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Zaydos
2016-09-15, 06:22 PM
Gravemind

"You may destroy this puppet, heroes, but do not mistake it for the true threat!" - Juliam Fael, an arrogant fool of a gravemind.

A gravemind is one who has combined the mental prowess of psionics with necromantic magic to create something dangerous and widespread, a mental network of undead, a legion of their unliving dolls that work to their will. They develop the ability to animate legions of the dead, to possess the bodies of their minions, commune with the minds of the dead, and again and again to blend necromancy and psionics into one dread whole.


Becoming a Gravemind

To become a gravemind one must manifest both psionic power and necromantic skill. How they come about these things vary. Some graveminds begin as wilders and dread necromancers, demonstrating a spontaneous knack for both skills, others are wizard and psions who study and master the arts of the dead. A few are psions or wilders who worship gods of death and couple their psionic powers with those dark strengths their master chooses to bestow upon them. The only thing beyond simple skill with psionics and necromancy required to become a gravemind is knowledge of the nature of psionics and of undeath, a neccesary requisite for their blending of the two forces.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Alignment: Any non-Good.
Psionics: Ability to manifest psionic powers and at least 2 levels in classes which grant psionic powers.
Skills: Knowledge (psionics) 8 ranks, Knowledge (religion) 8 ranks.
Spells: Ability to cast spells of the necromancy school and at least 2 levels in classes which grant the ability to cast spells of the necromancy school.

Class Skills
The Class Name's class skills (and the key ability for each skill) are: Autohypnosis (Wis), Concentration (Con), Craft (Int), Heal (Wis), Intimidate (Cha), Knowledge (arcana) (Int), Knowledge (psionics) (Int), Knowledge (religion) (Int), Psicraft (Int), and Spellcraft (Int).
Skills Points at Each Level: 2 + Int

Hit Dice: d4


LevelBase Attack BonusFort SaveRef SaveWill SaveSpecialPsionics/Spellcasting
1st
+0
+0
+0
+2Necromantic Focus, Rebuke Undead, Stygian Ray, Theurgic Casting+1 level of existing manifesting class/+1 level of existing spellcasting class
2nd
+1
+0
+0
+3Psionic Reanimation+1 level of existing manifesting class/+1 level of existing spellcasting class
3rd
+1
+1
+1
+3Psionic Speak with Dead+1 level of existing manifesting class/+1 level of existing spellcasting class
4th
+2
+1
+1
+4Undying Vigor+1 level of existing manifesting class/+1 level of existing spellcasting class
5th
+2
+1
+1
+4Lesser Gravemind 1/day+1 level of existing manifesting class/+1 level of existing spellcasting class
6th
+3
+2
+2
+5Grave Legion+1 level of existing manifesting class/+1 level of existing spellcasting class
7th
+3
+2
+2
+5Commune with the Dead, Penetrate the Dead Mind+1 level of existing manifesting class/+1 level of existing spellcasting class
8th
+4
+2
+2
+6Lesser Gravemind 2/day, Stygian Bolt+1 level of existing manifesting class/+1 level of existing spellcasting class
9th
+4
+3
+3
+6Gravemind+1 level of existing manifesting class/+1 level of existing spellcasting class
10th
+5
+3
+3
+7Buffer Life+1 level of existing manifesting class/+1 level of existing spellcasting class
11th
+5
+3
+3
+7Mental Necromancy+1 level of existing manifesting class/+1 level of existing spellcasting class
12th
+6
+4
+4
+8Gravesense+1 level of existing manifesting class/+1 level of existing spellcasting class
13th
+6
+4
+4
+8Necromantic Empowerment+1 level of existing manifesting class/+1 level of existing spellcasting class
14th
+7
+4
+4
+9Withdraw Investiture+1 level of existing manifesting class/+1 level of existing spellcasting class
15th
+7
+5
+5
+9Stygian Conflagration+1 level of existing manifesting class/+1 level of existing spellcasting class

Weapon and Armor Proficiencies: A Gravemind gains no new weapon or armor proficiencies.

Psionics/Spellcasting: When a new gravemind level is attained, the character gains new spells per day as if he had also attained a level in any one spellcasting class he belonged to before he added the prestige class. He gains additional power points per day and access to new powers as if he had also gained a level in any one manifesting class he belonged to previously. He does not, however, gain any other benefit a character of either class would have gained (bonus metamagic, metapsionic, or item creation feats, psicrystal special abilities, and so on). This essentially
means that he adds the level of gravemind to the level of whatever other spellcasting class and manifesting class the character has, then determines spells per day, caster level, power points per day, powers known, and manifester level accordingly.

For example, a 3rd-level wizard/3rd-level psion who takes a level in gravemind has the same access to spells as a 4th-level wizard and the same number of power points as a 4th-level psion. But his wizard familiar and his psicrystal (if he has one) won’t gain any new abilities. If a character had more than one arcane spellcasting class or more than one manifesting class before he became a cerebremancer, he must decide to which class he adds each level of gravemind for purpose of determining spells per day, caster level, power points per day, powers known, and manifester level.

Necromantic Focus: A gravemind's magic is focused more heavily on necromancy than on other aspects. Their caster level for non-Necromancy spells in any class that they add a level of Gravemind to for spells known, spells per day, and caster level is reduced by 1/2 the number of Gravemind levels they add to it rounded up. This does not prevent them from casting spells of the affected schools even if it lowers their caster level below the normal minimum, and they can make magic items with their normal caster level (and in fact must still meet the normal minimum when doing so), but for caster level dependent effects it is reduced. A Remove Curse spell cannot remove this ability.

Rebuke Undead (Su): A gravemind is connected to the power of undeath. If a gravemind possesses rebuke undead from another class they add their gravemind level to their effective cleric level for the purposes of Rebuke Undead. If they do not already possess rebuke undead they do not gain it, though if they gain it later from another class they would add gravemind levels to it at that point. You may replace your Charisma for the purposes of Rebuke Undead with whatever ability score you selected for Theurgic Casting (see below).

Stygian Ray: A gravemind learns necromantic psionic powers as well as magic. At 1st level they add Stygian Ray (Complete Psionics) as a 1st level power known to their powers known for any and all manifesting classes they possess.

Theurgic Casting (Ex): A gravemind is able to blend their two paths of power together more closely than most. At 1st level a gravemind may choose one mental ability which they use to determine their save DCs for any manifesting or spellcasting class that they advanced with gravemind. They use that mental ability score to determine the save DCs and bonus spells/power points for all classes that they have advanced with gravemind.

Psionic Reanimation: A gravemind learns to reanimate the dead through a combination of magical and psionic means. Beginning at 2nd level a gravemind may expend 5 Power Points and a 2nd level necromantic spell or 2nd level spell slot that could be used to cast a necromantic spell to cast Animate Dead as if it was a spell cast by the class the spell (slot) of was used. They use their caster level in that class, and still must perform components, and provide material components, as normal for Animate Dead. When cast this way Animate Dead is considered a 4th level spell (although they are not considered to be able to cast 7th level spells) and it possesses Auditor and Material displays (as a psionic power).

Psionic Speak with Dead: At 3rd level a gravemind adds Psionic Speak with Dead as a 3rd level power known to their powers known a for any and all manifesting classes they possess. If they are unable to know 3rd level powers in that class they still add it to their powers known but do not count as knowing a 3rd level power; they may still use it if their manifester level is at least 5.

Undying Vigor (Su): A gravemind learns how to channel psionic power into greater fortitude for their undead servitors. Beginning at 4th level a gravemind may spend power points up to their manifester level and touch an undead creature (as a standard action) to grant it temporary hit points equal to 4 times the spent power points. These temporary hit points last 1 minute per manifester level.

Lesser Gravemind (Su): A portion of a gravemind's mind stretches into every undead they control through animate dead or rebuke undead, a little root of their psychic presence that allows them full access to their being. Beginning at 5th level once per day a gravemind may take control of an undead creature they control through having created it with animate dead or through rebuke undead. This functions like Stygian Dominion (Complete Psi) except that its range is the plane you are on, its does not allow a saving throw, and you may only use it to control the bodies of undead you control through having created them with animate dead or the rebuke undead ability regardless of their hit dice. Your manifester level for this ability is your manifester level, or your character level whichever is higher. You do not need line of effect or sight to the target of this ability, your mystical link is enough, but if they have been destroyed already the ability fails and the use is still expended. A gravemind may use this ability 1/day at 5th level and an additional time per day per 3 levels beyond that.

Grave Legion: A gravemind's psychic skills bolster their necromantic powers allowing them to more easily control hordes of undead. Beginning at 6th level a gravemind adds their manifester level to their caster level to determine the maximum number of hit dice undead they can control with animate undead, but not the maximum hit dice an individual undead creature may possess. Likewise they add their manifester level to their cleric level to determine the number of hit dice of undead they can control with Rebuke Undead, but not the maximum number of hit dice an individual undead creature can possess.

Commune with the Dead (Psi): A gravemind can reach out with their mind to commune with the minds of the dead through psychic focus and meditation. Beginning at 7th level a gravemind may once per week commune with the vestiges of intelligence within the dead within 1 mile of them per manifester level. This functions like speak with dead with a caster level of the gravemind's manifester level except that the dead creature within 1 mile/manifester level with the most relevant answer is the one to give it, and the creature's mouth need not be intact as long as its cranium is. Using Commune with the Dead requires 10 minutes of concentration and is the equivalent of a 5th level psionic power.

Penetrate the Dead Mind (Su): A gravemind's mental powers are attuned to those of the dead and deathless allowing them to penetrate even seemingly impenetrable minds. Beginning at 7th level a gravemind may expend their psionic focus when casting a mind-affecting spell or manifesting a mind-affecting psionic power. If they do so the ability may affect deathless and undead despite their type based immunity to mind-affecting effects. If they have another source of immunity (mindless trait, mind blank spell) it will still protect them.

Stygian Bolt: A gravemind's necromantic psionics continue to improve. At 8th level a gravemind adds Stygian Bolt as a 5th level power known to their powers known a for any and all manifesting classes they possess. If they are unable to know 5th level powers in that class they still add it to their powers known but do not count as knowing a 5th level power; they may still use it if their manifester level is at least 9. They need only pay 9 PP not 11 to manifest this power unaugmented (as it's a 5th level power not 6th for them).

Gravemind (Su): A gravemind is able to create a mental web between the minds of the dead with themselves at its necrotic center. Beginning at 9th level a gravemind may communicate telepathically with any undead they control through animate dead or rebuke undead as long as they are on the same plane. In addition as a standard action they may see and hear (and other senses) what one undead in this network can as if they were it (they use its spot and listen, and special senses) for 1 round.

Buffer Life (Su): A gravemind is able to protect their very life force from being drained or siphoned away. Beginning at 10th level as long as a gravemind is psionicly focused if they would suffer energy drain or negative levels due to a negative energy or necromancy based effect they may spend 5 Power Points per negative level to negate them; they do not have to negate all negative levels and this is not an action on their part.

Mental Necromancy: A gravemind is learns to manifest necromantic magics through sheer mental might. Beginning at 11th level a gravemind may expend their psionic focus and spend power points equal to two and a half times the spell level of a necromancy spell they can cast spontaneously (rounded down) to manifest it as a psionic power, or three times the spell level to manifest a necromancy spell that they have prepared. They use their manifester level in place of their caster level, and do not need any focus, somatic, verbal, or inexpensive material components of the spell. They must still provide expensive material components and pay any XP cost however. A gravemind may not spend more power points to manifest a spell than their manifester level.

Gravesense (Su): A gravemind is in tune with the essence of the dead and undying, able to sense their presence from afar. Beginning at 12th level as long as a gravemind has their psionic focus they may sense the presence of undead and deathless creatures within 60 ft as if with the blindsense special ability. As a free action they may expend their psionic focus to improve this to the equivalent of blindsight for 1 round (for this round they do not need to maintain their psionic focus to use this ability).

Necromantic Empowerment (Su): A gravemind can fuel their psionic powers beyond their normal limits through the expenditure of their magical ones. Beginning at 13th level a gravemind may expend their psionic focus and a necromancy spell (either a slot that could be used to spontaneously cast a necromancy spell or a prepared necromancy spell) to cause a psionic power they manifest to be considered to have 4 more power points spent to manifest it (this may push its effective cost to above the gravemind's manifester level). A gravemind must spend at least a 2nd level spell (slot) to affect powers which had 7 or less power points spent on them, a 3rd level spell for those up to 9, a 4th for those up to 11, a 5th for those up to 13, a 6th for those up to 15, a 7th for those up to 17, an 8th for those up to 19, and a 9th for those up to 21; if they already had 22 or more power points spent to manifest them they are beyond the power of this ability.

Withdraw Investiture (Su): A gravemind can recall the mystical energies which animate their undead to bolster their own life force and mental powers. Beginning at 14th level a gravemind may while holding their psionic focus destroy 1 or more unintelligent undead creatures they control through Animate Dead or Rebuke Undead as an immediate action. These creatures must be on the same plane as the gravemind and the gravemind gains temporary hit points equal to the number of hit dice of undead destroyed this way and regains 1 power point for each undead creature with 6 or more hit dice destroyed this way. The temporary hit points gained this way last for 1 minute per gravemind level.

Stygian Conflagration: A gravemind's necromantic psionics continue to improve. At 15th level a gravemind adds Stygian Conflagration as an 8th level power known to their powers known a for any and all manifesting classes they possess. If they are unable to know 8th level powers in that class they still add it to their powers known but do not count as knowing an 8th level power; they may still use it if their manifester level is at least 15. They need only pay 15 PP not 17 to manifest this power unaugmented (as it's a 8th level power not 9th for them).

Eldan
2016-09-15, 07:46 PM
First question: why fifteen levels? Surely, without cheese, you can't get into his before level 7 (Psion 3/Wizard 3).

Zaydos
2016-09-15, 07:51 PM
First question: why fifteen levels? Surely, without cheese, you can't get into his before level 7 (Psion 3/Wizard 3).

Prerequisites include:

Spells: Ability to cast 2nd level spells of the necromancy school, or ability to spontaneously cast at least 2 different necromancy spells.

You can get in as a Psion 3/Sorcerer 2 so you can...

Umm intent was to try and make dual 9s possible for spontaneous casters but that'd need to be Psion 2/Sorcerer 3. And it was supposed to specify 1st level necromancy spells (as an Evil Cleric qualifies at 1st level). So I'm going to have to rethink prerequisites for a bit and try to find a way for 2/3 entry that doesn't allow 1/4 entry. Which for that matter the current way does. :smallsigh:

Edit: Changed it to the extremely artificial seeming 'at least 2 levels in classes which grant manifesting' and 'at least 2 levels in classes which grant necromancy spells'. Sure you can get in as a Duskblade 1/Bard 1/Wilder 1/Ardent 1/Fighter 1 but it means you can't go Psion 4/Wizard 1, you're always losing at least 2 caster levels in one and 3 in the other.

remetagross
2016-09-16, 10:23 AM
Stygian Conflagration gives you Stygian Bolt again; is this a typo ?
Moreover, about the Lesser Gravemind you wrote, "Beginning at 5th level once per day a gravemind may take control of an undead creature they control through having created it with animate dead or through rebuke undead". And then, "A gravemind may use this ability 1/day at 3rd level and an additional time per day per 3 levels beyond that". I assume this is a typo too, and the ability is supposed to come online at 5th level.

Zaydos
2016-09-16, 11:39 AM
Yeah I originally had Lesser Gravemind as 3rd level up to 5/day, I mean it's a 5th level spell with downsides! And larger upsides. So it got shifted to 5th (ECL 10) where it's more reasonable, and the other was just forgetting to change a word after copy-paste.