I'm developing a campaign in which a cult of Set promotes warlocks as minions. To make the standard warlock more snaky I created a set of background feats for them. Thoughts?
Ophidian Affinity You have been touched by Set, the lord of serpents. Prerequisites: You must be a worshiper of Set, and be a member of an ophidian race or have a snake familiar. You must be able to use Least Invocations. Benefits: You can speak to snakes at will, gain a +2 circumstance bonus on all dealings with snakes and snake-like creatures, and your hypnotic gaze and cold-blooded will increase the save DC of all mind-affecting powers by +1. Special: You lose all benefits of this feat if you lose favour with Set until you atone for your infractions.
Ophidian Maw Set has given you the venomous bite of a viper. Prerequisites: Ophidian Affinity, level 2. Benefits: You gain the bite attack and poison special attack of a viper the same size as your own. You can cast Magic Fang once per day on yourself only. Your caster level is equal to your Warlock class level. Special: You lose all benefits of this feat if you lose favour with Set until you atone for your infractions. Ophidian Gaze Set has blessed you with the hypnotic gaze of a snake. Prerequisites: Ophidian Affinity, level 6. Benefits: Your pupils turn to slits and you can cast Sleep, Charm Person, and Suggstion once per day each. Your caster level is equal to your Warlock class level. Special: You lose all benefits of this feat if you lose favour with Set until you atone for your infractions. Ophidian Form You have been blessed by Set with the strength and suppleness of a snake. Prerequisites: Ophidian Affinity, level 9. Benefits: You are treated as one size smaller or larger during combat, whichever is more advantageous to you. Once per day you can polymorph into any snake-like creature you want. Your caster level is equal to your Warlock class level. Special: You lose all benefits of this feat if you lose favour with Set until you atone for your infractions.
Feats shouldn't relate specifically to one class unless it can be avoided (here, it probably can't be, unless you do so without using feats), and when they do, they should reflect the mechanics of that class. As such, these "Once per day" entries contrast with how the warlock works.
Personally, I'd just create a template that is bestowed based on a "ritual" (generic term) that requires the user to employ certain warlock invocations or class features while under Set's blessing (i.e. in a temple, with cultists, etc). The ritual could be performed multiple times, or it could simply be locked on to HD. That way, the feat-starved warlock wouldn't be shoehorned into one specific role with all of their feats up to level 9 if they just want to seem snaky - instead, the snaky things come with HD automatically provided certain RP components are met. (If these are intended for PCs, a simple level adjustment covers that. These abilities collectively are about on par with a +1, particularly since you have to remain in favor with Set to retain the natural attacks and spell-like abilities.)
Not to mention level nine is a bit late for a background feat.
These are NOT all my creations! The lead authors are identified as follows: [TS] Tempest Stormwind, [AR] Andarious Rosethorn, [RT] Radical Taoist, [SN] Sionnis, [DH] DisposableHero_, [SH] Seishi.
[TS] The Pinball Brothers: Large And In Charge (Melee, Lockdown, Charge, Juggling) [TS] Ashardalon Reborn: I Will Swallow Your Soul (Melee, Fear, Negative Levels, AoE, Theme) [AR] "A"-Game Paladin: Play That Funky Music, Knight Boy! (Team Support, Melee, Theme, Single-Class) [RT] Uncanny Trapsmith: Get in, make it look like an accident, get out. (Skillmonkey, Stealth/Scout/Infiltration, Unorthodox Methods, Theme) [AR] Wizsassin: *Everything* is permitted. (Spellcaster, Support, Sneak Attack, Utility) [TS] Phantom Rush: General Gish Gouda. (Gish, Theme, Setting-Specific(Eberron), Early-Entry PrC) [TS] Storm Knight: Another kind of gish. (Melee/"Gish", Theme, Setting-Specific(Eberron), Unorthodox Methods) [TS] Inevitable Nightmare: The weapon you only have to fire once. (Melee, "Unorthodox" Methods (no charging), Reliability) [AR] Captain Constitution: The number one threat to America. (Melee, TOUGHTOUGHTOUGH, Defense, Theme) [AR] Nuker: I casts the spells that makes the peoples fall down! (Spellcaster, damage, blasting, damage) [TS] Dread Lord of the Dead: Let the Reaping Begin! (NPC-only, Variable (combat/casting/leadership), Iconic Villain, Theme) [AR] Heavy Crusader: No Rest. No Mercy. No Matter What. (Melee, Damage (No charging), Variable, Theme). [TS] Gun Fu: It's bullet time (Ranged, THEORETICAL, Twin weapons, Theme) [RT] Face First: We should talk. (Psionic, social, mind-control, info-management) [SN] Chaingun Porcupine: Never Enuff Dakka. (Ranged, Skirmishing, Spike Damage, Incarnum) [RT] Always On Edge: The Mortal Draw deals death. (Melee, Generalist, Dungeoneering, Stunt) [AR] Feral Druid: Real feral taste. Zero druid calories. (Melee, offense, damage, murder) [RT] Rusty!: Man's Best Friend (Sentry, Support, Backup, Rearguard) [RT] The T3 (Tashalatora Triple Threat): My Kung Fu is More Powerful (Hybrid, Flex-Function, Melee, Caster) [RT] The #1 Snoipah: Boom. 'Eadshot. (Caster, Theme, Spike, Trapscout) [AR] Dreamblade: Rest in Pieces. (Melee, Damage, Single-Class, Combo/Momentum) [AR] Evasion Tank: “When fighting angry blind men, is best to stay out of the way.” (Melee, Tank, Unorthodox Methods (attack negation), Theme) [DH] Psycarnum Warrior: ↑↑↓↓←→←→BA Start (Melee, Tank, Psionics, Incarnum, 1337 h4x) [AR] Heavy Weapons Elf: WHO TOUCHED MY BOW? (Ranged, Cohort, Damage, Unorthodox Methods (ranged ToB)) [RT] Gnowhere Gnome: A little man who wasn't there (Caster, Stealth, Single-Class, Elusive) [AR] Uberflank: I got your back. (Melee, support, stunt, teamwork) [TS] Flip the Bird: Everyday I'm shuffling (Ranged, harrier, unorthodox methods (ranged ToB / off-turn movement), support) [DH] Eat Sleep Gank: Real Ultimate Power (Stealth, Assassination, Spike, Magic Versatility) [AR] Slash and Burn: Mind, Body, Blade, Flame / Aspects of a greater whole / which delivers death. (Melee, Theme (flex-style), Damage, Stunt) [RT] Edge of the Light: Cut, Fade to Black (Melee, Defense/Offense, Momentum, Tactical) [RT] Quiet Murder: Cut throats, not corners. (Melee, Stealth, Harrier, Tactical) [TS] Wand Overdrive: Say Hello to my little friends. (Caster, support/artillery/variable, wand specialist) [RT] God Hand: What did the five fingers say to the face? (Melee/Gish, Unarmed, SAD, Theme) [AR] Zero Buff Time Gish: Try to keep up! (Gish, Speed, Movement, Opportunity) [TS] Robo Tackle: I Am Iron Man. (Melee, setting-specific (Eberron), positioning, theme, stunt)
They seem like they'd make more sense as snake-flavoured invocations (with a little tweaking), or as abilities granted by a warlock-friendly prestige class related to the cult.
The kraken stirs. And ten billion sushi dinners cry out for vengeance. - Good Omens
= My most popular campaign item; for all your adventuring convenience.Show
Zauber's Mutable Rod: This rod has a number of useful functions that make it easier to live in the wilderness. It is made of polished wood, with five studlike buttons on one end. Each button produces a different effect when pressed. Unless otherwise noted, the rod’s functions have no limit on the number of times they can be employed. • When button 1 is pressed, one end of the rod produces a small flame, equivalent to a candle. • When button 2 is pressed, the rod unfolds into a two-person tent, complete with bedrolls and warm blankets. • When button 3 is pressed, the rod becomes a one-handed hammer, suitable for pounding pitons into a wall. • When button 4 is pressed, the rod becomes a sturdy iron spade. • When button 5 is pressed, the rod becomes a wooden bucket able to hold 2 gallons of liquid. Once per day, it can be commanded to fill with fresh water. If the rod is seriously damaged or broken in any of its alternate forms (button 2, 3, 4, or 5), it reverts to its basic rod form and cannot be activated for 24 hours. Moderate conjuration; CL 9th; Craft Rod, minor creation; Price 375 gp; Weight 2 lb.
Something for worshipers of Bast... Feline Affinity The goddess Bast, queen of cats, has touched you with power... Prerequisites: Dex 13+, ability to use Least Invocations, cat familiar. Benefits: You gain the Slow Fall ability of a Monk equal to 4+1/2 your Warlock class level. This ability stacks with any monk levels you may have. You can cast Cat's Grace once per day. Your caster level is equal to your Warlock class level. Special: If you lose or dismiss your cat familiar for any reason you lose all benefits until you acquire a new cat familiar.
Animals in many myths have their own secret powers, totems spirits and beast lords can manipulate human lives. Why not have them steer the fates of warlocks? What else can we use to create more variety in warlocks?
Feats shouldn't relate specifically to one class unless it can be avoided (here, it probably can't be, unless you do so without using feats), and when they do, they should reflect the mechanics of that class. As such, these "Once per day" entries contrast with how the warlock works.
Personally, I'd just create a template that is bestowed based on a "ritual" (generic term) that requires the user to employ certain warlock invocations or class features while under Set's blessing (i.e. in a temple, with cultists, etc). The ritual could be performed multiple times, or it could simply be locked on to HD. That way, the feat-starved warlock wouldn't be shoehorned into one specific role with all of their feats up to level 9 if they just want to seem snaky - instead, the snaky things come with HD automatically provided certain RP components are met. (If these are intended for PCs, a simple level adjustment covers that. These abilities collectively are about on par with a +1, particularly since you have to remain in favor with Set to retain the natural attacks and spell-like abilities.)
Not to mention level nine is a bit late for a background feat.
An alternative I have been thinking about is to use these as replacements for some of the warlock's standard abilities with a little more tweaking. Not sure how that would work, though...
An alternative I have been thinking about is to use these as replacements for some of the warlock's standard abilities with a little more tweaking. Not sure how that would work, though...
It would simply be an alternative class feature write-up detailing the abilities that are lost and gained.
The kraken stirs. And ten billion sushi dinners cry out for vengeance. - Good Omens
= My most popular campaign item; for all your adventuring convenience.Show
Zauber's Mutable Rod: This rod has a number of useful functions that make it easier to live in the wilderness. It is made of polished wood, with five studlike buttons on one end. Each button produces a different effect when pressed. Unless otherwise noted, the rod’s functions have no limit on the number of times they can be employed. • When button 1 is pressed, one end of the rod produces a small flame, equivalent to a candle. • When button 2 is pressed, the rod unfolds into a two-person tent, complete with bedrolls and warm blankets. • When button 3 is pressed, the rod becomes a one-handed hammer, suitable for pounding pitons into a wall. • When button 4 is pressed, the rod becomes a sturdy iron spade. • When button 5 is pressed, the rod becomes a wooden bucket able to hold 2 gallons of liquid. Once per day, it can be commanded to fill with fresh water. If the rod is seriously damaged or broken in any of its alternate forms (button 2, 3, 4, or 5), it reverts to its basic rod form and cannot be activated for 24 hours. Moderate conjuration; CL 9th; Craft Rod, minor creation; Price 375 gp; Weight 2 lb.
I also used this feat chain as a source. I'm thinking things like totem spirits/beastlords and other exotic powers could be drawn upon to add more diversity to the warlock...
I also used this feat chain as a source. I'm thinking things like totem spirits/beastlords and other exotic powers could be drawn upon to add more diversity to the warlock...
I can't same that I'm particularly fond of those feats in the first place, but the 1/day spell-like abilities are particularly bad for the warlock, almost all of whose class design is based around at-will abilities. Any feat you spend on some moderately useful 1/day spell-like abilities could generally be better spent improving your at-will invocations. Your "Ophidian Affinity" feat, for example, could provide a worthwhile edge for a warlock favouring mind-affecting effects, like the charm invocation and the bewitching blast eldritch essence invocation (there aren't many, but Complete Mage adds a couple more).
The kraken stirs. And ten billion sushi dinners cry out for vengeance. - Good Omens
= My most popular campaign item; for all your adventuring convenience.Show
Zauber's Mutable Rod: This rod has a number of useful functions that make it easier to live in the wilderness. It is made of polished wood, with five studlike buttons on one end. Each button produces a different effect when pressed. Unless otherwise noted, the rod’s functions have no limit on the number of times they can be employed. • When button 1 is pressed, one end of the rod produces a small flame, equivalent to a candle. • When button 2 is pressed, the rod unfolds into a two-person tent, complete with bedrolls and warm blankets. • When button 3 is pressed, the rod becomes a one-handed hammer, suitable for pounding pitons into a wall. • When button 4 is pressed, the rod becomes a sturdy iron spade. • When button 5 is pressed, the rod becomes a wooden bucket able to hold 2 gallons of liquid. Once per day, it can be commanded to fill with fresh water. If the rod is seriously damaged or broken in any of its alternate forms (button 2, 3, 4, or 5), it reverts to its basic rod form and cannot be activated for 24 hours. Moderate conjuration; CL 9th; Craft Rod, minor creation; Price 375 gp; Weight 2 lb.
