DRAGONMAGE Every mage aspires to an ideal. Magic is power without equal, and the nature of power is to seek power. It is only a logical step to look to dragon: It
is magic, breathing the elements as easily as air, mastering spells without even putting its mind to it, for they are engraved in its blood. But as always, there are those who go a step further.
Dragonmages take after their namesakes in that finest of arts, meditating on the subjects of their fascination and aspiring to match them - even surpass them, perhaps. In their imitation, they take on scales, strange abilities, and finally the magic of their models, as varied and unpredictable as the myriad dragons.
MAKING A DRAGONMAGE A dragonmage is an arcane spellcaster with a draconic theme.
Abilities: Charisma is a dragonmage's most important attribute, though a high Constitution helps as well because of the small Hit Die.
Races: Spellscales are the most common dragonmages, but humans, elves, and dragonborn are also often drawn to the Ethos.
Alignment: Any, though a dragonmage may choose to express some Ideals over others based on his alignment.
Starting Gold: As sorcerer.
Starting Age: As sorcerer.
HD: d4
Class SkillsThe Dragonmage's class skills (and the key ability for each skill) are Bluff (Cha), Concentration (Con), Diplomacy (Cha), Disguise (Cha), Craft (Int), Intimidate (Cha), Knowledge (all skills, taken individually) (Int), Perform (Cha), Profession (Wis), and Spellcraft (Int).
Skill Points at 1st Level: (4 + Int) x4
Skill Points at Each Additional Level: 4 + Int
Table: The Dragonmage
| Base Attack | Fort | Reflex | Will | | Level | Bonus | Save | Save | Save | Special | 1 | +0 | +2 | +0 | +2 | Dragontouched | 2 | +1 | +3 | +0 | +3 | Ancient arcana, breath d6 | 3 | +1 | +3 | +1 | +3 | Scales | 4 | +2 | +4 | +1 | +4 | Ideal focus | 5 | +2 | +4 | +1 | +4 | — | 6 | +3 | +5 | +2 | +5 | Breath 2d4 | 7 | +3 | +5 | +2 | +5 | Wings | 8 | +4 | +6 | +2 | +6 | Arcane ideal | 9 | +4 | +6 | +3 | +6 | Lesser dragonsight | 10 | +5 | +7 | +3 | +7 | Breath 2d6 | 11 | +5 | +7 | +3 | +7 | Rapid re-expression | 12 | +6/+1 | +8 | +4 | +8 | Dual ideal | 13 | +6/+1 | +8 | +4 | +8 | — | 14 | +7/+2 | +9 | +4 | +9 | Breath 2d8 | 15 | +7/+2 | +9 | +5 | +9 | Quick re-expression | 16 | +8/+3 | +10 | +5 | +10 | Convert metamagic | 17 | +8/+3 | +10 | +5 | +10 | — | 18 | +9/+4 | +11 | +6 | +11 | Breath 2d10 | 19 | +9/+4 | +11 | +6 | +11 | Speedy re-expression | 20 | +10/+5 | +12 | +6 | +12 | Greater dragonsight |
| Spells/Day | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 4 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | 5 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | 5 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | 5 | 4 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | 5 | 5 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 2 | — | — | — | — | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 3 | — | — | — | — | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 2 | — | — | — | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 3 | — | — | — | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 2 | — | — | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 3 | — | — | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 2 | — | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 3 | — | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| | Spells Known | | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | | 4 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | | 5 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | | 5 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | | 5 | 3 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | | 5 | 3 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | | 5 | 4 | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | — | | 5 | 4 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | — | | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 0 | — | — | | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | — | — | | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 0 | — | | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | — | | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
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Weapon and Armor Proficiencies: Dragonmages are proficient with simple weapons. They are not proficient with any type of armor or shield. Armor of any type interferes with a dragonmage's gestures, which can cause his spells with somatic components to fail.
Spells: A dragonmage casts arcane spells which are drawn from those granted to him by the Ideals he knows. He can cast any spell he knows without preparing it ahead of time. He can cast any spell he knows at any time, assuming he has not yet used up his spells per day for that spell level. He does not have to decide ahead of time which spells he’ll cast. To learn or cast a spell, a dragonmage must have a Charisma score equal to at least 10 + the spell level. The Difficulty Class for a saving throw against a dragonmage's spell is 10 + the spell level + the dragonmage's Charisma modifier. Like other spellcasters, a dragonmage can cast only a certain number of spells of each spell level per day; his base daily spell allotment is given on the table above. In addition, he receives bonus spells per day if he has a high Charisma score.
A dragonmage's selection of spells is extremely limited. A dragonmage begins play knowing four 0th-level spells from the Sorcerer/Wizard list, and one 1st-level spell chosen from among those associated with the Ideals he knows. At each new dragonmage level, he gains one or more new spells, as indicated on the table above. Unlike spells per day, the number of spells a dragonmage knows is not affected by his Charisma score; the numbers on the table are fixed.
Ideals: A dragonmage has come to terms with the fact that dragons have the most superior understanding of the arcane arts in existence, and seeks to emulate such mastery through expression of the draconic ideal. He focuses on a few different types of dragons which most closely represent his personal philosophies, and trains himself to mimic the abilities of his chosen few. These sets of abilities are known as Ideals. Each day, a dragonmage chooses to express an Ideal that he knows, gaining one or more special abilities from the Ideal depending on his skill at expressing it (represented by his Idealist level). The number of Ideals an Idealist knows depends on his Idealist level, which is the sum of his levels in all classes which grant the ability to express Ideals; the dragonamge's ability to use Ideal powers and his number of Ideal power daily uses are also determined by his Idealist level. See Being an Idealist, above, for rules, and below for full descriptions of all the Ideals.
Expressing an Ideal requires a good night's sleep and 1 hour of contemplation, after which the dragonmage recovers his daily spell slots and can access the abilities of his chosen Ideal. A dragonmage can express only one Ideal at a time (but see Dual Ideal, below). The Ideal the dragonmage chooses to express determines the associated energy type for his Scales and Breath class features. The caster level for any spell-like or supernatural abilities granted by a dragonmage's Ideals is equal to his Idealist Level. (All Ideal powers which require spending one of these uses say so in the power description.)
Whenever he learns a new Ideal, a dragonmage can choose to learn a new spell from the Ideal's spell list in place of one he already knows from another Ideal. In effect, he loses the old spell in exchange for the new one. The new spell must be of the same level as the old spell, and no higher than one level less than the highest-level spells the dragonmage can cast.
Finally, whenever he expresses an Ideal, the dragonmage gains the knowledge of a single spell he does not know of any level he can cast, chosen from that Ideal's list. He cannot use this spell to qualify for feats, prestige classes, or other options. If and when he stops expressing that Ideal, he loses knowledge of that spell; if he later begins expressing that Ideal again, he may choose the same or a different spell of any level he can cast.
Dragontouched (Ex): A dragonmage gains Dragontouched as a bonus feat, even if he does not meet the prerequisites. In addition, any draconic feats he selects function as if his draconic ancestors were of the same type as any Ideal he expresses. For example, a dragonmage with the Draconic Heritage feat who expressed the Black Dragon Ideal would gain the benefit of Draconic Heritage (Black); if he switched the next day to the Gold Dragon Ideal he would gain the benefit of Draconic Heritage (Gold) instead.
Ancient arcana (Ex): At 2nd level, dragonmage passionately studies the magical knowledge of dragons long ago. He gains a bonus on Knowledge (Arcana) checks equal to half his Idealist level (rounded down, minimum 1).
Breath (Su): Beginning at 2nd level, a dragonmage learns the next draconic technique in his arsenal, gaining the ability to breathe a blast of energy at his foes. By sacrificing a spell slot as a standard action, the dragonmage deals energy damage equal to 1d6 per level of the sacrificed slot to all foes in a line of length equal to 5 feet per class level. Opponents gain a Reflex save (DC 10 + 1/2 caster level + Charisma modifier) for half damage; the type of energy is given by his expressed Ideal. If the dragonmage is expressing more than one ideal (see Dual Ideal, below), he chooses one type of energy associated with one of his Ideals at the time he sacrifices the spell slot. At 6th level, and every 4 levels after, the damage die size increases as shown on the table above.
Scales (Su): At 3rd level, a dragonmage's skin begins to harden, emulating the protective scales on a dragon's outer surface. He gains a natural armor bonus equal to his Constitution modifier, and energy resistance equal to his Charisma modifier against the associated energy type of his expressed Ideal. If the dragonmage is expressing more than one ideal (see Dual Ideal, below), he gains resistance against every energy type associate with an expressed Ideal.
Ideal focus (Su): Beginning at 4th level, whenever a dragonmage casts a dragonmage spell which is associated with his expressed Ideal, he may spend a use of his ideal powers to increase the caster level for the spell by +2 or the save DC for the spell by +1. He may spend a maximum of one use of his ideal powers in this way per casting.
Wings (Su): At 7th level, a dragonmage learns the secrets of draconic mobility, gaining the ability to grow wings for short periods of time. By sacrificing a spell slot as a swift action, the dragonmage may grant himself a fly speed equal to 10 feet times the level of the spell slot, with good maneuverability. This fly speed lasts a number of rounds equal to the dragonmage's Charisma modifier.
Arcane ideal (Su): Upon reaching 8th level, a dragonmage learns how to apply his ethos more fully to his magical lore. When casting a dragonmage, spell, the dragonmage may spend a number of daily uses of his ideal powers equal to the level of the spell to cast the spell without spending a spell slot. He must have a spell slot of the appropriate level remaining to use this ability.
Lesser dragonsight (Su): At 9th level, a dragonmage's senses have become honed through constant exposure to arcane energies. He gains blindsense out to a range of 5 feet times his Charisma modifier, and can use detect magic at will as a supernatural ability.
Rapid re-expression (Su): Beginning at 11th level, a dragonmage learns to change his focus more quickly than normal. Once per day, he can change his expressed Ideal by spending a full-round action meditating, which does not provoke attacks of opportunity.
Dual ideal: A dragonmage of 12th level or higher learns the ability to express two Ideals simultaneously, gaining the benefit of both Ideals. He can still only change one at a time with the Rapid Re-expression class feature.
Quick re-expression: Upon reaching 15th level, whenever a dragonmage uses his Rapid Re-expression class feature, it requires a standard action instead of a full-round action.
Convert metamagic (Su): At 16th level, the dragonmage learns a secret of draconic lore. The dragonmage may apply a single metamagic feat to a spell he knows without increasing the casting time or effective spell level by sacrificing additional spell slots whose total levels equal twice the effective spell level of the spell plus the metamagic feat. For example, the dragonmage could sacrifice three additional 6th-level spell slots to cast a Maximized Chain Lightning (with an effective spell level of 9) without adjusting the spell level or casting time.
Speedy re-expression: Beginning at 19th level, whenever a dragonmage uses his Rapid Re-expression class feature, it requires a move action instead of a standard action.
Greater dragonsight (Su): Upon reaching 20th level, a dragonmage is so steeped in arcane magic that his senses have been permanently altered. He gains blindsight out to a distance of 10 feet times his Charisma modifier, and can use greater arcane sight at will as a supernatural ability.
EPIC DRAGONMAGE Hit Die: d4
Skills Points at Each Level: 2 + Int
Spells: The dragonmage's caster level is equal to his or her Idealist level. The dragonmage's number of spells per day does not increase after 20th level. The dragonmage does not learn additional spells unless he or she selects the Spell Knowledge epic feat.
Ideals: The dragonmage's Idealist level continues to increase as he or she advances beyond 20th level. The dragonmage does not gain additional Ideals unless he or she selects the Expanded Philosophy feat.
Bonus Feats: The Epic Dragonmage gains a Bonus Feat every 3 levels higher than 20th.