Bone Lord [PEACH] [Archive] - Wizards Community

Bone Lord [PEACH] [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
captianhowdy
05-19-07, 06:33 PM Bone Lords are the arcane/divine spellcasters who desire to create, conquer by, and rule with a massive army of the undead. They have blended the arcane and divine arts of spellcasting to maximize their control on mindless undead.

HD:d4

Requirements:
Alignment: Any non-good
Skills: Knowledge (religion) 8, Knowledge (military) 4
Feats: Corpsecrafter
Spells: Command Undead and Summon Undead
Special: The ability to rebuke undead

Class Skills: Concentration, Craft, Diplomacy, Hide, Knowledge (any), Listen, Move Silently, Profession, and Spellcraft
Skill Points per Level: 2+ Int modifier

The Bone Lord
Level BaB Fort Ref Will Special Spells per Day
1st +0 +0 +0 +2 Rebuke Undead +1 arcane or divine
2nd +1 +0 +0 +3 Animate Undead +1 arcane or divine
3rd +1 +1 +1 +3 Necromantic Prowess +1 +1 arcane or divine
4th +2 +1 +1 +4 Zone of Desecration +1 arcane or divine
5th +2 +1 +1 +4 Deathless Vigor, Undead Armor Affinity 10% +1 arcane or divine
6th +3 +2 +2 +5 Necromantic Prowess +2 +1 arcane or divine
7th +3 +2 +2 +5 Necromantic Metabolism +1 arcane or divine
8th +4 +2 +2 +6 General of Undead +1 arcane or divine
9th +4 +3 +3 +6 Necromantic Prowess +3, Undead Armor Affinity 20% +1 arcane or divine
10th +5 +3 +3 +7 Touch of Death, Lord of the Dead +1 arcane or divine

Class Features:

Weapon and Armor Proficiencies:The Bone Lord gain proficiency with all martial weapons and all types of armor and shields (except tower shields).

Rebuke Undead: Bone Lord levels stack with all other class levels that grant the ability to Rebuke/Command Undead.

Animate Dead: At the 2nd level, the Bone Lord gains power over the undead. Once per day, he can cast Animate Dead, as the spell, without the need for material components. Use the Bone Lord's highest caster level for this effect. All other level restrictions of Animate Dead still apply.

Necromantic Prowess: Observing his growing army, the Bone Lord learns more about what exactly makes them tick. At the 3rd level, the Bone Lord gains surpassed power over the dead. When he rebukes undead, cast a necromancy spell, or uses a spell like ability mimicking a necromancy spell, his effective caster level increases. This bonus is +1 at the rd level, +2 at the 6th, and +3 at the 9th.

Zone of Desecration: At 4th level, the Bone Lord's authority of undead extends. Undead in the general area are strengthened by his presence. He gains an aura with effects identical to that of the desecrate spell except it only effects ally undead.

Deathless Vigor: At 5th level, the Bone Lord's body begins to take on his allies traits. His body becomes more like his undead associates, giving him a +4 bonus on Fort saves except against those that also effect objects.

Undead Armor Affinity: Also at the 5th level, the Bone Lord develops a taste for undead armor. He can treat the armor as if its arcane spell failure chance was 10% less. At the 9th level, this reduction improves to 20%.

Necrotic Metabolism: At the 7th level, the Bone Lord becomes even more like his undead allies. He no longer needs to eat, breathe, or sleep (although he must still rest 8 hours to regain spells per day). He becomes immune to inhaled poisons, drowning, suffocation, and sleep effects. In addition, he is also no longer subject to fatigue and exhaustion and ignores these effects.

General of Undeath: As a spell like ability, the Bone Lord can gain the benefits of General of Undeath (Spell Compendium) once per day.

Touch of Death: At the 10th level, the Bone Lord can channel necromantic energy through his body at a whim. A living foe up to one size category larger than the Bone Lord hit by a touch attack must succeed on a Fortitude save or die. A slain creature automatically animates 1 round later as a zombie and is under the control of the Bone Lord. Undead created this was do not count against the Bone Lord's HD total for controlling undead.

Lord of the Dead: After several conquest with his minions, the Bone Lord has become so much like his allies that his body begins to naturally function as their's. At the 10th level, the Bone Lord gains all immunities of the undead type. He is immune to poisons, critical hits, paralysis, death effects, ability drains, and energy drain, as well as damage to his physical ability scores (Str, Dex, Con).
Danahan
05-19-07, 10:34 PM First of all, I noted that this prestige class seems like a hybrid between the True Necromancer and the Pale Master, both from Libris Mortis. I was picturing this class as a necro who gained abilities that would beef up his undead minions. Instead his abilities seem focused on himself.

Weapon and Armor Proficiencies: General of the Dead gain proficiency with all simple weapons and all types of armor and shields (except tower shields).

A prestige class doesn't really need simple weapon proficiency, because the character will most likely already have it from whatever core class they came in from, unless they're a monk or something.

Since there will be arcane spellcasters entering this class, you might want to offer martial weapon proficiency instead. I can really picture these generals wielding scythes, a martial weapon typical of most necros.

Touch of Death: At the 10th level, a living foe up to one size category larger than the General of the Dead hit by a touch attack must succeed on a Fortitude save or die. A slain creature automatically animates 1 round later as a zombie and is under the control of the General of the Dead . Undead created this was do not count against the General of the Dead's HD total for controlling undead.

When I first read this, I thought it seemed a little beefy, but then I remembered how the assassin has his death attack. It still seems like something is missing though... You might just have to add some flavor.

Lord of the Dead: At the 10th level, the General of the Dead gains all immunities of the undead type. He is immune to poisons, critical hits, paralysis, death effects, ability drains, and energy drain, as well as damage to his physical ability scores (Str, Dex, Con).

Cool! :D
Dyne
05-19-07, 10:52 PM Too many borrowed abilities from Pale Master, not enough for actually commanding undead. I don't think it really fits the name of the PrC.
captianhowdy
05-19-07, 10:58 PM To be honest, it was a blend of those two classes. Never was able to find a good PrC for a necro, so I meshed the two together. Since Im being told the name doesnt fit, anyone have a suggestion for a new one? and edits made
Danahan
05-20-07, 10:40 AM A few randomly generated necromancer sounding names:

Bone Lord
Corpse Reaper
Grim Acolyte
Cemetery Witch/Warlock
Mortis Priest/Priestess
Twilight Boss
Midnight Prince
Onyx King
Purple Master
Black Mage (actually generated, lmao!)
captianhowdy
05-20-07, 02:37 PM Ok, name is changed
Dyne
05-20-07, 02:40 PM Except, manifester makes it sound like a psionic class. That actually gives me an idea....

I'd say Bone Lord fits it pretty well, but it really is your choice what to call it.
captianhowdy
05-20-07, 02:59 PM Ok. Hopefully this is a good name. Now, how is it in terms of balance?
Danahan
05-20-07, 03:17 PM This class is quite balanced since its pretty much a hybrid of the True Necro and Pale Master. The name is much, much better now! My only recommendation at this point is to add some flavor to the class description and abilities so that it becomes more attractive to prospective players.
captianhowdy
05-20-07, 03:26 PM Alright, i wanted to get everything even before I added too much flavor. Any help with its appreciated, and in return for anything ill brew up some stuff for your "silly handbook" thing
Dyne
05-20-07, 03:34 PM I would say it needs much higher prerequisites. Its prereqs are actually easier to meet than the True Necromancer, even though its even more powerful. Some ideas you could try:

Raising the skill requirements (at least 8 ranks in each, but as many as 10), maybe even adding on other skills
Add some feat prereqs. Possibilities could include: Spell Focus (Necromancy), Skill Focus in one of the skill prereqs, Corpsecrafter (from Libris Mortis), Bolster Resistance (also LM), other feats that deal with undead (especially boosting/creating them). The Tomb-Born feats might make excellent Prereqs, since they deal with becoming more like undead (which seems to be one of the premises of the PrC).
Special requirements, such as the ability to rebuke undead, access to the Death domain, etc.
Some special roleplaying requirement, like they have to drink some special arcane mixture or be inducted into some special organization.

Also, d8 HD seems way too high for everything this PrC gains. Just for being a full double-caster, it shouldn't have more than a d4 or d6. If you stunted its spellcasting progression a bit (like how True Necromancer did it), you could get away with a d6. Also, since the PrC is described as a conqueror, I would raise the BAB to 3/4.
Deviston
05-21-07, 12:33 PM ok... class features, bonus rebuking, undead qualities AND full casting for both previous classes... anything wrong here? fine, maybe i misread it and its only one or the other. still! you could max out one! i think its wicked uber powered.
captianhowdy
05-21-07, 01:16 PM You didnt misread it, but come to think of it, now that you mention it, it does need to be one of the other in caster levels.
Dyne
05-21-07, 03:33 PM You didnt misread it, but come to think of it, now that you mention it, it does need to be one of the other in caster levels.

If it only advances in one, it's probably somewhat underpowered. You have to pick up at least 3 levels of cleric just to meet the requirements, and then you only advance as a wizard?

I think it'd be best to base the caster progression on the Mystic Theurge and True Necromancer (heck, you could probably mimic the True Necromancer progression and do just fine).
Beholderbob
05-21-07, 04:09 PM This class seems great for Dread Necromancer - except it requires casting as a cleric. Is this necessary? Perhaps require the casting of a clerical necro spell instead...
Deviston
05-21-07, 04:36 PM mystic... no. mystic had same reqs basicly got NO class features and thats balanced. no,,, it needs to be dumbed down a bit. WAY too strong as is

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
captianhowdy 05-19-07, 06:33 PM	Bone Lords are the arcane/divine spellcasters who desire to create, conquer by, and rule with a massive army of the undead. They have blended the arcane and divine arts of spellcasting to maximize their control on mindless undead. HD:d4 Requirements: Alignment: Any non-good Skills: Knowledge (religion) 8, Knowledge (military) 4 Feats: Corpsecrafter Spells: Command Undead and Summon Undead Special: The ability to rebuke undead Class Skills: Concentration, Craft, Diplomacy, Hide, Knowledge (any), Listen, Move Silently, Profession, and Spellcraft Skill Points per Level: 2+ Int modifier The Bone Lord Level BaB Fort Ref Will Special Spells per Day 1st +0 +0 +0 +2 Rebuke Undead +1 arcane or divine 2nd +1 +0 +0 +3 Animate Undead +1 arcane or divine 3rd +1 +1 +1 +3 Necromantic Prowess +1 +1 arcane or divine 4th +2 +1 +1 +4 Zone of Desecration +1 arcane or divine 5th +2 +1 +1 +4 Deathless Vigor, Undead Armor Affinity 10% +1 arcane or divine 6th +3 +2 +2 +5 Necromantic Prowess +2 +1 arcane or divine 7th +3 +2 +2 +5 Necromantic Metabolism +1 arcane or divine 8th +4 +2 +2 +6 General of Undead +1 arcane or divine 9th +4 +3 +3 +6 Necromantic Prowess +3, Undead Armor Affinity 20% +1 arcane or divine 10th +5 +3 +3 +7 Touch of Death, Lord of the Dead +1 arcane or divine Class Features: Weapon and Armor Proficiencies:The Bone Lord gain proficiency with all martial weapons and all types of armor and shields (except tower shields). Rebuke Undead: Bone Lord levels stack with all other class levels that grant the ability to Rebuke/Command Undead. Animate Dead: At the 2nd level, the Bone Lord gains power over the undead. Once per day, he can cast Animate Dead, as the spell, without the need for material components. Use the Bone Lord's highest caster level for this effect. All other level restrictions of Animate Dead still apply. Necromantic Prowess: Observing his growing army, the Bone Lord learns more about what exactly makes them tick. At the 3rd level, the Bone Lord gains surpassed power over the dead. When he rebukes undead, cast a necromancy spell, or uses a spell like ability mimicking a necromancy spell, his effective caster level increases. This bonus is +1 at the rd level, +2 at the 6th, and +3 at the 9th. Zone of Desecration: At 4th level, the Bone Lord's authority of undead extends. Undead in the general area are strengthened by his presence. He gains an aura with effects identical to that of the desecrate spell except it only effects ally undead. Deathless Vigor: At 5th level, the Bone Lord's body begins to take on his allies traits. His body becomes more like his undead associates, giving him a +4 bonus on Fort saves except against those that also effect objects. Undead Armor Affinity: Also at the 5th level, the Bone Lord develops a taste for undead armor. He can treat the armor as if its arcane spell failure chance was 10% less. At the 9th level, this reduction improves to 20%. Necrotic Metabolism: At the 7th level, the Bone Lord becomes even more like his undead allies. He no longer needs to eat, breathe, or sleep (although he must still rest 8 hours to regain spells per day). He becomes immune to inhaled poisons, drowning, suffocation, and sleep effects. In addition, he is also no longer subject to fatigue and exhaustion and ignores these effects. General of Undeath: As a spell like ability, the Bone Lord can gain the benefits of General of Undeath (Spell Compendium) once per day. Touch of Death: At the 10th level, the Bone Lord can channel necromantic energy through his body at a whim. A living foe up to one size category larger than the Bone Lord hit by a touch attack must succeed on a Fortitude save or die. A slain creature automatically animates 1 round later as a zombie and is under the control of the Bone Lord. Undead created this was do not count against the Bone Lord's HD total for controlling undead. Lord of the Dead: After several conquest with his minions, the Bone Lord has become so much like his allies that his body begins to naturally function as their's. At the 10th level, the Bone Lord gains all immunities of the undead type. He is immune to poisons, critical hits, paralysis, death effects, ability drains, and energy drain, as well as damage to his physical ability scores (Str, Dex, Con).
Danahan 05-19-07, 10:34 PM	First of all, I noted that this prestige class seems like a hybrid between the True Necromancer and the Pale Master, both from Libris Mortis. I was picturing this class as a necro who gained abilities that would beef up his undead minions. Instead his abilities seem focused on himself. Weapon and Armor Proficiencies: General of the Dead gain proficiency with all simple weapons and all types of armor and shields (except tower shields). A prestige class doesn't really need simple weapon proficiency, because the character will most likely already have it from whatever core class they came in from, unless they're a monk or something. Since there will be arcane spellcasters entering this class, you might want to offer martial weapon proficiency instead. I can really picture these generals wielding scythes, a martial weapon typical of most necros. Touch of Death: At the 10th level, a living foe up to one size category larger than the General of the Dead hit by a touch attack must succeed on a Fortitude save or die. A slain creature automatically animates 1 round later as a zombie and is under the control of the General of the Dead . Undead created this was do not count against the General of the Dead's HD total for controlling undead. When I first read this, I thought it seemed a little beefy, but then I remembered how the assassin has his death attack. It still seems like something is missing though... You might just have to add some flavor. Lord of the Dead: At the 10th level, the General of the Dead gains all immunities of the undead type. He is immune to poisons, critical hits, paralysis, death effects, ability drains, and energy drain, as well as damage to his physical ability scores (Str, Dex, Con). Cool! :D
Dyne 05-19-07, 10:52 PM	Too many borrowed abilities from Pale Master, not enough for actually commanding undead. I don't think it really fits the name of the PrC.
captianhowdy 05-19-07, 10:58 PM	To be honest, it was a blend of those two classes. Never was able to find a good PrC for a necro, so I meshed the two together. Since Im being told the name doesnt fit, anyone have a suggestion for a new one? and edits made
Danahan 05-20-07, 10:40 AM	A few randomly generated necromancer sounding names: Bone Lord Corpse Reaper Grim Acolyte Cemetery Witch/Warlock Mortis Priest/Priestess Twilight Boss Midnight Prince Onyx King Purple Master Black Mage (actually generated, lmao!)
captianhowdy 05-20-07, 02:37 PM	Ok, name is changed
Dyne 05-20-07, 02:40 PM	Except, manifester makes it sound like a psionic class. That actually gives me an idea.... I'd say Bone Lord fits it pretty well, but it really is your choice what to call it.
captianhowdy 05-20-07, 02:59 PM	Ok. Hopefully this is a good name. Now, how is it in terms of balance?
Danahan 05-20-07, 03:17 PM	This class is quite balanced since its pretty much a hybrid of the True Necro and Pale Master. The name is much, much better now! My only recommendation at this point is to add some flavor to the class description and abilities so that it becomes more attractive to prospective players.
captianhowdy 05-20-07, 03:26 PM	Alright, i wanted to get everything even before I added too much flavor. Any help with its appreciated, and in return for anything ill brew up some stuff for your "silly handbook" thing
Dyne 05-20-07, 03:34 PM	I would say it needs much higher prerequisites. Its prereqs are actually easier to meet than the True Necromancer, even though its even more powerful. Some ideas you could try: Raising the skill requirements (at least 8 ranks in each, but as many as 10), maybe even adding on other skills Add some feat prereqs. Possibilities could include: Spell Focus (Necromancy), Skill Focus in one of the skill prereqs, Corpsecrafter (from Libris Mortis), Bolster Resistance (also LM), other feats that deal with undead (especially boosting/creating them). The Tomb-Born feats might make excellent Prereqs, since they deal with becoming more like undead (which seems to be one of the premises of the PrC). Special requirements, such as the ability to rebuke undead, access to the Death domain, etc. Some special roleplaying requirement, like they have to drink some special arcane mixture or be inducted into some special organization. Also, d8 HD seems way too high for everything this PrC gains. Just for being a full double-caster, it shouldn't have more than a d4 or d6. If you stunted its spellcasting progression a bit (like how True Necromancer did it), you could get away with a d6. Also, since the PrC is described as a conqueror, I would raise the BAB to 3/4.
Deviston 05-21-07, 12:33 PM	ok... class features, bonus rebuking, undead qualities AND full casting for both previous classes... anything wrong here? fine, maybe i misread it and its only one or the other. still! you could max out one! i think its wicked uber powered.
captianhowdy 05-21-07, 01:16 PM	You didnt misread it, but come to think of it, now that you mention it, it does need to be one of the other in caster levels.
Dyne 05-21-07, 03:33 PM	You didnt misread it, but come to think of it, now that you mention it, it does need to be one of the other in caster levels. If it only advances in one, it's probably somewhat underpowered. You have to pick up at least 3 levels of cleric just to meet the requirements, and then you only advance as a wizard? I think it'd be best to base the caster progression on the Mystic Theurge and True Necromancer (heck, you could probably mimic the True Necromancer progression and do just fine).
Beholderbob 05-21-07, 04:09 PM	This class seems great for Dread Necromancer - except it requires casting as a cleric. Is this necessary? Perhaps require the casting of a clerical necro spell instead...
Deviston 05-21-07, 04:36 PM	mystic... no. mystic had same reqs basicly got NO class features and thats balanced. no,,, it needs to be dumbed down a bit. WAY too strong as is