This is a basic upgrade of the original Harper Scout to include a spellbook.
| Table of Contents |
|---|
Changes
The casting feats will be removed and marked as disabled - the links to spells.2da lines will be removed and they'll be renamed and have the icons changed.
Feats are:
- Sleep
- Cat's Grace
- Eagle's Splendor
- Invisibility
This is possibly character breaking but only really affects PWs where this can be remediated offline (else characters mess up ELC). For singleplayer it should just remove the feats if they don't exist when the BIC or save is loaded since ELC isn't used.
Adding in Skill Focus to level 2, not sure why those were removed. Class is awful so some positives should be added.
Spellbook is going to be added similar to Bard. You can't have learn from scrolls and Bard-like spellcasting alas.
- Spellcaster
- Arcane
- Restricted by a Spellbook
- Has spell failure
- Charisma based
The spells list is expanded mostly using the list from this project: https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1975673785&searchtext=harper
This is both because of the lack of spells in the original 3.0E list for the class and because even if those were all there they were a paltry list making the class even worse.
Past Level 5 / Epic Levels?
Bioware did plan for at least 10 levels with 2 unused feats and the Epic Harper Scout feat present.
This might be worth looking at. The feats could be replicated with scripts (if we wholesale check out the crafting system, so not now!).
...
Unknown - Harper isn't Epic in the 3E rules
...
Presumably Harper Scouts were tested at epic levels. May be this is recoverable?
Label is: FEAT_PRESTIGE_MASTER_CRAFTER_83633_83634
83522 is a valid TLK reference for "Epic Harper Scout" but 83543 was reused for "Leather Hide" so we won't know all the bonuses the epic version of the Harper would have got. However the below feats are tied to higher-than-level-5 and gives a clue.
Seems to have been cut reasonably late in development but before icons for it were created, since it still uses IR_X1_HARPER (ife_x2epharper doesn't exist).
...
83634
Type of Feat: Class
Prerequisite: Harper Scout level 10.
Specifics: At 10th level, the Harper Scout becomes a master of crafting. His indepth knowledge of the crafting skills and secret harper lore allows the character to craft powerful weapons and armor no other class has access to.
Use: Automatic (When using the craft skills)
...
Label is: FEAT_PRESTIGE_MASTER_CRAFTER_83633_83634
2 valid TLK references, and is a Harper level 10 feat. Bioware may have planned this as a Harper feat for post-level 5 but not got WotC permission, or it just wasn't great.
Doubtless would have been part of the HotU crafting skills and system.
Links to icon ife_X2MstCraft which is valid too:
Suggests it can be taken from level 10 up to level 28.
Not tested but it is very unlikely the engine did anything with it, it just probably hooked into the scripted crafting system.
...
83636
Type of Feat: Class
Prerequisite: Harper Scout level 6.
Specifics: The harper scout's crafting skills continue to improve, he/she gets a +2 bonus on all Craft (armor, weapon, trap) checks. This improves by an additional +2 for every 2 levels past 6th.
Use: Automatic (When using the craft skills)
...
Label is: FEAT_PRESTIGE_SCROUNGER_83635_83636
2 valid TLK references, and is a Harper level 6 feat. Bioware may have planned this as a Harper feat for post-level 5 but not got WotC permission, or it just wasn't great.
Links to icon ife_X2MstCraft which is valid too:
Doubtless would have been part of the HotU crafting skills and system.
Suggests it can be taken from level 6 up to level 28.
Not tested but unlikely to inherantly increase skills, but could be scripted in easily enough.
Major changes;
- Spellbook as a bard, and removal of "spell feats" (spellbook goes to level 10)
- Re-Add Skill Focus bonus feats at level 2 (Perform plus...it should be a certain list. But need new bonus feat list functionality for it).
- Extension past level 5 and into Epic levels
- Favored Enemy every 4 levels (actually a better set of bonuses than rangers, but obviously you can't level in it as early so balances out)
- Re-add Scrounger and Master Crafter which will be in the overhauled crafting setup
- Add Bard Song feats as available general feats (of course requires Bard Song to begin with) and use Epic Bard feat list (again the Bard specific ones will require Bard Song).
- Change Craft Harper Item to be more general.
The casting feats will be removed and marked as disabled - the links to spells.2da lines will be removed and they'll be renamed and have the icons changed.
Feats are:
- Sleep
- Cat's Grace
- Eagle's Splendor
- Invisibility
This is possibly character breaking but only really affects PWs where this can be remediated offline (else characters mess up ELC). For singleplayer it should just remove the feats if they don't exist when the BIC or save is loaded since ELC isn't used (and only affects levelups anyway).
Adding in Skill Focus to level 7, not sure why those were removed. Class is awful so some positives should be added.
Spellbook is going to be added similar to Bard, as per the rules:
Spells per Day: Beginning at 1st level, a Harper scout gains the ability to cast a small number of arcane spells. The Harper scout’s ability to cast these spells works exactly like a bard’s ability to cast spells. (They are Charisma-based and do not need to be prepared.)
A 1st-level Harper scout learns two spells from the Harper scout 1st-level spell list. She learns two new Harper scout spells of any spell level she can cast at each Harper scout level thereafter. There is no limit to the number of these spells the Harper scout can know from this list. She may learn more by studying arcane scrolls or spellbooks.
NB: You still need a "Spells Known" dummy 2da file even if it is all 0's for the Learn from Scrolls property to work on a Bard-like caster.
- Spellcaster
- Learn from Scrolls
- Arcane
- Restricted by a Spellbook
- Has spell failure
- Charisma based
The spells list is expanded mostly using the list from this project: https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1975673785&searchtext=harper
This is both because of the lack of spells in the original 3.0E list for the class and because even if those were all there they were a paltry list making the class even worse.
Issues with Spellbook (Bard casting with Wizard scroll learning)
There are some quirks of the NWN combination of things above; primarily:
- When you level up it limits you to the known spells limit in cls_spkn_harper which is, for instance:
- Level 1: 2 level 1 spells
- Level 2: 4 level 1 spells
- If you learn a scroll at level 1, then progress to level 2, you only can choose 1 more spell
- You can swap out known spells, so at level 2 you can swap 4 spells
- If you learned more by scrolls all of those can be swapped out as well
Its a bit of a mess overall. Per below I learned 2 normal spells at level 1 Harper and then learnt 4 spell scrolls and it ends up being able to choose any 6 spells.
Options:
- Change to a pure bard-like caster, meaning no learning from scrolls (frankly given the amount of spells not a huge loss)
- Leave as is with the quirks
- Work on some specific engine changes, but ELC is involved.
Past Level 5 / Epic Levels?
Bioware did plan for at least 10 levels with 2 unused feats and the Epic Harper Scout feat present.
This might be worth looking at. The feats could be replicated with scripts (if we wholesale check out the crafting system, so not now!).
| Expand | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Patch Notes
Harper - Added a full spellbook (Arcane, Charisma, Bard-like but can learn from scrolls) as per 3.0E Prestige Class. Removed spellcasting feats. Added Skill Focus bonus feats.
- The class was a pretty bad choice so the spellbook (with an expanded list) is at least a little better as a sidegrade to certain classes such as Rogue or Bard adding some unique defensive feats, some minor spellcasting and Favored Enemy. Bonus Skill Focus: Perform also helps bards pick it without falling behind too much on Bard Song.
NWN Description
| No Format |
|---|
(PRESTIGE CLASS)
The Harpers are a secret society. Members are dedicated to holding back evil, preserving knowledge and maintaining the balance between civilization and the wild. The Harper Scout performs many duties including espionage, stealth and reporting information.
WARNING: To cast a spell, a harper must have a Charisma score of 10 + the spell's level. For example, to cast a 2nd-level spell, a harper must have a Charisma of 12.
- Hit Die: d6.
- Proficiencies: Simple weapons and light armor.
- Skill Points: 4 + Int Modifier.
- Class Skills: Skills: Appraise, Bluff, Craft Armor, Craft Trap, Craft Weapon, Discipline, Heal, Hide, Listen, Lore, Move Silently, Persuade, Pick Pocket, Tumble.
- Primary saving throw(s): Reflex, Will.
- Base attack bonus: Medium (+3/4 per level).
- Spellcasting: Arcane (Charisma-based, no spell preparation, spell failure from armor is a factor, you learn spells on level up like a Bard).
REQUIREMENTS:
Alignment: Any non-evil.
Skills: Discipline 4 ranks, Search 4 ranks, Lore 6 ranks, Persuade 8 ranks.
Feats: Alertness, Iron Will.
ABILITIES:
Level
1: Bardic Knowledge: Bonus to identifying items with a lore skill bonus equal to your Harper level.
1st Favored Enemy - The harper gains a +1 bonus to any damage delivered to their favored enemy. They also receives a +1 bonus on listen, spot, and taunt checks against the favored enemy. Every new favored enemy choice improves these bonuses by +1 but do not stack with ranger levels (whichever class chose the feat determines the bonus provided)
2: Deneir's Eye - +2 bonus to saving throws vs. traps.
Skill Focus: Perform
Skill Focus: Lore
3: Tymora's Smile - +2 bonus on all saves, once per day. This bonus increases by 1 every 3 additional levels.
4: Lliira's Heart - +2 bonus to saving throws vs. mind affecting spells.
2nd Favored Enemy
5: Craft Harper Item - Create magical potions and some wondrous magical items without the need for crafting feats.
6: Scrounger - The harper scout's crafting skills continue to improve, he/she gets a +2 bonus on all Craft (armor, weapon, trap) checks. This improves by an additional +1 for every 2 levels past 6th.
8: 3rd Favored Enemy
10: Master Crafter: At 10th level, the Harper Scout becomes a master of crafting. His indepth knowledge of the crafting skills and secret harper lore allows the character to craft powerful weapons and armor no other class has access to.
EPIC LEVELS:
You have become an expert in espionage and crafting, honing your skills against specific enemies and providing intelligence to your allies.
Hit Die: d8
Skill Points at Each Additional Level: 4+ Int Modifier
Bonus Feats: The epic Harper gains a bonus feat every five levels after 20th
Special:
Tymora's smile saving throw bonus continues to increase by 1 every 3 levels.
Scrounger bonus to crafting continues to increase by 1 every 2 levels.
New Favoured Enemies may be chosen every 4th level (12, 16, 20, etc.)
Note the Harper Scout does not automatically get Bard Song nor count as a Epic Bard for consideration of certain Epic feats.
Epic Harper Scout Bonus Feats List:
Arcane Defense, Curse Song, Epic Skill Focus (all but animal empathy, perform, use magic device), Epic Spell Focus, Epic Will, Extra Music, Great Charisma, Great Dexterity, Greater Spell Focus, Greater Spell Penetration, Improved Combat Casting, Lasting Inspiration, Lingering Song. |
Extra info on spells:
| No Format |
|---|
Spells available:
1st: Camouflage, Charm Person, Light, Ultravision, Sleep, Expeditious Retreat, Grease, Identify, Resistance
2nd: Cat's Grace, Eagle's Splendor, Invisibility, Knock, See Invisibility, Ghostly Visage, Web, Hold Person
3rd: Clairaudience/Clairvoyance, Mass Camouflage, Charm Monster, Find Traps, Displacement |
Spell List
Added some ideas from this project: https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1975673785&searchtext=harper
| Level | Spells | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Camouflage, Charm Person, Expeditious Retreat, Grease, Light, Sleep, Identify | Added Grease, Expeditious Retreat, Identify |
| 2 | Cat's Grace, Eagle's Splendor, Knock, See invisibility, Invisibility, Ultravision, Ghostly Visage, Web, Hold Person | Added Ultravision, Ghostly Visage, Web, Hold Person |
| 3 | Clairaudience/clairvoyance, Mass Camoflage, Charm Monster, Find Traps, Displacement | Added Mass Camoflage, Charm Monster, Find Traps, Displacement |
Spell Progression
Extended to level 10 to make it a bit more nifty.
Spells Per Day
| Level | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | ||
| 2 | 1 | ||
| 3 | 1 | 0 | |
| 4 | 1 | 1 | |
| 5 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 6 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| 7 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| 8 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| 9 | 3 | 2 | 2 |
| 10 | 3 | 3 | 2 |
Spells Known
| Level | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | ||
| 2 | 3 | ||
| 3 | 3 | 1 | |
| 4 | 3 | 2 | |
| 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| 6 | 3 | 2 | 2 |
| 7 | 3 | 3 | 2 |
| 8 | 4 | 3 | 2 |
| 9 | 4 | 4 | 2 |
| 10 | 4 | 4 | 3 |
Class Feats and Abilities
| Feat Name | Level Granted | Description | Notes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bardic Knowledge | 1 |
| Feat is purely informational, the effects are hardcoded. No change needed. | ||||
| Deneir's Eye | 2 |
| No change needed. | ||||
| Tymora's Smile | 3 |
| Changed to add in the bonus 1 every 3 levels. Previously suggested using +2 every 3 levels but that'd be +20 saving throws for 5 rounds with 30 class levels invested which is...crazy high. | ||||
| Lliira's Heart | 4 |
| No change needed. | ||||
| Craft Harper Item | 5 | Original:
New:
| Changed to make it free. Crafting might be overhauled to alter XP costs and gold but it's unlikely to remove them entirely. | ||||
| Scrounger | 6 |
| Could just implement this by adding some effect before a skill roll is made, or adding it manually to the skill roll / decreasing the skill difficulty. Originally Bioware planned for +2 every 2 levels, that's an insanely unnecessary amount of skill points (ie "Why take the skills?" amount). Changed to +1 every 2 levels which is half a skill point bonus, and so it's nice to have. May review. | ||||
| Master Crafter | 10 |
| This would also be crafting menu specific changes. Thoughts on this:
|
NWN: Further Feats and Epic Harper
2 further feats and Epic Harper were considered by Bioware. Certainly at least level 10 harper would have been considered.
The feats are detailed in Cut Feats although the engine doesn't do anything with them:
| Feat Name | Description | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Scrounger | Type of Feat: Class Prerequisite: Harper Scout level 6. Specifics: The harper scout's crafting skills continue to improve, he/she gets a +2 bonus on all Craft (armor, weapon, trap) checks. This improves by an additional +2 for every 2 levels past 6th. Use: Automatic (When using the craft skills) | Could just implement this by adding some effect before a skill roll is made, or adding it manually to the skill roll / decreasing the skill difficulty. |
| Master Crafter | Type of Feat: Class Prerequisite: Harper Scout level 10. Specifics: At 10th level, the Harper Scout becomes a master of crafting. His indepth knowledge of the crafting skills and secret harper lore allows the character to craft powerful weapons and armor no other class has access to. Use: Automatic (When using the craft skills) | This would also be crafting menu specific changes. |
| Favoured Enemy | as game | The engine correctly will add Favoured Enemy Bonus every 4 levels of Harper (in fact this is hardcoded so it's actually better than the rangers once per 5 levels!). |
| Harper: Sleep | as game | Redundant now since we're adding a spellbook but will add uses past level 6 at a rate of: if(nClassLevel >= 6) nNumUses += (1 + (nClassLevel-6)/3); |
| Harper: Cats Grace | as game | As above but: if(nClassLevel >= 7) nNumUses += (1 + (nClassLevel-7)/3); |
| Harper: Eagles Splendor | as game | As above but: if(nClassLevel >= 8) nNumUses += (1 + (nClassLevel-8)/3); |
| Harper: Invisibility | as game | As above but: if(nClassLevel >= 9) nNumUses += (1 + (nClassLevel-9)/3); |
So progression past level 5 would probably include in Overhaul:
- Additional spell book progression, although possibly no more powerful spells, or if there are additional spells they're spread out and limited as usual.
- Further Bonus Feats allowing Favoured Enemy choices every 4 levels
- Epic Levels would probably have similar Epic Bonus Feats as a Bard would, plus any good crafting ones of course (and maybe some unique ones for Epic Harper Scouts)
Patch Notes
Harper - Added a full spellbook (Arcane, Charisma, Bard-like but can learn from scrolls) as per 3.0E Prestige Class. Removed spellcasting feats. Added Skill Focus bonus feats.
- The class was a pretty bad choice so the spellbook (with an expanded list) is at least a little better as a sidegrade to certain classes such as Rogue or Bard adding some unique defensive feats, some minor spellcasting and Favored Enemy. Bonus Skill Focus: Perform also helps bards pick it without falling behind too much on Bard Song.
NWN Description
| Code Block |
|---|
(PRESTIGE CLASS)
The Harpers are a secret society. Members are dedicated to holding back evil, preserving knowledge and maintaining the balance between civilization and the wild. The Harper Scout performs many duties including espionage, stealth and reporting information.
- Hit Die: d6.
- Proficiencies: Simple weapons and light armor.
- Skill Points: 4 + Int Modifier.
- Spellcasting: Arcane (Charisma-based, no spell preparation, spell failure from armor is a factor)
REQUIREMENTS:
Alignment: Any non-evil.
Skills: Discipline 4 ranks, Search 4 ranks, Lore 6 ranks, Persuade 8 ranks.
Feats: Alertness, Iron Will.
ABILITIES:
Level
1: Bardic Knowledge: Bonus to identifying items.
1st Favored Enemy
2: Deneir's Eye - +2 bonus to saving throws vs. traps.
Skill Focus: Perform
Skill Focus: Lore
3: Tymora's Smile - +2 bonus on all saves, once per day.
4: Lliira's Heart - +2 bonus to saving throws vs. mind affecting spells.
2nd Favored Enemy
5: Craft Harper Item - Create magical potions. |
Extra info:
| Code Block |
|---|
Spells available:
1st: Camouflage, Charm Person, Light, Ultravision, Sleep, Expeditious Retreat, Grease, Identify, Resistance
2nd: Cat's Grace, Eagle's Splendor, Invisibility, Knock, See Invisibility, Ghostly Visage, Web, Hold Person
3rd: Clairaudience/Clairvoyance, Mass Camouflage, Charm Monster, Find Traps, Displacement |
Spell List
Added some ideas from this project: https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1975673785&searchtext=harper
...
Camouflage, Charm Person, Expeditious Retreat, Grease, Light, Sleep, Identify
...
Spell Progression
...
0
...
3.0 Source
Spell list:
| Expand |
|---|
1st level—change self, charm person, comprehend languages, erase, feather fall, jump, light, message, mount, read magic, scatterspray, sleep, spider climb. 2nd level—cat’s grace, darkvision, detect thoughts, eagle’s splendor, invisibility, knock, locate object, magic mouth, misdirection, see invisibility, shadow mask. 3rd level—clairaudience/clairvoyance, nondetection, suggestion, tongues, undetectable alignment. |
...