|
Hello,
I would like to get everyone's advice on a proposed magic item I would like to eventually include in my campaign. I'm DM'ing a party of 6 characters (Fighter, Ranger, Cleric, Sorcerer, Barbarian, Rogue), which are all presentaly 1st lvl.
The question is that I would like to create or get the stats on a magical dog collar that would allow the Halfling Sorcerer to keep his Riding Dog throughout the whole campaing (up to lvl. 20). Basically, I'm thinking of creating the dog collar to dupicate the Ranger's animal camponion class ability.
However, I also don't want to make the Ranger in the party feel as if his special ability of an animal camponion, which he will be waiting to get for 4 levels, is a mundane or a common ability, which introducing a magical item that duplicates one of his class abilities might do.
Any advice on this issue would be appreicated.
Thank you.
|
I can't recommend letting an item do this, I'd suggest instead that he just is very careful with his dog until level 7, and takes Leadership with it as his cohort. The rules for monsters as cohort aren't very fleshed out, but you basically start giving it class levels instead of extra hit dice; it's on the GM to figure out what it's base level adjustment would be.
|
|
I can't recommend letting an item do this, I'd suggest instead that he just is very careful with his dog until level 7, and takes Leadership with it as his cohort. The rules for monsters as cohort aren't very fleshed out, but you basically start giving it class levels instead of extra hit dice; it's on the GM to figure out what it's base level adjustment would be.
I agree. And leadership is a better way to handle this.
Or get ultimate magic as there is a new bloodline that allows animal companions
http://www.d20pfsrd.com/extras/collaborators/work-area/paizo-products/pathf inder-rpg-line/ultimate-magic/chapter-1-spellcasters/sorcerer-options
I see two options.
1) If he takes the arcane bloodline and picks familiar, just add improve familiar feat to that. At fifth level he can take the riding dog as his familiar. The riding dog is CR 1/2 and so is the Stirge. Now the question is having it survive to that level? Well, first use barding might help, sac some spells to keep it alive? If you think there might be some real trouble, leave it out side. Also you can be nice and give the dog max HP. That's 20 HP, it will have more HP then the sorcerer for 2 or 3 lvs most likely.
2) Team Up with the Ranger and use Permancy Spell combine with other spells to give it an edge. I know it lv 5 spell aka lv 10 sorcerer but there are hirelings, favors, or magical items that could be short cuts. Again use barding as well.
More on barding: it is armor so it can be masterwork, even have armor enhancements.
RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16, RPG Superstar 2015 Top 32
|
My suggestion is to use a Blink Dog as the halflings mount. The only rules legal way to gain this type of mount would be from the Leadership feat. The Blink Dog would gain XP like a member of the party, and thus they would gain in class levels along side the halfling.
A little bit more powerful then just a riding dog, but with the Leadership feat it works well enough.
If a Blink Dog is out of question, and the halfling doesn't want to take any feats or multi-class, then consider allowing animal versions of normal magical items for the dog to at least help it survive.
Or, you could be a super nice GM and never have a monster attack the dog.
Just have the PC purchase/make magical items for his dog just as he would for himself.
In earlier editions of D&D my group used to have all kinds of magical items made specifically to keep their familiars/companions alive. One character had a viper familiar that it kept in a glass-steel sphere that provided sustenance, adaptation, flight with perfect maneuverability, and a host of other abilities that got added as the character grew in power.
Just have the sorcerer pay for whatever magic items he wants his dog to have and he'll be good without overshadowing any other characters.
Instead of making custom magic items to give a class ability from another class use the classes own abilities. Modify Mount and latter Phantom Steed to summon a ridding dog. Both spells by the rules summon horses or ponies, but I don't think having them summon a ridding dog would be any problem. Both also have decent duration
When the character gets to higher level a construct could be made. A shield Golem in the form of a dog would be better suited to an sorcerer than an animal companion. Also with an animal companion you are going to need handle animal and a sorcerer unlike a wizard does not have a lot of spare skill point.
|
|
I would like the player to keep his pet riding dog for role-playing purposes. His family was in the dog raising business before hard times made them loose their business. After the loss, he was given the pick of the litter and sent out to make his own way in the world. Therefore, for role-playing purposes, it is important to figure out a way that will allow him to keep this particular riding dog, hopefully, throughout the campaign.
Of course, I also don't want whatever I come up with to compete against the Ranger's Animal Camponion ability.
Thanks for all the ideas, please keep them coming! At this point, I am thinking of creating a magical dog collare, which will be found in an old kennel, that will allow the dog to be somewhat like a Ranger's aninal camponion, but just barely (HD, Saves, and BAB only).
Thanks again.
I would instead suggest something along the lines of this...
Limited Wish : Let him wish the riding dog to be as strong as an ox, as healthy as a horse, etc. Then each use of the spell gives the riding dog +2 HD. Allow this up to +4 HD. If you like the collar, allow the collar to be found and it's a collar of Limited Wish Improvement, it has one gem left in it to invoke it's power, and gives the +2 HD to the dog who's wearing it when it's activated. Call the collar a Lesser Collar of Beast Enhancement, which can only be used on animals.
Wish : Once he's gotten the dog up to +4 HD with Limited Wish, allow him to find/buy/make a Collar of Beast Enhancement, which is a wish collar that can only be used on animals. Same effect, again, +2 HD up to another +6 HD.