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...as a Pathfinder Society character: A Halfling Ninja (with the Halfling Jinx and Shiftless alternate racial features) whose most-emphasized ability score will actually be Charisma (Dexterity and Intelligence won't be far behind, of course) - one way to think of them would be as a Ninja who's actually less Western comic-book/movie "knife-murdering acrobat in black" Ninja and more historical "master the art of invisibility either by hiding in plain sight and convincing everyone I'm just another traveling putz, or being so conspicuous that while I kill your guards, seduce your spouse, and steal your golden throne right out from under you, all you notice is how shiny my teeth are" Ninja.
Another way to think of them (and this is where the pointers could come in) is as an almost-but-not-quite DARK SUN Bard (Perform will definitely be their Day Job).
My question to posters: With a high Charisma, Ultimate Combat's Ninja already covers a lot of the DARK SUN's ground - a nasty master of manipulation, dirty tricks, dirty fighting, and poison-dealing. WITHOUT MULTICLASSING, what comparatively obscure or non-intuitive (I can pick my way through Ninja Tricks just fine, thank you, and the Lucky Halfling feat has already acquired my attention) options in the vein of Archetypes, feats, traits, magic items, or even prestige class possibilities that might help tack on some semblance of other supposed features (like magical Performances)?
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Does it need to be the Ninja/Rogue class?
That was my intent, yes - I already have at least one idea for most other classes (yes, Alchemists and Bard-Bards could potentially both try passing for Athasian Bards in their own ways, but I've already got characters from those classes in play or on the way, and chose to do very different things with them - and my "normal" Rogue was never intended to fit this bill in the slightest).
Also, having mentioned my preexisting Rogue, you'll see she worships Norgorber - who in most way is pretty much tailor-made to the proclivities of Athasian Bards (putting aside the matter of "Athasian gods" being a contradiction in terms in all but the most cynical senses). While it wouldn't be the end of the world if they both worshipped Norgorber (especially since He's got his different aspects - "Mack the Crab" favors Father Skinsaw and the Gray Master, whereas this new character would gravitate far more to the Reaper of Reputation and Blackfingers), might I double-check to see what other Society-legal Powers might also suit this character (on the other hand, "Fiddler Crab" is still kind of a sophomore adventurer who hasn't yet taken advantage of her Secret Knowledge trait, so she could possibly convert to Urgathoa, Droskar, Ayrzul, Lao Shu Po, or Zyphus or someone like that)?
In terms of combat, I could see the Betrayer feat being fun and fitting. Guide your target to a quiet area with diplomatic words and just as they think you're a friend, you stab them in the throat (with sneak attack damage if you actually make them friendly.
Sleeves of Many Garments is a cheap magical item that will let your character change into whatever wardrobe fits the area or his/her tastes best.
Eldritch Heritage could be used for a good host of things, although you'd need skill focus in whatever sorcerer bloodline you would be looking at. Namely your own familiar. Monkey, Raven, Scorpion... whatever floats the ninja boat.
Could go shadow dancer PRC (or greater eldritch heritage later) to get hide in plain sight. Vanishing in front of foes can be fun and could potentially be used in crowd if the lighting is right. Flavoring it so that you blended in with the crowd.
There are some lenses that let one see through smoke or mist. So you could find a way to smoke cloud and see just fine in it.
I think there are boots that silence your movement completely, although I can't recall what they're named right now. However, I suppose this isn't quite the ninja out in the open you meant.
Ninja bard! Ninja bard!
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I am not sure if you are focused on the class, or the concept.
Are you trying to force a class, to fit a concept, without mulitclassing, or even acknowledging the idea that another class, or class combination, would work better?
Or, are you trying to force the concept, to meet the constraints of the class, without multiclassing to help facilitate it?
What's most important to you?
Is it the class?
Is it the class name?
Is it the concept?
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Is it the class?
Is it the class name?
Is it the concept?
You're not thinking about this the way I am - I want to realize the concept as best I can as a single-class Ninja. Simple.
One thing I thought of that I kind of hit myself on the head for for not thinking of it sooner (since I've been playing a character with this feat in The Dragon's Demand): Flagbearer! It's evidently classified as a Combat feat, so I could take it as a feat or with the Combat Trick Rogue/Ninja Talent/Trick, too - and since he's a Halfling, I'm thinking he'll start with Well-Prepared.
IHIYC, if you tell BBT what you want to accomplish, including "must-haves" and preferences, I think you will find that his "outside-the-box" thinking works well. As a super-awesome bonus, it's just advice on a forum thread and can be abandoned at will.
Slightly off topic, when 4E brought Dark Sun back, did it tempt you to move over? I have to admit... I thought about it.
Is it the class?
Is it the class name?
Is it the concept?
You're not thinking about this the way I am - I want to realize the concept as best I can as a single-class Ninja. Simple.
One thing I thought of that I kind of hit myself on the head for for not thinking of it sooner (since I've been playing a character with this feat in The Dragon's Demand): Flagbearer! It's evidently classified as a Combat feat, so I could take it as a feat or with the Combat Trick Rogue/Ninja Talent/Trick, too - and since he's a Halfling, I'm thinking he'll start with Well-Prepared.
Using up a hand in combat (& a ninja trick!) to carry a flag for a +1 to hit seems like a poor choice. Also conflicts with invisibility social or magical IMO.
Sneaky social character, halfling race, ninja base class. OK. I realise it'd delay Master Tricks, but the halfling opportunist PrC was made for this concept.
What the hell does IHIYC mean? Even google got me nothing.
Check the thread poster's name. Or, you could go to udoaa.com and make your own translation.
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Using up a hand in combat (& a ninja trick!) to carry a flag for a +1 to hit seems like a poor choice. Also conflicts with invisibility social or magical IMO.
For what it's worth, it's not just a +1 to hit, it's also to damage and to saving throws vs. charm and fear. As I said, I've been playing a Master Summoner in The Dragon's Demand who's been carrying that in his off-hand and a (seldom-used) masterwork silver heavy mace in his weapon hand, and it serves its purpose quite well in a party with no ACTUAL Bard - as for using up hands with this character, I was feeling going into this that he'd wind up favoring a katana (or perhaps wakizashi if he bothered to pursue Weapon Finesse, but I'm not sure if the disparity between his Strength and Dexterity would wind up making it worth it, at least for the first several levels) and NOT dual-wielding, so I know it's at least a legitimate option. You may be right regarding this character, though (you certainly have a point about it being at odds with invisibility - maybe he'd do the pirate thing, with a "false flag" or some other disguise for the banner when not committed to combat?). We'll see.
Sneaky social character, halfling race, ninja base class. OK. I realise it'd delay Master Tricks, but the halfling opportunist PrC was made for this concept.
Interesting...thanks, I'd overlooked that. The one hangup being that I was kind of interested in the Halfling Jinx alternative to the normal Halfling Luck ability, which would appear to interfere and not jive with this class, as set up (I could still take one level, though). On the other hand, looking at the wording, maybe there's actually a loophole where I could get the (full!) saving throw bonus anyways? What say others?
IHIYC, if you tell BBT what you want to accomplish, including "must-haves" and preferences, I think you will find that his "outside-the-box" thinking works well. As a super-awesome bonus, it's just advice on a forum thread and can be abandoned at will.
Slightly off topic, when 4E brought Dark Sun back, did it tempt you to move over? I have to admit... I thought about it.
...
What the hell does IHIYC mean? Even google got me nothing.
I didn't want to write out "I'm Hiding In Your Closet."
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Interesting...thanks, I'd overlooked that. The one hangup being that I was kind of interested in the Halfling Jinx alternative to the normal Halfling Luck ability, which would appear to interfere and not jive with this class, as set up (I could still take one level, though). On the other hand, looking at the wording, maybe there's actually a loophole where I could get the (full!) saving throw bonus anyways? What say others?
Sneaky social character, halfling race, ninja base class. OK. I realise it'd delay Master Tricks, but the halfling opportunist PrC was made for this concept.
This question is still open, as no doubt are others....