Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 throkat May 24, 2006 18:33:03	Hello all! This is the first prestige class I've designed, and I'm hoping to get some input from you guys. I wanted a PrC that was specifically designed just for sun clerics, incorporating some of the nasty powers I gave my daylight defiler that I posted some time back. What I'd especially like feedback on are the illuminations: Are the ones I have written out well? Are they balanced? Does anybody have some ideas for other sun-related abilities? PERIHELION “I am the sun... and you’re about to get burned.” -Kaltat, aarakocra perihelion None on Athas can dispute the power of the sun. Its rays relentlessly scorch the planet’s surface day after day, and yet the paraelement craves more power. To that end, it forms pacts with those from the Material Plane, resulting in sun clerics. Those sun clerics that serve their paraelement most faithfully are rewarded for their efforts with even greater power: The power of the perihelion. All perihelions were sun clerics that became the favored of their patron paraelement. Because the abilities granted by this prestige class mostly augment offensive spells, sun clerics mostly likely to take levels in it are those with offensive domains, such as Blossom of the Sky and Wrath of the Fire Lord. NPC perihelions can often found in charge of temples dedicated to their paraelement. They can also be found wandering the wastes, basking in the sun’s power (and often frying their own minds, leaving them quite insane). Hit Die: d8 Requirements To qualify to become a perihelion, a character must fulfill all the following criteria. Patron Element: Sun. Skills: Knowledge (religion) 15 ranks. Feats: Skill Focus (Knowledge [religion]). Spells: Able to cast 7th-level divine spells. Class Skills The perihelion’s class skills (and the key abilities for each skill) are Concentration (Con), Craft (Int), Diplomacy (Cha), Heal (Wis), Knowledge (arcana) (Int), Knowledge (history) (Int), Knowledge (religion) (Int), Knowledge (the planes) (Int), Profession (Wis), and Spellcraft (Int). Skill Points at Each Level: 2 + Int modifier.
#2 brun01 May 25, 2006 15:37:08	So is it basic a 'Elemental Archmage' with fewer high arcana options that doesn't cost you spell slots? I think you could just use the Energy Subsitution feat instead...
#3 throkat May 25, 2006 16:28:11	Thanks for the reply. To tell you the truth, the more I look at it, the less happy I am with what I came up with. My original concept was for a sun cleric PrC that focused more on light and radiation abilities, to seperate them more from fire clerics. However, I think I used archmage/hierophant as an example too much. I'm gonna see if I can't rework this into something much better (and less derivative).
#4 mystictheurge May 25, 2006 16:35:17	Two issues spring to mind. First, you need to define what "offensive" spells are. Spells that cause damage? Or anything that targets an enemy? Is Bane an offensive spell? Inflict light wounds? Second, given that with five levels of this PrC you're giving up all 9th level spells and some pretty large chunks of your other high level spells per day, I'm just not seeing enough return on the investment. I don't know if it's worth adding spell progression (maybe even just 3/5) or some other abilities.
#5 kalthandrix May 25, 2006 16:40:57	For such a high level requirement to gain this class, the abilities gained seem kind of weak to me. 7th level divine spells + like 13th level, so IMo they should be a slight bit more beefier (hehe).
#6 throkat May 25, 2006 17:05:05	Again, thanks for the replies. I've kinda been struck by inspiration, so I'm going to be almost completely redesigning this as a 10-level PrC. I'm going to completely divorce the radiation and light abilities from spells, and drop a lot of the fire stuff. I do want to pose a question, though, while I'm working on it. For Dark Sun PrCs, do you guys think that confering the outsider type at 10th level is appropriate? Would it be stepping on the toes of the advanced beings too much?
#7 brun01 May 25, 2006 17:39:47	Thanks for the reply. To tell you the truth, the more I look at it, the less happy I am with what I came up with. My original concept was for a sun cleric PrC that focused more on light and radiation abilities, to seperate them more from fire clerics. However, I think I used archmage/hierophant as an example too much. I'm gonna see if I can't rework this into something much better (and less derivative). The concept is very good. I'm sure you can come up with some cool and unique abilities for the class. Don't give up! (ha! look at me! I sent 12 prestige classes to the appendix II and I'm already talking like I'm an expert or something... )
#8 kalthandrix May 25, 2006 18:04:19	12 sent, but will they make the cut? That is the question!!! :D :P
#9 travis_ui May 25, 2006 18:09:42	Am I the only one that thinks maybe there should be a limit to the number of times a character could choose the metamagic feat option? Like a maximum or two or three times? A class that gives you a chance to get five metamagic feats in five levels, even without spell progression, seems like a little much.
#10 mystictheurge May 25, 2006 18:30:37	Am I the only one that thinks maybe there should be a limit to the number of times a character could choose the metamagic feat option? Like a maximum or two or three times? A class that gives you a chance to get five metamagic feats in five levels, even without spell progression, seems like a little much. It may be a moot point, given the proposed redsign of the PrC, but I agree. In fact I'd only allow them to take it once.
#11 Pennarin May 25, 2006 19:42:44	I've kinda been struck by inspiration, so I'm going to be almost completely redesigning this as a 10-level PrC. I'm going to completely divorce the radiation and light abilities from spells, and drop a lot of the fire stuff. I'm eager to read it! There are a few divine PrCs out there that relate to sun gods, you might want to look them over. Check the Sunmaster (Lost Empires of Faerûn), Radiant Servant of Pelor (Complete Divine), and the Eye of Horus-Re and Morninglord of Lathander (Player's Guide to Faerûn). For Dark Sun PrCs, do you guys think that confering the outsider type at 10th level is appropriate? Would it be stepping on the toes of the advanced beings too much? The existing Athasian Dragon PrC does not confer the outsider type; I can't speak for the cleric advanced being PrCs though. Many a D&D PrC confers the outsider type at 10th level. Yours could to.
#12 throkat May 25, 2006 20:03:57	The existing Athasian Dragon PrC does not confer the outsider type; I can't speak for the cleric advanced being PrCs though. Many a D&D PrC confers the outsider type at 10th level. Yours could to. Sure, a lot of D&D PrC confer a type change on the character at 10th level. But in Dark Sun, that's been mostly the realm of the advanced beings. Would non-epic Dark Sun PrC giving type changes detract from the advanced beings?
#13 kalthandrix May 25, 2006 20:23:14	These was also some sun related stuff in a recent Dragon mag- issue #340. Check it out and it may give you some additional ideas.
#14 Pennarin May 25, 2006 21:20:14	Would non-epic Dark Sun PrC giving type changes detract from the advanced beings? I think you might be confusing things. The PrC and the epic spells is what makes an advanced being such a powerful character, not what type they gain. That athasian dragons get the dragon type, or cleric advanced beings get the outsider type, is but a footnote to the entire process. I see no problems with certain cleric PrCs confering the ability to become like an elemental, i.e. becoming an outsider (with added cosmetic details like fiery hair or blazing eyes). That sounds perfectly reasonable considering that many a cleric wants to become closer to his element. Becoming a cleric advanced being, on the other hand, is like attempting to become a living god...quite different and more complex than simply acquiring the outsider type. So for short: No.