Dead.  Not like most sorcerers take familiars, anyway.  And if they really want one, there's a feat out there that will let them do it.

I'm just not sure what would be the best thing to replace 'em.  Something cool.  I like your innate magic idea, maybe something Cha-based, but I'm not sure what.  Maybe a series of minor, mostly flavour-based powers -- like the magister, though not stolen wholesale from them.

Well, I think removing wands and scrolls is going to make lower level sorceror's suck even more. They won't be able to use their cool metamagic stuff yet, and they no longer have the magic missile pistol wand to use after they expend their limited spells. So, I think the familiar replacement should be something that helps at lower levels.

Hmm.  Well, let me think about it for a while.  I've got AE with me today, so maybe something will jump out at me from it.  

Random crazy idea about scrolls and wands for sorcerers:
how about allowing them to use the craft/scribe feats to store power in themselves  (you could rationalize it by focusing on oneself and transcending stuff or whatever weird magical theory you could think of...). Creation costs and activation would be left unchanged.

Some pros :
- when you're the wand/scroll, you can't be stealed/removed (well, almost )
- no equipment slot is needed (though a maximum of "wands/scrolls"  related to the levels should exist, or maybe having too much energy stored in a body could have potentially harmful side effects)

Some cons :
you can't buy or sell your "wands/scrolls"  (A strange ritual/ feat /power given by a prestige class/organization) could help transfering charges from one sorcerer to another, though.)

 
Chacal

Another idea: add Intimidate to skill list (with increase in skill points), allow sorcerors to make Intimidate check in combat as free action against all enemies within X feet. This would be a function of the powerful aura I was talking about.

Hmm.  That is an intriguing idea.

I was thinking of maybe having a selection of different abilities to choose from.  I usually play fighters in 3e because they get to choose their abilities.  We've already got a number of ideas in this thread, so it wouldn't be hard to set up something like that.

I'm going to have to get offline soon (I get to train my new supervisor, whee!), but I'll think about this and post more tomorrow.  

Another idea about the aura thing. Perhaps have it act like the auras for clerics/paladins, except for detect magic (using the magic item caster level chart). Perhaps at some point the sorceror's personal aura is so powerful that it masks auras from magic items/effects on his person.

I've thought of a possible exploit with the Intimidation aura thing. A creature demoralized (shaken) by the intimidate could be hit with a spell that causes it to become shaken again, turning the effect into frightened. One spell that does this is doom a 1st level cleric spell, which this brand of sorceror would have access to. Is it a problem? I don't know.

I also think the ability should start at 2nd level to stop some cheese-dick rogue with an assload of intimidate from taking one level of sorc to benefit. First level abilities could be the CHA bonus to Concentration and Spellcraft, which I suppose a bard could exploit, but who cares.

Further thoughts about the intimidation aura: as a free action  it would be used every round, and an opposed roll is a clunky mechanic to do every round. So it should either a)have a different "save" mechanic or b) change to a move action. I'd lean towards the move action because it still ties it to the skill, tones it down some, but still allows for spellcasting in the same round.

Well, it would also make sense for the Intimidate to be a free action available only once per scene.  (You'll have to forgive me for using the Exalted time unit.   )  There's a limit to how many times a single person can actually try to scare you.

Still thinking.  I'll post more later.  

As a riff of Chacal's idea about internal scrolls:

These invested spells can be transferred between sorcerors requiring physical contact and  one full round of concentration per spell level. An unwilling target gets a save/opposed cha check. Deceased targets lose these invested spells after X hours. Abilities/feats could change this ability making the time shorter, allowing it to be done at range, etc.

This could add a bit of a dark, ghoulish element to the class as evil sorcerors suck the stored spells out of their victims.

final fantasy VIII....

The Draw System...

:shudder:

Quote from: Berger KingThis could add a bit of a dark, ghoulish element to the class as evil sorcerors suck the stored spells out of their victims.

Oooh... I like !


Chacal

Quote from: CyberzombieWell, it would also make sense for the Intimidate to be a free action available only once per scene.  (You'll have to forgive me for using the Exalted time unit.   )  There's a limit to how many times a single person can actually try to scare you.

Still thinking.  I'll post more later.  

They call that encounter in D&D

Just check the text in the barbarian rage.

Quote from: ChacalOooh... I like !


Chacal

It also allows a party to loot these "scrolls" from enemy sorcerors, but only if there is a PC sorceror to take them. Making the "scrolls" totally untouchable seems a little unfair.

@Cyberzombie: if it is just once per encounter, then a free action sounds good. Perhaps have it target all enemies within 50' (the radius of a bane spell). Since it's only once, should we make the duration of the shakeness be longer than 1 round?