When we play STAP there will only be 2 PCs and a DMNPC. I want to feature the Tome of Battle for this campaign. I expect the PCs to be a Swordsages/Warblades. I was thinking along the lines of having a cleric of Kelanen (Prince of Swords) accompany them as the NPC. This would provide needed healing and some divine magic support. My question to James, or anyone else with some inside info is, would lack of undead turning be a make or break issue this time round? Somehow I picture Kelanen being indifferent towards undead. I think he would prefer his followers to slash first and ask questions later. Given he is neutral in alignment and fixated on balance, maybe an ability like "Smite Non-neutral" could be granted rather than turning. Any thoughts on what would be a fair trade? Of course it would be simpler to leave him a generic cleric.
|
I was thinking about having a crusader/cleric of Wee Jas DMPC; they'd be on their way to the Ruby Knight Vindicator prestige class; inserted into the party on a secret mission of some type as yet undetermined (waiting for more chapters to clarify this).
I like the whole Wee Jas thing. She seems the closest thing to a deity whose motivations are difficult to comprehend.
After giving it some more thought, I think I may go the gestalt route for this group. The other possibility is to let them pick up NPC allies/cohorts along the way. Like you said above, we'll see how the AP pans out. I do have that luxury of not being in a rush to start.
|
|
I was curious: I can see myself (if I ever run this thing) being in the gestalt boat too. Has anyone had any experience with gestalt, and how well it works out with published adventures which seem to assume about 4 characters in a well-balanced party?
Do you end up modifying the adventure a lot? That's no prob for me--I like it.
If your party has three PC's Gestalting is a good way to make them flexible. I dont think it makes them more powerful per say since they still only have one type of action per round, just allows them more options. When they hit sixth level I suggest one of them take the leadership feat and that should help balance out the AP by then. Only thing to mention to them if they dont realize it would be that tactics will play a big roll in survival early on. One thing my group thought of was summoning spells early on help survival alot!
Since gestalt classes are considered to be a +1 to their CR/ECL anyway, I've always added a +1 or +2 CR per two pc/npc. Since the class creates a stronger character overall, it's only fair that you adjust the challenge accordingly. But always adjust the treasure also because the character will cry about it. I always take it back from them later anyway.
we have a cleric who can't turn undead in our party- it has been an issue. at low levels you count on the power of your cleric to even up a few fights- in exchange he took a feat that allows him to use those turn attempts to meta magic up spells.