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[Vash787]

So I have a level one summoner in my group that wants a familiar that most of the times blends in with the players shadow, but can also manifest into a creature that attacks people.

The problem I am running into is that a level one creature only has 600 dp, and I don't know if it is possible to create a creature like this at lvl one. It needs to be able to change its shape at will, some how stealthily look like a shadow to anyone that sees it when it isn't fighting, and it still needs to be decent at combat.

I know I want its class to be assassin, but the dp cost is really limiting me. I'm still new at this though, so maybe one of you seasoned GMs could help a new GM out?

[Raybras]

There is one thing i can suggest that could make your life easier. That is give him the darkness Sheele, Xianne. You can find this in arcana exxet, and if you don't have it, you can look at this fan translation. If you don't like the idea i'll look into this tomorrow as it is late and i am going to bed

[vytzka]

I think maybe you shouldn't try to be doing too much with a familiar at level 1. Much like not every character concept is doable at level 1 (like most ki types :p) you should be picking your battles and going for something that could grow into the thing you want in a bit of time.

[Vash787]

I think I might have finally worked something out that will do the job. I will post a character sheet of it up later today. I would love to get some feedback.

[Cathar the Great]

Don't forget that since you are making the creature, you don't have to pay DP for its characteristics. It's a common mistake and might free up some additional DP.

In any case, maybe it would be smarter to limit the powers of a creature on Level 1 to either hiding in the shadows or combat. Whatever ability is less developed from the beginning can get better later.

[Spirit_Crusher]

Its class is far better as Shadow. Assassins have poisons and trap lore as class features, and this does not seem to fit the concept. Shadows have more martial knowledge and defense bonuses. Much better class.

For the array of powers, give the familiar: the Spirit template (100 dP), incarnation (60 dp) metamorphosis (60 dp).Since you've got to give him Gnosis 30 for this array, 50 dp are paid for. You've got 430 points left for combat and secondary skills. 360 on combat and you're golden.

[Cathar the Great]

For the array of powers, give the familiar: the Spirit template (100 dP), incarnation (60 dp) metamorphosis (60 dp).Since you've got to give him Gnosis 30 for this array, 50 dp are paid for. You've got 430 points left for combat and secondary skills. 360 on combat and you're golden.

Where does the bolded part come from? I've never heard of that.


EDIT: I assume you get that from Table 81 in the creation of beings section? If yes, you're wrong, that table and the DP costs are only for beings created by a PC through magic.

[Tarrant12]

I think he got that from page 277 where it says that if you have 30 gnosis than you automatically get 50 extra dp

[Vash787]

Sorry for taking so long to post. Here is the rough draft of the familiar. What do you guys think?


Mephisto (Shadow)
Between Worlds (Darkness Elemental)
Lvl 1
Gnosis: 25
Total MK: 25
Total DP: 600
Size: Medium
Movement: 10
LP: 100
Initiative: 80

Characteristics:
STR 9 / AGI 10 / DEX 10 / CON 7 / INT 6 / POW 5 / WP 5 / PER 6

Resistances:
DR 35 / MR 30 / PhR 35 / VR 35 / PsR 30

Combat Ability (290 dp)
Attack: 75 [90] (150 dp)
Dodge: 70 [85] (140 dp)

Secondary Abilities (60 dp)
Notice: 15 [20] (10 dp)
Search: 15 [20] (10 dp)
Hide: 70 [75](10 dp)
Stealth: 70 [85](10 dp)

Essential Abilities (50 dp)
Physical Exemption (50 dp)

Powers (200 dp)
Natural Weapon / Shadow Slash (10 dp)
Special Attack / Shadow Tendril (60 Dp)
   *Up to a distance of 80 feet (10 dp)
   *Base Damage 100 (30 dp)
   *An additional attack x2 (10 dp)
   *Camouflaged Attack – 120 Notice / 40 Search (20 DP)
Elemental form (90 dp)
Physical form at will (-10 dp)
*Conditioned – Mephisto must go a whole turn without attacking to return to his intangible form
Metamorphosis (30 dp)
*Conditioned – Mephisto can only change his shape to mimic something’s shadow. If Mephisto is not in the shadow of something he cannot maintain this shape.
Chameleonic camouflage (10 dp)
   *Conditioned – Only active when Mephisto is in the form of a shadow.
Complete night vision (10 dp)

[Spirit_Crusher]

It's ok, with one big flaw:
everybody with ki detection will see through his camouflage easily.
He needs ki concealment.

About the extra 50 dp I was mentioning, tarrant is right.

[Cathar the Great]

But he doesn't get the 50 dp because it doesn't have gnosis 30. It doesn't need it either because you don't need a spirit for this kind of creature to work.

I agree with you about the ki concealment.

On gnosis req's: those who you know basically tells you that you as gm can ignore them altogether if you wish. It's also just there to balance magically created beings

[Raybras]

Maybe lacks ki concealment, but at least it'll hide well frm general populace.

[Vash787]

I planned on giving it ki concealment at lvl 4. I am using my own setting, so not too many NPCs have ki detection.

[Arikail]

Might I also recommend looking at Babelion, the Minor Darkness Spectre belonging to the sample Summoner in the GM's Toolkit. Not exactly what you were looking for, but exceedingly similar, down to the shapechanging, invisibility to normal people, and Assassin class. Just a thought that popped into mind, as I'm a fan of that little guy.