Plot Assistance Needed: Memento Mori of Maykle

[brilliantlight]

I'm moving forward with this plot about the Wonderworkers, but I'm concerned about the mechanics. The flavor text for clergy of Ezra says they ought to be able to guide a group like this, but the PF mechanics don't quite support this. The Anchorite prestige class doesn't have an ability like this like they did in 3.5. The Mists domain allows for teleport without error, but it doesn't say that will work across domain boundaries. Not to mention, this doesn't make a lot of sense. The prestige class has all these other powers that would go along with mist travel, but what ought to be the signature power of the prestige class is available to just straight clerics?

I would flat out ignore the rule then.

[The Lesser Evil]

I'm moving forward with this plot about the Wonderworkers, but I'm concerned about the mechanics. The flavor text for clergy of Ezra says they ought to be able to guide a group like this, but the PF mechanics don't quite support this. The Anchorite prestige class doesn't have an ability like this like they did in 3.5. The Mists domain allows for teleport without error, but it doesn't say that will work across domain boundaries. Not to mention, this doesn't make a lot of sense. The prestige class has all these other powers that would go along with mist travel, but what ought to be the signature power of the prestige class is available to just straight clerics?

Assuming you're referring to Ryan Naylor's Pathfinder in the Mists, levels in Anchorite stack with cleric levels (or whatever divine spellcasting class the character initially got the Mists domain from) to determine Mist domain abilities (see p. the top of p. 97).

[DeepShadow of FoS]

I would flat out ignore the rule then.

Ummm...which rule am I ignoring?!

Assuming you're referring to Ryan Naylor's Pathfinder in the Mists, levels in Anchorite stack with cleric levels (or whatever divine spellcasting class the character initially got the Mists domain from) to determine Mist domain abilities (see p. the top of p. 97).

Yeah, but that still doesn't clear up the issue. Either Anchorites get to ignore the domain boundaries when they cast Greater Teleport (too powerful) or they are leading parties using only a 10% change of success (too weak).

Looking at previous editions, the AoM prestige class got a 5%/level adjustment rather than just the flat 10%. I'll keep that, and add the PF rule that this bonus also applies when there's no Mistway at all. That's pretty sweet, and very logical. If we say the base Anchorite class stacks, at 10th level they have a 50% chance of directing the Mists ad hoc, and all but the most unreliable Mistways are basically 6-lane interstates to them.

A group like the Wonderworkers would need better than that, however, so here's where I'm going to add some additional tweaks. First, a feat:

World At Your Feet
Prerequisite: Mist Navigation ability
Once per week, when casting within the Misty Border, you can ignore domain restrictions on Conjuration and Divination spells.

This allows the Wonderworkers to make their super-fast escapes, by casting Greater Teleport to get back home. After all, it's the precision of their exits that really counts, far more than their entrances.

Next, an item:
Wonderworker Handcart
This item reduces the chance of a Mistway error by 25%. In addition, the cart and any contents, including up to three creatures, are not counted against the limitations of a teleportation spell. Additional carts on the same group do not further reduce the percentage chance of error, but can still carry people and supplies for teleportation purposes.

I know people were a little disappointed in the Vistani Wagon entry from the RLDMG, but it's easy enough to just say that it reduces the chance of a Mistway error by 25%. This is basically the same thing, with a little extra for the return trip.

And finally, I'll need to dig up some of the stuff on faith-oriented magic, but I'll make a spell that will boost a divine effective level for spells and abilities if they can get the right group of devoted followers together.

And Voila! A 13th level anchorite with the feat could create a Mistway with a 65% chance of going where he wanted. Using the handcart, that chance increases to 90%. With the spell and enough followers to boost the caster level by 2 and you have 100% success. If someone wanted to cap it off at 95% I wouldn't argue; there are other ways to mitigate that risk.

Including the faith boost, that's enough for the leader to take 5 other people, plus 3 more in the cart. A group of nine can get a lot done in a short time, with practice and teamwork.