Triclopean Paragon class [Archive] - Wizards Community

Triclopean Paragon class [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Findail
09-12-07, 07:20 PM I've now created a racial paragon class for the Triclopes (http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?t=858919), the triple-eyed "Ancients" that I created a while back.

It's probably a little more powerful than most paragon classes, but WotC apparently recommend this for high-LA races (Triclopes have a Level Adjust of +2):
When creating a racial paragon class for a race with a level adjustment of +1 or higher (such as drow or half-dragon), it’s acceptable for the class to be a little better than a paragon class for a race with a level adjustment of +0. In general, the benefits of a race with a level adjustment tend to decrease in value as the character gains levels, and an above-average paragon class can help that race maintain its edge.
I was a little concerned that the race was maybe on the weak side for LA +2 (though definitely too powerful for +1), and I think this paragon class fixes that (even though it costs spellcasters another caster level... ouch!). I think the Half-Triclops template is OK at LA +1, which is why I denied the Half-Triclops access to 4th level (which confers both a caster level and a bonus feat).

The Triclopean Paragon

The Triclopean Paragon class allows Triclopean characters to develop those traits most strongly associated with the ancient "mystics of the Third Eye": psychic powers, spellcasting ability, knowledge, and physical and mental resilience.

Requirements
Race: Triclops or Half-Triclops.
Alignment: Any non-Chaotic.
Language: Triclopean. Half-Triclopes who lack the Triclopean Heritage feat and don't select Triclopean as a starting language cannot enter the class until they learn this language.

Hit Dice and Saving Throws
Triclopean Paragons have d8 Hit Dice and good Fortitude and Will saves.

Weapons and Armour
Triclopean Paragons are proficient with all simple weapons, but gain no proficiency with armour or shields.

Skills
Triclopean Paragons have 4 skill points per level (plus Intelligence modifier). Their class skills (and the key ability for each skill) are Appraise (Int), Concentration (Con), Craft (Int), Decipher Script (Int), Knowledge (all skills taken individually) (Int), Profession (Wis), Search (Int), Speak Language, Spellcraft (Int), and Spot (Wis).

Triclopean Paragon class abilities are summarised in the following table:
BAB Fort Ref Will Abilities
1. +0 +2 +0 +2 Divided Ancestry, Lore, Unlocked Gaze
2. +1 +3 +0 +3 Bonus Psychic/Psionic Feat, +1 Spellcaster, Locked Template
3. +2 +3 +1 +3 Ability boost (+2 Int), +1 Spellcaster
4. +3 +4 +1 +4 Pureblood Restriction, +1 Spellcaster, Bonus Psychic/Psionic Feat

Class Features
All of the following are Class Features of the Triclopean Paragon class.

DIvided Ancestry: This ability is only available to Half-Triclopes. Because of their mixed racial heritage, Half-Triclopes may take levels in Triclopean Paragon and in whatever racial paragon class (or classes) their base race is eligible for.

Lore: This functions in an identical fashion to the Lore ability of Bards, Loremasters, Sages (http://forums.gleemax.com/wotc_archive/index.php/t-333128) etc. Triclopean Paragon levels stack with levels in other classes which also grant this ability.

Unlocked Gaze (Su): This allows the Triclopean Lesser Confusion gaze weapon to be used any number of times per day.

Bonus Psychic/Psionic Feat: At 2nd and 4th level, the character may choose a bonus psychic feat (if the feat-based The Gift (http://www.dandwiki.com/wiki/The_Gift_%28DnD_The_Gift_Feat%29) psychic powers system is being used) or a bonus psionic feat (if the conventional psionics system is being used).

Spellcasting: When a new Triclopean Paragon level is attained (except the first), the character gains new spells per day as if he/she had also attained a level in any one spellcasting class he/she belonged to before he/she added the prestige class. This essentially means that he/she adds these levels of Triclopean Paragon to the level of whatever other spellcasting class the character has, then determines spells per day and caster level accordingly. Alternatively, if conventional psionics are being used, the character may advance the manifesting ability of a psionic class in a similar fashion (gaining additional powers, a higher manifester level, and additional power points).

If a Triclopean Paragon has no levels in a spellcasting or psionic class, this class feature has no effect.

Locked Template: A character with 2 levels of Triclopean Paragon will retain the Half-Triclops template when assuming other forms (even if that form is normally not eligible for the template). This applies to spells and abilities such as Alter Self, Polymorph and Shapechange, druidic wildshape, lycanthropy, and even race-change as a result of Reincarnate or Wish spells.

Ability Boost (Ex): At 3rd level, a Triclopean Paragon's Intelligence score increases by 2 points.

Pureblood Restriction: Only Triclopean purebloods can attain the fourth level of the Triclopean Paragon class. This includes Triclopes with other inherited or acquired templates, provided the base race is Triclops: it does not include other base races with the Half-Triclops template. Characters who become pureblood Triclopes (e.g. as a result of a Wish spell) can take the fourth level of the class only if they have taken no other racial paragon classes, and they cannot then take other racial paragon classes even if their race changes again.
Findail
09-13-07, 02:45 AM Update: I've added Search and Spot to the class skills. Triclopes get those automatically, but Half-Triclopes don't. I've also increased the skillpoints to 4.
Findail
10-05-07, 05:14 PM Update: I've made a significant change to this class, stretching it over 4 levels rather than the usual 3. I think I was packing a little too much into too few levels: now they still get the same amount, but it takes a little longer (bonus feats, the Int bonus, and the Pureblood Restriction have all moved up a level).

I've also added Divided Ancestry for Half-Triclopes, and expanded the text of Pureblood Restriction to make it clear that these abilities are incompatible: if you're a Half-Triclopes who wants to become a pureblood one day and take the 4th level, you'd better not take advantage of your divided ancestry.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Findail 09-12-07, 07:20 PM	I've now created a racial paragon class for the Triclopes (http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?t=858919), the triple-eyed "Ancients" that I created a while back. It's probably a little more powerful than most paragon classes, but WotC apparently recommend this for high-LA races (Triclopes have a Level Adjust of +2): When creating a racial paragon class for a race with a level adjustment of +1 or higher (such as drow or half-dragon), it’s acceptable for the class to be a little better than a paragon class for a race with a level adjustment of +0. In general, the benefits of a race with a level adjustment tend to decrease in value as the character gains levels, and an above-average paragon class can help that race maintain its edge. I was a little concerned that the race was maybe on the weak side for LA +2 (though definitely too powerful for +1), and I think this paragon class fixes that (even though it costs spellcasters another caster level... ouch!). I think the Half-Triclops template is OK at LA +1, which is why I denied the Half-Triclops access to 4th level (which confers both a caster level and a bonus feat). The Triclopean Paragon The Triclopean Paragon class allows Triclopean characters to develop those traits most strongly associated with the ancient "mystics of the Third Eye": psychic powers, spellcasting ability, knowledge, and physical and mental resilience. Requirements Race: Triclops or Half-Triclops. Alignment: Any non-Chaotic. Language: Triclopean. Half-Triclopes who lack the Triclopean Heritage feat and don't select Triclopean as a starting language cannot enter the class until they learn this language. Hit Dice and Saving Throws Triclopean Paragons have d8 Hit Dice and good Fortitude and Will saves. Weapons and Armour Triclopean Paragons are proficient with all simple weapons, but gain no proficiency with armour or shields. Skills Triclopean Paragons have 4 skill points per level (plus Intelligence modifier). Their class skills (and the key ability for each skill) are Appraise (Int), Concentration (Con), Craft (Int), Decipher Script (Int), Knowledge (all skills taken individually) (Int), Profession (Wis), Search (Int), Speak Language, Spellcraft (Int), and Spot (Wis). Triclopean Paragon class abilities are summarised in the following table: BAB Fort Ref Will Abilities 1. +0 +2 +0 +2 Divided Ancestry, Lore, Unlocked Gaze 2. +1 +3 +0 +3 Bonus Psychic/Psionic Feat, +1 Spellcaster, Locked Template 3. +2 +3 +1 +3 Ability boost (+2 Int), +1 Spellcaster 4. +3 +4 +1 +4 Pureblood Restriction, +1 Spellcaster, Bonus Psychic/Psionic Feat Class Features All of the following are Class Features of the Triclopean Paragon class. DIvided Ancestry: This ability is only available to Half-Triclopes. Because of their mixed racial heritage, Half-Triclopes may take levels in Triclopean Paragon and in whatever racial paragon class (or classes) their base race is eligible for. Lore: This functions in an identical fashion to the Lore ability of Bards, Loremasters, Sages (http://forums.gleemax.com/wotc_archive/index.php/t-333128) etc. Triclopean Paragon levels stack with levels in other classes which also grant this ability. Unlocked Gaze (Su): This allows the Triclopean Lesser Confusion gaze weapon to be used any number of times per day. Bonus Psychic/Psionic Feat: At 2nd and 4th level, the character may choose a bonus psychic feat (if the feat-based The Gift (http://www.dandwiki.com/wiki/The_Gift_%28DnD_The_Gift_Feat%29) psychic powers system is being used) or a bonus psionic feat (if the conventional psionics system is being used). Spellcasting: When a new Triclopean Paragon level is attained (except the first), the character gains new spells per day as if he/she had also attained a level in any one spellcasting class he/she belonged to before he/she added the prestige class. This essentially means that he/she adds these levels of Triclopean Paragon to the level of whatever other spellcasting class the character has, then determines spells per day and caster level accordingly. Alternatively, if conventional psionics are being used, the character may advance the manifesting ability of a psionic class in a similar fashion (gaining additional powers, a higher manifester level, and additional power points). If a Triclopean Paragon has no levels in a spellcasting or psionic class, this class feature has no effect. Locked Template: A character with 2 levels of Triclopean Paragon will retain the Half-Triclops template when assuming other forms (even if that form is normally not eligible for the template). This applies to spells and abilities such as Alter Self, Polymorph and Shapechange, druidic wildshape, lycanthropy, and even race-change as a result of Reincarnate or Wish spells. Ability Boost (Ex): At 3rd level, a Triclopean Paragon's Intelligence score increases by 2 points. Pureblood Restriction: Only Triclopean purebloods can attain the fourth level of the Triclopean Paragon class. This includes Triclopes with other inherited or acquired templates, provided the base race is Triclops: it does not include other base races with the Half-Triclops template. Characters who become pureblood Triclopes (e.g. as a result of a Wish spell) can take the fourth level of the class only if they have taken no other racial paragon classes, and they cannot then take other racial paragon classes even if their race changes again.
Findail 09-13-07, 02:45 AM	Update: I've added Search and Spot to the class skills. Triclopes get those automatically, but Half-Triclopes don't. I've also increased the skillpoints to 4.
Findail 10-05-07, 05:14 PM	Update: I've made a significant change to this class, stretching it over 4 levels rather than the usual 3. I think I was packing a little too much into too few levels: now they still get the same amount, but it takes a little longer (bonus feats, the Int bonus, and the Pureblood Restriction have all moved up a level). I've also added Divided Ancestry for Half-Triclopes, and expanded the text of Pureblood Restriction to make it clear that these abilities are incompatible: if you're a Half-Triclopes who wants to become a pureblood one day and take the 4th level, you'd better not take advantage of your divided ancestry.