Forge Mage
The harsh ring of the hammer echoed from the forge.
The spray of sparks danced through the darkness.
Arcane energy crackled in the air.
A great blade was born.
A Forge Mage is one who has dedicated his life to the creation of weapons and armor of magical perfection. He is an artisan among spellcasters, his creative passion fueling his work far beyond the reaches of others. His work at the forge bolsters his toughness beyond other spellcasters, although he is less skilled at casting in combat. Many races and people have forge mages, although dwarves place great pride in their magical artisans.
Requirements:
Hit Die: d6
Class Skills: The class skills for a forge mage, and their relevant ability scores are Appraise (Int), Concentration (Con), Craft (Int), Knowledge (all skills, taken individually) (Int), Profession (Wis), and Spellcraft (Int).
Skill Points per level: 2 + Int Modifier
Class Features:
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: The forge mage gains proficiency in all hammers. The forge mage gains proficiency in light armor. The Forge Mage has become so used to working with armor that he learns to move more easily and ably within it allowing him to cast arcane spells in light armor without incurring arcane spell failure. He still suffers arcane spell failure for casting in medium or heavy armor.
Spellcasting: When a new forge mage level is gained, the character gains new spells per day (and spells known, if applicable) as if he had also gained a level in whatever arcane spellcasting class in which he could cast 3rd level spells before he added the prestige class level. He does not, however, gain any other benefit a character of that class would have gained (bonus metamagic feat or item creation feats, or so on). If a character had more than one arcane spellcasting class in which he could cast 3rd level spells before he became a forge mage, he must decide which class he adds each level of forge mage for the purpose of determining spells per day.
Additionally, due to his focus as an artisan, he has less skill using magic in combat than other spellcasters. His increase in caster level provided by this class is considered to be one-third less than normal, rounded down when in combat, for determining spell effects. Thus a wizard 5/forge mage 6 would cast wizard spells when in combat with an effective caster level of 9 rather than 11 for determining spell effects.
Hand of the Forge (Ex): The forge mage is gifted with the hands of a true artisan. He receives a bonus to Craft checks relating to weaponsmithing, armorsmithing and blacksmithing equal to his character level. Additionally, when crafting items he reduces the raw base cost of items by 25% and only wastes a quarter of the materials if he fails a check by 5 or more.
Body of the Forge (Ex): The forge mage has endured the heat of the forge so much that he gains Fire Resistance equal to his class level and can endure extreme natural heats without discomfort.
Mind of the Forge (Ex): As the hammer strikes upon the anvil, the forge mage's will and insight allow him to more efficiently practice his craft. He reduces the costs (gold, XP, etc.) of creating magical arms and armor by 10% and can craft non-magical arms and armor for 25% of their standard base cost and wastes no material upon a check which fails by 5 or more (this supercedes the change in cost granted by the Hand of the Forge ability).
Soul of the Forge (Ex): The forge mage's soul burns with the creative passion of the forge, his works possess an inner strength far beyond those of other wizards. Anytime he creates a magical weapon, armor or shield, he may make the relevant Craft check (DC 25 + caster level required for the item), if successful, the items hardness increases by five, gains an additional ten hit points, and receives a +8 bonus on saving throws and to resist dispel magic checks. Crafting such an exquisite piece however takes its toll upon the forge mage, he must make a Fortitude save (DC 15 + caster level required for the item) or take 2d4 temporary Constitution and Wisdom damage. An item crafted in this way also does not gain the reduction to XP costs that is normally granted from the Mind of the Forge ability.
The harsh ring of the hammer echoed from the forge.
The spray of sparks danced through the darkness.
Arcane energy crackled in the air.
A great blade was born.
A Forge Mage is one who has dedicated his life to the creation of weapons and armor of magical perfection. He is an artisan among spellcasters, his creative passion fueling his work far beyond the reaches of others. His work at the forge bolsters his toughness beyond other spellcasters, although he is less skilled at casting in combat. Many races and people have forge mages, although dwarves place great pride in their magical artisans.
Requirements:
- Craft (weaponsmithing) 8 ranks
- Craft (armorsmithing) 8 ranks
- Knowledge (arcana) 4 ranks
- Craft Magic Arms and Armor
- Ability to cast 3rd level arcane spells, one of which must be Magic Weapon, Greater
Hit Die: d6
Class Skills: The class skills for a forge mage, and their relevant ability scores are Appraise (Int), Concentration (Con), Craft (Int), Knowledge (all skills, taken individually) (Int), Profession (Wis), and Spellcraft (Int).
Skill Points per level: 2 + Int Modifier
Code:
[B]Level BAB Fort Refl Will Special Abilities[/B]
1 +0 +2 +0 +2 +1 level of existing spellcasting class, Hand of the Forge
2 +1 +3 +0 +3 +1 level of existing spellcasting class
3 +1 +3 +1 +3 +1 level of existing spellcasting class
4 +2 +4 +1 +4 +1 level of existing spellcasting class, Body of the Forge
5 +2 +4 +1 +4 +1 level of existing spellcasting class
6 +3 +5 +2 +5 +1 level of existing spellcasting class
7 +3 +5 +2 +5 +1 level of existing spellcasting class, Mind of the Forge
8 +4 +6 +2 +6 +1 level of existing spellcasting class
9 +4 +6 +3 +6 +1 level of existing spellcasting class
10 +5 +7 +3 +7 +1 level of existing spellcasting class, Soul of the ForgeClass Features:
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: The forge mage gains proficiency in all hammers. The forge mage gains proficiency in light armor. The Forge Mage has become so used to working with armor that he learns to move more easily and ably within it allowing him to cast arcane spells in light armor without incurring arcane spell failure. He still suffers arcane spell failure for casting in medium or heavy armor.
Spellcasting: When a new forge mage level is gained, the character gains new spells per day (and spells known, if applicable) as if he had also gained a level in whatever arcane spellcasting class in which he could cast 3rd level spells before he added the prestige class level. He does not, however, gain any other benefit a character of that class would have gained (bonus metamagic feat or item creation feats, or so on). If a character had more than one arcane spellcasting class in which he could cast 3rd level spells before he became a forge mage, he must decide which class he adds each level of forge mage for the purpose of determining spells per day.
Additionally, due to his focus as an artisan, he has less skill using magic in combat than other spellcasters. His increase in caster level provided by this class is considered to be one-third less than normal, rounded down when in combat, for determining spell effects. Thus a wizard 5/forge mage 6 would cast wizard spells when in combat with an effective caster level of 9 rather than 11 for determining spell effects.
Hand of the Forge (Ex): The forge mage is gifted with the hands of a true artisan. He receives a bonus to Craft checks relating to weaponsmithing, armorsmithing and blacksmithing equal to his character level. Additionally, when crafting items he reduces the raw base cost of items by 25% and only wastes a quarter of the materials if he fails a check by 5 or more.
Body of the Forge (Ex): The forge mage has endured the heat of the forge so much that he gains Fire Resistance equal to his class level and can endure extreme natural heats without discomfort.
Mind of the Forge (Ex): As the hammer strikes upon the anvil, the forge mage's will and insight allow him to more efficiently practice his craft. He reduces the costs (gold, XP, etc.) of creating magical arms and armor by 10% and can craft non-magical arms and armor for 25% of their standard base cost and wastes no material upon a check which fails by 5 or more (this supercedes the change in cost granted by the Hand of the Forge ability).
Soul of the Forge (Ex): The forge mage's soul burns with the creative passion of the forge, his works possess an inner strength far beyond those of other wizards. Anytime he creates a magical weapon, armor or shield, he may make the relevant Craft check (DC 25 + caster level required for the item), if successful, the items hardness increases by five, gains an additional ten hit points, and receives a +8 bonus on saving throws and to resist dispel magic checks. Crafting such an exquisite piece however takes its toll upon the forge mage, he must make a Fortitude save (DC 15 + caster level required for the item) or take 2d4 temporary Constitution and Wisdom damage. An item crafted in this way also does not gain the reduction to XP costs that is normally granted from the Mind of the Forge ability.
