Barrier Mage (3.5e Class)

Barrier Mage

Barrier Mages believe in using magic to protect rather than cause harm, but are not above it. Their natural magic allows them to protect not only themselves, but those they care for as well.

Making a Barrier Mage

The Barrier Mage uses its own set of spells to form protective barriers and seals. Any barrier follows a set rule that cannot be easily broken unless a condition is fulfilled or overpowered by another's mental fortitude. Often though barriers are used to protect allies in danger of damage rather than affect enemies.

Abilities: Wis is their key modifier for bonus spells, their max spells they can learn, is the key for DC against these spells. Barrier Mage will benefit from high Dex and Con scores.

Races: Any race capable of spellcasting.

Alignment: Any lawful.

Starting Age: Complex

Table: The Barrier Mage

Hit Die: d4

Level	Base Attack Bonus	Saving Throws			Special	Spells per Day
		Fort	Ref	Will		0	1^st	2^nd	3^rd	4^th	5^th	6^th	7^th	8^th	9^th
1st	+0	+0	+0	+2	Barrier Construction, Immediate Defense, Barrier Tile, Barrier Shield +2, Personal Shield	∞	3	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2nd	+1	+0	+0	+3		∞	4	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
3rd	+1	+1	+1	+3	Barrier Reader, Barrier Shield +3, Spiritual Sight	∞	5	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
4th	+2	+1	+1	+4	Barrier Shaper	∞	6	3	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
5th	+2	+1	+1	+4	Bonus Feat	∞	6	4	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
6th	+3	+2	+2	+5	Wise Minded, Barrier Shield +4	∞	6	5	3	—	—	—	—	—	—
7th	+3	+2	+2	+5	Skilled Casting	∞	6	6	4	—	—	—	—	—	—
8th	+4	+2	+2	+6	Barrier Surfer	∞	6	6	5	3	—	—	—	—	—
9th	+4	+3	+3	+6	Barrier Shield +5	∞	6	6	6	4	—	—	—	—	—
10th	+5	+3	+3	+7	Dual Caster, Bonus Feat	∞	6	6	6	5	3	—	—	—	—
11th	+5	+3	+3	+7		∞	6	6	6	6	4	—	—	—	—
12th	+6/+1	+4	+4	+8	Barrier Shield +6	∞	6	6	6	6	5	3	—	—	—
13th	+6/+1	+4	+4	+8		∞	6	6	6	6	6	4	—	—	—
14th	+7/+2	+4	+4	+9	Sky Walk	∞	6	6	6	6	6	5	3	—	—
15th	+7/+2	+5	+5	+9	Bonus Feat, Barrier Shield +7	∞	6	6	6	6	6	6	4	—	—
16th	+8/+3	+5	+5	+10		∞	6	6	6	6	6	6	5	3	—
17th	+8/+3	+5	+5	+10		∞	6	6	6	6	6	6	6	4	—
18th	+9/+4	+6	+6	+11	Barrier Shield +8	∞	6	6	6	6	6	6	6	5	3
19th	+9/+4	+6	+6	+11		∞	6	6	6	6	6	6	6	6	4
20th	+10/+5	+6	+6	+12	Undeniable Law, Bonus Feat	∞	6	6	6	6	6	6	6	6	6
Class Skills 2 + Int modifier per level, ×4 at 1st level) Concentration (Con), Craft (Int), Decipher Script (Int), Knowledge (Arcana) (Int), Knowledge (all skills, taken individually) (Int), Profession (Wis), Spellcraft (Int), Sense Motive (Wis).

Class Features

All of the following are class features of the Barrier Mage.

Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Barrier Mages are proficient with all simple weapons, light and one-handed martial weapons, and shields (including tower shields). A barrier mage can cast barrier mage spells while wielding any shield without incurring the normal arcane spell failure chance, and treating the arm as free for the purpose of somatic components. However, like any other arcane spellcaster, a barrier mage wearing armor incurs a chance of arcane spell failure if the spell in question has a somatic component. A multiclass barrier mage still incurs the normal arcane spell failure chance for arcane spells received from other classes.

Spells: Barrier magic uses the power of the spirit to use quick defensive spells when needed most. They use Wis as their key modifier for saves and bonus spells per day. Barrier Mages choose their spells from the Barrier magic. Spells for the Barrier Mage work like tier's so as they get access to their level 2 spells they know how to use all spells for that level, so on and so forth. Barrier Mages cast spells like Arcane Spellcasters and therefore are restricted by an armors arcane percent chance failure. All Barrier Magic only requires somatic components to cast. The Difficulty Class for a saving throw against a barrier mage's spell is 10 + the spell level + the barrier mage's Wisdom modifier.

Barrier Construction: The basic ability required to make barriers. At level 1 it gives you access to use of Barrier Magic, and every 5 level of Barrier Mage you choose to either increase a physical style barrier or wall's hardness by 5 or a magical style barriers SR by 5. The choice must be made on leveling.

Immediate Defense((Su)): Immediate Defense allows you to cast non-offensive Barrier Magic at immediate speed only before your opponent makes their attack rolls or before saves (example Fireball) are made. This ability effects spell levels equal to one-third your caster level (minimum one).

Barrier Tile ((Sp)): As a standard action the barrier mage can conjure a 5 ft square of force anywhere within 30 ft. This acts like wall of force and can be oriented in any direction. However it is not invulnerable possessing 5 hp/level, can hold up to 200 lbs/level, or can be moved at half speed with a DC 20 Strength check. A check of +10 or more completely shatters the tile. Like wall of force it is destroyed if hit by disintegrate. If the tile is destroyed (rather than dismissed) you cannot create another one for 5 rounds. Otherwise it is immobile. You can only have one in existence at a time with new tiles dispelling the old one, and determine if you want it clear, colored, or opaque.

Barrier Shield ((Su)): With the same action to draw a weapon, you can conjure a shield made out of force into your hand. This acts as a heavy shield granting a +2 shield bonus. You may use it as a typical shield, including shield bashing, and if dropped it vanishes after 1 round. At 3rd level and every three levels beyond the shield bonus increases by +1, and when you hit +4 bonus at 6th you may also treat it as a tower shield when beneficial.

The barrier shield may be enhanced as if it were a masterwork shield by enhancing one's arm with magic runes. It counts as a magic weapon and does not require an initial +1 bonus to enhance, and in fact can only take on special abilities and not straight enhancement bonuses to shield AC.

Personal Shield ((Su)): A barrier mage is surrounded by a protective force innately, which grants 2 temporary hp/level that stacks with other forms of temporary hp. The temporary hp is lost first. If the barrier mage remains undamaged for 5 rounds, their personal shield repairs any damage it has taken.

Barrier Reader ((Su)): Knowledge of creating barriers has also given you the ability to detect and identify them. Upon getting 15ft from any circle of protection or zone spell, you are instantly noted of a protective field in the area, allowing an instant Knowledge Arcana check to identify the type of barrier. The level, or strength of the barrier may also be found using a separate roll. (DM's be fair here)

Barrier Shaper ((Su)): As a Barrier Mage Grows in power, so does his ability to control the shape of his barriers. At 4th level, whenever casting a cubic barrier, a Barrier Mage can cast it as a full round action to alter the size of the barrier. He made choose to subtract a certain amount of feet from the total area and add it to other dimensions. For example, Gregore wishes to make a taller than average barrier, so instead of having a 15x15x15 foot cube, he may make it a 5x10x25 ft rectangle. He may never go fewer than five feet in any given dimension, and he must spend feet in units of five. The Barrier Mage may try to use this ability as part of his immediate defense, but he must make a DC 20 Concentration check. If he fails, all numeric bonuses of the barrier are cut in half, rounded down. At 8th level, the Barrier Mage may use this ability as part of the spells standard action casting time.

Spiritual Sight ((Su)):At 3rd level, a Barrier Mage benefits at all times from Arcane Sight and may suppress or activate this ability as a free action(mental).

Wise Minded: As a Barrier Mage learns to focus their power, their concentration soon follows. At level 6 the Barrier Mage changes their Concentration 'Key Ability'(Con) to Wis.

Bonus Feats: At level 5, level 10, level 15 and level 20, Barrier Mages gain a bonus feat, they must still meet the prerequisites for these feats.

Skilled Casting ((Su)): Your Practice with Somatic Components in a spell complete, you can use the exact same hand motion for any spell you cast with a somatic component,making it near impossible to correctly identify. Spellcraft Checks on said spells is increased by 10.

Barrier Surfer ((Su)): At level 8, the Barrier Mage gains the ability to move any barrier they have created and move the barrier up to the casters base land speed instead of using their move action once per round.

Dual Caster: You now have 2 immediate actions per turn but only for use with Immediate Defense, giving you the capability of creating up to two barriers during your opponents attacks allowing extra chances to defend yourself and your party. This bonus in immediate actions increases by 1 once an Epic level is gained in Barrier mage, due to their renown knowledge and skill gained throughout their adventures.

Sky Walk ((Su)): at 14th level as you walk, small barrier tiles automatically form underneath you. Because they are suspended, you can walk in the air as if under constant air walk. In addition as a standard action you can grant this ability to all allies within 30 ft of you. However they must remain within 30 ft of you (ending their turns in range if you move away) or they will fall.

Undeniable Law ((Su)): Within the confines of your barriers your word is that of a god, and all inside must obey your law. Whilst inside the confines(or zone) of any kinda of barrier cast by a barrier mage with the ability 'Undeniable Law', all creatures inside act as though they were under the effect of the spell Suggestion, causing the creatures within a barrier to have to make a Will save to attack or directly harm or weaken a barrier they are in, in any way. A creature that succeeds this save becomes immune to the effects of 'Undeniable Law' for 1D2 turns there after, even if a new barrier is created. Additionally, any Will save granted by your Barrier Magic is increased by twice their Barrier mage level.

Ex-Barrier Mages

A barrier mage who becomes non-lawful cannot advance as barrier mage but he retain all barrier mage abilities.

Like a member of any other class, a barrier mage may be a multiclass character, but multiclass barrier mages face a special restriction. A barrier mage who gains a new class or (if already multiclass) raises another class by a level may never again raise her barrier mage level, though she retains all her barrier mage abilities.

Epic Barrier Mage

Table: The Epic Barrier Mage

Hit Die: d4

Level	Special
21st
22nd
23rd	Bonus Feat
24th
25th
26th	Bonus Feat
27th
28th
29th	Bonus Feat
30th
2 + Int modifier skill points per level.

Human Barrier Mage Starting Package

Weapons: Longspear.

Feat: Toughness.

Bonus Feats: Weapon Focus Longspear .

Gear: Basic Robe, a backpack, bedroll, two days worth of water and trail rations.

Gold: 2d4+2.

Playing a Barrier Mage

Religion: Believes in the practice of Religion but doesn't always practice it themselves. They frown apon people who support chaotic gods, but are indifferent towards those gods themselves as they see them as part of the natural order

Other Classes: They usually like to partner up with more physical people, seeing them as good allies for their style of combat, but get along well with other spellcasters on most occasions.

Combat: Barrier Mages tend to stay in the back using shielding spells to protect the party from harm rather than be in the battle themselves.

Advancement: Oddly enough a barrier mage does well when multiclassing into any physical class such as the Fighter or Monk.

Barrier Mages in the World

"I'm sorry, maybe you should try harder." -Gregore Schleif, Human Barrier Mage after blocking a Power Word Kill spell.

Barrier Mages usually reside in more secluded places to practice their art in piece but it isn't uncommon for them to go out into the world to apply their practice in more intense situations, almost as a coming of age requirement. Some return after their journey is made while others decide to stay in the outside world and continue to aid others and live life as they see fit

Daily Life: Waking up and meditating, wandering around until something is found to be done, if not they end there day where they choose to stop and sleep, usually setting up a series of barriers to keep safe when alone.

Notables: Destail Riker was one of the first Barrier Mages to make contact with the outside world, using his powerful magic to aid many lands from then on. Most Barrier Mages know of his exploits and regard him as a hero.

Organizations: Secluded mountain and forest monasteries, where they practice in piece.

NPC Reactions: With Barrier Magic being uncommon, people often don't understand barrier magic but they don't disapprove of it, usually the response of first seeing a Barrier Mage in action is that of confusion.

Barrier Mage Lore

Characters with ranks in Knowledge Arcana can research The Barrier Mage to learn more about them. When a character makes a skill check, read or paraphrase the following, including information from lower DCs.

Knowledge Arcana

DC	Result
5	Barrier Mages make barriers.
10	Barrier Mages come from secluded locations to train.
15	Barrier Mages often spend years just to learn their practice.
20	Barrier magic can be used to seal away powerful demons and help any kind of growth.

Barrier Mages in the Game

Barrier Mages keep heavy hitters from taking out your heavy hitters.

Sample Encounter: A Barrier Mage is assisting a group to accomplish goals it finds justified.

EL : <-Encounter scenario and character info on sample NPC including stat block. The CR of the NPC is typically the same as the EL for the encounter.->.

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