[quote]Avangion Magic Abilities
Each stage that an avangion has undergone of the metamorphosis increases his capability and power with Avangion Magic:
Minor Avangion Magic: The very basics of Avangion Magic, the avangion begins to tap into his newfound inner well of energy, and can perform minor abilities through it. The avangion gains the following abilities when using Minor Avangion Magic:
Lifeless Terrain treated as Barren Terrain – the Avangion from this point on treats Lifeless terrain as Barren Terrain, for the purposes of the effect those terrain types have on the Avangion's magic. So rather than a -2 caster level/save DC for lifeless terrain, Avangions get a -1 to them. What this amounts to is the Avangion supplementing the requisite energy needed with his own.
Avangion Magic: The avangion develops his ability further by being able to use the following abilities:
Barren Terrain becomes Infertile Terrain – the Avangion now has enough power to completely negate the negative penalties for casting spells in Barren Terrain. As such, The Avangion Treats Barren – as well as Lifeless Terrain, as Infertile Terrain, and gets a +0 to caster level and spell save DC's.
Supplant energy – The Avangion can choose to use some of his own internal energy to replace that which an arcane spellcaster is drawing from for spells. Effectively, defiler radiuses are reduced in size as if the terrain was 1 better (barren to infertile, for instance), up to 4 better (for stage-4 avangions). If the terrain becomes better than “lush”, there is no defiling radius.
Advanced Avangion Magic: The avangion now is able to apply the following effects to his spells:
Infertile Terrain becomes Fertile Terrain – the Avangion now has enough power to have at least the same bonus when casting spells as if he was in Fertile Terrain. With Infertile, Barren, or Lifeless Terrain, as well as with Fertile Terrain, he receives a +1 to Caster level and to spell save DC's.
Supplant dragon magic energy – As with Supplant Energy, the Avangion can now use it to replacethe life energy that is drained by using Empowered Obsidian Orbs and Dragon Magic. The amount that is replaced is equal to the Avangion's Stage, multiplied by the level of the spell slot sacrificed added the number of power points used. So, a Stage-2 Avangion sacrificing a 4th level slot and 7 power points provides the equivalent of 2
Keep up the good work darkhelm!I take it these are only some of the powers they'll get?
Basically, I'm planning on adding more, but am stumped. Things that would make sense for this, and would augment them, something that would help balance the fact that physically they are weaker.
* maybe give them access to certain domains or domain powers (ie plant, animal, magic, etc.)
* bonuses to mental stats while penalties to physical ones would virtually cancel each other out
* permanent, non-dispellable magical effects, such as globe of invulnerability, iron body, blur, blink, detect magic, psionics, invisibility, etc. etc.
* immune to mind affecting psionics/spells
* nutso damage reduction and spell/power resistance (losing your physical attacks and abilities would definately require something like this) I'm talking like SR/PR up in the 60's or 70's near the end of transformation, and damage reduction of 30-40/epic (maybe even turn epic into a -, but that may be too much)
* make them incorporeal?
Originally posted by Tembo-Pie
Well I had some quick ideas for powers of the Avangion. Random thoughts here, nothing too well thought out
* maybe give them access to certain domains or domain powers (ie plant, animal, magic, etc.)
Not interested in giving them access to Divine magic. They are psionic and arcane, not divine. I see where you're coming from, but..... it's just not feeling right at all.
* bonuses to mental stats while penalties to physical ones would virtually cancel each other out
* permanent, non-dispellable magical effects, such as globe of invulnerability, iron body, blur, blink, detect magic, psionics, invisibility, etc. etc.
* immune to mind affecting psionics/spells
* nutso damage reduction and spell/power resistance (losing your physical attacks and abilities would definately require something like this) I'm talking like SR/PR up in the 60's or 70's near the end of transformation, and damage reduction of 30-40/epic (maybe even turn epic into a -, but that may be too much)
* make them incorporeal?
These aren't factors of Avangion Magic. These are factors of Being an Avangion. Most, if not all, are already incorperated in my Avangion write-up, that I've got with the Dragon one. The part I've been missing is the Avangion Magic part, no the features of the creature. If you haven't gotten the Avangion write-up already, I'd suggest snagging a copy, I can e-mail it, or in umm..... I think my thread about my write-ups, there's a link someone else posted with a pdf download of the rest of it. It's as long as the Dragon process I did.
But in that case, some other ideas for Avangion Magic.
* possibly "beefed up" versions of some of the Archmage/ArchPsion prestige class' abilities?
* borrow or grab some ideas from the ELHB Prestige Classes or that Book of Exalted Deeds?
* include "sacred" or "positive" energy somehow?
Originally posted by Tembo-Pie
My mistake! Sorry, but yes, I would like an email of your avangion stuff. I'll double check the other thread to see if I can find the pdf's.
But in that case, some other ideas for Avangion Magic.
* possibly "beefed up" versions of some of the Archmage/ArchPsion prestige class' abilities?
* borrow or grab some ideas from the ELHB Prestige Classes or that Book of Exalted Deeds?
* include "sacred" or "positive" energy somehow?
I've considered those. check and see what I did with Dragon Magic - it allows for some effecxts to augment and boost the power of a spell above and beyond it's original intent. I'm looking for something similar, but more in the light of an Avangion instead.
I've thought about positive energy effects..... but..... honestly, I've been doubtful about it. Something doesn't feel right about making the source of anavangion's energy be "good". At the same time, it would provide a polar opposite to the Dragon....
I've been grabbing ideas from the ELH, I haven't quite dug completely through the BoED, however. But the BoED also has the same "not quite right" feel for me..... yet.
This is a new thing to add. the infamous "Avangion Magic" page.... but.... it's not done yet. I'm kinda stuck.
Originally posted by xlorepdarkhelm
Dude, this thread is the Avangion Magic stuff. The first post is all there is right now.
Ahhh... Thought there was more.
I have a comment I'll add, then:
It looks like it's advantageous for avangions to use their power points to defray the cost of defilement. The example you used, a fourth-level spell slot and seven power points, account for the same general range of power (fourth-level arcane spell and fourth-level psionic manifestation). However, the use of psionics gives more "bang for the buck." By giving up the casting of a 4th-level manifestation, you're getting almost double the return as in giving up a 4th-level spell.
Should it instead be 2 x (4 + 4)? Or, at least, force them to give up equal levels of each?
Wish I could help you with the added benefits.
What I think makes it worse is that there are basically two routes to starting the avangion process. One is with a split progression, leaving the character lacking somewhat in terms of caster or manifester levels compared to their challenge rating. I know that you aren't requiring the 20/20 for your process, but by upping the DC of the spells like you are discussing in the other thread, it does tend to lead to a higher leveled starting point being required, meaning the ability to make the DC becomes the key requirement instead of 9th level spells and 6th level powers.
The second route is with an arguably broken class like cebremancer, which keeps the caster and manifester levels high, but doesn't provide access to the bonus metamagic and metapsionic feats that a split progression does.
So what you wind up with is either a split classed character with meta feats but a weak caster / manifester level against the challenges needed to progress, or a cerebremancer with a strong caster / manifester level, but without the meta feats.
I guess I picked a very long winded way to say that I think the avangion magic needs to have more elements in common with dragon magic in terms of being able to juice the spells of the avangion to compensate for either low caster / manifester levels or for a lack of meta feats.
Originally posted by Heretic Apostate
Ahhh... Thought there was more.
I have a comment I'll add, then:
It looks like it's advantageous for avangions to use their power points to defray the cost of defilement. The example you used, a fourth-level spell slot and seven power points, account for the same general range of power (fourth-level arcane spell and fourth-level psionic manifestation). However, the use of psionics gives more "bang for the buck." By giving up the casting of a 4th-level manifestation, you're getting almost double the return as in giving up a 4th-level spell.
Should it instead be 2 x (4 + 4)? Or, at least, force them to give up equal levels of each?
Wish I could help you with the added benefits.
Umm..... the thing is this. I was working off of them having to give equal amounts of energy of both magic and psionics. And, according to the Expanded Psionics Handbook, it takes 1 power point to manifest a 1st level power, 3 for 2nd level, 5 for 3rd level, 7 for 4th level, 9 for 5th level, 11 for 6th level 13 for 7th level 15 for 8th level, and 17 for 9th level. You'll notice that the number of power points spent equals the lowest level a psion can manifest that power. So, all things being equal, id the Avangion is going to mitigate or replace a 5th level spell's drain on life energy, then I'd say it would have to be a 5th level slot and the number of power points needed to manifest a 5th level power - or 9 points. Savvy?
Basically, the Avangion must choose to sacrifice 2x the power needed (1x with magic, 1x with psionics) in order to do this.
Originally posted by Barmoz
I really like it as the foundation, but I do agree that it is missing some firepower. With your dragon magic, the dragon becomes two things, the ultimate defiler, and a super badass through psionically juiced spellcasting (or vice versa). So far you've nailed the balance to the defiling part, by making the avangion the ultimate preserver, but the second part of it is missing. Assuming that is, that the goal is to have the Avangion and the Dragon be balanced versus each other in terms of relative "power".
Yes, I know. There's also the Dragon's other physical qualities to contend with that the Avangon doesn't have. So, I'm wanting to basically provide more with Avangion Magic as a balancing factor to this. But yea, I want them balanced.
What I think makes it worse is that there are basically two routes to starting the avangion process. One is with a split progression, leaving the character lacking somewhat in terms of caster or manifester levels compared to their challenge rating. I know that you aren't requiring the 20/20 for your process, but by upping the DC of the spells like you are discussing in the other thread, it does tend to lead to a higher leveled starting point being required, meaning the ability to make the DC becomes the key requirement instead of 9th level spells and 6th level powers.
Well, that's why I am leaving it open as a possiblity that an Avangion can start like the Dragon - at a "preferred" starting level of 28: 17 wizard levels, and 11 psion levels. That's what I'm workng for. But the Avangion's a harder process to develop, yet a safer one to survive than a Dragon. Those balance out a bit, I believe.
The second route is with an arguably broken class like cebremancer, which keeps the caster and manifester levels high, but doesn't provide access to the bonus metamagic and metapsionic feats that a split progression does.
And the Avangion, like the Dragon, gains +1 caster level/+1 manifester level, just like the Cerebmancer Prestige Class, which is on top of everything else that is going on. So, once they start the process, it isnt crippling them any more.
So what you wind up with is either a split classed character with meta feats but a weak caster / manifester level against the challenges needed to progress, or a cerebremancer with a strong caster / manifester level, but without the meta feats.
I guess I picked a very long winded way to say that I think the avangion magic needs to have more elements in common with dragon magic in terms of being able to juice the spells of the avangion to compensate for either low caster / manifester levels or for a lack of meta feats.
Exactly, I fully understand this, and am working on that. The avangion's ability to basically become independent of external spell energy is the drop-in replacement to a dragon's thirst for animal-based, rather than plant-based life energy. The other ailities were ones I had seen as "necessary", like the ability to restore/heal the land from defiler damage, and to choose (only through personal choice) to use their own energy to be used for arcane spells (both normal and later Dragon magic), in the place of the normal plant and amimal life-forces. And then the time power at the end is also to give them some benefit for what I believe the final spell entails - their building of the specialized tomb, and then being thrust through time, as an effort to observe what Athas was like before it became a barren wasteland, and to have a better idea as to how to fix it. The effect that rubbed off on them is the ability to re-roll a die roll each round (if desired),, and to effectively have a time-stop like power, and be immune to any time-based spells cast on them (like Time Stop, and the like).
Now, I'm also planning on them augmenting their spells with a significant amount of energy. And basically have a equivalent of dragon magic, but for Avangions - the extra power they have can be used to boost a spell further. And even more, I'm wanting a few extra things that go beyond this - especially for the final stage, to represent that an Avangion is the true master of arcane and psionic power, the Dragon sacrifices their mastery of this for physical size and power instead.
Originally posted by xlorepdarkhelm
And the Avangion, like the Dragon, gains +1 caster level/+1 manifester level, just like the Cerebmancer Prestige Class, which is on top of everything else that is going on. So, once they start the process, it isnt crippling them any more.
I am aware that your versions account for progression in both caster and manifester levels, but unless you're applying it retroactively, which I didn't understand your writeups as doing, then it's more accurate to say that it's not crippling them further instead of not crippling them anymore. They still have a deficit to make up if doing the split class route, which means they need to spend their available feats on things like power penetration and spell penetration feats, or levels in arch mage to gain the spell power ability.
I wasn't trying to sound like I was bashing what you had put up for avangion magic, I really like it, and based on your response the issues I bring up are apparently things you've thought of already, but it wasn't clear from your original post on the thread that "increased power" was a direction you were going to take it.
Originally posted by xlorepdarkhelm
So, all things being equal, id the Avangion is going to mitigate or replace a 5th level spell's drain on life energy, then I'd say it would have to be a 5th level slot and the number of power points needed to manifest a 5th level power - or 9 points. Savvy?
Basically, the Avangion must choose to sacrifice 2x the power needed (1x with magic, 1x with psionics) in order to do this.
Okay, so the levels are tied together? That was the part I wasn't getting. From my reading of it, it sounded like one could choose to mitigate some or all of the draining by sacrificing mana and/or spell levels.
In looking it over, it does not explicitly state that the level of the arcane spell should equal the level of the psionic manifestation/power points. The example uses equivalent levels, yes, but it doesn't explicitly state that this is always the case.
So, for instance, if someone sacrificied a level 2 arcane spell and 9 power points, they'd get the same amount of mitigation of dragon magic. The thing being that that's the equivalent of a level 5 manifestation and a level 2 spell. But to get the same in reverse, you'd need a level 2 manifestation and a level 9 arcane spell (a bit over, but you get the picture).
All simplified just by specifying that the amount of power points must be equal to an equivalent level of psionic manifestation, right?
(I'm trying to help, but I don't visit enough to know what's already been discussed...)
Originally posted by Barmoz
I am aware that your versions account for progression in both caster and manifester levels, but unless you're applying it retroactively, which I didn't understand your writeups as doing, then it's more accurate to say that it's not crippling them further instead of not crippling them anymore. They still have a deficit to make up if doing the split class route, which means they need to spend their available feats on things like power penetration and spell penetration feats, or levels in arch mage to gain the spell power ability.
True, my hope, tho, was by making an "imbalance" between psionics and magic requirements, I could mitigate the damage some. And then by boosting the overall power of the metamorphosis processes a bit, I could eventually compensate for the shortcomings. The faiings of the system for multiclassing as a manifester and/or a spellcaster have been one of my primary focuses and reasons for several of my alterations to the original formulae for advanced beings. And you're right - it's more accurate to say that it's not crippling them further.
I wasn't trying to sound like I was bashing what you had put up for avangion magic, I really like it, and based on your response the issues I bring up are apparently things you've thought of already, but it wasn't clear from your original post on the thread that "increased power" was a direction you were going to take it.
Sorry, I had meant to make it clear, but the ideas are still bouncing around in my head. Yes, the Avangion Magic is a rough draft, and it's nowhere near completion. One of the concerns people have had with my designs is that the way the Avangions and Dragons are written up - Dragons are the superiors. With the Avangion Magic, I want those two beings to become equals.
Originally posted by Heretic Apostate
Okay, so the levels are tied together? That was the part I wasn't getting. From my reading of it, it sounded like one could choose to mitigate some or all of the draining by sacrificing mana and/or spell levels.
In looking it over, it does not explicitly state that the level of the arcane spell should equal the level of the psionic manifestation/power points. The example uses equivalent levels, yes, but it doesn't explicitly state that this is always the case.
So, for instance, if someone sacrificied a level 2 arcane spell and 9 power points, they'd get the same amount of mitigation of dragon magic. The thing being that that's the equivalent of a level 5 manifestation and a level 2 spell. But to get the same in reverse, you'd need a level 2 manifestation and a level 9 arcane spell (a bit over, but you get the picture).
All simplified just by specifying that the amount of power points must be equal to an equivalent level of psionic manifestation, right?
(I'm trying to help, but I don't visit enough to know what's already been discussed...)
My mistake - I need to correct it, as I said, it's a rough draft. The wording's not quite right yet. But yes - it's an equal amount of psionic as well as magic energy that is used.
Anyway, I like what I see. I'm looking forward to seeing more.
I've made up a class of my own for each, but kinda converted directly from the 2e Dragon Kings book cuz Ive got practically no time to think about it. Thus it would be cool to see something that somebody actually thought about the balance of it all.
Originally posted by The DM's Good Side
Where exactly is this dragon and avangion info? Maybe I'm too tired to see it, but all the same I can't.
I've made up a class of my own for each, but kinda converted directly from the 2e Dragon Kings book cuz Ive got practically no time to think about it. Thus it would be cool to see something that somebody actually thought about the balance of it all.
Hehe.... look for the thread "About my Dragons and Avangions", I think the link's at the bottom of the first page. There's definitely one with HUGE text
Originally posted by The DM's Good Side
Where exactly is this dragon and avangion info? Maybe I'm too tired to see it, but all the same I can't.
Hey, hey, hey...
It's my job to ask questions like that. If you want the job of "attention-deficit, short-memory browser," you'll have to apply for it just like I did... :D :D :D
Originally posted by Objulen
Xlorepdarkhelm, do you think there should be allowances in the rules for dragons or avangions who, before their metamorphasis, drew upon alternate forms of spell energy, i.e. not planet life?
I haven't explicitly written this into my designs because I feel it would add a level of complexity I didn't need. However, I've not explicitly disallowed it either. And Jon's Pretige Classes Necromant, Shadow-Wizard and Cerulean are handy to snag, even tho they take a couple seconds extra to convert to 3.5e. Since Dragons tend to get extra energy from animal life energies, and Avangions get theirs from themselves (becoming independent of external energies), I just hadn't cosidered any real value of writing in some rule mechanic for dealing with the variant energy wizard PrC's into the metamorphosis processes. I know that personally, I'd have the energy type they use potentially reflect in their physical description somehow.
Stage 1:
* Automatic Consecrate Spell effect.
Stage 2:
* Automatic Purify Spell effect.
* Automatic Nonlethal Subsitution effect.
Stage 3:
* Automatic Sacred Spell effect (or rather, something slightly better)
* Variation on Divine Blast, only as a sacred-based damage attack that uses psionics and magic
Stage 4:
* Variation on Mass Divine Blast, as above.
* Variation on Automatic Metamagic (as well as Metapsionic)
* Spontaneous Wizard Spells (with the addition of able to use metamagic without it taking any extra time)
-----------
Still juggling around ideas, considering a way for them to do some added effects using their light auras.
Originally posted by xlorepdarkhelm
Currently, I'm looking into making rules for an Avangion to use their own hit points to augment spells with Avangion Magic, or possibly rules for what happens if they gather extra energy from plants around them (preserver-like) to use on top of the energy they get from themselves. Those are two other srouces I think could work, and would make the Avangion be able to tap large amounts of energy to power their spells.
Do you gather this is what Hamanu does on a regular basis? He's supposed to take of his own energy when quickening a spell, we get a sense that it hurts him, adds to his general agony. I would say its a hp drain. You might want to look into Hamanu and Avangions as related rule-wise in that domain...
Originally posted by Pennarin
Do you gather this is what Hamanu does on a regular basis? He's supposed to take of his own energy when quickening a spell, we get a sense that it hurts him, adds to his general agony. I would say its a hp drain. You might want to look into Hamanu and Avangions as related rule-wise in that domain...
I hadn't thought that direction. With Hamanu, when he quickens a spell, he accelerates his metamorphosis, which causes him a bit of pain, and adds to his agony that way, from how I have been working him out.
With Avangions - this would be a willing self-sacrifice to improve the power of their magic, from their (comparitively to other classes) smaller pool of HP's. Basically, they convert a part of their own being into energy. Not the healthiest thing for them to do. And, I still might not permit it - I was mainly thinking of using that with their "restoration" power - they give a piece of themselves to help restore the land.
Originally posted by xlorepdarkhelm
It's far from complete, and some abilities will probably get reviewed, as I'm not 100% certian on them, but this is a rough draft, for those that were curious about them. comments and suggestions are welcome.
Well once again, I am quite awed with what zeal and enthusiasm you are working on all that! Head's up DarkHelm!!
Regarding Pscionic Enchantements I am a great fan of the idea ofThe Library of Urik used for the Psionic Enchantement feat: In it this understanding enables advanced beings to use power points to lower the spellcraft DC of their Epic Spells by 1 for each power point spent.
This has the effect of really showing a way to boost the power of epic spellcasting by force of will. And it enables advanced beings to use the more powerful spells with otherwise would have a way to high Spellcraft DC.
As for Avangion specific specials: where Dragons focus more on the brute-force way of magic, Avangions should be more open to the intricacy of the ways of magic. In this regard I like your ability concearning time-magic. So I would propose the ability to metamagic spells in the same way as written for Defilers in Dragon #315, drawing on inner reserves and on his mastery of magic instead, as well as exluding all damage increasing metamagic effects (so no maximize, empower and such).
Originally posted by Xular
Well once again, I am quite awed with what zeal and enthusiasm you are working on all that! Head's up DarkHelm!!
Regarding Pscionic Enchantements I am a great fan of the idea ofThe Library of Urik used for the Psionic Enchantement feat: In it this understanding enables advanced beings to use power points to lower the spellcraft DC of their Epic Spells by 1 for each power point spent.
This has the effect of really showing a way to boost the power of epic spellcasting by force of will. And it enables advanced beings to use the more powerful spells with otherwise would have a way to high Spellcraft DC.
I'm actually completely opposed to this idea. Sorry - until I've been able to go over and revise the Epic Spellcasting to make it actually useful, I'm opposed to making Psionic Enchantments into a purely epic-spellcasting concept. And I'm not in favor of making it a feat, because it's something that should be only available to Advanced Beings, and something that all Advanced Beings can do when they become Advanced Beings, making it a feat, in my opionin, is making an extra game mechanic that would effectively be a waste - except that it would consolidate the rules into a single location, that all the Advanced Beings then can point to. Other than that, it's pointless to make it a feat.
As for Avangion specific specials: where Dragons focus more on the brute-force way of magic, Avangions should be more open to the intricacy of the ways of magic. In this regard I like your ability concearning time-magic. So I would propose the ability to metamagic spells in the same way as written for Defilers in Dragon #315, drawing on inner reserves and on his mastery of magic instead, as well as exluding all damage increasing metamagic effects (so no maximize, empower and such).
I've considered that. But metamagic on the fly is sooooo overdone already. But, I'm working on spontaneous wizard spells, and possibly "automatic" metamagic/metapsionics. I'm definitely trying to gear the Avangion towards having a much more fundamental and deeper understanding of magic, and even psionics, than the Dragon, where the Dragon is focused on attaining more and more power greedily, and then as you said uses a "brute-force" method of using this energy.
Originally posted by xlorepdarkhelm
And I'm not in favor of making it a feat,
Hm I guess you misunderstood my. I too am against making psionic enchantement an extra feat. The feat Epic Spellcasting from the Epic Book should already suffice. (Well if it must be a feat at least it should be a bonus feat given in the various transformation-stages). Furthermore I too agree that it should be the same mechanic for all advanced beings and not just Avangion specific.
The only thing in which we do not agree is that I would use Dragon/Avangion magic and the concept of psionic enchantements to bolster epic spellcasting (in the form of the power point boost suggested or using some abilites from the Elven High-Mage epic PrC and Netheril Arcanist epic PrC). Something you are not so fond about.
The original concept of psionic enchantements was to provide for 10th level magic only (and not too many other benefits to usual spellcasting), that's why under 3.5 I would use it to do the same with the similar concept of epic spells. Only on Athas I would rule that epic spells are the product of a schooled magic mastermind who uses psionics to muster the power needed to wield more taxing and powerful arcane energies as otherwise possible, so only Advanced Beings should have access to them (with the exception of the Methamorphosis spells themselves, like in the old rules).
But, I'm working on spontaneous wizard spells, and possibly "automatic" metamagic/metapsionics. I'm definitely trying to gear the Avangion towards having a much more fundamental and deeper understanding of magic, and even psionics, than the Dragon
Sounds nice
Originally posted by Xular
Hm I guess you misunderstood my. I too am against making psionic enchantement an extra feat. The feat Epic Spellcasting from the Epic Book should already suffice. (Well if it must be a feat at least it should be a bonus feat given in the various transformation-stages). Furthermore I too agree that it should be the same mechanic for all advanced beings and not just Avangion specific.
The only thing in which we do not agree is that I would use Dragon/Avangion magic and the concept of psionic enchantements to bolster epic spellcasting (in the form of the power point boost suggested or using some abilites from the Elven High-Mage epic PrC and Netheril Arcanist epic PrC). Something you are not so fond about.
The original concept of psionic enchantements was to provide for 10th level magic only (and not too many other benefits to usual spellcasting), that's why under 3.5 I would use it to do the same with the similar concept of epic spells. Only on Athas I would rule that epic spells are the product of a schooled magic mastermind who uses psionics to muster the power needed to wield more taxing and powerful arcane energies as otherwise possible, so only Advanced Beings should have access to them (with the exception of the Methamorphosis spells themselves, like in the old rules).
Once I've revised the Epic Spellcasting rules to actually be a viable, useful system, I might take such things into account. At this point in time, the less I integrate with the Epic Spellcasting rules, the better.
I don't think though that it needs to be a feat, I would much prefer to see it as a special ability of the templates or part of the epic spell itself.
What I wouldn't feel comfortable with is limiting epic spellcasting to advanced beings, or giving non-advanced beings the potential to be as good at epic spellcasting as advanced beings are. The whole nature of dark sun screams gritty, hardcore, and epic, with advanced beings being the ultimate in epicness. To say that a wizard has to become a dragon or avangion to do the same things any level 21 wizard schmuck in the forgotten realms can do doesn't fit for me.
How this translates into game terms... I'm not sure, perhaps some combination of psicraft and spellcraft for DC for epic spells, or maybe the use of PSP's as a mitigating factor for reducing DC's. Just a couple of suggestions I've seen discussed on these boards in other places.