The basic idea was to add fighter stuff: Proficient with longspear, longsword and longbow, more hit-points, better base attack bonus, fortitude saves; and some paladin stuff: smite evil (any interesting alternative to that?), and a winged mount. The mount is the main non-mechanical reward that I hope will convince the player to give it a try. The class doesn’t need more spells because Auroleva is already a low-level druid and cleric – granting her more caster levels is just a nice-to-have thing that will simplify book-keeping. I’m still pondering some defensive ability like the paladin’s divine grace – a flat bonus to some or all saves, or a special ability that involves either slaying the living or raising the dead – some sort of “emergency healing” ability from the Magic Item Compendium belt.
– Alex 2008-07-24 14:09 UTC
A pretty neat idea. However, how does this prestige class help address the suboptimality (made that word up) of a multiclassed druid/cleric? This is basically an amped up paladin. She could get most of the mechanical benefits from taking levels in paladin (though alignment is a restriction) or fighter.
At the same time, I understand the story reasons behind the Valkyrie of Freya.
Some specific suggestions:
– Adrian 2008-07-24 15:44 UTC
You are right about mounts being annoying. What was even more annoying, however, was Belflin and Auroleva both training their horses every day with a Handle Animal check!
This kind of special mount would be summoned, stay for a few hours, and basically give Auroleva the ability to fly – and to charge from the air. I think Moni would like that. And after that, it’ll disappear again.
Just smite – I like it!
A bonus against death effects would be awesome.
Granting the Mounted Combat and/or Mounted Archery feats would also give more flavor.
I feel encouraged and will pursue this pet project.
– Alex 2008-07-24 22:57 UTC
Another thought: what are Freya’s domains? Even if you don’t grant spell progression, since the Valkyrie is something of a warrior-priest of Freya, perhaps access to addition domains would be cool.
Speak with dead, raise dead, and similar spells as spell-like abilities might give some of the cleric flavor, without giving caster levels.
I don’t think there are any balance issues here, as you’d have to give a lot of ridiculous powers to make up for Auroleva being a multiclassed druid/cleric.
– Adrian 2008-07-25 08:03 UTC
Thank you for your suggestions. They are very helpful. Freya’s domains are Animal, Good, Healing, and War.
I will add the two spell-like abilities you mentioned as spell-like abilities.
– Alex 2008-07-25 10:04 UTC