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I've been itching to play a Jade Phoenix Mage since Book of Nine Swords came out. However, I was pretty much always DM at that time, and now that Pathfinder is the norm, no one I play with is allowing 3rd ed stuff into their Pathfinder games. Meh. So, I want to convert the prestige class I want oh so badly to play into something Pathfinder based. Magus seems to be a good fit.
First step is to see if anything like this has been done already. Google seems to think it has not.
Second step is to decided if the JPM works better as an archetype or as a prestige class (less a combo class like before and more a specialize class like Master Chymist).
Ideas? Thoughts? Advise? Brain storming? I'm open to them all. Thanks!
Ideas? Thoughts? Advise? Brain storming? I'm open to them all. Thanks!
What is it about the JPM that you want to keep? Since no one you know will allow Bo9S, then all the manuever goodness is out, which is half the reason to play it to begin with.
If we know what parts you want to try and bring over it might be a little easier to help.
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An excellent point, Gilfalas.
To start with, I always liked the blend of magic and melee, which is why I'm going Magus as a base for the Pathfinder conversion.
Big thing is keeping their back story and some of their class abilities in one way or another. Converting their three showy class abilities (mystic phoenix stance, firebird stance, and emerald immolation) especially. Their other class abilities can pretty much be replicated by magus arcana, so I'm not as concerned.
Gaining access to something the replicates the other martial maneuvers isn't as important, but if I went prc, I'd look at them for unique to the prc arcana.
Dont have my copy of bo9s with me so I will have to check when I get home, but I think if all you want are those 3 abilities you are better off with an archetype then a prc. But i need to go take a closer look to see what might make sense as a trade out for them.
I've been itching to play a Jade Phoenix Mage since Book of Nine Swords came out. However, I was pretty much always DM at that time, and now that Pathfinder is the norm, no one I play with is allowing 3rd ed stuff into their Pathfinder games. Meh. So, I want to convert the prestige class I want oh so badly to play into something Pathfinder based. Magus seems to be a good fit.
First step is to see if anything like this has been done already. Google seems to think it has not.
Second step is to decided if the JPM works better as an archetype or as a prestige class (less a combo class like before and more a specialize class like Master Chymist).
Ideas? Thoughts? Advise? Brain storming? I'm open to them all. Thanks!
To be honest, that ENTIRE Prestige Class is about merging Martial Maneuvers and spells. The stances buff spellcasting, the maneuvers lower spell resistance. All stuff like that.
The spirit of the Jade Phoenix Mage is already in the Magus; all you really need to do is add the fluff, which in my opinion, is the best thing about that Prestige Class. The idea of 13 powerful warriors that get reincarnated over and over again is a cool one. Perhaps adapting the Black Blade archetype, having the blade represent the Magus's past lives, would be your best bet without changing anything.
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Thanks again for the suggestions all. While going with the blackblade might have worked okay, I got bored at work and was inspired by some alternative features in the spire guardian. So, here is my humble submission of a Jade Phoenix Magi archetype. Please, feel free to be brutal or benign as you'd like. (Some of the fluff portions are lifted verbatim from Book of Nine Swords)
Such was the power of their oath that these spirits have been reborn again and again in the world, keeping the Souldrake immured in its secret prison. Today, thirteen Jade Phoenix magi walk the earth—no more, no less. The instant one dies, a new one is born some-where in the world. As he grows and learns, he is inevitably drawn to the path of the Magus, mastering both blade and spell as he has in lives past. In time, another Jade Phoenix master discovers the new incarnation of his old companion.
In an age-old rite, the existing master awakens his newfound comrade to awareness of his past lives, renews the oaths of vigilance that bind the Souldrake in its prison, and reveals to him the ancient secrets of the order. Both Jade Phoenix brothers then go their own way, their ancient duty discharged until once again a Jade Phoenix mage dies and is reborn.
Alignment: Any nonevil
Weapon Proficiency: A Jade Phoenix magi is proficient with all light one-handed simple and martial weapons, as well as exotic weapon proficiency for the Aldori Dueling Sword. This replaces the magus’s normal weapon proficiencies.
Diminished Spellcasting: A Jade Phoenix magi may cast one fewer spell of each level than normal. If this reduces the number to 0, he may cast spells of that level only if his Intelligence allows bonus spells of that level.
Path of Flame (Su): The Jade Phoenix magi are tied to fire on a deep level. As such they cast all spells with the fire descriptor at +1 caster level. However, they cannot cast any spell, use any supernatural ability or spell like ability with the cold descriptor. Further, all of their fire subtypes spells burn with jade green flame.
Bonus Feats (Ex): At first level the Jade Phoenix magi gains Diehard and Breadth of Experience, even if he doesn’t meet the prerequisites. The Jade Phoenix magi is not proficient in any kind of armor or shield. The Jade Phoenix magi does not have the magus's ability to ignore arcane spell failure from armor; however, if the Jade Phoenix magi becomes proficient in light armor, he automatically gains the magus’s ability to ignore arcane spell failure from light armor. If he becomes proficient in medium armor, at 7th level he ignores medium armor’s arcane spell failure. If he becomes proficient in heavy armor, at 13th level he ignores heavy armor’s arcane spell failure. This replaces the magus’s normal armor proficiencies.
Rite of Wakening (Su): At 4th level the Magus is finally ready for the Rite of Wakening. This ritual takes 10 minutes, and requires only another more experienced member of the order to be present. This rite takes 10 minutes and upon completion you gain awareness of your previous lives. You know remember places that you visited, people you knew, and things you did in lifetimes long past. By expending 1 point from his arcane pool as a swift action, he grants himself a +5 competence bonus to any one knowledge skill, or to gain a language. For every three levels beyond 4th, the magus gains another +1 competence bonus to a maximum of +10 at 19th level or an additional language. This lasts for 10 minutes per magus level. He also gains a permanent +2 bonus on saving throws against death effects and fear effects. At 15th level, the magus becomes a Jade Phoenix Master. This allows him to perform the Rite of Wakening on another character, as well as sense the presence of other members of the order. By spending a minute meditating, the magus can tell the direction and distance to the nearest Jade Phoenix magi, master, or candidate. This ability replaces the spell recall ability.
Firebird Stance (Su): The magus can use a move action to activate this ability by spending 1 point of arcana. The caster level on all spells with the fire subtype increases to 3. This lasts for 1 minute per level. In addition, he can expend another 1 point of arcana as a move action during this duration. If he does so, he gains an aura that deals 3d6 points of damage to any creature within 10 feet (Reflex save for half, DC is 10 + half magus level + Int mod). Half the damage dealt by the aura is fire, and the other half is raw magical energy (unteyped damage) and lasts until the start of the Jade Phoenix magi’s next turn and deals damage to any creature that starts their turn in or enters the aura. At every three levels after 9th the amount of damage dealt by this aura increases by 1d6. This replaces the 9th level magus arcana.
Fighter Training (Ex): Starting at 10th level, a Jade Phoenix magi counts his magus level –3 as his fighter level for the purpose of qualifying for feats (if he has levels in fighter, these levels stack), but forfeits the benefit of such feats with weapons other than his favored weapon. This replaces their normal Fighter Training.
Mystic Phoenix Stance (Su): The magus can expend 1 point of arcana to gain a +2 dodge bonus to AC for one round per magus level. Further, he can spend up to 5 more points of arcana as a swift action to gain 2 points per point of arcana spent of damage reduction against all but evil-aligned attacks as well as 2 points of fire resistance. This aspect lasts until the start of your next round. This replaces the 12th level magus arcana.
Emerald Immolation (Sp): At 20th level, once per week a Jade Phoenix magi can perform the awesome emerald immolation. You explode in a searing blast of green fire that deals 20d6 points of damage in a 20-foot radius (Reflex half, DC is equal to 10 + half magus level + Int mod). Half the damage is fire, and the other half is raw arcane energy (untyped damage). Extraplanar creatures that fail their saves must immediately succeed on a will save (DC is equal to 10 + half magus level + Int mod) or be dismissed to their native planes. This blast utterly destroys you, but 1d6 rounds later, you re-form in the exact spot you were when you employed this ability. You are dazed for 1 round after you reappear, but you are healed of all damage (including ability drain or damage), blindness, deafness, disease, paralysis, or poison. Any equipment you were wearing or objects you were holding or carrying when you use this ability re-form exactly as they were. This ability is equivalent to a 9th-level spell. This ability replaces the True Magus ability.
Special Note: Because the spirit of a Jade Phoenix mage is bound to the world and fated to be reborn, death is a different sort of experience for him. The spirit of a Jade Phoenix Mage does not voyage to the afterlife in the plane of the Death Goddess upon their death, to be sorted in Phrasma’s court, nor does it instantly reincarnate at the moment of death. The spirit simply slumbers for a time, remaining discorporate for a few hours or days before it is drawn back to the world and reborn. During this time, raise dead and resurrection spells cast on the deceased character function normally. If a dead Jade Phoenix mage is not brought back to life within this period of slumber, the spirit reincarnates and is born again as a new person somewhere else. After this time, no resurrection magic can bring him back to his previous existence. In other words, if a player intends for his character to be raised, he has time to be brought back; if a player chooses for his character to remain dead, his spirit quickly reincarnates and begins life again elsewhere.