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EIDOLON
In olden times, the Eidolons were part of a small group of wizards who developed a specialized form of magic. Renowned for their impressive voices, the Eidolons were feared and mistrusted by most who met them. The local peasants of ancient times, who believed these wizards wielded the powers of vile and evil spirits, named the Eidolons after the entities they most dreaded. The Eidolons adopted the name for themselves.
While there are few Eidolons today, a handful of individuals have uncovered the secrets of this almost forgotten profession. Those who take on this prestige class learn to master the power of their own voices to charm, beguile, and intimidate others. More importantly, they do so to augment the strength of their own spells. Potent spellcasters, the Eidolons study the ancient art form that few even realize exist, mixing arcane magic with vocalizations to increase their own power.
Adventures: Many Eidolons seek to uncover the secrets of the past to learn more about the mysterious order of wizards who developed their craft. While vestiges of this group and clues about their ancient ways are difficult to unearth and some Eidolons go adventuring to find them, others are simply afflicted with wanderlust. Thus, almost all of those who take levels in this class are adventurers. Eidolons prefer adventures in which they can put their strange abilities to good use. They seldom remain in one place for long, for fear that the local populace might turn upon them.
Characteristics: An Eidolon is a veritable master of a limited amount of spells and abilities. He uses the impressive power of his voice to augment his spellcasting capabilities, but also to control those around him. Following ancient and misunderstood ways, the Eidolon continues to learn more powerful magic as he gains experience. He also continues to unlock the secrets of his profession and gradually gains more and more control over his own voice, which enhances a number of special abilities only he can hope to master.
Alignment: While many assume Eidolons to be evil, any arcane spellcaster can take on this prestige class. Most, however, tend toward chaos. Because of their name, but also because the majority of Eidolons are loners who use the strange power of their voices to get what they want, many of those who meet an Eidolon learn to mistrust him.
Religion: An Eidolon is free to pay tribute to any god. Most of the time, an Eidolon is attracted to an artistic deity, or at the very least one that includes hymns or some other form of song in its rituals. An Eidolon is often attracted to the same deities a Bard would tend to worship, but he is especially intrigued by those that are known for charming or beguiling mortals and other beings. Most of the time, an Eidolon worships a god or goddess believed to be the creator of song or magic.
Background: To become an Eidolon, a character must first be an arcane spellcaster and know a certain amount of sonic spells. Many of those who take on this prestige class hail from the Sorcerer profession, but some also come from the ranks of wizards. Particularly well suited for the class, a Bard can become a mighty Eidolon. Though his spellcasting ability is limited compared to sorcerers or wizards, a Bard’s natural charm, great skill, and special class abilities make him a natural Eidolon.
The Eidolon tends to be a loner and many learned to fend for themselves at a young age. While some of those who take on this prestige class hail from the social elite, the upbringing of most Eidolon was more modest. While the profession is especially found among wandering arcane spellcasters who seldom settle in towns or cities, some modern tribesmen have also uncovered the secrets of the class.
Races: Though it was among the humans that this peculiar profession was developed, an Eidolon can be of any race or culture. Gnomes are most attracted to this prestige class, as their culture readily embraces songs and other art forms. At least onequarter of all Eidolons in the world are from this race.
Other Classes: Though an Eidolon is often a loner — usually because people mistrust him — most get along well with others. An adventuring Eidolon enjoys the company of a number of people, but he is especially fond of Fighters and Barbarians who can protect him. Rangers and Rogues are also considered extremely useful, but the Paladins’ strict code of conduct and the Monks’ incomprehensible ways often make the Eidolon shy away from these classes. Divine spellcasters are usually welcomed in any party the Eidolon is part of, but most arcane spellcasters are often viewed as competition — though some Eidolon actually enjoy that. Bards, with their charismatic ways and artistic abilities, have the most chances of befriending an Eidolon.
Hit Die: d4
CLASS REQUIREMENTS
To qualify to become an Eidolon, a character must fulfill all the following requirements:
Alignment: Any.
Race: Any.
Concentration: 4 ranks.
Knowledge (arcana): 8 ranks.
Spellcraft: 8 ranks.
Spellcasting: Ability to cast Shout and at least two other arcane spells with the Sonic descriptor.
CLASS SKILLS
The Eidolon’s class skills (and the key ability for each) are Bluff (Cha), Concentration (Con), Craft (Int), Decipher Script (Int), Intimidate (Cha), Knowledge (arcana) (Int), Knowledge (the planes) (Int), Profession (Wis), and Spellcraft (Int).
Skill Points at Each Level: 2 + Int modifier
CLASS FEATURES
All the following are class features of the Eidolon prestige class:
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: An Eidolon gains no new proficiency in the use of any weapon, armor, or shield.
Spells per Day: An Eidolon continues to gain access to more powerful arcane magic while gaining levels in this prestige class. At every new level, the Eidolon gains new spells per day as if he had also increased a level in the arcane spellcasting class he belonged to before he added this prestige class. He does not, however, benefit from any other advantages a character of that class would have gained (such as improved saves and hit dice). When he becomes an Eidolon, the character adds 1 level to the level of whatever other arcane spellcasting class he has, and then determines the spells per day accordingly. Every level thereafter, the Eidolon adds another level to his original arcane spellcasting class to determine the amount of spells he can cast each day. If a character had more than one arcane spellcasting class before he became an Eidolon, the player must decide to which class to assign each of these additional levels for the purpose of determining arcane spells per day.
Shatter Shriek (Sp): As he grows in experience and gains levels in this prestige class, the Eidolon unlocks the secret of certain magic effects based on the sound of his own voice. At 1st level, he gains the Shatter Shriek spell-like ability. This ability is similar to the Shatter spell, but it also deals damage to one living target of the Eidolon’s choice. The target must be within the Shatter Shriek’s radius (or directly targeted by the Eidolon). The target suffers an amount of sonic damage equal to 5 + 1 for every level the Eidolon has in this prestige class. Initially, the Eidolon may use this spell-like ability once per day. At 5th level and again at 10th level, the Eidolon may use Shatter Shriek one additional time each day.
Sonic Mastery (Ex): An Eidolon is a master at manipulating the sound of his own voice. He quickly learns to control subtle intonation changes in his speech pattern to bluff his way out of a situation or to enthrall a creature with a mind-affecting, sonic effect. After all, the Eidolon knows how to best take advantage of his voice. Beginning at 1st level, he learns how to boost the sonic spells he casts. The save DC of any spell with the Sonic descriptor cast by the Eidolon augments by +1 at 1st level and by an addition +1 every three levels thereafter (+2 at 4t level, +3 at 7th level, and +4 at 10th level).
Spontaneous Sound Burst (Ex): When he attains 2nd level, the Eidolon automatically adds the Sound Burst spell to his list of known spells if he does not already have it. From this time forth, he may channel unused spell energy to spontaneously cast Sound Burst instead. The Eidolon can thus “lose” any prepared spell of the same level or higher in order to cast Sound Burst in its place.
Vocal Control (Ex): By controlling the intonation of his voice, an Eidolon can make his speech more melodious and convincing. When it suits him, he can also choose to utter barely audible but nevertheless distracting or disquieting sounds to either confuse or intimidate others. Beginning at 2nd level, the Eidolon gains a bonus on any Bluff or Intimidate check equal to half his level in this prestige class.
Maximized Shout (Su): At 3rd level, the Eidolon learns to maximize the effect of one Shout spell cast each day. This ability allows the Eidolon to cast one Shout spell as if he had used the Maximized Spell feat (regardless of whether he actually has the feat or not), but without the need to use a higher spell slot. He can thus cast the spell normally, as a 4th level spell, but he also benefits from its maximum effect.
Disruption (Su): Once per day, when he reaches 7th level, the Eidolon may attempt to disrupt the concentration of a spellcaster by uttering a wailing shriek. This supernatural ability can be used as a free action during another character’s action, in reaction to someone casting a spell or using a spell-like ability. The target must be within 30 feet of the Eidolon and able to hear him for the disruption to work. The victim is allowed a Will saving throw (DC 10 + the Eidolon’s class level). Failing this save indicates that the target loses the spell he was attempting to cast. If the Eidolon accidentally uses this ability on a character when he is not casting a spell, the use of disruption is wasted for the day. Maximized Greater Shout (Su): Upon attaining 9th level, the Eidolon may maximize one Greater Shout spell each day. To use this ability, the Eidolon must be able to cast Greater Shout. If he is not of sufficient level or has not yet learned the spell — or if he simply chooses to — he can instead maximize one of his Shout spells with this ability a second time each day.
EIDOLON ADVANCEMENT TABLE
| Level | Base Attack | Fort | Ref | Will | Special | Spells per Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | +0 | +0 | +0 | +2 | Shatter shriek 1/day, sonic mastery +1 | +1 level of existing class |
| 2 | +1 | +0 | +0 | +3 | Spontaneous sound burst, vocal control +1 | +1 level of existing class |
| 3 | +1 | +1 | +1 | +3 | Maximized shout | +1 level of existing class |
| 4 | +2 | +1 | +1 | +4 | Sonic mastery +2, vocal control +2 | +1 level of existing class |
| 5 | +2 | +1 | +1 | +4 | Shatter shriek 2/day | +1 level of existing class |
| 6 | +3 | +2 | +2 | +5 | Vocal control +3 | +1 level of existing class |
| 7 | +3 | +2 | +2 | +5 | Disruption, sonic mastery +3 | +1 level of existing class |
| 8 | +4 | +2 | +2 | +6 | Vocal control +4 | +1 level of existing class |
| 9 | +4 | +3 | +3 | +6 | Maximized greater shout | +1 level of existing class |
| 10 | +5 | +3 | +3 | +7 | Shatter shriek 3/day, sonic mastery +4, vocal control +5 | +1 level of existing class |
