
The Bemäntelter Schatten
"I once was a man, much as you are; no longer.
I took my shadow, and formed a cloak;
I took my reflection, and shattered its face.
You think you know loneliness? You think you know doubt?
I climbed the path of power, but every step I took...
Well, allow me to demonstrate."
The shadowcasters are fools, watching but never taking. This one has no such reserves.
There are three maxims, known by all Bemäntelter Schatten; these are taken as truth, and all other truths as mere shadows of: These are lies, there are no truths, no lies. To categorize is to destroy.
1. The shadow and the reflection of a thing is a truth of that thing.Take from me these weaknesses.
2. To change the image of a thing is to change the substance; Shadow and Reflection are one.Ignorance is bliss. Knowledge is a tyranny of the image; to know is to be defined.
3. As long as image persists, Death is a mere illusion.Come, join this one. There is purity in disbelief, strength in being the flow.
Let me tell you a tale.
Game Rule Information:Once upon a time, everything was one
Ability Scores: Charisma and Wisdom are important ability scores... And then the first mind was born.
Starting Age: As BardWith thought, came boundaries, slashed across virgin void with abandon.
Alignment: Cannot have Blue as any part of their alignment.This mutilation of reality was abhorrent.
Starting Gold: As Rogue.My journey is one of healing, becoming, within myself, what the world once was. The end. Wasn't that lovely?
Skills 4+int (x4 at 1st level).
The Class Skills for a Bemäntelter Schatten are Autohypnosis (Wis), Bluff (Cha), Concentration (Con), Craft (Int), Intimidate (Cha), Knowledge (any) (Int), Knowledge (Forbidden Lore) (Int), Psicraft (Int), Profession (Wis), Sense Motive (Wisdom), and Spellcraft (Int).
Hit dice: d8Why don't you join me. Come, let us become gloriously nothing.
Bemäntelter Schatten
Level | Base Attack Bonus | Fort | Ref | Will | Special | Mysteries Known | Highest Level of Mysteries Known | Power Points per Day |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1st | +0 | +0 | +0 | +2 | Fundamentals of Shadow, Mantle of Shadow | 1 | 1st | 0* |
2nd | +1 | +0 | +0 | +3 | Joined with Memory | 2 | 1st | 1 |
3rd | +2 | +1 | +1 | +3 | Fracture the Image (Hidden) | 2 | 1st | 3 |
4th | +3 | +1 | +1 | +4 | Fool's Shadow (+1) | 3 | 2nd | 5 |
5th | +3 | +1 | +1 | +4 | Joined with Memory | 3 | 2nd | 7 |
6th | +4 | +2 | +2 | +5 | Fundamentals of Shadow | 4 | 2nd | 11 |
7th | +5 | +2 | +2 | +5 | Fracture the Image (Travel) | 4 | 2nd | 15 |
8th | +6/+1 | +2 | +2 | +6 | Joined with Memory, Fool's Shadow (+2) | 5 | 3rd | 19 |
9th | +6/+1 | +3 | +3 | +6 | Hide in Plain Sight | 5 | 3rd | 23 |
10th | +7/+2 | +3 | +3 | +7 | Fundamentals of Shadow (Supernatural) | 6 | 3rd | 27 |
11th | +8/+3 | +3 | +3 | +7 | Joined with Memory, Fracture the Image (Mind) | 7 | 4th | 35 |
12th | +9/+4 | +4 | +4 | +8 | Fool's Shadow (+3) | 8 | 4th | 43 |
13th | +9/+4 | +4 | +4 | +8 | Darkhidden Form | 8 | 4th | 51 |
14th | +10/+5 | +4 | +4 | +9 | Joined with Memory, Fundamentals of Shadow | 9 | 5th | 59 |
15th | +11/+6/+1 | +5 | +5 | +9 | Fracture the Image (Body) | 9 | 5th | 67 |
16th | +12/+7/+2 | +5 | +5 | +10 | Fool's Shadow (+4) | 10 | 5th | 79 |
17th | +12/+7/+2 | +5 | +5 | +10 | Joined with Memory, Fool's Shadow (+4) | 10 | 5th | 91 |
18th | +13/+8/+3 | +6 | +6 | +11 | Fundamentals of Shadow (Preternatural) | 11 | 6th | 103 |
19th | +14/+9/+4 | +6 | +6 | +11 | Fracture the Image (Wholeness) | 11 | 6th | 115 |
20th | +15/+10/+5 | +6 | +6 | +12 | Joined with Memory, Fool's Shadow (+5) | 12 | 6th | 127 |
Weapon and Armor Proficiencies: A Bemäntelter Schatten is proficient in simple weapons, but is not proficient in any armor. However, that one is proficient in the shadows upon its foe's heart.
Fundamentals of Shadow: The powers of one who seeks the knowledge to make themselves whole must first start at the most basic of abilities; this manifests as at-will spell-like abilities called Fundamentals of Shadow, drawn from the shadows covering the hearts of all things. A Bemäntelter Schatten begins play knowing a single Fundamental; they gain knowledge of another Fundamental at 6th level and every 4 levels thereafter. What are these lies about knowledge? Those who know are ignorant, as they divide into the "known" and "known not".
Supernatural : At 10th level, all Fundamentals of Shadow that the Bemäntelter Schatten knows are treated as being either spell-like abilities or supernatural abilities, whichever would be better.
Preternatural : At 18th level, all Fundamentals of Shadow that the Bemäntelter Schatten knows are treated as being either spell-like abilities, supernatural abilities, or extraordinary abilities, whichever would be best
Manifestation of Shadows: The shadows know those who wish to become whole; they lend their knowledge to those who wish to know. No! Division is poison.
A Bemäntelter Schatten knows a number of Mysteries, as indicated by the above table; they select Mysteries from the Shadowcaster's Mystery list. They may only learn a Mystery of up to the level indicated on the above table.
Unlike pathetic shadowcasters, who beg the Place for power, they derive power from shadows within their self; as a result, they are not required to learn mysteries sequentially within a path; instead, they may learn any Mystery of up to the listed level that they please.
In addition, they don't have the failings that others have when using the power of shadows; their mysteries are instead manifested as if they were Powers of their level; as a Bemäntelter Schatten wears their shadow as a cloak, the discerning sign of shadowcasting, the differing gestures of the shadow, does not exist. Indeed, nothing does; all is one, and one is nothing.If every mystery in a Path is learned, then all of those Mysteries become Psi-like abilities, and their manifesting level is increased by two.
Unlike an ordinary mystery-user, a Bemäntelter Schatten does not have discrete uses of their Mysteries in a day; instead, they spend a number of points from their power point pool, as indicated on the table below:
Mystery Level | Power Point Cost |
1st | 1 |
2nd | 3 |
3rd | 5 |
4th | 7 |
5th | 9 |
6th | 11 |
+1 Level | 2 |
Metapsionic Feat | As listed |
However, they do not lose those points to the aether; instead, the power of shadow fortifies them, granting them a number of Temporary Hit Points equal to the number of points spent; these Temporary Hit Points stack with any other Temporary Hit Points they would gain through their Manifestation of Shadow, and cannot cause the Bemäntelter Schatten hit-points to be higher than their Maximum hit-points.
They gain a number of bonus Power Points based off of their Wisdom modifier.
The save DC for a Bemäntelter Schatten's mysteries is (10+mystery level+Charisma modifier.) They require a Wisdom score of at least 10+Mystery Level to use a given mystery.
Mantle of Shadow (Ex): A Bemäntelter Schatten has drawn their shadow around them like a cloak, allowing it to permeate their being as it should, lending them a grander power than their mere mystery-using compatriots.
They gain the following benefits, based on whether or not they know and are able to use Mysteries of the indicated level:
1st Level : They do not need to eat or drink to live.
3rd Level : They no longer have a need to eat, drink, or sleep.
5th Level : They no longer need to eat, drink, sleep, or breathe to live.
The mantle is purity is self is strength sustains cradles nurtures is is is...
Joined with Memory: Pity the vestige, that being that has been reduced and exalted to an image of itself. To one who has fractured their image, replacing pieces with that of another is a simple task, almost one for a child.
At 2nd level, and every 3 levels thereafter, a Bemäntelter Schatten may learn a vestige as a Mystery of equal level. However, the connection to the Vestige itself is far more tenuous than that of a normal bind; it takes a full-round action to manifest a Vestige learned through this ability, the pact only lasts for a number of minutes equal to their Manifester level, and they are always treated as if they made a bad pact.
Their EBL is equal to their Mystery-user level.
An example
A Bemäntelter Schatten may only choose a Vestige of up to the highest level of Mystery they may learn to be learned through the ability. Come, brethren, I give you a stepping-stone back. Love me, for I am you.
Fracture the Image (Su): A reflection is not a reflection; it is one and parcel to the reality of the thing it reflects; to mutilate one's image is to set one's self free.A trap a trap Oh gods this one didn't know.
Hidden : The breaking of the Bemäntelter Schatten's reflection has led to the steady degradation of their physical image. They gain a miss chance as if due to concealment equal to 1/2 of their Class Level *5%. I see beyond now liberate me from here.
Travel : Their self-image cracked yet further, they break some of the bonds that hold them from walking wherever they wish. Whenever the Bemäntelter Schatten moves, they may treat any normally impassible terrain as if it were Difficult Terrain; this includes such actions as walking up or through walls, walking on water, or even walking on the air. However, they must remain adjacent to an open space for the entire move, and must end their move action on a solid, horizontal surface.Why punish me GIVE ME BACK THE WALLS OF MY CELL! RETURN MY PRISON, DAMN YOU!
Mind : They have broken themselves to the point where they may be considered as not having a mind, at least not as those who are mundane may understand it; the Bemäntelter Schatten is immune to Mind-Affecting abilities. Befreie mich von Wahnsinn Befreie mich von Wahnsinn Befreie mich von Wahnsinn
Body : They have almost reduced their visages to fine dust, leaving the world itself wondering as to what they are; the Bemäntelter Schatten is immune to any effect that requires a Fortitude save, unless that effect also works on objects or is harmless. Sache der Leere, einer mit dunklen Ernüchterung
Wholeness : Life and death themselves do not know what to make of them; at this point, the Bemäntelter Schatten gains the Rejuvenation ability of a Ghost, and thus are incapable of truly dying; however, should they be targeted by an effect that would destroy or imprison their soul, they do not Rejuvenate, at least until their soul is released from its prison.
As a result of the above, they no longer age, and do not die when they reach their maximum lifespan.Ich habe ins Leere starrte, und ich wurde es, beachtet auch meine Fehler und lerne aus meinen Fehlern. Ich bin kein Modell, sondern nur eine Verirrung. Die Heilung ist fehlgeschlagen.
As a result of the above, they no longer age, and do not die when they reach their maximum lifespan.Ich habe ins Leere starrte, und ich wurde es, beachtet auch meine Fehler und lerne aus meinen Fehlern. Ich bin kein Modell, sondern nur eine Verirrung. Die Heilung ist fehlgeschlagen.
Fool's Shadow (Su): One's shadow is oftentimes their best armor against those that would harm them...
At 4th level, a Bemäntelter Schatten adds their Charisma modifier to their AC as a Deflection bonus. In addition, they may apply Armor Special abilities to their shadow that collectively cost as much as the listed Enhancement "bonus".
They only gain the benefits from this class feature as long as they are not wearing any armor.
Hide in Plain Sight (Ex): For one who is so barely there, it is rather hard to get others to notice them...
At 9th level, a Bemäntelter Schatten gains the ability to Hide even while being observed, as long as they are within 100 ft of a shadow.
Darkhidden Cloak (Ex): As they recede even farther from reality, they become harder and harder to detect.
At 13th level, a Bemäntelter Schatten gains Darkstalker as a bonus feat; if they already had that feat, they may choose another that they qualify for.
In addition, any time that a creature attempts to use a Divination ability, Clairsentience power, or any similar spell, Spell-like, Psi-like, or Supernatural ability on either the Bemäntelter Schatten or the effects of any Mystery they have manifested, they must make a Will save against a DC of 10+1/2 their Bemäntelter Schatten level+their Charisma modifier, or they are completely and utterly incapable of detecting the Bemäntelter Schatten, or any of their created effects, through the use of that ability or similar detection abilities for the next 24 hours.
Here is a little "Hi, everyone!" offering; a class I posted a while ago on the GitP forums, now having been fixed up (I removed about half of the confusing mind-screw), with one ability vastly simplified and three more being added.
Enjoy, and critique!