Post/Author/DateTime	Post
gerreld terrent 11-03-03, 01:51 AM	“ I remember the first time I revealed my true self to those I trusted with my life on a daily basis Gerrard the Warrior a man with the courage to accomplish anything and someone who has saved my life on many occasions, Pip the Bard who despite his habit of getting us into trouble has also gotten us out of many jams, And Gillian the cleric who I suspected knew of my secret because of the way she always commented on how fast I recovered from battle wounds but alas I ramble. Until that that they day they knew me as Deagon the barbarian I had managed to hide my increased strength and speed by feigning a fit of rage they had all heard of berserkers so it wasn’t that hard and I hadn’t used and of my more visual abilities for fear of what they might think I learned that lesson the hard way being almost burned at the stake in my more youthful days but again I am rambling. Back to the story we were trailing some bandits who had been terrorizing the countryside it was said that their leader was a magic user of some renown before turning to a life of crime. We tracked them to a wooded clearing where the trail ended suddenly Gerrard looked at me shaking his head “well this is strange” he said as we all walked farther into the clearing that was when I smelled the pitch I looked up just in time to see the flaming arrows too many to count shot into the ground around us we where surrounded by a roaring circle of flame “Alchemist Fire they have doused the ground around us with it” Pip yelled over the deafening noise of the fire that was when I heard the leader give the commands kill the cleric then save your arrows the flames will take care of the rest all but two archers left they nock and let fly arrows at Gillian two hit their mark and she fell to the ground like a puppet with it stings cut. Pip ran over to her side” she still breathing” he said but “we need to get her out of here” the archers set aside their bows and took a sip out of their wineskin watching us as the flames grew closer laughing and jesting on which of us would beg for mercy first. Gerrard enraged looked at me with fury in his eyes and reared back to rush them though the flames I quickly grabbed his shoulder and said I have a better way. I reached inside myself drawing on the power of my own life force my “Gnosis” the form I would need in my mind. My body began to change first my fingers elongated into razor sharp claws my muscles began to bulge and harden into an armor like carapace and the “leather armor” I was mimicking receded into my body while large batlike wings exploded from by shoulders and back and with that the change was done I flexed my wings a couple of time to test them as I looked at the shocked expression on my friends with their hurt looks burned into my mind I leaped and took flight as the archers saw me the both screamed and dashed for their weapons But they were too slow I over took the first one within the blink of an eye bringing my claws to bear on his exposed back as the fell I hit the ground rolling coming up in front of the other slashing across his chest and face with my claws he reared back falling on the ground begging for mercy I then hit him on the back of the head knocking him unconscious. One again I drew upon the power of my “gnosis” to create a biological ooze to restrain him then took flight again to fetch my comrades from the ring of fire after Gillian had come to we questioned the bandit and returned to the town to turn him into the magistrate that night at the inn Gerrard was the first to speak “why didn’t you tell us” I looked down into my tankard unable to speak thank the gods for Gillian I didn’t have to “Think you big dolt he probably has been persecuted his whole life I completely understand why but Deagon we are your friends and we love you like a brother so from this point Deagon no more secrets” Hear Hear let us toast to no more secrets” Pip chimed in. As we raised our tankards I started to laugh, “well actually my name is Deacon Trugaran. They all just laughed “ Deacon Trugaran Betamorph of his 15th evolution THE BETAMORPH Mutations of the normal breed, some creatures of every race are born with the desire to experience the forms of others, and using inherent biological skills and energies, manifest their dreams as a reality. In the pursuit of his dreams, such a creature is unconcerned with the fragility of his mere mortal form. For he is a betamorph, a rare breed that has the power to shift into new and exciting forms, limited only by the betamorph's own desires. As he becomes more powerful, he will learn the temporary shifts are only the first step in a long road, for these shifts will become part of his being. Adventures: Betamorphs typically adventure in order to bring out their natural talents and inherent powers. Betamorphs will most likely try to pass off as another class, perhaps dual-classing in order to keep their betamorph traits a secret. Characteristics: Betamorphs draw power from their own biological energy. This is energy in its purest sense, essentially a fragment of their very soul. Betamorphs have innate abilities similar to the ectoplasmic constructs. Alignment: Betamorphs are typically chaotic, as they favor change above all else. Religion: Betamorphs favor deities that emphasize shape-changing or chaos, such as deities of lycanthropes. Races: Typically only humans are adaptable or changeable enough to become betamorphs, and as betamorphs are rare in any race, an elven or dwarven betamorph would be an extreme change. The only race more prone to show the betamorph powers is the inherently chaotic slaadi. Background: betamorphs often come from background similar to psions they discover their unique talents at the time of puberty most learn early to hide their true nature from their friends and family for most people fear what they can’t understand so many take up profession that allow them their privacy Other Classes: Betamorphs have little respect for other classes, except perhaps for sorcerers for their typically chaotic nature, or druids for their ability to use the wild shape. Game Rule Information Abilities: Constitution determines how much gnosis or biological energy they get per day so it is their primary attribute Hit Die: d8 Class Skills A betamorph’s class skills (and the key ability for each skill) are Animal Empathy (Cha, exclusive skill),Climb (Str),Concentration (Con), Craft (Int), Disguise (Cha), Handle Animal (Cha), Intuit Direction (Wis), Jump (Str), Knowledge (Nature), Listen (Wis), Profession (Wis), Wilderness Lore (Wis). Starting Skills: (4+Int)x 4 Skill points per level: 4 + Intelligence modifier. Weapon and Armour Proficiency: The betamorph is proficient in the use of all simple weapons they cannot wear armor because it impedes the shifting abilities but the do gain a natural armor bonus equal to their Con modifier. BAB:as cleric saves: good fort/ref The Betamorph Level 1st Channel Gnosis, Natural weapon 2nd Conditioning, 3rd Morph Form (A) 4th 5th 6th Beta Immunity 7th 8th Morph Form (B) 9th 10th 11th Extreme Conditioning 12th 13th Morph Form (C) 14th 15th Timeless body 16th 17th 18th 19th Longevity 20th Morphic Mastery Channel Gnosis: Gnosis is the innate biological energy that is present in all living things the beta morphs body produces this energy in abundance they are able to channel this energy to change their physical form and produce spell like effects. the betamorphs gets a number of gnosis points equal to his constitution modifier plus one times his betamorph class level . The effects are listed below Malleable Visage: as a standard action by spending one point of gnosis he can produce an effect similar to the change self spell except it is not an illusion Regeneration:as a free action by spending one point of gnosis the betamorph heals 1 hitpoint/5 levels this ability can only be used once a round Betagoo:as a standard action by spending one point of gnosis You draw forth a glob of biological goo from your body and immediately throw it as a ranged touch attack. On a successful hit, the subject is entangled in goo. An entangled creature suffers a -2 penalty to attack rolls and a -4 penalty to effective Dexterity. The entangled creature must make a Reflex save (DC 15) or is glued to the floor, unable to move. Even with a successful save, it can move only at half speed.A creature who is glued to the floor can break free with a successful Strength check (DC 27) or by dealing 15 points of damage to the goo with a slashing weapon. A creature trying to scrape goo off himself, or another creature assisting, does not need to make an attack roll; hitting the goo is automatic, after which the creature who hit makes a damage roll to see how much of the goo he scraped off. Once free, a creature can move at half speed. A creature capable of manifesting powers or casting spells who is bound by the goo must make a Concentration check (DC 15) . To do so The goo becomes brittle, fragile, and inert after 1 minute. Extend morph:as a free action by spending 1/2 of the total cost of a morphic form in points of gnosis the betamorh can extend the duration of one of his morphic form by a number of rounds equal to his con modifier +3 Natural Weapon: the betamorphs body is considered a natural weapon his unarmed strikes deal 1d6 points of normal or subdual damage ( players choice) and are treated as armed Conditioning: This ability is identical to the evasion ability Morphic Form: Starting at level 3 the betamorph can customize his body to fit his needs by spending gnosis (amount detailed below). When the betamorph activates this ability he picks options from the beatmorph powers menus that his level allows (detailed below )The duration of a morphic form is 3+ the characters constitution modifier in rounds or the player can dismiss the form as a free action. a betamorph can benifit from only one morhic form at a time Activating this ability is a standard action that provokes an attack of opportunity. Morphic Form Quality by Character Level Level Menu Choices Gnosis cost 3rd A 2 8th B 4 13th C 8 for example Deagon the 10th level betamorph and his party are fighting a group of orcs and he thinks it time to give these orcs a nasty surprise so he actives his morpic form ability he wants to make swift work of this scum he has 25 gnosis left so he chooses claws(2), brawnx3(6), boost str (2), carapace(4),and charge(4)for a total of 18 points of gnosis his body shimmers and contorts to this new form leaving him with 7 points left for the day after a brutal but short battle deagon scans the battlefield and can see that the orc leader has made it across a nearby rope bridge spanning a deep ravine and has just finished cutting the ropes cursing he drops his current morpic form as a free action and activates another to make it across the ravine and catch the orc leader this time he chooses fly(2)and claws(2) for a total of 4 points of gnoisis leaving him with 3 remaining for the day once agian his body shimmers and contorts to this new form and he takes flight to catch his ecaping enemy Timeless Body: as the Druid ability Extreme Conditioning: This ability is identical to Improved Evasion . Beta Immunity: the betamorh is immune to all non magical diseases and all poisons Longevity: Betamorphs who achieve 19th level benefit form an extended lifespan .A betamorphs Maximum age is changed to the maximum age+ the maximum die roll possible, the total is the multiplied by four. This is the betamorphs new maximum age Morphic Mastery: At 20th level the betamorph has mastered his abilities his morphic form ability becomes a free action and the duration of the morpic powers is doubled Morphic Powers Menu A: Additional Attack: as the monks flurry of blows ability Armor: +1 defection bonus to AC Boost: the betamorph adds 1d4+1 to Str, Dex, or Con (chosen at the time of activation). Multiple selections to boost the same attribute do not stack Brawn: +1 to Melee damage multiple selections stack (this option may not be chosen more than 5 times) Camouflage: the betamorphs skin begins to blend in with his surroundings he gains +10 to hide checks Claws: The betamorph grows razor sharp claws his unarmed strikes are now considered claw attacks these claws do 1d8+str modifier they do slashing or piercing damage ( chosen at the time of activation)If the betamorph has the extra arms power in effect he must choose this power twice for both sets of arms to have claws Climb: the betamorphs hands grow tiny hairs that allow him to climb easier this power duplicates the spider climb spell DarkVision: the betamorphs pupils grow large giving him excellent night vision. This power duplicates the spell Darkvision Enlarge: as the spell of the same name except that the duration matches morphic form his spell casting level is his class level Fly: the beta morph grows wings (6 foot wing span ) speed 60ft average maneuverability Leap: this power duplicates the Jump spell Reduce: as the spell of the same name except that the duration matches morphic form his spell casting level is his class level Resistance: choose on fire, cold, electricity, acid or sonic resistance 5 multiple selections of the same resistance stack Speed: as the spell Expeditious Retreat except duration matches morphic form Spiked Armor: the betamorhs body grows sharp spikes whenever he make a grapple, bull rush, trample, or squeeze attack he deals an additional 1d6 piercing damage Swim: hands and feet become webbed and body grow more streamlined swim speed 60 ft Trample: as a standard action each round the Betamorph can literally run over any opponent Smaller than himself for 1d4+str modifier damage. (see monster manual for trample rules ) Trip: if the betamorph succeeds in an unarmed attack he may then make a trip attack as a free action Menu B: Buff: Betamorph gains 3d10 temporary hit points (multiple selection do not stack ) Carapace: the Betamorphs body grows armor like plates he gains damage reduction 5/+1 this replaces any damage reduction he once had Charge: if the Betamorph charges a foe in the first round of combat he can make a full round attack even if he has take a move action. If he has taken the Squeeze ability then he can use this as well Energy Touch: the Betamorph may add energy damage (Fire, cold, acid, electricity, or sonic ) to his unarmed attacks when he makes an attack he may spend a point of gnosis to add 1d4 points of energy damage of the chosen type to his normal damage he may only spend a number of gnosis this way equal to his constitution modifier each round he may combine this ability with the biogoo ability to make a ranged attack with the properties of both powers Extra Arms: The Betamorph grows an extra set of arms he gets a additional attack with an attack bonus equal to his highest attack bonus -2 ( if the Biomorph has the squeeze or rend ability he may use the arms to do them) this ability may be chosen only once. Heavy Armor: +4 defection bonus to AC Improved Fly: Betamorph grows physical wings ( 12 foot wingspan) speed 120 average maneuverability Improved Grab: to use this ability the Betamorph must hit with a unarmed attack if he gets hold he may make a squeeze attack ( see below ) Improved Swim: as with the swim ability but swim speed increases to 120ft and Betamorph can breath underwater Reach: The betamorphs arms elongate which increases his reach by 5ft(if the betamorph has taken the extra arms power he must take this power twice to get the benefit on both sets of arms) Spike Volley: the betamorh sends forth a volley of three spikes as a standard action. This ranged attack has a range of 120ft and no range increment the damage is 1d6+str mod this atack can be used three times the betamoph must have the spiked armor power active to use this power Squeeze: If the Betamorph gets hold he can make a squeeze attack dealing 2d4+str modifier Menu C Celerity: the betamorph is under the effects of the haste spell Extra Buff: betamorph gains 6d10 temporary hit points (multiple selections do not stack ) Gore: the betamorph grows horns and gains an additional gore attack with a +10 attack bonus dealing 1d8+ str mod damage Hardened Carapace: the Betamorphs body grows armor like plates he gains damage reduction 10/+2 this replaces any damage reduction he once had Invisibility: can cast invisibility (self only ) as a standard action at will Rend: a betamorph that hits with both claw attacks does an additional 2d6+ 1.5 his str mod (he must have the claws power in effect a betamorph cannot use rend and squeeze in the same round See invisibility: see invisibility (as the spell ) Spike Flurry: The Betamorph can send forth a hail of spikes as a standard action the attack is a 60ft cone anyone caught in the flurry is hit with 2d4 spikes doing 1d6 points of damage a successful reflex save (dc 18 ) for half damage this attack can only be used once ( the betamorph must have the spiked armor power to use this) Super Heavy Armor: +7 deflection bonus to AC Tail Slap: the beta morph has a tail and gains one additional attack at his highest attack bonus -2 and it deals 2d8+ 1.5 his str mod ( a betamorph cannot have both a tail and extra arms) thanks Gerreld Terrent
Machiel_WarriorofDarkness 11-03-03, 02:51 AM	Interesting class to begin with, I like it. I'm no critic myself, but I've got a few suggestions: The ARMOR power should be a natural armor bonus because the body is hardening. The CONDITIONING power....I really don't see where this will come in handy, until maybe epic level. It would be good against Devastating Critical, but as for a lower level... don't really see the use. I'd be more inclined to make it evasion and Improved evasion respectively making the body more flexible to move out of the way of attacks. Also, you could make the regeneration upgrade better, but increase the gnosis cost as it progresses, because the gnosis will grow in power very quickly. I'm tired and that's all I really can say. Good first try though, better than mine and more original. :D
gerreld terrent 11-03-03, 02:56 AM	thanks ill work with your sugestions and see what i come up with Gerreld Terrent
BlaineTog 11-03-03, 04:33 AM	Looks promising. A few suggestions, though. a) Spread out the Specials. They look clumped around levels 1, 10, and 20. b) I'm not quite sure how the "Morph Form" ability works. It might be that it's 1:30AM here, though. If I'm reading this right, you only get, like, 1 or two choices at each increment. If so, I'd suggest increasing this to a slightly higher number. c) you link the betamorpg to both Druids and lycanthropes, but the betamorph doesn't actually get to transform into anything else. That's probably not the direction you want the Betamorph going, but perhaps the option to change at higher levels (w/o stat changes, or perhaps just modest ones) would make sense. Good job by the way. I anxiously await your input.
gerreld terrent 11-03-03, 04:06 PM	thanks for the reply and my original reasoning behind the number of menu choices on morphic shape is that you can take higher menu choices and trade them in two of the next level lower, but you might be right I have thought about giving morph form more than four stages (4th,8th,13th)and 18th or maybe making it more freeform with each menu choice costing gnoisis. but that is a tuff one, but both of these options would solve the clumping problem. I am open to sugestions on which route i should take Thanks Gerreld Terrent
gerreld terrent 11-03-03, 10:19 PM	I have just completed a major edit on the class due to some suggestion mainly changes to the morhic shape mechanic. it might be overpowered this way. Keep the feedback comming I should have a flavor text up pretty soon Thanks Gerreld Terrent
BlaineTog 11-04-03, 12:46 AM	Looking good. I'm still not entierly clear on how much it costs to use certain abilities. And does the betamorph have access to all the abilities of each Menu? Thanks.
gerreld terrent 11-04-03, 01:00 AM	well think of the morphic shape ability as a spell the betamorph decides he needs to make certain adjustments to his body so he activates the ability he can take options from each menu based on his level at lv3 he has all the options from menu A at 8th all the options from menu A and B...ect. then he builds his form. choices from menu A cost 2 points of gnosis, ,menu B 4 points of gnosis, and menu C 8 points of gnoisis, picks the options he wants adds up the total cost and subtracts that from his remaining gnosis pool he then enjoys the benefits of the powers for 3+his con modifier in rounds of untill he dismisses it Hope this helps Gerreld Terrent
BlaineTog 11-04-03, 01:15 AM	Aight. Makes sence. BTW: I like this. It's a really good class. That additional flavor text you've talked about will also be helpful in establishing the class' style.
gerreld terrent 11-04-03, 02:57 AM	(edit) just added flavor text Gerrald Terrent
BlaineTog 11-04-03, 03:19 AM	Great flavor text! Particularly the abilties used :devil: a few suggestions, although a few of them are a bit unKISS (a methos commonly used to balance classes. KISS is short for Keep It Simple, Stupid). 1) Increase the hit die. This is a primarily combat class, and the HD should reflect this (a d8 would probably be sufficient) 2) here's the unKISS part: give the differnet menu choices differnt time lengths. Darkvision, for instance, is going to be nearly useless if it only lasts for 3+con mod. Even with 18 Con that's only 43 seconds. In comabt time, it may be enough, but out of combat, it's not nearly enough time.
gerreld terrent 11-04-03, 03:27 AM	ok well I'll see what i can come up with thanks for the feedback Gerrald Terrent
gerreld terrent 11-04-03, 05:07 AM	(edit) fixed hit die and added extend morph ability to help with the duration of non combat effects while trying to keep it as simple as possible. keep the feedback comming Thanks Gerreld Terrent
gerreld terrent 11-04-03, 12:29 PM	bump
BlaineTog 11-04-03, 07:18 PM	Looking good. Especially the Extension mechanic. I'm gonna print out a copy and see what me group thinks of it, as far as balance is converned. I'll get back to you tommorrow.
BlaineTog 11-04-03, 09:41 PM	I've got a few suggestions: For Extend Form, set the cost at one half the base price. That way, it costs more to maintain a Menu C choice than a Menu A Choice. I would also suggest resricting Regeneration to once per round. Keep it as a free action, but as written, a character could heal up all his/her HP in a single round.
gerreld terrent 11-05-03, 12:10 AM	(edit) made changes to the extend morph and regeration abilities cool let me know what your group thinks thanks Gerrald Terrent
BlaineTog 11-05-03, 07:03 PM	My DM took a look at it and liked it. He had this to say: "The unarmed attack should increas as the character levels up like a Monk. Other than that, all it really needs is a little polishing." Hope this helps.
gerreld terrent 11-06-03, 01:42 AM	Well here is my reason for not incresasing unarmed damage as per monk. Alot of the morphic powers have the ability to increase the damage output of the class,brawn,claws,energy touch.. ect or they add extra attacks such as extra arms, rend or tail slap so i think increasing the unarmed damage is not needed,but im glad that your group liked the class and hope to do some of that polishing you talked about one of the things a another person said was to add a D menu and create so new powers and move teh overpowered ones up one level so that is the plan for now ill post the new menu soon. Thanks Gerreld Terrent
Dave1001 12-23-03, 09:23 PM	I really like this idea. I was toying around with something similar, but this is definitely a direction I hadn't thought of. A few questions. Are all the abilities the same 'gnosis' cost? I'm not sure if they should be or not. Some abilities seem more useful than others, or more likely to be used more often. Where exactly does it say how many gnosis points are gained each level? Or what's the exact amount? Are you planning on adding any more abilities? Good work. :tiphat:
gerreld terrent 12-24-03, 01:22 AM	Wow thanks for the reply to answer your first question yes all the abilties in the same menu cost the same amount for simplicity(example:menu A cost 2 gnosis, menu B cost 4 gnosis and menu C cost 8 gnosis) but i have been thinking of breaking it up into 6 different levels(menus) and so that the cost for more useful powers can be adjusted. for your second qustion the betamorph has a gnosis pool equal to his (con modifier plus one) times his level he regains gnosis after 8 hr rest much like a wizard regains his spells. and for your last question yes i have been toying with some new abilities if you have any sugestion please let me know i am hoping to do a fully revised version of the class by the end of the year this is one of my favorite creations Thanks Gerreld Terrent P.S. on a personal note Dave1001 i really loved your Inventor Class its one of the best classes i have seen on this board thanks for your feedback
Dave1001 12-26-03, 09:43 PM	thanks for the compliments. I was thinking of some possible things to add. I noticed that the first usage of morphic form is a standard action. And that at 20th level it's a free action. That's a pretty big jump from 1st to 20th level. You might want to add something around 10th level or so where the morphic form becomes a move-equivalent action that does not provoke an AoO (since free actions don't provoke an AoO, as far as I remember). That way, it's a progression instead of an outright leap. Something else you might want to do is write up an Epic continuation of the class. Maybe epic feats like multimorph, where the beta can use multiple abilities at one time, or something like that. Some other Menu abilities (I'll let you decide if you like 'em and if so, where to put 'em) might be grease that covers the body in a oily film that gives the morph get a +10 to Escape Artist or grapple (to escape) checks. Maybe a reduce or enlarge ability. Something that would let them squeeze through cracks, or suddenly tower over oppoenents. Maybe a puddle-form ability. Nothing like being carried around in a bucket. Ooh, or even a type of wildshape. After all, if you can change the features of your form, why not imitate (to some extent) the entire animal? That would be interesting too. Stuff like that. I have to go now. My wife was in a car accident earlier today and it's time for me to dote on her. If I think of some more stuff I'll be sure to let you know. And remember, these are all brainstorming ideas and you don't have to use or like any of them.
gerreld terrent 12-27-03, 03:37 AM	we have a lot of the same ideas to where this class should go right now i putting it through a complete over haul so ill keep you posted thanks Gerreld Terrent