I hope this can be made a Class Rule

[Rasael]

Shadow Adept is also an Application only class. So I think the DM's will consider whether or not a backstory is just a guise for powerbuilding, or if it is actually a character proper character background. The application only licence means it comes with a roleplaying expectation attached.

As a rule, we 'don't want application only classes. But in the case of the Shadow Adept it was the apt choice. (Tied closely to Shar's faith in our time setting)
At least, that's how I feel about it.

The only other PRC we have that is application only, is the Red Wizard of Thay. (which is closely tied to a very specific organization too)

[Simian]

The above mentioned prestige classes affect all spell schools. So we are not dealing with some specific and localized skills, those apply to all magic the caster casts.

And Barbarian/Paladin works as a role-played character. Young Paladin goes to the world vanguish evil and becomes a Barbarian. Or other way around. Since alignments are not set on stone.

Doesn't having a badarse undead arm (Palemaster) kinda sorta gimp you as a Blood Magus? I mean... you are down to one arm that has blood in it.

You still got your other hand. And that Pale Master hand is either a skeleton or a mummy arm.

[TheVoid]

This kind of discussion is a deadhorse topic. QC and the DMs approve all the classes that come into the game and we with the talent of the QC's look at all the combinations that can be made by certain criteria:

1. Is it an absurd PB and I stress "absurd" since what the players consider a PB in general consensus is NOTHING how these classes get introduced to us before we nerf the shit out of it.

2. Does the new class and its possible combinations cause issues with relevant lore or HOW WE THE STAFF PERCEIVE THE LORE? We check if the most LIKELY combinations will be to far fetched because as we all know the above is what makes any class combination attractive to most players.

Frankly, this is not a discussion to really have with the community moreso the DMs and QC. If you want the reasons WHY we left these cross class combinations available talk to us first before assuming we are too stupid to understand how the lore of magic/wizardry/PRC's in the realms and in this PW which is obviously a hybrid of PNP, NWN2, and our own HOMEBREW RULES.