Channeling the Elements Prestige Class

[Ogrork the Mighty]

We're looking to use the Earthshaker elemental prestige class from Dragon Magazine issue #314 (p. 57).

One of its benefits is: "At 1st level, the earthshaker is granted access to the Earth domain. In the likely event that he has druid levels rather than cleric levels, the earthshaker can cast an extra spell per day of each spell level he has access to, which must be the spell from the Earth domain for that level. He gains the Earth domain's granted power, substituting his earthshaker levels for cleric levels."

Does this mean a cleric gains the Earth domain as a third domain or does it mean a cleric gains "access to" the Earth domain (i.e., can take it as one of his two domains)?

Part of the reason I question the above is because all a cleric is giving up is the continued ability to turn undead, and even this is replaced with the ability to turn Earth creatures and +1 spell per level from the Earth domain. The prestige class has +1 existing spellcasting level at each level, d8 hp, 2 skill points per level, and 5 additional earthquake/tremor special abilities spread throughout its 10 levels.

The pre-reqs are 12 ranks in Knowledge (nature), 6 ranks in Knowledge (dungeoneering), the ability to cast soften earth and stone, and the Terran language.

Edit: Interesting. The soften earth and stone spell isn't a cleric spell so that's a significant pre-req requirement...

 

[StreamOfTheSky]

I'm pretty sure the intent is that if a cleric, the character gains a third domain for free. And if a druid (and only a if druid, which from your edit line makes it pretty clear this PrC was geared towards anyway), the character gets the bonus domain slot per spell level to use his newfound domain class feature.

From a druid's perspective, you're losing 2 skill points per level, wildshape and companion advancement, and lots more class features. Sadly, it makes the prestige class actually sound underpowered...

*I have never seen the prestige class, just going on reasoning and previous experience with cleric prestige classes that add domains to your original 2. It may very well have specific text that contradicts what I said.

 

[Ogrork the Mighty]

Yeah, I think the prestige class is meant for a druid but in our case it's a cleric that wants to take it.

 

[Eldritch_Lord]

Check Complete Divine for the rules on PrCs adding domains. Basically, clerics get it as a 3rd domain, which works like any other domain, and other classes have their own rules.

 

[Ogrork the Mighty]

Check Complete Divine for the rules on PrCs adding domains. Basically, clerics get it as a 3rd domain, which works like any other domain, and other classes have their own rules.

Thanks. Found it on page 20.