Eldritch Spellmaster (3.5e Prestige Class)

Eldritch Spellmaster

Eldritch Spellmasters are those mages that people are unwilling to even speak of. Through researching strange and ancient texts, scrolls or ruins and sometimes even by ripping the knowledge from the minds of enemies he defeated an Eldritch Spellmaster gains insights into the workings of magic lesser spellcasters could not even comprehend, much less use. Through those insights they not only gain potent new abilities but also develop one of their latent magical abilities allowing them to use a different path to gaining arcane might aside from their primary "school" of spellcasting.

Becoming an Eldritch Spellmaster

Characters pursuing this class often want to become more versatile with their arcane spellcasting and become more powerful mages in general. Important abilities are the key abilities of their arcane spell casting classes.

Entry Requirements

Skills:	Spellcrat 12 ranks, Knowledge (Arcane) 12 ranks
Feats:	Practiced spellcaster (Complete Arcane)
Spellcasting:	Ability to cast 5th level spells from one Arcane class and 1st level spells from a second arcane class.

Table: The Eldritch Spellmaster

Hit Die: d4

Level	Base Attack Bonus	Saving Throws			Special	Spellcasting
		Fort	Ref	Will
1st	+0	+0	+0	+2	Ancient Spell-lore, Detect Magic	+1 irst existing arcane class/+1 second existing arcane class
2nd	+1	+0	+0	+3	Mastered Spell (1st)	+1 first existing arcane class/+1 second existing arcane class
3rd	+1	+1	+1	+3	Forgotten Lore, Spell Boost I	+1 first existing arcane class/+1 second existing arcane class
4th	+2	+1	+1	+4	Mirror Sight, Spell Dilettante I	+1 first existing arcane class/+1 second existing arcane class
5th	+2	+1	+1	+4	Mastered Spell (2nd), Sense Thoughts	+1 first existing arcane class/+1 second existing arcane class
6th	+3	+2	+2	+5	Forgotten Lore, Powerful Presence, Spell Boost II	+1 first existing arcane class/+1 second existing arcane class
7th	+3	+2	+2	+5	Mastered Spell (3rd)	+1 first existing arcane class/+1 second existing arcane class
8th	+4	+2	+2	+6	Eldritch Fury, Sense Danger, Spell Dilettante II	+1 first existing arcane class/+1 second existing arcane class
9th	+4	+3	+3	+6	Forgotten Lore, Spell Boost III	+1 first existing arcane class/+1 second existing arcane class
10th	+5	+3	+3	+7	Mastery of the Name, Power Word: Kill 1/day	+1 first existing arcane class/+1 second existing arcane class
Class Skills (4 + Int modifier per level) Concentration(Con), Craft(Int), Decipher Script(Int), Knowledge(Any)(Int), Search(Int), Spellcraft(Int), Use Magic Device(Cha)

Class Features

All of the following are class features of the Eldritch Spellmaster.

Spellcasting: When taking the first level in this prestige class you choose one of your arcane spellcasting classes. That class becomes your main class, which gains new spells per day, an increase in caster level, etc. at each level of this prestige class as if you had gained a level in that class. This choice cannot be changed. You also choose a secondary class or which you gain the same benefits. The choice of the secondary class can be changed each time you aquire a new level in this prestige class.

Ancient Spell-lore: Through your research you gain knowledge of various new applications of arcane power. Some of them might be beyond your current capability to use, but you still strive to learn and understand them, knowing that gaining the power to use them is just a matter of time. At every level of this prestige class you learn 1 spell of every level (you still can not cast it if you don't have an appropriate slot available) from both your primary and secondary arcane class.

Detect Magic (Sp): You become so attuned to the ebb and flow of magic that you can sense even their slightest disturbance. You can use Detect Magic as the spell at will as a spell-like ability. (You can always sense the first round effects, 2nd round effects are gained in the 1st round of concentration, etc.)

Mastered Spell (Sp): The countless hours you spent reading secret manuscripts and extracting informations from your prisoners payed off. You have mastered the use o a single spell, learning all there is to kno about it. At 2nd, 5th and 7th level of this prestige class you gain the ability to use one spell of the appropriate level (as shown in the class's table) as a spell-like ability usable once per round. The Save DC equals 10+ your level in this class + the key spellcasting ability score modifier of your primary class.

Sense Thoughts (Su): Your attunement to magic increases so, that you now can sense even the traces in the flow of magic left by the surface thoughts of creatures that surround you. You can sense thoughts (As per the Detect Thoughts spell) of creature within 30 feet of you.

Forgotten Lore: Through your secret studies you have gained insight into a ield of magic that has been long forgotten by lesser beings. You gain one of the following benefits: any metamagic feat, Dark Speech (Book of Vile Darkness), Words of Creations (Book of Exalted Deeds) or any magic themed feat approved by your DM.

Spell Boost: By learning the mysterious ways of spellcasting known only to a select few individuals you gain the power to cast more potent spells than usual. You gain 1 (2 at 6th level and 3 at 9th level) spell slots of 1 level higher than the current maximum level of spells you can cast. You can use those spell slots to cast 1 chosen spell of that level learned from the Ancient Spell-lore class feature. If you can cast 9th level spells you can cast 1 hosen spell affected by a metamagic feat gained from the Forgotten Lore class feature. Alternatively you can learn one epic spell of a casting Spellcraft DC no larger than what you could easily cast (10 + your spellcraft modificator).

Mirror Sight (Su): In your everlasting quest for knowledge and power you stumble upon a technique called "Mirror Sight" allowing you to scry on others effortlesslyYou can use a mirror (or another still, reflective surface) to communicate or scry with/on a person you know (or if you hold an item that's conected to her, like a strand of hair, a nail, her favourite brush, etc.) You have to be on the same plane as your target and she is standing near a mirror or a still, reflective surface. The target can detect your scry sensor as usual. You can also scry or communicate through any mirror you touched during the last week per level in this class.

Spell Dilettante: You know that versatility is the key to power. Thus you learn of new ways to cast spells others thought to be the sole domain of lerics or other inferior spellcasters Each time you gain this class ability you can choose one spellcasting class (either divine or arcane). From now on you can learn spells from that class as if they were arcane spells on your class's spell list.

Powerful Presence (Su): Creatures that look into your eyes can see the fire burning in your soul and the awe-inspiring power you command. You gain a gaze attack that causes creatures who look into you eyes to be shaken for 1d4 + 2 rounds. Affected creatures are entitled to a will save. The save DC is 5 + your level in this class + the key spellcasting ability score modifier of your primary class.

Eldritch Fury (Su): If you so choose you emanate with an aura of strange and twisted power and any creature that casts it's eyes upon you can sense the unimaginable power you posses and the eldritch secrets you know and fear overcomes it. Creatures of your choice that set eyes upon you must make a will save (DC 5 + your level in this class + the key spellcasting ability score modifier of your primary class) or be frightened for 1d3 rounds, after which they must repeat the save or be frightened for an additional 1d4 + 2 minutes.

Sense Danger (Su): Your prowess with magic allows you to sense nearby creatures taking hostile actions against you by the slight disturbances in the ebb of magic they create. If any creature within 120 feet takes a hostile action against you, you are instantly aware of it (you are not treated as flat footed unless you are helpless) and the creature's precise location, race, appearance and name.

Mastery of the Name (Su): You have mastered your very nature, forging a great bond with who you are. You are instantly aware of anyone that speaks your name. You know her location, appearance and name. For spell effects you are treated as if you knew that creature well and can scry on him with mirror sight if she is near a mirror or a still, reflective surface.

Power Word: Kill (Sp): Your arcane might is unrivalled. You can kill lesser beings with just one word that makes all who dare to oppose you tremble in fear. 1/day you can use the spell Power Word: Kill as a spell-like ability with a DC equal to 5 + your level in this class + the key spellcasting ability score modifier of your primary class. Unlike the spell however this ability can affect creatures of up to 250 hit points.

Eldritch Spellmasters in the World

Eldritch Spellmasters in your campaign world could be lonely wizards/sorcerers constantly seeking new knowledge. Alternatively an Eldritch Spellmaster might gather some minions who gather artifacts and knowledge for him while he remains at his tower conducting research. All but the most powerful individuals speak about an Eldritch Spellmaster in hushed tones, trying to avoid any mention of him if possible for fear of his terrible wrath.

Typically Eldritch Spellmasters tend to avoid one another, knowing that a confrontation between them would probably result in widespread destruction. Rarely a few Eldritch Spellmasters may ally themselves with each other creating a powerful cabal, whose influence can extend even to other planes.

Ex-Eldritch Spellmasters

Playing an Eldritch Spellmaster

Combat:

Advancement:

Resources:

Eldritch Spellmasters in the World

“

"What is with all these dullards?" -Lord Huff, Illumined One

”

NPC Reactions:

Eldritch Spellmaster Lore

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

DC	Result
11	.
16	.
21	.
26	.

Eldritch Spellmasters in the Game

Adaptation:

Sample Encounter:

EL whatever:

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