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Hi,
I have a player that is rolling a replacement for their Legacy of Fire character as we start the 4th module. The player has a character concept for gen/elemental focused druid. The concept is similar to what I would think of as a druid crossed with a 2nd edition Sha'ir. Instead of a traditional animal nature druid - this one is more of an elementalist natural druid that's more into gen then fey.
This player is a role player and not a power gamer by any stretch, but I thought I'd run this by everyone as I'm certainly no expert at balancing classes.
She has Qadira - Gateway to the East and I just ordered the pdf to review. She wants to use the Suli race which gets to most of the flavor - and who also have an affinity for nature. It looks like we'll use the Zhyen in lieu of a animal companion.
I think I'm going to swap Resist Nature's Lure for the addition of Use Magical Device as a class skill. This last worries me, but it fits what she'd like to be able to do - use an item or scroll to summon a genie and bargain for favors.
Does this sound ok? Any other suggestions?
Are you playing in 3.5 or PFRPG? It is my understanding that there are options for the druid that do exactly what you are looking for with the elemental nature being played up (though I am not that familiar with it myself). If you are playing 3.5 then I would either look at converting that or look into some of the alternate forms of wild shape that are available in various WotC book to take on aspects... I think there is likely to be some more elemental ones... or just describe them more as elemental rather than animal related (ie. if you get wings and flight for x rounds, just change the description to be that the legs of the caster turn into a swirling column of air that bears them aloft).
As for replacing Resist Nature's Lure (+4 vs the spells of fey) with Use Magic Device (arguably the most powerful skill in the game)... it doesn't seem like a balanced trade at all. I would be more inclined to pattern or find a feat after existing ones that gives her a domain or somehow adds the spells she is looking for to her spell list.
Not sure what the Zhyen is (I don't have Qadira), but if you feel it is mechanically on par with the choices she has for animal companions then you should be fine.
Sean Mahoney
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Thanks Sean - I think you gave me my answer.
We're playing a combo of Pathfinder Beta with 3.5 books allowed - except for one prestige class -- everyone choose Beta classes.
I think you're right about Use Magical Device. I think I'm going to limit it to items with a direct relationship to genie's - as I don't want to grant Planar Ally / Binding as a spells. This made me thing that I could augment the Nature's Allies lists with genies, jann, mephits, etc that give the correct flavor. Even better is that these spells are available for spontaneous casting.
If this doesn't work for balance reasons - then no one should be surprised when an uncooperative genie refuses a request or refuses to be treated as a servant. It's the metagame cost for being able to summon something with greater power than normally could and if it's an issue a panther will show up the next time.
In fact, I'm probably going to be component costs on summoning anything supernatural - were they with a totem or item required with some RP and expense involved in gaining it. This would frustrate some people - but I think this player will actually enjoy this more.
The Qadira Companion is right up this alley, with the Daivrat PrC.
The Summoning lists are supposed to be updated in the Final rules, so Genie-kin may well BE on the SNA lists. I could see either allowing the Druid to 'swap' their Animal Companion Class Feature for a Familiar, or just allow them to have an Elemental as a Companion, which may well also be allowed by the final Core rules (in this case, I'd have the PrC grant the "Improved Animal Companion" Feat and progress the Animal Companion level instead of the Improved Familiar Feat it normally grants).
You should be aware that the main Class Ability of the Daivrat does allow access to ANY spell on ANY Class List (at a +2 Spell Level Adjustment), so the character WILL have access to Planar Ally (as well as every other Arcane and Divine spell), just not at the same Spell Levels as their normal Druid spells.
It sounds like a good character concept... I hope you and your player have fun with it!
You should be aware that the main Class Ability of the Daivrat does allow access to ANY spell on ANY Class List (at a +2 Spell Level Adjustment), so the character WILL have access to Planar Ally (as well as every other Arcane and Divine spell), just not at the same Spell Levels as their normal Druid spells.
Wow! I was a little disappointed after reading Dark Markets with the prestige class presented (what right thinking cleric would ever take that?!?!), but one that gives access to spells on ANY spell list?!?!? I will have to check that out... that could almost go in the broken powerful column, but I will check it out before passing judgement.
(and since it is from Qadira it is PFRPG, not just 3.5, right? Not used to that yet... obviously, since the full rules aren't out yet).
Sean Mahoney
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The druid character was introduced and it seems to work well. We ended up not using the 'animal' companion and went with a weather druid - as the druid can summon gen through Summon Nature's Ally I sponateously (they don't fight so it's more for flavor).
The druid interest is in communing the elemental spirts and ancestors, rather than 'nature' and the fey - while this feels appropriately like an eastern mystic it's mechanically close to the beta druid.
The only surprise last night was when I let some mephit's show up to enter a Nature's Ally summons.
Thanks for the suggestions. I'm glad I didn't grant the Use Magical Devices skill as it seems unnecessary.
The only surprise last night was when I let some mephit's show up to enter a Nature's Ally summons.
Wow. I think they are normally on the Summon Monster IV list.
Sean Mahoney
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The only surprise last night was when I let some mephit's show up to enter a Nature's Ally summons.Wow. I think they are normally on the Summon Monster IV list.
Sean Mahoney
Yes - They came on a Summon Nature's Ally IV or V spontaneous casting - this is a replacement for a character in End of Eternity. I haven't gone crazy yet...
Here's the background the player gave me based on the player's guide in case anyone is interested - it's a neat twist for a druid:
Dearest Katrina,
It's been nearly a year an a half since I left you in Absalom – and I'd like to start by thanking you again for the kindness you've shown in sponsoring me. The gifts of the wayfinder and this journal are fine presents. I have been able to find my way to Kelmarane per your instructions.
Along with the new journal, Veritas and Tellelah have passed on your wish that I share a little of myself and my companions so that my journals serve as more than 'cartographical masterpieces' and ledgers. Fair enough, I have a hard time sharing – but if I'm going to comment on my companions, I should share something of myself.
I hail from Qadira and I am called 'Saquara' which refers to a rare cactus flower that poets of my native land that poets refer to as a 'dessert lotus.'
Since I was a child, I could speak to the elements and gen that infest the dessert and appear everywhere to me – but are hidden to peoples that surround me. Later, I found myself conversing with animals as well – and in many ways the animals and my invisible friends where dearer to me than the people I lived with. My mother pretended that this was in my head – but we both knew differently as she once confided that she suspected the vizier she had the tryst with that resulted in my birth was not a normal man. I have the blood of the jann in my veins and I am kin to them – though it would be much later when I confirmed this feeling and even later when the spirits explained it to me..
I grew up a slave girl to a wealthy, but utterly unimportant prince-ling... and for the most part my childhood was happy. My mother was the house tutor and she provided me with an eduction. The palace had enough space – but I longed to see the broader world outside of confines of the grounds and an occasional trip to the market allowed. As a result, I always did as much to learn about the outside worlds as a could – and learned several languages in the process.
When I was still a teenager, I was accosted by a drunken guest to my master's home. He cornered me and tried to embrace me and kiss me – in front of others. As I tried to brush him away to defend my honor, I was surprised that my arms were suddenly engulfed in flames though I was unhurt. He was not seriously hurt, but he was outraged and I fled.. The surprise and confusion allowed me to escape the estate – and I've never thought of going back though I used to exchange letters with my mother until it almost led to my capture and I had to flee the region.
Trying to escape either time would have been futile had I not realized my other gifts that night.
My experience with the fire had somehow strengthened my senses and I heard the voices of the gen – saying hide here, wait, go – and without really being quite aware of how I had done it I had escaped the city through a canal.
Once safely a distance from the city walls – I found that more and more elemental spirits called to me and I lived among them for most of my teens trying to meet their inscrutable needs – and eventually teaching them to fulfill my requests as well. I am what civilized people would call a shaman – and I make city folk a bit nervous – perhaps because they don't see the gen or spirits and I seem to be in near constant dialogue with myself. Even speaking to animals seems to make people uncomfortable– but given the tales domesticated animals will share – I can't help but feel embarrassed for them either.
In Qadira, the immense space between the cities is not widely valued by people– and it was simple to live apart until I had been forgotten. At some point, I would begin trading with towns – mostly out of boredom and curiosity. I could have re-entered society sooner perhaps, but I was terrified of being found out
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Eventually, I would have enough coin for a journey to Katapesh – which I saw,perhaps irrationally, as a place where I would be free of past and the threat of capture. I instantly loved both the bustle of the city and the untamed wilds of this land. After several months I had gotten to known the land and it's spirits and I found work as a guide to groups seeking their fortunes in the desert.
The next few years were mostly happy ones were I alternated between extended treks followed by some down time in Katapesh where I'm spent my wages. Over time, I began to find myself in need of allies as I would occasionally find myself double-crossed by some 'explorers' – sometimes at threat of my life instead of being shorted a few coins.
After almost being locked into a tomb and buried alive by explorers who didn't realize I could shape shift, and then nearly being sold into slavery by some Taldor idiots who took offense that I was from Qadira on the next trip – I decided to venture to Absalom and see if I could join the Pathfinders. I had a letter of introduction from a braggart I had held around who fancied himself good with swords and ladies named Valeros, and that was good enough to get me to you.
After a Pathfinder orientation of sorts, I was sent back to Katapesh where I ended up using my new contacts to find more trustworthy parties to guide. I occasionally checked in with the local Venture Captain – but had not been tasked with anything until I was asked to reinforce the team in Kelmarane.