Darkness over Arglondar

Game Master Chingo Chaplo

Would I correct to assume average gold for classes?

Yep

Cool, will have gear purchased before game gets rolling.

Also where is your dwarf city on the map? I saw it once but now it just seems to disappear from my vision.

I don't think it is on the map, but it's in the Spine of Korthas mountains.

Going to try and make a chracter today.
It's a toss-up between an Ikaiji Arcanist and an Akavali Vitalist

Got some more questions, again about mystweaving :
1) An arcanist has a number of spells they prepare each day and a number of spell slots they can use to cast spells. Technically, in the mystweaving system the only limitation is Energy right? So for that part they are technically irrelevant right?
1a) An arcanist gets the ability to consume spell slots to regain points for his arcane reservoir, so in that way they would not be useless right?
1b) How does this interact with things like Arcane Mastery which gives you 1 extra spell known or 1 extra spell slot depending whether you are a spontaneous or prepared caster? I would assume an arcanist would get an extra spell they could prepare each day, as that is seems to be the intent of this feat. (having 1 extra spell available to you each day)
2) What is your view on the Infernal Healing spell?
2a) Is it bad/evil to use it?
2b) It gives the person it is cast upon fast healing. Does this restore energy?
2c) Could it be possible to refluff the spell as something like "Myst Healing", using the raw energy of the myst around you to restore health and energy? Which would negate the "bad/evil" part.
2d) Can I take the Jolt cantrip as one of the cantrips I know? It's one of the blog cantrips and aren't part of the basic set, but I just like the flavor of it. (One of the reasons is because the Ikaiji picture makes me think of Raiden from mortal kombat :))
3) Are there any Ikaiji specific background traits?
4) What's the normal starting age of an Ikaiji? How old can they become?

I ask all of this because I was thinking of making the Ikaiji Arcanist look a lot like the picture in the book and be very in tune with the Myst around him and use it to power his elemental magic but also to channel the Myst inside him (arcane reservoir/arcane exploits). I'm also planning on taking the following exploits : Potent Magic, See Magic (I know mystsight already gives me detect magic at will, but this would be an enhanced form sort of due to the added effects), a few of the elemental exploits and most likely the Sonic one as well. Not necessarily in that order.

1) The only limitation is Energy.
1a) Perhaps the arcanist can transfer Energy into arcane reservoir points.
1b) Yes.
2) We refluff it to Myst Healing.
2d) You can take Jolt. (the ikaiji picture might actually be a Raiden pic)
3) Nope. Haven't got that far. There are the Background Feats though.
4) Normal starting age would be same as humans, although they'd probably be able to reach double human age. I haven't really thought about it until now.

An ikaiji raidenesque arcanist would be cool. Looking forward to see what you decide on.

I'm currently busy making the Raidenesque arcanist

I think transferring energy into arcane reservoir points might be interesting.
I know that an arcanist has several things that interact with his spell slots (and not his spells prepared) like:
- the fact they get bonus spell slots based on his INT-mod
- the counterspell exploit stating that you must use a spell slot of at least 1 level higher (or the same if you had it prepared)
- the lvl 20 capstone ability which normally allows them to spend 1+spell lvl in arcane reservoir points to cast a spell instead of using the available spell slot.

I haven't read them all, but most things might be exchanged with the energy system :
- counterspell (and its greater version) requiring energy expenditure equal to the amount you would normally need to use for the spell slot you normally would use.
- the lvl 20 capstone allowing you to use arcane reservoir points to cast spells rather then the energy you normally would (would be a big boon for arcanists I think)
The only one I'm uncertain of is the bonus you normally get from INT? Extra energy, similar to how bonus power points work for Psionics? Or extra prepared spells / spells known? (as this would also effect most other spellcasting classes, it might be best to make it a general rule :))

I was thinking of at least making one of my traits the one which makes me capable of getting the focus item. Still looking for a fitting other trait.

A few more questions.
1) Does what little information they know about the myst fall under knowledge(arcane)? If not which one does it fall under.
2) Knowledge about Ikai and where they come from, under what knowledge does that fall?

I currently have Knowledge(arcana, history, planes & religion) as the ones selected for my character.

3)Which of these favored class bonuses do you think would be more fitting for the Ikaiji?
Dwarf Add +1/4 to the arcanist’s effective caster level when determining the effects of the arcane barrier and arcane weapon arcanist exploits.
Elf Increase total number of points in the arcanist’s arcane reservoir by 1.
Gnome Add +1/6 to the number of points the arcanist gains in her arcane reservoir each day.
Half-Elf When casting arcanist enchantment spells, add +⅓ to the effective caster level, but only for the purpose of determining duration.
Half-Orc Gain a +1 bonus on concentration checks made due to taking damage while casting arcanist spells.
Halfling Gain +1/6 of a new arcanist exploit.
Human Add one spell from the arcanist spell list to the arcanist’s spellbook. The spell must be at least 1 spell level below the highest level the arcanist can cast.

Some thoughts if you feel like using them.

Signature moves trait sounds like it could work quite well with your desired item. Perhaps it could be your characters fancy hat.

Lightning seems to be a theme you want to do, If you worship the elemental lord of storms then Affinity for the elements would work quite nicely with your idea.

I notice that so far we have yet to collect a healing type for our group. Though as of now it sounds like Mystcasters have effectively infinte spell points outside of combat so long as they can cast healing spells.
So out of combat healing is covered I think.

Blooded arcanist archetype could get you a full sorcerer bloodline (elemental/air perhaps).

Dang, my post was eaten.

Going to make it short, as I'm having birthday guests.

Hope you enjoy the birthday guests :) Quick reply before I go to bed.

About the extra spells known due to INT. Would I just use the ability score table and with an INT of 19 know 1 extra lvl 1, 2, 3 and 4 spell, but of course have no use for the 2 till 4 before I get to higher levels? Does seem a bit weird. Need to look into it some more.

Although it would be "raiden"-based, I was thinking more than 1 element.
Lore Seeker looked like a nice trait as I was viewing my character as a traveling mystweaver in search for more knowledge about the mysts and magic in general.

How do you read that Favored Class Bonus? It just adds 1 to the total points an arcanist can have in a day, not to the base amount they start with, as that would negate the gnome version.

Good point about the healing spells and restoring energy. But they should have some way of restoring it as otherwise they will run out of energy, especially when you look at higher levels.

Will look into shared background, but first finishing my character.
I'm probably going to stick with basic arcanist for more freedom with my arcanist exploits and such.

Thank you it was a very nice birthday :)

The point system you use sounds very similar to the spell point system introduced in unearthed arcana. There is a 3rd party pdf with a bunch of rules updated for pathfinder. You might consider snagging it to use for inspiration.

As to magic healing how about healing spells recover 1 spell point per spell level. Make magic healing very important for spellcasters but it means they need to burn funds wands and such to use the ability.
At the very least it will serve as a stop gap until you figure out how to make magic recovery easier in the setting.

Elf raises the maximum number of points in your pool not how many you start with. Makes elf Arcansist one of the most optimal epic level versions of the class as when they capstone they have double the pool of other races.

Multi-elemental evoker could be easily made with the Arcansist school understanding to grab the evoker elemental swap ability. 3+cha mod change element of spell to another of the base 4.
Blooded, Orc bloodline would serve as a hefty damage booster if you wanted to go for blasting. Then potent spell for extra CL/DC as needed.

@Movin, Problem about the evoker elemental swap ability is that is works only with the evocation spells not just spells with elemental descriptors, when there are actually quite a bit of elemental spells in the conjuration branch, especially in low level part. But it is on the list of things I might want to grab as the character progresses :) (As usually is the case, I will be starved on feats/abilities for everything I want to have ;))
Orc bloodline doesn't seem fitting apart for the damage bonus. But to be quite honest, I think I'll be doing quite a bit already due to potent spell and other factors (if it's one of the spells selected from the lore seeker trait, dense myst, ...)

@Chingo,
Glad you had a nice birthday.

Most prepared arcane casters already get their casting stat mod of 1st level spells at character creation and it might be kinda weird that they then suddenly get another lvl 1 spell known if their INT raises later on.
But I'll just make the character without this part included and add on whatever gets decided :)

About regaining energy. I think it might also make a difference in what area you sleep, how dense is the myst there? And then there could be something said about focused meditation. Can't be done for longer than a certain amount per day (15 minutes, 30 minutes maybe an hour?) which could make you regain a certain amount of points dependent on several factors (myst density, persons CON stat, spellcaster level, extra items used while meditating like incense or herbs, ...). Of course you need a relatively quiet place and can't do it when on a moving object like a cart or boat.

Like has been asked in the discussion thread, what are languages I could pick for my character? I don't know what languages Ikaiji start with but I should have those +4 from high INT.

Another thing, what's the defense bonus for arcanists? so i can add that to my defenses :)

[edit:]Something about energy vs psionic power points. I noticed you use the same point cost per spell level, but you use a different progression of points per level as currently it seems you start of with more (not taking into account the Bonus power points based on level and ability score but that energy drops behind greatly compared to power points. As one would have 100 energy +bonus from CON mod at level 20 independent of class where a psion (full caster psionic) would have 343 + bonus power points based on their casting stat, which would realistically be between 50 and 100 points (casting stat between 20 and 30). A marksman or psychic warrior (hybrid classes) even have 128 power points at lvl 20. Then there is the added fact that you don't really want to use the last 25% of your energy unless absolutely necessary as you will get fatigued and drop unconcious at 0. I understand that you want mystweaving to be powerful but dangerous to use without thought, but in a system that theoretically allows psionics as it is, one might think the risk does not way up against the reward. (Especially for spellcasters that can't see the density of the myst as my character will be capable of doing.) I'm not certain what exactly to change about the energy one should get per level, but I think the 5xlevel might be to simple of an equation. I'll see if I can come up with a suggestion, as giving critique is one thing, it might be handy if I also come up with a possible solution to my perceived problem :)

Even if nothing changes I still plan on playing the character I proposed. Just thinking further than just this character and towards the future :)

[/edit]

First of, I'm glad that you are thinking constructively regarding these prototype rules we're playing with, and I appreciate your thoughts and ideas on the matter.

Regarding Mystweaving and Energy points: I see the imbalance between mystweavers' energy points and psionics' power points, but I think we're going to keep the Energy point system as it is for the moment. I might make custom energy point progression for spellcasters, where each level the progression is different, as in the Unearthed Arcana spell-points rules, but that'll have to wait. Movin Could you link me the pdf you mentioned?

For now you begin with 5 X caster level + Con Mod Energy.

Bonus from INT: I think it makes sense that a character with a higher INT score would know more spells. They wouldn't get another lvl 1 spell known as their INT level raises. The INT score bonus to spells known would only be on 1st level. Perhaps INT score could help with learning new spells. Hmm.

Regaining energy: I'm going to stick with healing not restoring Energy. Theorythmus I like your ideas on Energy regaining. Perhaps Focused Meditation would let you regain Caster Level + Con Mod + special modifiers Energy.

Language: You'd know Kamajan, if you are from Kamaja that is. You could have grown up another place. I don't know your backstory yet.
Here's some examples of other languages:

This is the PDf in question RGG Spell point compilation kinda pricey for a pdf but I've found some success in its use.

Also feel like the Alchemist and the Arcanist/other full caster classes with absolutely no armor proficiency getting the same defense bonus to be a bit strange in my eyes.

Still working on my character. It's been a bit busy the last couple of days.

Uncertain what other languages I would take, but I will hail from Kamaja.
I'm still reading through the setting book to have a better idea for my background other then lore seeking Ikaiji :)
I did notice that Kamaja wasn't on the updated world map in the discussion topic. Would maybe give me a better idea of what places he might have visited before ending up in Arglondaran.

You can already view my work in progress under this alias as that's where I put my characters before making a full alias for them.

I did wonder one thing though. Some spells normally have a casting time of 1 immediate action (like feather fall). How would that work with mystweaving?

@Movin Fighter also has a Defense Bonus progression from +2 to +8. Do you think the Alchemist's Defense Bonus progression should be higher?

@Theorythmus Kamaja is on the continent of Amarath east of Korthas. I'll make a world map that includes it. Progress looking good.
Spells with casting time of 1 immediate action would still be immediate

Map of Myrndur with Amarath

Fighters also add their Armor bonus to AC, which means the Defense bonus is basically a freebie for them. Not something I'd complain about that though as making the fighter more awesome is always nice.
I've found that Alchemists are closer to rogues than wizards in the way they get played.
Though yours seems to encourage the idea of the Alchemist being a spell caster over a sneaky.

Yeah my thought for the alchemist was less doctor Jekyll and more student of esoteric knowledge. Hmm.
Anyways you shall have a Defense Bonus progression one step higher.

As Movin suggested I've taken the Signature Moves trait for my focus item. I've currently made it into a darkwood Hanbo which I will be wielding when casting my spells (and possibly trying to hit someone with in melee, but most likely failing miserably ;)) and when not in combat or casting spells he will use it as a walking stick.

I was wondering one more thing about mystweaving, it states that a wizard (and any other arcane prepared caster) can cast spells from their spellbooks by reading it from his book in a similar fashion as a scroll.
I was wondering how this exactly works? Does the spellcaster grab the book from his belt, read the relevant passage to "temporarily memorize" the spell, then puts it away and starts casting?
As it would seem problematic to me if they would actually have to be still holding the book while casting. Book in one hand, focus item in the other, spell components in the ?? and then they still need to do the gestures :)

If it is as I think, does the 1 round / spell level that it takes extra take into account taking the book out and putting it back?

Nice map. I'm thinking my character traveled to Arglondar through the following path :
Kamaja --> Khandalar --> Ghan Tiva --> Teltamar --> Arglondar

What languages would I have realistically picked up you think travelling through these areas?
What do the people from Ghan Tiva speak? From what I read, they are quite renowned for their magic. My character will have probably spent a considerable time there, possibly learning some of the languages from the Korthas region. Also will have joined a mage guild there and most likely acquired his focus item there as well.
Currently I'm thinking my character would know the following languages :
Kamajan, Draconic, Arglondaran, Malaborian + language of Ghan Tiva?

Don't know where Sabrik is from and how he traveled so we could have met anywhere along that path.

Drumroll on stats...

4d6 - 1 ⇒ (1, 2, 2, 6) - 1 = 10
4d6 - 1 ⇒ (4, 1, 2, 2) - 1 = 8
4d6 - 1 ⇒ (4, 1, 5, 2) - 1 = 11
4d6 - 4 ⇒ (4, 6, 5, 5) - 4 = 16
4d6 - 5 ⇒ (6, 5, 5, 5) - 5 = 16
4d6 - 4 ⇒ (4, 5, 6, 4) - 4 = 15

Pretty nice!