The raw powers of the elements of nature have fascinated throughout history, and many have attempted to control them. Damming rivers, shaping hills, harnessing the winds and confining fire to the hearth. Similarly most elemental mages seek to contain and control the wild powers of nature.
Not so the Elementers, these warrior mages seek a balance between directing and being swept away. By casting their elemental spells they build up a pool of elemental energy. When needed this power is unleashed and forms the Elementer’s Aegis, a mantle of nature’s might that is the weapon, shield and armor of an elemental warrior.
The Elementer is a half-caster like the Magus with d8 Hit Die, 3/4th BAB and up to 6th level casting, but where the Magus combines spell and sword the Elementer switches between the two.
By casting spells or her Spell Twists she gains points in her Energy Pool. With a swift action she can activate her Aegis. While the Aegis is up the Elementer gains bonuses to attack and defense, but gives up the ability to use spells and fill her Energy Pool.
Depending on how many points she spends on the Aegis per round the Elementer also prepared Affinity powers that make her a more deadly warrior.
Spell Twists are spell like abilities that are learned while leveling up, these can be used by expending prepared spells of the right element and have scaling effects depending on the spell level expended. Spell Twists can be used while the Aegis is active, but do not give energy points when used at that time.
The Elementer is an interesting variation on the usual gish, switching from wizard to fighter instead of remaining in the martial role as most do. The relatively low limit on the Energy Pool encourages the player to regularly switch between the two states. You do however get no bonus feats, so be careful about the combat feats you select.
Elementers are an int caster who gets 4+int skill points per level, so even with the inherent MAD of a gish you won’t be short on skill points. Your class skill list casts a wide net with Knowledge(arcana) and Spellcraft from the wizard side, to Survival and Knowledge(nature) from the ranger side.
As an int caster it is easy to connect the Elementer with scholarly institutions or military academies. On the other side a more wilderness oriented character could easily have been taught by apprenticeship with the vagabond who passes the village every season.
It is possible to specialize in any of the elements or to divide your attention between them, so think about what what your character’s favored element is and how this effects their outlook and vice versa.
When the Aronil Empire started hunting the desert tribes the Janni shamans were forced learn to defend themselves with more than just spells. Soon they found their elemental magic as useful in the thick of battle as well as it was for supporting their tribes fighters. Nowadays the warrior-shamans are the elite warriors of their own empire.
The port city of Wildhaven is ruled by four guilds. The Artisans of the Forge, the Merchants of the Ships, the Masons of the Stone and the Farmers of the Vane. Each of the guilds has their own corps of elemental soldiers, who often brawl in the streets.
Nature’s Spear is a young and enthousiastic warforged adventurer. He has merged his programmed martial skill and his adopted father’s druidic lessons into a deadly combination.
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