The Ariels of Ehlonna, also known as the Knights of the Lion, could probably best be described as Ranger Knights. While Ehlonna is mostly associated with demi-humans and Druids, she was not without her human followers. With Domains in Plant and Animal, these armored warriors-priests were not so much protectors of the forest but rather warmongering avatars for it. Their bastions (the few that there were) were mostly found on the borders where the wilds met the doorstep of civilization. They were known for both their Strength and their Wisdom, and for their deadly prowess with longswords. They could summon powerful creatures to their side, gained Truesight earlier than priests to other religions, and were feared for their ability to call upon the insect hordes of Creeping Doom (no save, no spell resistance).
They further supported their Divine grace with UMD to cast from any scroll (Improved Invis, Premonition, Spell Mantles), were blessed with Evasion to aid them in their combat against the Dark Arts, and were highly trained in the Longsword, with Epic Weapon Focus, Improved Critical and Epic Weapon Specialization in the blade, which they further augmented with Darkfire, Divine Favor, and other mystic blessings from the Goddess. When they fully engage Divine Power, they are virtually peerless in battle.
AC Enhancements: Empowered Cats Grace: +2 Barkskin: +5 (natural) Shield of Faith: +5 (deflection) Magic Vestment: +10 (armor & shield AC) Full Plate: +8 Tower Shield: +3 Armor Skin: +2 Tumble: +8 Battletide: +2 (enemy receives -2AB) Undeaths Foe: +4 Final AC w/no items (60)
AB Enhancements +6 Strength +5 Divine Favor +6 Divine Power +2 Battletide +5 Greater Magic Weapon +1 Bless +1 Aid +1 Prayer _________
There is some flexibility here in the build for customization. For instance, one might prefer to start with a 14Int to get more skill points and to acquire IKD or Expertise. I felt Knockdown was sufficient, and Expertise was redundant in a build like this, but I can see an argument for more skill points. Starting with the stats as they are also makes him a bit of a powerhouse at low levels.
One can also stop with a 22 Wisdom and raise Str to 26, though personally I believe you get more value out of the Wisdom, since Wis24 grants an extra 7th level slot, which is one more Creeping Doom, or Word of Faith/Greater Restore, or even an Empowered Flamestrike.
One will also note that Scribe Scroll is taken in the build. Perhaps it's just a fad I am in, but I really like this feat in all my casters. Also, if one prefers, Empowered can be exchanged for Maximize, or Scribe can be exchanged for Maximized.
Finally, it should be noted that there are 3 base classes used. But fear not, there is no XP penalty with this build as long as you stick with human or half-elf.
edited starting stats etc. upon request of master Dwarflord - finny _________________ Got Hommlet? World of Greyhawk Action Server (with 1/2 price ales on Mondays!)
Ariel, Ookla, RIDE!
Edited By Kail Pendragon on 10/12/07 16:11
Seems to be very powerful. I'd like to query what was your reason to start with 16 CON as opposed to 14? Surely the points would be better spent in bringin WIS to 16, or WIS 15/INT 14. You have good HP anyway. _________________ "We keep our Feast of Feasts, sure of our bourne, Our aims self-same: The Guest of Guests, friend Zarathustra, came! The world now laughs, the grisly veil was torn, And Light and Dark were one that wedding-morn."
Quote: I'd like to query what was your reason to start with 16 CON as opposed to 14? Surely the points would be better spent in bringin WIS to 16, or WIS 15/INT 14. You have good HP anyway.
That's a very good point, and one that I teetered back and forth on. I think it is very very worthwhile to go with a Wis15, Int14, Con14. In so doing, one could drop IC for IKD, get 43 more skill points, and then free up an Epic Feat. Sounds like either Epic Reflexes or Fort. I quite like that idea, actually. _________________ Got Hommlet? World of Greyhawk Action Server (with 1/2 price ales on Mondays!)
I see you have been around since AD&D (now called 1st edition), as you set up your ability scores in the order they were back then.
I too wondered the reason for 16 CON? I would even think WIS 16 to be better. I think your AB is a bit low for a combat-Cleric too. You get quite good AB fully buffed, but I think combat-Clerics should get VERY good AB fully buffed. At least 3 to 4 points higher is what I like. But I have PvP'ed to much in my youth.
I would end the build STR 30, WIS 20, CON 14. You don't use wis for spell-DC's it seems, and is more biased towards (buffed) melee-combat. The only problem with that is no lvl9 spells until very late. So okay, STR 28, WIS 22. But that is perhaps where you and I are different. You send your insects to war, I smash their skulls in myself. Just yanking your chain, GD. It seems nice as is too.
Edit, typo's. _________________ Dragonlance ROH is back, better than before! and I spend a little time here WoG
Edited By Grimnir77 on 06/27/06 15:34
Well, his HP isn't really so high, even with a good buffed AC, even if you write that your buffed AC is without items (although you did counted a normal Heavy armor and Tower Shield) low magical items (+5 or lower) won't actually increase your AC, only Dodge AC, I know you know that, but still, when I read no items it sounded (for me) as if you were saying -wait to see him with items.
Strong build, and very customizeable indeed, I'd probably change race to dwarf, to get more CON from CHA and start 16 WIS and CON, geting rid of Scribe Scroll, less skills though, but the XP penalty will be there since Fighter being class for dwarf won't help much here.
Well, his HP isn't really so high, even with a good buffed AC, even if you write that your buffed AC is without items (although you did counted a normal Heavy armor and Tower Shield) low magical items (+5 or lower) won't actually increase your AC, only Dodge AC, I know you know that, but still, when I read no items it sounded (for me) as if you were saying -wait to see him with items.
Ha-ha! I was wondering if anybody would pick up on that. Actually, in addition to Dodge, there is still Haste to consider, if such is available.
Quote: Strong build, and very customizeable indeed, I'd probably change race to dwarf, to get more CON from CHA and start 16 WIS and CON, geting rid of Scribe Scroll, less skills though, but the XP penalty will be there since Fighter being class for dwarf won't help much here.
Believe me, if I could have made him Dwarf, I would have, but I cannot abide xp-penalties. Most PWs have enough other things to make me grumble about xp, no sense inviting punishment upon myself. _________________ Got Hommlet? World of Greyhawk Action Server (with 1/2 price ales on Mondays!)
I see you have been around since AD&D (now called 1st edition), as you set up your ability scores in the order they were back then.
Aye, old habits die hard. In fact, that is one that I'll probably take to my grave.
Quote: I think your AB is a bit low for a combat-Cleric too. You get quite good AB fully buffed, but I think combat-Clerics should get VERY good AB fully buffed. At least 3 to 4 points higher is what I like. But I have PvP'ed to much in my youth.
Bah! AB is just fine. Remember, this is for low-magic environment. With Divine Power and the other buffs at his disposal, most melee classes will be wishing they had his AB. But if it makes you any happier, I raised it by 1.
In light of some of the suggestions, a few adjustments were made to the build, but I think they're mostly cosmetic. I think I'm most pleased about the increase in skill points, and having the option to take IKD or Expertise. I'll still keep Scribe in the build, as I find it far more valuable than IKD (though I must confess that I have to take IKD because Scribe Scroll is fubared on my server).
I'll still keep Scribe in the build, as I find it far more valuable than IKD (though I must confess that I have to take IKD because Scribe Scroll is fubared on my server).
Thanks, lads.
I have started to enjoy this feat too, but it often costs quite a few gold though. Scribe scroll can be a real life-saver if you just remember to get your unspent spells on scrolls before you rest for the evening. As for AB, like I said it's good. I just like it VERY good in such gentlemen. _________________ Dragonlance ROH is back, better than before! and I spend a little time here WoG
The Ariels of Ehlonna, also known as the Knights of the Lion, could probably best be described as Ranger Knights. ...
At first I had hoped that you had found another way to power up a ranger.
but this is another strong one. reminds me a bit of that war wizard you made, although with a nice RP twist for the choice of domains.
nifty. although i was confused as heck when reading the post until i got through all of the others.
in what way is scribe scroll fubarred on your server?
-cs
Not sure of all the nuances of the fubar, but my level 10 WIZ is scribing level 17 scrolls of Flame Weapon - and the last I checked, Flame Weapon was the only scroll he was able to scribe; no other spell worked. _________________ This signature will self-destruct in 5 seconds...
Quote: Posted 06/28/06 14:43:33 (GMT) -- Cinnabar Din
Not sure of all the nuances of the fubar
FUBAR stands for Failed UniBus Address Register _________________ "We keep our Feast of Feasts, sure of our bourne, Our aims self-same: The Guest of Guests, friend Zarathustra, came! The world now laughs, the grisly veil was torn, And Light and Dark were one that wedding-morn."
Scribing is a great ability if your environment has a supply of blank paper for it. It's definitely worth it for wizards and clerics, who can scribe scrolls of spells that they normally don't memorize during downtime, like when waiting for their partymembers or something. _________________ Experience is the mother of good judgement; bad judgement is the father of experience.
Quote: Posted 06/28/06 14:43:33 (GMT) -- Cinnabar Din
Not sure of all the nuances of the fubar
FUBAR stands for Failed UniBus Address Register
Hehe, that's an interesting alternate meaning, Finn! Where I come from it has a slightly more... 'colorful' meaning. I remember many a geology test where, being at a loss to identify a specific rock, I ultimately wrote 'fubarite'. Hell, once the prof even gave me full marks on a particularly weird metamorphic sample. _________________ This signature will self-destruct in 5 seconds...
Quote: Posted 06/28/06 18:33:53 (GMT) -- Cinnabar Din
Hehe, that's an interesting alternate meaning, Finn! Where I come from it has a slightly more... 'colorful' meaning. I remember many a geology test where, being at a loss to identify a specific rock, I ultimately wrote 'fubarite'. Hell, once the prof even gave me full marks on a particularly weird metamorphic sample.
Yeah, I've heard that some people mistake FUBAR for something like F'd Up Beyond All Recognition ( ), think I heard it in some movie too. But that's just wrong. _________________ "We keep our Feast of Feasts, sure of our bourne, Our aims self-same: The Guest of Guests, friend Zarathustra, came! The world now laughs, the grisly veil was torn, And Light and Dark were one that wedding-morn."
Edited By FinneousPJ on 06/28/06 18:58
*wrenches control of thread from hijacking moderators*
Scribing is a great ability if your environment has a supply of blank paper for it. It's definitely worth it for wizards and clerics, who can scribe scrolls of spells that they normally don't memorize during downtime, like when waiting for their partymembers or something.
Aye, but I find it spills over into more than just that. In a persistant world setting, you can scribe scrolls for your party memebers who have UMD, and he who brings Darkfire to a Rogue is a Sneak's best friend, let me tell you.
It also gives you more options when dungeoneering. Who wants to take up precious spell slots with spells like Find Traps, True Sight, or See Invis? Scribe a 5 pack of each and forget about it. And it's not like it's expensive. The GP and XP loss is minimal. It's no where near as expensive as Wand crafting, and I find Scribing more flexible and effective. Scrolls aren't caster level capped like Wands are.
But again, this is an environment dependent feat. If your PW supports Scribing with Blank scrolls (and they should), then all is well. _________________ Got Hommlet? World of Greyhawk Action Server (with 1/2 price ales on Mondays!)
Ariel, Ookla, RIDE!
Edited By grizzled_dwarflord on 06/28/06 23:02
is it possible to somehow work dev crit into this build without killing the lvl 9 spell casting? how would one do so if it is indeed possible?
You have to drop 3 feats preepic to make room for PA, Cleave, and Great Cleave and 2 epic feats (Epic Reflexes and EP) to get Overwhelming and Devastating Critical. Here's one alternative:
Level Guide 1 Rogue1, Blindfighting, Knockdown 2 Fighter1, Weapon Focus: Longsword 3 Cleric1, Extend Spell, Domains: Plant and Animal 4 Cleric2, Wis16 5 Cleric3 6 Cleric4, Empower Spell 7 Cleric5 8 Cleric6, Wis17 9 Cleric7, Power Attack 10 Cleric8 11 Cleric9 12 Rogue2, Improved Critical: Longsword, Wis18 13 Cleric10 14 Cleric11 15 Cleric12, Cleave 16 Cleric13, Wis19 17 Cleric14 18 Cleric15, Great Cleave 19 Cleric16 20 Cleric17, Str17 21 Fighter2, Great Str I, EWF: Longsword 22 Rogue3 23 Fighter3 24 Fighter4, WS, EWS: Longsword, Str19 25 Cleric18 26 Cleric19 27 Rogue4 Great Str II 28 Cleric20, Wis20 29 Cleric21 30 Cleric22, Great Str III 31 Cleric23, Armor Skin 32 Fighter5, Str21 33 Cleric24, Great Str IV 34 Cleric25 35 Cleric26, Great Wis I 36 Cleric27, Overwhelming Critical, Str24 37 Rogue5 38 Cleric28 39 Cleric29, Great Str V, Great Wis II 40 Fighter6, Devastating Critical, Str26
Cheers, Kail _________________ Heavy metal Or no metal at all Whimps and posers Leave the hall!
Just yanking your chain, GD. It seems nice as is too.
), think I heard it in some movie too. But that's just wrong.