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T O P I C    R E V I E W
Copper Elven Vampire Posted - 19 Jul 2018 : 13:16:50
The Shadowmage:

Some spellcasters who discover the existence of the Plane of Shadow learn how to tap directly into its power using the weave, altering their magic slowly to take advantage of its effects. Others are more reckless, hurling themselves into the mysteries of shadow magic immediately to acquire all the gifts available to the casual student and discover secrets unavailable to all but the most dedicated. These latter spellcasters are the shadowmages, who make great sacrifices with respect to some aspects of the Art in order to reap greater benefits elsewhere.

Most shadowmages were previously sorcerers or wizards, and these are the ones who stand to gain the greatest power from adopting this path. Any spellcaster can tap the Plane of Shadow through the Weave, however, and a few bards and beguilers have also been known to make this choice.

Requirements
To qualify to become a Shadowmage, a character must fulfill all the following criteria:

Alignment: Any non-good.
Skills: Knowledge (arcana) 8 ranks, Spellcraft 8 ranks, Knowledge (The Planes) 8 ranks.
Feats: Spell focus (Illusion, Enchantment or Necromancy)
Spellcasting: Ability to cast 3rd-level arcane spells.

Class Skills:
The shadowmage's class skills are Bluff, Concentration, Craft, Disguise, Hide, Knowledge (all skills taken individually), Profession, and SpellCraft.

Skill Points at Each Level: 2 + Int modifier.

Class Features
All the following are Class Features of the shadow adept prestige class.

Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Shadowmages gain no proficiency with any weapon, armor, or shield. Armor check penalties for armor heavier than leather apply to the skills Balance, Climb, Escape Artist, Hide, Jump, Move Silently, Sleight of Hand, and Tumble, and double the normal armor check penalty applies to Swim checks.

Spells per Day/Spells Known: When a new shadowmage level is gained, the character gains new spells per day (and spells known, if applicable) as if he had also gained a level in whatever spellcasting class granted him access to 3rd-level spells before he added the prestige class. He does not, however, gain any other benefit a character of that class would have gained (bonus metamagic or item creation feats, and so on), except for an increased effective level of spellcasting. This essentially means that he adds the level of shadowmage to the level of whatever other spellcasting class granted him access to 3rd-level spells, then determines spells per day, spells known, and caster level accordingly.

If a character had more than one spellcasting class that granted access to 3rd-level spells before he became a shadowmage, he must decide to which class he adds each level of shadowmage for the purpose of determining spells per day and spells known.

Advanced Shadow Magic: Starting at 1st level, from now on, your spells tap the Plane of Shadow directly through the Weave.

The saving throw for every spell you cast from the schools of enchantment, illusion, and necromancy increases by +2. You also get a +2 bonus on caster level checks to overcome spell resistance with spells from these schools.

Shadow Magic proves less than optimal for effects involving energy or matter. Your effective caster level for spells you cast from the schools of evocation or transmutation (except spells with the shadow or darkness descriptor) is reduced by one.

Shadow Mastery (Ex): At 1st level a shadowmage automatically adds two shadow spells to his spellbook every time he gains a level that grants access to a new spell level. Furthermore, any time the shadowmage learns a new shadow spell, he treats that spell as if he had mastered it with the Spell Mastery feat.

Darkvision (Ex): At 2nd level, a shadowmage can see in the dark as though he were permanently affected by a darkvision spell. If the shadowmage already has darkvision, then its range is doubled..

Shadow Defense (Ex): At 3rd level, a shadowmage gains resistance to the kinds of spells that are favored by Shadow Magic. He gains a +2 bonus on saving throws against spells from the schools of enchantment, illusion, and necromancy, as well as spells with the shadow or darkness descriptor.

Shield of Shadows (Su): A shadowmage of at least 4th level can surround himself with a globe of purple-black force as a standard action. This shield of shadows functions like a shield spell, granting him a +4 shield bonus to AC and absorbing magic missiles cast at him. In addition, the shield of shadows provides concealment (50% miss chance) against melee and ranged attacks. The shadowmage can see and reach through the shield, so it does not provide cover or concealment to opponents. The shadowmage may use a shield of shadows for up to 1 round per caster level per day. This duration need not be consecutive - the shadowmage may break it up into increments as small as 1 round if he so desires. Creating or dismissing the shield of shadows is a swift action. When the shadowmage reaches 8th level, the shield also grants him spell resistance equal to 12 + his shadowmage level, as if he were under the effect of a spell resistance spell.

Deadly Shade (Sp): At 5th level the shadowmage creates tendrils of darkness that flow from the ground like smoke, filling the area with writhing, shifting darkness. The area of deadly shade is filled with shadowy illumination, as per darkness. In addition, each time you use this SLA you decide if you wish the spell to deal or absorb damage.

If you choose to deal damage, anyone within the area who suffers hit point damage from any source must make a Fortitude save. Failure indicates that the subject gains a negative level. Success prevents the negative level, but if the individual is damaged again within the area, he must attempt a new save. These negative levels fade in 1 hour per caster level, and they never cause permanent level loss.

If you choose instead to have the deadly shade absorb damage, all creatures within the area gain DR 4/- and energy resistance 4 against all energy types. (This stacks with other forms of resistance or other sources that grant DR X/-.) This SLA takes a standard action and has a range of 25 ft. + 5 ft./2 levels, an area of 30-ft.-radius emanation, and lasts 1 round/level. A Fort save negates and the target can use its SR if it has any.

Clinging Darkness {Sp): At 6th level you cause shadows to ooze out of the floors, the walls, even the air, filling the area with wisps of writhing blackness. Creatures within the area become coated in these clinging shadows.

Any creature within the area affected by this SLA, or that enters the area on its turn, must make a Reflex save or become immobilized.

Each round on its turn, an immobilized subject can attempt a new saving throw to end the condition. Because of the subject’s condition, this save is a full-round action (but does not provoke attacks of opportunity). If an immobilized subject succeeds on its save, it still needs to save again at the start of its next turn in order to avoid succumbing to the darkness again. This SLA takes a standard action and has a range of 25 ft. + 5 ft./2 levels, an area of 20-ft.-radius emanation, and lasts 1 round/level. A Ref save negates and the target can use its SR if it has any.

Superior Darkvision (Su): At 7th level, a shadowmage can see through any form of normal or magical darkness without hindrance.

Tomb of Night (Sp): At 8th level the shadowmage can solidify extraplanar shadow, creating a solid prison of darkness. This SLA immobilizes the subject in a prison of shadowstuff. This prison blocks both line of effect and line of sight to the creature inside it, and is impenetrable from the outside. The creature inside the prison takes 3d6 points of cold damage at the beginning of each round that it remains inside the prison.

Once each round as a standard action, a creature caught in the prison can attempt a Fortitude saving throw against the spell’s original DC to break out of the prison. Success means that the creature can move out of the prison, and the prison fades to nothingness. Failure means that the creature gains one negative level. This SLA takes a standard action and has a range of 25 ft. + 5 ft./2 levels, it can affect one Huge or smaller creature and lasts 1 round/level. A Fort save negates and the target can use its SR if it has any.

Ephemeral Storm (Su): At 9th level, anytime the shadowmage is reduced to 0 hitpoints the air explodes with shadowy tendrils that slice like blades. Targets of ephemeral storm must make a Fortitude save or die. Those who succeed take 5d6 points of damage. If the targets fail their save and die, then the shadowmage absorbs all targets remaining hitpoints at the time of their death until she reaches her full max hitpoints. If the targets succeed at a Fortitude save, then the shadowmage heals the 5d6 points of damage instead. This supernatural ability has a range of 25 ft. + 5 ft./2 levels centered on the shadowmage, and targets one living creature/2 levels, no two of which are more than 20 ft. apart. A Fort save grants partial and the target can use its SR if it has any.

Shadow Double (Su): Once per day, a 10th-level shadowmage can use a standard action to create a double of himself woven from shadowstuff. The double has the ability scores, base AC, hit points, saves, and attack bonuses of its creator, but no equipment. (Any apparent clothing or equipment is nonfunctional.) Since it can use anything its creator can, the double can attack the creator's enemies if given a weapon or item with which to do so. Alternatively, it can function as the target of a project image spell, duplicating the creator's actions and functioning as the origin of the creator's spells when it is within his direct line of sight. Mentally commanding the double is a free action. Using it as the originator of a spell counts as an action of the sort needed to cast the spell for both the creator and the double. Causing either the creator or the double to leave the plane they share dismisses the double.

The double lasts 1 round per caster level. The death of the double does not affect the shadowmage or vice versa. If its creator dies, the shadow double still lasts until its duration expires.

Shadowmage	Hit Dice: d4
CL	BAB	Fort	Ref	Will	Special	Spells per Day
1st	+0	+0	+0	+2	Advanced shadow magic	+1 level of existing spellcasting class
2nd	+1	+0	+0	+3	Darkvision	                        +1 level of existing spellcasting class
3rd	+1	+1	+1	+3	Shadow defense +2	        +1 level of existing spellcasting class
4th	+2	+1	+1	+4	Shield of shadows	        +1 level of existing spellcasting class
5th	+2	+1	+1	+4	Deadly Shade	                +1 level of existing spellcasting class
6th	+3	+2	+2	+5	Clinging darkness	        +1 level of existing spellcasting class
7th	+3	+2	+2	+5	Superior darkvision	        +1 level of existing spellcasting class
8th	+4	+2	+2	+6	Tomb of night	                +1 level of existing spellcasting class
9th	+4	+3	+3	+6	Ephemeral storm	        +1 level of existing spellcasting class
10th	+5	+3	+3	+7	Shadow double	                +1 level of existing spellcasting class
18   L A T E S T    R E P L I E S    (Newest First)
Copper Elven Vampire Posted - 27 Sep 2019 : 22:36:43
Test gaming this PrC tomorrow evening for the first time as is. Any and all suggestions are welcomed. And LOB... it's deff NOT the Shadow Adept class with a few minor changes, as I think you posted above.
LordofBones Posted - 09 Aug 2018 : 03:21:15
"Rad Weave."

Wonderful, now I have this mental image of the Red Wizards being hippies while Szass gets high on undead weed.
sleyvas Posted - 09 Aug 2018 : 01:08:54
Etienne D'Ambreville made similar arguments about using a strange device that provided energy in Mystara, but only after he became an immortal named Rad. Maybe its not the Red Weave, maybe its the Rad weave and maybe its fueled by the Athora beneath Thaymount just like "The Radiance" found in Glantri that Etienne was studying.
The Masked Mage Posted - 08 Aug 2018 : 16:04:36
Yeah - red weave makes no sense. First, you would have to assume that they did something as powerful as Karsus' Avatar spell, but were more intelligent and more wise and could actually manage the control of it all. No evidence of this at all.
Wooly Rupert Posted - 08 Aug 2018 : 10:01:25
I would say the better question is what's going to stop some deity from trying to seize control of this theoretical Red Weave?
LordofBones Posted - 08 Aug 2018 : 05:02:53
What makes the Red Wizards so special that they deserve a Weave of their very own over everyone else?

There are arguments to made as to why the Weave should be divorced from divinity (mostly because Mystra dies every edition), but not why the Red Wizards should have their own super-special power source.
Thraskir Skimper Posted - 08 Aug 2018 : 04:16:30
I've been pondering a Red Weave outside the Mystra or Even Divinity controlled Weaves. A Red Weave for Red Wizards. Free of gods, free of controls, free of restrictions other than being able to access it.
Copper Elven Vampire Posted - 21 Jul 2018 : 03:32:04
quote:
Originally posted by The Masked Mage

2nd Ed. The glory days before the coming of the dreaded WOTC monster.



I hear that!! I miss 2ed, but like the mechanics of 3.5ed. The Shadowmage I'm going for is inspired by the 2ed Shadow Mage actually.
The Masked Mage Posted - 21 Jul 2018 : 03:22:40
2nd Ed. The glory days before the coming of the dreaded WOTC monster.
Copper Elven Vampire Posted - 20 Jul 2018 : 22:15:52
quote:
Originally posted by The Masked Mage

quote:
Originally posted by Copper Elven Vampire

quote:
Originally posted by The Masked Mage

There was also the multiclass character type in Wizards and Rogues of the Realms


What are the names of said multiclass character types? I'm intrigued. Thank you.



Shadow Walkers - Not actually multiclass, kind of half way between wizard and rogue. This is the Flavor Text that introduced the new class.

It is with some trepidation that I begin this chapter of the book. Long ago, I swore an oath of loyalty and secrecy to what is known by outsiders as the Guild of Shadows, and there are doubtless some among that order who will consider this essay treasonous. Still, no accounting of the rogues of Toril would be complete without the inclusion of the shadow walker. Of their general abilities I believe I can speak without placing a price on my head, and some of their most fascinating and special powers too. Beyond that, I shall make it a point to reveal none of the secrets of the shadow walkers: of their other identities or their political agendas or places where they may be found.
Doubtless they keep many other secrets than I shall reveal, for their powers are not altogether apparent, and I am not one of them (as far as you know). The shadow walkers take their name from the eldest of their order who called himself the Living Shadow. He is said to have been sired by a creature from the Demiplane of Shadow, but none can say for certain if that is true. Indeed, only those shadow walkers who are indisputably loyal to the Living Shadow have laid eyes upon him, so he may be nothing more than a fabrication.
For my part, I think he is quite real, but I may be prejudiced in the matter. What is it that makes the shadow walkers most different from the rest of the world’s rogues?
On the surface, one might say that it is their use of magic, but in truth there is much more. The shadow walkers are an unusual people who have sworn to use the talents of the thief and the magic of darkness to avenge the wronged and to battle evil. Under cover of darkness, they act as a vigilante force and strike at criminals and wrongdoers who, for one reason or another, have escaped traditional justice.
This is not to say that they are without flaw. No, the history of the shadow walkers includes several who have attempted to use the powers that we possess for evil, and great destruction followed them wherever they went. These are thankfully rare, however, for the mental disciplines required to master the shadow walker’s talents are found only among those of strong will and good character.
—From the journals of Athanial the Wind



Is that 5ED? I play 3.5 only. Shadow-Walker was a template in 3.5 with a CR +1 though it should have been higher at like a +2.
The Masked Mage Posted - 20 Jul 2018 : 20:38:56
quote:
Originally posted by Copper Elven Vampire

quote:
Originally posted by The Masked Mage

There was also the multiclass character type in Wizards and Rogues of the Realms


What are the names of said multiclass character types? I'm intrigued. Thank you.



Shadow Walkers - Not actually multiclass, kind of half way between wizard and rogue. This is the Flavor Text that introduced the new class.

It is with some trepidation that I begin this chapter of the book. Long ago, I swore an oath of loyalty and secrecy to what is known by outsiders as the Guild of Shadows, and there are doubtless some among that order who will consider this essay treasonous. Still, no accounting of the rogues of Toril would be complete without the inclusion of the shadow walker. Of their general abilities I believe I can speak without placing a price on my head, and some of their most fascinating and special powers too. Beyond that, I shall make it a point to reveal none of the secrets of the shadow walkers: of their other identities or their political agendas or places where they may be found.
Doubtless they keep many other secrets than I shall reveal, for their powers are not altogether apparent, and I am not one of them (as far as you know). The shadow walkers take their name from the eldest of their order who called himself the Living Shadow. He is said to have been sired by a creature from the Demiplane of Shadow, but none can say for certain if that is true. Indeed, only those shadow walkers who are indisputably loyal to the Living Shadow have laid eyes upon him, so he may be nothing more than a fabrication.
For my part, I think he is quite real, but I may be prejudiced in the matter. What is it that makes the shadow walkers most different from the rest of the world’s rogues?
On the surface, one might say that it is their use of magic, but in truth there is much more. The shadow walkers are an unusual people who have sworn to use the talents of the thief and the magic of darkness to avenge the wronged and to battle evil. Under cover of darkness, they act as a vigilante force and strike at criminals and wrongdoers who, for one reason or another, have escaped traditional justice.
This is not to say that they are without flaw. No, the history of the shadow walkers includes several who have attempted to use the powers that we possess for evil, and great destruction followed them wherever they went. These are thankfully rare, however, for the mental disciplines required to master the shadow walker’s talents are found only among those of strong will and good character.
—From the journals of Athanial the Wind
Copper Elven Vampire Posted - 20 Jul 2018 : 20:15:03
quote:
Originally posted by The Masked Mage

There was also the multiclass character type in Wizards and Rogues of the Realms


What are the names of said multiclass character types? I'm intrigued. Thank you.
The Masked Mage Posted - 20 Jul 2018 : 05:45:01
You seem very into shadows.

I recommend both Crypt of the Shadowking and its sequel Curse of the Shadowmage.
If you like tales of the Malaugrym, read Ed's Shadow of the Avatar trilogy.
Then there are all of the many Erevis Cale novels and short stories.

All of these tell tales set in the Forgotten Realms of shadow-based-magic that are not related to the shadow weave (although Shar is featured prominently in the Erevis Cale books as well).
The Masked Mage Posted - 20 Jul 2018 : 05:13:52
There was also the multiclass character type in Wizards and Rogues of the Realms
LordofBones Posted - 20 Jul 2018 : 03:36:55
Shadowcraft Mage and Shadowcrafter also work.
sleyvas Posted - 20 Jul 2018 : 02:18:43
Look at the Tome of Magic. Look into possibly using the shadowcaster, and if you're looking to have them also have wizard spells, the prestige class of noctumancer. This would give the person literally studying magic of the plane of shadow rather than "the shadow weave", and also give them normal wizard spellcasting ability. It also turns the person into something of a counterspell persona. I've never played with the build, but it might be useful with the various counterspell builds for 3e (and possibly archmage things like mastery of counterspelling, improved counterspell, reactive counterspell, etc...)
Copper Elven Vampire Posted - 19 Jul 2018 : 19:49:10
quote:
Originally posted by LordofBones

This is literally the Shadow Adept class with Shadow Weapon in place of a bonus feat. The hell?



Yepp, sure is. I wanted a shadow mage that didn't rely on the shadow weave or shar. I changed it up and it works quite nice as a substitute for those who would rather draw power from the Plane of Shadow then Shar's shadow weave.
LordofBones Posted - 19 Jul 2018 : 16:33:07
This is literally the Shadow Adept class with Shadow Weapon in place of a bonus feat. The hell?

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