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View Full Version : Pathfinder "Knowing Is Half the Battle" - The Scholar [PF Base Class, PEACH]



Aergoth
2014-03-20, 03:10 PM
The Scholar

http://fc01.deviantart.net/fs71/f/2013/020/8/7/gemini___llewellyn_worldwide_by_juliedillon-d5s3qjx.jpg


"If knowing is half the battle, then research is the other half."


Not every great mind takes up spellcasting. Some turn their skills and intellect to study monstrous creatures so that they might in turn aid others in their struggles with great beasts and terrible evil

The Scholar advises their companions, drawing on a depth of knowledge unavailable to those without their single-minded study. Whether consulting on diplomatic matters or describing the weaknesses of a potent monster, the Scholar puts his mind and the information is possesses at the front of a battle to assist his companions.

Role: The Scholar acts as a resource for the party to make use of. Their knowledge supplements that of other adventurers and their ability to instruct others

Alignment: Scholars generally function best within the bounds of polite society where they can more easily find and procure knowledge, and especially within academia. These structured environments tend to leave their mark on a Scholar and so many of them are lawful. Chaotic scholars tend to be from nomadic or tribal societies, learning their knowledge through ancient stories that they have decoded and bits of old folklore. Scholars can be of any alignment as far as good or evil are concerned. There are as many diabolic tomes as there are sacred scrolls and just as many who are eager to learn the secrets within them.

Hit Die: d6

Starting Gold: 3d6 x 10gp (average 105gp)

Class Skills
The Scholar's class skills (and the key ability for each skill) are Appraise (Int), Craft (any) (Int), Disable Device (Dex), Heal (Wis), Knowledge (all) (Int), Perception (Wis), Profession (Wis), Sleight of Hand (Dex), Spellcraft (Int), Survival (Wis), Use Magic Device (Cha)

Skill Ranks per Level: (6 + Int modifier)


Scholar
{table=head]Level|BAB|Fort|Ref|Will|Special

1st|+0|+0|+2|+2|Impart Knowledge, Research, Book Learning

2nd|+1|+0|+3|+3|Specialization

3rd|+2|+1|+3|+3|Rote Learning

4th|+3|+1|+4|+4|Specialization

5th|+3|+1|+4|+4|Esoteric Knowledge

6th|+4|+2|+5|+5|Specialization

7th|+5|+2|+5|+5|

8th|+6/+1|+2|+6|+6|Specialization

9th|+6/+1|+3|+6|+6|Rote Learning

10th|+7/+2|+3|+7|+7|Esoteric Knowledge, Specialization

11th|+8/+3|+3|+7|+7|

12th|+9/+4|+4|+8|+8|Specialization

13th|+9/+4|+4|+8|+8|

14th|+10/+5|+4|+9|+9|Specialization

15th|+11/+6/+1|+5|+9|+9|Esoteric Knowledge, Rote Learning

16th|+12/+7/+2|+5|+10|+10|Specialization

17th|+12/+7/+2|+5|+10|+10|

18th|+13/+8/+3|+6|+11|+11|Specialization

19th|+14/+9/+4|+6|+11|+11|

20th|+15/+10/+5|+6|+12|+12|Esoteric Knowledge, Specialization
[/table]

Weapon and Armor Proficiencies:Scholars are proficient in simple weapons and light armor.

Book Learning (Ex): A scholar records notes and scraps of information in a notebook (or series of notebooks) which they must carry with them in order to perform their research checks. In absence of their notebook, a sufficiently sized collection of books or other lore may be substituted for the notebook, however this increases the time it takes for them to perform the research by 1d6 hours (minimum 2). When accessing his notebook or a collection of lore, a Scholar may add one-half his Scholar Level to any knowledge checks he makes to research.

Research (Ex): A Scholar’s strength lies in the careful dissection of facts in order to find those which are most useful. A Scholar may consult his notes and sources for any pertinent information on a type of creature. This process of cross-referencing and searching takes one hour. At the end of the hour the Scholar makes a research check using an appropriate Knowledge skill. Generally the DC of such a check is 15+ CR of the creature being researched, but this may be higher or lower based on how specific the Scholar attempts to be in his research. If successful the Scholar can impart some of his knowledge to his companions granting them a boon while dealing with such creatures.

Impart Knowledge (Ex): Following a successful research check, a Scholar can synthesize the information he has uncovered and share the important facts with his associates in order to aid them. Imparting Knowledge grants the affected character a Boon, a minor bonus to be used during their interaction with this creature whether violent or otherwise. A scholar may Impart Knowledge to a number of creatures equal to 1/2 their scholar level (minimum 1) and impart a total bonus (regardless of how this is distributed) equal to their intelligence modifier. A creature cannot benefit from the boons of more than one Scholar at time nor can they benefit from multiple instances of the same boon. A Scholar cannot benefit from their own boons.
Imparting Knowledge is a standard action and can be maintained as a free action. A creature must be able to hear and understand the Scholar in order to benefit from Impart Knowledge. Mindless creatures, those with an intelligence score of 2 or less cannot benefit from Impart Knowledge. The boons from impart knowledge cease if the Scholar is unconscious, stunned, paralyzed or unable to speak. Boons from Impart Knowledge will only work against creatures with CR equal to the Scholar’s level + their Int modifier (max CR 5). Scholars begin play capable of boons that grant bonuses to the following:

Saving throws against the special attacks of researched creatures
Damage rolls against researched creatures
Opposed skill checks against researched creatures

Esoteric Knowledge (Ex): In your searches and adventuring you have come across more potent sources of knowledge that will enhance your researches and the level of boons that you are capable of providing. Boons you provide will function against creatures with a maximum CR of 10. In addition you now provide boons that grant bonuses to:

All skill checks involving researched creatures
Rolls to confirm critical hits against researched creatures
Attack rolls against researched creatures

At 10th level, your base of knowledge increases again, allowing you to perform research about even more powerful creatures. Your boons function against creatures with a maximum CR of 15 and you may provide boons that grant bonuses to:

Armor Class against the attacks of researched creatures
Caster Level checks to overcome Spell Resistance of a researched creature
Ignore a portion of the Damage Resistance of researched creature equal to the bonus provided

At 15th level you have access to depths of knowledge unheard of by most beings. Your boons will function against creatures with a maximum CR of 20.

Specialization: Scholars inevitably have their own niches of information that they feel the most comfortable in. Within their specialized fields many scholars can match those of a much broader range of experience. A scholar gains one specialization at second level and one at every second level afterwards. Unless otherwise noted a specialization cannot be selected more than once. Specializations have a requirement of both a given Scholar level and a requisite number of ranks in a particular knowledge skill. A specialization is an Extraordinary ability unless noted otherwise.



Specializations
{table=head]Name|Requirements|Description

Technical Thaumaturgy|Knowledge (Arcana) 2 Ranks|Use Intelligence in place of Charisma for Use Magic Device checks.

Arcane Avoidance|Knowledge (Arcana) 6 Ranks|Grant Evasion (as the rogue class feature) as a Boon vs. Arcana creatures and Arcane Spell Casters, duration as Minor Boon.

Grand Grimoire (Su)|Knowledge (Arcana) 12 Ranks|Gain the abilities of an arcane school as though you were a wizard of half your scholar level. Using these abilities require a full-round action and a notebook.

Gear Guard|Knowledge (Dungeoneering) 2 Ranks|Grant protection from damage to carried objects as a Boon

Focus Fluoresence|Knowledge (Dungeoneering) 6 Ranks|Use a single non-magical light source to create an effect similar to the spell Daylight for one round. Using the light source in this way extinguishes it within 1d4 rounds. Requires a full-round action and notebook.

Azure Sign|Knowledge (Dungeoneering) 12 Ranks|Repel aberrations with a sigil as the spell Antiplant Shell except only creatures of the aberration type are repelled. Requires a full-round action and notebook.

Pitfall Practice|Knowledge (Engineering) 2 Ranks|Allows the Scholar to research Traps and provides Boons against them.

Fracture Focus|Knowledge (Engineering) 6 Ranks|Ignore Hardness as though it were DR as a boon

Trap Tutor|Knowledge (Engineering) 12 Ranks|Grant Trapfinding (as Rogue class feature) as a boon. Duration as a minor boon.

Discerning Disguises|Knowledge (Local) 2 Ranks|Use Intelligence in place of Charisma for Disguise checks.

Community Connections|Knowledge (Local) 6 Ranks|Duration of Skill Boons inside a community are increased to 10 minutes per Scholar Level. Boon ends on leaving community.

Translator|Knowledge (Local) 12 Ranks|Gain Tongues as a spell-like ability 1/day. Requires a full-round action and notebook.

Lore of the Land|Knowledge (Nature) 2 Ranks|Grant Woodland Stride (as the druid class feature) as a Boon, duration as Minor Boon.

Technical Trapper|Knowledge (Nature) 6 Ranks|Use Intelligence in place of Wisdom for Survival checks

Elemental Education|Knowledge (Nature) 12 Ranks|Summon a medium elemental (as Summon Nature’s Ally IV) 1/day as a spell-like ability. Requires a full-round action and notebook.

Extraplanar Parley|Knowledge (The Planes) 2 Ranks|Skill Boons vs. Outsiders grant an additional +1 for each alignment step distant from Scholar’s alignment.

Align Arms|Knowledge (The Planes) 6 Ranks|Align Weapons (as the spell) as a Boon vs. Outsiders.

Planar Preservationist|Knowledge (The Planes) 12 Ranks|Gain Dismissal as a spell-like ability 1/day. Requires a full-round action and notebook.

Protective Prayer|Knowledge (Religion) 2 Ranks|Defensive Boons vs. Undead can be ended to allow a reroll.

Theistic Theorems|Knowledge (Religion) 6 Ranks|Treat Boons as Sacred/Profane Bonus instead of Morale Bonus

Theology|Knowledge (Religion) 12 Ranks|Gain the granted powers of an Alignment Domain or the Knowledge Domain (not subdomains) as a Cleric of half your Scholar level. Using these abilities requires a full-round action and notebook.

Personal Vendetta|Scholar Level 2|Impart Knowledge to yourself. You cannot use Impart Knowledge to grant boons to other characters while using it in this way.

Notebook Mnemonics|Scholar Level 4|Reduce time to research creatures covered by Rote Learning to 10 minutes.

Double Boon|Scholar Level 5|Grant a second boon without needing to split the total bonus.

Swift Boon|Scholar Level 7, Double Boon|Grant a single boon as a swift action 1/day

Research Asisstant|Scholar Level 7, Special|Gain any non-magical beast, non-animal creature from the Improved Familiar list as a familiar
[/table]


Rote Learning (Ex): Scholars eventually reach a point where common traits of certain creatures or other simple information is quick to recall and hardly requires a glance at their notes. While this information is not of great import, these simple observations can still be leveraged by a Scholar to provide a Boon. Select a knowledge skill you have at least three ranks in. You may use Impart Knowledge to grant a minor boon when dealing with creatures that this knowledge skill includes without performing research. Minor boons gained through Rote Learning never exceed a bonus of +1 and only last for a number of rounds equal to the Scholar’s class level but otherwise function identically to the normal boons. A Scholar gains additional Rote Learning at 9th and 15th level but must select a different knowledge skill in which they possess at least three ranks.

Aergoth
2014-03-20, 03:12 PM
Specializations

Technical Thaumaturgy
Requirements:Knowledge (Arcana) 2 Ranks
Description:A Scholar may use their Intelligence modifier in place of their Charisma modifier when making Use Magic Device checks.

Arcane Avoidance
Requirements:Knowledge (Arcana) 6 Ranks
Description: A scholar may use their Impart Knowledge skill to grant Evasion (as the rogue class feature) as a boon against creatures described by Knowledge (Arcana) and Arcane spellcasters. This boon has a duration as a minor boon (rounds equal to Scholar Level + Intelligence modifier)

Grand Grimoire
Requirements:Knowledge (Arcana) 12 Ranks
Description:Scholars are able to choose the abilities of a single Wizard arcane school, using half of their scholar class levels to determine the abilities and bonuses granted. These abilities function identically to those provided by the Wizard class. Using any of these abilities require a full-round action and a notebook.

Gear Guard
Requirements: Knowledge (Dungeoneering) 2 Ranks
Description: A Scholar who uses this specialization can grant protection to carried items from the special abilities and attacks of a researched type of monster (such as a rust monster's attennae or the acid effects of an ooze) as though they possessed Damage Reduction.

Focus Fluoresence
Requirements:Knowledge (Dungeoneering) 6 Ranks
Description: A scholar who uses this specialization can transform a single non-magical light source to create an effect similar to the spell Daylight for one round. Using a light source in this way extinguishes it. The saving throw for this ability is Intelligence-based. Using this specialization requires a full-round action and notebook.

Azure Sign (Su)
Requirements:Knowledge (Dungeoneering) 12 Ranks
Description:You may scribe a sign that repels unnatural creatures. The effect of this symbol acts as the spell Antiplant Shell but the 10 ft. emanation focused on the square in which the symbol is written, and using the Scholar's level as the caster level. Using this specialization requires a full-round action and notebook.

Pitfall Practice
Requirements: Knowledge (Engineering) 2 Ranks
Description:A scholar may research different types of traps (as determined by the Effect of the trap eg. pit, ranged attack, spell, magic device etc.) and provide boons against that type of trap as though they were a creature.

Fracture Focus
Requirements: Knowledge (Engineering) 6 Ranks
Description:A scholar with this specialization may use Impart Knowledge to allow his allies to ignore a number of points of hardness equal to the value of the bonus.

Trap Tutor
Requirements:Knowledge (Engineering) 12 Ranks
Description:A scholar may use their Impart Knowledge skill to grant Trapfinding (as the rogue class feature) as a boon to a single ally. This boon has a duration as a minor boon (rounds equal to Scholar Level + Intelligence modifier)

Discerning Disguises
Requirements:Knowledge (Local) 2 Ranks
Description: A Scholar may use their Intelligence modifier in place of their Charisma modifier when making Disguise checks.

Community Connections
Requirements: Knowledge (Local) 6 Ranks
Description: A scholar may increase the duration of their skill boons within a settlement of the size of village or larger to 10 minutes per Scholar level. Boons with the benefit of this specialization end upon leaving the limits of this community.

Translator
Requirements:Knowledge (Local) 12 Ranks
Description:A scholar with this specialization may cast Tongues as a spell-like ability 1/day. This uses the Scholar's level as the caster level. The DC for this spell-like ability is Intelligence-based. Requires a full-round action and notebook.

Lore of the Land
Requirements:Knowledge (Nature) 2 Ranks
Description:A scholar may use their Impart Knowledge skill to grant Woodland Stride (as the druid class feature) as a boon. This boon has a duration as a minor boon (rounds equal to Scholar Level + Intelligence modifier)Grant as a Boon, duration as Minor Boon.

Technical Trapper
Requirements:Knowledge (Nature) 6 Ranks
Description:A Scholar may use their Intelligence modifier in place of their Charisma modifier when making Survival checks.

Elemental Education
Requirements:Knowledge (Nature) 12 Ranks
Description:Summon a medium elemental (as Summon Nature’s Ally IV) 1/day as a spell-like ability. A scholar with this specialization may cast Summon Nature's Ally IVas a spell-like ability 1/day, but only to summon a medium elemental. This uses the Scholar's level as the caster level. Requires a full-round action and notebook.

Extraplanar Parley
Requirements: Knowledge (The Planes) 2 Ranks
Description:A scholar who uses this specialization grants additional bonuses to Skill Boons against Outsiders. For each alignment step distant from the Scholar's alignment that the outsider is, the bonus provided is increased by 1. eg. A CG Scholar would provide additional bonus of +4 in dealings with LE outsiders.

Align Arms (Su)
Requirements: Knowledge (The Planes) 6 Ranks
Description: You may scribe a sign that repels unnatural creatures. The effect of this boon acts as the spell Align Weapon using the Scholar's level as the caster level. The total duration of this effect is divided evenly between all those who benefit from the boon. Using this specialization requires a full-round action and notebook.

Planar Preservationist
Requirements: Knowledge (The Planes) 12 Ranks
Description: A scholar with this specialization may cast Dismissal as a spell-like ability 1/day. This uses the Scholar's level as the caster level. The DC for this spell-like ability is Intelligence-based. Requires a full-round action and notebook.

Protective Prayer
Requirements:Knowledge (Religion) 2 Ranks
Description:Allies of a scholar providing defensive Boons against creatures of the undead type can be ended to allow a reroll on a saving throw against their special attacks or special abilities.

Theistic Theorems
Requirements:Knowledge (Religion) 6 Ranks
Description:A scholar with this specialization may treat the bonuses provided by their boons as a sacred or profane bonus when they first provide them. A good aligned scholar provides a sacred boon, an evil aligned scholar provides a profane boon. A neutral scholar may choose which type of bonus when selecting this specialization.

Theology
Requirements:Knowledge (Religion) 12 Ranks
Description: Scholars are able to choose the abilities of a single Cleric Domain (either one of their respective alignment or the knowledge domain, a Scholar may not choose a subdomain), using half of their scholar class levels to determine the abilities and bonuses granted. These abilities function identically to those provided by the Cleric class. Using any of these abilities require a full-round action and a notebook.

Personal Vendetta
Requirements:Scholar Level 2
Description: You gain the ability to use Impart Knowledge to grant boons to yourself. These boons function identically to those provided to others but the total bonus is treated as half, and you cannot use Impart Knowledge to grant boons to other characters while using it in this way.

Notebook Mnemonics
Requirements:Scholar Level 4
Description: You add a series of memory aids to your notebook that reduces the time to research with a knowledge skill you possess Rote Learning for to 10 minutes. The benefits from this specialization do not reduce the amount of time it takes to research without using your notebook.

Double Boon
Requirements: Scholar Level 5
Description: You can grant two boons at once and provide your total bonus to both boons. The total bonus of both boons may be divided as you see fit.

Swift Boon
Requirements:Scholar Level 7, Double Boon
Description: Once per day you may Impart Knowledge as a swift action. You cannot use Double Boon in conjuction with this specialization.

Research Asisstant
Requirements:Scholar Level 7, Special
Description:This specialization allows you to gain a familiar from the following list as though you had taken the Improved Familiar feat. Special You must possess Rote Learning or 7 ranks in the corresponding Knowledge Skill as well as a compatible alignment.



Familiar
Alignment
Knowledge


Arbiter (Inevitable)|Lawful neutral|The Planes





Augur (Kyton)|Lawful evil|The Planes




Brownie|Neutral|Nature




Cacodaemon (Daemon)|Neutral evil|The Planes
Cassisian (Angel)|Lawful good|The Planes




Clockwork Familiar|Any|Engineering
Cythnigot (Qlippoth)|Chaotic evil|The Planes/Dungeoneering





Doru (Div)|Neutral evil|The Planes/Religion
Elemental, Small (any type)|Neutral|Nature/The Planes





Faerie Dragon|Within one step of Chaotic Good|Arcana/Nature
Harbinger (Archon)|Lawful good|The Planes





Homunculus|Any|Arcana
Imp|Lawful evil|The Planes





Lyrakie (Azata)Chaotic good|The Planes
Mephit (any type)|Neutral|The Planes





Nosoi (Psychopomp)|Neutral|Religion/The Planes
Nuglub Gremlin|Chaotic evil|Nature/Engineering





Nycar|Chaotic neutral|Arcana
Paracletus (Aeon)|Neutral|The Planes





Pseudodragon|Neutral good|Arcana
Quasit|Chaotic evil |The Planes





Raktavarna (Rakshasa)| Lawful evil|The Planes
Ratling|Chaotic evil|Arcana
Shadow Drake|Evil|Arcana





Shikigami (Kami)
Lawful neutral
Nature/The Planes


Silvanshee (Agathion)
Neutral good
The Planes


Spirit Oni
Lawful evil
The Planes


Sprite
Chaotic neutral
Nature


Tidepool Dragon|
Within one step of Chaotic Neutral



Tripurasura (Asura)
Lawful evil
Religion/The Planes


Voidworm (Protean)
Chaotic neutral
The Planes

TrueJordan
2014-03-20, 03:31 PM
The other half is red and blue lasers? G.I.Joe!

Also, I like it.