| #1Counter_BreakJun 22, 2009 16:15:47 | Moved from the 4e Multiclassing, Paragon Paths and Epic Destinies forum, after realizing I put it in the wrong place. Sorry about that, guys. >_<;
Ok, first off, sorry if this has been done before, but I've run a couple of searches on the forums and checked the Class Compendium topic and haven't turned up anything similar yet.
Ok, now for some background. So, about a week ago I downloaded the demo for the character builder (what a mistake that was). Over the following few days, I tinkered around with making level 1-3 characters before finally giving in to temptation and subscribing so I could use the full version. So now I've spent the last couple of days making characters and leveling them up to 30.
Anyway, this is an idea I've spent the better part of today toying with, after discovering the Elemental Tempest Paragon Path last night (while making a Genasi Hybrid Swordmage/Warlord, actually >_<). I saw the Paragon Path, and thought, "Now that's cool, but what if I want to be crazy and take all five manifestations?" So naturally, I thought that it would be cool if I could work this into some sort of an Epic Destiny that combined not just two, but all five elemental manifestations at once. This is the result of that.
Design Ideas/Principles:
Basically, I wanted this Epic Destiny to feel like a natural extension to the Elemental Tempest Paragon Path. As such, I made it a requirement to taking the destiny path. I also made having all four Extra Manifestation feats mandatory as well, in order to keep with the flavor of the destiny path. Overall, I wanted to keep the idea behind the Epic Destiny one of versatility, much like the Paragon Path. Since the idea behind the class is supposed to be one of a character who masters the molding and forming of the elements, I've tried to incorporate that into the benefits of the Epic Destiny as well.
Elemental Cataclysm
"You are the Elemental Chaos in mortal form. As you approach, lightning strikes, flames flare, mountains quake, waters churn, and winds twist – merely at your whim."
Prerequisites: 21st level, Elemental Tempest Paragon Path, Extra Manifestation IV feat
Most Genasi manifest a single element. Every so often, some manifest two. You? Well, you manifest them all. While you started life manifesting only a single element, you knew that wasn’t enough. Every time you saw a different display of elemental power, you craved it for your own. The Elemental Chaos called to you in a way that it called no other.
After spending untold time and effort, you learned and developed many diverse elemental manifestations. But even as your mastery of the elements grows, you realize that it’s still not enough. Not content with just being able to manifest each element separately, you begin to study ways in which to combine them. Most would shy away from trying to mix such volatile and opposing elements together, but you just discount them as cowards and weaklings. After all, who has better knowledge of how the elements function than you?
Immortality: As your final, greatest adversary falls, lightning still coursing through its battered body and burn marks from acid and flame alike mar its frostbitten form, you realize that you’ve finally achieved what you’ve worked so long to accomplish. Your desperate struggle for victory unlocked something deep in your mind – a primordial, timeless instinct to survive – and it drove you over the edge. You can feel the Elemental Chaos pulling at your physical form, and you know it’s only a matter of time before you answer its calling. After getting your affairs in order, you finally allow yourself to be drawn from this world, into the Chaos. Once there, your body begins to fade away, broken down into its base elements, elements you never even knew existed! Once again, that desire for understanding and power awakens. You will your body to reform, and once again set upon the task of mastering these new elements. Perhaps someday, when battle rages through the Elemental Chaos once more, you’ll take up the fight once again, if only to test your newfound abilities. Or perhaps, once you’ve conquered these new challenges, you’ll finally allow yourself to rest, and meld into the Chaos that surrounds you.
Elemental Cataclysm Features
Cataclysmic Affinity (21st level): You can change the damage type of any attack that deals acid, cold, fire, force, or lightning damage to any other type that you are currently manifesting. The keywords for that attack change to match the new damage type. If an attack has multiple qualifying damage types, you can change any number of them up to the number of elements you are currently manifesting (keywords change as appropriate).
Triple Manifestation (21st level): You can use three elemental manifestations at the same time. You choose which elements you are presently manifesting at the end of each short rest or extended rest. You can use the encounter powers for any of these manifestations in the same encounter. Your appearance can correspond to a single manifestation, or a combination of two of any of the three you are currently manifesting. When you use your Elemental Surge ability (from your Elemental Tempest Paragon Path), you can choose to adopt any one of the five elemental manifestations. If you cannot normally manifest the element you choose, you gain the benefit of that manifestation until the end of the encounter. If you choose a manifestation that you can normally use but are not using as a Triple Manifestation, you can immediately change which three manifestations you are currently using.
Cataclysmic Warding (24th level): You gain resist 15 acid and force. In addition, the resistances gained from your manifestations are always active regardless of which manifestation(s) you are currently under. Also, whenever any of your resistances prevents damage to you, you gain a number of temporary hit points equal to the amount of damage prevented, before damage is calculated.
Quadruple Manifestation (24st level): You can use four elemental manifestations at the same time. You choose which elements you are presently manifesting at the end of each short rest or extended rest. You can use the encounter powers for any of these manifestations in the same encounter. Your appearance can correspond to a single manifestation, or a combination of two or three of any of the four you are currently manifesting. When you use your Elemental Surge ability (from your Elemental Tempest Paragon Path), you can choose to adopt any one of the five elemental manifestations. If you cannot normally manifest the element you choose, you gain the benefit of that manifestation until the end of the encounter. If you choose a manifestation that you can normally use but are not using as a Quadruple Manifestation, you can immediately change which four manifestations you are currently using.
Cataclysmic Manifestation (30th level): You manifest all five elemental manifestations at once. You can use the encounter power for each of these manifestations in the same encounter. If you use your Cataclysmic Resurgence (see above), you regain the use of all of your manifestation-based encounter powers. Your appearance can be that of any single manifestation or a combination of any number of manifestations.
Elemental Cataclysm Power
Cataclysmic Resurgence (Elemental Cataclysm Utility 26)
Your body explodes with pure energy, drawn directly from the Elemental Chaos. The unbridled forces of the elements decimate your enemies, while refreshing and renewing your spirit.
Daily – Acid, Cold, Fire, Force, Lightning
Standard Action
Close Burst 5
Attack: Strength +8 vs. Reflex, Dexterity +8 vs. Reflex, or Constitution +8 vs. Reflex
Hit: 5d6 + (Strength, Dexterity, or Constitution) modifier acid, cold, fire, force, and lightning damage. In addition, roll a six-sided die.
1 – The target takes ongoing 10 lighting damage (save ends).
2 – The target takes ongoing 10 fire damage (save ends).
3 – The target takes ongoing 10 acid damage (save ends).
4 – The target takes ongoing 10 cold damage (save ends).
5 – The target is knocked prone and stunned (save ends stun).
6 – Reroll.
Miss: Half damage and do not roll for additional effects.
Effect: You regain the use of any expended manifestation-based encounter powers.
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