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Hi all,
following this thread, I am going to play a lvl 9 Pei Zin Practitioner in RotR.
I start by saying that I love concepts based on contrasts, and somehow Gnomes make them even more believable in my opinion (also, I am aware it will sound a bit edgy, I apologize, but please bear with me :P). The idea is to play a Gnome Life Oracle of Calistria, once an enthusiast healer who loved life and its pleasures who, after being unable to save a loved one's life despite his healing skills (insert personal revenge backstory here), has gone through a dark path. The only thing saving him from Bleaching is the constant alternating between moments of cynical disillusionment, in which he dabbles in booze and drugs (that he himself produces as traditional remedies), and sudden moments of lusty attachment to life and pleasures (in which he dabbles in booze and drugs too) in order to feel truly alive and happy again. For this same reason, he has decided to put his skills at the service of others, to somehow redeem himself from his own failure, and eventually learn again to love life himself.
In order to save his, once fervent, worshiper, Calistria has sent him an emissary: a wasp who protects him, but also stings and poisons him every day, first thing in the morning: a constant reminder that, despite pain, life goes on and must be enjoyed while it lasts.
His curse will be Shadowbound, a sort of constant hungover due to substance use and the subtle call of Bleaching.
Your pigmentation is oddly colorless, and your eyes are highly sensitive to light.
Effect
You are blinded for 1 round when exposed to normal or bright light and dazzled while in such a lit area. You gain darkvision to a range of 30 feet.At 5th level, the range of your darkvision increases by 30 feet
At 10th level, add shadow conjuration to your list of 4th-level oracle spells known and shadow evocation to your list of 5th-level oracle spells known
At 15th level, add shadow walk to your list of 6th-level oracle spells known.
The curse gives two very sweet spells: Shadow Conjuration and Shadow Evocation, which will be the main spells I will be using when not healing people.
The Pei Zin Practitioner archetype gets rid of all Revelation slots until lvl 11, except for lvl 1. As a respectable Life Oracle, by lvl 9 I will need at least two Revelations: Life Link and Channel Energy. Since I would like to spend feats in a better way than a boring Extra Revelation, I will buy a Ring of Revelation or a Soothsayer's Rainment to get one of the two.
Casting Shadow X spells is a manifestation of his dark side, while healing is an expression of his attachment to life, which will have his climax, and designate the victory of life over sadness, when he will get the Energy Body revelation.
That being said, the build will be:
Stats: 7-2 12 14+2 12 8 18+2 (lvl increments to Cha)
Traits: Missionary(Shadow Conjuration, Shadow Evocation, X)[Campaign], Magical Lineage or Rivethun Adeherent(Magic).
Feats:
1 Fey Foundling, Revelation: Channel Energy
3 Wasp Familiar(Protector)
5 Selective Channel
7 Tenebrous Spell
9 Spell Focus (Illusion), Revelation: Life Link (via item)
- I'm here -
11 Metamagic X, Revelation: Life Sense
13 Quicken Spell
15 Spell Perfection (probably Shadow Evocation), Revelation: Energy Body (or before, via other item)
Now, while I'm open to any feedback or advice, here are a few specific things I would like your help with:
1) I am very fond of the Rivethun Adeherent trait, because it fits the character very well. Apart from the body-spirit philosophy which matches the oriental vibe of the class, it allows me to have essentially a permanent +2 bonus on both Will and Fort saves: a single daily dose of medicinal Flayleaf (1 Wis damage) and poison from the wasp's sting (1 Dex damage) will proc the effects of the trait at no penalty (only even ability damage affects rolls). On the other hand, the spot is contended by Magical Lineage, to be applied on Shadow Evocation, coupled with Intensify Spell at lvl 11. Which of the two is best?
2) Any suggestion about the third spell for the Missionary trait? Or spells in general?
3) Feel free to suggest other traits (I can pick more than two), although those are set
4) Back to metamagic feats, another good candidate for 11th lvl is, as always, Dazing Spell, which couples very well with Spell Perfection: Quicken, followed by Dazing Shadow Evocation with no level increase and using the higher illusion DC. What do you think about this: Dazingn + Rivethun Adherent or Intensify + Magical Lineage?
5) Spell Focus is useful but quite bland at that level. Any better idea?
Thank you all and keep the suggestions coming!
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Any feedback?
For example, how useful is Tenebrous Spell? It's a free +1 CL and DC when casting Shadow X spells in darkness or dim light (being spontaneous, I don't have to worry about applying the metamagic feat ahead, and there is no spell level increment). However, there are three people in the party who don't have darkvision, therefore we always assume we have magical lights on indoors (when not infiltrating or being stealthy of course), and I can't easily create darkness or dim light myself through spells or items without impairing also the party.
My big question is that with all this backstory filled with angst, I don't see anything at all that relates to why your character is motivated for the Rise of the Runelords campaign, which is, in my opinion, the purpose of a backstory.
...Didn't they mention that their character was on a path of redemption and that's why they're adventuring again? Makes sense to me.
Yeah I thought your build was fine, hence no commentary. I always thought the Shadow spells were cool, but hated the disbelief aspect of it. And as you pointed out you might hinder your party more than help...
All I can offer is that if you swap Life Link and Channel Energy around, you're a decent HP sponge at the beginning with Lay on Hands; maybe this would cause you to not be so reliant on Channel Energy then (and the good old Wand of Cure Light Wounds helps all).
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You could skip life link. Five damage a round, when people are talking +70, is small potatoes. At this level, shield companion is a much better option. I like quicken channel for when things get really bad.
Dazing is always a strong option, persistent is good especially on shadow spells as they have 2 saves (at least get a rod). If you will be casting buffs extend is valuable. Reach makes healing with spells easier.
for missionary Dispel is boring but a useful spell to have a higher caster level on. Likewise, break enchantment may be a good option depending on what you expect to encounter.
Otherwise, pick third save or suck spell and grab heighten so you can always cast the spells at your highest spell level with your best DCs.