So I've been looking at making an elven warrior with a bit of magic at his command, and while there are certainly a lot of base classes (as in Base, Core, and Hybrid) that command might and magic, I've been eyeing the Lantern Bearer Prestige class. It would certainly be interesting trying to roleplay as a member of this organization. So what I need help with is figuring out what class to go prior to becoming a Lantern Bearer. I'm thinking of a Divine Tracker Ranger or a Lore Warden Fighter, but I'd love to hear other suggestions.
As for my character I'm thinking of giving him the elven alternate racial traits Darkvision and Lightbringer to help him with all of his lighting needs and to help with the whole son of a drow raider and unwilling elven maiden idea that's in my head. I'm also thinking of him worshiping Ashava.
Lamplighter investigator is thematic and very nice. It also gets a huge boost to initiative.
Interesting idea, I'll certainly take a look at it.
Okay, after coming back to it I'm thinking a Divine Tracker Ranger of Ashava for the Repose and Darkness Blessings (what with getting at most my Ranger levels to 10 I won't be factoring in the Major Blessings). I'm also thinking of taking Infiltrator and nabbing Dwarves as my first level hated enemy so that I can take Hardy adaptation at third level (which will really help shore up my defenses against magic and would be useful against poisonous creatures). Any other suggestions for a second archetype that would go along with Divine Tracker (I'm really liking the flavor of it and the abilities) instead of infiltrator?
Thread necromancy time! Well, after almost getting into a Second Darkness game that fell through I decided to take a look at this guy again (it doesn't hurt that most of what I had on him disappeared two weeks ago). Since I need at least 5 BAB to get into the Lantern Bearer and with the 3/4th BAB classes taking 7 levels to reach that point I've been looking at various classes that could provide the BAB and the martial proficiency to get into the class. At this point I'm eyeing the Swashbuckler archetype Inspired Blade (allowing me to make use of the higher Int I need as well as making me better with a weapon affected by Proven Weapon Familiarity), the Fighter, the Ranger, the Cavalier, and the Slayer.
So anyone know an interesting combination that works well going into Lantern Bearer? And before anyone asks yes this guy is theoretical and yes I made him (and his backstory) with the purpose of becoming a Lantern Bearer.
The backstory I concocted for him (which is also gone) was that he was the son of an elf woman and a drow male (not exactly a willing union, mind you) and that as a child he had to deal with the fact that he was half-drow (his white hair and pink eyes being somewhat suspicious when coupled with the fact that he had darkvision) and all of the consequences that that entailed. Eventually he couldn't stand it any longer and fled from his home, hoping that with his disappearance the others would stop isolating his mother. After wandering for who know how long he came upon a worshiper of Ashava who was dancing in the pale moonlight (as her worshipers are wont to do). The rest would be determined by what class he was. Suffice to say that during his childhood he learned to hate his father and his father's race more than probably the elves do.
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I'd go Slayer personally, but that mostly has to do with liking Slayers. Inspired Blade Swashbuckler is also a very solid choice (Fencing Grace at 1st level!).
Fighter is...not great mechanically, and Cavalier is pretty dependent on mount unless you go Daring Champion (which is a valid strategy, but lacks Int synergy). Ranger works, but really rewards sticking to 10th for Instant Enemy, so I'd probably go with one of those first two.
I went straight Fighter with medium Int, combat expertise, etc. It's worked out quite well (6/4 at the moment). The good Int works out for the spell-like abilities (concentration if needed). Certainly other options, but since only the SR-breaking ability (Numinous Potency) would stack with any previous spell-casting, there's not that much synergy to be had. Thematically ranger would be optimum by default. [The first known member of the Lantern Bearers is a ranger after all.]
While mine is a flail user (greater feint/trip), archer stacks the best with the bonus feat options and proven weapon familiarity. You also want to make sure you can get a good Stealth bonus by 7th level in Lantern Bearer. Somewhat counter, the capstone, Bringer of Brightness, is better for melee types.
Thematically, I think fighter can nicely pick up feats to be evocative of an unusual drow fighting style.
Race-wise, Elf weapon familiarity is un-needed for qualifying for the prestige class if you go with a martial class choice. Half-elf skill focus can be effective (elf maiden => human maiden).
I went straight Fighter with medium Int, combat expertise, etc. It's worked out quite well (6/4 at the moment). The good Int works out for the spell-like abilities (concentration if needed). Certainly other options, but since only the SR-breaking ability (Numinous Potency) would stack with any previous spell-casting, there's not that much synergy to be had. Thematically ranger would be optimum by default. [The first known member of the Lantern Bearers is a ranger after all.]
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While mine is a flail user (greater feint/trip), archer stacks the best with the bonus feat options and proven weapon familiarity. You also want to make sure you can get a good Stealth bonus by 7th level in Lantern Bearer.
I don't really do Pathfinder stuff so no worries there. As for the fighter I've thought of doing a Lore Warden and using the extra two skill point that must be spent on knowledge points to help alleviate the burden.
I figured not, but others will probably read and like your idea. Lore Warden is a perfect entry to the class. Even provides enough to have Stealth from the start (or otherwise match the skill points you will be getting with Lantern Bearer). Funny enough, Lore Warden *is* a Pathfinder Society archetype (in-world I mean).
To be honest, I think most of the classes mentioned have good synergy. Fighter may be worth it for the feats if your DM agrees with the Unchained idea of giving them combat stamina for free and with the new advanced weapon training (which is also available as a feat if you have 5 levels of fighter) - lore warden would be my pick of choice for the extra skills and the maneuver bonuses. The inspired blade is cool, and 5 levels give you something some pretty nice tricks with a rapier. Normally, I prefer the ranger to the slayer, but if you are going to multiclass I would choose the slayer as it loses less. As Deadmanwalking said, Cavalier works best as Daring Champion, which to be honest I really like - though with the daring champion you need to have a decent charisma score, if only for the panache pool.
I'd probably go with inspired blade or daring champion but really, you can go with whatever class appeals most to you. Are you set on going for Lantern Bearer as soon as you meet the prerequisites?
Tobe honest, I think most of the classes mentioned have good synergy. Fighter may be worth it for the feats if your DM agrees with the Unchained idea of giving them combat stamina for free and with the new advanced weapon training (which is also available as a feat if you have 5 levels of fighter) - lore warden would be my pick of choice for the extra skills and the maneuver bonuses. The inspired blade is cool, and 5 levels give you something some pretty nice tricks with a rapier. Normally, I prefer the ranger to the slayer, but if you are going to multiclass I would choose the slayer as it loses less. As Deadmanwalking said, Cavalier works best as Daring Champion, which to be honest I really like - though with the daring champion you need to have a decent charisma score, if only for the panache pool.
I'd probably go with inspired blade or daring champion but really, you can go with whatever class appeals most to you. Are you set on going for Lantern Bearer as soon as you meet the prerequisites?
I'd probably prestige at level 6 unless I had a really tasty ability at that level.
Well, every base class gets a +1 to all saves at level 6, apart from that it depends. Most of the mentioned classes get a bonus feat or talent, so you decide if you like that. If going inspired blade, I probably wouldn't bother - you lose a point of damage from precise strike and an extra charmed life, which you probably won't have the charisma to make the greatest use of.
I must admit I don't know a lot about Drow and what little I've learned hasn't been a lot of help. How common would knowledge of the Drow be at this point (before and after Second Darkness)?
I think I'm leaning towards the Lore Warden Fighter at this point, however Slayer is also something I'm looking at. Should I focus on the bow or something like the Elven Curve Blade (or perhaps a bit of both)?
From what I'd heard about reading the AP - sadly I have spoiled myself for quite a few APs in checking if I want to run them - very unlikely before, and probably since. As far as most non-elves who have had no contact with drow are concerned, jet black elves with silver hair do not exist or are at most an urban legend. The elven intelligence services try to make sure this is how things stay in the foreseeable future. I don't even think all elves know about the drow - and those who do know, know better than to blab about it.
Elven curve blade is pretty good if you want to use a two-hander, being essentially a slightly better falchion that can also be used in dexterity builds. It is a fine weapon and definitely worth it, if you like the concept.
I certainly like the concept, however now I realize I'm a bit short on class skills as a Lore Warden. You see I really want Perception and Stealth as class skills but I also want Performance (Dance) as a class skill simply since he is a follower of Ashava (and what kind of follower of the True Spark would I be if I couldn't dance?).
Class skills are still an issue for the lore warden, yes. Traits can help there, but outside something like the extra traits feat I am not sure how you can add 3 skills to a class without multiclassing or prestige classes.
Well the Lantern Bearer does have both Perception and Stealth as class skills, so if I wanted them I would need to prestige the moment I could. Still, five levels is a long time.
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I would take Ranger or slayer for several reasons. Sanctified slayer Inquisitor also comes to mind.
I would build as a Switch Hitter style play of a ranger.
If you go with slayer I recommend at least 7 levels of Slayer for the swift action study.
I would probably play the ranger though. Favored terrain will really help out to synergize the Lantern Bearer. You will get stronger favored enemy against your foes. You could have a few fun little spells as well and access to Spell casting for Spell trigger/completion items. 1st level wands are cheap and scrolls are also cheap. I would probably trade off the Animal companion since your going into a class without continuing it's progression. Unless you just want a superior mount. (I'd rather just give my allies a few rounds to be REALLY good against a single target...hopefully killing it.)
I certainly like the concept, however now I realize I'm a bit short on class skills as a Lore Warden. You see I really want Perception and Stealth as class skills but I also want Performance (Dance) as a class skill simply since he is a follower of Ashava (and what kind of follower of the True Spark would I be if I couldn't dance?).
A ranger could get you all the skills you need and want. Tho I would not take many points in the Dance unless our using background skills as it is really a waste. It has flavor but no function-ability other than dancing in bars and at events. So I feel more than a point is wasteful if if offers nothing mechanically helpful when your life is on the line. I would focus on Perception Max, stealth Max, Knowledge (dungeoneering) 5 ranks, Knowledge (nature) 2 ranks, Survival 5 ranks, Climb (a few points), Swim (a point or 2...so youn can take 10 and pass).
The original character (before I lost his data) was I believe an Infiltrator/ Divine Tracker Ranger who became a ranger after stumbling on a dwarf ranger going about his work. After realizing what he was the dwarf decided to teach the boy about the creatures that lived down in the darkness (he having fought Duergar and their ilk on countless occasions). After that it all depended on what I got him into.
The Divine Tracker replaced the Hunter's Bond with the Darkness Blessing and the Repose Blessing while the Infiltrator would allow me to adapt to my first favored enemy which I think was dwarves so I could get Hardy.
Also ya, I only really see myself putting a point or two in purely for roleplay purposes (I just have to be competent, not good).