Holy Magus (3.5e Prestige Class)

Holy Magus

“	Did you see that? I didn't think... Wow!	”
—, Human Cleric of Romena, After the miracle at Southbridge.

A Holy Magus is first and foremost a priest of his god. As his studies of the arcane and divine begin to dovetail, his magical abilities leap forward allowing him to cast spells of the highest levels as both a cleric and wizard. While nominally a part of the church, these often eccentric holy men are usually allowed to function outside the usual church hierarchy, making them ideally suited to adventuring.

Becoming a Holy Magus

Holy Magi are exceedingly rare priests with a talent for arcane magic. Due to the demanding entry requirements of the class only a handful of magi exist in any deity's service at one time. To qualify for entrance to the Holy order of Magi a character must be a devoted cleric of one of the gods and a reasonably advanced arcane caster with an advanced knowledge of religion, arcana and spellcraft. Most Magi are cleric/wizards but cleric/sorcerers and cleric/bards could both qualify with a little work.

Entry Requirements

Alignment:	Must match the patron deity exactly.
Skills:	Knowledge (religion) 13 ranks, Knowledge (arcana) 13 ranks, Spellcraft 13 ranks
Feats:	Any four metamagic feats.
Spellcasting:	Ability to cast 3rd level arcane spells and 3rd level divine spells.
Domains:	Magic and the alignment domain of their patron deity.

Table: The Holy Magus

Hit Die: d4

Level	Base Attack Bonus	Saving Throws			Special	Spellcasting
		Fort	Ref	Will
1st	+0	+0	+0	+2	Once a cleric	+1 level of existing arcane spellcasting class and divine spellcasting class
2nd	+1	+0	+0	+3	-	+1 level of existing arcane spellcasting class and divine spellcasting class
3rd	+1	+1	+1	+3	-	+1 level of existing arcane spellcasting class and divine spellcasting class
4th	+2	+1	+1	+4	-	+1 level of existing arcane spellcasting class and divine spellcasting class
5th	+2	+1	+1	+4	Blend the Source	+1 level of existing arcane spellcasting class and divine spellcasting class
6th	+3	+2	+2	+5	-	+1 level of existing arcane spellcasting class and divine spellcasting class
7th	+3	+2	+2	+5	-	+1 level of existing arcane spellcasting class and divine spellcasting class
8th	+4	+2	+2	+6	-	+1 level of existing arcane spellcasting class and divine spellcasting class
9th	+4	+3	+3	+6	-	+1 level of existing arcane spellcasting class and divine spellcasting class
10th	+5	+3	+3	+7	Mastery of Magic	+1 level of existing arcane spellcasting class and divine spellcasting class
Class Skills (2 + Int modifier per level) Concentration (Con), Decipher Script (Int), Knowledge (all skills, taken individually) (Int), Spellcraft (Int), Use Magic Device (Cha).

Class Features

Spellcasting: At each level, you gain new spells per day and an increase in caster level (and spells known, if applicable) as if you had also gained one or more levels in an arcane spellcasting class and one or more levels in a divine spellcasting class to which you belonged before adding the prestige class level. You do not, however, gain any other class feature a character of that class would have gained unless noted otherwise below. If you had more than one arcane spellcasting class or more than one divine spellcasting class before becoming a Holy Magus, you must decide to which class to add each level for the purpose of determining spells per day, caster level, and spells known.

Spells: To cast a particular spell, you must have a relevant ability score of at least 10 + the spell's level. Your bonus spells are determined separately for each spellcasting base class and are based on the ability score relevant to that class. Saves to avoid the effects of your spells have a DC of 10 + the spell's level + your relevant ability score bonus (if any) unless noted otherwise below. This class in no way mitigates the armor check penalty for arcane spell casting, (until all spells can be considered divine with Mastery of Magic at level 10.)

Once a Cleric: always a cleric. Holy Magus levels are added to Cleric levels for determining any aspect of turning/rebuking abilities or channeling energy.

Blend the Source: At 5th level the Holy Magus is able to combine the modifiers to both his arcane and divine casting abilities to determine the saving throws for his spells.

Mastery of Magic: When a Holy Magus reaches 10th level he is able to treat all his spells as either arcane or divine. Any spell can be readied in the appropriate level slot from either the wizard or cleric list and any non-domain spell may be sacrificed to cast the appropriate level cure spell.

Ex-Holy Magi

If a Holy Magus were to loose access to sufficient feats, skill points or spells that would cause them to become ineligible for this class then they would not be able to advance further in this prestige class but would loose none of the current benefits. If the Holy Magus was to no longer meet the alignment or faith requirements he would loose access to all class abilities and including spells as they were used and would not be able to regain these abilities until he again met the class requirements, and may need to take further steps to repair the relationship with his god and or church depending on the DM.

Playing a Holy Magus

Combat: The Holy Magus may fill most roles of either a cleric or wizard depending on spell selection. With their low hit points and armor limitations they do not usually make good combat support medics or second tier combatants like a traditional cleric. The increased spell selection can make these characters excellent artillery platforms.

Advancement: It takes a minimum of 10 levels to qualify for this class and only a fool would pass up the level 10 Magus abilities. There is no reason to multi-class or prestige further.

Resources: Since Holy Magi are considered clerics by the world at large they may call upon the aid of their church and followers just as any other priest could.

Holy Magi in the World

“

Quiet your mind young one and let our master's voice fill you with his magic.

”

NPC Reactions: Most people view the Holy Magus as just another priest. As such they are welcomed by adherents to their religion, reviled by the opposing faith and treated with respect by those of tangent beliefs.

Holy Magus Lore

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

Knowledge (religion)

DC	Result
11	Holy Magi are priests that cast both arcane and divine spells.
16	Holy Magi are multi-classed wizard/clerics that don't have to sacrifice access to the highest level spells.
21	The name and resting place of a famous Holy Magus.
26	The name and location of a living Holy Magus.

Holy Magi in the Game

A few bards, powerful wizards, and high ranking priests understand that the Magi are in fact multi-classed characters. Within the church Holy Magi usually fill the roles of lore master, researcher or divine oracle but can just as easily become adventurers. Arcane casters who understand the path of Holy Magi treat them as brothers in learning but tend to see them as zealots.

Adaptation: While the flavor and mechanics of this class don't need changed to fit Holy Magi into other campaigns the power level may require adjustment. Maximum casting capability in two diverse spellcasting classes is balanced in the Chalimbic campaign world by making low and medium levels particularly dangerous to arcane casters (further limiting the number of characters able to qualify for this class.) The author's suggestion would be to change spell progression at levels 3, 5, 7, 9 and 10 (or some portion thereof) to match the "+1 level of existing arcane spellcasting class and divine spellcasting class" of the other levels.

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