Character planning

[VennDygrem]

Strongarm Bracers let you wield weapons as if you were one size category larger. I don't know if that also works for natural attacks, though. Come up with an item that gives Imp Natural Attack?

Yeah, that's what the Fanged Ring does, though as I said, it also has other stuff like giving Imp. Unarmed Strike and +1 con damage to crits with unarmed strikes. If I remove the IUS feat and con damage, it might be cheap enough to qualify as a lower-level item, though there are no guidelines as to how much replicating feats is on a magic item.
The books seem to use thematically-linked spells to do this, but given how crazy the writers are, the prices rarely actually match up on such items with the rules on creating custom items. The regular item costs 10000 gp, making it a level 12 item. If I remove the IUS and con damage, that should knock a few levels off it, I'd imagine. Maybe I can just use the Strongarm Bracers as a basis for my item, though.

I'll have to see what Phaedrus says, as well as on the Mighty Wallop item. Having both should give me two effective size increases to damage, which would be nice.

Beyond that, I suppose I should load up on some utility items. I could technically shift skill ranks around and try to max out UMD since I've got access to that through True Fiend, but I believe Phaedrus warned against it for me, so I'm going to skip that tactic.

[PhaedrusXY]

Warned against what? I don't remember warning against anything... except early spell level access.

As for an item of Greater Mighty Whallop, I think we should use an eternal wand as a pricing guide.

[VennDygrem]

As for an item of Greater Mighty Whallop, I think we should use an eternal wand as a pricing guide.

Technically I said just Mighty Wallop, since Greater would be much more costly, though your way definitely makes the Greater version more accessible.

Does this also mean you're allowing the item only the same way as the wand, being usable 2/day as opposed to continuous? I could see why, as the rules technically allow for a 4000 gp item (level 8) to grant continuous Fast Healing 1 by using Lesser Vigor.

Anyway, what of the lesser Fanged Ring, Phaedrus? Yea or nay, and if yea, what level would emulating a single feat (INA) be on an item? The current item with two feats and the con damage on crits is a level 12 item. I know it's an odd classification. For instance, Gloves of the Balanced Hand are a level 11 item giving one feat, TWF (or ITWF if the character already has the former).

My damage is already fairly decent, so I can always wait to get the item until later, but the sooner the better.  
----------
I will note that the one failing of going by magic item levels could involve lesser magic items, such as wands of level 1 spells. The same item spot is technically taken up whether it's that one wand or an item of value equal to three wands. Rather, going by gp value, you're almost wasting your item allocation by selecting an item of much lower level. However, I understand that, whereas the MIC version has the PC getting more items of lesser levels, we are getting almost as many items but of higher value total. There's no complaint, it's just different, and 'different' is not 'bad'.

It's certainly not a huge problem, it's just a different dynamic. A character isn't likely to have a handful of utility wands under this system since they're encouraged to select more potent items, for instance.

[PhaedrusXY]

I think we could let wands fall under the vague category of "disposable" items, and hence not count against the "active" 8 item limit. If that turns out to be a problem, we might have to revise a bit, though.

[VennDygrem]

Honestly, I just plan on grabbing a couple of utility wands. My main place is in combat, so they would just be things to use out of combat, and then it's pretty much a handful of level 1 spells. I imagine a wand of a higher level spell would still count against magic items, since they are of sizable value.

I'd also still like to hear a yes or no on the Lesser Fanged Ring, just so I can know whether to include it in my gear or wait until later to afford/find the full thing. Once I know, all my equipment will be done and my character will be pinned down as final.

I'll just assume "no" for now so I'm not holding anything back. I'll just find some utility items, or buy more skill boosters or something.

[HeadofVecna]

Agita, VennDygrem, would either of you like to have a demonic parent in common. There could be a whole dynamic about how your character has abandonment issues (or whatever) and mine insists that yours is lucky that she hasn't taken an interest. Even cooler, Phaedrus  could use the plot hook to make life miserable for both characters.

[Agita]

Agita, VennDygrem, would either of you like to have a demonic parent in common. There could be a whole dynamic about how your character has abandonment issues (or whatever) and mine insists that yours is lucky that she hasn't taken an interest.

I have a better idea: What if she does?

[HeadofVecna]

That's actually sort of what I had in mind. I was thinking she'd have manipulated Xuuvosic horribly before he ran off to be a hobbit halfling fancier, leaving the statue of Ris-Janna more or less alone. But going forward she'd cause us both trouble as a side-plot. However, having her mess with both characters from the start would certainly be fine with me also.

[VennDygrem]

I'd be fine with that, though through at least most of his early life, Cade didn't know his fiendish parent. Also, which fiendish plane did you have in mind as your origination point? Because I've already decided my character is of tanar'ri-descent, meaning his parent is most likely a succubus. This was decided mainly for the True Fiend level, but I liked the idea of a chaotic monk since the whole alignment issue was opened up for the Tome Monk.

So if you're ok with heading to the Abyss for the Holidays, then I'm fine with it. I'd say it's weird to have a Choker half-brother, but this is D&D, where it's actually weirder to be mundane.

[Agita]

That's actually sort of what I had in mind. I was thinking she'd have manipulated Xuuvosic horribly before he ran off to be a hobbit halfling fancier, leaving the statue of Ris-Janna more or less alone. But going forward she'd cause us both trouble as a side-plot. However, having her mess with both characters from the start would certainly be fine with me also.

Horribly manipulate in what way?

Speaking of linking character backgrounds, it was suggested that Cade and Ris-Janna come from the same monastery (which would be the Temple of the Nine) at some point, I think. The Shadow Hand discipline (which is also the one Ris-Janna specializes in) seems to fit the description of 'sneaky assassin monks' perfectly.

also, edited my post in Character Sheets with a non-MW sheet and a pic a while ago.

EDIT: Also, some clarification would be neat - it seems I interpreted your post in a different way from Venn. I thought you meant for RJ and Big C to have a parent in common. It may be related to the fact that I haven't slept much in the past days.

[VennDygrem]

True. I suppose I wouldn't have exactly stopped you from trying to sneak away with Umbral Awn, though neither did I attempt to help you take it, either. I'm a little fuzzy on the story we're going with behind your taking it and subsequent imprisonment, but since I'm immortal I would obviously be alive when you get out. Perhaps I was naive and didn't notice the striking resemblance between you and the statue, but as the centuries let on it became more apparent whenever I would revisit the temple. Eventually, when the temple was destroyed finally, and the monks disbanded to the winds, perhaps the truth came out and I helped free you from the stony prison.

[HeadofVecna]

So if you're ok with heading to the Abyss for the Holidays, then I'm fine with it. I'd say it's weird to have a Choker half-brother, but this is D&D, where it's actually weirder to be mundane.

For build reasons, I'd like to have Xuuvosic hail from the Tarterian Depths of Carceri. Tanar'ri are common there and its the perfect place to launch nefarious schemes.

Horribly manipulate in what way?

I'm still working that out. It could be something straightforward, like mind control to achieve objectives related to the Blood War. Or it could be more exotic. Interesting note: if Xuuvosic were to hit 17th level he'd theoretically be able to travel back in time by spamming Time Regression twice a round. So Mom could have met a future version of my character, and be using information gained from the meeting to try to take advantage of the Pun-Pun catastrophe.

EDIT: Also, some clarification would be neat - it seems I interpreted your post in a different way from Venn. I thought you meant for RJ and Big C to have a parent in common. It may be related to the fact that I haven't slept much in the past days.

My intent was to offer to have my character be related to either Ris-Janna or Cade. But I suppose all three of our characters could be by-blows of the same succubus.

[PhaedrusXY]

Honestly, I just plan on grabbing a couple of utility wands. My main place is in combat, so they would just be things to use out of combat, and then it's pretty much a handful of level 1 spells. I imagine a wand of a higher level spell would still count against magic items, since they are of sizable value.

I'd also still like to hear a yes or no on the Lesser Fanged Ring, just so I can know whether to include it in my gear or wait until later to afford/find the full thing. Once I know, all my equipment will be done and my character will be pinned down as final.

I'll just assume "no" for now so I'm not holding anything back. I'll just find some utility items, or buy more skill boosters or something.

How much is this going to boost your damage to? I don't want you one-shotting everything. I guess it would be fine, although I expect that you guys will probably at least dabble in the "Wish economy" once the game gets going, and the full item would be below the 15,000 gp Wish threshold.

Interesting note: if Xuuvosic were to hit 17th level he'd theoretically be able to travel back in time by spamming Time Regression twice a round.

Something not lost on me when making the Time sphere.

So Mom could have met a future version of my character, and be using information gained from the meeting to try to take advantage of the Pun-Pun catastrophe.

This (and other things like it) could be pretty fun plot points to throw in.

I don't have a problem with all 3 of you little demonlings being related. It's not like you even have to be around the same age. Your "Mom" obviously gets around, so you don't even have to be "from" the same plane, either.

[Agita]

About those masterwork items... since they're 50 gp apiece, couldn't we just get one tool each for every skill and be done with it?

True. I suppose I wouldn't have exactly stopped you from trying to sneak away with Umbral Awn, though neither did I attempt to help you take it, either. I'm a little fuzzy on the story we're going with behind your taking it and subsequent imprisonment, but since I'm immortal I would obviously be alive when you get out. Perhaps I was naive and didn't notice the striking resemblance between you and the statue, but as the centuries let on it became more apparent whenever I would revisit the temple. Eventually, when the temple was destroyed finally, and the monks disbanded to the winds, perhaps the truth came out and I helped free you from the stony prison.

From a pm I sent to InnaBinder on the topic of linking backstories:

Well, my first thought was that Ris-Janna would have swiped it (and possibly others of the Nine Swords) from the battlefield after the Temple was sacked without really knowing what it is. If she had company, though, it was likely a planned gig. Heck, maybe she swiped Umbral Awn, knowing what it is, had it taken away, and wanted to get it back with Sejanus's help. That didn't go well. RJ ended up petrified while Sejanus got away. Then maybe she was put in a museum and eventually had the real Umbral Awn put in her hands as an exhibit.

I dunno, I didn't think of Ris-Janna as the type to give a wet chicken shit about the blood war - she'd be more the "just leave me alone or I'll cut you" type. Manipulating him into helping swipe Umbral Awn... maybe. Though I'd have to wonder how she did it with her 6 Charisma.

As for conciling different demonic parents, FC II outlines the concept of a demonic hierarchy. Basically, demons are in some kind of evolutionary cycle, so one and the same demon could have been a succubus at one point, a shadow demon at another, and a [whatever kind of demon can manipulate time or whatever] at a third point in time (heh). The individual siblings would simply have more or less significant age differences - which wouldn't be much of a problem with two being immortal and one petrified.

I think it might be fun to have Ris-Janna be aware of her parents, but know jack shit about demonic ecology, so she'd see Cade, see that he's one of the pretty ones, and be done with him, assuming he's just some other tiefling. Cade and Xuu... whatever could be perfectly aware of the whole deal and just assume that she is, too.

[VennDygrem]

I dunno, I didn't think of Ris-Janna as the type to give a wet chicken shit about the blood war - she'd be more the "just leave me alone or I'll cut you" type. Manipulating him into helping swipe Umbral Awn... maybe. Though I'd have to wonder how she did it with her 6 Charisma.

As for conciling different demonic parents, FC II outlines the concept of a demonic hierarchy. Basically, demons are in some kind of evolutionary cycle, so one and the same demon could have been a succubus at one point, a shadow demon at another, and a [whatever kind of demon can manipulate time or whatever] at a third point in time (heh). The individual siblings would simply have more or less significant age differences - which wouldn't be much of a problem with two being immortal and one petrified.

I think it might be fun to have Ris-Janna be aware of her parents, but know jack shit about demonic ecology, so she'd see Cade, see that he's one of the pretty ones, and be done with him, assuming he's just some other tiefling. Cade and Xuu... whatever could be perfectly aware of the whole deal and just assume that she is, too.

That's fine by me. I'm not sure what the first part there with the blood war is about. Was that to InnaBinder as well?

Also, being that some planes have completely different flow of time, it's possible for less effective distant between our ages, though it doesn't affect things much one way or another. By the way, at this point in time, how long has it been since RJ was petrified? I want to take a shot at figuring out just how old Cade is in relation to Faerun and such.

Cade knows a bit about demons and his fiendish background, but I'd say that both he and his mother didn't take any particular interest in eachother, at least not openly. Whether she's been in the shadows manipulating events or not is a different story.

How much is this going to boost your damage to? I don't want you one-shotting everything. I guess it would be fine, although I expect that you guys will probably at least dabble in the "Wish economy" once the game gets going, and the full item would be below the 15,000 gp Wish threshold.

I gave up on the item anyway. My strike damage is 2d6 (same as a greatsword) but I get 4 chances to land such a blow, so I'm likely to get at least one hit in each round. There's really no need to boost that to 3d6 until later.

I still couldn't deal as much damage as a caster, but it's pretty darn good for a melee combatant.

Also, being fiendish with these size increases is useful, since Harmless Form allows me to take a medium-sized humanoid shape, meaning I can shrink down and not have to get left behind when there are cramped spaces. Hooray for evil, demonic powers!

[InnaBinder]

That's fine by me. I'm not sure what the first part there with the blood war is about. Was that to InnaBinder as well?

Not as I understand it.  Our planned swiping of Umbral Awn took place during the fall of the temple, though. 

[Agita]

The Blood War bit was in response to this. That's what I get for not quoting, I suppose.

Horribly manipulate in what way?

I'm still working that out. It could be something straightforward, like mind control to achieve objectives related to the Blood War. Or it could be more exotic. Interesting note: if Xuuvosic were to hit 17th level he'd theoretically be able to travel back in time by spamming Time Regression twice a round. So Mom could have met a future version of my character, and be using information gained from the meeting to try to take advantage of the Pun-Pun catastrophe.

[Kuroimaken]

I'm a Rainbow Warmage! How do I get my damage potential up? 

[PhaedrusXY]

I gave up on the item anyway. My strike damage is 2d6 (same as a greatsword) but I get 4 chances to land such a blow, so I'm likely to get at least one hit in each round. There's really no need to boost that to 3d6 until later.

I still couldn't deal as much damage as a caster, but it's pretty darn good for a melee combatant.

Ah, ok. I knew you were going to have at least two effective size increases for some purposes, and thought you might be going for some crazy eleventy d6 damage build, or something. If you want a "lesser" ring, that's fine. If you want to wait and get the full one, that's fine too.

Also, being fiendish with these size increases is useful, since Harmless Form allows me to take a medium-sized humanoid shape, meaning I can shrink down and not have to get left behind when there are cramped spaces. Hooray for evil, demonic powers!

I agree.

I think I'm also going to say that for outsiders with innate shapechanging powers, gender is also relative. So even though you all share a parent, it might not be everyone's "mother".

[Agita]

I'm a Rainbow Warmage! How do I get my damage potential up? 

Use a homebrew Warmage fix that gets better damage? I like Prime32's, myself. How many levels of WM do you have, anywaY? One, two, three, or five?
Also, Fort partial or Fort half spells are preferable to Ref half/partial spells as far as my character is concerned.

I think I'm also going to say that for outsiders with innate shapechanging powers, gender is also relative. So even though you all share a parent, it might not be everyone's "mother".

The difference between a succubus and an incubus...
Wasn't it you who made that joke in the first placE? Maybe I'm misremembering.