I was surprised to see that there are no bloodlines dealing specifically with heavenly bodies. There is the voidborn bloodline, which applies to the emptiness in space and the contemplation of its vastness, but nothing which relates to the mystic properties of the sun, moon, stars, or other properties of space.
I would like to see one. Does anybody have any ideas? Has anybody done some work on one?
By the way, I was thinking about this subject because of the campaign in which I am playing. The world has three moons, each which has its own legend and superstitions attached to it (to the point that they even have a small effect on the game world sometimes). I had thought it would be cool to create a sorcerer whose family had, according to legend, descended from one of the moons, and thought that a Lunar Bloodline (which does not exist) would be appropriate.
Unfortunately, there are almost no moon-related spells. Plenty of sun, though.
Not to step on anyone's toes, but here is a list of potentially moon-related magical effects one could consider making bonus spells for a lunar-themed Sorcery bloodline:
At 3rd level, Magic Stone (think of affected pebbles as moon rocks)
At 5th level, Chill Metal (toying with the often icy nature of atmosphericless planetoids)
At 7th level, Best Shape I (playing off the lycanthrope/moon relationship)
At 9th level, Control Water (paying homage to a moon's gravitational effect on large bodies of water)
At 11th level, Cone of Cold (a powerful expression of the life-threatening cold inherent to the dark side of the moon)
At 13th level, Antilife Shell (in recognition of the barrenness of a lifeless moonscape)
At 15th level, Insanity (bowing to the concept of lunacy)
At 17th level, Animal Shapes (potentially, the greatest expression the lycanthrope/moon relationship)
At 19th level, Wish (as in Romeo's moonlit desire to be a glove upon Juliet's hand)
Unfortunately, there are almost no moon-related spells. Plenty of sun, though.
That gives me a couple ideas, but they complicate making the bloodline.
1) Give the bloodline sun spells to fill in the gaps, but make them celestial/moon-equivalent spells2) Create more moon/celestial spells, perhaps revising some spells from 3.5
The good news is this suggests there is at least enough material to create a Solar Bloodline.
Moons don't socialize.
???
Not to step on anyone's toes, but here is a list of potentially moon-related magical effects one could consider making bonus spells for a lunar-themed Sorcery bloodline:
At 3rd level, Magic Stone (think of affected pebbles as moon rocks)
At 5th level, Chill Metal (toying with the often icy nature of atmosphericless planetoids)
At 7th level, Best Shape I (playing off the lycanthrope/moon relationship)
At 9th level, Control Water (paying homage to a moon's gravitational effect on large bodies of water)
At 11th level, Cone of Cold (a powerful expression of the life-threatening cold inherent to the dark side of the moon)
At 13th level, Antilife Shell (in recognition of the barrenness of a lifeless moonscape)
At 15th level, Insanity (bowing to the concept of lunacy)
At 17th level, Animal Shapes (potentially, the greatest expression the lycanthrope/moon relationship)
At 19th level, Wish (as in Romeo's moonlit desire to be a glove upon Juliet's hand)
I like your thinking on some of these. Here's my thoughts.
Magic Stone requires some lateral thinking to come to; it works, but it's a bit weak.Chill Metal, Cone of Cold, and Antilife Shell all speak more to the danger of space than properties of the moon itself. Maybe a single spell that really evokes the "dark side of the moon" (mysterious, never seen) would be appropriate, but it's still a small stretch.
Beast Shape and Animal Shapes are getting us somewhere, but they almost sound like they belong under a "Lycanthropy Bloodline", which would also be cool. That said, giving the bloodline those spells, but limiting the shape to something wolf-related, would be appropriate.
Control Water: That's a clever one. I like it. Maybe a higher level spell could be something gravity-related.
Insanity: Another good one. Lunacy is a classic moon-related concept.
Wish: I think you're stretching again here. Whatever Shakespeare's play might have, the idea of wishing on a celestial body goes more with comets and stars than it does with the moon. So, I do think we have a capstone ability for a Stellar Bloodline.
The visual effect of Meteor Swarm could be pieces of the moon breaking off and falling to earth.
Don't forget the starsoul bloodline either. It's a bit more focused on what's IN space than the emptiness of void-touched, but they are similar.
What I would do is either create your own bloodline out of whole cloth (something I considered a bit for my own starsoul sorc, but decided against for practical reasons), or pick something like starsoul, void-touched, or another thematically appropriate bloodline (maybe earth? I haven't looked at the elemental ones in awhile) and have your sorcerer research his own spells. I definitely considered changing some of the fire spells to do cold damage, for instance.
I think it also helps when you're trying to match spells to a theme to write down somewhere the elements of the theme. For example, for a lunar theme, the underlying elements might be gravity, earth, desolation, age/ancient-ness, void (most moons are airless), mysticism, and titanic events (cratering, lava outflows, etc.) I found this kind of thinking to be a much easier basis for selecting spells than just a general theme, because then you're tying things to much more specific qualities than "the moon(s)".
You also have to be willing to proxy some things- for example, for my starsoul, obviously stellar activity is one of the elements, for which I use fire as a proxy, even though it's not an exact match.
At 7th level, Best Shape I
Wait, there is a spell for that?
Ha, bye bye, workout!
Not to step on anyone's toes, but here is a list of potentially moon-related magical effects one could consider making bonus spells for a lunar-themed Sorcery bloodline...
I like where you're going with this. There are some non-core spells too.
Circle of Moonlight
School: Abjuration; Level: Clr 5, Drd 5, Sor/Wiz 5
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Components: V, S, M/DF (belladonna)
Range: 10 ft.
Area: 10-ft. radius emanation, centered on you
Duration: 10 minutes/level
Saving Throw: None; Spell Resistance: Yes
You create a spherical barrier marked by a visible circular halo of white light. This barrier prevents any lycanthrope or undead from entering the sphere or physically touching those inside it. The barrier’s spherical nature and magical composition also prevent flying or incorporeal undead from bypassing the barrier by entering from above or below the visible halo.
I like both connections of moonlight here, to both undead and lycanthropes. It's a funny thing though. Maybe moonlight shouldn't prevent lycanthropes from entering, given the connection to the full moon and all that.
Hmm.
The Moon can also be related with dreams, mystery and mysticism. And we cannot forget that the fscination it bestows on poets and lovers, as well.
My two c.p. ;)
Vrecknidj, interesting spell. Yeah, I agree that it seems counter to what you'd hope from for a spell that supports moonlight. I guess that would work for a "wrathful", "purity" or "lawful" moon concept.
And Ricardo, nice point! I think with that addition, we could think of a full moon concept. I'm going to see what I can come up with.
Here are my various ideas for spells of certain levels and an explanation of some of them...
1 – Gravity Bow, Haze of Dreams, Invigorate, Jump
2 – Touch of Madness, Augury
3 – Guiding Star, Plant Growth, Silverlight, Diminish Plants, Arcane Concordance
4 – Moonstruck, Divination, Debilitating Portent, Confusion
5 – Dream
6 – Major Curse (must have a condition attached; condition must relate to the moon), Control Water
7 – Insanity, Jolting Portent, Lunar Veil
8 – Symbol of Insanity
9 – Interplanetary Teleport (to and from moon), Polar Midnight
Some of these spells are based on the physical properties of the moon. Others are based on the mystic properties of the moon. It may be best to pick one or the other for the final list.
The moon has low gravity, so Gravity Bow and Jump fit that bill.
The moon is associated with madness, ergo spells like Touch of Madness.
The moon is associated with fate and luck, both good and bad: therefore, the various divination spells and portent spells... Major Curse is a little stretch, but there you go.
Because the moon is associated with growth and invigoration, I suggested the plant growth/diminish spells and, of course, Invigorate. I don't think the plant spells would make the final cut, but I felt like including them for completeness.
The idea of the moon being related to dreams made me include spells like Haze of Dreams.
The concept of the moon and mysticism: arcane concordance.
Spells like Moonstruck, Lunar Veil, and Silverlight all come from various ideas associated with the moon.
The ninth level spells are both physical: Interplanetary Teleport lets you visit the moon you love so much. Polar Midnight evokes the darkness and chill of the dark side of the moon.
So, which spells do you think should be removed? Or which make the cut? Anything you'd suggest that I didn't include?
...good stuff...
Some of these spells are based on the physical properties of the moon. Others are based on the mystic properties of the moon. It may be best to pick one or the other for the final list.
So, which spells do you think should be removed? Or which make the cut? Anything you'd suggest that I didn't include?
You know, I like what's happening here. This is good stuff. In addition to things like bloodlines, there's also lots of room for more domain material and other good stuff.
Like, like, like.
Here's some flavor text, a bloodline arcana, and a couple bloodline powers. Thoughts?
Flavor Text: Maybe you descend from a lunar deity or perhaps your ancestors mixed their blood with that of beings from near=yet-mysterious orb. You are probably at least slightly unstable, possibly even truly mad. However, people can often accurately read the future by your mood.
Bloodline Arcana: Whenever you and the target of your spell are both in moonlight, increase the spell’s save DC by +1.
Bloodline Powers:
Moon Metal: For 1st level, I like the idea that the Lunatic Bloodline can “bless” items with properties of moon rocks. Note that silver is a mythic property of the moon. Mythril is considered “true silver”, so that’s arguably an improved version. And finally, adamantine is a chunk of metal from space. So, maybe a progressing ability to bless equipment, giving it the properties of silver, then mythril, then adamantine… maybe all at once! Also, the properties can be applied to non-metal objects because they are spell-like effects, not mundane. The effect is much more subtle than most sorcerer powers and more circumstantial, so I’m not sure it’s that great, but I think it is great thematically. This effect lasts a number of hours equal to half the sorcerer’s caster level. It can be used 3+ Charisma modifier times per day.
Personal Gravity: As a free action, you can weaken the effects of gravity on your body. When using this ability, double the height and length of your jumps, the amount of distance required to increase falling damage, and the distance you are pushed by effects (such as bull rush). You can use this effect a number of rounds per day equal to your sorcerer level. These rounds do not need to be consecutive.