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Magus of the Unseen PrC (PEACH)

asnys

First Post
So, I'm working on a feat and a prestige class for a loose-knit order of illusionists. My intention is that these should be primarily for characters who focus on social-fu illusions and other non-combat magics. Any comments would be appreciated. First, a feat:

Lore of the Unseen (Metamagic)
Prerequisite: Craft (Painting) 4 ranks, Spellcraft 4 ranks, caster level 1st
Benefit: Any figment or glamer spell with a visual component cast can be cast as an Unseen spell. To prepare a spell as an Unseen spell, you need to make a drawing of the illusion you want to create, about a foot by foot in size; this takes an hour and requires a Craft (Painting) check. The Unseen spell uses this painting as a material component; the painting is consumed when the spell ends, and if the painting is destroyed before the spell ends, the spell is dispelled. The DC to discover that the figment is an illusion is now the result of your Craft (Painting) check, instead of the normal DC. You use the craft check even if it is lower than your normal DC. Also, if you are using this figment to disguise yourself (such as the disguise self spell), you use the Craft check instead of making a Disguise check. Spell Focus (Illusion) and Greater Spell Focus (Illusion) still increase the roll.
An Unseen spell uses a spell slot of the spell's normal level.

Might be too powerful for no level increase-might have to bump it up to +1 spell level. Thoughts? This would give you really hefty save DCs, obviously, but as far as I know there aren't any glamers or figments that have any combat effects or otherwise make you do anything besides see something that isn't there-although there's plenty of WotC books I don't own. If there is, I'll restrict the feat to applying only to a list of spells where it would be appropriate.

And the prestige class:

Magus of the Unseen

Hit Die: d4.

Requirements
Feats: Lore of the Unseen, Spell Focus (Illusion)
Skills: Bluff 4 ranks, Craft (Painting) 8 ranks.
Spells: Able to cast major image.

Class Skills
The Magus of the Unseen's class skills are Bluff (Cha), Concentration (Con), Craft (Int), Diplomacy (Cha), Disguise (Cha), Forgery (Int), Gather Information (Cha), Knowledge (Arcana) (Int), Knowledge (The Planes) (Int), Perform (Cha), Profession (Wis), Sense Motive (Wis), Sleight of Hand (Dex), Spellcraft (Int).
Skill Points per Level: 4 + Int modifier.

Level: BAB: Fort: Ref: Will: Special: Spells per Day:
1st +0 +0 +0 +2 Unseen Library, Concealed Spell +1 level of existing class
2nd +1 +0 +0 +3 Quick Sketch +1 level of existing class
3rd +1 +1 +1 +3 Skill Boost +1 level of existing class
4th +2 +1 +1 +4 Illusory Familiar +1 level of existing class
5th +2 +1 +1 +4 Multiconcentration, Disbelief +1 level of existing class

Weapons and Armor Proficiencies: The Magus of the Unseen gains proficiency with no weapons or armor.
Spellcasting: When a new Magus of the Unseen 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 spellcasting class in which he could cast major image before he added the prestige class level. He does not, however, gain any other benefit a character of that class would have gained, except for an increased effective caster level and improved familiar benefits.
Unseen Library: Magi of the Unseen add the following spells to their class spell lists: Intelligent Image (9th). I'm going to add some more as soon as I think of them.
Concealed Spell: At 1st level, a Magus of the Unseen can conceal the gestures and incantations used to cast an Unseen spell in normal conversation. This requires a Sleight of Hand check, DC 10 + spell level; on a success, the spell is cast, but it is not apparent to anyone that you have cast the spell. On a failure the spell is still cast, but it is obvious that you were working magic. A spellcaster can make a Spellcraft check, with DC equal to your Sleight of Hand check, to realize you were working magic; this roll is made in secret by the GM, just as with a Spot or Listen check.
Quick Sketch (Ex): At 2nd level, a Magus of the Unseen can make a quick sketch of an object, instead of a full portrait, sacrificing quality for speed. It takes only ten minutes to make a quick sketch, but your Craft check suffers a -4 penalty.
Skill Boost (Ex): Your bonus from Spell Focus (Illusion) and Greater Spell Focus (Illusion) apply to your Bluff, Disguise, and Sleight of Hand rolls as well, as a competence bonus.
Illusory Familiar: At 4th level, a Magus of the Unseen can call an illusory familiar. The Magus cannot do this if he or she already has a familiar. An illusory familiar functions similarly to an intelligent image, except that it cannot be larger than 5 ft in any dimension and is not tangible. Also, if the familiar is dispelled, it is not destroyed but instead merely banished for 24 hours, after which it can be resummoned as a full round action. Illusory familiars gain all the benefits of normal familiars.
Multiconcentration (Su): At 5th level, a Magus of the Unseen can cast a spell even if he or she is already concentrating to maintain a spell, provided both spells are figments or glamers. Doing this requires making a Concentration check, with DC of 10 + existing spell's level + new spell's level; on a failure, the existing spell is maintained, but the new spell fails.
Disbelief (Ex): A Magus of the Unseen knows better than to believe their own eyes. At 5th level, Magi of the Unseen automatically receive a saving throw as though disbelieving whenever they first perceive an illusion.
 

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It seems strong in the right envorment. I'd at least lower the skill pioints and maybe up the DCs on some of the abilities.
 

It seems strong in the right envorment. I'd at least lower the skill pioints and maybe up the DCs on some of the abilities.

How about 15 + spell level for Unseen Spell, and 20 + first spell level + second spell level for Multiconcentration? Would that be high enough?

Do you think I should make Lore of the Unseen +1 spell level, or is it okay being flat?

Thanks,

Asnys
 

The first option is good.

Class still might be strong. Casters are the most powerful thing in the game in in this class they get full spell casting and an ability every level. Just something to think about.
 

How do you forsee an increase in skills.

A Standard wizard has time for 2 skill points, one extra feat per five levels, and whatever else his\her character is doing.

Your PRC has twice the time for skills, has extra possible skill types to learn, and gets to apply focus benefits to bluff disguise and slight of hand.


Concealed Spell: This just seems out of place in a class specializing in illusion. Would some sort of illusion not be in keeping with the class strengths?

Illusory Familiar: 1. Does the PRC get level benefits to their existing familiar? If the illusory familiar progresses like the standard one - what actually gets smarter, stronger etc.... The illusion? Can the illusion use UMD to work wands etc....?

Quick sketch seems like just a standard skill use to me. No ability needed. -4 penalty for faster image produced. Seems strange that an accomplished illusionist cant simply record a figment or illusion directly onto paper or whatever. It may not be real but it is a real damn good picture.


I think you're cramming too much into 5 levels, especially if they have full spell progression. At this point I'd take spells benefits out of level 1&2 and reduce it to 2 skill points.

Is this something a character can do on their own while adventuring? Who are they learning from?


Sigurd
 
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