Resurrecting an old PrC - The Sigil Tout

Post/Author/DateTimePost
#1

zombiegleemax

Mar 08, 2004 21:48:04
Edited on 13 march 2004 (skill points down to 6, Will save cut back)

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Sigil Tout
Maybe you want access to a particular high-up on Sigil's Council or the Planar Trade Consortium. Or maybe you want to find a dealer who carries that rare spell component you've run out of. Perhaps you're a merchant yourself and you'd like a few more customers steered your way. Or maybe you're new to Sigil and you're looking for the best time you've ever had. Whatever you need, there's guaranteed to be a dozen touts who'll say they know just how to get it for you for a few stingers. Most touts are little more than gleaming pips and urchins trying to eke out a living on the streets of the Cage. But not all touts are created equal. Some tarmy touts seem to have been made for this particular craft. These canny cutters have discovered that their winning manner, resourcefulness and adaptability are in high demand.
The most famous and talented tout in the Cage is a tiefling named Kylie who runs a loose but extensive network of touts and runners that spans the city and extends as far as the Gate Towns. Kylie's touts may cost you more than most of the peelers you'll encounter, but they're trustworthy and you can be sure they've got the connections you need.
Sounds like something you'd be interested in? Hold up a minute, basher. Kylie the Tout doesn't take recruiting new members for her "crowd" lightly. Her reputation's at stake, so if you want to run with her gang, you'd better be well-lanned, fleet-footed and sharp as a tack. One more thing, if you want to sign on with Kylie, don't waste your time buggin' her about it. If she's interested, she'll find you.
This prestige class is best suited to rogues and bards, especially those with high Charisma. However, characters of other classes may benefit from the unique talents learned as a tout.
Hit Die: d6.

Requirements
Kylie'll invite you to run with her crowd if you've got the right stuff. To qualify, a character must fulfill all of the following criteria.
Faction: Free League or none (Factioneers need not apply!)
Base Attack Bonus: +4
Skills: 6 ranks of either Knowledge (Sigil) , Knowledge (the planes) or Knowledge (the factions), plus 6 ranks of either Gather Information, Diplomacy, Bluff or Sense Motive.
Languages: Must be fluent in two languages spoken on the planes and be able to read and write.
Special: The character must have attracted Kylie's attention by demonstrating exceptional initiative or resourcefulness.

Class Skills
The Sigil Tout's class skills (and the key ability for each skill) are; Appraise (Int), Bluff (Cha), Craft (Int), Decipher Script (Int), Diplomacy (Cha), Disable Device (Int), Disguise (Cha), Escape Artist (Dex), Forgery (Int), Gather Information (Cha), Hide (Dex), Innuendo (Wis), Intimidate (Cha), Intuit Direction (Wis), Knowledge (the factions, the planes, or Sigil) (Int), Listen (Wis), Move Silently (Dex), Open Lock (Dex), Perform (Cha), Pick Pocket (Dex), Profession-Courier (Wis), Profession-Guide (Wis), Read Lips (Int), Search (Int), Sense Motive (Wis), Speak Language, Spellcraft (Int), Spot (Wis), and Use Magic Device (Cha).
Skill Points at Each Level: 6 + Int modifier.

Class Features
All of the following are features of the Sigil Tout prestige class.
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Sigil touts are proficient with all weapons and armor normally permitted to the rogue class.
Well-Lanned (Ex): A lot of information passes through a tout's hands, so it's no surprise that they're well-lanned about all things Sigilian. The tout has the equivalent of Bardic Knowledge for all subjects directly concerning Sigil and its portals. The tout may make a special check with a bonus equal to his Tout level + his Intelligence modifier to see whether he knows some relevant information. Each Bard level obtained adds +1 synergy bonus to the check roll. A tout may not "take 10" or "take 20" on this check; this sort of knowledge is essentially random. See Bardic Knowledge in the Player's Handbook to determine the Difficulty Class of the check. Furthermore, the tout always recognizes faction symbols and badges and knows the correct use and meaning of all new Sigil cant.
Analyze Portal (Sp): At 2nd level, the tout gains the ability to use Analyze Portal as a spell-like ability. The tout can use this ability once per day for every two Tout levels earned. (Once per day at 2nd level, twice per day at 4th level and so on.) This ability otherwise functions as the spell cast by a sorcerer of the Tout's combined character level.
Uncanny Dodge (Ex): Starting at 2nd level, the tout gains the extraordinary ability to react to danger before his senses would normally allow him to do so. At 6th level and above, he retains his Dexterity bonus to AC (if any) regardless of being caught flat-footed or struck by an invisible attacker. (He still loses his Dexterity bonus to AC if immobilized.)
At 5th level, the rogue can no longer be flanked; he can react to opponents on opposite sides of him as easily as he can react to a single attacker. This defence denies rogues the ability to use flank attacks to sneak attack him. The exception to this defence is that a rogue at least four levels higher than the tout can flank him (and thus sneak attack him).
At 10th level, the tout gains an intuitive sense that alerts him to danger from traps, giving him a +1 bonus to Reflex saves made to avoid traps.
If the tout has another class that grants the uncanny dodge ability, add together all the class levels of the classes that grant the ability and determine the character's uncanny dodge ability on that basis.
Bonus Language: Touts deal daily with beings from throughout the Planes and have many opportunities to pick up new languages. The tout gains a bonus language at 3rd, 6th and 9th levels.
Peel the Berk (Ex): A tout is quick to take advantage of the clueless and the leather-headed. At 3rd level, the tout gains a +2 insight bonus on all Bluff, Disguise, Intimidate, and Sense Motive skill rolls.
Lady's Grace (Su/Ex): "Lady's Grace, cutter!" It's a friendly blessing offered every day at parting by friends in the City of Doors. Maybe there's something to it, or maybe not, but at 4th level, the tout applies his Charisma modifier (if positive) as a bonus to all saving throws.
Give 'em the Laugh (Su): The tout has mastered the art of making himself scarce. The tout gains +10' base speed and can move completely unhampered through crowded streets and junk-strewn alleys. Additionally, the character can use the Hide skill to vanish in any crowd of 10 or more people even while being observed. This is a supernatural ability.
Canny Culler (Ex): Constantly on the lookout for new chant to sell or trade, touts gain a +2 competence bonus on all Decipher Script, Gather Information, Listen, Read Lips, and Search skill rolls. The tout can also use Discern Lies once per day as a spell-like ability. This ability functions as the spell cast by a priest of the Tout's combined character level.
Street Smart (Sp): The tout knows the back streets (and portals) of Sigil like the back of his hand. He always knows the direction to common landmarks in Sigil merely by observing the surroundings. Once per day, the tout can use Find the Path as a spell-like ability. This ability functions as the spell cast by a priest of the Tout's combined character level.
Slippery Mind (Ex): This extraordinary ability represents the tout’s ability to wriggle free from magical effects that would otherwise control or compel him. If a tout with a slippery mind is affected by an enchantment and fails his saving throw, 1 round later he can attempt his saving throw again. He gets only this one extra chance to succeed at his saving throw.
Cage-Rattler (Ex): Sometimes what you know isn't as important as who you know. The tout has established an extensive network of contacts and associations throughout Sigil, which he can occasionally call upon for a special Favor. The tout can call in a Favor once per week, but only after the tout has failed to achieve the particular goal by his usual means (Bluff, Diplomacy, Intimidation, etc.). Typical Favors include: admission to a private or exclusive establishment; a discount on purchased goods or services; getting a patrolman or guard to turn a blind eye to an infraction; and bypassing line-ups or waiting periods to meet with high-level faction officials.
Favors are normally granted automatically, however the DM may impose a Charisma check in the case of exceptionally large or extravagant Favors. The DM may require the tout to occasionally carry out tasks for various NPCs free of charge in order to maintain the tout's associations.

Level..BAB...Fort...Ref...Will...Special
1st......+0.....+0.....+2.....+0.....Well-Lanned
2nd.....+1.....+0.....+3.....+0.....Analyze Portal, Uncanny Dodge
3rd......+2.....+1.....+3.....+1.....Bonus Language, Peel the Berk
4th......+3.....+1.....+4.....+1.....Lady's Grace
5th......+3.....+1.....+4.....+1.....Give 'em the Laugh, Uncanny Dodge
6th......+4.....+2.....+5.....+2.....Bonus Language, Canny Culler
7th......+5.....+2.....+5.....+2.....Street Smart
8th......+6.....+2.....+6.....+2.....Slippery Mind
9th......+6.....+3.....+6.....+3.....Bonus Language
10th....+7.....+3.....+7.....+3.....Cage-Rattler, Uncanny Dodge
#2

zombiegleemax

Mar 10, 2004 16:28:26
62 reads and counting, yet not a single comment.

Is it that bad?
#3

bonemage

Mar 10, 2004 23:17:23
I scanned through it but I am pretty new to 3rd edition so I thought there would be better people to comment on it but it looks like it could be useful. I wish I could give you some more helpful feedback but I don't really have any compliments or critisisms of it right now.
#4

taotad

Mar 11, 2004 8:03:48
I think it's very good, and doesn't seem unbalanced, except maybe havein 8 skillpoints and good will and reflex saves?
Cut the good will, and I'll certainly like it.

It's worth to point out that I'm utterly hopeless at balance issues, and shouldn't be consulted in anything with numbers in them.
#5

zombiegleemax

Mar 11, 2004 10:40:51
I argee with taotad that your "Sigil tout" class looks really good. I like the various abilities and how they tie into the street life of such an individual.

As for suggestions, I don't like the fact that the prestige class seems to be overly powered in some areas. I think that the good reflex and will saves should remain as is, since they respresent being able to handle life the activities of working on Sigil's streets (need to quick of wit and even quicker on your feet).

I would reduce the skill points to either 4 or 6 points per level, though. While they should be very adept at their various skills, the tout gains other special abilities that help make up for their skills. My other thought was that you could decrease their base attack bonus to that of the wizard/sorcerer progression, since tout's really on skill and persuasion moreso than direct combat. If you reduce their base attack, then I would only change their skill points to 6 per level.

Anyway, that is merely my coppers worth. As I said before, the class looks really good and the abilities are pretty cool! I would just look at balancing it out a little bit more.
#6

zombiegleemax

Mar 13, 2004 15:49:05
Thanks for your comments. I've cut back the skill points to 6/level and cut the Will saves back. This sets the Tout at the same progression as the Shadowdancer. That seems fair.
#7

lord_of_the_ninth_02

Mar 14, 2004 19:34:59
cool, seems fairly balanced, and the abilities have good names. I approve.
#8

zombiegleemax

Mar 25, 2004 3:33:43
Looks good, but Kylie is not the only one who has touts in Sigil, so I would leave out that section of the requirements.