u/InsanityVirus13

I'm playing in a Greek-style campaign soon, and since we'll be traveling a lot through different islands, I've wanted to make a pirate-like character. The DM has confirmed to us that we're going to be reaching level 20 in this campaign, even if there's the occasional level/time skips.

The build I got going currently is a Mark of Storm Half-Elf, who's an Open Seas Paladin to our Poseidon equivalent, and a Fathomless Warlock. I'm very much going for a Watery/Cold spell-blade deal here.

Main problem is, IDK if I should go more Warlock or Paladin levels. I'm mainly going for the extra spell slots for Smite, and the Pact of the Blade feature. I also like some of the features Fathomless gives in its spells, and the oceanic shit like free swim speed and water breathing.

I'd also like to be able to be able to possibly be able to summon Elementals - from either Warlock or my race - as extra hands can always help on the battlefield, though that's not a major necessity. I just have a love for elementals, lol.

For extra tidbits that may help;

• We're starting at level 3, my current split is Paladin 1 / Fathomless Warlock 2.
• I've started as a Paladin for the Heavy Armor proficiency.
• Feat/ASI losses aren't a problem, as we have a homebrew rule. Every even level we get a +1 ASI increase, and the normal level-up levels (4, 8, etc.) we gets feats only, half-feats included. We also get a free 1st level feat.
• My current stat-line up is as follows
  • STR: 18
  • DEX: 11
  • CON: 16
  • INT: 13
  • WIS: 14
  • CHA: 19
  • Free Feat: Tavern Brawler (likely, not the most optimal, but I enjoy it + feels pirate-y)

Any suggestions for the level split would be appreciated! Mainly looking for optimization, as I am currently taking into consideration the story/RP aspects, on my own.

This is my 2nd year in community college, and I'm about one more year before getting my Associate's degree. I've been going slow for various reasons, but have been pretty happy as a B average student. (Current GPA is 2.9, due to 2 D's last semester from History courses). I'm going for a degree in Graphic Design/Art, and plan to transfer next semester to a 4-year to go for my Bachelor's as well.

I'm currently taking Statistics, and I've always struggled a lot in math, so I'm not surprised this class has kicked my ass 10 ways from Sunday. Even if I somehow got a 100% on the final - which is next to impossible - I'm pretty positive I'd still fail the class, unless my professor did some funky stuff with my grade.

My question, do I retake the class for a forgiveness grade, or do I take a different class that would still count towards my degree like geometry? (Unsure if that would be any less difficult) I'm unsure which would look better on the transcript, or if I passed Geometry that it would still give the forgiveness grade for Statistics.

Any advice on dealing with a failed class is also appreciated. I've gotten D's at times - both in college and in high school - and even had 2 withdrawals, but I've never flat out failed a class before. I know it's not, but it feels like the world is ending and I've turned into a failure. Also fearing for my financial aid a bit, even if my dad is saying one failed class isn't going to kill it.

Thank you for the help in advance, and thanks for reading!