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Valkyn Dracon
2011-06-26, 05:05 PM
Here's a PrC that I've created for use in the Pathfinder RPG. It's origins stem from 3.x where I first started writing ideas for it down.

Shadowthorne

The elven race has been known to value life, to be aloof, and to share a happiness that has been unsurpassed through the ages. The elves achieve this through various means, but under all the glitter there lies a layer of ash. The elven livelihood is achieved because a faction of elves dare tread the twilight path. They dare to walk the paths of shadow, stealth, and death. These elves are known as the Shadowthorne, and they report only to the Oathallyn, who rumors state report directly to Calistria herself.

The shadowthorne are the elven blooded experts of reconnaissance, stealth, search & rescue, and disposal (the ugly task of assassination) should they be called upon to fulfill that last roll. The shadowthorne have for centuries been the eyes, and ears for those with elven blood. They quietly observe everything, gathering information which they report back to their superiors who then tell them what to do, and when to act. Shadowthorne are only spoken of in hushed tones. They are feared for their efficiency, and in carrying out their orders.
Hit Die: 1d6

Ranks of the Shadowthorne Order:
Initiate: This is the rank given to all new recruits within the order.
Journeyman: A journeyman is a general member of the Shadowthorne Order. Initiates are promoted to Journeyman after a two month trial period, and a successful completion of five missions for the order.
Shadowstalkers: A Journeyman that proves themselves to be skilled, and exceptionally competent, may be elevated to this rank but such a promotion must be approved by four of the seven presiding Masters.
Masters of Shadow: There are seven Masters of Shadow within the Shadowthorne Order. A member granted this rank is selected from among the Shadowstalkers by the Othallyn.
Oathallyn: This is the leader of the Shadowthorne Order, and there is only ever one. Upon the demise, retirement, or otherwise cessation of the current Oathallyn the Masters of Shadow elect a new Oathallyn from among their numbers via a secret ballot.

Class Skills
The shadowthorne’s class skills (and the key ability for each skill) are Acrobatics (Dex), Climb (Str), Diplomacy (Cha), Escape Artist (Dex), Jump (Str), Perception (Wis), Stealth (Dex), Survival (Wis), Use Magic Device (Cha).
Skill Ranks at Each Level: 6 + Int modifier

Requirements
To qualify to become a shadowthorne, a character must fulfill all the following criteria.
Race: Elven Blood
Skills: Diplomacy 3 ranks, Stealth 5 ranks
Feats: Combat Reflexes, Weapon Focus
Class Features: Evasion, Sneak Attack +1d6
Special: The character must be chosen by an existing Shadowthorne who then sponsors them into the training grounds of the class.

Shadowthorne
{table=head]Level|Base Attack Bonus|Fort Save|Ref Save|Will Save|Special

1st|
+0|
+0|
+1|
+0|Quick Draw

2nd|
+1|
+1|
+1|
+1|Ranged Sneak (+5 ft), Invisibility 1/day

3rd|
+2|
+1|
+2|
+1|Sneak Attack +1d6, Whispers on the Wind (+3)

4th|
+3|
+1|
+2|
+1|Nondetection

5th|
+3|
+2|
+3|
+2|Ranged Sneak (+10 ft), Sneak Attack +2d6

6th|
+4|
+2|
+3|
+2|Camouflage, Improved Evasion, Whispers on the Wind (+6)
7th|
+5|
+2|
+4|
+2|Invisibility 2/day, Sneak Attack +3d6

8th|
+6|
+3|
+4|
+3|Ranged Sneak (+15 ft)

9th|
+6|
+3|
+5|
+3|Sneak Attack +4d6, Whispers on the Wind (+9)

10th|
+7|
+3|
+5|
+3|Shadow’s Messenger[/table]

Class Features
All of the following are features of the shadowthorne prestige class.

Weapons and Armor Proficiency: Shadowthorne gain no proficiency with any weapon or armor.

Quick Draw: At first level the character gains Quick Draw as a bonus feat.
Sneak Attack: As the rogue ability of the same name.

Ranged Sneak (Ex): The range at which the extra damage from a ranged sneak attack can be applied is increased by 5 feet at level 2. The range is further increased by another 5 feet at both levels 5 and 8.

Camouflage (Ex): A Shadowthorne of 6th level or higher can use the Hide skill in any sort of natural terrain, even if the terrain doesn’t grant cover or concealment.

Whispers on the Wind (Ex): The shadowthorne gains a +3 bonus to their Diplomacy checks at 3rd level, this bonus increases by +3 again at 6th and 9th levels. This bonus stacks with bonuses gained from other sources such as the skill focus feat.

Nondetection (Sp): The Shadowthorne becomes clouded by a nondetection effect rendering them even more elusive. This effect is permanent in duration, but can be suppressed or resumed at-will. Nondetection is cast as a sorcerer of a level equal to the shadowthorne’s character level.

Improved Evasion (Ex): At sixth level the shadowthorne gains Improved Evasion as a class feature. This ability works like evasion, except that while the shadowthorne still takes no damage on a successful Reflex saving throw against attacks henceforth they only take half damage on a failed save. A helpless shadowthorne does not gain the benefit of improved evasion.

Invisibility (Sp): Gains the ability to cast invisibility 1/day at level 2, and a second use of invisibility at Level 7. Invisibility is cast as a sorcerer of a level equal to the shadowthorne’s character level.

Shadow’s Messenger (Sp): At 10th level a Shadowthorne has mastered their skills so thoroughly that they can use shadows like a dimension door but retaining the ability to act on arrival, and losing the ability to take others with them. This effect can be used a number of times per day equal to the shadowthorne’s charisma modifier.

peacenlove
2011-06-26, 05:15 PM
Here's a table for your class with pathfinder saves. Feel free to steal it :smallbiggrin:

NAME OF CLASS
{table=head]Level|Base Attack Bonus|Fort Save|Ref Save|Will Save|Special

1st|
+0|
+0|
+1|
+0|Quick Draw

2nd|
+1|
+1|
+1|
+1|Ranged Sneak (+5 ft), Invisibility 1/day

3rd|
+2|
+1|
+2|
+1|Sneak Attack +1d6, Whispers on the Wind (+3)

4th|
+3|
+1|
+2|
+1|Nondetection 1/day

5th|
+3|
+2|
+3|
+2|Ranged Sneak (+10 ft), Sneak Attack +2d6

6th|
+4|
+2|
+3|
+2|Camouflage, Improved Evasion, Whispers on the Wind (+6)
7th|
+5|
+2|
+4|
+2|Invisibility 2/day, Sneak Attack +3d6

8th|
+6|
+3|
+4|
+3|Ranged Sneak (+15 ft), Nondetection 2/day

9th|
+6|
+3|
+5|
+3|Sneak Attack +4d6, Whispers on the Wind (+9)

10th|
+7|
+3|
+5|
+3|Shadow’s Messenger[/table]

All in all an interesting rogue prestige. Only comment would be making nondetection as a continuous ability, since it lasts hours/level anyway, and the caster level should be your prestige class level +10, otherwise against a similar level scryer, it would provide no protection.

Valkyn Dracon
2011-06-26, 05:39 PM
Thanks for the table, and the suggestions. :)

Valkyn Dracon
2011-06-27, 11:57 AM
Changed Nondetection to the following.

Nondetection (Sp): The Shadowthorne becomes clouded by a nondetection effect rendering them even more elusive. This effect is permanent in duration, but can be suppressed or resumed at-will. Nondetection is cast as a sorcerer of a level equal to the shadowthorne’s character level.

Valkyn Dracon
2011-07-03, 02:16 PM
Any other comments/suggestions?