I was doing some shopping in Staples yesterday afternoon and I decided to splurge on a nice black magnetic journal. I plan to turn it into a game prop mimicking my character's in game journal.
What I could use some help with is what kind of character class should they be? I want the main motivation to be going out into the world and learning as much as he(?) can to write guides to help others with various things.
I want him/her/it to have access in all the knowledge skills, handle animal, spellcraft, and survival. If it helps any, they are not intended to be a combat pc. There are three other pcs in the group for that. I know it isn't the most viable build but our group prefers fluff over crunch.
I was thinking of starting in summoner (All knowledge, spellcraft, and handle animal) and taking the Militia Veteran trait to make survival a class skill.
Then possibly taking a few levels in rogue or alchemist. The discoveries and the rogue talents seem like they could represent hands on learning. Plus if I take rogue I gain access to a high boost in skill points and the skills of disguise self and disable device. Both of which could have a chapter in any survival guide.
Then again we also have the bard who has access to all knowledge skills and can use them untrained. He even gains a boost on knowledge skills. Then comes along the druid and ranger who could represent a more hands-on naturey survival guide.
I seem to be suffering from Over-Analysis-Paralysis (OAP for short). Help.
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I think what you are looking for is the Archivist Bard. You get some neat abilities based around your Knowledge skills. You also get the Skill based abilities of the bard at earlier levels. So this would allow you to be the master of all skills.
I can just envision you in combat documenting the heroic exploits of your comrades for use in future Storytelling.
I keep seeing Riff from the Sluggy Freelance comic:
"Let me check my notes."
I second the bard as your primary class. Plus the flavor of what you are describing fits the bards need to gather lore. Perhaps your characters wants to track down the truth of all the stories, rumors, and myths he/she has heard of as a young bard in training.
Are you playing in Golarion?
An Archaeologist or Diviner Wizard with a specialty in ancient Thassilon or Azlant would be interesting, if extremely academic.
He's a royal tutor on sabbatical. Cleric with the knowledge and travel domains. Plenty of ways for your "research and advice" (spells) to benefit the group in significant ways. His amusing anecdotes always seem to make the group feel better about their current situation (channel energy). He might not wear armor or carry more weapons than a staff, but he knows how to use them from being the practice dummy for numerous noble son's he has tutored. "You don't scare me, I'm a teacher!"
Echoing some thoughts here:
Oracle of Lore
Archivist Bard
Mindchemist Alchemist
Diviner Wizard
I would steer clear of Archaeologist, unless you want to be young Dr. Jones instead of old Dr. Jones.
Oh, and Sensei Monk archetype.
If it helps any my inspiration was Kintaro Oe from Golden boy. He was very much the worldly scholar but her was also able to sleep in the woods and had a pretty good endurance and stamina.
if you're not worried about optimization, just multi-class as a bard/ranger- all your saves will be good, it'll up your BAB a little, and make very nearly every skill a class skill. i played one before- he was fun.
Mayhaps. I want this character to have a certain defining trait aside from having his journal carried around in a steel case.
I figure the case could be used as a flail or something if things get rough.
Really, just take Archivist bard and two traits that give you handle animal and survival. And then maybe the feat Catch Off Guard for the book
This willl:
-Give you spells
-Allow you to disable device (and magic)
-Use anything as a weapon
The rest would be spreading your stats out well enough.
Other ideas:
There was a 3.5 prestige class that sounds up your ally - fochlucan lyrist. Might find a PF conversion for it.
Something from the Multiclass Archives