Build Help with Gnome Focused Specialist Illusionist

[Galvin]

Hi GITP

In an upcoming campaign I want to play the classic gnome illusionist.

As the title states, I want to play a Focused Specialist, and I want some build advice. Here's what I know now:

Starting level undetermined, so I want a build that goes 1-20.
The Focused Specialist and Gnome are set in stone.

Questions:
1) I am planning on taking the Gnome Illusionist sub levels in Races of Stone. Is this a good choice?
1a) The gnome racial sub levels make no mention of familiar or Scribe Scroll on it's chart. Do I still gain these benefits?
2) What familiar should I get?
3) Feats
4) My current build is Wizard 5/Master Specialist 10/Shadowcraft Mage 5. Is this good? My main question is if Master Specialist worth it? It's better than straight Wizard, though there has to be some better options out there.
5) Gear? Skills?
6) Any other advice I forgot.

Remember that gnome and illusionist are set in stone. Please don't say things like "instead of being a gnome you should be a ..." That won't help.

Thanks

[G.Cube]

I actually once saw a post that showed that an illusionist could spend well over every feat availible to increase the dc of his illusions, I'd gladly find it if I weren't on a cell phone right now, but something you may.want to look up on these boards if all you're going to be.doing is casting illusions.

[Yuki Akuma]

1) Yes, the first level of Gnome Illusionist is very good if you're going Shadowcraft Mage.
1a) You gain everything a normal wizard gets at those levels unless the racial sub level says you don't.

2) That's really up to you. The mechanical advantages aren't great. Maybe a raven so it can say command words for magic items. Alternatively, give up your familiar for Chains of Disbelief (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/classes/specialistWizardVariants.htm#illusionistVariants).

3) You want Earth Spell and Heighten Spell. You need Earth Spell and Heighten Spell. Signature Spell (Silent Image) is also very, very good for a Shadowcraft Mage build. Residual Metamagic is also very nice. Arcane Disciple (Luck) for high levels if you can get your DM to agree that you can use Shadow Illusion to mimic Miracle (whether this works is contested).

4) You don't need 5 levels of Wizard - Master Specialist can be entered with only 3. You also don't really need to take all 10 levels of Master Specialist - I'd suggest some Shadowcrafter (Drow of the Underdark) in there to help with your shadow illusions. You also want to enter Shadowcraft Mage as soon as possible - Wizard 3/Master Specialist 2/Shadowcrafter 2/Shadowcraft Mage 5/Shadowcrafter +8 is solid.

5) Get some wands for utility spells outside of Evocation, Conjuration (Creation) and Conjuration (Summoning). You'll likely be filling most of your spell slots with Heightened Silent Image until you get Signature Spell.

6) Illusion Mastery (check the link up above) can be nice. You'll be down one spell slot per level and up four free spells, plus being able to prepare any illusion without needing a spell book. Shadow Shaper is also nice - you don't technically lose anything if you never take Wizard beyond level 3.

Edit: Fixed the build, forgot a few things.

[Galvin]

One more thing: what schools should I ban?

[Yuki Akuma]

Ban Evocation and never look back. Enchantment is also not that great - most things are immune to it anyway.

For your limited school, either Necromancy or Conjuration. Usually I wouldn't recommend Conjuration, but... you're a Shadowcraft Mage.

[Galvin]

I have to ban three because I am a Focused Specialist.

[Yuki Akuma]

I have to ban three because I am a Focused Specialist.

...So you do. Well, ban Necromancy then. You don't want to lose out on the Conjuration stuff you can't mimic with Shadow Illusion.