Shaman Class

[Kevin O'Reilly]

Shaman
HD: d8
Spell Progression - As Druid
Skill Points 4+Int
Skills As Druid (except - Handle Animal), plus two other Knowledge - player choice:
Armor - Light, Weapons -Light

Shaman draw their powers from spirits, rather than from divinities. For some these spirits are anima, spirits of nature, some are spirits of the dead, and for some outsiders, such as devils and demons.

Each spirit a shaman knows gives the shaman access to a specific domain, both spells and powers. However, depending on the power of the spirit, access to spell levels is limited.

Great Spirits - (Call DC 24) Spell Access 7th - 9th
Major Sirits - (Call DC 18) Spell Access 4th - 6th
Minor Spirits - (Call DC 12) Spell Access 1st - 3rd

Each time a shaman can come to know a new spirit she can choose a spirit from a domain she does not have access, or choose a spirit aligned with the domian of a lesser spirit, but with access to highter level spells.

A shaman's key stat is her charisma and she begins play with a number of spirits equal to the Shamans Charisma modifier. Further, a shaman can call a new spirit at 3,6,9,12,15,18 levels. Starting a 6th the Shaman can call a Major Spirt, then at 12th a Great Spirit.

While a Shaman can have access to many powers through a spirit, a shaman must be careful in the domains she selects. Domains that inherently in conflict mean that those spirits will also be in conflict, increasing the likelihood that a spirit may disfavor the Shaman (see below)

When a Shaman casts a spell she calls upon a spirit to aid her. A spirit may or not answer. To successfully "cast" a spell the Shaman must succeed in a Spellcraft check with the DC indicated above. (Note: Shamans use Cha as the modifier for Spellcraft)

If a Shaman has displeased a spirit it may disfavor the Shaman, in this cas the DC is increased by +5.

Further, a Shaman may call upon the spirit to fight for her. This acts as a Summon Monster spell (either III, VI, XI), again with a call DC as above. However, if the sprit is killed while in a physical form the Shaman can not call on the spirit for spells or aid for (3, 5, or 7) days respectfully.

Feats: a Shaman can Wild Shape like a Druid or the equivalent level, but only into the form of a Spirit. If a Shaman does has humanoid spirits she can assume an uncanny resemblance to the spirit, as per Alter Self. If the shaman has demonic spirits she can assume the form of demons but gains none of the supernatural abilities - treat the wildshape as Polymorph Self. If the Shaman has only anima spirits this power has no effect physically, but the Shaman can breath in water if the anima is Water, Levitate if the anima is air, Fire Resistance 12 if the anima is Fire, Stone Shape if the anima is Earth, or Pass Without Trace if the anima is wood.

If you want me to expand on this idea, let me know.

 

[Airwolf]

I have a few questions about this class.
1. I guess I will start with an example and you can correct me where I am astray. If a shaman is level 2 and has a charisma of 16 then the shaman will have access to two spirits. Each of these spirits will represent a domain. For this example let’s assume that they are air and water. So now the shaman can cast spells from 1st to 3rd level from the domains of air and water. How many spells does the shaman get to cast every day? Does this mean that a 1st shaman can cast 3rd level spells? Will a shaman get orisons?
2. Now we zip forward in time and the shaman has advanced to 9th level. Does the shaman have to call on a new spirit of air to gain access to spells in the 4th to 6th levels? Or does the existing air spirit (minor from section 1) allow the shaman to cast higher level spells?
3. Since a shaman will be able to call at least six spirits plus her charisma modifier could she wait until she was 12th level to call all of the spirits? When calling a greater spirit does this spirit, if from a completely new domain, grant spells from 1st to 6th level as well as spells from 7th to 9th level?

Well, I guess that will get things started. I like the idea of ancestor worship. It has quite a bit of historical backing. I think the class would fit well with most D&D fantasy settings.

 

[Kevin O'Reilly]

Airwolf, sorry for not being clear.

1. No, the Shaman still casts spells as a Druid of equivalent level, the power of the Spirit is simply restricting the maximum level of spell.

In your example, the Shaman has two spirits that can teach the Shaman 1st-3rd level spells in Air and Water.

Regarding Orisons, I haven't included them as they are no lonmger part of the core rules.

2. The shaman has to call on a new spirit.

3. A spirit only grants access to the spells in their level bands, so a major air spirit has access to 4-6th level spells, but not 1-3.

If you wanted a more powerful spirit to have access to lesser spells then you'd have to reduce the number of spirits significantly.