Shadow World variants for PC classes

[Sorontar]

Hi everyone,

I have started a wiki page for the idea of a shadow class and I was wondering what you suggest should go there. This is details of how people think that the standard PC classes may be adapted to subclasses and prestige classes (or equivalent) in any edition, such that they allow characters to incorporate some knowledge of the Shadow World or some shadow abilities. This is inspired by the issue of what to give a priest of the Land's Protectorate (since they don't necessarily have a god), but I can see it being extended to all classes (or maybe even making a new class).

So it might add to the stealthiness of a rogue, give Turn Shadow to a priest, give a new feat about Seeming to a wizard, make new preferred enemies for a ranger, new focus for spells for a bard. Some suggestions have been made on the Discord channel (that I haven't written down yet) but this forum is a much better place to record this. Ideas anyone?

Sorontar

[Doyle]

In 5e there is the Way of Shadow path for Monk, Shadow Sorcerers (fits the theme well), Phantom Rogue, just to name a few. Swapping some class abilities for Seeming abilities could further flavour the class in that direction.
Alternately, 5e backgrounds lend well in that direction but might be too powerful.

[Sorontar]

I agree that they look like they are easily adaptable as Shadow Classes for BRCS 5e. The Way of Shadow Monk has a mixture of some spell powers relating to darkvision or stealth, stealth/teleport skills in the dark, and a wierd sneak attack-like skill. The Shadow Sorcerer has darkvision, life saving HP, a summoned "dire wolf", teleport and astral-like form. The Phantom Rogue is more related to the Spirit World, as its powers are drawn from the dead, like a temporary proficiency, extra magical attack after sneak attack, using a soul tokens to help saves or attacks or talk to the soul. It can also take a spectral form.

Likewise the Ranger (Gloom Stalker) has illusion-based magic, vision/stealth abilities, and defensive combat abilities related to shadows. The Arch-Fey Warlock gets fairy-like spells, a charm/frighten ability and protections, teleport/stealth ability.

Of course, I am summarising each of those very badly. The point is that they each have abilities that relate to seeing, moving and hiding in shadows, creating illusions and mind-altering abilities. These can all be modified to relate to the Shadow World and those within of the Spirit World and the Seelie/Unseelie Realms.

I am presently trying to work out a tailored Cleric of the Land's Protectorate for the Burrows (i.e., if it isn't actually a priest of Erik, Sera or Ruornil). The basis will be a general community-based cleric (like the Community Clerical Domain for 5e from HWCS), but also to allow two specialist forms related to the Shadow World - one based on the darkness and the border of the two worlds (Mastery of the Evanescence), and the other on the Seeming and creatures of the SW (Mastery of the Ken). They don't quite match up with 5e Clerical Domains, though Trickery (from PHB) is pretty good for a Cleric mastered in the Ken. Twilight (from TCE) is a possibility for a Cleric mastered in the Evanescence, but I think the spell list needs improvement.

Another concern is what should be done with Turn Undead. In BRCS, not all priests/clerics can turn undead but given the Spirit World, it makes sense for a tailored Cleric of the Land's Protectorate. However, there are also the fey and other inhabitants of the Shadow World. How would you define a Turn Shadow to work against them? Could it be used against a lawful good halfling or Seelie from the SW? What about those who have been Tainted or otherwise given shadow abilities? The 5e Arcana Domain (SGAC) has an Arcane Abjuration variant of Turn Undead that works against a single celestial/elemental/fey/fiend. Is that a good basis of an adaption for SW inhabitants? In higher levels, should you only be able to banish the target (like in ArcAbj), not destroy it (like in TU)? Would there be any difference when it is used on Aebrynis vs it being used in the SW?

So much to think of, including how to do all of this for 2e and 3/3.5e.

Sorontar

[Fizz]

So much to think of, including how to do all of this for 2e and 3/3.5e.

Well, for 2e, the way to go would be kits.

For 3e, i'm not sure. Prestige classes are something one earns, so does one start as a regular class and "learn" the Shadow World. That is, prestige classes could work if you're ok with shadow classes only being for higher level characters.

I will consider the other specifics...


-Fizz

[Sorontar]

Well, for 2e, the way to go would be kits.

For 3e, i'm not sure. Prestige classes are something one earns, so does one start as a regular class and "learn" the Shadow World. That is, prestige classes could work if you're ok with shadow classes only being for higher level characters.

The beauty of the wiki means there can be multiple versions. For 3/3.5e, we can make base classes as well as prestige classes. It is up to the DM and players as to which ones they allow. My main issue is how to balance adding any shadow abilities. For some versions, it just means changing existing abilities/class features. For others, it means adding new ones or extending the existing ones. This then needs consideration of whether you can put any other limitations to smooth it all out. As you said, prestige classes tend to be added to existing characters once they have a few levels in standard classes, but 2e and 5e don't quite work that way (that I know of).

Sorontar