From BrWiki

Chapter two/Blood and regency » Chapter two/Blood and regency/Bloodline strength » Chapter two/Blood and regency/Playing a Scion

BRCS

This article is a Birthright Campaign Setting (D&D 3.5/D20) page The BRCS Document is a comprehensive toolbox consisting of rules, races, classes, feats, skills, various systems, spells, magic items, and monsters compatible with the d20 System version of Dungeons & Dragons from Wizards of the Coast.

BRCS

Any player can choose to have his character begin play as a scion. The player must decide at character creation what bloodline strength and derivation he wishes his character to have, or they could be determined randomly. This will determine how many scion class levels the character is able to obtain.

A character may take the levels of scion at any point he chooses in his career; they may be taken early, or delayed until a later point. A character cannot have levels in more than one scion class. If the scion undergoes a derivation change then the character loses scion class levels of the former derivation and replaces them with scion class levels of the new derivation. This could result in a change in the blood abilities the character possesses as well as a change in hit points, saving throw bonuses, BAB, etc.

Scion Classes

The Scion classes are described below, in a format similar to Savage Species. Only those with major (or higher) bloodline strengths can take levels in the scion class. If a character starts out as a scion, remember to multiply the skill points at first level by four. The scion class is considered a second favored class for scions, and doesn’t count towards the differences in class levels with regards to experience penalties. In addition to the special abilities listed for each specific scion class all scions receive the following scion class features class.

In order to obtain major level blood abilities a scion must have a level of the applicable scion class. In order to obtain great blood abilities a scion must have two levels of the appropriate scion class.

Class Features

Base Attack/Saving Throw Bonuses: The scion gains bonuses as specified in the applicable table. The following notes are used to distinguish between the type of bonus; Good ^G, Average ^A, Poor ^P.

Class Skills: The scion can designate a certain number of skills as class skills based on the derivation. These skills are always treated as class skills since they are based on the scion’s divine heritage.

Bonus Hit Points: A scion receives bonus hit points each season based on the amount of RP he receives up to a maximum of one-half his blood score, rounded down – minimum of one.

Special Regent Benefits: A scion gains any special bonuses granted regents due to variants used in the game, for example heirlooms and special equipment.

Blood Score Increase: A scion receives a +4 bonus to his bloodline score at 1 st level. This bonus increases to +8 at 2 nd level.

Leadership Score Increase: A scion receives a +2 bonus to his Leadership score. This bonus increases to +4 at 2 nd level.

Scion of Anduiras

Hit Die: d8

Class Skills: A scion of Anduiras has the following class skills: Lead (Cha), Knowledge (Nobility and royalty) (Int), Ride (Dex) and Warcraft (Int). In addition, a scion of Anduiras can pick any one skill as an additional class skill.

Skill points at 1 st level: (2 + Int modifier) x 4

Skill Points at Each Additional Level: 2 + Int modifier

Class Features

Weapon and Armor proficiency: A scion of Anduiras is proficient in the use of all simple weapons, light and medium armor, and shields. In addition, a scion of Anduiras is proficient in one martial melee weapon of his choice.

Scion of Azrai

Hit Die: d6

Class Skills: A scion of Azrai has the following class skills: Bluff (Cha), Gather Information (Cha), Intimidate (Cha), Spellcraft (Int) and Warcraft (Int). In addition, a scion of Azrai can pick any two skills as additional class skills.

Skill points at 1 st level: (2 + Int modifier) x 4

Skill Points at Each Additional Level: 2 + Int modifier

Class Features

Weapon and Armor proficiency: A scion of Azrai is proficient in the use of all simple weapons, and light and medium armor.

Bonus Feat: A scion of Azrai gains a bonus feat. This can be any feat for which the scion qualifies.

Dark Taint: A scion of Azrai can follow an evil path more easily than others can. For purposes of the blackguard prestige class, an evil scion of Azrai always counts as having made “peaceful contact with an evil outsider.” The same applies to other, similar prerequisites for entry to prestige classes or some feats, involving evil pacts, contact with evil, or committing evil acts.

Pick Favored Save: A scion of Azrai can choose any one save to be his favored save. The bonus for this save is treated as a Good bonus, +2 at first level and +3 at second level. The other saves are Poor.

Scion of Basaïa

Hit Die: d8

Class Skills: A scion of Basaïa has the following class skills: Diplomacy (Cha), Knowledge (any) (Int) and Spot ( Wis). In addition, a scion of Basaïa can pick any one skill as an additional class skill.

Skill points at 1 st level: (2 + Int modifier) x 4

Skill Points at Each Additional Level: 2 + Int modifier

Class Features

Weapon and Armor proficiency: A scion of Basaïa is proficient in the use of all simple weapons, light and medium armor, and shields.

Scion of Brenna

Hit Die: d8

Class Skills: A scion of Brenna has the following class skills: Appraise (Int), Balance (Dex), Bluff (Cha), Sense Motive ( Wis) and Tumble (Dex). In addition, a scion of Brenna can pick any two skills as additional class skills.

Skill points at 1 st level: (4 + Int modifier) x 4

Skill Points at Each Additional Level: 4 + Int modifier

Class Features

Weapon and Armor proficiency: A scion of Brenna is proficient in the use of all simple weapons and light armor.

Scion of Masela

Hit Die: d8

Class Skills: A scion of Masela has the following class skills: Balance (Dex), Heal ( Wis), Profession (sailor) ( Wis), and Swim (Str). In addition, a scion of Masela can pick any one skill as an additional class skill.

Skill points at 1 st level: (2 + Int modifier) x 4

Skill Points at Each Additional Level: 2 + Int modifier

Class Features

Weapon and Armor proficiency: A scion of Masela is proficient in the use of all simple weapons, light and medium armor, and shields.

Scion of Reynir

Hit Die: d10

Class Skills: A scion of Reynir has the following class skills: Handle Animal (Cha), Knowledge (geography) (Int), Knowledge (nature) (Int) and Survival ( Wis). In addition, a scion of Reynir can pick any one skill as an additional class skill.

Skill points at 1 st level: (2 + Int modifier) x 4

Skill Points at Each Additional Level: 2 + Int modifier

Class Features

Weapon and Armor proficiency: A scion of Reynir is proficient in the use of all simple weapons and shortbows, and light armor.

Scion of Vorynn

Hit Die: d6

Class Skills: A scion of Vorynn has the following class skills: Concentration (Con), Knowledge (any) (Int), Spellcraft (Int) and Use Magic Device (Cha). In addition, a scion of Vorynn can pick any one skill as an additional class skill.

Skill points at 1 st level: (2 + Int modifier) x 4

Skill Points at Each Additional Level: 2 + Int modifier

Class Features

Weapon and Armor proficiency: A scion of Vorynn is proficient in the use of all simple weapons and light armor.

Spellcasting: Scions of Vorynn instinctively pick up some very minor spellcasting abilities. They can learn two cantrips a sorcerer could know at first level, and they can cast them in any combination two times per day. This increases to four at second level that can be used in any combination four times per day. They cast these cantrips using their scion hit dice as caster level, and bloodline score as their spellcasting ability score. Scions of Vorynn follow all the rules for sorcerers for purposes of using their cantrips.

Behind the curtain: Basis for Scion Class Levels

The relative power level of scion classes was based on a campaign that entails approximately equal amounts of domain and adventure level play. The relative power of scions breaks down for campaigns that are almost exclusively domain or adventure based. The following are suggestions that may be incorporated into a campaign in order to put the relative power levels at a more even keel.

• Reduce the levels of scion classes. That is, eliminate the 2 nd level and make the first one great bloodline. What this does however is to make essentially no difference between minor and major bloodlines. In order to maintain some sort of balance between the two, it is suggested to use a random method of determining bloodline strength in lieu of allowing players to choose.
• Modify blood abilities to add a domain level effect. This requires some careful DM input and instruction in order to keep them balanced with each other. The following are some guidelines for adding domain level effects to blood abilities:

Minor blood abilities should fall within the following range:

• Usable no more frequently than once per domain turn
• Grant a +2 to a specific domain action

Major blood abilities should fall within the following range:

• Usable multiple times (no more than three times a domain turn)
• Grant a +4 to a specific domain action or a +2 to two actions
• Grant ability to cast up to a 3rd level realm spell

Great blood abilities should fall within the following range:

• Usable multiple times (no more than three times a domain turn)
• Grant a +6 to a specific domain action or a +2 to three actions
• Grant ability to cast up to a 5th level realm spell
• Grant a bonus domain action per domain turn

Examples of blood abilities with domain level effects:

Alertness – The scion gains a +2 to any check made to resolve random events that occur.
Healing – At Minor level the scion gains the ability to heal a lost hit point of a single unit, once per battle per domain turn. At Major level the scion gains the ability to heal a number of points of damage equal to his blood score modifier and this can be spread over a number of units or all at once. For example a scion with the healing - Major blood ability has a blood score modifier of 3, he can choose to heal 3 total points 1 point for each of three units, 2 points to one unit and 1 point to another, etc. This ability can be used for one battle a domain turn. At Great level in addition to the Major effects the scion can also cure any condition that a single unit is suffering from. This ability can be used for one battle each month. Regardless of the level of this ability the scion must be present among the unit he is affecting.