Okay. New build idea. I want a CN Human cleric of Lamashtu for any Ruby Phoenix Tournament adventures I may join. He was raised by gnolls and, eventually, goblins, hobgoblins, and a couple of bugbears. However, he separated himself from the rest of his "pack", worshipping Lamashtu in his own way. He's being hunted down by his "pack", being declared a heretic. He has to hide his faith wherever he goes, avoiding not only his "pack", but anyone who maybe an enemy of Lamashtu worshippers. So here's the challenge.
1) has to be human
2) Chaotic Neutral alignment
3) cleric dedicated to Lamashtu
4) has to use both the Hidden Priest and Separatist archetypes. From what I know, these archetypes can be used together.
5) I believe the adventure module is for 11th level characters, so go to 11th level.
6) I'm going for a battle cleric.
7) You can suggest any multiclassing.
8) These feats are mandatory: Lamashtu's Mark, Fearsome Finish (maybe), and Destroy Identity.
9) These traits are mandatory: Birthmark, Courageous, and Deformed.
Also, can I use a falchion as a one-handed?
Also, can anyone point me in the direction of Ruby Phoenix Tournament pbp games?
Bump?
Hi, Doug. No offense, but it always seems like that every time I post something, you post on the thread. Strange, huh?
Anyway, I'm looking for both optimization and flavor. I don't think that the Holy Vindicator or the Pain Taster would work for the idea of the build.
The concept is that he's a Lamashtu cleric on the run. He's separated from the teachings he grew up with it. His basic ideals are that Lamashtu teaches that humanoids must learn to live with animals and monstrous humanoids in harmony. Odd way of thinking, I know. But he just doesn't want to be evil.
So if you have any advice on creating a CN human Hidden Priest/Separatist cleric of Lamashtu, let me know.
Also, can the Hidden Priest and Separatist archetypes be used together?
XMorsX, I just noticed something in the Separatist archetype:
A separatist selects one domain from her deity’s domain list, and a second domain that is not on her deity’s domain list. This second domain cannot be an alignment domain that doesn’t match the cleric’s or her deity’s alignment. For example, a lawful good separatist cleric of a neutral good deity cannot choose the Chaos or Evil domain with this ability, but can select the Lawful domain even though her deity isn’t lawful.
Granted powers from the cleric’s second domain function as if the cleric’s level, Wisdom, and Charisma were 2 lower than normal (minimum level 1) in terms of effect, DC, and uses per day. This also means the separatist doesn’t gain the domain’s higher-level ability until 2 levels later than normal. If the second domain grants additional class skills, the separatist gains these as normal.
In all other respects, this ability works like and replaces the standard cleric’s domain ability.
So, does this mean I can't be a Hidden Priest/Separatist? Also, I was thinking of take MWP to gain proficiency in the falchion again. But, otherwise, it seems good.
I'll have stuff to say on this later just dotting for easy finding.
If human is essential to the build you can always take the option that lets you have the half orc weapons ect.
To use a falchion 1 handed you could dip 2 levels in titan mauler barbarian although the -2 to hit while you do it is painful. This also fixes the weapon proficiency issue if you want to keep the bonus feat from human.
what is a Hidden Priest... i don't see it on the PRD or d20pfsrd.com?
what ever it is, it sounds like it probably wouldn't combine with separatist- "Domains" is a single class ability which both (apparently) modify, you can't do that so its not a valid combo; if you could (say, by GM fiat) the appropriate way to combine them is by having them effect different domains- so, the "Unseen Devotion" that mors mentioned would stay at the regular levels and the only domain you get to pick would be at level/wis/cha -2...
i have a couple build ideas i'm kicking around- i'd be glad to post some more ideas/comments if someone could link the hidden priest archetype? (otherwise i may still post an idea but it wouldn't include that at all)
Well, it's good advice. I might drop the Separatist archetype. But I'm still not sure. But here's a thought, though: How would Lamashtu take to my PC separating from the church? According to her entry on the wiki:
Lamashtu's favor manifests as violent dreams, the appearance of sudden deformities, or unexplained pregnancies that often result in the painful (and sometimes fatal) birth of a deformed child. Worshipers who displease her may give birth to a "perfect" child, such as a human or halfling. They may also find themselves infertile or unable to achieve sexual satisfaction.
This raises a couple of questions.
1) How would a favored servant of Lamashtu still have his cleric powers after turning his back on the church?2) How come Lamashtu doesn't just smite him or something?
3) If he turned his back, then wouldn't Lamashtu show these conditions of infertility and the like in an act of vengence?
4) Wouldn't this make part of the Lamashtu's Mark feat null and void (the part about any offspring gaining the fiendish template)?
These are just some things that I just thought of. I guess I thought the Separatist archetype was partly chosen for the flavor of still having his powers and favor with Lamashtu while turning his back on the faiths he was raised with.
Bertious, I guess I could take the Barbarian archetype (could be interesting flavor and build wise). Also, what option would allow my human character to get half-orc weapons? Are you talking about the Adopted trait?
Nate and XMorsX: Yeah. The Hidden Priest isn't on the archetype chart. Why? I have no idea. But it's weird.
XMorsX, I definitely want to be human. I don't know why but there's something about a human being raised in a gnoll pack that's interesting to me.
Nate and TarkXT, I can't wait to hear your suggestions!
One last thing: The Ruby Phoenix Tournament module is an adventure for 11th level characters. It takes place on an island in Tian Xia. The premise is that the PCs have been chosen to enter a tournament where the winners are able to chose any magic item they want out of an enormous vault. These items can include artifacts. You can look up this module on the pbp forums. One that comes to mind is DM Emissary's game that's still going on today. It should give you an idea of the backstory and what to expect. Some things have been added due to the characters chosen and their backstories (characters, locations, side quests/activities, etc.).
Well about the falchion one handed thing, you realize you are allowed to grip and remove your grip of one of your hands in order to cast a spell. If you are just planning to wield it one handed and like a shield in another, then you would have to take the Titan amulet thing described earlier
A cleric gets his training from the church, which is why a separatist doesn't get proficiency in the favored weapon, but gets his powers from the deity. Lamashtu has her own reasons for doing things, and they aren't always logical. Remember, she's a demon lord ascended to full divinity, so she's chaotic in the extreme. Maybe she likes the idea of a 'nice' lamashtun priest going around making people think, hey, maybe Lamashtu isn't such a bad deity after all. (Wrong, she actually is!) Maybe she plans on having your character impregnate a gnoll and start a race of half-gnoll, half-humans. Maybe she's starting to have the faint inklings of rising from CE-ness, and supporting your cleric is a reflection of that. Who knows?
ok, a couple things before posting a build...
1. after reading through hidden priest, i'm even more confident about them not stacking (and the correct with to 'fudge it' if GM approves)
2. destroy identity requires +11 BAB- not possible with an 11th level cleric
3. there's a difference between being estranged from the church and turning your back on the god (especially with a CE god)- i'm not really sure separatists is necessary at all (although i like Baha's take on it)
4. i'm not entirely sure what you're looking for from hidden priest either... is that just for RP (and how much RP will there be in the tournament)? you'll already be using a Birthmark as your divine focus (removing the threat of people identifying your 'affiliation' based on holy symbol), do you really need an ability that forces you to spend your very limited skill points to try to disguise your spells, or the ability to still/silent a spell 1/day?
5. as was mentioned, you choose 3 traits instead of two- were you hoping to squeeze in Additional Traits somewhere?
edit:
6. are you positive you need to be human? what about a very human looking 1/2 orc?
CN, Half-Orc [sacred tattoo]
Cleric [separatist] 11
Stats (items not included):
Str 14
Dex 12
Con 12
Int 07
Wis 20 (16+2race+2@4&8)
Cha 14
traits: Birthmark, Deformed
skills: intimidate
feats:
1- channel smite
3- guided hand
5- Lamashtu's mark
7- power attack
9- cornugon smash
11- intimidating prowess
domains: strength[ferocity], conversion (-2)
gear (assuming average WBL):
+2 cruel, keen Falchion [32k]
+4 breastplate [16k]
+4 Wis headband [16k]
+2 Str belt [4k]
phylactery of negative channeling [11k]
+1 ring of protection [2k]
+1 cloak of resistance [1k]
this build is still combat oriented, but with enough Wis to include some Save or Suck spells in your arsenal (plus dominate person from Conversion). Wis also replaces Str for your attack rolls (guided hand), and Cha for Intimidate (conversion). your base damage clearly isn't as good as a fighter-type, but you have buffs to throw on yourself, and you have +5 smite damage 10/day (ferocity) and +8d6 smite damage 5/day (channel smite)- so that'll help. plus, your bonus to intimidate (which you can do for free when you hit with power attack- cornugon smash) will be around +30. if you decide you're not that interested in crits you could switch keen with ominous, which stacks really well with greater magic weapon (though, you won't reach high enough levels to see the bigger benefits there).
its not exactly what you asked for... but i think it should play like you were hoping and maintain most of the flavor. you could have him be the offspring of orcs who were somehow connected to the pack- and the pack took his surprisingly human appearance as a warning from Lamashtu... with the Conversion inquisition as his separatist domain he really could feel like he was created 'more humanish' to spread Lamashtu's deeds and/or tennants among the 'civilized races'.
LEt's start on the first post.
1) has to be human
2) Chaotic Neutral alignment
3) cleric dedicated to Lamashtu
5) I believe the adventure module is for 11th level characters, so go to 11th level.
6) I'm going for a battle cleric.
Easy to do with Lamashtu.
7) You can suggest any multiclassing.
No need there.
8) These feats are mandatory: Lamashtu's Mark, Fearsome Finish (maybe), and Destroy Identity.
Destroy identity is unfortunately impossible with a cleric as its BAB +11.
9) These traits are mandatory: Birthmark, Courageous, and Deformed.
I'm assuming you're allowed three traits?
4) has to use both the Hidden Priest and Separatist archetypes. From what I know, these archetypes can be used together. Also, can I use a falchion as a one-handed?
Hidden priest is an okay archetype for the concept you want. Separatist is a terrible archetype. It takes away your incredibly good favored weapon and knocks other powers down a notch. Since you're already nerfing your abilities with hidden priest I would suggest against this.
So, it sounds like you want to intimidate things. This is an alright thing so let's work from that.
20pb of course
Str: 16+2 For levels = 18
Dex: 10
Con: 14
Int: 10
Wis: 14+2 from race = 16
Cha: 10
BE sure to get a wis and cha boosting headband and a str and dex increasing belt. Con is optional but not necessary.
1 Intimidating Prowess
1 Lamashtu's Mark
3 Power Attack
5 Cornugon Smash
7 Fearsome Finish
9 Furious Focus
11 Critical Focus
If you go on up in levels...
13 Destroy Identity
15 Dreadful Carnage
Domain wise we have to work with two halves of a domain so let's see what we have. Mainly we have ferocity and madness I want to focus on.
We'll replace the first level power of madness with the ferocity power. We'll then replace the 8th level ferocity power. This gives us a high damaging ability that let's your crit focus gain more mileage and gives you a confusion aura that is an absolutely devastating debuff to unleash on a group of enemies. Ideally you'd want to unleash this shortly after dropping an enemy wiht dreadful carnage ensuring that everyone is properly debuffed before turning your aura on.
If you prefer a debuff route like described you can replace Ferocity entirely with trickery and remove its debuff powers. The spell list in trickery is very solid and gives you additional defenses in the form of spells like mirror image. At this point I'd recommend a conductive weapon so you can deliver your vision of madness via the edge of your blade. However this bit is unnecessary if you go the ferocity route.
Now I absolutely do recommend getting a spellstoring weapon and chucking good debuffs into it. Bestow curse is a good example. Remember you're dropping your spell on enemies already debuffed by Cornugon Smash so they make saving throws with a penalized save.
Hope this helps.
Bertious, I guess I could take the Barbarian archetype (could be interesting flavor and build wise). Also, what option would allow my human character to get half-orc weapons? Are you talking about the Adopted trait?
As a human you can take the following alternate racial trait.
Adoptive Parentage Humans are sometimes orphaned and adopted by other races. Choose one humanoid race without the human subtype. You start play with that race's languages and gain that race's weapon familiarity racial trait (if any). If the race does not have weapon familiarity, you gain either Skill Focus or Weapon Focus as a bonus feat that is appropriate for that race instead. This racial trait replaces the bonus feat trait.
So if you choose Half Orc you gain Proficiency in the falchion and great axe, treat any weapon with the word orc in it as a martial one and gain orcish as a language.
Edit: you need to choose full orc as half orcs have the human subtype and therefore don't qualify. Perhaps to keep the backstory it was an orcish slave to the gnolls that actually raised you.
Ah my bad on corungon smash so yes it cna be switched.
Demon, unfortunately needs to be attached to Evil or Chaos. IT is a good ability but the GM may get a minor eye twitch as the neutral character pulls our his weapon of evil power. Likewise chaos doesn't provide quite as good a spell list as Ferocity. Ferocity gives us strong spells to take into the late game and the ability to use enlarge person on ourselves. Fury of the abyss is strong but it trades off defense we already don't have much of.
Hey guys. I'm seeing a lot of really cool builds. Let me address a few things.
1) I want to be a human. But I'm taking the Adopted Parentage alternative racial trait to gain Orc traits.
2) I was hoping to get the Additional Traits feat to gain the three traits I listed. But now I'm not so sure.
3) The Ferocity subdomain and the Madness domain combo is good. But the Conversion inquisition is good, too.
4) I'm hearing many ideas about archetypes. Which should I keep and which should I drop? Are there any other archetypes I should take?
5) I want to buy the Demon Mother's Mask and the Greater Barghest Hero Cloak.
Now, here is a information on appearance and backstory. If you can give any suggestions based on this information, then go for it.
Appearance: Kaggur is a large Kellid/Vudrani man, standing at 6'3". His skin is swarthy and his eyes a steel gray in color. His hair is black, long, and wild. His skin is riddle in various scars, showing a life of hardship and combat. His face is also riddled with scars as well. He wears a breastplate of mithral and wields a wicked looking falchion. His clothing underneath is mismatching, seeming to be taken from various clothing sets. They are dirty and stained, suggesting that he's been wearing them for quite some time.
Backstory: It's ironic how death could lead to the prospect of a new life and continued survival. When the man known as Kaggur was born, his parents, who were devout worshippers of Desna, noticed a birthmark under his naval in the shape of Lamashtu's holy symbol. His parents grew concerned and fearful at the prospect of their own son becoming associated with the faith of Desna's most hated enemy. They heard of a large temple to Desna in Katapesh. So they joined the next caravan, hoping that the clerics and priests would have the answer to their problem. However, such an expedition led to their deaths. A group of gnolls attacked the caravan, killing all, except for the baby. Just as one of the members was going to kill him, the leader stopped him, showing the pack the boy's birthmark. Taking this as a sign from the Mother of Monsters, they adopted him. The boy was raised by several female orc slaves at the starting, training with the gnolls when he reached the age of 7.
As the years went by, the boy grew strong, able to fight, defend himself, and worship Lamashtu. When he turned 10, the pack was met by a group of hobgoblins. They told the gnolls that a new temple to Lamashtu was founded, in the recently taken over Grand Temple of Desna in Katapesh. The goblinoids offered the gnolls a place in the Temple. The gnolls agreed and joined the quickly expanding cult. In addition to the gnoll pack and hobgoblins, the Temple's residents included hundreds of normal goblins, two orc bands, and, unnerving enough, two highly intelligent and charismatic female bugbear priestesses, who were in charge of the Grand Temple's cult. As time went on, Kaggur became tougher, stronger, more violent. At the age of 21, he became a cleric to Lamashtu, earning favor with the cult. However, this time was not all peaceful for the cult. For outside of the desecrated temple, a large invading force continually assaulted the area. The Church of the Song of Spheres funded an expedition to eradicate the cult and reclaim the temple. The army was mainly made up of the faithful, as well as gnoll slayers, mercenaries, and up-and-coming heroes. Lamashtu's faithful would fight back and anyone who was left behind and alive was captured and placed into slavery or be sacrificed to the Demon Mother.
Kaggur's first ritual to fully induct him into the faith would be on his 25th birthday and, to test him, he was given a high ranking Desnan priestess to use as a slave and then as a sacrifice for the ritual. The Vudrani woman was one of the leaders of the Desnan Army. During this time, Kaggur tried to talk to the woman. At first, she rebutted him. But as time went on, she became more open to him. She made him see that he wasn't truly evil, that he just liked to fight and to prove himself. Eventually, the unthinkable happened: Kaggur and the woman fell in love and, in time, mated with one another. Kaggur's faith in Lamashtu began to waiver that day. He believed in protecting his pack and to prove himself, yes. But, to outright murder innocent civilians? The night before the ritual, he came to a conclusion. She was his mate now, part of his pack. And he wouldn't kill his mate.
Kaggur snuck into the cells and freed both the slaves and the prisoners. He then armed each of them and led a prison break. He led them to the outside, cutting down his former allies and pack members as he went. They eventually made it to the camp of the Desnan Army. After much argument, the Desnan leaders decided to let Kaggur go; on the grounds that he never returned to Katapesh. If he did, then he would be hanged. He reluctantly left, looking back only once at his mate.
As he began to travel, he heard word that the Desnan Army was successful at defeating the Lamashtu Cult. However, he also learned that the bugbear priestesses and the majority of his pack escaped. He was continually attacked by two separate forces. The first was the remnants of his pack and cult. They sent Kaggur's former friends, other Lamashtu cultists, and hired mercenaries to capture and/or kill him. The second force was even more shocking: a group of extremists from the Desnan Army. They believed that he should die for his mere association with the cult and for "tainting" one of their high priestesses. He fled to north, keeping a low profile, fighting off his former allies and incapacitating the Desnan extremists. He eventually made it to Tian Xia. By a series of circumstances, he wound up participating in a tournament. He won the tournament, earning a place in the Ruby Phoenix Tournament on Xielan Island. At first, he turned down the offer. But after hearing about the prize, he decided to participate. Firstly, he would have both groups off of his back for a while. Secondly, there might be something in the Ruby Phoenix's First Vault that could help him.
Crimes and Punishments:
Gnoll Pack:
Murder (band-mate) = Sacrificed and consumed
Freeing slaves = Exile
Treason (with non-gnolls) = Exile
Lamashtu:
He killed fellow worshippers.
Mated with a worshipper of Desna.
Bump... again?
One more bump.
Another bump.
Again, the backstory is a work in progress. Suggestions?
Bump.
Bump
