Arcantor, an incarnum wizard [3.5 base]

[sirpercival]

Repertoire: Unlike other incarnum users, an Arcantor does not automatically have access to all soulmelds on her class list; instead, she learns to shape particular soulmelds through concentrated study and research into the fusion of arcanum and incarnum. An Arcantor begins play knowing 5 soulmelds of her choice from the Arcantor class list (subject to the restrictions of her Specialization, as described below), and learns one additional Arcantor soulmeld every level after 1st (which costs no extra time or resources). Prestige classes which grant +1 level of an existing meldshaping class also allow the Arcantor to automatically add soulmelds to her Repertoire.

An Arcantor can learn soulmelds in other ways, as well, and from other class soulmeld lists. The Shape Soulmeld feat adds the chosen soulmeld to the Arcantor's repertoire, which she then may shape using her normal soulmeld slots. In addition, an Arcantor can learn a soulmeld from another willing meldshaper who knows it and has it shaped. Learning a soulmeld in this way is a rather involved process. First, the Arcantor must analyze the soulmeld with a Spellcraft check (DC 20 + twice the standard essentia capacity of the soulmeld, based on the other meldshaper's Hit Dice and MoI page 19). If the skill check fails, the Arcantor cannot attempt to analyze the soulmeld until the next day. The other meldshaper must be present for this analysis, as well as the rest of the learning process.

Once the soulmeld has been analyzed, the Arcantor must spend a day studying the soulmeld (the meldshaper must have the soulmeld shaped during this time). At the end of the day, she must make a Spellcraft check (at a DC of 5 less than the DC to analyze the soulmeld). An Arcantor who has specialized in a school of magic gains a +2 bonus on the Spellcraft check if the new soulmeld is associated with her specialty school. She cannot, however, learn any soulmelds associated with her prohibited schools. If the check succeeds, the Arcantor understands the soulmeld and can add it to her repertoire by spending 24 hours in meditation and spending 100 gp in magical materials. The process leaves the source meldshaper unharmed. If the check fails, the Arcantor cannot understand or learn the soulmeld. She cannot attempt to learn that soulmeld again until she gains another rank in Spellcraft.

Adding soulmelds to the repertoire from other meldshapers seems prohibitive, especially at low levels.  A first level Arcantor will be rolling Spellcraft +7 or 8 vs DC 22 at minimum to analyze the soulmeld (can't take 20 due to a penalty for failure), so he has to roll at least a 14 or 15 on the die.  Then, if that succeeds, he's got a 50/50 shot to actually learn the meld (auto-pass if you can take 10 though, so that's nice). 

It seems weird that learning a soulmeld from a Totemist 1 is easier than learning it from a Totemist 1/Fighter 19.  I get that you were trying to make the difficulty of the check scale with level, it just doesn't make any in-world sense to me.

I tried to get it as close to spellbook numbers as possible... do you have an alternative implementation idea?

Are there school associations for non-Arcantor soulmelds?

Absolutely, I just haven't done them yet.

[sirpercival]

OK, transmutation is up. That's all the new soulmelds! Anyone who'd like to contribute school assignments for non-Arcantor melds is certainly welcome to do so..... HINT HINT

[Gavinfoxx]

How would you adapt this to have a more psionic flavor? A Psycantor, if you will, as a middle ground between the Erudite and Psionic Artificer? Something that combines a bit of soulspark and psicrystal, and with the psionic disciplines rather than magical schools? It seems a very interesting little class, but I've always liked the combination of soul and mind magic together!