Talk:Enlightened Soul (3.5e Prestige Class)

Not to sound like a complete novice, but I am on every front. I've only been playing DnD for about six months, have never created a class before, and have next to no knowledge of wiki formatting and such. Nevertheless, I rather like the idea of this class, and if it is at all overpowered, I think that it is justified, as one has to work through twenty levels of monk to get to it (in most situations). In any case, I'd be thrilled if anyone read this, let alone took the time to properly judge it. Have a good day! --Lefthandroger 10:11, 29 March 2011 (MDT)--LefthandRoger

p.s. I've seen other classes have inter-page links (clicking on a class feature in Table: The Example would bring up the class feature) but I haven't been able to figure out how to do that. Same goes for a page picture. Li'l help?

You want help with wiki-formatting? I can help with wiki-formatting. First off, I'll show you how to make your table do that linky-thing. On each entry in your table, like "Compassion" for example, you need to write it out as [[#Compassion|Compassion]] and then down in your descriptions, you need to add an "anchor" by writing "{{#anc:Compassion}}"

Adding a picture is pretty easy, too. You just write out [[File:Picture_name.jpg|thumb|200px|What you want the caption of the picture to read.]]

If you have any other formatting questions, I'd direct you here. I know; it's a page about hookers. However, I've written it, so if there is anything you want to know from that page, I can show you how to do it. I'd recommend you just find pages that are formatted a way you like, and then study their code by pressing "edit" and reading what is going on. It'll be confusing at first, but you'll eventually figure out what does what. You can also play around with coding in the sandbox if you're struggling with something. If you need any more help, leave me a message on my talk page. --Badger 12:47, 27 August 2011 (MDT)

Thanks for all the help. I think, save for potential balancing issues, this class is done.--Lefthandroger 10:40, 1 September 2011 (MDT)

Merciful Weapons

I originally envisioned this class as a epic monk exclusive class, but upon discussion reworked the pre-reqs so that it would be more accessible for clerics or paladins (both of which can meet the requirements with a little effort) using a merciful weapon. The trouble is, even carrying a merciful knife would limit them to only the will bonus from Freedom from Desire. I'm contemplating putting in a clause to allow Merciful weapons (or that any weapon wielded by an Enlightened Soul somehow becomes Merciful, or she doesn't take the penalty for non-lethal attacks with lethal weapons), but at the same time, a +1 weapon simply wouldn't be able to cope with epic encounters, and my idea of an Enlightened Soul just doesn't mesh with someone holding a +5 Merciful Holy Flaming Burst greatsword. Thoughts? Ideas? Evidence that anyone has actually outside myself knows this class exists?--Lefthandroger 15:06, 4 April 2011 (MDT)

I would say consider adding a line to compassion that says something like "An Enlightened Soul can choose to deal non-lethal damage with any weapon, at no penalty, and use her wisdom bonus instead of strength or dexterity for any non-lethal attack roll". That way you'd not have to buy a merciful upgrade for every weapon you own, they get it automatically in your hands. I'm not sure how it would affect balance, but you might even consider allowing them to deal non-lethal damage with all forms of attacks (which would include paladin's smite, and similar abilities). --Badger 12:55, 27 August 2011 (MDT)

Never fails to amaze me what insight a second mind can give. Thanks, I took your advice on Compassion. It still concerns me, however, that anyone save a monk will be almost incapable of using freedom from desire without majorly hindering their offensive capability. --Lefthandroger 10:40, 1 September 2011 (MDT)

Have you heard of Vow of Poverty (Book of Exalted Deeds, p. 48)? Basically, you get bonuses, but aren't allowed to have anything of value. Generally only monks take the feat, because they can do just fine without stuff. I would recommend you check out VoP (which a lot of people don't like, but I like well enough) and think about modifying/replacing "Freedom from Desire" with it. However, back to my point, I once made a rogue that demanded his share of the treasure be donated to this one city where he grew up. In my opinion if you can make a rogue that can play just fine without treasure, you can play anything that way. --Badger 13:23, 1 September 2011 (MDT)

I hadn't heard of it, but found it to be very interesting. However, the idea of replacing freedom from desire with it would rather discourage anyone who had already taken the vow from taking this class, no? Out of curiosity, the vow of poverty page mentions a required "Sacred Vow" before the vow of poverty can be taken, but my search for what this sacred vow is has turned up nothing. Any chance you could enlighten me?--Lefthandroger 15:43, 1 September 2011 (MDT)

The Book of Exalted deeds has several "vow" feats, all of which require "Sacred Vow" as a pre-req. Sacred Vow is a feat that grants a +2 on Diplomacy checks. The feat itself is a stupid little feat, but it makes you spend a total of 2 feats to get access to any of the other "Vow" feats (which is it's true purpose). I see your point about not wanting to take this class if you've already got VoP (and vice versa), though. If you've not read through BoED, I'd recommend you do that. It's got a lot of things that could work well with this class concept. --Badger 15:58, 1 September 2011 (MDT)

Edits?

Checked on this class long after creating it and found some changes were made. I appreciate the grammar, but I'm curious why all the concentration requirements and checks were so drastically reduced? I'm not entirely opposed to the notion, but I am curious why it was done. I thought it a bit of flavor, adding to why the class is so rare; concentration is a useless skill (more or less) for monks, but meditation is a core part of their ideal. Honestly though, I'm just thrilled that someone is making use of these ideas, I never got around to playing the class myself. -- Lefthandroger forgot his account password and associated email address whoops. 8:31 4/22/2015