Post/Author/DateTime	Post
mod5000 11-03-07, 12:13 AM	Author's Note: The cake is a lie. http://www.wizards.com/dnd/images/compmage_gallery/100482.jpg Magus Portalus: "So I took where I was and where I wanted to be and created a doorway between the two." Most people think that one must travel, or walk, or use great magics to travel from one point to another. Unfortunately... they're wrong. You know the secret behind it all. All space is just one point in the great multiverse, and one can easily fold the fabric of space to bring one area closer to another area. All that much be done is to create a portal that connects the two. Becoming a Magus Portalus: The majority of Magi Portalus are Wizards and Sorcerers, or multiclass Bard / Clerics. A few Mystic Theurges also enter the class, but those are often few and far between. Entry Requirements: Knowledge (Arcana) 8 ranks Knowledge (The Planes) 4 ranks Spellcraft 8 ranks Spells: Must be able to cast Magic Circle Against Chaos/Evil/Good/Law and two Conjuration (Summoning) or Conjuration (Calling) spells of 2nd level or higher. Feats: Skill Focus: Knowledge (The Planes) level BAB Fort Ref Will Special Spellcasting 1 +0 +0 +0 +2 Create Portal 3/day +1 level of existing spellcasting class 2 +1 +0 +0 +3 Detect Portal +1 level of existing spellcasting class 3 +1 +1 +1 +3 Analyze Portal +1 level of existing spellcasting class 4 +2 +1 +1 +4 Create Portal 6/day, Large Portal 5 +2 +1 +1 +4 Swift Portal +1 level of existing spellcasting class 6 +3 +2 +2 +5 Rapid Summoning +1 level of existing spellcasting class 7 +3 +2 +2 +5 Create Portal 9/day, +1 level of existing spellcasting class Suppress Planar Travel 8 +4 +2 +2 +6 Sunder My Portal 9 +4 +3 +3 +6 Portalus Destructus +1 level of existing spellcasting class 10 +5 +3 +3 +7 Create Portal 12/day, +1 level of existing spellcasting class Become One With the Plane Spells per Day: You continue training in magic as well as gaining power over portals. Thus, when a new level is gained (except at 5th and 8th level) you gain new spells per day as if you gained a level in whatever arcane spellcasting class you belonged to before you entered the prestige class. You do not, however, gain any other benefit a character of that class would have gained. This essentially means that you add the level of Magus Portalus to the level of whatever other spellcasting class you have, then determine spells per day accordingly. If you had more than one arcane spellcasting class before you become a Magus Portalus, you must decide to which class you add each level of Magus Portalus for the purposes of determining spells per day when you add the new level. Create Portal (Su): You may create a portal at a range of 30' on any relatively flat surface you can see (including the ground) that leads to another portal you create within 10' per class level on another flat surface you can see. This portal lasts for a number of minutes equal to your class level, and may be used by any creature of up to size Large (who have to squeeze through). Creatures who enter one portal exit the other. You may destroy the portals with a standard action. Anyone moving through the portal as it is destroyed must make a Reflex save (DC 10 + casting stat + 1/2 class level) or take 1d6 damage for every two class levels you possess. The creature may choose on which side of the destroyed portal they end up. The surface on which the portal is created must be large enough to allow a creature of medium size to move through easily. (For example, you could make a portal on a door, but not on a tree branch.) If you create a portal under a creature, it must make a Reflex save (DC 10 + 1/2 class level + casting stat) or fall through the portal. If this moves a creature to somewhere dangerous, (in the air, into lava, etc) they get a +4 bonus to their saving throw. Detect Portal (Ex): You are so attuned to portals that should you come within 60' of a portal the DM makes a secret Search check on your behalf, with a DC of 15. If successful, you learn that there is a portal somewhere within the vicinity. To find the exact location of the portal, you must make another search check with a DC of 25 while being within 5' of the portal. Analyze Portal (Sp): You may now use the Analyze Portal spell three times per day. (See Spell Compendium) Large Portal (Su): You may now create a portal of a Large size, though it must meet all the requirements of the Create Portal ability. Now Huge creatures may squeeze through, or two medium creatures comfortably at a time. Swift Portal (Su): You may now use the Create Portal ability as a swift action. Sunder My Portal (Su): You may now destroy a portal you created with the Create Portal ability as an immediate action. Rapid Summoning (Su): You may now summon creatures with the Summon Monster series as a standard action instead of a 1-round action. Suppress Planar Travel (Su): Three times per day, you may duplicate the Dimensional Lock spell with a caster level equal to your class level. It lasts for 1 minute per class level. Portalus Destructus (Su): You may create a destructive portal within a creature once per day. This rift calls for the creature to make a Fortitude save (DC 10 + class level + casting stat) or have his whole body sucked inside-out into the portal, destroying them completely. Should the creature save against it they still take damage equal to 1d6 for each class level you have in Magus Portalus. Master the Portal (Su): You now can become so attuned to the potential portals that exist within a plane that you may move creatures from one space to another almost instantly. You may activate this ability once per day, and it lasts for one minute per class level. During this time, you may teleport one creature up to 100' as a swift action. You must be able to see both the creature and the place to which they are teleported. If a creature wishes to resist the teleportation, it must make a Will save (DC 10 + 1/2 class level + casting stat). If you teleport a creature to somewhere dangerous, (in the air, into lava, etc) they get a +4 bonus to their saving throw.
mod5000 11-14-07, 04:45 AM	:bump:
dman11235 11-14-07, 09:20 AM	You do realize that Extra Spell does not allow you to take a spell that's not on your class list, right? Check the Errata. I don't really know why it's a prereq for this class anyway.
mod5000 11-14-07, 01:23 PM	Changed... and now about the class itself, and not just the flavor text?
dman11235 11-14-07, 06:49 PM	Also, try this: {code}{/code}, replace the {} with []. That'll get you a nice table. The nicer the class looks, the more reception you'll get. Questions for now, until you get that up. Why rapid summoning? It doesn't seem to fit too well. Also, what's your reasoning on the spells per day dropped at those levels?
mod5000 11-14-07, 07:17 PM	It doesn't really need a table, since everything is written out there, and there are no unusual saves or skills. Apart from that, Rapid Summoning illustrates the Magus Portalus's greater control over planar magic--specifically that which creates a portal to another dimension and brings a planar servant to aid you. The reason we're losing spells at those two levels is to compensate for the key abilities, and to make it balanced when comparing it to the wizard or some other PrCs.
dman11235 11-15-07, 12:28 AM	Thaumaturgist? I'd lose the spell casting at 1 and 5. Not sure how to balance, it's hard to do without the table there. The reason I said table, was because when things look better, people will read it more. And help more. I am embarrassed to admit it, but i was reluctant to try and PEACH this class because it didn't look nice. It didn't even have a table. And you need that anyways because that's how it's done. Look at all the successful classes made on these boards, monsters, PrCs, items, you name it. When they look nice, more praise is given, and it comes out better in the end. Look at VorpalTribble especially. He mainly hangs out with the monsters though. Here, I'll make your life easier. All you have to do is cut and paste (from a quote, anyway). Table in 5....4.... level BAB Fort Ref Will Special Spellcasting 1 +0 +0 +0 +2 Create Portal 3/day +1 level of existing spellcasting class 2 +1 +0 +0 +3 Detect Portal +1 level of existing spellcasting class 3 +1 +1 +1 +3 Analyze Portal +1 level of existing spellcasting class 4 +2 +1 +1 +4 Create Portal 6/day, +1 level of existing spellcasting class Large Portal 5 +2 +1 +1 +4 Swift Portal 6 +3 +2 +2 +5 Rapid Summoning +1 level of existing spellcasting class 7 +3 +2 +2 +5 Create Portal 9/day, +1 level of existing spellcasting class Suppress Planar Travel 8 +4 +2 +2 +6 Sunder My Portal 9 +4 +3 +3 +6 Portalus Destructus +1 level of existing spellcasting class 10 +5 +3 +3 +7 Create Portal 12/day, +1 level of existing spellcasting class Become One With the Plane
mod5000 11-15-07, 01:49 AM	LoL, I guess that works too. Better now? :P
vorpo 11-15-07, 10:35 AM	Can you style your entries like bolding each entry name? It improves readability.
mod5000 11-15-07, 11:34 AM	Done.
dman11235 11-15-07, 07:37 PM	You may want to change the prereqs to two conjuration (summoning) or (calling) spells of 2nd level or higher, and insert an "or" between good and law. That way, sorcerers don't need to spend every single 3rd level spell known on a magic circle spell, and will be able to enter before level 12. Or just get rid of it as a prereq, it's not that necessary to the class anyway. Why is it a prereq? The create portal description indicates that a "large" portal is created, you may want to reduce that to medium. Have detect portal be the same as the elf detect secret doors or the dwarven stonecunning, but with portals. Saves space and reduces complication. I'd get rid of the spell casting at levels 1 and 5 myself, keeps it more standard, and prevents small level dipping. Possibly at 8 as well for balance's sake, but I'm not sure yet. Oh, and why eschew materials?
mod5000 11-15-07, 07:49 PM	Good idea on the change to Conjuration. And as for the Magic Circle, I meant that they only needed one--either Magic Circle vs. Evil OR Magic Circle vs. Good OR Magic Circle vs. Law OR Magic Circle vs. Chaos. Should this be clarified? I mean for sorcerers to enter the class after level 6, when they've taken 2 level 2 conjuration spells and a Magic Circle as their level 3 spell. As for Create Portal, I meant for it to be Medium off the bat, and then turn Large when you hit level 4, with creatures up to one size larger than the portal being able to squeeze through but not fall through. What part confused you, so I could make it clearer? Also, I don't mind them entering the class for 4 levels--though I might but the first level of spellcasting lost to 4th level instead of at 5th level, since that seems to be one of the cutoff points. (Who doesn't want a Large portal?) About Sense Portal, I'd like the Magus Portalis to sense a portal if riding overland for example--not only if they're in a closed space, and it's obvious where the portal is--that's the rationale for it. Lastly, for the prerequisite, I wanted a "wasted" feat that wasn't too bad as a prereq, and I figured that Eschew Materials was a good one that someone might take "just in case".
dman11235 11-15-07, 08:25 PM	Wait, when I read it earlier it said you create a large portal...I must be going insane. But you should expicitly state "medium portal". Same with the other things. I'm going to say this, and it will sound mean, but please understand: no one cares what you mind. What I mean is that the first three levels even would be a fine dip. Lose nothing, gain some really nice class features. It would probably be a good idea to make them pay at least a little for the detect portal, analyze portal, and create portal. You should never do that with prereq feats or anything for that matter. Never. If you want a waste feat, try spell focus conjuration. I mean, how many conjuration spells are there with a save? Cloudkill. The orbs (wait, they do something besides damage?). This class is not powerful enough to warrant a loss of three spellcasting levels, but it definately is good enough for two, if you increase knowledge (planes) to 8 ranks. Which it should, given the importance of the planes in this PrC. Also, why spellcraft 8 ranks? It should be 4 at most. Same with Arcana. As for sense portal, it should be within 5' for a search check to be available. That's why it should be the same mechanics as the others. A search check as if he were actively looking for it.
mod5000 11-16-07, 01:13 AM	The reason I don't want to increase the prereq of Knowledge: The Planes is because I want to make it accessable to level 6 sorcerers. And I see a "wasted" feat (Eschew Materials) as enough of a cost for a simple dip into the class--a lot of PrCs offer a lot more for a lot less. And I don't see Spell Focus: Conjuration as a wasted feat--right off the bat I can think of two PrCs it could be used to meet prereqs for--Master Specialist and Archmage. I want something that makes people work for the PrC without losing too much for it. As for the search, I'll make it that they need to be within 5' of it to make the check to actually find the portal, though keep the same distance to detect that there is a portal around--sound good?
dman11235 11-16-07, 02:41 AM	But how does it make sense to make a search check? It should be spot. Spellfocus Conjuration is a wasted feat. It doesn't get you many benifits other than access to things. That's the definition of a wasted feat. And also, you should not use prerequisites for balance. As for the skills, at least lower spellcraft. Another thing, this does not seem like a sorcerer PrC. It's seems to be a wizard one. Sorcerers need to spend too much to make it viable. And besides, it fits with the wizard archetype more than sorcerer. As for eschew materials, unless it has a fluff reason for being there, it should not be there. That's not exactly right, but it gets my point across. Get rid of the feat. If you are going to have it at planes 4 ranks, make it a PrC that's more for sorcerers than wizards. And if they really want to get it as a class skill, then they can take the feat that lets them. I guess it doesn't matter much though.
mod5000 11-16-07, 06:43 AM	First of all, it's a search check because you're looking almost unconsciously for something that's there anyway, similar to how one looks for a hidden door as an Elf. This is in contrast to a Spot check which often searches for a specific creature that is granted a Hide check to oppose your spot check. As for the feat, I don't see Spell Focus: Conjuration as "worthless" enough to be a good throw-away feat. Let's take a few spells that are of the Conjuration subschool that could easily take advantage of this feat; there's Glitterdust, the awesome level 2 save-or-suck spell, Web, an awesome battlefield control spell, Stinking Cloud, another great battlefield control spell, and a number of other spells that benefit greatly from Spell Focus: Conjuration, without looking at some of the spells found in Spell Compendium. In short, Spell Focus: Conjuration is just too useful to be a the kind of throw-away feat I envision that is required for this class. If you can think of a better feat that fulfills the "throw-away" feat, I'd be more than happy to think about changing it--perhaps Skill Focus: Knowledge (Planes)? And as for the skill prerequisites, I don't want this to be specifically for sorcerers--but I also don't want them jumping through too many hoops to get into the class. Having to take both of their level 2 spells from the Conjuration school and their level 3 spell predetermined is quite bad enough, as well as requiring a throw-away feat. I don't think that forcing them to take another feat is fair, when this class is meant to be for both sorcerers and wizards--though it obviously favors the wizard with their earlier entrance and the fact that they aren't limited to two level 2 spells and a single level 1 spell known at level 6.
dman11235 11-16-07, 06:51 AM	It's a spot check if it's from a certain distance. It's an unwritten rule. Think about it. How well can you search your backpack from ten feet away? As for spell focus: a +1 to the save DC via a feat is a throw away. The only reason anyone ever takes a spellfocus is to qualify for something. And skill focus Knowledge (planes) is perfect. Which is why it's not a sorcerer PrC. You should change it to conjuration (summoning) or (creation) as the level 2 spells. Fits the flavor more.
mod5000 11-16-07, 07:03 AM	Changed it to Skill Focus: Knowledge (The Planes), and already changed it a few posts ago to the subtypes of Conjuration spells. However, as to Search vs. Spot I can't agree with you, mostly because of the description of the skills in the PHB: Search: You can find secret doors, simple traps, hidden compartments, and other details not readily apparent. The Spot skill lets you notice something, such as a hiding rogue. The Search skill lets a character discern some small detail or irregularity through active effort. Spot: Use this skill to notice bandits waiting in ambush, to see a rogue lurking in the shadows, to see through a disguise, to read lips, or to see the monstrous centipede in the pile of trash. The way I see it, this ability lets you discern the small irregularity in the world around you, giving you a chance to spot a portal without really trying, and from a farther away distance, similar to the way an Elf detects secret doors without really trying--especially since the target is not something that is trying to hide, as so happens in every example under the Spot listing. All in all, Search just fits it much better than spot.
dman11235 11-16-07, 07:10 AM	Well, have you tried to "search" for that notebook in your backpack from 10 meters away yet? Or how about trying to search for let's see, another good example, a green car in a forest from a helicopter? My pointis: search is int based, meaning that you use a method to distiguish this from that. Spot is wisdom. You use comparison and contrast to locate something. A lot easier to spot something from a distance than it is to search. It's actually something wisdom based that lets you discern irregularities, and int that lets you find things.
mod5000 11-16-07, 08:22 PM	Again, precedent is on my side; if the Elf's check to notice secret doors was with Spot, I'd use Spot, but it's with Search, which is why I'm keeping it with search.
dman11235 11-17-07, 01:39 AM	It's search, within 5'. If it's more than that, use spot.
Tommy75 01-10-08, 02:39 PM	Quick question. I know the idea of portal creation came from the Forgotten Realms Campaign book as a feat, but I thought I saw updated rules for portals in a 3.5 book. Does anyone know the book?
StevenO 01-10-08, 05:48 PM	With "Create Portal" you move between two portals you create. Does that mean you have to spend actions creating both portals or do you get a pair each time you use the ability? The answer would influence my opinion from fine to perhaps too strong.
dman11235 01-10-08, 11:22 PM	The way I see it, it is you get 2 portals with each activation. Now, I don't think that is overpowered, since it is merely 10 ft per class level and a limited number of times per day. And it does need to be a sufficiently flat surface.