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Be a waterbender with the Watersinger archetype. It's a lot of math, but it's awesome.
Just to clarify, you're aware that the deaf curse doesn't make you mute, right? As far as you understanding others, you could always use Eldritch Heritage (Arcane) to get a raven familiar that's emphatically linked to you. You could even eventually use improved familiar to telepathically communicate with others through your familiar.
Plains Domain, Vulpine Pounce (Kitsune), Claw Pounce (Catfolk), and maybe Synthesist Summoner (can they use the quadruped form?). Edit: Forgot a few. Tiger Trance (Swordmaster Rogue, Tengu), Beast Shape II/Wild Shape, Devil-Bound Template (Hellcat), Monstrous Physique II, Undead Anatomy II.
You don't suggest any PrCs under humans. I'd highly recommend the Nature Warden. A Feral Child Druid can meet all of the criteria without multiclassing, and the Eye for Talent race trait combined with the Huntmaster feat work really well with the Nature Warden's class abilities. Losing Wild Shape still hurts, but Nature Warden doesn't progress that ability anyway. Also, with the Scion of Humanity race trait, Aasimars also make great Nature Wardens. You could combine Celestial Servant with Huntmaster and the Feral Child Druid archetype to have a pretty powerful companion/terrain-focused character, especially with the Magical Knack trait.
Paizo has said they intentionally make weaker options, so my guess is yes, it was intended and even if it wasn't, they probably don't consider it worth fixing. Even thematically, it seems ridiculous. I keep getting this scenario in my head: Normal Druid: "Hey, a high wall. Let's fly over."
Normal Druid: "No big deal. We'll just dig under."
Normal Druid: "Ok...I guess we can just climb it."
If you wanna go this route, I suggest not giving him the 4th level advancement. Instead try to max out his DEX, give him dodge and bracers of armor. My flower has the highest AC in our party. So, did you take this instead? Do you have to give up rage and the size change as well? Each plant companion gains an additional bonus, usually at 4th or 7th level, as listed with each plant choice. Instead of taking the listed benefit at 4th level, you can instead choose to increase the companion's Strength and Constitution by 2. I agree with the idea that the Treesinger has a lot of flavor. And I think his plant companion is a great source of that. In my party, the flower can change seamlessly between a super cute little friend, to one of the creepiest things ever. Frolicking through the tall grass one moment, to evicerating a rat he found the next. You can have similar situations with traditional animal companions, but those can get clichè. This sounds awesome. I really love the idea of the plant companion being wrapped around my character's body (if a crawling vine) or clinging to my back (if a carnivorous flower). Suddenly, you have eyes on the back of your head, not to mention scent. I don't really get the Puffball's appeal, but maybe someone can enlighten me.
Treat it like a sting operation. Have the task force watch them for a few days and find out where they frequent and when. Suddenly, when they go into their favorite bar, inn, or other establishment, have an ambush set. Constricting traps, alchemical flash powder, sleep or stun magic, etc. Whatever you need to incapacitate them. If it were me, I'd have mechanical traps to constrict (or a pit trap); magic traps rigged with an alarm to alert the hidden troops, silence the casters, and fear/dominate/sleep on the party; and flash powder and thunderstones to incapacitate the party before the task force breaches the room. You want it to be over before the task force even enters the room. Also, as a party member, the whole "What the hell just happened?" moment can be fun. Unless they make a perception check (or the Rogue has trap spotter), then I wouldn't even give them a warning. If one of them gets away, it could be even more fun. |