The spring equinox Swallowtail Festival in the seaside town of Sandpoint has been going well all day.
Unbeknownst to the residents of Sandpoint, dozens of goblins are stealthily approaching the town to burn it to the ground.
Luckily for the residents of Sandpoint, the six deities that the newly completed Sandpoint Cathedral is dedicated to have noticed and decided to indirectly come to the aid of the town against the goblin ambush that is coming....
A monkey that is climbing the mainmast of a ship that is docked, its mind awakens to greater sapience and knows he (or she) is a servant of Abadar and that Abadar wants him (or her) to protect the town from the attacking goblins.
A butterfly that is fluttering around the cathedral, its mind awakened to greater sapience and knows she (or he) is a servant of Desna and that Desna wants her (or him) to protect the town from the attacking goblins.
A stag drinking water at the Turandarok River, its mind awakened to greater sapience and knows he is a servant of Erastil and that Erastil wants him to protect the town from the attacking goblins.
A dove flying over Sandpoint, its mind awakens to greater sapience and knows she (or he) is a servant of Sarenrae and that Sarenrae wants her (or him) to protect the town from the attacking goblins.
A songbird perched on the eaves of one of the buildings of Sandpoint, its mind awakens to greater sapience and knows he (or she) is a servant of Shelyn and that Shelyn wants him (or her) to protect the town from the attacking goblins.
An animal in (the town of Sandpoint/in the sea by the town of Sandpoint/flying over the town of Sandpoint/just outside the town of Sandpoint), its mind awakens to greater sapience, and knows she (or he) is a servant of Gozreh and that Gozeh wants her (or him) to protect the town from the attacking goblins.
Variant Rules in Effect:
Automatic Bonus Progression
Gradual Ability Boosts
Ancestral Paragon
Special (twist): Dual-Classed PCs - one of the classes is Champion (of the deity that awakened the animal) and the other class is one of the following classes based off the deity that awakened the animal's mind.
Abadar: Barbarian (Animal [ape] or Fury instinct), Cleric of Abadar, Fighter, Kineticist (metallokineticist, phytokineticist or metal/wood), Monk, Oracle (Lore mystery), Psychic, Ranger, Rogue, Sorcerer (Draconic [Empyreal] or Imperial Bloodline), Summoner (Devotion or Swarm [monkeys] eidolon), Swashbuckler
Desna: Bard (Polymath muse), Cleric of Desna, Fighter, Kineticist (aerokineticist, hydrokineticist or air/water), Monk, Oracle (Cosmos mystery), Psychic, Ranger, Rogue, Sorcerer (Draconic [Empyreal] or Fey bloodline), Summoner (Construct, Devotion, Fey or Swarm (butterflies) eidolon), Swashbuckler
Erastil: Barbarian (Animal [Deer] or Fury instinct), Cleric of Erastil, Druid (Cultivated order), Fighter, Kineticist (geokineticist, phytokineticist or earth/wood), Monk, Psychic, Ranger, Rogue, Sorcerer (Draconic [Empyreal] or Elemental [Earth] bloodline), Summoner (Beast [stag] or Devotion eidolon), Swashbuckler
Gozreh: Barbarian (Anima, Elemental [air or water] or Fury instinct), Bard (Zoophonia muse), Cleric of Gozreh, Druid (Animal, Leaf, Storm, Untamed or Wave order), Fighter, Kineticist (aerokineticist, hydrokineticist or air/water), Monk, Oracle (Tempest mystery), Psychic, Ranger, Rogue, Sorcerer (Draconic [Empyreal] or Elemental [Air or Water] bloodline), Summoner (Beast, Devotion, Elemental [air or water core] or Plant eidolon, plus, if Tiny, Swarm [same animal type as awakened animal] eidolon), Swashbuckler
Sarenrae: Barbarian (Elemental [fire] or Fury instinct), Cleric of Sarenrae, Druid (Flame order), Fighter, Kineticist (pyrokineticist, hydokineticist or fire/water), Monk, Oracle (Cosmos, Flames or Life mystery), Psychic, Ranger, Rogue, Sorcerer (Angelic, Draconic [Empyreal] or Elemental [Fire] bloodline, Summoner (Angel, Devotion, Elemental [fire core] or Swarm [doves] eidolon), Swashbuckler
Shelyn: Bard (Maestro muse), Cleric of Shelyn, Fighter, Kineticist (aerokineticist, phytokineticist or air/wood), Monk, Psychic, Ranger, Rogue, Sorcerer (Draconic [Empyreal] or Fey bloodline), Summoner (Devotion, Fey or Swarm [songbirds] eidolon), Swashbuckler
Special (twist): Free Archetype - this is not player choice. All PCs gain exemplar as a free archetype and the feats are determined by me (representing the additional abilities the deities have blessed the characters with). Unlike a typical exemplar, the immanence your character has is a tiny fragment of the divine power of the deity that awakened you.
The free archetype does not interfere with your ability to take archetype feats (beginning with the dedication feat) instead of one of your class feats.
You must gain my approval to take a specific archetype. Most archetypes should not be an issue, but ones that do not fit well with my vision of the campaign are not allowed (such as the gunslinger and any archetype that has any type of focus on firearms.
Multiclass archetypes that are allowed: ones that are in the lists above for the non-champion side of the dual class, plus: Alchemist (no black powder or firearm ammunition), Commander, Guardian, Inventor (light mortar innovation is not allowed), Investigator, Magus, Thaumaturge, Witch, Wizard
Additional multiclass Dedication option for Abadar awakened animal: Animist [Crafter in the Vault apparition]
Additional multiclass Dedication option for Desna awakened animal: Animist [Echoes of Lost Moments apparition]
Additional multiclass Dedication option for Erastil awakened animal: Animist [Custodian of Groves and Gardens apparition]
Additional multiclass Dedication option for Gozreh awakened animal: Animist [Custodian of Groves and Gardens, Lurker in Devouring Dark, Stalker in Darkened Boughs or Vanguard of Roaring Water apparition]
Additional multiclass Dedication option for Sarenrae awakened animal: Animist [Witness to Ancient Battles apparition]
Additional multiclass Dedication option for Shelyn awakened animal: Animist [Monarch of the Fey Courts apparition]
Home-brewed Flourish Rule. You can combine two different one-action basic actions as a single action with the flourish trait. If one of the basic actions is a Stride, you can take the other action at any point during your stride.
Abadar awakened monkey: Size: Tiny; Heritage: Climbing Animal; Unarmed Attack: Tail
Desna awakened butterfly: Size: Tiny; Heritage: Flying Animal; Unarmed Attack: Wing
Erastil awakened stag: Size: Large; Heritage: Running Animal; Unarmed Attack: Antler
Gozreh awakened animal: Size: Tiny, Small, Medium or Large; Heritage: Climbing Animal, Flying Animal, Running Animal or Swimming Animal; Unarmed Attack: one that is appropriate to the awakened animal
Sarenrae: awakened dove: Size: Tiny, Heritage: Flying Animal; Unarmed Attack: Wing
Shelyn awakened songbird: Size: Tiny; Heritage: Flying Animal; Unarmed Attack: Wing
This concept looks fun. On what venue did you intend to run it?
Thanks. It is similar to the twist I came up for a PF1E RotRL campaign I will eventually be running, in which the chosen of the deities are humans of different ethnicities.
For maps probably Owlbear, as the free version has been sufficient for my weekly discord voice games for the past few years.
The gameplay tab on here for posts, including the RNG dice generation.
There are three methods for how to handle initiative that I am still deciding on which one to use.
option 1: I roll the PCs initiative, then post the initiative order, PCs who have initiative between enemies can post in any order, then set of enemies with the next higher initiative go, then the PCs that have initiative in the next set of scores act, rinse & repeat each round. Not as fast as option 2 but it only has the potential for all the enemies or all the enemies to act first, where that is what happens in option 2.
option 2: I think I have seen it referred to as us vs them initiative. Where all members of a faction (with the PCs being a single faction) each rolling initiative, and the highest initiative roll for each faction determines the initiative order for all members of that faction, with all members of a faction going on the same initiative count. This seems to be quickest for player posting rate and getting to the next round of combat the fastest.
option 3: Similar to the method GMMichael uses, but without the players knowing the enemies' stats.
The champion causes that you can choose from are: Grandeur, Justice, Liberation and Redemption.
Your characters, being the heroes of the story and literally chosen by the deities to defend Varisia from the unholy forces that threaten Varisia, are holy sanctified.
I'm used to using Option 1.
Option 2 can be problematic with the way PF2 expects actions to happen. It is marginally faster, but whoever wins initiative kind of wins the fight.
It will probably be Option 1 for initiative then.
Which of the awakened animal options are you thinking of playing as?
One thing my homebrewed flourish rule allows is the tiny PCs to flourish a Stride with a Step, so that they can enter a foes's space (that has normal reach of 5 feet) without provoking reactions for moving through a space the foe threatens. Specifically Stride to space by the foe, then Step into the foe's space. Flourish Step/Strike is another example of closing the distance without needing to use up two of character's three actions.
I could make something fun with any of them, but I'm leaning toward Gozreh or Erastil. My least interest is with Abadar. I've never really felt compelled by that particular deity in the lore.
I would be interested in playing the Champion/Bard of Desna.
Here is a link that I put together really fast...
A change to characters, to better capture the vision of the campaign:
Instead of dual-classed champions, they will be dual-classed exemplars. I will be choosing the exemplar side of things.
The free archetype is player choice, with the above stipulations for which archetypes are allowed.
Starting exemplar stuff includes the following:
1st level exemplar feat: Sanctified Soul (holy)
one of the three ikons: scar of the survivor
second ikon: a weapon ikon that is applied to one of the awakened animal's unarmed strikes
third ikon: a weapon ikon if the awakened animal has the Tooth and Claw ancestry feat (as listed below) applied to the other unarmed strike or an additional body ikon
Change to Humble Strikes: applies to the awakened animal's unarmed strikes, not to weapons
Change to Shield Block: instead of gaining Shield Block, you gain the Ancestry Paragon general feat instead.
The starting ancestry feats and speeds for each of the awakened animals is as follows:
Abadar (monkey): Tooth and Claw (fist and tail unarmed strikes), player's choice for remaining two ancestry feats
Speed 20 feet, Climb 20 feet
Desna (butterfly):Take Flight, player's choice for second and third ancestry feats
Speed 20 feet, Fly 15 feet
Erastil (stag): Tooth and Claw (antler and hoof unarmed strikes), Natural Senses (low-light vision), Natural Senses (imprecise scent 30 feet)
Speed 30 feet
Saranrae (dove): Take Flight, player's choice for second and third ancestry feats
Speed 20 feet, Fly 15 feet
Shelyn (songbird): Take Flight, player's choice for second and third ancestry feats
Speed 20 feet, Fly 15 feet
Gozreh (open animal type) 1st ancestry feat (Take Flight if a flying animal), 2nd ancestry feat (Tooth and Claw if Flying animal with beak and talons unarmed strikes, otherwise natural senses if animal has one that applies, if neither apply than player's choice), 3rd ancestry feat (used for natural senses if animal has one or two, otherwise, player's choice for third ancestry feat).
Speed: by awakened animal heritage
As for which body and weapon ikons each character will gain, that will be discovered in-game during the initial encounters with the goblins...
I would be interested in playing the Champion/Bard of Desna.
Here is a link that I put together really fast...
Apologies for the change to how the dual-class and free archetypes are going to work for the campgaign, Ira. I had checked for new posts before I started typing up my above post (which was before you had posted).
Everyone can take their free archetype dedication feat at 1st level (which still uses up the 2nd level free archetype slot).
Correction to awakened stag's size: it is medium, not large. I was visualizing the size of a moose when I was typing yesterday (a male moose is a buck, not a stag). This also prevents the issue of having a large party member that would have to squeeze for a lot of the places the party will be adventuring in.
Update to Gozreh-awakened animal size: Tiny, Small or Medium.
The 8th level exemplar feat will be additional ikon - each of you will be able to discuss with me which ikon you would like for this one - it can be a weapon or worn item. You might have the item as early as 1st level, though it will not be imbued by your deity until 8th level. This gives you plenty of time to establish how cherished the item is/becomes to your character.
Please wait to discuss after the initial weapon ikons for the character's unarmed strikes have been revealed in-game (with a spoiler below :)
...is the titan's breaker ikon.
I’m gathering that your vision is for the characters to be literal awakened animals (I.e., no equipment/clothes, no bow-wielding stag, no rapier-wielding bird)?
I’m gathering that your vision is for the characters to be literal awakened animals (I.e., no equipment/clothes, no bow-wielding stag, no rapier-wielding bird)?
The awakened animals will be able to wear clothes and wield weapons.
We will use the write-up for the Awakened Animal as the baseline:
"Awakening altered your form, enabling you to speak verbally and stand on two legs. You can wear, hold, wield, and use items. Which limbs you use to manipulate items and how many are determined by you and your GM, but for the rules you function like a humanoid with two hands."
I am open to how you want to incorporate the above to how your animal forms were changed. Below is how I am thinking.
Monkey - no change, as the monkey is already bipedal with hands with opposable thumbs.
Butterfly - the back four legs remain legs and the front two legs morph into arms that have the texture of the legs still but end in hands (composed of same organic material as the rest of the legs).
Stag - becomes upright, back legs still end in hooves, front legs morphed into arms that end in fur-covered hands with hooves shrinking and splitting to become the fingernails.
dove and songbird - the fused phalanges of the wings become unfused and become functioning 'hands'
Gozreh-awakened animal - TBD, but will be/become bipedal with functional 'hands'.
The awakening will be happening just before the goblins attack...so gear will be stuff the townsfolk give their new deity-chosen heroes after they have helped defend the town from the goblins. Doll and/or infant clothing for the tiny PCs right away, and a few days to craft more tailored clothing and other items for them.
The monkey could start with some worn clothing that the crew of the ship he is from usually has him in.
Bobcat Gozreh Exemplar-Swashbuckler (gymnast) + Free Archetype (Wrestler)
Small
Running Animal
Bite, Claws (tooth and claws), Lowlight Vision (natural senses), Scent (natural senses)
The characters will be starting at 3rd level.
Each of the awakened animals will have the scar of the survivor ikon as previously stated.
They will each also have a weapon ikon that is the favored weapon of their deity.
The Abadar-awakened monkey will have the benefits of The Deft root epithet and his tiny crossbow ikon functions as the Unfailing Bow weapon ikon. The Deft root epithet allowing him to reload the crossbow as part of sparking transcendence in the crossbow. The root epithet is gained at 3rd level, which is why the characters are starting at 3rd level.
The Desna-awakened swallowtail butterfly will have a tiny starknife that has the benefits similar to the shadow sheath weapon ikon. The starknife is the ikon, there is no sheath.
The Erastil-awakened stag will have a longbow that functions as the starshot weapon ikon.
The Gozreh-awakened animal will have a trident that is their weapon ikon.
The Sarenrae-awakened dove will have a tiny scimitar that is their weapon ikon.
The Shelyn-awakened songbird will have a tiny glaive that is their weapon ikon.
I will have more details later.
Bobcat Gozreh Exemplar-Swashbuckler (gymnast) + Free Archetype (Wrestler)
Small
Running Animal
Bite, Claws (tooth and claws), Lowlight Vision (natural senses), Scent (natural senses)
The Gozreh-awakened animal type has been chosen.
Abadar-awakened monkey: open
Desna-awakened butterfly: Ira Kroll (if you still want the slot after the change to character creation, Ira)
Erastil-awakened stag: open
Gozreh-awakened bobcat: Blake's Tiger (aka Avatar of Interest)
Sarenrae-awakened dove: open
Shelyn-awakened songbird: open
The background options are limited due to be newly awakened animals.
Thanks, Ira, for finding one that fits quite well (Free Spirit).
You have two options for your character's background feat.
Free Spirit: ability boost to Wis or Cha plus a free boost; skills: Survival and Sandpoint Lore; skill feat: Forager
or Raised by Belief for the deity that awakened you.
Raised by Belief benefits:
Abadar-awakened monkey: ability boost to Con or Int plus a free boost; skills: Society, Abadar Lore; skill feat: Assurance (Society)
Desna-awakened butterfly: ability boost to Cha or Dex plus a free boost; skills: Acrobatics, Desna Lore; skill feat: Assurance (Acrobatics)
Erastil-awakened stag: ability boost to Con or Wis plus a free boost; skills: Survival, Erastil Lore; skill feat: Assurance (Survival)
Gozreh-awakened animal (bobcat): ability boost to Con or Wis plus a free boost; skills: Survival, Gozreh Lore; skill feat: Assurance (Survival)
Sarenrae-awakened dove: ability boost to Con or Wis plus a free boost; skills: Medicine, Sarenrae Lore; skill feat: Assurance (Medicine)
Shelyn-awakened songbird: ability boost to Wis or Cha plus a free boost; skills: Shelyn Lore and either Crafting or Performance; skill feat: Assurance in the chosen skill.
Might I suggest, if not a case-by-case review of backgrounds to allow a little more agency in initial choices, so other possible backgrounds:
Acrobat (monkey)
Animal Whisperer (any)
Herbalist (any)
Hermit (not monkey)
Martial Disciple (any)
Nomad (any)
Outrider (deer)
Plant Whisper (butterfly, songbird)
Sailor (monkey)
Scout (deer)
Scavenger (dove, songbird)
Street Urchin (monkey)
You will be starting level at 4th level.
1st level exemplar feat: Sanctified Soul (Holy)
2nd level exemplar feat:
Abadar-awakened monkey, Erastil-awakened stag, Gozreh-awakened bobcat: Leap the Falls
Desna-awakened swallowtail butterfly, Sarenrae-awakened dove, Shelyn-awakened songbird: Hurl at the Horizon
4th level exemplar feat: Only the Worthy (For ones with a thrown weapon ikon, you can use an Interact action to have the weapon fly back to your hand after throwing it. You can use my homebrewed flourish rule to throw the weapon and have it return to your hand, giving you the option to make two thrown strikes with it in a round (without sparking transcendence) - flourish to make thrown strike and have it fly back to your hand, then ranged strike, and last action to have it fly back to your hand).
Ikons continued:
All the awakened animals will have the body ikon, scar of the survivor, which will be gained during the fight with the goblins.
Weapon Ikons:
Abadar-awakened monkey: tiny crossbow (Unfailing Bow ikon), range 120 feet
Desna-awakened butterfly: tiny starknife (Shadow Sheath ikon sans sheath), reach 0 feet, 30 foot thrown range
Erastil-awakened stag: longbow (Starshot ikon) range 100 feet
Gozreh-awakened bobcat: small trident (Noble Branch ikon) reach 5 feet, 20 foot thrown range
Sarenrae-awakened dove: tiny scimitar (Gleaming Blade ikon) reach 0 feet, 15 foot thrown range
Shelyn-awakened songbird: tiny glaive (Mortal Harvest ikon) reach 5 feet, 15 foot thrown range
third ikons and root epithets coming soon...
Might I suggest, if not a case-by-case review of backgrounds to allow a little more agency in initial choices, so other possible backgrounds:
Acrobat (monkey)
Animal Whisperer (any)
Herbalist (any)
Hermit (not monkey)
Martial Disciple (any)
Nomad (any)
Outrider (deer)
Plant Whisper (butterfly, songbird)
Sailor (monkey)
Scout (deer)
Scavenger (dove, songbird)
Street Urchin (monkey)
Thanks.
Acrobat for the monkey - approved; the monkey might have been a performer for the crew. I like it.
Animal Whisperer - not sure about the Train Animal skill feat...currently not approved
Herbalist - approved
Hermit (not monkey) - approved
Martial Disciple - not sure about warfare lore, and three of the animals have the benefits of Powerful Leap and Quick Jump when their body ikon (scar of the survivor) is where their immanence is...currently not approved
Nomad - approved
Outrider (stag) - approved, though the Express Rider skil feat benefit is via the awakened animal's own experience that translates to knowing what kind of obstacles on the ground to look out for.
Plant Whisperer (butterfly, songbird) - approved.
Sailor (monkey) - definitely approved. The monkey has been at sea on the ship more than on dry land
Scout (stag) - approved
scavenger (dove, songbird) - approved (the lore skll being Sandpoint Lore)
street urchin (monkey) - approved, for the benefits, (the monkey would have been doing the thieving on the ship and when on land while docked).
With the assignment of weapons, I'm proposing to switch Swashbuckler to Rogue and the free archetype to Avenger (rogue class archetype) so that I can use my trident.
Also considered changing bobcat to walrus and Swashbuckler to Champion, but I prefer the first adjustment.
Root Epithets
Abadar-awakened monkey: The Deft (makes the monkey's crossbow weapon ikon transcendence a viable option)
The Deft: You are trained in Thievery; After you Spark Transcendence, you can attempt to Steal or Palm an Object. When you Spark Transcendence, you can Interact as a free action to reload or draw a weapon ikon, either directly before or directly after your transcendence action. The weapon ikon must be a ranged weapon with the reload trait or a one-handed melee weapon with the thrown trait.
Sarenrae-awakened dove: The Radiant; Sarenrae, being a god of healing, makes this one fit.
The Radiant: You are trained in Diplomacy. After you Spark Transcendence, you inspire an ally within 30 feet to push on, restoring Hit Points equal to 2 + double your level; this is a mental and emotion effect. The ally is then temporarily immune for 10 minutes.
Shelyn-awakened songbird: The Mournful (the songbird sings when sparking transcendence, the sound making an enemy within range of the songbird's choice becoming dazzled).
The Mournful: You are trained in Diplomacy. After you Spark Transcendence, your act resonates with bittersweet poignancy, making one enemy of your choice within 30 feet who witnessed the act dazzled as tears or memories dance in their eyes. This is an emotion and mental effect. The enemy remains dazzled until the start of your next turn, and then they are temporarily immune for 10 minutes.
I am open to suggestions on which of the remaining three awakened animals gains which of the three remaining root epithets.
If Ira is still interested in playing and is going to take champion as the dual class or the free archetype, the Proud epithet would fit for the Desna-awakened swallowtail butterfly.
I think the Cunning would be a good fit for your swashbuckler bobcat. (edit: saw your post while previewing this one - works as well, if not better, for a rogue. :)
Which would leave the Brave for the stag, which fits.
The Brave: You’re trained in Athletics. After you Spark Transcendence, your body carries you forward, allowing you to Stride up to half your Speed in a straight line toward one enemy of your choice as a free action. Once you have used this ability on a given enemy, you can’t use it against that enemy again for 10 minutes.
The Cunning: You are trained in Deception. After you Spark Transcendence, you can Create a Diversion or Feint as a free action
The Proud: You are trained in Intimidation. After you Spark Transcendence, you can boast to one enemy within 30 feet to draw its attention; this effect has the auditory, emotion, mental, and linguistic traits. Until the start of your next turn, the target takes a –1 status penalty to attack rolls, damage rolls, and skill checks against creatures other than you, and it gains a +1 status bonus to these rolls when targeting you.
With the assignment of weapons, I'm proposing to switch Swashbuckler to Rogue and the free archetype to Avenger (rogue class archetype) so that I can use my trident.
Also considered changing bobcat to walrus and Swashbuckler to Champion, but I prefer the first adjustment.
The exemplar class gives the awakened animals training in simple and martial weapons.
The awakened animals each become trained in the favored weapon of the deity that awakened them, even if they normally would not be trained in the weapon from their class. None of the six favored weapons of the awakened animals are advanced weapons, so this GM fiat is not needed for this campaign.
Trident does not function with swashbuckler, which requires agile or finesse weapons. I had previously dismissed Rogue (avenger) since ikons were going to be in the unarmed attacks, but now one of them is the deity's favor weapon. So this is better.
As the weapon ikons are the favored weapons of the deities and not unarmed strikes, the following is the updated ancestry feats the awakened animals gain at 1st level:
Abadar (monkey): (still available)
Unarmed Strike from heritage: you can choose from bite, fist or tail
Player's choice for all three ancestry feats gained at 1st level (as well as 3rd level due to the ancestry paragon variant rule being used for the campaign).
Speed 20 feet, Climb 20 feet
Desna (butterfly): (slot filled)
unarmed strike from heritage: you can choose from bite, fist, horn (attenna become the horns) or wing
One of the 1st level ancestry feats must be used for Take Flight.
Player's choice for second and third ancestry feats at 1st level (and the one gained at 3rd level).
Speed 20 feet, Fly 15 feet
Erastil (stag): (still available)
unarmed strike from heritage: You can choose antler, fist or hoof
One of the 1st level ancestry feats must be used for Natural Senses (imprecise scent 30 feet)
The remaining two ancestry feats at 1st level are player's choice (as well as one at 3rd level).
Speed 30 feet
Gozreh-awakened animal (slot filled)
Saranrae (dove): (still available)
unarmed strike from heritage: You can choose between talon or wing
One of the 1st level ancestry feats must be used for Take Flight.
Player's choice for remaining 2 ancestry feats gained at 1st level (as well as one at 3rd level).
Speed 20 feet, Fly 15 feet
Shelyn (songbird): (still available)
unarmed strike from heritage: You can choose between talon or wing
One of the 1st level ancestry feats must be used for Take Flight.
Player's choice for other two ancestry feats gained at 1st level (as well as one gained at 3rd level).
Speed 20 feet, Fly 15 feet
Trident does not function with swashbuckler, which requires agile or finesse weapons. I had previously dismissed Rogue (avenger) since ikons were going to be in the unarmed attacks, but now one of them is the deity's favor weapon. So this is better.
I forgot about the requirement for the swashbucker weapon needing to be agile or finesse (where's my cofee.... :P
Same for the rogue except for two rackets that allows the trident to be used for sneak attack...the one you are thinking of (avenger) and the ruffian.
Trident does not function with swashbuckler, which requires agile or finesse weapons. I had previously dismissed Rogue (avenger) since ikons were going to be in the unarmed attacks, but now one of them is the deity's favor weapon. So this is better.
Do you want The Cunning root epithet for your avenger bobcat?
The third starting ikon is player's choice with the following stipulations:
You can only choose a weapon ikon that is applied to your unarmed strike (choose a specific unarmed strike that becomes the weapon ikon if you have more than one unarmed strike).
You cannot choose a weapon ikon that one of the six favored weapon ikons are.
You can choose a second body ikon.
You can choose a worn ikon.
GM suggestions for third ikons:
Ira Kroll - working with you keeping champion as part of the dual class or free archetype, the Mirrored Aegis (shield) ikon is great for a defender role character.
Abadar-awakened monkey:
taking the fist for your unarmed strike and choosing the Titan's Breaker weapon ikon for your fist attack. The monkey wants to get in the lock box, and will pound away to find out what's insde the box. :)
Desna-awakened swallowtail butterfly:
Skin Hard as Horn (the emanence strengthening your exoskeleton.)
Erastil-awakened stag:
Choosing fist or hoof for your unarmed strike and choosing the Titan's Breaker weapon ikon for your fist or hoof attack.
Gozreh-awakened bobcat avenger:
Gaze Sharp as Steel body ikon.
Sarenrae-awakened dove:
Sky-bearer's Belt (aside the ability to use combat maneuvers against medium-sized foes, the ability to carry your allies to/away from enemies (and innocents away from foes) while flying would make for some fun scenes.
Shelyn-awakened songbird:
Eye-Catching Spot (reflavored to Ear-Catching Song and the visual trait swapped out for the auditory trait)
At this time, I'm going to have to bow out of contention.
ill have look, but my next 2 days are very busy, have to be up by 4am, but will have a look asap
Having a look at this.
A lot of variant rules, and I have never tried a non-humanoid character. My Gameday characters are done, so I could have a look during the rest of this week.
Shelynbird is the one that sounded most approachable, probably a caster, bard/cleric/sorcerer. I'll try something in a few days.
I'll be attempting erastil stag
I have an idea to make it look like the fey centaurs. Similar to Elaphocentaur
Ranger vindicator of erastil
I'll build out some ideas more tomorrow
Thanks for the interest, Ira, and for letting us know you are bowing out.
Welcome to the animal house, Melda and Seth. :)
Abadar-awakened monkey: available
Desna-awakened swallowtail butterfly: available
Erastil-awakened stag: Seth86
Gozreh-awkenened animal (bobcat): Avatar of Interest (aka Blake's Tiger)
Sarenrae-awakened dove: available
Shelyn-awakened songbird: Melda
Steps Softly under the Leaves Exemplar 4
Small Awakened Animal Running Animal Humanoid
Perception +8; Low-Light Vision
Languages Common
Skills Acrobatics +9, Athletics +13, Deception +11, Intimidation +9, Lore: Gozreh Lore +7, Medicine +6, Nature +6, Occultism +7, Religion +6, Society +7, Stealth +9, Survival +6, Thievery +9
Str +4, Dex +3, Con +1, Int +1, Wis +0, Cha +3
Items Hide
AC 21; Fort +9, Ref +11, Will +8
HP 50
Shield Block
Speed 30 feet
Melee +1 Striking Trident +11 (Thrown 20 ft., Magical), Damage 2d8+4 P
Melee +1 Striking Jaws +11 (3rd Party, Magical), Damage 2d6+4 P
Melee +1 Striking Claws +11 (3rd Party, Magical), Damage 2d4+4 S
Battle Medicine (General, Healing, Manipulate, Skill)
Haft Striker Stance (Stance)
Twin Takedown (Flourish)
Shift Immanence (Divine, Exemplar)
Transcendence - No Scar but This (Concentrate, Healing, Transcendence, Vitality)
Noble Branch (trident): Transcendence - Strike, Breathe, Rend (Spirit, Transcendence)
Barrow's Edge (jaws): Transcendence - Drink of my Foes (Healing, Transcendence, Vitality) Hunt Prey (Concentrate, Ranger)
Precision Damage Sneak Attack 1d6
Divine Prepared Spells DC 19, attack +9; Cantrips
Additional Feats Assurance, Avenger Dedication, Cat Fall, Fascinated by Society, Leap the Falls, Minor Magic, Natural Senses, Only the Worthy, Overextending Feint, Robust Health, Rolling Landing, Running Animal, Sanctified Soul, Titan Wrestler, Tooth And Claw
Additional Specials 1st ABP Skill +1 (Athletics), Avenger Racket (Trident (1d8 P)), Awakened Animal Size (Small), Deny Advantage, Divine Spark and Ikons (Barrow's Edge), Divine Spark and Ikons (Noble Branch), Divine Spark and Ikons (Scar of the Survivor), Humble Strikes, Minor Magic (Divine), Natural Senses (Low-Light Vision), Rogue's Racket, Root Epithet (The Cunning), Sneak Attack, Spark Transcendence
Gaze Sharp as Steel can work, but I propose Barrow's Edge for jaws.
@Seth: You will have to change the build you sent me around some, but below is a way for you to capture your vision.
The phsyical transformation is fine for the stag's awakening.
The heritage of the awakened animal can not be a versatile heritage.The chacters are pure animals that were awakened by the deities.
The bonus ancestry feat you gained at 1st level (via my homebrew change of the examplar losing the shield block bonus feat for the ancestral paragon feat), can instead be used for Adopted Ancestry. Although you were not adopted, your time around the ancestry you choose for the feat allows you to take some of the ancestry feats (with the same stipulations for which ancestry feats you can select). You can also use the Adopted Ancestry feat towards buiding how you are envisioning your character, like Seth's awakened stag being able to use the Adopted Ancestry feat to gain centaur ancestry feats for his vision of the awakened stag being similar to an elaphocentuar.
@Seth: Instead of gaining the ancestral paragon feat in place of the examplar's Shield Block feat, you can use it to take Adopted Ancestry general (centaur) feta for the elaphocentaur you are envisioned.
For natural senses you can only take senses that the unawakened animal possessed. Stag can select low-light vision and imprecise scent 30'.
GM fiat: all awakened animals retain their low-light vision (or gain it if they did not have it before being awakened) and also gain darkvision without needing to use the Natural Senses ancestry feat to acquire them.
GM fiat: For the Animal Senses ancestry feats, in adddition to the senses you can take due to having them before you were unawakened, you can also take the following senses with the Animal Senses feat:
Abadar-awakened monkey: imprecise scent 30 feet
Desna-awakened swallowtail butterfly: imprecise tremorsense 30 feet
Erastil-awakened stag: imprecise tremorsense 30 feet
Gozreh-awakened animal (bobcat): imprecise tremorsense 30 feet
Sarenrae-awakened dove: greater darkvision (Sarenrae, being the goddess of the sun, can make for her chosen champion not become effectively blind even in magical darkness).
Shelyn-awakened songbird: echolocation 10 feet (the songbird's hearing detects the subtle ways her songs reverberate off nearby items and creatures.
Reminder of the following changes to the baseline exemplar class:
The bonus shield block general feat was swapped out for the Ancestral Paragon general feat.
Humble Strikes apply to the natural attacks you gained via your awakened animal ancestry, not to manufactured weapons.
GM fiat: All the awakened animals gain the Deadly Simplicity cleric feat (which increases the damage die of your deity's favored weapon by 1 step.
Having a look at this.
A lot of variant rules, and I have never tried a non-humanoid character. My Gameday characters are done, so I could have a look during the rest of this week.
Shelynbird is the one that sounded most approachable, probably a caster, bard/cleric/sorcerer. I'll try something in a few days.
One side of the dual-class is exemplar with GM-chosen stuff for the examplar, unless I give player choice for a specific choce - these are the abilities that the deities are imbuing their champions with.
The other class for being a dual-classed character and free archetype is player's choice, within the stipulations in the first post for which classes and archetypes are allowed.
Build questions:
1. Do we still need to take Tooth and Claw now that one of the ikons is a manufactured weapon?
2. Since low-light vision and dark vision are granted, are we required to spend the feats to gain the other imprecise senses?
Campaign question:
We're just starting at a higher level, not skipping content to start at the 4th level milestone, right?
I tend to be a generous GM...and with that...
As two of your ikons were GM-chosen (the body ikon, scar of the survivor) and a specific weapon ikon that that is the favored weapon of the character....
Before you make your choice for your free ikon choice...each awakened animal is gaining another gods-imbued 'body' ikon (two are weapon ikons, two are worn ikons that are body ikons instead and two are body ikons)
Abadar-awakened monkey: the monkey's fist unarmed strike becomes the Titan's Breaker weapon ikon (Abadard being the Master of the First Vault, has imbued the monkey with the ability to better get the contents of 'vaults'.
Desna-awakened swallowtail butterfly: Skin Hard as Horn (Desna has imbued the butterfly's exoskeleton to be more resistant to being damaged).
Erastil-awakened stag: Thousand-League Sandals (body ikon instead of worn ikon) (Erastil imbues the stag to run faster and the ability to make his 'herd' being able to run faster as well).
Gozreh-awakened bobcat: the bobcat's jaws unarmed strike becomes the barrow's edge ikon. (Gozreh imbues the bobcat with the ability to rejuventated by clamping its teeth on a foe that is close to death).
Sarenrae-awakened dove: Skybearer's Belt (body ikon instead of worn ikon) (Sarenrae imbues the dove with the ability to better take care of foes as well as carrying peaceful (and willing) innocents (and allies) away from danger (or allies towards the danger they are facing).
Shelyn-awakened songbird: Eye-Catching Tune (retweaked Eye-Catching Spot, the immanence is visual-based, the transcendence is auditory-based) (Shelyn has made the enhanced the songbird's ability to sing so beautifully that it can fascinate a listener as well as making the songbird gain the ability to make its plumage alternate between the colours of the raibow)
The remaining ikons that you can select your free ikon from will be up shortly.
No double-ups for the remainig ikons.
Blake has for dibs at Gaze Sharp as Steel for his Gozreh-awakened bobcat avenger rogue
Build questions:
1. Do we still need to take Tooth and Claw now that one of the ikons is a manufactured weapon?
2. Since low-light vision and dark vision are granted, are we required to spend the feats to gain the other imprecise senses?Campaign question:
We're just starting at a higher level, not skipping content to start at the 4th level milestone, right?
1) No, you do not have to take the Tooth and Claw ancestry feat, since the favored weapon thematic of the campaign was added in for the weapon ikons.
2) If the question is, "Do the awakened animals have to spend one of their starting ancestry feats to gain the specific additional sense I listed for each awakened animal?" then the answer is no. You only gain the additional sense option I added for your awakened animal if you take the Natural Senses ancestry feat to gain it. An option to gain a 'special sense' that normal animals of your type do not have.
campaign question's answer: We are not skipping content. Your newly awakened characters will be fighting the goblins invading the town within minutes of your characters gaining greater sapience.
The Abadar-awakened monkey's climbing monkey unarmed strike becomes the Titan's Breaker ikon. Normally the weapon ikon has to be applied to a melee bludgeoning weapon. If the player chooses fist for the unarmed strike then the monkey simply pounds on the object (or foe) with its fists and/or palms (or something similar); if the player chooses the tail unarmed strike, it could bash its tail on an object or wrap its tail around the object (or a foe) with its tail; if the player chooses bite, the monkey chews at the object (or bites a foe) to bypass the harndess of the item.
Ikons left:
Some have suggestions if a specific awakened animal takes a specific ikon.
Body Ikons:
Gaze Sharp as Steel (Blake has first dibs on this one) Please let us know if you are taking this one, Blake.
Weapon Ikons (applied to the awakened animals unarmed strike)
Hands of the Wilding (The butterfly, dove or songbird could spark transcendence by flapping their wings. The monkey (by taking tooth and claw to have tail unarmed strike for the tail unarmed strike and the titan's breaker weapon ikon for its fist unarmed strike, could cause its tail to extend while sparking transcendence to whip around to strike at everone within the 15 foot cone.)
Worn Ikons:
Bands of Imprisonment This can be a body ikon if you prefer. (This could be clothing (wrist bracers, earring, etc.) that the monkey had before it was awakened or a leg tether ring the songbird had before it was awakened if the songbird was a caged songbird of one of the residents of Sandpoint; otherwise )
Fetching Bangles This can be a body ikon if you prefer. (The butterfly, dove or songbird can make use of the immanence to make a foe on the ground 10 feet below them that does not have reach to strike at the awakened animal possibly being psuedo-rooted in place if the foe fails the saving throw. The transcendedence RAI I think is that it has to be a space the foe can normally occupy - but I have no issues with the foe being lifted 10 feet off the ground so it is adject to the flying awakened animal's space (and then falling the 10 feet back to the ground).
Horn of Plenty (The monkey might have had clothing before it was awakened that including a belt pouch, shiny goblet it carried around the ship, etc.) I would not be opposed if the awakened monkey gains this as a body ikon (Abadar giving the monkey a pouch like a marsupial (a 'vault' that only the monkey can access).
Mirrored Aegis (For the Desna-awakened swallowtail butterfly, this can be a body ikon, with the transcendence being ethereal butterflies that surround the target and itself) 'Swarm of butterflies' provide the protection as opposed to ethereal shields in the tortoise shield formation.
Pelt of the Beast This can be a body ikon instead if you prefer.
Victor's Wreath This can be a body ikon if you prefer.
The Awakening.
As your body is being altered, your mind is receiving what is like dozens of Vulcan mind melds all at once. Skills you are untrained in (that can be used untrained) are the most trivial pieces of knowledge you mind is bombarded with, with skills you are trained in being comprehended more clearly, with any skill you are expert in being the most crisp and clear, as well as the the knowledge of how to use your weapons and items of your class, with knowledge of your known spells/prepared spells (if you have any) also being the along the knowledge that your mind is receing being fully understood. Throughout the whole mind meld process you are receiving knowledge about the deity, that you feel pure devotion to, that is awakening you, and that your being are chosen to be a hero to defend against enemies of the town, Sandpoint, you are in, as well as the country the town is in, Varisia.
Everyone gains the lore skill for the deity that awakened them as a free lore skill, and it automatically increases to the highest proficiency rank for your level, which starts at expert proficiency rank.
As the knowledge bombarded your mind starts to recede and your form finishes altering, your deity manifests worn clothing on you, as well as a suit of light or medium armor (if it is part of your arms/armor build) and a shield (if it is part of your arms/amor build), as well as any worn ikons you did not already have before you begun your awakening (though the normal item your animal had before was changed into an ikon during the awakening). Any items you need for your classes also manifests (with containers such as belt pouchs, sacks tied to a belt, backpack, etc. to hold such items). The last item to manifest is your deity's favored weapon, which manifests in the grip of one of your hands.
The above is your starting gear. No starting money.
You can choose whether or not your deity's sacred symbol is part the manifested clothing, or appears somewhere on the awakened animal's body during the awakening.
Yes. Gaze Sharp as Steel is good for the concept.
Ikons still available for the player's choice of one ikon. Each of the ikons below can only be gained by a single PC.
Weapon Ikon:
Hands of the Wilding
Worn Ikons:
Bands of Imprisonment This can be a body ikon if you prefer. (This could be clothing (wrist bracers, earring, etc.) that the monkey had before it was awakened or a leg tether ring the songbird had before it was awakened if the songbird was a caged songbird of one of the residents of Sandpoint; otherwise )
Fetching Bangles This can be a body ikon if you prefer. (The butterfly, dove or songbird can make use of the immanence to make a foe on the ground 10 feet below them that does not have reach to strike at the awakened animal possibly being psuedo-rooted in place if the foe fails the saving throw. The transcendedence RAI I think is that it has to be a space the foe can normally occupy - but I have no issues with the foe being lifted 10 feet off the ground so it is adject to the flying awakened animal's space (and then falling the 10 feet back to the ground).
Horn of Plenty (The monkey might have had clothing before it was awakened that including a belt pouch, shiny goblet it carried around the ship, etc.) I would not be opposed if the awakened monkey gains this as a body ikon (Abadar giving the monkey a pouch like a marsupial (a 'vault' that only the monkey can access).
Mirrored Aegis (For the Desna-awakened swallowtail butterfly, this can be a body ikon, with the transcendence being ethereal butterflies that surround the target and itself) 'Swarm of butterflies' provide the protection as opposed to ethereal shields in the tortoise shield formation.
Pelt of the Beast This can be a body ikon instead if you prefer.
Victor's Wreath This can be a body ikon if you prefer.
Free ikon slot by awakened animal:
Abadar-awakened monkey: character slot still available
Desna-awakened swallowtail butterfly: character slot still availble
Erastil-awakened stag: character slot filled (Seth86), free ikon selection not decided yet
Gozreh-awakened animal (bobcat): character slot filled (Avatar of Interest, aka Blake's Tiger), free ikon selection: Gaze as Sharp as Steel
Sarenrae-awakened dove: character slot still available
Shelyn-awakened songbird: character slot filled (Melda), fee ikon selection not decided yet
3/6 player slots filled.
the free lore skill and the ikon i still need to add to the build, but the rest are shaping up well
The Victor's Wreath ikon is currently claimed by Seth86 for his Erastil-awakened stag. Not confirmed yet.
Seth, looking at your build now..but might fall asleep before taking full look.
The Skin Hard as Horn ikon is already taken so that is not available - it was one of the GM-assigned ikons to the Desna-awakened swallowtail butterfly (strengthened exoskeleton). As you have a single ikon of choice (from the seven ikons left, that includes the Victor's Wreath (so looks like that will be your choice for the player-chosen one).
@Seth: Briar's ikons are: Scar of the Survivor, Starshot (longbow), Thousand-League Hooves (Thousand-League Sandals worn ikon as body ikon) and (if you are keeping it) Victor's Wreath. If you want, the Victor's Wreath ikon can be a body ikon instead of a worn ikon, with your antlers being the Victor's Wreath ikon).
The Scar of the Survivor ikon (which is the one ikon all the PCs have) will be the one I will make a custom feat/special on PB for.
For other awakened animals, to recap, their ikons are as follow:
Abdar-awakened monkey: Scar of the Survivor (body ikon), Titan's Breaker (weapon ikon for fist, tail or bite unarmed strike), Unfailing Bow (weapon ikon - crossbow), plus one of the remaining ikons not possessed by any of the other PCs
Desna-awakened swallowail butterfly: Scar of the Survivor (body ikon), Skin Hard as Horn (body - exoskeleton), Shadow Sheath (weapon ikon sans sheath - starknife), plus one of the remaining ikons not possessed by any of the other PCs
Erastil-awkened stag: Scar of the Survivor (body ikon), Starshot (weapon ikon - longbow), Thousand-League Hooves (body ikon, as Thousand-League Sandals), Victor's Wreath (worn or body ikon)
Gozreh-awakened animal (bobcat): Barrow's Edge (weapon ikon - jaws unarmed strike), Gaze Sharp as Steel (body icon), Noble Branch (weapon ikon - trident), Scar of the Survivor (body ikon)
Sarenrae-awakened dove: Gleaming Blade (weapon ikon - scimitar), Scar of the Survivor (body ikon), Skybearer's Belt (body ikon instead of worn ikon, will come up with thematic name for it as body ikon. Skybearer of Sarenrae as tentative name for now), plus one of the remaining ikons not possessed by the other PCs
Shelyn-awakened songbird: Eye-Catching Tune (body ikon, retweaked Eye-Catching Spot body ikon), Mortal Harvest (weapon ikon - glaive), Scar of the Survivor (body ikon), plus one of the remaining ikons not possessed by the other PCs
victor's wreath,yeah, sticking with that
Briar is a fast boi when he wants to be
recapped Root Epithets
The Brave - Seth has first dibs on this one.
The Cunning - Blake has first dibs on this one
The Deft - Abadar-awakened monkey (makes the monkey's crossbow weapon ikon transcendence a viable option)
The Mournful - Shelyn-awakened songbird (the songbird sings when sparking transcendence, the sound making an enemy within range of the songbird's choice becoming dazzled).
The Proud -
The Radiant - Sarenrae-awakened dove (Sarenrae, being a god of healing, imbues the dove with this ability)
The Brave: You’re trained in Athletics. After you Spark Transcendence, your body carries you forward, allowing you to Stride up to half your Speed in a straight line toward one enemy of your choice as a free action. Once you have used this ability on a given enemy, you can’t use it against that enemy again for 10 minutes.
The Cunning: You are trained in Deception. After you Spark Transcendence, you can Create a Diversion or Feint as a free action
The Proud: You are trained in Intimidation. After you Spark Transcendence, you can boast to one enemy within 30 feet to draw its attention; this effect has the auditory, emotion, mental, and linguistic traits. Until the start of your next turn, the target takes a –1 status penalty to attack rolls, damage rolls, and skill checks against creatures other than you, and it gains a +1 status bonus to these rolls when targeting you.
victor's wreath,yeah, sticking with that
Briar is a fast boi when he wants to be
Yes, Briar is. Baseline 35 feet. Up to 45 feet whle the drop of Erastil's divinitiy (Briar's immanence) is in Briar's Thousand-League Sandals.
With the Brave root epithet, Briar can also gain a a bonus half-stride.
In one round, without using my homebrewed flourish rule...
starts round with immanence in hooves (Thousand-League Hooves) speed 45'
1st action: he sparks transcendence, shifting the immanence to his Starshot weapon ikon, striding his speed (which is dropped back to 35') and half his speed (15') in a straight line towards an enemy (for a total of 50 feet for the 1 action, which also grants allies that were within ten feet of him when he sparked transcendence to use their reaction to Stride, then strides again (35') for a total of 85 feet, and fires his Starshot bow.
Abadar-awakened monkey: player slot available
Desna-awakened swallowtail butterfly: player slot available
Erastil-awakened stag: Briar (Seth86): dual-classed exemplar/ranger with vindicator for free archetype
Gozreh-awakened animal (bobcat): Steps Softly Under the Leaves (Blake): dual-classed exemplar/rogue with avenger for free archetype
Sarenrae-awakened dove: player slot available
Shelyn-awakened songbird: Melda's PC
@Seth, in case you missed it, you have to use the free archetype slots for the vindicator archetype.
You can treat the archetype you are using your free archetype slots for as if you did not have an archetype to select another archetype with your non-exemplar class feat slots. Reminder that the GM (the deities) are choosing most of your exemplar class features, including class feats.
The 1st level, 2nd level and 4th level exemplar class feats each of the six awakened animals have is in a previous post.
I am fading. Good night.
Yes. The Cunning is a good epithet for my build.