Prior to our last session the GM gave us what seemed like the background for Skull & Shackles so I made a Chelish Diva (Inner Sea Magic). It seemed like a fun idea to play an opera dandy in a pirate campaign =).
However, we did no do skull and shackles! Our ship was struck by a freak storm that transported us to an alternate time/place. We also found that we were marked (ala Eberron Dragonmarks). Now, all of this is pretty cool, except that my PC (B'yelka) is losing out on one my class abilities (Famous, bonus to Intimidate and Bluff in her 'home' area). The GM has suggested finding an alternate ability to work in. I am asking you all for suggestions for an alternate ability.
The mark B'yelka has is associated with animals (Mark of Handling) so I was thinking about a Ranger Animal Companion (bear in mind she traded Bardic Knowledge for Famous), Or Wild Empathy Druid or Ranger style. Another option could be a feat such as Skill Focus, Deceitful or Persuasive.
In any event, I am glad to be playing and I look forward to where the game takes us =).
Thanks in advance for any suggestions =D
GNOME
Why not just restore what you lost?
- Pick a new area.
- Pay people to sing your praises there.
- Put up a show, and/or do some spectacular (and preferably good(ish)) deeds.
You are now Famous again.
In keeping with the original character concept, I would go with Persuasive, Deceitful, or a social-skill Skill Focus.
Famous specifically allows you to choose new regions in which you are famous every few levels. Assuming you are level 1, you will be able to select a new region of 5000 or less people at 5. This alternate world you were transported to still has civilizations in which you can become renowned, correct? While losing out on Famous for a few levels is sad, it is only a +1 bonus at that time. Not exactly crippling.
If you do change your class, the most obvious choice would be Animal Speaker. Lots of things that will be thematically linked to your mark, and keeps most of the strongest Bard abilities. It even gets a superior Wild Empathy-like ability.
On the theoretical switch-outs you mentioned, the power level is pretty wildly different. An Animal Companion is considered very strong option, while Wild Empathy is in most circumstances much weaker and more specialized. Deceitful and Persuasive will be less useful than Skill Focus (Perform(Something)), as most people play that Skill Focus works along with Versatile Performance, allowing you to get three +3 boosts (over one +3 or two +2s).
@Mem, I agree. Just looking at options to give the GM =)
@VRMH, MortTCN, the GM has implied that the theme of the campaign will not be one where Famous would be available =/
@MortTCN, yes, Animal Companion would be good, maybe too good. What do you think if it had the same restrictions as a Ranger's pet? Specifically, no big cat melee destroyer. I was thinking a small cat as it fits in the story: the first animal she used her power on was a house ca. Tie the pet •directly• to the activation of the power.
Nothing is set, and I am still lookingat options =). I thought about giving the Animal domain, but shelved that as too powerful! How about Summon Nature's added to spells known?
GNOME