Ancient Mother
Among many cultures, elders are consulted for their wisdom. The experience that they’ve paid for in gray hairs and wrinkled brows is utterly invaluable to the younger generation. However, as time has robbed them of the strength, most elders serve with the mind and voice. But there are some elders that still have enough strength to wield sword, axe, or bow in defense of their people, and often they are willing to sacrifice themselves in war so that the younger generation might thrive.
First developed among the priestess of goddesses of family, hearth, or protection, the path of the Ancient Mother is one that allows the elder women of the community to lead in action as well as deed. While they are no longer able to dodge blows with such ease, or swing their swords so hard, Ancient Mothers possess a wiry strength and resiliency that allows them to bear more than their share of punishment. These women are protectors and defenders of their “children.” They also possess extraordinary perception, which means, like mothers the world over, they are nearly impossible to fool.
Most Ancient Mothers are priestesses, though some are paladins, druids, or rangers. Fighters, monks and, rogues are more rare, and are usually multiclassed with one of the above. There are few arcane casters among the Ancient Mothers. The majority of Ancient Mothers stay with their community, but priestesses of a goddess that also includes travel or wilderness in her portfolio (halfling goddesses in particular), or who may be the last of their people can be found adventuring. These wandering Ancient Mothers seek to spread their life’s wisdom to all whom they meet, regarding the entire world as their children.
Hit Dice: d8.
Requirements
To qualify to become an Ancient Mother, a character must fulfill all the following criteria.
Sex: Female.
Age: Must be of old age for their species (see table 6-5 in Chap. 6 of PHB).
Feats: Blind Fight, Blindsight 5 ft. radius (S&F), and Eyes in the Back of Your Head (S&F).
Skills: Knowledge (religion) 10 ranks or Knowledge (nature) 10 ranks.
Spells: Must be able to cast 2nd level divine spells.
Class Skills
The Ancient Mother’s class skills (and the key ability score for each skill) are Concentration (Con), Craft (Int), Diplomacy (Cha), Heal (Wis), Knowledge (religion) (Int), Knowledge (nature) (Int), Listen (Wis), Profession (Wis), Scry (Int), Spellcraft (Int), and Spot (Wis).
Skill Points per Level: 4 + Int mod.
Lvl....BAB...Fort...Ref...Will...Special………Spells
1......+1......+2.....+0.....+2.....Mother’s Wisdom, Tough Love I
2......+2......+2.....+0.....+3.....Mother’s Arms I....+1 spellcasting level
3......+3......+3.....+1.....+3.....Mother’s Eyes I
4......+4......+4.....+1.....+4.....Tough Love II....+1 spellcasting level
5......+5......+4.....+1.....+4.....Mother’s Arms II
6......+6......+5.....+2.....+5.....Mother’s Eyes II....+1 spellcasting level
7......+7......+5.....+2.....+5.....Tough Love III
8......+8......+6.....+2.....+6.....Mother’s Arms III....+1 spellcasting level
9......+9......+6.....+3.....+6.....Mother’s Eyes III
10.....+10.....+7.....+3.....+7.....Mother’s Love....+1 spellcasting level
Class Features
All of the following are class features of the Ancient Mother prestige class.
Weapon and Armor Proficiencies: The Ancient Mother gains no additional weapon or armor proficiencies.
Spells: Every other level, beginning at second level, the Ancient Mother gains +1 divine spellcasting level as if she had gained a level in the divine spellcasting class she belonged before adding the prestige class. No additional class features are gained (improved undead turning, etc.).
Mother’s Wisdom: An Ancient Mother has the wisdom of ages at her fingertips, and now she becomes yet more wise. She gains a +2 sacred increase to her Wisdom score. Her perception becomes far keener as a result of this, and she gets a +5 to her Spot and Listen checks.
Tough Love: An Ancient Mother is simply a great deal tougher than your average mother, and even more resilient than the strongest barbarians. As they often lack the strength to kill something on the first blow, and the dexterity to avoid blows, they learn to absorb a certain amount of damage. She gains damage reduction 2/- at 1st level, 3/- at 4th level, and 4/- at 7th level. (Ex)
Mother’s Arms: A mother strives protect her children from all the hard blows of life. At 2nd level, an Ancient Mother can create a protective ward around her and her “children” once per day. This results in a +5 sacred bonus to the armor class of all allies within 30 ft. This ward lasts for 1 minute/level. At 5th level, the radius of the ward increases to 50 ft. At 8th level, the radius of the ward increases to 70 ft. (Su)
Mother’s Eyes: An Ancient Mother’s eyes can pierce the greatest untruths. At 3rd level she can use true seeing once per day as a caster of her divine spellcaster level. At 6th level she can use it twice per day. At 9th level she can use it three times per day. (Su)
Mother’s Love: A mother’s love for her children is all-encompassing and absolute. When a mother believes in her children, they feel they cannot fail. Once per day, an Ancient Mother can spend a full round speaking to her “children,” (of which there cannot be more than 1/level in Ancient Mother). They must be within 30 ft. when she speaks. She tells them what pearls of wisdom they need to know for the coming fight, and wishes them her love. This has the effect of granting the “children” +2 Hit Dice (d10s that grant temporary hit points), +2 competence bonus on attacks, +2 competence bonus on damage, and +1 to all saves. This lasts for 1/round per level of Ancient Mother. This is a supernatural, mind-affecting enchantment ability.
Among many cultures, elders are consulted for their wisdom. The experience that they’ve paid for in gray hairs and wrinkled brows is utterly invaluable to the younger generation. However, as time has robbed them of the strength, most elders serve with the mind and voice. But there are some elders that still have enough strength to wield sword, axe, or bow in defense of their people, and often they are willing to sacrifice themselves in war so that the younger generation might thrive.
First developed among the priestess of goddesses of family, hearth, or protection, the path of the Ancient Mother is one that allows the elder women of the community to lead in action as well as deed. While they are no longer able to dodge blows with such ease, or swing their swords so hard, Ancient Mothers possess a wiry strength and resiliency that allows them to bear more than their share of punishment. These women are protectors and defenders of their “children.” They also possess extraordinary perception, which means, like mothers the world over, they are nearly impossible to fool.
Most Ancient Mothers are priestesses, though some are paladins, druids, or rangers. Fighters, monks and, rogues are more rare, and are usually multiclassed with one of the above. There are few arcane casters among the Ancient Mothers. The majority of Ancient Mothers stay with their community, but priestesses of a goddess that also includes travel or wilderness in her portfolio (halfling goddesses in particular), or who may be the last of their people can be found adventuring. These wandering Ancient Mothers seek to spread their life’s wisdom to all whom they meet, regarding the entire world as their children.
Hit Dice: d8.
Requirements
To qualify to become an Ancient Mother, a character must fulfill all the following criteria.
Sex: Female.
Age: Must be of old age for their species (see table 6-5 in Chap. 6 of PHB).
Feats: Blind Fight, Blindsight 5 ft. radius (S&F), and Eyes in the Back of Your Head (S&F).
Skills: Knowledge (religion) 10 ranks or Knowledge (nature) 10 ranks.
Spells: Must be able to cast 2nd level divine spells.
Class Skills
The Ancient Mother’s class skills (and the key ability score for each skill) are Concentration (Con), Craft (Int), Diplomacy (Cha), Heal (Wis), Knowledge (religion) (Int), Knowledge (nature) (Int), Listen (Wis), Profession (Wis), Scry (Int), Spellcraft (Int), and Spot (Wis).
Skill Points per Level: 4 + Int mod.
Lvl....BAB...Fort...Ref...Will...Special………Spells
1......+1......+2.....+0.....+2.....Mother’s Wisdom, Tough Love I
2......+2......+2.....+0.....+3.....Mother’s Arms I....+1 spellcasting level
3......+3......+3.....+1.....+3.....Mother’s Eyes I
4......+4......+4.....+1.....+4.....Tough Love II....+1 spellcasting level
5......+5......+4.....+1.....+4.....Mother’s Arms II
6......+6......+5.....+2.....+5.....Mother’s Eyes II....+1 spellcasting level
7......+7......+5.....+2.....+5.....Tough Love III
8......+8......+6.....+2.....+6.....Mother’s Arms III....+1 spellcasting level
9......+9......+6.....+3.....+6.....Mother’s Eyes III
10.....+10.....+7.....+3.....+7.....Mother’s Love....+1 spellcasting level
Class Features
All of the following are class features of the Ancient Mother prestige class.
Weapon and Armor Proficiencies: The Ancient Mother gains no additional weapon or armor proficiencies.
Spells: Every other level, beginning at second level, the Ancient Mother gains +1 divine spellcasting level as if she had gained a level in the divine spellcasting class she belonged before adding the prestige class. No additional class features are gained (improved undead turning, etc.).
Mother’s Wisdom: An Ancient Mother has the wisdom of ages at her fingertips, and now she becomes yet more wise. She gains a +2 sacred increase to her Wisdom score. Her perception becomes far keener as a result of this, and she gets a +5 to her Spot and Listen checks.
Tough Love: An Ancient Mother is simply a great deal tougher than your average mother, and even more resilient than the strongest barbarians. As they often lack the strength to kill something on the first blow, and the dexterity to avoid blows, they learn to absorb a certain amount of damage. She gains damage reduction 2/- at 1st level, 3/- at 4th level, and 4/- at 7th level. (Ex)
Mother’s Arms: A mother strives protect her children from all the hard blows of life. At 2nd level, an Ancient Mother can create a protective ward around her and her “children” once per day. This results in a +5 sacred bonus to the armor class of all allies within 30 ft. This ward lasts for 1 minute/level. At 5th level, the radius of the ward increases to 50 ft. At 8th level, the radius of the ward increases to 70 ft. (Su)
Mother’s Eyes: An Ancient Mother’s eyes can pierce the greatest untruths. At 3rd level she can use true seeing once per day as a caster of her divine spellcaster level. At 6th level she can use it twice per day. At 9th level she can use it three times per day. (Su)
Mother’s Love: A mother’s love for her children is all-encompassing and absolute. When a mother believes in her children, they feel they cannot fail. Once per day, an Ancient Mother can spend a full round speaking to her “children,” (of which there cannot be more than 1/level in Ancient Mother). They must be within 30 ft. when she speaks. She tells them what pearls of wisdom they need to know for the coming fight, and wishes them her love. This has the effect of granting the “children” +2 Hit Dice (d10s that grant temporary hit points), +2 competence bonus on attacks, +2 competence bonus on damage, and +1 to all saves. This lasts for 1/round per level of Ancient Mother. This is a supernatural, mind-affecting enchantment ability.
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