Hate to bring up such an outdated topic, that i'm sure has had plenty of discussion around, but I did a google search of the boards and didn't really find anything, so I thought i'd make a new thread.
I've just rolled up a Truenamer for my Monday night game, and I would really like to keep him purely in that class (or a PrC based around Truenaming), for flavor reasons. Unfortunately, as most people have already learned, the DC's for the Truespeak checks are obscenely high. Now, I've already taken a look at all the ways to jack your Truespeak check up through the roof, but I'd really prefer not to spend SO much time, effort, gold, and feats on simply being able to use my own class abilities.
What i'd like to do is develop a proper system for using the Truespeak mechanic, including meta-utterance feats, that doesn't require a vast amount of gear dedicated to increasing that skill. Some i've heard so far, but never tested:
Truespeak check based on level of the utterance (Static DC+3, maybe 4 times the level of the utterance? Different static DC for each lexicon.)
Static DC+(2 times monster's CR)-(Truenamer level, possibly half?)
And i'm drawing a blank on the rest of it, and i've got class in ten minutes.
Any ideas, guys? I'm sure there have been threads on this, I just can't seem to find them.
I'd make a "truespeak check" simply truenamer level + Int modifier. Yes, you can jack your Int modifier, but it's so much harder to abuse than skill checks.
For non-Truenamer classes that gain the ability to use utterances, each HD/level equals +1/2 for the truespeak check.
Then you simply scale the DCs to this yardstick, assuming a high (but not obscene) Intelligence. You want the truenamer to be able to pull off his truespeak checks more often than not, and that "law of whatchamajigger - where each attempt to use the same utterance in a day adds 2 to the DC - prevents this from being easily abusable. Maybe something around 10 + level for the Lexicon of the Evolving Mind, 14 + level for the Lexcon of the Crafted Tool, and 18 + level for the Lexicon of the Perfect Map.
That's my 5-minute solution. I'm sure it's buggy, but it's a start.
I'd make a "truespeak check" simply truenamer level + Int modifier. Yes, you can jack your Int modifier, but it's so much harder to abuse than skill checks.
Yeah, this. Then just make the DC 15 + level/CR instead of 15 + (2 X level/CR). Or make it dependent on the lexicon as Talisman suggested; the important part is to keep the second half of the formula at "+ level/CR" rather than "+ (2 X level/CR)".
TS
I'd make my own suggestions but I have a little studying to do. I'll give it a shot later. :P
Hmm...any ideas to change the metautterance feats to go along with the new DC's?
I don't have my books with me but I'd say a good starting point would be to just divide all the DC boosts by 2.
And as for the Amulets of Truespeaking or whatever, get rid of them, change them?
Trash 'em, then burn 'em.
TS
Fixing the Truenamer
Tome of Magic: Expansion Project
(Long, but down the posts is specifically Truename magic, lots of good changes)
Hope this helps! I know the creator personally and I know that he doesn't mind letting others playtest and if you do decide to try it out, please help out by giving him some feedback.