Chaos Mage (core class sorc/wiz variant) [Archive] - Wizards Community

Chaos Mage (core class sorc/wiz variant) [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Zolgar
07-04-04, 06:59 PM **Edit 1** major changes in red.
**Edit 2** major changes in Blue. (This is beinng edited on a laptop whos keyboard sucks, sorry)
**Edit 3** major changes in green

Chaos Mage
“I hear.. Voices.... Whispering in my head.. They tell me to burn..”

The Chaos Mage, the cousins of sorcerers.. If what they say is true, and a Sorcerer gains his magic from draconic heritage, then the Chaos Mage is most certainly of demonic heritage. As a Sorcerer, their magic comes from within..

But for them, the magic is always there, burning inside their mind, driving them mad.. Few ever achieve any true skill, as most die of madness induced suicide, or of a spell gone awry. There are many risks for a Chaos Mage, but some find them to be well worth it.

Alignment: Any non lawful

Abilities: Intelligence is very important for the Chaos Mage, it’s the only thing that keeps them sane, giving them stronger control over their spells. Chaos mages spells are based off their intelligence (thus the DC for a spell is 10+spell level+int (+misc. modifiers)), their bonus spells are based off their intelligence score (see players handbook) and apply only to the number per day, and not the number known.

They cast spells as a Sorcerer does, they do not need to prepare them in advance as all the spells they know are echoing through their head. Constitution can be quite important as well, due to the light armor of a spell caster, and the concentration required for some tasks. Dexterity is important, as well, again given the light armor of spellcasters.

Hit Dice: D4

Class skills: Alchemy (int), Appraise (int), Concentration (con), craft (int), Knowledge (any) (int), Profession (wis), Spellcraft (int), Use Magic Device (cha)

Skillpoints/level 2+intelligence modifier

Multiclassing: If a Chaos Mage multiclasses in to any other spellcasting class that grants its own spells/day (not +levels of existing class) he still retains all spells learned and feats gained, but her permanently loses Chaotic Surge. Taking a prestige class that grants spells for exsisting classes, however, still works.

Non spellcasters can freely become Chaos Mages, as if a latent power has come forth. Spallcasters cannot. Or, DM’s discretion, one who is already a spellcaster can, but treating it as a prestige class, with the requirement being suffering a sever mental trauma (such as near death, massive mishap with a scroll, etc) that causes them to go unstable. However, if this happens, they lose all schools of magic except for as many as they would have at first level (see Spellcasting, below).

Level BAB F R W Special

1 0 0 0 2 Spellcasting, bonus feat, chaos surge
2 1 0 0 3 New School
3 1 1 1 3
4 2 1 1 4 Bonus feat
5 2 1 1 4
6 3 2 2 5
7 3 2 2 5 Bonus feat, New School
8 4 2 2 6 Faster Metamagic
9 4 3 3 6
10 5 3 3 7 Bonus feat
11 5 3 3 7
12 6 4 4 8
13 6 4 4 8 Bonus feat
14 7 4 4 9 New School
15 7 5 5 9
16 8 5 5 10 Bonus feat
17 8 5 5 10
18 9 6 6 11
19 9 6 6 11 Bonus feat
20 10 6 6 12 New school

Spells known
Level 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
1 5 3 - - - - - - - -
2 6 3 - - - - - - - -
3 6 4 - - - - - - - -
4 7 4 2 - - - - - - -
5 7 5 3 - - - - - - -
6 8 5 3 2 - - - - - -
7 8 6 4 3 - - - - - -
8 9 6 4 3 2 - - - - -
9 9 6 5 4 3 - - - - -
10 10 6 5 4 3 2 - - - -
11 10 6 6 5 4 3 - - - -
12 10 6 6 5 4 3 2 - - -
13 10 6 6 5 5 4 3 - - -
14 10 6 6 5 5 4 3 2 - -
15 10 6 6 5 5 5 4 3 - -
16 10 6 6 5 5 5 4 3 2 -
17 10 6 6 5 5 5 4 4 3 -
18 10 6 6 5 5 5 4 4 3 2
19 10 6 6 5 5 5 4 4 4 3
20 10 6 6 5 5 5 4 4 4 4

Spells/day

level 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
1 5 3 - - - - - - - -
2 6 4 - - - - - - - -
3 6 5 - - - - - - - -
4 6 6 3 - - - - - - -
5 6 6 4 - - - - - - -
6 6 6 5 3 - - - - - -
7 6 6 6 4 - - - - - -
8 6 6 6 5 3 - - - - -
9 6 6 6 6 4 - - - - -
10 6 6 6 6 5 3 - - - -
11 6 6 6 6 6 4 - - - -
12 6 6 6 6 6 5 3 - - -
13 6 6 6 6 6 6 4 - - -
14 6 6 6 6 6 6 5 3 - -
15 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 4 - -
16 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 5 3 -
17 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 4 -
18 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 5 3
19 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 4
20 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6

Spell casting:

Chaos mages are limited in schools of magic, at first level they only have access to the Universal spell school And the spells of the Clerics "Chaos Domain", and 1 extra school per 4 full points of intelligence over 10 (10-13, Universal, 14-17, U+1, 18-21 U+2, 22-25 U+3, etc), at 7th, 14th and 20th level they gain a new school, as well as whenever their intelligence reaches another full 4 in the patters (The bonus cannot be one associated with a removable item)

At 2nd 7th, 14th and 20th, and only at those 4 levels, the Chaos mage can, as an option, choose a Cleric domain to have spells from (they will not gain the associated power however). (in to epics, they only gain new schools once they have another 4 intelligence.)

A Chaos Mage can unlearn old spells in order to learn new ones. It takes a week of study, working at least 8 hours a day with no major interruptions, in this time they may unlearn and learn new spells equal to their intelligence modifier , to learn new spells the Chaos Mage must have the spells on hand in written format, be they from a scroll (which will not use up the scroll), or borrowing a wizards spell book. This does not have to take place on leveling. (Thus a 5th level Chaos Mage with 18 intelligence can spend a week and unlearn 4 spells, and assuming they have the spell in a written format, learn 4 new spells, of the same levels.)

Bonus Feats:
A Chaos Mage gains extra feats every 3rd level (starting at 1, 4, 7, etc), these feats may consist of any Meta Magic feat, any item creation feat, or spell related feats (Spell Focus, weapon focus (spell), etc)

Faster Metamagic: As per sorcerers, a Chaos Mag must spend a full foud action to castt a spell witha meta magic feat. Untill 8th level that is, at which point, as a optionn they can cast a spell with a metamagic feat in as much time as the spell takes without. However, this increases the chance of surging by twice the effective level of the spell after the feat. (Thus if a 8th Chaos Mage casts an empowered fireball (5th level) there is a 60% chance of a surge.)

Chaos Surge:
The nature of a Chaos Mages spells, constantly humming in their brain causes an interesting effect, sometimes when a chaos mage casts a spell, an occurrence known as a surge occures. A chaos mage can try to resist a surge if it’s coming, or try to force a surge if it’s not.

Whenever a spell is cast, roll a D%, there is a 50% chance of a surge, if the chaos mage wishes to repress the surge, they roll a caster level check (D20+caster level) and decrease the chance by that much. (Xel, the 6th level Chaos Mage casts fireball, and he doesn’t want a surge so he rolls his caster level (d20+6) and comes up with a 17 (11+6) total, so he reduces the chance to a 33%, and on his percentile he rolls a 42%, if he’d just left it to chance he would have surged, but this way he doesn’t)

If the spellcaster wishes to force a surge, it is the same work as repressing it, they roll a caster level check and add it to the chance. (Thus Xel, still 6th level is casting fireball again, and he’s in trouble so he’s hoping for an extra spell to be cast, he rolls his check and gets a natural 20, so a total of 26, so there is now a 76% chance of a surge, and he rolls a 67%, he surges, but wouldn’t have without forcing it) (epically, a 40th level Chaos mage has complete control over if they surge)

Forcing or repressing a surge takes a full round action to cast the spell, and cannot be done with a metamagic feat untill the Chaos Mage reaches 8th level.

% Effect
1-10 Visual or aural effects only
11-20 Reversed targeting
21-60 Random spell
61-94 Random MM Feat
95-99 Double spell
100 Roll again X2

Visual/aural effect: Sometimes when surging, the spell ist just more flashy than normal, or just looks wierd. The spell casts normally mechanics wise, however it may be sparkly, it may scream through the air, it may laugh as it zigzags through the air to hit its target, or it may do any number of things.

Reversed Targeting: The bane of chaos mages, reversed targeting causes the spell if an attack spell (like Fireball) to target a random ally, and beneficial spells (like Bulls Strength) to target a random enemy.

Random spell: More often than not, when a Chaos Mage surges it take effect by a random spell they know going off as well, up to the highest level spell they know, based on the following chart: (showing epic casting, too)

--------highest level known------------- Etc----
% 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
1-10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 2
11-24 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 3
25-37 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 2 3 4
38-49 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 2 3 4 5
50-60 0 1 1 2 2 2 2 3 4 5 6
61-70 1 1 1 2 2 2 3 4 5 6 7
71-79 1 1 2 3 3 3 4 5 6 7 8
80-87 1 2 2 3 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
88-94 1 2 3 4 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
95-100 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

It is recommended to assign every spell known in each level a number or an equal percent chance from percentile dice.

It is possible for this to happen and the same spell to go off twice. If a meta magic feat is used it only effects the main spell cast. A second spell that goes off can be redirected with a successful Concentration check (DCs on next page (chart 1))

Extra spells do not take extra material or EXP components.

Random Meta Magic Feat: A random meta magic feat (wether the caster knows it or not) is added on to the spell that’s cast. In cases that more than one spell goes in to effect, this goes on to the initial spell cast unless the spell already has this feat or is incapable of receiving the effect, then it goes on to the second one. In cases where a certain meta magic feat cannot go in to effect (I.E. Maximize spell on a spell that has no variables) reroll if it comes to that section.

For what feat goes in to effect, roll on the chart on the next page.

Double spell: This effect is simply that the cast spell, as well as all meta magic feats added on to it go off twice (thus a maximized, empowered fireball that gets this will hit twice, dealing 120+10d6 damage.), it is possible to redirect the duplicate spell, but it’s harder, add 4 to the DC on chart 1. This does not take double EXP or material components.

Roll again twice: Every ones favorite, you roll the surge chart twice and get two effects (if you get double spell twice, it’s triple spell), after getting this once, 100 is treated as double spell.

Redirection chart 1 Metamagic Feat chart

Level DC % Feat
0 5 1-15 Empower Spell
1 6 16-20 Maximize Spell
2 12 21-35 Enlarge Spell
3 16 36-45 Heighten Spell (+1d6 level, no max)
4 20 46-60 Extend Spell
5 24 61-75 Silent Spell
6 28 76-95 Still Spell
7 32 96-100 Quicken Spell
8 36
9 40
10 ??
Zolgar
07-05-04, 03:53 PM It seems that once again I have stunned many with my genius.
Xod, Archmage
07-05-04, 05:01 PM Not bad. Not bad at all. However, if they are spontaneous casters, it seems that Charisma would be a better fit for them. They are more Sorcerer than wizard. Besides, what "Chaos Mage" is going to sit down and learn Knowledge skills? It's a unique class. If they really were dedicated to chaos, I might allow them to add spells from the Chaos domain to their spell list, but that's just me.

Nothing: Not quite what it sounds, when this comes up on a surge, Nothing spectacular happens, the spell may apear different, there may be sparkles and flowers in the air, etc. Nothing good or ill.

Do they still lose a spell slot?

Xod:behold:
Zolgar
07-05-04, 05:11 PM Originally posted by Xod, Archmage
Not bad. Not bad at all. However, if they are spontaneous casters, it seems that Charisma would be a better fit for them. They are more Sorcerer than wizard. Besides, what "Chaos Mage" is going to sit down and learn Knowledge skills?

A creature devoted to chaos can still be incredibly smart. The idea behind their spells being based off of their inteligence over there charisma is two fold:
First and formost: Charisma as spell casting, other than mind effecting spells, doesn't make sense. You're a better spell caster because you're good looking and talk well?
And secondly: It's not so much a representation of book learning. but of their mind power.. Their mind is like a wizards spell book. It contains every spell they know.

It's a unique class. If they really were dedicated to chaos, I might allow them to add spells from the Chaos domain to their spell list, but that's just me.

Good idea.

Do they still lose a spell slot?

you misread that actualy. I'll try and clerify it better. But the spell still goes off, just nothing special game-rule wise happens with it.
BlaineTog
07-05-04, 06:07 PM Originally posted by Zolgar
A creature devoted to chaos can still be incredibly smart.No one's saying otherwise. Just that this spellcasting makes more sense to run off of Cha. Nothing about it says "analytical."

First and formost: Charisma as spell casting, other than mind effecting spells, doesn't make sense. You're a better spell caster because you're good looking and talk well?No, you're a better spellcaster because you have a more powerful pressense, persona, ego, soul, emotions, etc. Looks are only a *very* small pert of Charisma, and not the part that touches spellcasting.
Zolgar
07-05-04, 06:41 PM Originally posted by BlaineTog
No one's saying otherwise. Just that this spellcasting makes more sense to run off of Cha. Nothing about it says "analytical."

No, this one makes more sense to be based off inteligence for the other reason I put down, which you ignored.

No, you're a better spellcaster because you have a more powerful pressense, persona, ego, soul, emotions, etc. Looks are only a *very* small pert of Charisma, and not the part that touches spellcasting.

I still don't think charisma makes sense for spellcasting. But that's just my opinion.
BlaineTog
07-05-04, 07:02 PM Originally posted by Zolgar
No, this one makes more sense to be based off inteligence for the other reason I put down, which you ignored.Sorry about that. I was in a hurry.
And secondly: It's not so much a representation of book learning. but of their mind power.. Their mind is like a wizards spell book. It contains every spell they know.
Fine, whatever. "Mind power" can be any of the mental stats, really, but the issue isn'y really important.
tiggrhoo
07-06-04, 05:12 AM Interesting class - definitely chaotic! I like the flavor text you wrote for it.

You know, Zolgar, it seems to me that you could (if you like) make a case for any of the three mental stats to be the Chaos Mage's spellcasting stat.

Since he's struggling with mighty forces of insanity, it's only his force of will that keeps him hanging on. ==> Wisdom

Insane forces of chaos batter his mind, tearing at his ego. Only his formidable personality and sense of self hold his mind together. ==> Charisma

You've already explained it for Intelligence.

One idea you might consider: use one stat for number of spells and another for save difficulty.

Good luck!

edit - I just noticed BlaineTog mentioned the "any mental stat" idea also. Sorry, I think I'll go get some sleep now. :)
Zolgar
07-06-04, 06:32 AM Originally posted by tiggrhoo
Interesting class - definitely chaotic! I like the flavor text you wrote for it.

You know, Zolgar, it seems to me that you could (if you like) make a case for any of the three mental stats to be the Chaos Mage's spellcasting stat.

Since he's struggling with mighty forces of insanity, it's only his force of will that keeps him hanging on. ==> Wisdom

Insane forces of chaos batter his mind, tearing at his ego. Only his formidable personality and sense of self hold his mind together. ==> Charisma

You've already explained it for Intelligence.

One idea you might consider: use one stat for number of spells and another for save difficulty.

Good luck!

edit - I just noticed BlaineTog mentioned the "any mental stat" idea also. Sorry, I think I'll go get some sleep now. :)

That is a thought.. And yeah, I did consider using Wisdom, instead.. All three could be valid options.

At the moment though I'm thinking the class may be too under powered, the limited spell schools is a major pain, and their bonuses don't out weigh it enough not to play a sorc or wiz instead.

After all, Chaotic Surge is as much a blessing as a curse, the moment you cast fireball and it redirects on to an ally.....

At the moment I'm thinking adding another bonus school at second level, and allowing them to cast spells with metamagic feats, without it taking longer.

thoughts?
Zolgar
07-06-04, 06:24 PM *bumps and updates*
Zolgar
07-12-04, 06:35 AM :bump:

Man, what is it with my classes and getting so little input on their power.. Are they perfectly balanced, or broken beyond all repair?
the great and powerful Oz
09-09-04, 11:17 AM As i said in the title: it's cool and i really like it.

But they will be able to cast healing spells, will they not? By taking the healing domain.
For an arcane caster, that can be quite unbalancing. They don't mix, arcane spells and healing spells.

Do i understand this correctly: A L7 chaos mage with 18 intelligence could have the following schools/domains:

universal & chaos (L1)
healing (L2)
evocation, transmutation (intelligence)
abjuration (L7)

Would it work like that?
Zolgar
09-15-04, 12:45 AM That is correct yes.

As for the potential brokeness of allowing cleric domains.. Yeah, I'll give it that, however part of the logic in it is that they ascribe to no natural laws of magic.

And also to consider, said level seven character would be very limited in the number of spells they knew, leaving them very hard pressed to have adequate spells for healing, party buffing and combat.

There's a couple of minor adjustments I think I'll make though
the great and powerful Oz
10-09-04, 02:04 PM Good point on the limited selection.
I don't understand why this character requires the spells in writing to relearn unlearned spells; if his magic comes from within.
Zolgar
10-09-04, 11:54 PM Good point on the limited selection.
I don't understand why this character requires the spells in writing to relearn unlearned spells; if his magic comes from within.

His magic compacity, and knowledge of spells initially comes from within.

However, he can learn new spells from a written format, as long as he does not know more spells than he can currently handle.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Zolgar 07-04-04, 06:59 PM	Edit 1 major changes in red. Edit 2 major changes in Blue. (This is beinng edited on a laptop whos keyboard sucks, sorry) Edit 3 major changes in green Chaos Mage “I hear.. Voices.... Whispering in my head.. They tell me to burn..” The Chaos Mage, the cousins of sorcerers.. If what they say is true, and a Sorcerer gains his magic from draconic heritage, then the Chaos Mage is most certainly of demonic heritage. As a Sorcerer, their magic comes from within.. But for them, the magic is always there, burning inside their mind, driving them mad.. Few ever achieve any true skill, as most die of madness induced suicide, or of a spell gone awry. There are many risks for a Chaos Mage, but some find them to be well worth it. Alignment: Any non lawful Abilities: Intelligence is very important for the Chaos Mage, it’s the only thing that keeps them sane, giving them stronger control over their spells. Chaos mages spells are based off their intelligence (thus the DC for a spell is 10+spell level+int (+misc. modifiers)), their bonus spells are based off their intelligence score (see players handbook) and apply only to the number per day, and not the number known. They cast spells as a Sorcerer does, they do not need to prepare them in advance as all the spells they know are echoing through their head. Constitution can be quite important as well, due to the light armor of a spell caster, and the concentration required for some tasks. Dexterity is important, as well, again given the light armor of spellcasters. Hit Dice: D4 Class skills: Alchemy (int), Appraise (int), Concentration (con), craft (int), Knowledge (any) (int), Profession (wis), Spellcraft (int), Use Magic Device (cha) Skillpoints/level 2+intelligence modifier Multiclassing: If a Chaos Mage multiclasses in to any other spellcasting class that grants its own spells/day (not +levels of existing class) he still retains all spells learned and feats gained, but her permanently loses Chaotic Surge. Taking a prestige class that grants spells for exsisting classes, however, still works. Non spellcasters can freely become Chaos Mages, as if a latent power has come forth. Spallcasters cannot. Or, DM’s discretion, one who is already a spellcaster can, but treating it as a prestige class, with the requirement being suffering a sever mental trauma (such as near death, massive mishap with a scroll, etc) that causes them to go unstable. However, if this happens, they lose all schools of magic except for as many as they would have at first level (see Spellcasting, below). Level BAB F R W Special 1 0 0 0 2 Spellcasting, bonus feat, chaos surge 2 1 0 0 3 New School 3 1 1 1 3 4 2 1 1 4 Bonus feat 5 2 1 1 4 6 3 2 2 5 7 3 2 2 5 Bonus feat, New School 8 4 2 2 6 Faster Metamagic 9 4 3 3 6 10 5 3 3 7 Bonus feat 11 5 3 3 7 12 6 4 4 8 13 6 4 4 8 Bonus feat 14 7 4 4 9 New School 15 7 5 5 9 16 8 5 5 10 Bonus feat 17 8 5 5 10 18 9 6 6 11 19 9 6 6 11 Bonus feat 20 10 6 6 12 New school Spells known Level 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 5 3 - - - - - - - - 2 6 3 - - - - - - - - 3 6 4 - - - - - - - - 4 7 4 2 - - - - - - - 5 7 5 3 - - - - - - - 6 8 5 3 2 - - - - - - 7 8 6 4 3 - - - - - - 8 9 6 4 3 2 - - - - - 9 9 6 5 4 3 - - - - - 10 10 6 5 4 3 2 - - - - 11 10 6 6 5 4 3 - - - - 12 10 6 6 5 4 3 2 - - - 13 10 6 6 5 5 4 3 - - - 14 10 6 6 5 5 4 3 2 - - 15 10 6 6 5 5 5 4 3 - - 16 10 6 6 5 5 5 4 3 2 - 17 10 6 6 5 5 5 4 4 3 - 18 10 6 6 5 5 5 4 4 3 2 19 10 6 6 5 5 5 4 4 4 3 20 10 6 6 5 5 5 4 4 4 4 Spells/day level 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 5 3 - - - - - - - - 2 6 4 - - - - - - - - 3 6 5 - - - - - - - - 4 6 6 3 - - - - - - - 5 6 6 4 - - - - - - - 6 6 6 5 3 - - - - - - 7 6 6 6 4 - - - - - - 8 6 6 6 5 3 - - - - - 9 6 6 6 6 4 - - - - - 10 6 6 6 6 5 3 - - - - 11 6 6 6 6 6 4 - - - - 12 6 6 6 6 6 5 3 - - - 13 6 6 6 6 6 6 4 - - - 14 6 6 6 6 6 6 5 3 - - 15 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 4 - - 16 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 5 3 - 17 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 4 - 18 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 5 3 19 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 4 20 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 Spell casting: Chaos mages are limited in schools of magic, at first level they only have access to the Universal spell school And the spells of the Clerics "Chaos Domain", and 1 extra school per 4 full points of intelligence over 10 (10-13, Universal, 14-17, U+1, 18-21 U+2, 22-25 U+3, etc), at 7th, 14th and 20th level they gain a new school, as well as whenever their intelligence reaches another full 4 in the patters (The bonus cannot be one associated with a removable item) At 2nd 7th, 14th and 20th, and only at those 4 levels, the Chaos mage can, as an option, choose a Cleric domain to have spells from (they will not gain the associated power however). (in to epics, they only gain new schools once they have another 4 intelligence.) A Chaos Mage can unlearn old spells in order to learn new ones. It takes a week of study, working at least 8 hours a day with no major interruptions, in this time they may unlearn and learn new spells equal to their intelligence modifier , to learn new spells the Chaos Mage must have the spells on hand in written format, be they from a scroll (which will not use up the scroll), or borrowing a wizards spell book. This does not have to take place on leveling. (Thus a 5th level Chaos Mage with 18 intelligence can spend a week and unlearn 4 spells, and assuming they have the spell in a written format, learn 4 new spells, of the same levels.) Bonus Feats: A Chaos Mage gains extra feats every 3rd level (starting at 1, 4, 7, etc), these feats may consist of any Meta Magic feat, any item creation feat, or spell related feats (Spell Focus, weapon focus (spell), etc) Faster Metamagic: As per sorcerers, a Chaos Mag must spend a full foud action to castt a spell witha meta magic feat. Untill 8th level that is, at which point, as a optionn they can cast a spell with a metamagic feat in as much time as the spell takes without. However, this increases the chance of surging by twice the effective level of the spell after the feat. (Thus if a 8th Chaos Mage casts an empowered fireball (5th level) there is a 60% chance of a surge.) Chaos Surge: The nature of a Chaos Mages spells, constantly humming in their brain causes an interesting effect, sometimes when a chaos mage casts a spell, an occurrence known as a surge occures. A chaos mage can try to resist a surge if it’s coming, or try to force a surge if it’s not. Whenever a spell is cast, roll a D%, there is a 50% chance of a surge, if the chaos mage wishes to repress the surge, they roll a caster level check (D20+caster level) and decrease the chance by that much. (Xel, the 6th level Chaos Mage casts fireball, and he doesn’t want a surge so he rolls his caster level (d20+6) and comes up with a 17 (11+6) total, so he reduces the chance to a 33%, and on his percentile he rolls a 42%, if he’d just left it to chance he would have surged, but this way he doesn’t) If the spellcaster wishes to force a surge, it is the same work as repressing it, they roll a caster level check and add it to the chance. (Thus Xel, still 6th level is casting fireball again, and he’s in trouble so he’s hoping for an extra spell to be cast, he rolls his check and gets a natural 20, so a total of 26, so there is now a 76% chance of a surge, and he rolls a 67%, he surges, but wouldn’t have without forcing it) (epically, a 40th level Chaos mage has complete control over if they surge) Forcing or repressing a surge takes a full round action to cast the spell, and cannot be done with a metamagic feat untill the Chaos Mage reaches 8th level. % Effect 1-10 Visual or aural effects only 11-20 Reversed targeting 21-60 Random spell 61-94 Random MM Feat 95-99 Double spell 100 Roll again X2 Visual/aural effect: Sometimes when surging, the spell ist just more flashy than normal, or just looks wierd. The spell casts normally mechanics wise, however it may be sparkly, it may scream through the air, it may laugh as it zigzags through the air to hit its target, or it may do any number of things. Reversed Targeting: The bane of chaos mages, reversed targeting causes the spell if an attack spell (like Fireball) to target a random ally, and beneficial spells (like Bulls Strength) to target a random enemy. Random spell: More often than not, when a Chaos Mage surges it take effect by a random spell they know going off as well, up to the highest level spell they know, based on the following chart: (showing epic casting, too) --------highest level known------------- Etc---- % 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 1-10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 11-24 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 3 25-37 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 2 3 4 38-49 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 2 3 4 5 50-60 0 1 1 2 2 2 2 3 4 5 6 61-70 1 1 1 2 2 2 3 4 5 6 7 71-79 1 1 2 3 3 3 4 5 6 7 8 80-87 1 2 2 3 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 88-94 1 2 3 4 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 95-100 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 It is recommended to assign every spell known in each level a number or an equal percent chance from percentile dice. It is possible for this to happen and the same spell to go off twice. If a meta magic feat is used it only effects the main spell cast. A second spell that goes off can be redirected with a successful Concentration check (DCs on next page (chart 1)) Extra spells do not take extra material or EXP components. Random Meta Magic Feat: A random meta magic feat (wether the caster knows it or not) is added on to the spell that’s cast. In cases that more than one spell goes in to effect, this goes on to the initial spell cast unless the spell already has this feat or is incapable of receiving the effect, then it goes on to the second one. In cases where a certain meta magic feat cannot go in to effect (I.E. Maximize spell on a spell that has no variables) reroll if it comes to that section. For what feat goes in to effect, roll on the chart on the next page. Double spell: This effect is simply that the cast spell, as well as all meta magic feats added on to it go off twice (thus a maximized, empowered fireball that gets this will hit twice, dealing 120+10d6 damage.), it is possible to redirect the duplicate spell, but it’s harder, add 4 to the DC on chart 1. This does not take double EXP or material components. Roll again twice: Every ones favorite, you roll the surge chart twice and get two effects (if you get double spell twice, it’s triple spell), after getting this once, 100 is treated as double spell. Redirection chart 1 Metamagic Feat chart Level DC % Feat 0 5 1-15 Empower Spell 1 6 16-20 Maximize Spell 2 12 21-35 Enlarge Spell 3 16 36-45 Heighten Spell (+1d6 level, no max) 4 20 46-60 Extend Spell 5 24 61-75 Silent Spell 6 28 76-95 Still Spell 7 32 96-100 Quicken Spell 8 36 9 40 10 ??
Zolgar 07-05-04, 03:53 PM	It seems that once again I have stunned many with my genius.
Xod, Archmage 07-05-04, 05:01 PM	Not bad. Not bad at all. However, if they are spontaneous casters, it seems that Charisma would be a better fit for them. They are more Sorcerer than wizard. Besides, what "Chaos Mage" is going to sit down and learn Knowledge skills? It's a unique class. If they really were dedicated to chaos, I might allow them to add spells from the Chaos domain to their spell list, but that's just me. Nothing: Not quite what it sounds, when this comes up on a surge, Nothing spectacular happens, the spell may apear different, there may be sparkles and flowers in the air, etc. Nothing good or ill. Do they still lose a spell slot? Xod:behold:
Zolgar 07-05-04, 05:11 PM	Originally posted by Xod, Archmage Not bad. Not bad at all. However, if they are spontaneous casters, it seems that Charisma would be a better fit for them. They are more Sorcerer than wizard. Besides, what "Chaos Mage" is going to sit down and learn Knowledge skills? A creature devoted to chaos can still be incredibly smart. The idea behind their spells being based off of their inteligence over there charisma is two fold: First and formost: Charisma as spell casting, other than mind effecting spells, doesn't make sense. You're a better spell caster because you're good looking and talk well? And secondly: It's not so much a representation of book learning. but of their mind power.. Their mind is like a wizards spell book. It contains every spell they know. It's a unique class. If they really were dedicated to chaos, I might allow them to add spells from the Chaos domain to their spell list, but that's just me. Good idea. Do they still lose a spell slot? you misread that actualy. I'll try and clerify it better. But the spell still goes off, just nothing special game-rule wise happens with it.
BlaineTog 07-05-04, 06:07 PM	Originally posted by Zolgar A creature devoted to chaos can still be incredibly smart.No one's saying otherwise. Just that this spellcasting makes more sense to run off of Cha. Nothing about it says "analytical." First and formost: Charisma as spell casting, other than mind effecting spells, doesn't make sense. You're a better spell caster because you're good looking and talk well?No, you're a better spellcaster because you have a more powerful pressense, persona, ego, soul, emotions, etc. Looks are only a very small pert of Charisma, and not the part that touches spellcasting.
Zolgar 07-05-04, 06:41 PM	Originally posted by BlaineTog No one's saying otherwise. Just that this spellcasting makes more sense to run off of Cha. Nothing about it says "analytical." No, this one makes more sense to be based off inteligence for the other reason I put down, which you ignored. No, you're a better spellcaster because you have a more powerful pressense, persona, ego, soul, emotions, etc. Looks are only a very small pert of Charisma, and not the part that touches spellcasting. I still don't think charisma makes sense for spellcasting. But that's just my opinion.
BlaineTog 07-05-04, 07:02 PM	Originally posted by Zolgar No, this one makes more sense to be based off inteligence for the other reason I put down, which you ignored.Sorry about that. I was in a hurry. And secondly: It's not so much a representation of book learning. but of their mind power.. Their mind is like a wizards spell book. It contains every spell they know. Fine, whatever. "Mind power" can be any of the mental stats, really, but the issue isn'y really important.
tiggrhoo 07-06-04, 05:12 AM	Interesting class - definitely chaotic! I like the flavor text you wrote for it. You know, Zolgar, it seems to me that you could (if you like) make a case for any of the three mental stats to be the Chaos Mage's spellcasting stat. Since he's struggling with mighty forces of insanity, it's only his force of will that keeps him hanging on. ==> Wisdom Insane forces of chaos batter his mind, tearing at his ego. Only his formidable personality and sense of self hold his mind together. ==> Charisma You've already explained it for Intelligence. One idea you might consider: use one stat for number of spells and another for save difficulty. Good luck! edit - I just noticed BlaineTog mentioned the "any mental stat" idea also. Sorry, I think I'll go get some sleep now. :)
Zolgar 07-06-04, 06:32 AM	Originally posted by tiggrhoo Interesting class - definitely chaotic! I like the flavor text you wrote for it. You know, Zolgar, it seems to me that you could (if you like) make a case for any of the three mental stats to be the Chaos Mage's spellcasting stat. Since he's struggling with mighty forces of insanity, it's only his force of will that keeps him hanging on. ==> Wisdom Insane forces of chaos batter his mind, tearing at his ego. Only his formidable personality and sense of self hold his mind together. ==> Charisma You've already explained it for Intelligence. One idea you might consider: use one stat for number of spells and another for save difficulty. Good luck! edit - I just noticed BlaineTog mentioned the "any mental stat" idea also. Sorry, I think I'll go get some sleep now. :) That is a thought.. And yeah, I did consider using Wisdom, instead.. All three could be valid options. At the moment though I'm thinking the class may be too under powered, the limited spell schools is a major pain, and their bonuses don't out weigh it enough not to play a sorc or wiz instead. After all, Chaotic Surge is as much a blessing as a curse, the moment you cast fireball and it redirects on to an ally..... At the moment I'm thinking adding another bonus school at second level, and allowing them to cast spells with metamagic feats, without it taking longer. thoughts?
Zolgar 07-06-04, 06:24 PM	bumps and updates
Zolgar 07-12-04, 06:35 AM	:bump: Man, what is it with my classes and getting so little input on their power.. Are they perfectly balanced, or broken beyond all repair?
the great and powerful Oz 09-09-04, 11:17 AM	As i said in the title: it's cool and i really like it. But they will be able to cast healing spells, will they not? By taking the healing domain. For an arcane caster, that can be quite unbalancing. They don't mix, arcane spells and healing spells. Do i understand this correctly: A L7 chaos mage with 18 intelligence could have the following schools/domains: universal & chaos (L1) healing (L2) evocation, transmutation (intelligence) abjuration (L7) Would it work like that?
Zolgar 09-15-04, 12:45 AM	That is correct yes. As for the potential brokeness of allowing cleric domains.. Yeah, I'll give it that, however part of the logic in it is that they ascribe to no natural laws of magic. And also to consider, said level seven character would be very limited in the number of spells they knew, leaving them very hard pressed to have adequate spells for healing, party buffing and combat. There's a couple of minor adjustments I think I'll make though
the great and powerful Oz 10-09-04, 02:04 PM	Good point on the limited selection. I don't understand why this character requires the spells in writing to relearn unlearned spells; if his magic comes from within.
Zolgar 10-09-04, 11:54 PM	Good point on the limited selection. I don't understand why this character requires the spells in writing to relearn unlearned spells; if his magic comes from within. His magic compacity, and knowledge of spells initially comes from within. However, he can learn new spells from a written format, as long as he does not know more spells than he can currently handle.