intended to be enterable at level 8, I'd give it something like the following:
Spells: Ability to cast 4th level spells; ability to cast invisibility, knock, and silence
Skills: Hide 5 ranks, Move Silently 5 ranks, Open Lock 5 ranks
However, if the same class were intended for a rogue, I'd go with something like this:
Skills: Hide 11 ranks, Move Silently 11 ranks, Open Lock 11 ranks
Class Features: Trap Sense +2, Trapfinding
Sneak Attack: +4d6
Feats: Stealthy
Two points: a lot of your suggestions are "uses per day". Do remember that Truespeak abilities are subject to the two Laws of Truespeech, and therefore suffer from the Law of Repetition. Each use makes it harder to use.
GAH! I guess my limited knowledge of Truespeak really shows here, if that's the case I guess they're self balancing in that respect.
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The second: setting prerequisites are largely arbitrary, but try to focus them towards what your target audience is. Choose an intended entrance level--this is important.
For instance, if I were to make a thief PrC for a caster class, intended to be enterable at level 8, I'd give it something like the following:
Spells: Ability to cast 4th level spells; ability to cast invisibility, knock, and silence
Skills: Hide 5 ranks, Move Silently 5 ranks, Open Lock 5 ranks
However, if the same class were intended for a rogue, I'd go with something like this:
Skills: Hide 11 ranks, Move Silently 11 ranks, Open Lock 11 ranks
Class Features: Trap Sense +2, Trapfinding
Sneak Attack: +4d6
Feats: Stealthy
Thanks Fax! This has been really helpful, but I don't know if I'm ready to move up to PrCs yet I don't consider myself that good of a 'brewer, but my LotR D20 pops up a lot for some reason...
Anyway, I prefer making base classes and races anyway. And I'm rambling...
Do you mean how to do create the table in a post? Go to Fax's Guide to Homebrewing, it contains the no-parse needed to make those tables for anything you would like to homebrew.
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Thank you -sooo- much for this! This is a really useful tutorial, and I'm sure a lot of first time home-brewers will benefit from it. I'm going to keep it tucked away, just in case I ever design a PrC.
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Anyway, you can find the formatting codes for anything anyone's done by quoting their post. You will see their code there.
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