Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Malthane 06-06-05, 11:15 AM	Our gaming group is planning a return to D&D and in doing so I, (the former DM) actually get to play as a player  Our DM has chosen the Eberron campaign as it is new to most of us and has a unique flavor (it can be a real challange to RP low level characters in a world like Fearun where we have all run characters into their 30's) Since I've been away for some time, I am reading furiously through everything I can get my hands on. Our DM is open to any and all published rules so long as he has an opportunity to read them and alter them as needed to fit his campaign. I find myself in a unique position now, as it’s been a long, long time since I’ve gotten to enjoy the game as a player only, and not a DM. I’ve been relishing in the opportunity to create a character that has depth, intrigue and of course, is powerful (even ex-DMs like to kick arse)! With the unique races and tone of Eberron one race that continues to excite me is the Kalahstar and their struggle against the Inpsired (to this end the Inspired are quite neat as well). I originally wanted to play a reluctant hero character. Someone or something, with remarkable talents that is being hunted by a greater power. This power seeks to persuade my character to join them, or failing that, die. I couldn’t help but think of Todd McFarlane’s Spawn character. A creature not entirely at home with his talents or himself, but attempting to do the right thing regardless. This character could of course be any race, and even a monster if it fit correctly, again our DM is quite open to anything. The second idea I had was that of a Kalashtar Warrior. I say warrior not necessarily in the 'class' sense, but in ideology. The character pursues martial perfection in both mind and body. He seeks to lead assaults on the Inspired, and destroy them outright. (such an overused and untimely example, but honestly Jedi come to mind) This character would have an internal struggle between the human and Quori, attempting to carve his own identity out of the two very different memories swirling within him. A psychic warrior, fighting an unseen war along with a physical one. I like the depth of this character but since the new rules are still foreign to me (we played 2nd edition) I’m not entirely sure how capable or powerful such a character would be. I’d appreciate any feedback and ideas the community can present on the above or anything else really. I always enjoy pulling inspiration from those around me and it’s particularly useful to me now, as I enter into a game set that is quite changed from the one I know. Once we have character concepts I would further appreciate any input on feats and starting out. I get to start out at level 5 to fit with the current story. Thanks in advance!
Tairus Hotept 06-06-05, 11:34 AM	Thanks for asking this. I know that I am not going to "help" you with this character much, but I too am looking to see how the forum members will develop a Psion character. I have never used Psionics in any of my previous adventures as DM or player, so I am hoping that this thread gets picked up soon so I can see the development. Great post. T.Hotept
makeshiftwings 06-06-05, 12:49 PM	If you can get a copy of Races of Eberron, there is some good info on Kalashtar, and a lot of feats and such to make the Soulblade class more powerful. The Soulblade is pretty similar to the Psionic Warrior in terms of "jedi-ness" ;). There is also a bunch of background material on soulblades being the warrior caste of the Kalashtar in the battles against the Quori, so it might be just what you're looking for.
Malthane 06-06-05, 12:56 PM	If you can get a copy of Races of Eberron, there is some good info on Kalashtar, and a lot of feats and such to make the Soulblade class more powerful. Picked it up this morning, very much looking forward to reading through it. I'll be certain to look at the Soulblade a bit more as well. Thank you.
Trannic 06-06-05, 01:41 PM	I'm currently playing a Kalashtar Soulknife and I'm enjoying it immensely. My character is a very serious lawful good character who is one of the Shadow Watcher's (read it in the book), but is currently adventuring so he can see whether his adventuring crew would be trustworthy and able enough to join the fight against the dreaming dark (though they don't know this). It's great, the feat Soulblade Warrior is an exceptional first level feat, especially with the use of action points, I would suggest taking that and some feats that boost action points. Also try to get feats that use your natural pool of power points, or add a level or two of psion to realy "Jedi" out. RoE is a great book to have for details on the Kalashtar. Also look at the Atavist PrC in the same book. I hope that helps.
Malthane 06-06-05, 01:56 PM	I hope that helps. It does, immensely. Couple questions on this; First off is a Soulknife a warrior class? Is multiclassing a Kalashtar Psion/Warrior a smart way to go? Or is a Monk/Psion more appropriate to the story? Also regarding your Soulknife, would you mind giving me a brief "day in the life" as it were? Just a prelude as to what you do in the group, or what your character does in a typical encounter. I very much appreciate the continued feedback.
Trannic 06-06-05, 04:31 PM	Well, my character is one of the frontline people with the ability to sneak around, so often, I either move into position stealthly and set up a flank with the party rogue, or I throw my mindblade then attack head on. I also have the shield of thought feat (which has turned out to be very handy) and psionic weapon, so, in an ordinary battle, I make sure I'm psionically focused (do this first thing in the morning since it holds all day) and my mindblade has been imbued with psychic strike and I try to pound through the most damage as quickly as possible. imbueing a mindblade is only a move action and it doesn't provoke an AoO so try to use it every round, then when feel the time is right expend your focus and use psionic weapon, you can easily do 20 points of damage or more in one hit.Being that I have the second highest hit points in the party , I generally try to make sure that noone can get to the lower hp members of the party. Use tumble to avoid AoO's. I also took the first level of the racial sub levels for soulknife, which is good, since you don't need wild talent, however, unless your playing a campaign with a heavy amount of Dreaming Dark and/or possession, you probably won't need the other sub levels, psychic strike is better. As for the rest, I (my character) speaks little, often only at times when discussing tactics, or courses of action since he does not sully himself with crude humour. My character is a soldier who prefers to end combat as quickly and effeciently as possible. Occasionally I'll reminisce about a long forgotten battle, like a battle in the Valley of Whispering Colours ( which I wasn't in, my quori spirit was). There was something else, but I forgot it so I'll post when I remember.
Trannic 06-06-05, 07:48 PM	Ok, I remember now, a Soul knife is a martial class with some advantages and disadvantages. You get a free magical weapon from lvl1. Amindblade is considered magical fro DR purposes. Later levels you get free enhancement bonuses and three different forms, all of which can be thrown at a range of 30ft. Basically the weapon is invulnerable to Sunder because if someone breaks it, you just make a new one.some decent class skills and class abilities. D10 HD. psychic strike, it's not precision damage so it works against a wider range of targets. Disadvantages, rogue BAB. light armor only. you're psionic, but are not a manifester, so no powers. No bonus feats like a psychic warrior. Either way, multiclassing is fine, though you'll want a minimum of 5 lvls of soulknife, most likely before you multiclass. Psion works well, because Kalashtar generally end up with a larger base racial pool of PP than any other psionic race. So does psychic warrior, what with its concentration on martial powers.
collinf 06-06-05, 09:35 PM	Malthane: I have played D&D for many years and just recently got involved in an Eberron campaign which started last Fall. It is indeed quite different! I encourage anyone looking to start Eberron to read Keith Baker's book "City of Towers". That book more than anything gave me a real feel for what Eberron is like. ;) Given your character concept, it sounds like everyone here is on the right track. Most folks pick some type of a psionic class when playing a Kalashtar. We had a Kalashtar Soulknife in our campaign for a while. We now have a Kalashtar Monk, which also works quite well. There are some Dragonshard articles here on the D&D website that are particularly helpful if you are thinking about going that route. Otherwise, I think Soulknife or Psychic Warrior makes sense given what you mentioned. However, just because you have chosen Kalashtar as a race, don't think you have to "meta-game" it by choosing some kind of psionic character class. From your description, I thought a monk sounded like the most plausible. -Collin :cool:
Malthane 06-06-05, 10:24 PM	Malthane: I read Keith Baker's book "City of Towers". That book more than anything gave me a real feel for what Eberron is like. ;) -Collin :cool: Excellent, I'll pick that up tommorrow and advise my DM to do the same. As for metagaming psionics, I actually enjoy the idea of a character that is developed in some form of psionics or magic. I've always found pure warriors a bit bland in the long term (of course this prejiduce was derived through 2nd edition rules and I can see that the new system is far more exciting for all classes so perhaps my opinion will change). I know very little about Monks, but have read a lot of shall we say negative posts about the class. My only real concern would be if Monk is the right fit. What I'm begining to envision is a lightly armed and lightly armored man, tall for a human with broad shoulders framing a lean, muscular build. His face belies a wisdom far older than the skin stretched across it. He appears reserved, quiet, calm, yet imposing. A character that is strangely alluring and intimidating at the same time. In his presense, comrades feel more assured, as though thier cause is guided. A long, simple cloak of fine material enwraps the figure, a few small pouches litter his belt line, mostly obscured by the fabric of the cloak. Perhaps he is wearing armor of some kind, but its make is light, or perhaps its only cloth and something ether protects the figure beneath it. No sword hangs from his belt and no sheild is strapped across his back. Instead the figure carries a simple oak staff approximately 6' in height. He carries it with the casual grace of a man well versed in it's use. His balanced gait, careful footsteps, and gentle swager identify him as a being well versed in the arts of combat, an assumption driven to fact when battle arrives. The simple oaken staff comes to life with psychic energy as a massive axe blade is manifested upon its haft. Moving with speed and grace the Kalashtar attacks his opponents mind and body, destorying them without pause. Another step towards the end of Darkness reign. ....or something like that?
collinf 06-07-05, 05:06 PM	Excellent, I'll pick that up tommorrow and advise my DM to do the same. As for metagaming psionics, I actually enjoy the idea of a character that is developed in some form of psionics or magic. I've always found pure warriors a bit bland in the long term (of course this prejiduce was derived through 2nd edition rules and I can see that the new system is far more exciting for all classes so perhaps my opinion will change). I know very little about Monks, but have read a lot of shall we say negative posts about the class. My only real concern would be if Monk is the right fit. What I'm begining to envision is a lightly armed and lightly armored man, tall for a human with broad shoulders framing a lean, muscular build. His face belies a wisdom far older than the skin stretched across it. He appears reserved, quiet, calm, yet imposing. A character that is strangely alluring and intimidating at the same time. In his presense, comrades feel more assured, as though thier cause is guided. A long, simple cloak of fine material enwraps the figure, a few small pouches litter his belt line, mostly obscured by the fabric of the cloak. Perhaps he is wearing armor of some kind, but its make is light, or perhaps its only cloth and something ether protects the figure beneath it. No sword hangs from his belt and no sheild is strapped across his back. Instead the figure carries a simple oak staff approximately 6' in height. He carries it with the casual grace of a man well versed in it's use. His balanced gait, careful footsteps, and gentle swager identify him as a being well versed in the arts of combat, an assumption driven to fact when battle arrives. The simple oaken staff comes to life with psychic energy as a massive axe blade is manifested upon its haft. Moving with speed and grace the Kalashtar attacks his opponents mind and body, destorying them without pause. Another step towards the end of Darkness reign. ....or something like that? Malthane: I know what you mean about monks in 2nd edition. I've played mostly monk characters since 1st edition and I thought they were highly bastardized in 2nd edition. They became more like bards: jacks of many trades but masters of none. 3rd edition put the monks back more to what they were in 1st edition: Buddhist-like hand-to-hand combat artists. You know, what you are describing sounds a little like a bit of a ranger/rogue or even a scout hybrid with some monk characteristics. Have you read about the new Scout character class in Complete Adventurer? I think it's the bomb! The class is sort of like a ranger/rogue hybrid, but it might be something you want to check out for possibilities. Multi-classing a scout with another class I think would be so awesome. In fact, I just rolled up a scout/fighter 2nd level character yesterday for a new campaign a friend of mine is starting. I like you character ideas. They are characteristics I like to imbue in my characters (i.e., sneaky). -Collin :cool: