Dual arcane progression??

[ojayaba]

So I've been looking around and found the ultimate magus PrC and thought that was neat but wanted to see if there is a way to keep the dual progression going so that I might be able to get 9th level spells in both Wizard and Sorcerer or a spontaneous class and a spellbook class.

Does any one have any ideas how I might be able to do this and how?
Please feel free to leave ideas here :)

[Cog]

Sha'ir is both arcane and divine in one. It's not quite spontaneous and not quite prepared, so you might need some tricks to get it into Ultimate Magus, but after you've done that it can be progressed with an arcane/divine theurge class. Alternatively, picking up Bardic Music with either Bard or Prestige Bard, and then using Sublime Chord as your spontaneous class for Ultimate Magus, ought to do the trick but would push UM back to the end of your build.

[ojayaba]

What is a Sha'ir? If it's not quite one or the other how would it work? Trying to look at this with little to no optimization as well.

[mattie_p]

What is a Sha'ir? If it's not quite one or the other how would it work? Sha'ir is in Dragon Magazine Compendium. It is a weird class.
Trying to look at this with little to no optimization as well. If you want little or no optimization, don't look for double nines. Off the top of my head, you can probably Illumian wiz/bard/sublime chord/ultimate magus/wiz+ your way into double nines, but not with sorcerer.

[Cog]

What is a Sha'ir? If it's not quite one or the other how would it work? Trying to look at this with little to no optimization as well.
It's a base class from Dragon Compendium (meaning it originally appeared in Dragon Magazine, but it's been officially published in a WotC book as well). It's based off the Sor/Wiz list with additions from a number of domains, and normally sends its familiar to 'retrieve' spells from other planes, which then stay in the Sha'ir's memory for a certain amount of time (as if prepared), but if the spell times out, that slot is free to get another spell instead. They qualify for the Arcane Preparation feat, and that feat is very handy for them, but it doesn't involve a spellbook, so it's not enough to qualify as the prepared class for UM's entry requirements.

As for doing this without optimization (that's debatable - trying to get double 9ths is optimizing, which is very different from saying it's bad), I think you might be sunk. I'm not aware of any other arcane/arcane theurges, so it's going to require a creative approach of some sort unless I've forgotten one.

[ojayaba]

well, if I did the math right best I can get with UM and wiz/sorc is 7th and 7th on the top side. or if i really tweak it i could get 8th wiz 1 level away from 9ths and 5th sorc 1 level away from 6th

[Snowbluff]

Well it's not an actual dual progression, A WizardX/(DN/WarmageBeguiler)1 with Versatile Spell caster has all of the spell know, and can be cast subsuming the Wizard Slots with Versatile Spellcaster. Not much point, though.

[KillianHawkeye]

These things aren't really meant to be capable of producing 9th level spells from two different classes on the same character. The fact that it is possible with an optimized build by combining stuff from a bunch of books is an oversight, not a design intent. (Otherwise, there's no reason to take just one spellcasting class.)

[Cog]

well, if I did the math right best I can get with UM and wiz/sorc is 7th and 7th on the top side. or if i really tweak it i could get 8th wiz 1 level away from 9ths and 5th sorc 1 level away from 6th
The usual trick is to put Practised Spellcaster on the class you don't want to progress as much, so that its CL is 'artificially' inflated, letting you select the class you do want to progress on the levels where you have a choice. You'll still lose some casting, but not as much.

[Viscerator]

1sorcerer/1spell thief/3wizard/10Ultimate magus/5Red wizard

key ingredients:
1. race for illumian to boost caster level
2. practiced spellcaster trick on sorcerer
3. master spellthief for stacking all arcane class level to determine your caster level
4. trade sorcerer part familiar for divine companion to acquire AC/SV up to your caster level and it is SU ability. say goodbye to dispel magic!
5. metamagic feat as many as possible like maximize/twin/energy admixture
6. find uncapped energy descriptor spell, like channeled sound blast

you will have caster level 20(wiz)+1(spellthief)+8(sor)+4(spellpower from UM)+2(spell power from red wizard)+40(circle magic)=75cl all day along!

being blastor, for example arcane spellsurge + empower, maximize, twin, energy admixture channeled sound blast, about 700*2*2+140d10 per spell

[Grim Reader]

So I've been looking around and found the ultimate magus PrC and thought that was neat but wanted to see if there is a way to keep the dual progression going so that I might be able to get 9th level spells in both Wizard and Sorcerer or a spontaneous class and a spellbook class.

Does any one have any ideas how I might be able to do this and how?
Please feel free to leave ideas here :)

I did a UM build years ago that got double 9s. As I remember, it went something like this: Wizard 5 (Spontaneus Diviner) -> UM 1->Wizard 6, 7 & 8 ->Bard 1 -> Sublime Chord 1 -> UM 9. Set Sublime Chord caster level equal to Wizard + SC and take Practiced SPellcaster.

Thing is, its a weaker build than straight Wizard 20. You get less 9th level spell slots than a Wizard or Sorcerer. You get more 8ths and 7ths if I remember ight, but 9ths for more 8ths and 7ths have never been a good trade.

[ojayaba]

@Grimm reader: how does wizard 5 let you get into ultimate magus? that's just the prepared side of the pre reqs. you have bard coming in after you have taken a level of the magus so unless im not understanding something here your build that you are talking about wouldnt even be able to take the magus at that point yet...

[nedz]

The Spontaneous Diviner feat allows you to cast Divinations spontaneously.

[ojayaba]

If it's only divinations that are spontaneous then how is that enough to qualify for the class? Wouldn't it require you to have most or more of your spells be spontaneous?

[Grim Reader]

Whereas some PrCs require spontaneous spellcasting, or a spontaneous class, the UM only requires
"Able to spontaneously cast 1st-level arcane spells, able to prepare and cast 2nd-level arcane spells from a spellbook."

So as long as you can cast more than one first-level spell spontaneously, you are fine RAW. A DM may squash that, but I think its fairly solid ruleswise.

Note that as I remember, later on the build relies on you having the same caster level for both classes, letting you guide one of the single-advancement levels to wizard and one to Sublime Chord.

[Psyren]

Sha'ir is both arcane and divine in one. It's not quite spontaneous and not quite prepared, so you might need some tricks to get it into Ultimate Magus, but after you've done that it can be progressed with an arcane/divine theurge class.

Sha'ir is pretty clearly a prepared spellcaster (and one of the very few of those to be Cha-based.) The only difference is that they have a lot more freedom as to when they prepare their spells (including with metamagic), giving them the illusion of spontaneous casting. They are not truly spontaneous however, because no matter how many spells they know or observe, they can't cast so much as a cantrip without preparing it first.


It's a base class from Dragon Compendium (meaning it originally appeared in Dragon Magazine, but it's been officially published in a WotC book as well). It's based off the Sor/Wiz list with additions from a number of domains, and normally sends its familiar to 'retrieve' spells from other planes, which then stay in the Sha'ir's memory for a certain amount of time (as if prepared), but if the spell times out, that slot is free to get another spell instead. They qualify for the Arcane Preparation feat, and that feat is very handy for them, but it doesn't involve a spellbook, so it's not enough to qualify as the prepared class for UM's entry requirements.

I would say they don't qualify for Arcane Preparation - despite having a unique preparation method, they must still prepare all their spells before use and so fail to meet the requirement. If you find a way to make them spontaneous, however, they can then benefit.

[ojayaba]

Ok, so I've been doing some thinking on this and thought up a build and would like some help on if i did this math right if you guys/gals don't mind.

Wizard 4/ Sorcerer 1/ Ultimate Magus 10/ Wizard 2/ Sorcerer 3 level breakdown would give from levels alone
Wizard 13(7th level spells) caster level 17
Sorcerer 14(7th level spells) with caster level 18

Now if you added some feats in there you could have caster level in either or both classes higher. An example of this would be with Theurgic Specialist for Wizard/Sorcerer with any spell that's on both list such as cloud kill now last 35 mins with out any extra buffs. Not the best spell to use as an example but still you get the point.

So would this be right or am I way out to left field with this thought process?

[Story]

Note that I don't have experience playing this so this is based on what I've read

You're better off as a Wizard 20 then a Wizard 13, Sorcerer 14. 9th level spells are infinitely better than 8th level.

You can get into Ultimate Magus while only giving up one level using the Practiced Spellcaster trick, meaning you still get 9th level Wizard spells. You'll only have low level spells on the Sorceror side, but you'll just be using them for free metamagic anyway.

Assuming I did the calculations right, Wizard 3/ Sorcerer 1/ Ultimate Magus 10/ Wizard progressing 6 gives you

Wizard 19 (CL 23) and Sorcerer 8 (CL 16)
You could also use Beguiler instead of Sorcerer if you want SAD.


Edit: Do you really need Wizard 4 to enter? That's what the guidebook says, but Wizards get level 2 spells at level 3. (You can get a single level 2 slot earlier with a feat but I'm not sure if that counts). Anyway, if Wizard 4 really is required, you'll need to give up two levels on the Wizard side.

[ojayaba]

you would need Wizard 4/sorcerer 1 because it still have a skill requirement of spellcraft 8 meaning 5 levels in a class or classes that grant you spellcraft.
If it wasn't for the need of the skills you could do it with Precocious apprentice on wizard 1 to get 2nd level spells and one level of sorcerer, but you still need the 8 ranks in spellcraft and the 4 ranks in knowledge: arcana.

[Story]

Darn, I forgot about that. I take it there's no way around the Character Level + 3 limit? Is there any LA+1 race that could help which you can buy off later?

[TypoNinja]

Darn, I forgot about that. I take it there's no way around the Character Level + 3 limit? Is there any LA+1 race that could help which you can buy off later?

There is a feat that gives you +1 skill rank (well two feats, its got a pre-requisite) from the city scape book. That's about all I know of.

The biggest problem is you need ranks, those are pretty solidly capped, barring complete shenanigans like say getting level drained after qualifying, and then taking different levels than were originally drained.

That works because level drain doesn't take away ranks, just gives you a penalty to the roll.

[Story]

I looked into level loss which does make you lose skill ranks, but I didn't notice level drain works different. It's a shame you couldn't just take Necropolitan and kill two birds with one stone.

Actually, the entry for Level Loss in the SRD doesn't say which level you lose. The big question is whether it is possible to lose a level other than the most recent one, which is arguably possible if you level up while energy drained.

[mattie_p]

There is a feat that gives you +1 skill rank (well two feats, its got a pre-requisite) from the city scape book. That's about all I know of.

That feat is primary contact, requires "favored" (both are in cityscape). Of course, there is always polymorph->dusk giant (Heroes of Horror), but that is pure cheese.

[Larkas]

Thing is, its a weaker build than straight Wizard 20. You get less 9th level spell slots than a Wizard or Sorcerer. You get more 8ths and 7ths if I remember ight, but 9ths for more 8ths and 7ths have never been a good trade.

Not necessarily. You can always make 9ths from two 8ths by using Versatile Spellcaster. I don't know the specifics of the build though, so that might not be worth it.

[TypoNinja]

I looked into level loss which does make you lose skill ranks, but I didn't notice level drain works different. It's a shame you couldn't just take Necropolitan and kill two birds with one stone.

Actually, the entry for Level Loss in the SRD doesn't say which level you lose. The big question is whether it is possible to lose a level other than the most recent one, which is arguably possible if you level up while energy drained.

I believe you are supposed to lose levels in the (reverse) order in which you gained them, however I'm not sure where that's written down, so I could be wrong.

Doesn't really matter though, for the sake of the theoretical build (that would most likely result in your head meeting a source book propelled in your direction by a DM) you take 5 levels of wizard for your 8 ranks, get level drained down to 1st, take a level of Sorc, then three levels of Ultimate Magus.


Not necessarily. You can always make 9ths from two 8ths by using Versatile Spellcaster. I don't know the specifics of the build though, so that might not be worth it.

Versatile Spellcaster really shines on the Mystic Thurge in my opinion. The feat wording is really permissive. Use one classes spells to power the others. Handy when the fights still going but your Arcane side ran outta Ka-boom.

[Story]

Doesn't really matter though, for the sake of the theoretical build (that would most likely result in your head meeting a source book propelled in your direction by a DM) you take 5 levels of wizard for your 8 ranks, get level drained down to 1st, take a level of Sorc, then three levels of Ultimate Magus.


All that would be for naught however if you lost your UM levels instead of the Wizard levels when the negative levels become permanent (Though you're not likely to level more than once in a 24 hour period anyway, so I'd say level singular). Hence the issue of which order the levels are lost in.

[TypoNinja]

All that would be for naught however if you lost your UM levels instead of the Wizard levels when the negative levels become permanent (Though you're not likely to level more than once in a 24 hour period anyway, so I'd say level singular). Hence the issue of which order the levels are lost in.

If your DM lets you get away with shenanigans like this, its safe to say you got your hands on the ability to make the save and not take the permanent level drain.

[nedz]

Doesn't really matter though, for the sake of the theoretical build (that would most likely result in your head meeting a source book propelled in your direction by a DM) you take 5 levels of wizard for your 8 ranks, get level drained down to 1st, take a level of Sorc, then three levels of Ultimate Magus.

Why does no one ever factor in the ~9000 xp cost of doing this ?
XP is a river I suppose.

[docnessuno]

My favorite UM build is:

Beguiller 1 / Wizard 1 / Human paragon 3 (+2 wizard CL) / Ultimate magus 10 / Full casting PRC (progressing wizard) 5

Take praticed spellcaster (beguiller) before level 6

Results:
Full int-based casting
18th level Wizard casting (CL 22)
8th level beguiller casting (CL 16)
+2 boost to a stat (int)

[Acanous]

Wiz 1 with Precocious Apprentice, Sorc 1, Ultimate Magus, Legacy Champion.

You may need retraining/Psychic reformation to make it work, but skill ranks are permanent once gained, so that takes care of skill-based prereq's.

Legacy Champion while advancing Ultimate Magus features, gives you enough to get dual 9ths.

[TypoNinja]

Why does no one ever factor in the ~9000 xp cost of doing this ?
XP is a river I suppose.

Well the whole point is that its shenanigans during character creation, if I get a 5th level character, I get a 5th level character. The fact that he went 2-5 twice is merely a technicality. :P

[Story]

If your DM lets you get away with shenanigans like this, its safe to say you got your hands on the ability to make the save and not take the permanent level drain.

No, you WANT to lose the levels. The whole point is to get Ultimate Magus with only one lost level of Wizard progression. If you keep the Wizard levels from before UM, then you'll lose 4, even worse than before.


My favorite UM build is:

Beguiller 1 / Wizard 1 / Human paragon 3 (+2 wizard CL) / Ultimate magus 10 / Full casting PRC (progressing wizard) 5

Take praticed spellcaster (beguiller) before level 6

Results:
Full int-based casting
18th level Wizard casting (CL 22)
8th level beguiller casting (CL 16)
+2 boost to a stat (int)

Now you're losing an extra level again. It looks like you're essentially giving up a 9th level slot and 1CL for +2 int, a free feat, and 6 skillpoints. Is it worth it? 9th level slots are really good, but I guess feats can be really good too.

[nedz]

Well the whole point is that its shenanigans during character creation, if I get a 5th level character, I get a 5th level character. The fact that he went 2-5 twice is merely a technicality. :P

Yes, Which is why I prefer to set an XP value rather than ECL for chargen; LA does need special handling though.

[TypoNinja]

Yes, Which is why I prefer to set an XP value rather than ECL for chargen; LA does need special handling though.

I never really even thought of that method for closing that loophole.

Just goes to show you a clever DM really is the answer to all the silly RAW applications :D

[Story]

I assumed that an XP value was the norm. It's the only sensible way to do things. If you do a set level, you could say that you've been crafting the whole time and double your WBL without any penalty. Or throw in a bunch of free wishes.

Of course there's still issues like Thought Bottle, but that's broken anyway.

[Grim Reader]

Not necessarily. You can always make 9ths from two 8ths by using Versatile Spellcaster. I don't know the specifics of the build though, so that might not be worth it.

Yes, but I've nerver met a DM that lets you count Wizard spells as "Known" for Versatile Spellcaster. So unless we're doing TO, the build is still restricted to Versatile-casting 9ths known from Sorcerer.

Of course, you could keep something like Shapechange up pretty constantly with Versatile Spellcaster...

[Larkas]

Yes, but I've nerver met a DM that lets you count Wizard spells as "Known" for Versatile Spellcaster. So unless we're doing TO, the build is still restricted to Versatile-casting 9ths known from Sorcerer.

Of course, you could keep something like Shapechange up pretty constantly with Versatile Spellcaster...

Hmmmm, I find that interpretation rather counter-intuitive, but it makes sense from a game balance perspective... I've never actually used that feat in game, so I really don't know how it normally goes. Regardless, it's like you said: use the Sorc/Chord side for 9ths you consistently have to use and keep the Wiz side for more versatile or situationally useful spells. :smallsmile:

[TypoNinja]

Hmmmm, I find that interpretation rather counter-intuitive, but it makes sense from a game balance perspective... I've never actually used that feat in game, so I really don't know how it normally goes. Regardless, it's like you said: use the Sorc/Chord side for 9ths you consistently have to use and keep the Wiz side for more versatile or situationally useful spells. :smallsmile:

While the feat wording implies a spontaneous nature of the casting, and so should be picking a sorc (or other spontaneous class) spell, there is nothing to say you couldn't drop two prepared spells to power it and cast one level higher off your spontaneous list.

The Feat is worded vaguely enough that you are probably best off confirming with your DM exactly how it will work regardless though.

[*.*.*.*]

Wu Jen3/Beholder mage1/Spellthief1/UM10/Legacy champx


If you even dared to play this build, I wouldn't blame your DM if he threw books at you.

[ojayaba]

Wu Jen3/Beholder mage1/Spellthief1/UM10/Legacy champx


If you even dared to play this build, I wouldn't blame your DM if he threw books at you.

...playing as a Beholder = no fun/highly restricted in our group for good reason. Plus it's out of my range of fun things to play.

[*.*.*.*]

...playing as a Beholder = no fun/highly restricted in our group for good reason. Plus it's out of my range of fun things to play.

There are cheesy ways to get around that.

[ojayaba]

There are cheesy ways to get around that.

Kinda scared to ask what said cheesy ways are to get around that...

[Story]

Polymorph Any Object + Metamorphic Transfer

The 3rd party feat Old Blood lets you count as a Beholder for PRC requirements, but you still need to acquire a central eye somehow.

[docnessuno]

Now you're losing an extra level again. It looks like you're essentially giving up a 9th level slot and 1CL for +2 int, a free feat, and 6 skillpoints. Is it worth it? 9th level slots are really good, but I guess feats can be really good too.

Premise: the build i posted is aimed for games that don't allow or discourage "early entry" and related tactics (precocius apprentice, versatile spellcaster, sanctum spell etc.)

That said with a Wiz 4 / Beg 1 / UM 10 or similar build you get 9/8 UM progression (with praticed spellcaster), ending up with Wiz 13 / Beg 9 casting. With the paragon build you you get 10/7 UM progression (with praticed spellcaster), ending up with Wiz 13 / Beg 8 casting. Overall you get exactly the same spell slots on the Wizard side, losing some only on the Beguiller side (but still getting 4th level spells).

[Story]

Premise: the build i posted is aimed for games that don't allow or discourage "early entry" and related tactics (precocius apprentice, versatile spellcaster, sanctum spell etc.)


I was comparing it to a simple Wizard 4/X 1 with Practiced Spellcaster build. No early entry tricks involved.



That said with a Wiz 4 / Beg 1 / UM 10 or similar build you get 9/8 UM progression (with praticed spellcaster), ending up with Wiz 13 / Beg 9 casting. With the paragon build you you get 10/7 UM progression (with praticed spellcaster), ending up with Wiz 13 / Beg 8 casting. Overall you get exactly the same spell slots on the Wizard side, losing some only on the Beguiller side (but still getting 4th level spells).

Good point. I guess I messed up the calculation.

[*.*.*.*]

Polymorph Any Object + Metamorphic Transfer

The 3rd party feat Old Blood lets you count as a Beholder for PRC requirements, but you still need to acquire a central eye somehow.

There's an AMF eye graft from fiend folio.

[Larkas]

Okay, I've broken down a double 9s build:

28 Point Buy: 8 Str, 10 Dex, 14 Con, 16(+2) Int, 8 Wis, 16(+2) Cha.

Class Breakdown: Bard 1/Wizard 9/Sublime Chord 1/Ultimate Magus 9.

Feats: Any metamagic, MAYBE Versatile Spellcaster and MAYBE Extra Spell.

Spells per Day: Bard 2, Wizard 4/4/4/4/4/4/4/3/3/2, Sublime Chord -/-/-/-/5/4/4/3/3/2.

Explanation: This requires just minor shenanigans to work. The Ultimate Magus requires the character to be "able to spontaneously cast 1st level arcane spells". You could argue that Sublime Chord can promptly cast 1st level spells, since it can cast 4th level spells but the DM may disagree ("A sublime chord has the ability to cast a small number of arcane spells, all of 4th level or higher."). You could then take Versatile Spellcaster, and argue that you are able to spontaneously cast 1st level arcane spells, and indeed you can, you just don't know any. You could always Heighten a 0-level spell up to 1st. If the DM rule 0 your ***, you could then take Extra Spell: "You learn one additional spell at any level up to one lower than the highest level of spell you can currently cast", as Wizard 9 you can cast 5th level spells and nowhere in the feat does it say you have to qualify for the spell AND take the spell for the same class. Take a 1st level Bard spell and you can cast it with Versatile Spellcaster. If the DM doesn't let you do even this, then you'll have to adapt: Bard 1/Wizard 8/Bard 1/Sublime Chord 1/Ultimate Magus 9. You'll still end up with double 9s, though fewer spells per day on the Wizard side (4/4/4/4/4/4/4/3/2/1). Admittedly, you'll have an easier time buying pre-requisite skill ranks.

Quick Analysis: Consolidating everything, you'll end up with 6/4/4/4/9/8/8/6/6/4. Comparing to Wizard 20, that's +2/+0/+0/+0/+5/+4/+4/+2/+2/+0. You can cast more spells from almost any level and are not penalized in any other. In the worst case scenario, you'll lose one 9th level spell slot on the Wizard side, something easily fixed with Versatile Spellcaster (which you should get anyways; worst case, you're getting more 9ths from your Wizard's 8ths, best case, you're getting more 9ths from your Sublime Chord's 8ths). I can see almost no drawbacks to this build. Basically you're a little MAD, but Ultimate Magus' Arcane Spell Power helps ameliorate that somewhat. And one can argue about the quality of the 9th level slots, but I think that two spontaneous and two prepared slots are actually quite good.

Oh. You'll have a low level familiar. That must count for something, right? :smallbiggrin:

PS: I'm not very good at minmaxing, so I'm sure someone can do better than this.

EDIT: Yeah, scratch that, I missed the spell progression on UM 1, 4 and 7.

[Snowbluff]

Um, correct if I am wrong, but could you not choose a lower level spell for Sublime Chord? Isn't there a (otherwise useless) rule for Spells Known where you can choose a spell of a lower level?

[nedz]

Well a Sorcerer or Bard can, but perhaps not SC.


Spells per day
A Sublime Chord has the ability to cast a small number of arcane sells, all of 4th level or higher.

You could always take Precocious Apprentice at Bard 1

[TypoNinja]

Well a Sorcerer or Bard can, but perhaps not SC.



You could always take Precocious Apprentice at Bard 1

Best Feat Ever.....

For early entry tricks.

[Rubik]

It might not be exactly perfect, but what about mantled & spell-to-power erudite 7 (with the Magic Mantle)/bard 1/sublime chord 2/cerebremancer 8/anarchic initiate 2?

9th level powers and 8th level spells, coupled with 9ths from sublime chord. You only lose one ML from erudite, too. And there are ways to get 9th level arcane spells out of stp erudites, as well.

[ojayaba]

anarchic initiate?
cerebremancer?
erudite?
What are those? Never even heard of those classes...

[Larkas]

I'll just leave this here... :smallwink:

http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/lists/prc

[ojayaba]

Ah, psionics. Explains why I've never heard of those classes before. Thank you :)

[gorfnab]

Wizard 5 (Spontaneous Divination ACF, Complete Champion)/ Knight of the Weave 1 (Champions of Valor)/ Ultimate Magus 10/ Incantrix 4 (Players Guide to Faerun) - gets you 9th level Wizard spells and 6th level Knight of the Weave spells.

[Psyren]

Is there a (not too cheesy) way to get dual 9s on a Sha'ir/Sorcerer? The chief problem I see is that Ultimate Magus requires you to "prepare 2nd-level spells from a spellbook" which Sha'ir don't use. But they can get into Mystic Theurge just fine.

[Rubik]

anarchic initiate?
cerebremancer?
erudite?
What are those? Never even heard of those classes...Erudite is a variant type of psion found in Complete Psionic. Anarchic initiate is a PrC from Complete Psionic, and cerebremancer is a PrC from the Expanded Psionics Handbook.

I suggest you check psionics out. It's in the SRD, and it's pretty amazing in all sorts of ways.