Difference between revisions of "Class: Zodiac"

From Trinity Wiki
Jump to: navigation, search
(→‎Class Features)
(→‎Morphs)
Line 305: Line 305:
  
 
You gain +20 class bonus to your movement speed, two hoof attacks, a class bonus to your ''healing surge value'' equal to your level, are treated as though wearing ''leather jack'' armor, and increase in size by one size category.
 
You gain +20 class bonus to your movement speed, two hoof attacks, a class bonus to your ''healing surge value'' equal to your level, are treated as though wearing ''leather jack'' armor, and increase in size by one size category.
 +
 +
<div id="Owl">
 +
{| class="collapsible" width="98%" style="text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:75%; font-family:verdana;"
 +
! style="background:#437F27;" align="left"|<div style="margin-left:15px;"><font color="white" style="font-size:13.5px; font-family:tahoma;">OWL</font></div>
 +
|}
 +
Your soul has been touched by the elemental powers associated with the owl. You have unnaturally keen eyesight, have a tendency to cock your head at unusual angles, and are can be unnaturally stealthy.
 +
 +
<div id="Kin">
 +
{| class="collapsible" width="98%" style="text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:75%; font-family:verdana;"
 +
! style="background:#B9CFAE;" align="left"|<div style="margin-left:25px;"><font color="black" style="font-size:13.5px; font-family:tahoma;">▶ Kin</font></div>
 +
|}
 +
In this form, your eyes are somewhat larger than they should be, and you make almost no sound as you move.
 +
 +
You gain a +4 class bonus to Stealth checks.
 +
 +
<div id="Were">
 +
{| class="collapsible" width="98%" style="text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:75%; font-family:verdana;"
 +
! style="background:#B9CFAE;" align="left"|<div style="margin-left:25px;"><font color="black" style="font-size:13.5px; font-family:tahoma;">▶ Were</font></div>
 +
|}
 +
In this form, your head is almost completely owl-like, your feet are more like bird talons, and you have sprouted wings. Like [https://pre00.deviantart.net/55fd/th/pre/i/2013/214/e/7/wereowl_by_el_ricado-d6ganay.jpg so].
 +
 +
You gain a +4 class bonus to Stealth checks, two claw attacks, and a ''fly'' speed of 10 feet.
 +
 +
<div id="True">
 +
{| class="collapsible" width="98%" style="text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:75%; font-family:verdana;"
 +
! style="background:#B9CFAE;" align="left"|<div style="margin-left:25px;"><font color="black" style="font-size:13.5px; font-family:tahoma;">▶ True</font></div>
 +
|}
 +
In this form, you are fully an owl. Like [https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/39/Athene_noctua_%28cropped%29.jpg so].
 +
 +
You gain a +8 class bonus to Stealth checks, two claw attacks, a ''fly'' speed of 60 feet, ''darkvision'', and decrease in size by one category.
  
 
<div id="Wolf">
 
<div id="Wolf">

Revision as of 19:56, 5 November 2017

The Zodiac
  Elementalism Maneuvers
Level Special Flux Die Stress Limit Max Gift Grade Suites Gifts Known Max Maneuver Grade Schools Maneuvers Known
1 Combat Style, Shift d2 2 Small 1 2 Basic 1 2
2 Aspect d2 3 Small 1 3 Basic 1 3
3   d3 3 Small 1 4 Basic 1 4
4 Aspect d3 3 Small 1 5 Basic 1 5
5   d3 4 Modest 2 6 Lesser 1 6
6 Aspect d3 4 Modest 2 6 Lesser 1 6
7   d4 5 Modest 2 7 Lesser 1 7
8 Aspect d4 5 Modest 2 8 Lesser 1 8
9   d4 5 Modest 2 9 Lesser 2 9
10 Zodiac Talent d4 6 Modest 2 10 Lesser 2 10
11   d6 6 Modest 3 11 Lesser 2 11
12 Zodiac Talent d6 7 Fair 3 11 Expert 2 11
13   d6 7 Fair 3 12 Expert 2 12
14 Zodiac Talent d6 7 Fair 3 13 Expert 2 13
15   d8 8 Fair 3 14 Expert 2 14
16 Zodiac Talent d8 8 Fair 3 15 Expert 2 15
17   d8 9 Fair 4 16 Expert 2 16
18 Zodiac Talent d8 9 Fair 4 16 Expert 2 16
19   d10 9 Generous 4 17 Greater 2 17
20 Zodiac Talent d10 10 Generous 4 18 Greater 2 18

 

Zodiac

Zara, iconic zodiac
"The energy within reflects the energy without: manipulate one, manipulate the other."

Among those who first investigated the mysteries of the Natural world were those who felt the movement of the elements within their souls. The first tribe of spoken so affected were attuned strongly to the moons, and when the moons waxed in power, at their strongest, some members of their tribe underwent a transformation into great wolves, retaining almost none of their memory and acting purely on instinct. When dawn came, they reverted back to their natural states, with little memory of what had passed.

The legend of these creatures - these "werewolves" - was passed down through history, and other stories similar became known: in instances of extreme elemental flux, where one element dominated all others, some people would seemingly spontaneously transform into great beasts. As knowledge of the elements - and Nature itself - grew, some investigated these strange happenings, and eventually a conclusion was reached. In some instances, those whose souls were reincarnated experienced a particularly strong "bath" of elemental energy on their return journey to the prime. These souls, marked by Gaia, would then - and forevermore - be intimately tied to that element, their soul echoing the ebb and flow of that element's presence in the prime.

As time passed, while some of these souls remained pure, others were exposed to other elemental energies on their eternal cycle between the prime and the Soulfont, mixing into unusual combinations and resulting in new "weres," as they were generically known. These individuals learned that while their response to a particular element's stimulus was reduced, they were much more able to control the power: at first only retaining memories of their actions, but - with further mental discipline - able to actually control it, and a very select few, to command it, voluntarily undergoing their transformation even when their elements were waning.

These touched individuals determined that extreme mental and physical control were necessary to understand and exploit their abilities to the fullest. Already somewhat attuned to Nature, they turned to shamans and callers to assist them in learning to calm the storm in their souls and listen to the song of the elements, but they also turned to martial masters, seeking teachers who would instill in them the discipline they needed to take full command of their faculties and unlock the power of controlling their transformations.

Those first individuals who learned to truly and completely harness the power within their souls learned that the form they took was not fixed: while the elemental powers influenced them, they did not control them, and with sufficient clarity of mind and soundness of body, they could transform themselves into any number of creatures. To demonstrate this, many of the first crop of this new breed of warrior took on forms resembling the constellations, and thus was their order named: the zodiac.

Today, this unusual effect on souls is relatively well-understood, and enclaves dot the worlds of Trinity that will take in those ancient souls who have been touched by Gaia in this fashion, to teach them to overcome, control, and harness their inner beast - as they have many times before, and will do many times again.

Game Rule Information

Zodiacs have the following game statistics.

Force Alignment: Nature.

Force Resistances: DI 5 + level, VI 5 + level.

Abilities: Depending upon their combat style, zodiacs can make good use of a physical attribute. As an elementalist, zodiacs also rely heavily upon Wisdom.

Hit Points at 1st Level: 15 + Con score.

Hit Points at Each Additional Level: 9 + Con modifier.

Healing Surges: 10 + Con modifier.

Defenses: Fort +2; Ref +2; Will +2; Det +2.

Starting Age: Simple.

Class Features

All of the following are class features of the zodiac.

Proficiencies

Weapons: Choose three.

Armor: Light, Mystic.

Implements: Essences, totems.

Combat Style

At first level, the zodiac decides which combat style she will pursue. Choose one of the following; once you have made a selection, it cannot be changed later.

▶ Archer

Archer stuff!

▶ Berserker

Berserker stuff!

▶ Defender

Defender stuff!

▶ Falconer

Falconer stuff!

▶ Karateka

Karateka stuff!

▶ Unfettered

Unfettered stuff!

Shift

The echoes of powerful elemental energy linger within the zodiac's soul. Through intense training and meditation, she has learned to control that power, and can tap into it when she requires it - for zodiacs, this is the power to change her shape into that of an animal.

Natural Weapons
Name Key Stat Defense Damage Potency Damage Type Speed
Bite Strength Fortitude 3 Piercing +0
Claw Strength Reflex 3 Slashing +0
Gore Constitution Fortitude 4 Piercing -2
Hoof Constitution Reflex 3 Bludgeoning +0
Spine Constitution Reflex 3 Piercing +0
Sting Dexterity Reflex 2 Piercing +2
Tentacle Dexterity Fortitude 2 Bludgeoning +0
Wing Dexterity Reflex 2 Bludgeoning +0

At first level, you choose a single morph from the zodiac morph list: bear, horse, owl, and wolf.

As a move action, you can switch between your natural shape and any morph you have access to, or from your current morph into your natural shape. There is no limit on duration or on uses of this ability.

Each morph has three different varieties: kin, were, and true; when you use your shift ability, you choose which of the three you want to shift into. You can use your shift ability again to change between your natural form and the three forms for the morph you are currently in, but cannot shift into a different morph (for instance, if you are currently a wolfkin, you can shift into either your natural form or werewolf form, but not to your wereowl form).

While in a morph, none of your statistics change other than those specified by the morph itself.

However, while in a true morph, you cannot communicate normally (you can still communicate via telepathy, if you have it), but you can communicate with normal animals of a similar kind to your own; nor can you make use of weapons, shields, armor, or tools, any of which that you were wearing or wielding fall to the ground in the square you are in when you use your shift ability to change into a true morph. You are always proficient with the natural weapons you gain in a true morph form. Kin morphs and were morphs do not have these restrictions.

You gain the shapeshifter descriptor.

Variance

As the zodiac grows in power, her understanding of the elemental ebbs and flows within herself improves, and she gains increased control over these energies.

At 2nd, 4th, 6th, and 8th levels, choose one of the following abilities. Each ability can be taken only once unless otherwise specified.

▶ Absorbing Shift

When you shift into an animal form, your equipment fuses into your new form. While you cannot access your equipment, you do not lose it when you shift, and when you shift into your natural form, all of your gear reappears as it was before you used shift (for instance, if you were holding a weapon, when you return to your natural form, you are still holding that weapon).

▶ Infusing Shift

Prerequisites: Absorbing Shift

When you shift into an animal form, you can choose one item to which you are attuned: if a weapon, your natural attacks gain the properties of that item; if an armor, accessory, or implement, you retain the properties of that item.

You can take this ability multiple times. Each time you do, when you shift into an animal form, you can choose one additional item.

▶ Animal Speech

When you shift into an animal form, you retain the ability to communicate normally.

▶ Extra Morph

You have attuned yourself to additional elemental energies within yourself.

Choose another morph form from the zodiac morph list.

You can choose this ability multiple times. Each time you do, you select a different morph form from the zodiac morph list.

▶ Quick Shift

You can use your shift ability as a swift action, rather than a move action.

Gifts

The following are zodiac gifts, ordered by suite, then by grade.

Morphs

The following are zodiac morphs, which are the animal forms that zodiacs may undertake using their shift ability.

BEAR

Your soul has been touched by the elemental powers associated with the bear. You are naturally powerful and territorial, with a strong protective instinct for those you consider family.

▶ Kin

In this form, you are noticeably more physically robust than your size would otherwise suggest, and your face and hands might have some hint of ursine features.

You gain innate con up (1).

▶ Were

In this form, your head and hands are almost completely bearlike, and you are covered in fur. Like so.

You gain innate con up (1), two claw attacks, and are treated as though wearing mail chainmail armor.

▶ True

In this form, you are fully a bear. Like so.

You gain innate con up (1), a bite attack, two claw attacks, are treated as though wearing mail hauberk armor, and increase in size by one size category.

HORSE

Your soul has been touched by the elemental powers associated with the horse. You are naturally somewhat flighty but have a strong back and can run for long periods of time without stopping.

▶ Kin

In this form, your teeth are noticeably more flat than sharp, your laugh might sound just a bit more like a horse's whinny, and the nails on your feet are noticeably harder.

You gain a +10 class bonus to your movement speed.

▶ Were

In this form, your head is almost completely horselike, and your feet are now hooves. Like so.

You gain a +10 class bonus to your movement speed, two hoof attacks, and a class bonus to your healing surge value equal to your level.

▶ True

In this form, you are fully a horse. Like so.

You gain +20 class bonus to your movement speed, two hoof attacks, a class bonus to your healing surge value equal to your level, are treated as though wearing leather jack armor, and increase in size by one size category.

OWL

Your soul has been touched by the elemental powers associated with the owl. You have unnaturally keen eyesight, have a tendency to cock your head at unusual angles, and are can be unnaturally stealthy.

▶ Kin

In this form, your eyes are somewhat larger than they should be, and you make almost no sound as you move.

You gain a +4 class bonus to Stealth checks.

▶ Were

In this form, your head is almost completely owl-like, your feet are more like bird talons, and you have sprouted wings. Like so.

You gain a +4 class bonus to Stealth checks, two claw attacks, and a fly speed of 10 feet.

▶ True

In this form, you are fully an owl. Like so.

You gain a +8 class bonus to Stealth checks, two claw attacks, a fly speed of 60 feet, darkvision, and decrease in size by one category.

WOLF

Your soul has been touched by the elemental powers associated with the wolf. You might have a natural predilection for moving with a larger group, and have an intuitive understanding of social hierarchies and loyalty.

▶ Kin

In this form, your ears might be a bit larger, your mouth and nose slightly more pronounced, your teeth a bit sharper than they should be, and you might have a tendency to hunch to have all your limbs closer to the ground.

You gain scent.

▶ Were

In this form, your head is almost completely wolflike, and you are covered in fur. While you still have hands, they are noticeably more bestial in nature. Your feet are clearly paws, and your body structure has changed such that it can accommodate both being upright and on all fours. Like so.

You gain scent, a bite attack, and a +10 class bonus to your movement speed.

▶ True

In this form, you are fully a wolf. Like so.

You gain scent, low-light vision, a bite attack (if you also hit the target's Reflex, the target falls prone), a +20 class bonus to your movement speed, and are treated as though wearing leather gear armor.

Feats

The following are a selection of feats that are relevant to zodiacs.

 

NATURE ADEPT CROSSTRAINING [Martial, Nature]
You study both of your chosen fields in tandem.
Prerequisites: Elementalist, Initiator.
Benefit: You gain knowledge of one additional gift of any grade you can access, of any suite you can access; and one additional maneuver of any grade you can access, of any school you can access. You can take this feat multiple times; its effect stacks.

 

Design Notes

You know what I don't like? Rangers who cast spells. Never have, never will. So the ranger needs to go, but to replace it, we need a Nature adept.

Hence, I'm reviving the zodiac.

This class is intended to do two things: first, fill in the grid (Nature adept); and second, bring the metamorph back as a viable concept, albeit in a different form. The original metamorph was an attempt at making a class fully devoted to shapeshifting, or something akin to it. We... really can't reasonably do that in t20, as our grid (currently) doesn't allow for "force-aligned but non-casting" classes, which is what the metamorph would require.

Oh, and this fluff means that lycanthropy in Trinity is not transmittable via bite. It's literally a potential side-effect of reincarnation.

Oct 26, 2017: Apparently Paizo is doing a similar class in an upcoming book, so these mechanics are a bit up in the air while I wait for mechanics to... study.

Nov 5, 2017: ...and apparently Paizo completely and utterly failed at doing this properly. Idiots. I might mine it for ideas a bit, but ultimately, I basically need to do this myself.


Back to Main Page → d20 Mechanics → Classes
Retrieved from "http://trinitywiki.org/?title=Class:_Zodiac&oldid=9423"