|
THE SHADOWCASTER
"Behind the fire, between the worlds, in all the empty spaces, at the end of all things, we are there. Matter, light, life -- these things are fleeting. Shadow, only shadow, is eternal."
-- Eddas Coradran, Lord of the First House, Parliament of Shadows
 All things fall into shadow, even light. Shadows do not represent the absence of light; they show the presence of darkness. Thus, shadow and darkness are not death or diminishment; they are the fundamental state of the universe, the constant that existed before, that exists now, and that will exist when all other things are snuffed out. So it is with the Plane of Shadow, that dark mirror to the Material Plane and many other realities. Shadowcasters tap into this most fundamental of forces and planes to work their dark wills. By tying themselves to the Plane of Shadow, they maintain a tenuous link to the ultimate force of existence.
The shadowcaster understands the true, primal power of darkness, attunes herself to the Plane of Shadow, and learns great shadow mysteries the equal of any mundane spell. These dark casters are workers of alien magic, possessing an occult understanding of the world and magic that even other spellcasters find disturbing. They are masters of a dark power -- and perhaps, as some worry, its servants as well.
Shadow Magic Prestige Classes
CHILD OF NIGHT
"Watch and read until the coming of final night -- it will not avail you. To comprehend the magnificent and empty beauty of darkness, it is not enough to study shadow; you must become shadow."
-- Lara Bethendé, former Lady of the Second House, Parliament of Shadows, now renegade
They prefer to call themselves "black transmogrifists," but most know them as children of night. They are more than spellcasters, more than scholars, and -- they claim -- more than mortal. For those who have the will and the depth of knowledge to join their ranks, ascension beyond the earthly form awaits, for the children of night become the stuff of shadow itself.
BECOMING A CHILD OF NIGHT
Children of night must be tied to the Plane of Shadow through their ability to perform magic involving darkness. The path of the shadowcaster is the most direct route, although some wizards, sorcerers, and clerics can progress into this class. Few bards or druids embark on this journey of self-transformation.
Entry Requirements
Skills: Knowledge (arcana) 8 ranks, Knowledge (the planes) 8 ranks
Shadowcasting/Spellcasting: Ability to cast mysteries or ability to cast spells with the darkness descriptor or from the shadow subschool
Special: Must have visited the Plane of Shadow
 MASTER OF SHADOW
"What need have I of living servants when the shadows themselves rise up at my command?"
-- Thanielle Tiergun, Duchess of Ohr
Some driven or domineering souls seek nothing less than mastery of darkness itself -- the ability to turn the very shadows into their agents and allies. These are the masters of shadow, commanders of soldiers as dark and insubstantial as night itself. For those with the force of will to enter their ranks, the very shadows serve at their beck and call.
BECOMING A MASTER OF SHADOW
Shadowcasters are the most common masters of shadow, since they can most easily enter the class. Sorcerers, wizards, clerics, and even the occasional druid can multiclass just enough to gain access, however. Few martial types do so, because the class demands specialties far removed from combat skills.
Entry Requirements
Skills: Knowledge (arcana) 5 ranks, Knowledge (the planes) 8 ranks
Feat: Shadow Familiar*
Mysteries/Spellcasting: Caster level 5th
*New feat described on page 138
 NOCTUMANCER
"Consider the power offered by magic, by the ability to manipulate reality. Imagine how much greater, then, the power available to he who can manipulate magic itself."
-- Eveneth Stillwater, Lord of the Third House, Parliament of Shadows
Noctumancers bridge the gap between shadow and arcane magic. Those who succeed in becoming one of these elite not only gain a boost to their mystery user and arcane caster abilities, but are able to manipulate the mysteries and spells of others as no others can.
BECOMING A NOCTUMANCER
Given the requirements of the class, multiclass shadowcaster/sorcerers and shadowcaster/wizards make up almost the entirety of noctumancers. The rare shadowcaster/bard might be found, but virtually no other combination offers the proper abilities, and given the steep requirements of the prestige class, any additional multiclassing drastically slows (or even prevents) its acquisition.
Entry Requirements
Skills: Knowledge (arcana) 6 ranks, Spellcraft 6 ranks
Shadowcasting: Able to cast 2nd-level mysteries
Spellcasting: Able to cast 2nd-level arcane spells
SHADOWBLADE
"Don't be afraid of the dark. Be afraid of what's in the dark."
-- Niko Drendol, captain of the Black Dawn
 Shadowblades are martial combatants with an innate link to shadow. While some deliberately study the arts of shadow, most develop their abilities instinctively, making them more akin to shadowdancers than shadowcasters. Those who master the arts of the unseen weapon become warriors with few equals. Their ability to manipulate darkness and shadow enhances their martial skills, allowing them to target weak points, land blows that should not strike true, and even attack foes who are paces away.
BECOMING A SHADOWBLADE
Multiclass fighter/rogues are the most common shadowblades, because they possess both the martial ability and the skills necessary. Single-classed fighters or rogues can enter the class, but it takes longer. A rare few paladins and rangers take this path, enhancing their own abilities with a mastery of shadow. Few mystery users or spellcasters become shadowblades, and barbarians tend to prefer brute force and distrust a shadowblade's powers.
Entry Requirements
Base Attack Bonus: +5
Skills: Bluff 5 ranks, Hide 5 ranks, Move Silently 5 ranks
Feats: Blind-Fight
Special: Must have been exposed to shadow at some point prior to taking this class, either through travel on the Plane of Shadow, being subject to a mystery or a spell with the darkness descriptor, or through physical contact with a shadow or dark creature (such as a shadow mastiff or a dark lion)
 SHADOWSMITH
"You think me unarmed. You think me helpless. So long as there is night and day, I am neither."
-- Hrogar Ilgenson, shadowsmith and First Mate of the Fourth Dragon
Shadowcasters draw power from darkness, and masters of shadow command it, but no one truly manipulates the darkness as does the shadowsmith. Combining martial and mystical skills, and possessed of a driving will, the shadowsmith forms his tools and weapons from shadowstuff itself, drawing forth matter from empty night.
BECOMING A SHADOWSMITH
Almost anyone can become a shadowsmith under the proper circumstances. Rangers, paladins, and clerics are most likely to meet the requirements first, though some rogues follow this path as well. Although they could have the proper skills, few mystery users or spellcasters pursue this class, since its casting progression is far slower than their own.
Entry Requirements
Base Attack Bonus: +5
Skills: Craft (armorsmithing, blacksmithing, or weaponsmithing) 5 ranks, Knowledge (arcana) 3 ranks, Knowledge (the planes) 3 ranks
Special: Must have been exposed to shadow at some point prior to taking this class, either through travel on the Plane of Shadow, being subject to a mystery or a spell with the darkness descriptor, or physical contact with a shadow or dark creature (such as a shadow mastiff or a dark lion)
MAIN PAGE
|
