I'm reposting this to the correct forum. I'm working on a new Summoner build and would like some help developing an Evolution before I pitch it to my GM for consideration. I'd like to know if it makes sense, what works and doesn't work with it and how many points it might be worth. Here it is:
Effigy (Ex)
In lieu of disappearing when dismissed, an eidolon with this evolution instead leaves behind a solid though immobile effigy of itself. The effigy is akin to a lifelike statue of the same size, weight and appearance as the eidolon. It retains the same hit points, saving throws and armor class as the eidolon at the moment of its dismissal though, due to its immobility, it's Dexterity is effectively 0. In addition, the effigy gains a Hardness of 5 as long as it remains. Although incapable of movement itself, the effigy can be moved by other conventional means. Once summoned again, the eidolon appears in place of the effigy.
Any damage inflicted on the effigy remains with the eidolon once it is summoned again though the effigy can similarly be healed of damage up to the eidolon's full hit point total through application of the rejuvenate eidolon spell or its equivalents. If the effigy suffers sufficient damage to kill the eidolon, it crumbles apart and the eidolon cannot be summoned again for 24 hours. Due to the presence of the effigy in the material world, summoning the eidolon in its place is easier than normal; requiring only half the usual time, to a minimum of 1 round.
A summoner with the Merge Form power or the Synthesist archetype may remain comfortably encased inside the effigy after dismissing her eidolon for as long as desired, and is free to exit or enter the effigy as a standard action. While inside the effigy, the Synthesist cannot move and is effectively Paralyzed. Although she cannot see outside of the effigy, the Synthesist can make perception checks at a -5 penalty to distinguish sounds.
The notion behind the evolution is to grant an eidolon a permanent presence in the material world instead of disappearing and reappearing at the summoner's whim. An eidolon with an angel or gargoyle theme might appear to transform into a stone statue while the summoner sleeps, a treant eidolon could appear to take root and remain a normal tree while inactive or a beast eidolon might simply curl up and appear to slumber.
As I see it, having an eidolon effigy is as much a liability as it is a benefit. I actually had trouble thinking of any benefit to having it around which would justify spending evolution points on it, which is why I had it reduce the time needed to summon the eidolon. As is the effigy's only use might be as a decent decoy. Summoners able to merge with their eidolons have the added benefit of being able to take shelter inside the effigy; which is about as effective as sealing yourself inside a wooden barrel. It's still a risky proposition though since damage inflicted upon the defenseless effigy is transferred to the absent eidolon and the summoner is limited to purely mental actions.
I rather made it into a feature of summoner archetype or feat than evolution. I might have some idea later. No promises, though.
Hm. I hadn't considered alternative means of integrating it into the class; eidolons are built entirely out of their evolutions, so that seemed the obvious way to go. But making it an optional archetype, one that could be combined with other archetypes, is an interesting idea. When creating a summoner, the player could choose whether they prefer the standard disappearing/reappearing eidolon or the alternative always-present-in-some-form effigy eidolon. Given the choice, I'd imagine most players would choose the former seeing as how it's so much more convenient and worry free.
Having it as a feat would be a bit stranger since it's desireability is questionable. Maybe it'd be okay if the summoner was free to apply the feat or not when dismissing his eidolon.
I am with Drejk here more ore less. This does not seem like a huge advantage at all and I think it would make more sense just to give every summoner the option to either effigy summon their eidolon or summon it normally.
I would maybe add some thematic limitations like: do to its extra-dimensional nature, the effigy cannot be stored in a pocket dimension such as those created by a bag of holding or handy haversack. And/or if a effigy is destroyed, the summoner must spend one hour carving a new effigy by hand; the effigy need not be beautiful or perfect but does require at least one hour of personal work on the part of the summoner.
I could see a summoner archetype that builds the effigy as a means of giving life to a minor divine entity that becomes forever tied to the summoner. Whenever the entity is banished or its corporeal form destroyed it is replaced by the effigy that gave life to it in the first place...
That's a fun idea. But I think the Effigy concept is as flexible and easy to adapt as the eidolon itself. How about a lineage of Summoners who's family home has an ornate suit of armor in the entryway which is in fact an effigy for an eidolon guardian which can be animated as needed by the current family scion. Or how about a summoner who's Effigy is her favored childhood stuffed animal which she initially animated as an eidolon in a moment of panic. A Summoner/Druid might use her sacred grove's stone menhir as an effigy which he can animate into an eidolon akin to a stone golem. And on and on...
That's a fun idea. But I think the Effigy concept is as flexible and easy to adapt as the eidolon itself. How about a lineage of Summoners who's family home has an ornate suit of armor in the entryway which is in fact an effigy for an eidolon guardian which can be animated as needed by the current family scion. Or how about a summoner who's Effigy is her favored childhood stuffed animal which she initially animated as an eidolon in a moment of panic. A Summoner/Druid might use her sacred grove's stone menhir as an effigy which he can animate into an eidolon akin to a stone golem. And on and on...
I already liked the general concept, but these examples really brought the concept to life. I think an archetype would be best for this, it would give so much more room to maneuver, change the vanilla summoner's abilities to take advantage of the effigy form (Shield Ally, Transposition etc) and also some evolutions to shore up the effigies defenses when inert, or even some "tripped alarm" style offenses...
I'm sold on the idea of the "Effigist" being an optional summoner Archetype rather than as a an evolution as I'd originally envisioned it. Kudos to Drejk for the idea.
So, if an Archetype, which base class feature should it replace if any? Or does it need to replace anything to be kosher as an Archetype? It'd be nice if it could be combined with any other Archetype for the sake of it being available to all summoners.
Also, does it require any further changes?
I think an archetype would be best for this, it would give so much more room to maneuver, change the vanilla summoner's abilities to take advantage of the effigy form (Shield Ally, Transposition etc)
I see where you're going, but I think it'd be best to leave the other class abilities intact so that it's easier to integrate the Effigist with other Archetypes. For my money, the standard disappearing eidolon / effigy eidolon dichotomy should be a straightforward choice made at character creation; not one that precludes other Archetypes.
and also some evolutions to shore up the effigies defenses when inert, or even some "tripped alarm" style offenses...
This is an interesting idea. I could see it working with either spells or evolutions. Spells seem to make the most sense since evolutions are tied to the eidolon physical qualities while spells are more circumstantial.
The main problems with an effigy is its defenselessness when left unattended and the hassle of moving it around. Some added options to remedy these issues sounds good. At the low end, a spell that mentally alerts the summoner when the effigy sustains damage would be helpful. An intermediate spell could involve a contingency effect that automatically summons monsters to defend the effigy if it's attacked. A higher level spell could automatically teleport the summoner to the endangered eidolon. Other existing alarm and warding spells could also be employed with similar results. Shrinking the eidolon for easy transport could be achieved with an item spell, or a more narrowly focused summoner spell equivalent.