So, I saw something in the ask James Jacobs thread that I thought was very interesting. He said that he wished he could change the summoner to bond with an outsider of a specific type, aka, demon, azata, devil, archon. This was an idea I found simply delightful, and decided to try my hand at creating or editing a class for the first time. I've never done this, so I'm requesting assistance to achieve this excellent idea.
First off, I'm thinking they should each have their own base form. A lot of these base forms might be the same, for example devil/angel/archon or demon/agathion. I'm also thinking that each base form should get one extra evolution point, to allow for more variation, and each type should get a special ability. To compensate for this, the will be no (!) evolution points at level one. So here are a few base form ideas, without the special abilites or statistics common to all forms:
Angel/devil/archon (also maybe oni, inevitable, and others):
Str 16, Dex 12, Con 13
Freevos: Legs, Arms, Weapon training
Azata:
Str 12, Dex 16, Con 13
Freevos: Legs, Arms, Weapon Training
Protean:
Str 12, Dex 16, Con 13
Freevos: Legs OR Arms, Bite, Tail, Tail Slap, Grab (Tail)
(I know they have 7 points instead of 6, but come on, tail is a joke)
Aeon:
Str 14, Dex 14, Con 13
Freevos: Legs OR Arms (x2), Slam, Skilled (any knowledge)
Demon/ Agathion:
Str 14, Dex 14, Con 13
Freevos: Legs, Arms, Claws, Pounce
I have some more along the same vein. For special abilities, some of it is easy. Agathions get lay on hands, archons get aura of menace, proteans get warpwaves, qlippoths get horrific appearance. Some others are tough, like devils or angels. Also, class features for the summoner itself will need to change.
Thoughts, ideas, contributions?
Damn. I was hoping no one would try this before I got the chance to!
The idea, if I recall correctly, was that it'd get rid of the build-your-own-pet aspect completely.
As to whether or not it keeps the build your own aspect, I am neutral. I'm more interested in the bond with a specific subtype of otusider. If you want to do it with a completely different base concept, I am totally cool with that. What would you suggest? Go ahead and scrap everything above, if necesarry.
I want to have another way for outsiders to exert their influence on mortals and vice versa. I would love to bond with an azata or an aeon or even a qlippoth (if one would ever do that, about which I am doubtful) without having to be a wizard with improved familiar or any nine-level spellcaster using planar ally/planar binding. I want a true outsider buddy from level one.
So, no one's interested in doing this?