First of all, thank you Steve. Secondly, how exactly do you want to handle the unlocking of 3PP. If you allow something is it then open for everyone, or do you want everyone to ask each time? If the first, can someone use more than one product? I ask only for the sake of clarity. Personally I plan to mainly use Psionics and look to Paizo's stuff to fill in the gaps.
Ok so I am looking at a Wayang Shadowcaster character. I will spoiler his crunch below for you to examine. Just a quick question: he has taken both magical linage and wayang spell hunter as traits. I chose magic missile at the moment as the spell they will affect, but was wondering if it is possible to change this as he grows in levels. It would allow me then to apply the ability to more appropriate spells once he get to the level to cast them (specifically I was looking at Shadow Evocation).
Thanks!
** spoiler omitted **...
Dangit.... I did say that I was thinking of making a sorcerer (serpentine bloodline).... well, thats ok. I'll just go with the druid I said I was trying to make.
Two questions for Steve though: Can I use the Serpent shaman archetype and the Serpent domain (I just realized that they both replace Venom Immunity.... Which I don't understand for a domain anyway... and wasn't it made for the archetype anyway?). Also, can I make a 15 RP max, snake-like race (The nagaji isn't doing it for me.... I want a race with +2 WIS and +2 DEX and something more snake and less naga). I'll show you what I have in mind for the race before I start making the character.
P.S. Archetype replaces venom immunity with bonus feats and Domain (why the domain) alters Venom Immunity. (Serpent Shaman and Serpent Domain).
From my perspective, Venom Immunity would be fine to gain the serpent shaman ability, losing the serpent domain ability. Essentially, Serpent Domain goes 'You get half earlier, and half later.' While the Shaman Archetype just wants to eat the ability. You essentially don't get anything at level 6 as normal, then get 'part' of the benefit at 9, then part at 13, and part at 17. It actually lines up really well. :)
Shorter version: You trade half an ability at 6, for 1/3 of an ability at 9. You trade the other half at 12 for 1/3 at 13 and 17. Seems legit.
First of all, thank you Steve. Secondly, how exactly do you want to handle the unlocking of 3PP. If you allow something is it then open for everyone, or do you want everyone to ask each time? If the first, can someone use more than one product? I ask only for the sake of clarity. Personally I plan to mainly use Psionics and look to Paizo's stuff to fill in the gaps.
Everyone can use psionics, although I'd prefer if it was used sparingly enough to make it feel special for the few that do have it. You can go ahea and use all of the dreamscarred books as well.
@Arcanic Drake: Go ahead and use Hotaru's changes for the archetype/domain. You can go ahead and make a snake-man race, but I will expect an explanation for where this new snake race came from and the +2 WIS (considering its not a particularly snakey stat). Lastly, if you had your heart set on the serpentine sorcerer I encourage you to go for it - I'd rather have a party of interesting characters that everyone enjoys as oppose to all the party roles neatly filled.
There's nothing wrong with having two arcane casters in a party—and we should have no lack of party face/skill characters. I'd say the only balance I worry about as a potential player is to have at least one non-physical damage dealer and at least one spontaneous healer or two non-spontaneous healers.
Really, skill balance becomes important, but skills can be changed once party is chosen.
Drake: Even with 3pp races, there's nothing very lizard with a bonus to wis (and most of them put penalties on it). Vishkanya are snakelike but have the wrong stats. Lizardfolk, in core, don't have any bonuses you'd really care about but are still neat.
If you're just looking at +2 Wis, +2 Dex, consider an Asura-Spawn Tiefling. You can use a racial variant to get a tail, and if your parent was an Aghasura (Vedic snake demon) you'll likely be pretty snakey. Or be a Vanara (but then you're a monkey, not a snake).
Meanwhile, there's some 3pp content on the SRD for the Kitsune that adds a few variant options (since the base race has basically none). Not sure if I'd want to do something other than basic human, but if so, those make an animal race that's a bit more interesting and which I might ask about further later.
@Arcanic Drake: Go ahead and use Hotaru's changes for the archetype/domain. You can go ahead and make a snake-man race, but I will expect an explanation for where this new snake race came from and the +2 WIS (considering its not a particularly snakey stat). Lastly, if you had your heart set on the serpentine sorcerer I encourage you to go for it - I'd rather have a party of interesting characters that everyone enjoys as oppose to all the party roles neatly filled.
Ok thanks, I'll make the race and show you. If you think I can still go for the sorcerer too, how about this? I Make two characters: one nagaji sorcerer and one volo (snake race I'm creating with your blessing) druid. Then when it comes time to character recruitment, you can pick one (if you like either of them). Like I said before in my recruitment thread, I don't really care about what class I am, I'm just here to fill a niche (though I do like the character concept of the "snake-man" and I think I'll stick with it).
Edit: Also before I forget, what would be some appropriate perform skills for either character? I'm thinking kinda like a freak show and/or snake charmer vibe. Would that fall under acting to make him more convincing or should I make him an "extra exotic" dancer (to show him off more or to emphasize the snake charming and serpent-like movements)?
If you're asking the crowd? A snake-man might make a good contortionist. Here's a brainstorm of some potential ways to do various circus skills (a snake-man might make a good contortionist?). I'd love to see other players' ideas as well, though this is all really up to the GM.
*There might also be special uses for Harrow Decks?
Handle Animal or Wild Empathy
-Snake Charming
-Lion Taming
-Caravan Driving
Ride
-Scouting
-Trick Riding (a beastmaster ranger/beast rider cavalier who performs stunts while riding a hippo might be a great entertainer)
Perform (comedy or acting)
-Clowning
Perform (oratory) or Bluff
-Ring-leading
-Palm-reading
Acrobatics
-Trapeze
-Balance Beam
-Plate Spinning
Climb
-Rope climbing, etc.
Escape Artist
-Contortionist
-Escapist magic (a la Houdini)
Sleight of Hand
-Juggling
-Stage Magic (card tricks, coin tricks)
-Three-Card Monte/shell games
-Chinese yo-yo
-Fleecing the crowd
Combat Feats (Dazzling Display, Precise Shot, etc.)
-Knife Throwing
-Performance combat
Perception
-Caravan lookout
-Guess-your-weight games
Divine Magic
-Faith Healing
-Long-form fortune telling
Arcane Magic
-Flashy stage illusions
-"Legitimate" stage magic
-Sellable charms and baubles
High ability scores, possibly aided by magic
-Arm wrestling (strength)
-weight lifting (strength, ant haul)
-Sword swallowing (dexterity, damage reduction)
-Fire eating (constitution, energy resistance)
If you're asking the crowd? A snake-man might make a good contortionist. Here's a brainstorm of some potential ways to do various circus skills (a snake-man might make a good contortionist?). I'd love to see other players' ideas as well, though this is all really up to the GM.
*There might also be special uses for Harrow Decks?
** spoiler omitted **
Good point with the contortionist and handle animal (snake charmer). I'll give it some thought.
.... I also want someone to pounce on the fortune teller idea! Though.... we shouldn't be too caster heavy... What do I care! It sounds awesome!
So, with the carnival theme and having worked a whole summer as a carnie, I am going for the fortuneteller seer/witch type.....
So, if you like, I plan on a female fetchling oracle with the dark tapestry mystery and possibly the seer archetype. Curse will be haunted.
With the ability to sneak around, should be able to provide some stealth.
Those skill uses all look pretty good to me. And yes I am a bit of a harrow fan, so harrow hijinks are certainly a possibility.
Arcanic Drake, I'd be happy to offer some feedback, but I ask that you ultimately pick one character to be your final submission.
As for Harrow, there's always the Card Caster Magus to lump in with the Acrobat/Carnivalist Rogues and Juggler Bard.
I'm still interested in being a plate-spinner, this time around, though—I've been doing far too much bluffomancy lately.
The seer archetype it must be because this is so cool.....
Natural Divination (Ex): You can read the entrails of a freshly killed animal or humanoid to gain an insight bonus equal to your Charisma modifier on one saving throw. Alternatively, by observing and interpreting the flights of birds, you may apply a +10 competence bonus on any one skill check. Finally, by charting marks in dirt or stone, or observing the behavior of sand when thrown into the wind, you gain a +4 insight bonus on one initiative check. These bonuses must be used during the next 24 hours and you must declare you are using the bonus before the check or save is made. Making a natural divination takes 10 minutes. You may use natural divination (in any combination) once per day plus one additional time per day for every four oracle levels you have attained
Those skill uses all look pretty good to me. And yes I am a bit of a harrow fan, so harrow hijinks are certainly a possibility.
Arcanic Drake, I'd be happy to offer some feedback, but I ask that you ultimately pick one character to be your final submission.
Like I said, I guess I'll fill the niche and be a druid (though if the race doesn't pan out... I guess you could help me with it so it does or if that doesn't work out, I could make the sorcerer, no harm done).
Consider recruitment to be officially open! For convenience, I just made a brand new thread with all of the information collected right up front, so everyone should head on over here.