The Chosen
A deity can touch a mortal worshipper with a sliver of divine grace, creating a Chosen as an instrument in the mortal world. The powers and missions of the Chosen vary from god to god.
A Chosen might ascend to the rank of exarch, as was the case for the likes of Clangeddin Silverbeard and Obould. Some, such as Lolth's Lady Penitent, Hallistra Melarn, are created for a particular purpose and then discarded.
The post-Spellplague world includes no Chosen who are not exarchs.
Hopefully that's the case. The only question is, what'll the requirements be? Will it be tied to a specific class, or will the requirements be a bit more open than most Paragon Paths?
I would say that Chosen would be an epic destiny, culminating in Demigod status. The "Chosen" aspect seems to me to be what the character is from 21st to 30th level (or what-have-you), and when they hit 30 (and complete their Destiny Quest) they become an Exarch. This does two things: gives the PC the feeling of being really special in their epic levels, and prevents the PC from sticking around forever like some Chosen have.
The Demigod epic destiny in specific mentions that "One or more gods might ask that you serve them as a probationary exarch while you work toward your own divine goals. You do not gain any additional abilities for accepting such a position..." which speaks to me of Chosen. I don't like the genericness of this path in the FR, not to mention that the idea of a rogue free agent wanting to become a demigod never really worked out that well in the Realms. Just ask Karsus.
4E Chosen paths would need to have the same features/progression as the other Epic Destinies: a 21st level feature, a 24th level feature, a 30th level feature, and a 26th level Daily Utility power. For the sake of this discussion, I'll outline the basis we have to work with here from Demigod:
21st: Demigod Spark: Increase two ability scores of your choice by 2 each.
24th: Divine Recovery: The first time you are reduced to 0 hit points or fewer each day, you regain hit points equal to half your maximum hit points.
30th: Divine Miracle: When you have expended your last remaining encounter power, you regain the use of one encounter power of your choice. In this way, you never run out of encounter powers.
26th: Divine Regeneration, Utility 26, Daily, Personal, Minor Action, Healing, Effect: You gain regeneration equal to your highest ability score until the end of the encounter.
So how do we make this into Chosen paths?
Epic Destiny
21st: Eternal Sun: You gain Resist Necrotic 10. You radiate a glow that you can turn off or on as a minor action which provides bright light and is counted as direct sunlight for purposes of creatures who are vulnerable to same. Your glow deals 5 ongoing radiant damage to undead creatures within one square of you.
24th: Master of the Eternal Clock: Once per day, you may use the Wizard Utility 22 power Time Stop.
30th: The All-Seeing Sun: You cannot be blinded, nor can your vision be obscured in any way. You automatically see invisible creatures and stealthed creatures. Insubstantial creatures are fully clear to you, and your attacks deal full damage to them.
26th:
Piercing Light of Amaunator
Daily Utility 26
Move Action, Teleportation
Effect: Your body transforms into a glowing light. All effects you are currently suffering from which require a saving throw to end are ended. You may then teleport up to 20 squares.
Anyone have any other ideas?
Appreciate the compliment, but I doubt they're going to hire me anytime soon.
They are accepting submissions for DDi articles... Never hurts to try.
-Sure it does. Your hard work becomes theirs, and doesn't even see the light of day...We're on to them, though. We're on to them...
Personal experience talking or just general e-paranoia?