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Created by
Jasperre, last updated on Jan 25, 2024
12 minute read
This is a basic upgrade of the original Harper Scout to include a spellbook.
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 (and only affects levelups anyway).
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, 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
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!).
| ID | Feat Name | Remains? | Constant ID | Description | 3E Description | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 981 | Epic Harper Scout | Unknown - Harper isn't Epic in the 3E rules | FEAT_EPIC_HARPER_SCOUT | 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). | ||
| 991 | Master Crafter | Unknown, but might have all been scripted. | FEAT_PRESTIGE_MASTER_CRAFTER | 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. | |
| 992 | Scrounger | Unknown, but might have all been scripted. | FEAT_PRESTIGE_SCROUNGER | 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. |
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
(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, you learn 2 spells per level and can learn further from scrolls as a Wizard) 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:
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
| Level | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | ||
| 2 | 1 | ||
| 3 | 1 | 0 | |
| 4 | 1 | 1 | |
| 5 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
3.0 Source
Spell list:
Description:
Harper scouts are members of the Harpers, a secret society dedicated to holding back evil, preserving knowledge, and maintaining the balance between civilization and the wild.
Requirements
Skills: Bluff 4 ranks , Diplomacy 8 ranks , Knowledge (local) 4 ranks , Perform 5 ranks , Sense Motive 2 ranks , Wilderness Lore 2 ranks
Alignment: Any nonevil.
Special: Sponsorship by a member of the Harpers, approval of the High Harpers.
Hit die
d6
Skill points
4 + Int
Class Features
All the following are class features of the Harper scout prestige class.
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: A Harper scout is proficient with all simple weapons and light armor.
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.
Harper Knowledge: Like a bard, a Harper scout has a knack for picking up odds and ends of knowledge. This ability works exactly like the bardic knowledge ability of the bard class. If a Harper scout has bard levels, her Harper scout levels and bard levels stack for the purpose of using bardic knowledge.
Favored Enemy: A Harper scout selects a favored enemy from the following list of evil organizations that oppose the Harpers' goals: the Church of Bane, the Cult of the Dragon, the Iron Throne, the malaugryms, the Red Wizards, or the Zhentarim. The ability works exactly like the favored enemy ability of the ranger class. If a Harper scout with ranger levels chooses a favored enemy that she already has chosen as a ranger, the bonuses stack.
When the Harper scout reaches 4th level, the bonus against her first favored enemy increases to +2, and she gains a new favored enemy at +1.
Deneir's Eye (Su): A Harper scout gains a +2 holy bonus on saving throws against glyphs, runs, and symbols.
Skill Focus: A Harper scout gains the Skill Focus feat for her Perform skill and any one other Harper scout class skill.
Tymora's Smile (Su): Once per day, a Harper scout can add a +2 luck bonus on a single saving throw. This bonus can be added after the die is rolled and after success or failure of the unmodified roll is determined.
Lliirra's Heart (Su):* A Harper scout gains a +2 holy bonus on saving throws against compulsion and fear effects.
Craft Harper Item: A specialized form of the Craft Wondrous Item feat, this allows a Harper scout to create magic musical instruments, Harper pins, and certain potions (Charisma, detect thoughts, glibness, tongues, and truth). This ability replaces the need for any other item creation feat for the item. The Harper scout's casting level for these items is her Harper scout level plus all other caster levels from her other spellcasting classes. All the normal requirements for an item (such as race or spells) remain the same. All other rules for creating wondrous items or potions apply.
Ex-Harper Scouts
It is possible for a character to violate the code of conduct of the Harpers, endanger other Harpers through negligence or deliberate action, or intentionally turn away from the Harpers. Such an individual quickly gains a reputation among the other Harpers and can no longer progress in the Harper scout prestige class. Furthermore, the former Harper scout can no longer use the Deneir's eye, Lliira's hear, or Tymora's smile abilities. A petition to the High Harpers, a suitable quest decided upon by that group, and an atonement spell from a deity chosen by the High Harpers brings the former Harper scout back into good standing, and she can thereafter gain levels in the prestige class.
Advancement
| Level | BAB | Fort | Ref | Will | Special | Spells per Day | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | ||||||||||
| 1st | +0 | +0 | +2 | +2 | Harper knowledge, 1st favored enemy | 0 | — | — | ||||
| 2nd | +1 | +0 | +3 | +3 | Deneir's eye, Skill focus | 1 | — | — | ||||
| 3rd | +2 | +1 | +3 | +3 | Tymora's smile | 1 | 0 | — | ||||
| 4th | +3 | +1 | +4 | +4 | Lliira's heart, 2nd favored enemy | 1 | 1 | — | ||||
| 5th | +3 | +1 | +4 | +4 | Craft Harper Item | 1 | 1 | 0 | ||||
Class skills
| Skill name | Key ability | Trained only | Armor check penalty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Appraise | INT |  | |
| Bluff | CHA | | |
| Climb | STR | |  |
| Craft | INT | | |
| Diplomacy | CHA | | |
| Disguise | CHA | | |
| Escape Artist | DEX | | |
| Gather Information | CHA | | |
| Hide | DEX | | |
| Intuit Direction | Wis | | |
| Jump | STR | | |
| Knowledge | Int | | |
| Listen | WIS | | |
| Move Silently | DEX | | |
| Perform | CHA | | |
| Pick Pocket | Dex | | |
| Profession | WIS | | |
| Sense Motive | WIS | | |
| Speak Language | None | | |
| Swim | STR | | |
| Tumble | DEX | |
|