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Just as the gunslinger is a keeper of the secrets regarding black powder and guns, so is the photographyst in the art of capturing images through light and shadow. Always on the look out for the "perfect picture", the photographyst travels far and wide reproducing images of scenic beauty and portraits rich in cultural significance. Using a complex device called a camera obscura or "dark chamber" they can produce supernatural affects that can disorient foes, capture spirits, preserve memories and moments, and even stop time itself.
Camera Obscura: At 1st level, the photographyst builds for herself an alchemaical contraption composed of a portable black box arrayed with lenses, latches, nobs, buttons, cranks, and other odd mechanisms. The inside of the camera obscura houses carefully positioned mirrors and glass plates treated with special substances infused by the photographyst's aura. An photographyst can take a number of pictures each day equal to her class level + Int modifier.
Each camera obscura is unique and can only be used by the photographyst who built it. An alchemist lab is needed to clean and reload the device each day. Drawing, loading the components of, and "shooting" the camera obscura is a standard action that provokes attacks of opportunity. A photographyst can possess only one camera obscura at a time.
Taking a picture produces a flash of light in a 20ft cone. Any creature caught in the flash must make a Reflex DC 10 + half the photographyst's level + Int Modifier if they do not wish to be effected. At 1st level, the photographyst chooses one of the following effects for his camera obscura. As she gains levels, she may choose a new effect in place of a discovery.
Flash Burn: The cone deals 1d6 fire damage for every two levels the photographyst possesses. Successful saves halve the damage.
Disorienting Flash: At 1st level the flash causes the targets to become staggered. At 5th level the targets become dazed. At 10th level targets become blinded. At 15th level target become stunned. And at 20th level targets become paralyzed. Each affect lasts for 1 round. Creature that do not rely on sight are immune to this affect.
Capture Spirit: A photographyst can single out one incorpreal creature to take a picture of. If the creature fails its save it becomes imprisoned inside a glass plate within the camera obscura permanently. At 10th level the photographyst can affect living creatures as if using the magic jar spell. At 20th level the photographyst can effect any creature as the imprisonment spell. For every spirit the camera obscura keeps trapped, it takes one less picture a day. A photographyst can release a captured target as a full round action that provokes attacks of opportunity. Destroying the camera obscura releases all trapped creatures.
Preserve Memories and Moments: At first level, by taking a picture of a single willing target, the photographyst grants the target a +2 luck bonus to saves and armor class for a number of rounds equal to the photographyst's Int modifier. If the target poses for the picture (allowing themselves to be flat-footed until the end of their turn), then the number of rounds are doubled.
Develop Photograph: A photographer can spend one hour each day developing the pictures she had taken in the last 24 hours. Each picture requires one piece of paper or parchment to be imprinted upon. Depending on the photograph, the DM may allow the character certain bonuses and privileges depending on the situation.
At 20th level, a photographyst can use "time stop" once per day as a spell like ability. She must spend at least one round taking a picture.
This class feature replaces Bomb.
-need some work with balance the
"flash burn" should at most be 1d4s
"capture spirit" is way to powerful and maybe should be the capstone
"Preserve Memories" and Moments is a good one but i would push it back to 5th level or you can use this with "Develop Photograph"
writing out the abilities gained from pictures (a pictures of night fall might give dark vision) look at the old warlock from 3.5 for some good ones. if you went this way i would not use "flash burn"
i would leave out the time stop thing also you should have to give up a lot more then bomb for this type of archetype
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I don't know if I agree with Kyras. Bombs doesn't seem like much to give up for all this, until you realize you're also giving up all the discoveries that modify bombs.
Assuming you take the flash burn discovery at first level, you're trading a 1d6+Int splash weapon for a 1d6 cone spread. That's pretty strong, though you're giving up the possiility of Stink Bomb, Madness Bomb, etc. You're also giving up Fast Bombs, which mean you'll never be able to take more than one picture in a round.
I like the idea-- the power level needs tweaking, but the flavor is pretty nice.
Thanks to you both. I agree that it is overpowered and needs tweaking. It is also in need of more discovery ideas to counter the loss of all the bomb discoveries. I think that the camera obscura should have similar options to guns and crossbows in that you can take more than one picture per round if your BAB is high enough to allow multiple attacks.
Also, does disorienting flash seem balanced?
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As for new discoveries for your camera obscura:
How about:
Projector Discovery that adds a complex arrangement of esoteric bulbs, cones, gears etc for:
*projecting images - both still - illusions and moving - mirror image-type effect
*projecting sound - opens up bard-style sound effects
And some other attachments
Infra-red "heat sensing"
Ultra-violet "cold-sensing"
Darkvision
Microscopic
Telescopic
Radar/Sonar
Audio/Boom mike
[EDIT] More ideas: A cartridge you could add behind the lens that operated like the Inquisitor's Monster Lore ability. "Dr Hovethwaite's Inestimable Encyclopediacque Monster Describer"
A "scary monster" voice mike to leave listeners scared/shaken.
Kinda gonzo, but these might spark more inspiration...
Thanks to you both. I agree that it is overpowered and needs tweaking. It is also in need of more discovery ideas to counter the loss of all the bomb discoveries. I think that the camera obscura should have similar options to guns and crossbows in that you can take more than one picture per round if your BAB is high enough to allow multiple attacks.
Also, does disorienting flash seem balanced?
As a line of discovery yes .... And I did not take the bomb discoveries in account when I wrote my critique still don't thank poison use or brew potions fit the archetype and whould make for good fodder to be changed. But don't become discouraged its a good idea with a lot of untapped flavor .
Disorienting Flash should probably have a separate save. It's pretty powerful as is.
This is awesome. Good luck fine-tuning it, I'll be watching =)
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Disorienting Flash should probably have a separate save. It's pretty powerful as is.
I agree-- maybe the 1st level effect should be dazzled instead, and it builds its way up to the other effects?
As for taking multiple pictures in a round, I think I disagree with it. Taking a picture should feel more like casting a spell than making an attack-- that's what makes the photographyst feel different than the base alchemist. Maybe new discoveries should mimic the effects of metamagic feats?
Thank you everyone for your suggestions. I will work on it over the weekend and hopefully have something new soon.
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Before I repost a revised version, how's this?
A photographyst develops her pictures at night or in some darkened enclosure. This process typically takes 10 minutes of preparation and an hour of waiting. Each picture requires one piece of paper or parchment to be made permanent.
The DC of all saves regarding the following discoveries are 10 + 1/2 class level +Int modifier.
Searing Flash: By taking a picture the camera obscura creates a 20ft cone that deals 1d4 fire damage for every two class levels the photographyst possesses. A successful reflex save halves the damage.
Preserve Memories and Moments: By taking a picture of a single willing target that is within 20ft of the camera obscura, the target is granted a +1 luck bonus to AC, saves, and CMD for a number of rounds equal to the photographyst’s Int modifier. If the target holds still for the picture (remaining flat-footed and not making a move action) until the beginning of their next turn, then the duration is doubled. This luck bonus increases by +1 at 4th, 8th, 12th, 16th, and 20th level of the photographyst.
Disorienting Flash: By taking a picture the camera obscura creates a 20ft cone of disruptive light. At 1st level all targets caught in the cone are dazzled. At 4th level targets become staggered. At 8th level targets become blinded. At 12th level targets become dazed. At 16th level targets become stunned. At 20th level targets become paralyzed. This effect lasts for 1 round. A successful Fort save negates.
Capture Spirit: By focusing on and taking a picture of a single living target within 20ft the camera obscura steals a portion of the target’s soul, resulting in 1d4 Wisdom drain. A successful Will save negates.
Sneak Shot: By taking a picture of an unsuspecting target who was unaware they were getting their picture taken until they noticed the flash, the target becomes self conscious and embarrassed about how they may have looked. They become shaken for a number of rounds equal to the photographyst’s Int modifier. This is a mind-affecting effect. Each round the target can make a Will save to negate the effect.
Magnesium Burst: By taking a picture the camera obscura releases a cloud of billowing smoke. At 1st level it can create the effects of the obscuring mist spell. At 6th level it can create the effects of the fog cloud spell. And at 12th level it can duplicate the effects of the cloud kill spell. Treat the photographyst’s class level as her caster level.
Projector: At 1st level, at the cost of taking 1 picture the camera obscura can duplicate the effects of the silent image spell. At 4th level, at the cost of 2 pictures, the minor image spell can be duplicated. At 8th level, at the cost of 3 pictures the major image can be duplicated. At 12th level, at the cost of 4 pictures the hallucinatory terrain spell can be duplicated. At 16th level, at the cost of 5 pictures the persistent image spell can be duplicated. And at 20th level, at the cost of 6 pictures, the permanent image spell can be duplicated. The photographyst uses her class level as her caster level for these effects. The GM may allow other illusion spells to be used as part of this discovery.
Adjustable Lens: The camera obscura can be modified as a swift action to function like a spyglass, a magnifying glass, or a telescope.
Dispelling Flash: By taking a picture the photographyst can attempt to dispel any effect that can be bypassed by the True Seeing spell. This functions like Greater Dispel Magic. The photographyst must be 12th level and possess the True Picture Discovery to select this discovery.
True Image: By taking a picture of a 20ft area, the camera obscura pierces magical lies and finds the truth. When the picture is later developed it reveals everything as it truly was at the time the photograph was taken as per the True Seeing spell. This discovery cannot be taken until 6th level.
Photographyk Flattery: The photograhyst learns, that by exploiting the vanity of others, she can more easily gain their favor. For every picture the photographyst takes of a willing target in a day period, the photographyst gains a +1 bonus to diplomacy checks made toward that same target for the next 24 hrs.
Polaris Development: The photographyst learns to rebuild her camera obscura so that it develops photographs within one minute of being taken. Pictures created in this way consume 1 vial of ink and 1 piece of paper or parchment.
Increased Range: The range of a photographyst’s flash cones increases by 10 ft. This discovery cannot be chosen until 12th level.
Loregraph: By taking a picture of a single creature within 20ft, the photographyst can attempt to learn some useful information on the target. When the picture is taken the photographyst makes a knowledge check appropriate to the target and adds half their class level to the result, even if the photographyst does not have that skill. When the picture is developed, the result of the check will be found inscribed on the back of the picture. This is a divination effect. The target may make a will save to negate the effect.
This class feature replaces bomb and all bomb-related discoveries.
Alchemaic Pikture: Instead of brewing magical potions, a photographyst can create vibrant photographs that function in the same way. The cost and duration of creating an alchemaic pikture is identical to brewing a potion. Anyone can draw and behold an alchemaic pikture (provoking ATOPs as normal) to gain its benefits. An alchemiac pikture is physically identical to a scroll.
This alters and replaces the Brew Potion bonus feat gained at 1st level.
Light and Shadow Mastery: By studying the complex relationship of light and shadow to better capture the best images, the photographyst learns to resist the two forces when they endanger her. At 2nd level she gains a +2 resistance bonus vs light and darkness effects and gains darkvison 60ft. At 5th level this increases to +4 and her darkvison improves by 30ft. At 8th level this increases to +6 and her darkvision improves by another 30ft. At 10th level she becomes immune to the negative effects of such spells and effects, she can see perfectly in magical darkness, she cannot be blinded unless by violent physical means, and her darkvison extends as far as her camera obscura allows her to see.
This class feature replaces poison use, poison resistance, and poison immunity.
Haha! Thanks for taking some of my ideas and running with them. This rocks! Great versatility and enough discoveries/accoutrement to give a vanilla alchemist a run for his mutagens! Nice olde worlde spellings too.
Alchemaic picture is a great tweak!
Others will obviously bring the balance issues "into the light". Consider me stunned by the flash of brilliance! ;)
Haha! Thanks for taking some of my ideas and running with them. This rocks! Great versatility and enough discoveries/accoutrement to give a vanilla alchemist a run for his mutagens! Nice olde worlde spellings too.
Alchemaic picture is a great tweak!
Others will obviously bring the balance issues "into the light". Consider me stunned by the flash of brilliance! ;)
I certainly appreciate the ideas, Oceansheildwolf. The rest of them were good but would be more fitting of a modern era photographyst (or an epic level one :D). Thank you very much!
Thanks to everyone else for contributing. I'm going to let this thread linger a bit before putting out a revised thread. I can't help but feel it's not quite finished.
every good indeed even at this point it gets my copy/paste of approval if i see you finished one replace it.
thank you for adding more content to the message boards
Okay. I took the best of both and combined them. How's this?
Photographyst
Just as the gunslinger is a keeper of the secrets regarding black powder and guns, so is the photographyst in the art of capturing images through light and shadow. Always on the look out for the "perfect picture", the photographyst travels far and wide reproducing images of scenic beauty and portraits rich in cultural significance. Using a complex device called a camera obscura or "dark chamber" they can produce supernatural affects that can disorient foes, capture spirits, preserve memories and moments, and even stop time itself.
Camera Obscura: At 1st level, the photographyst builds for herself an alchemaical contraption composed of a portable box arrayed with lenses, latches, nobs, buttons, cranks, and other odd mechanisms. The inside of the camera obscura houses carefully positioned mirrors and glass plates treated with special substances infused by the photographyst's aura. An photographyst can take a number of pictures each day equal to her class level + Int modifier.
Each camera obscura is unique and can only be used by the photographyst who built it. An alchemist lab is needed to clean and reload the device each day. Drawing, loading the components of, and "shooting" the camera obscura is a standard action that provokes attacks of opportunity. A photographyst can possess only one camera obscura at a time.
Taking a picture produces a flash of light in a 20ft cone. Only one picture can be taken per round. A photographyst develops her pictures at night or in some darkened enclosure. This process typically takes 10 minutes of preparation and an hour of waiting. Each picture requires one piece of paper or parchment to be made permanent.
The DC of all saves regarding the following discoveries are 10 + 1/2 class level +Int modifier. At 1st level, the photographyst chooses one of the following discoveries for his camera obscura. As she gains levels, she may choose a new discovery.
Photographyst Discoveries
Searing Flash: By taking a picture the camera obscura creates a 20ft cone that deals 1d4 fire damage for every two class levels the photographyst possesses. A successful reflex save halves the damage.
Disorienting Flash: By taking a picture the camera obscura creates a 20ft cone of disruptive light. At 1st level all targets caught in the cone are dazzled. At 4th level targets become staggered. At 8th level targets become blinded. At 12th level targets become dazed. At 16th level targets become stunned. At 20th level targets become paralyzed. This effect lasts for 1 round. A successful Fort save negates.
Capture Spirit: By focusing on and taking a picture of a single living target within 20ft the camera obscura steals a portion of the target’s soul, resulting in 1d4 Wisdom drain. A successful Will save negates.
Preserve Memories and Moments: By taking a picture of a single willing target that is within 20ft of the camera obscura, the target is granted a +1 luck bonus to AC, saves, and CMD for a number of rounds equal to the photographyst’s Int modifier. If the target holds still for the picture (remaining flat-footed and not making a move action) until the beginning of their next turn, then the duration is doubled. This luck bonus increases by +1 at 4th, 8th, 12th, 16th, and 20th level of the photographyst.
Disorienting Flash: By taking a picture the camera obscura creates a 20ft cone of disruptive light. At 1st level all targets caught in the cone are dazzled. At 4th level targets become staggered. At 8th level targets become blinded. At 12th level targets become dazed. At 16th level targets become stunned. At 20th level targets become paralyzed. This effect lasts for 1 round. A successful Fort save negates.
Capture Spirit: By focusing on and taking a picture of a single living target within 20ft the camera obscura steals a portion of the target’s soul, resulting in 1d4 Wisdom drain. A successful Will save negates.
Sneak Shot: By taking a picture of an unsuspecting target who was unaware they were getting their picture taken until they noticed the flash, the target becomes self conscious and embarrassed about how they may have looked. They become shaken for a number of rounds equal to the photographyst’s Int modifier. This is a mind-affecting effect. Each round the target can make a Will save to negate the effect.
Magnesium Burst: By taking a picture the camera obscura releases a cloud of billowing smoke. At 1st level it can create the effects of the obscuring mist spell. At 6th level it can create the effects of the fog cloud spell. And at 12th level it can duplicate the effects of the cloud kill spell. Treat the photographyst’s class level as her caster level.
Projector: At 1st level, at the cost of taking 1 picture the camera obscura can duplicate the effects of the silent image spell. At 4th level, at the cost of 2 pictures, the minor image spell can be duplicated. At 8th level, at the cost of 3 pictures the major image can be duplicated. At 12th level, at the cost of 4 pictures the hallucinatory terrain spell can be duplicated. At 16th level, at the cost of 5 pictures the persistent image spell can be duplicated. And at 20th level, at the cost of 6 pictures, the permanent image spell can be duplicated. The photographyst uses her class level as her caster level for these effects. The GM may allow other illusion spells to be used as part of this discovery.
Adjustable Lens: The camera obscura can be modified as a swift action to function like a spyglass, a magnifying glass, or a telescope.
Dispelling Flash: By taking a picture the photographyst can attempt to dispel any effect that can be bypassed by the True Seeing spell. This functions like Greater Dispel Magic. The photographyst must be 12th level and possess the True Picture Discovery to select this discovery.
True Image: By taking a picture of a 20ft area, the camera obscura pierces magical lies and finds the truth. When the picture is later developed it reveals everything as it truly was at the time the photograph was taken as per the True Seeing spell. This discovery cannot be taken until 6th level.
Photographyk Flattery: The photograhyst learns, that by exploiting the vanity of others, she can more easily gain their favor. For every picture the photographyst takes of a willing target in a day period, the photographyst gains a +1 bonus to diplomacy checks made toward that same target for the next 24 hrs.
Polaris Development: The photographyst learns to rebuild her camera obscura so that it develops photographs within one minute of being taken. Pictures created in this way consume 1 vial of ink and 1 piece of paper or parchment.
Increased Range: The range of a photographyst’s flash cones increases by 10 ft. This discovery cannot be chosen until 12th level.
Loregraph: By taking a picture of a single creature within 20ft, the photographyst can attempt to learn some useful information on the target. When the picture is taken the photographyst makes a knowledge check appropriate to the target and adds half their class level to the result, even if the photographyst does not have that skill. When the picture is developed, the result of the check will be found inscribed on the back of the picture. This is a divination effect. The target may make a will save to negate the effect.
This class feature replaces bomb and all bomb-related discoveries.
Alchemaic Pikture: Instead of brewing magical potions, a photographyst can create vibrant photographs that function in the same way. The cost and duration of creating an alchemaic pikture is identical to brewing a potion. Anyone can draw and behold an alchemaic pikture (provoking ATOPs as normal) to gain its benefits. An alchemiac pikture is physically identical to a scroll.
This alters and replaces the Brew Potion bonus feat gained at 1st level.
Light and Shadow Mastery: By studying the complex relationship of light and shadow to better capture the best images, the photographyst learns to resist the two forces when they endanger her. At 2nd level she gains a +2 resistance bonus vs light and darkness effects and gains darkvison 60ft. At 5th level this increases to +4 and her darkvison improves by 30ft. At 8th level this increases to +6 and her darkvision improves by another 30ft. At 10th level she becomes immune to the negative effects of such spells and effects, she can see perfectly in magical darkness, she cannot be blinded unless by violent physical means, and her darkvison extends as far as her camera obscura allows her to see.
This class feature replaces poison use, poison resistance, and poison immunity.
Wait! Of Course! This is what I'm missing!
Grae Doryean Grand Discovery At 20th level, by selecting this discovery the photographyst learns the camera obscura's secret to immortality. She takes and develops a single picture of herself. As long as this picture exists the photographyst does not age and cannot die. If reduced to zero hit points she disappears and reappears 1d10 days later next to the picture just as the lich rejuvenation ability. If the picture is destroyed, however, the photgraphyst ages to her maximum age, dies instantly, and cannot be raised or resurrected. If brought back to life by wish or any other means, she cannot select this grand discovery again.
This replaces the Eternal Youth Grand Discovery.
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So does the photographyst still create extracts of spells? if so, here's an idea for a discovery.
Infused Image: The photographyst rebuilds his camera obscura to include a valve into which an extract can be poured. As a full-round action, the photographyst may insert one of his extracts into the camera obscura and take a picture, at the cost of two pictures. Each creature in the flash is then affected as though having just drank the extract. The photographyst must be at least level 12 and have the infusion discovery before taking this discovery.
Also, here's one more that I came up with, since its absence seemed glaring.
Camera Obscura Timer: The photographyst installs a mechanical timer onto his camera obscura. By setting the timer, the camera obscura can be set to take a picture after a specific amount of time has passed, up to a number of rounds equal to the photographyst's Int modifier. Setting the camera obscura to take a picture is a full round action that provokes attacks of opportunity, during which the photographyst must declare how many rounds he is setting the timer for, the 20 ft. cone he is aiming the camera obscura at, and any discoveries he is using that will modify the picture taken. He must then set the camera obscura down, either on the ground or on a tripod, low wall, table or otherwise. Doing so means that the camera obscura is considered unattended until the picture is taken and the photographyst picks it back up, but allows the photographyst to be in the picture himself if he so chooses.
Hope I'm not overstepping my boundaries by contributing to what is basically your project, but I just love the idea of an old-timey camera as a magic device so much I had to get in the picture. I also hope they're not OP enough to make anybody say cheese, but I had to take a shot at them.
Also, Arcanemuses, your copy/paste resulted in a few discoveries being listed twice.
First off, I have ZERO problems with anyone contributing ideas. Please, share and be heard. As for infused image, I like it, but I would limit it to 1st level extracts only. Otherwise it may be too powerful. Timer is a very good idea and I would not change a thing about it.
Thanks for pointing out my copy/paste mistake to me, Silent Saturn :)
@Silent Saturn - way to be polite and gracious! I like your Discoveries too. Quite focused and developed. I agree with Arcanemuses on infused image. I would however say that perhaps greater extracts could by image'd with more picture investment or a higher level photographyst but I don't want to blur Arcanemuse's vision.
@Arcanemuses - the Dorian Gray ability is priceless. Oscar would approve!
How about a negative image as in a slide? Could be a negative energy channel or some other power based on light/dark opposition.
Or a stop-motion animation effect by taking a bunch of shots and then acing them on top of each other and then flicking through them - causing the creature photographed to perform the movements. Could be beneficial too if you think about it - recreating actions that may be finite resource-wise...
@Silent Saturn - way to be polite and gracious! I like your Discoveries too. Quite focused and developed. I agree with Arcanemuses on infused image. I would however say that perhaps greater extracts could by image'd with more picture investment or a higher level photographyst but I don't want to blur Arcanemuse's vision.
@Arcanemuses - the Dorian Gray ability is priceless. Oscar would approve!
How about a negative image as in a slide? Could be a negative energy channel or some other power based on light/dark opposition.
Or a stop-motion animation effect by taking a bunch of shots and then acing them on top of each other and then flicking through them - causing the creature photographed to perform the movements. Could be beneficial too if you think about it - recreating actions that may be finite resource-wise...
Any stop motion idea can be used with the Projector Discovery. Illusions can do all kinds of neat stuff if you utilize them right.
As for your Negative image creating negative energy. I would say it could create a ghost-like duplicate of the target that they would have to fight. There might be a spell somewhere that covers that kind of thing. As for actual negative energy, that might be a bit too literal.
I'll ask the books and see what they might say.