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View Full Version : Shadow Gnomes (3.5 Race, PEACH)



NeoSeraphi
2012-02-13, 12:54 AM
In the depths of the Underdark lives a race that is rarely seen, and never in its true form. More doppelganger than gnome, shadow gnomes are hideous, weakened versions of gnomes who protect themselves only through stealth and magic.

Racial Traits

-2 Str, +2 Int, -2 Cha- Shadow gnomes are as weak as their rock gnome cousins, however, they do not share the same hardiness. A shadow gnome is a very intelligent creature, but lacks the social graces of a surface gnome and has an appearance that revolts most creatures.
Humanoid (Gnome)- Shadow gnomes are humanoid creatures with the (gnome) subtype
20 ft move speed
Small Size- As Small characters, shadow gnomes take a -4 Size penalty on all opposed Strength checks that involve Size, but they receive a +4 Size bonus to Hide checks, as well as a +1 Size bonus to AC and attack rolls. Shadow gnomes can only carry 3/4 as much weight as a Medium creature with the same Strength score, and must use smaller weapons than Medium creatures.
Darkvision 60'- Shadow gnomes can see in the dark up to 60 feet. Darkvision is black and white only, but it is otherwise like normal sight, and shadow gnomes can function just fine with no light at all.
Powerful Illusions (Ex)- Shadow gnomes are masters of the power of illusions, which are their last line of defense when protecting themselves against the magical beasts of the Underdark. A shadow gnome receives a +2 racial bonus to the DC of all saving throws he casts from the Illusion school.
Shadow Clarity (Ex):- Shadow gnomes, like their rock gnome brethren, are able to more easily see through magical deception. A shadow gnome receives a +2 racial bonus on saving throws against spells and spell-like abilities of the Illusion school.
Racial Skill Bonuses- Shadow gnomes have a +2 racial bonus to Bluff, Disguise, and Sleight of Hand checks.
Spell-Like Abilities- A shadow gnome with at least 10 Charisma is able to cast ghost sound, as the spell, as a spell-like ability 3 times per day with a caster level equal to his character level. Additionally, a shadow gnome with at least 11 Charisma is able to cast silent image, disguise self and ventriloquism 1/day each, as the spells, with a caster level equal to the shadow gnome's character level. The save DCs are Charisma-based.
Automatic Languages: Undercommon and Gnome
Bonus Languages: Common, Dwarven, Elven, Drow Sign Language, and Terran
Favored Class: Illusionist. A shadow gnome does not receive a multiclassing XP penalty for levels in the wizard class, as long as he is specialized in the illusion school. A shadow gnome generalist wizard, or a shadow gnome wizard specialized in a different school, still takes multiclassing XP penalties as normal.
LA: +0

NeoSeraphi
2012-02-13, 12:56 AM
Shadow Gnome Paragon Class

Alignment: Any. Shadow gnome paragons are generally lawful evil.

HD: d6
Class Skills: The shadow gnome paragon's class skills (and the key ability for each skill) are Bluff (Cha), Climb (Str), Craft (Int), Diplomacy (Cha), Hide (Dex), Jump (Str), Knowledge (all skills, taken individually) (Int), Listen (Wis), Move Silently (Dex), Perform (Cha), Profession (Wis), Spellcraft (Int), and Swim (Str).
Skill Points: 4+Int per level

{table=head]Level|BAB|Fort|Ref|Will|Special|Spellcasting

1st|+0|+0|+0|+2|Illusion Mastery, Deceptive Paragon |

2nd|+1|+0|+0|+3|Shadowcrafter |+1 level of illusionist

3rd|+1|+1|+1|+3|Ability Boost (+2 Int)|+1 level of illusionist
[/table]

Spellcasting: At 2nd and 3rd levels, a shadow gnome paragon gains an increase in spells per day, access to higher spell levels, and an increased caster level as if he had gained a level in the wizard class, specialized in the illusion school. This only advances the progression of the class, it does not grant spellcasting if the shadow gnome paragon does not already have levels in the illusionist class. A shadow gnome paragon does advance any other bonuses from the class, such as free spells added to the spellbook or familiar progression.

Illusion Mastery (Ex): A shadow gnome paragon's racial bonus to the DC for the saving throws of her illusion spells increases to +3. Additionally, the shadow gnome paragon's racial saving throw bonus against spells and spell-like abilities of the illusion school increases to +4.

Deceptive Paragon (Ex): A shadow gnome paragon's racial bonuses to Bluff, Disguise and Sleight of Hand checks all increase to +4.

Shadowcrafter (Sp): Starting at 2nd level, once per day, by spending 10 minutes of uninterrupted concentration, a shadow gnome paragon may choose a single spell of the illusion school. This spell may appear on any class's spell list. The shadow gnome paragon may cast that spell once as a spell-like ability, with a caster level equal to her character level. She must have 8 hours of rest before she may choose a new spell. A shadow gnome paragon may only select a spell whose spell level is no greater than half the shadow gnome's character level, rounded down. A shadow gnome paragon must have a Charisma score of 10+spell level in order to cast the spell as a spell-like ability, and the DC of its saving throw, if one is allowed, is Charisma-based.

Ability Boost (Ex): At 3rd level, a shadow gnome paragon's Intelligence score increases by 2 points.

NeoSeraphi
2012-02-19, 07:01 PM
No ideas or suggestions for a shadow gnome?

Zeta Kai
2012-02-19, 08:32 PM
What LA were you thinking of? LA+1? LA+2?

NeoSeraphi
2012-02-19, 08:34 PM
What LA were you thinking of? LA+1? LA+2?

Oh, nah. LA 0. These guys aren't as powerful as Chaos Gnomes, and are only slightly better (and much more niche) than Whisper Gnomes, so I think they're a solid LA 0 race.

Zeta Kai
2012-02-20, 12:24 AM
Oh, nah. LA 0. These guys aren't as powerful as Chaos Gnomes, and are only slightly better (and much more niche) than Whisper Gnomes, so I think they're a solid LA 0 race.

Yep, that's what I thought you'd say...

NeoSeraphi
2012-02-20, 12:34 AM
Yep, that's what I thought you'd say...

Is that a problem? They're not that much better than rock gnomes. You get an extra +1 to the DC of your illusion spells, but you have 2 negative ability penalties and two of your three racial skill bonuses are offset by the Charisma penalty. I admit that the racial spell-like abilities are more useful than the rock gnome's, but they are Charisma-based, and you get a Charisma penalty so you need at least a 13 base score to get access to them, and you don't get to apply your racial bonus to the DC of your silent image ability since it's a SLA, not a spell.

Do you think it's too strong?