Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 zombiegleemax Aug 18, 2003 8:39:17	I am not satisfied with the way templar´´s authority is handled within DS3. Secular Authority does not provide the right method to handle the templars businesses to my opinion. Of course, a templer gains authority when he rises in levels which will give him som eadvantages over the common folk but also he needs to have a more broader tool of authority-related mechanisms that he could use. A templer does gain a very strong charisma that radiates authority as he is used to command and to the folks obeying his orders. So how does he interrogates a criminal? Just be using his intimidate skill like everybody else? Of course not, as he has learned other and more efficient ways to get all the information he needs. I think a templer needs some sort of skill the way a bard is using his bardic knowledge. This skill will increase as the templer gains levels and could either be used instead of charisma based checks or will grant bonuses on such checks. Example: The templar gets "Templar Authority" with a plus depending on level and Charisma modifier. So a 5th level templar with CHA12 will have Templar Authoriy +6. When using skills like Gather Information , Bluff, Intimidate he could use his Templar Authority bonus instead his skill bonus for his roll. Another example might be to divide the above bonus by 2 and let the templar use this as a competence bonus on certain skill rolls. (as of the above: 6/2 = +3 bonus to Intimidate, Bluff or Gather Information). "Templar Authority" as a skill could also be used to replace all Secular Authority feats just by rolling against defined DC depending on the status of the victim (to enter a peasants house roll 10, to enter a nobles house roll 20 or so). This would give the templar character the advantage to choose other feats instead of Secular Authority which makes him an even more deadlier character. What does the board thinks about this?
#2 jon_oracle_of_athas Aug 18, 2003 11:12:06	1. Secular Authority is tied to amount of ranks in the Diplomacy skill, not feats. No templar needs to take the Secular Authority related feats. They merely grant a bonus to certain opposed Secular Authority rolls. Note that said feats are not included in DS3.5. 2. We can't really put any more juice into the templar class. It is powerful enough as is. An ability that replaces x amount of skills is not an option. 3. We already have two unique DS classes that gain class level/2 bonuses to certain skills. It's not a mechanic we feel is warranted for more classes beyond the Bard and Gladiator. 4. Those more efficient methods you refer to are described in what DS source, if I may ask? As for an example within the existing rules, mindbenders would be excellent interrogators. A single psion level and the Psychoanalyst and Psychic Inquisitor feats would produce wonders - far more than what your suggested class feature would.