A base class inspired by recent weather

[Baron Corm]

It's difficult to put a name on a mage who uses both fire and ice to their maximum potential. These two opposing forces usually don't come in contact. Pyrocryomancer, fireiceomaniac, meteorologist; the two words just weren't meant to be together. In the extrementalist, we find a highly unstable person who has managed to devote himself to the beautiful moment when a creature is subjected to both heat and cold. It is torn asunder.

Extrementalist

Table:

Level 1: Summon familiar, Fission, Purity of Focus +1/+0
Level 5: Purity of Focus +2/+1
Level 9: Purity of Focus +3/+2
Level 11: Elemental Insight
Level 13: Purity of Focus +4/+3
Level 17: Purity of Focus +6/+4
Level 20: Fusion

Alignment: Any chaotic
Hit Die: d6
Skill Points at Each Additional Level: 2 + Int modifier.
Base Attack Bonus: as wizard
Base Saves: Low Fort, Low Reflex, High Will
Class Skills: Concentration, Decipher Script, Knowledge (nature), Spellcraft, Survival


Class Features

Weapon and Armor Proficiency

Extrementalists gain no proficiency with any weapon or armor. Armor of any type interferes with an extrementalist’s movements, which can cause his spells with somatic components to fail.

Spells

The extrementalist gains spells per day as a sorceror and casts spells spontaneously. To learn or cast a spell, the extrementalist must have an Intelligence score equal to at least 10 + the spell level. The Difficulty Class for a saving throw against an extrementalist's spell is 10 + the spell level + the extrementalist’s Intelligence modifier. He may cast any spell on his spell list, provided that he can cast spells of that level.

Fission

The extrementalist must choose either fire or ice to be his main focus at level 1. That decision cannot be changed.

Familiar

An extrementalist can obtain a familiar in exactly the same manner as a sorceror can. His familiar is either a fire mephit or an ice mephit, depending on which element is his dominant. The mephit has damage reduction 1/magic and +1 strength when his master reaches 2nd level. These bonuses increase by +1 every even level. The mephit does not have a breath weapon or any spell-like abilities.

Purity of Focus (Ex)

The extrementalist gains a bonus to his DCs with his spells and a bonus to caster level checks to overcome spell resistance at the specified levels. If an extrementalist gains a level in another class or takes a spell focus feat, these bonuses are lost. He may still take spell penetration feats.

These bonuses affect the extrementalist's preferred element to a greater degree, as noted on the table.

Elemental Insight (Ex)

Beginning at 11th level, the extrementalist may make a Will save to negate any effects of a spell with the fire or cold descriptor, whichever he chose at first level. This save is in addition to any other saves the spell may allow. He also gets a bonus to all saves against such spells equal to his higher Purity of Focus bonus, including his special Will save.

Fusion

At 20th level, the extrementalist assumes control of both flame and frost. He may make an Elemental Insight save on both types of spells, his Purity of Focus bonuses increase to +8 for both types of spells, and his familiar gains the opposing subtype, granting it immunity to both fire and cold (the vulnerabilities are ignored in all cases). His familiar's elemental damage changes to being 1d6 fire damage and 1d6 cold damage, and its fast healing now works all the time.

Spell List

Spoiler

Show

Endure Elements
Level: Extrementalist 0

As the normal spell.

Lesser Parch

Transmutation [Fire]
Level: Extrementalist 1
Components: V, S
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: Short
Target: One creature
Duration: Instantaneous
Saving Throw: Fortitude negates
Spell Resistance: Yes

This spell drives a small amount of water from a target creature, causing 1d4 fire damage per caster level (maximum 5d4). If the creature has been affected by a Lesser Parch spell within 2 rounds of a Lesser Chill spell, he takes 2d4 extra damage.

Lesser Chill

Transmutation [Cold]
Level: Extrementalist 1
Components: V, S
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: Short
Target: One creature
Duration: Instantaneous
Saving Throw: Fortitude negates
Spell Resistance: Yes

This spell imbues a creature with small amounts of frost, dealing it 1d4 cold damage per caster level (maximum 5d4). If the creature has been affected by a Lesser Chill spell within 2 rounds of a Lesser Parch spell, he takes 2d4 extra damage.

Minor Warmth

Evocation [Healing] [Fire]
Level: Extrementalist 1
Components: V, S
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: Short
Target: One creature
Duration: Instantaneous
Saving Throw: Fortitude half (harmless)
Spell Resistance: Yes (harmless)

The extrementalist may naturally be a creature of chaos and destruction, but that's not to say he can't use his powers for constructive purposes. This spell cures 1d8 points of damage +1 per caster level (maximum 5), but also deals 1d6 points of fire damage. All versions of this spell may also perform minor functions such as heating tea or lighting a torch.

Char

Evocation [Fire]
Level: Extrementalist 2
Components: V, S
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: Medium
Target: One creature
Duration: Instantaneous
Saving Throw: Fortitude half
Spell Resistance: Yes

This spell draws lethal heat energy into a creature's body, causing 1d6 damage per caster level (maximum 10d6).

Frostbite

Evocation [Cold]
Level: Extrementalist 2
Components: V, S
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: Medium
Target: One creature
Duration: Instantaneous
Saving Throw: Fortitude partial
Spell Resistance: Yes

This spell draws lethal cold energy into a creature's body, causing 1d4 damage per caster level (maximum 10d4) with a Fortitude save for half damage. It also causes the creature to be slowed for 1 round/level, as the spell, unless they pass a second Fortitude save. Creatures that make the first save don't have to make the second.

Lesser Warmth

Evocation [Healing] [Fire]
Level: Extrementalist 2

This spell functions like Minor Warmth, except that it cures 2d8 points of damage +1 point per caster level (maximum +10) and deals 2d6 fire damage.

Fireball

Level: Extrementalist 3

As the spell, except there is no material component.

Frost Nova

Evocation [Cold]
Level: Extrementalist 3
Components: V, S
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: Long
Area: 20-ft.-radius spread
Duration: Instantaneous
Saving Throw: Reflex half; Fortitude negates
Spell Resistance: Yes

This spell functions as fireball, except that the bead appears frozen and the resulting blast cannot melt or set flame to anything. This spell deals 1d4 damage per caster level (maximum 10d4). However, creatures who fail their Reflex save must also make a Fortitude save or be slowed, as the spell, for 1 round/level.

Moderate Warmth

Evocation [Healing] [Fire]
Level: Extrementalist 3

This spell functions like Minor Warmth, except that it cures 3d8 points of damage +1 point per caster level (maximum +15) and deals 3d6 fire damage.

Parch

Transmutation [Fire]
Level: Extrementalist 4
Components: V, S
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: Medium
Target: One creature
Duration: Instantaneous
Saving Throw: Fortitude half
Spell Resistance: Yes

This spell drives a large amount of water from a target creature, causing 1d6 fire damage per caster level (maximum 10d6). If the creature has been affected by a Parch spell within 2 rounds of a Chill spell, he takes 2d6 extra damage.

Chill

Transmutation [Cold]
Level: Extrementalist 4
Components: V, S
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: Medium
Target: One creature
Duration: Instantaneous
Saving Throw: Fortitude half
Spell Resistance: Yes

This spell imbues a creature with large amounts of frost, dealing it 1d6 cold damage per caster level (maximum 10d6). If the creature has been affected by a Chill spell within 2 rounds of a Parch spell, he takes 2d6 extra damage.

Serious Warmth

Evocation [Healing] [Fire]
Level: Extrementalist 4

This spell functions like Minor Warmth, except that it cures 4d8 points of damage +1 point per caster level (maximum +20) and deals 4d6 fire damage.

Hail

Conjuration [Creation] [Cold]
Level: Extrementalist 5
Components: V, S
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: Long
Area: Cylinder (20-ft. radius, 40 ft. high)
Duration: Instantaneous
Saving Throw: Reflex half; Fortitude negates
Spell Resistance: No

This spell conjures massive hailstones and then drops them on the unwitting creatures below, dealing 1d4 cold damage per level (maximum 15d4) and slowing them for 1 round/level on a failed Fortitude save. Creatures that make the Reflex save need not make the Fortitude save.

Firebolt Swarm

Conjuration [Creation] [Fire]
Level: Extrementalist 5
Components: V, S
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: Long
Area: Cylinder (20-ft. radius, 40 ft. high)
Duration: Instantaneous
Saving Throw: Reflex half
Spell Resistance: No

This spell conjures many small balls of fire and then drops them on the unwitting creatures below, dealing 1d6 fire damage per level (maximum 15d6).

Critical Warmth

Evocation [Healing] [Fire]
Level: Extrementalist 6
Components: V, S
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: Short
Target: One creature
Duration: Instantaneous
Saving Throw: Fortitude half (harmless)
Spell Resistance: Yes (harmless)

This spell takes the healing powers of flame one step further, curing adverse conditions as the spell Heal. It also cures 10 points of damage per caster level (maximum 150), and deals 5d6 fire damage.

Firebolts and Hailstones

Conjuration [Creation] [Fire] [Cold]
Level: Extrementalist 6
Components: V, S
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: Long
Area: Cylinder (20-ft. radius, 40 ft. high)
Duration: Instantaneous
Saving Throw: Reflex half; Fortitude negates
Spell Resistance: No

This spell conjures fire and ice and drops it on the creatures below, dealing 7d6+3 fire damage and 7d4+2 cold damage. Any creature who fails his Reflex save must make a Fortitude save or be stunned for 2 rounds.

Greater Fireball

Evocation [Fire]
Level: Extrementalist 7

As Fireball, except that it deals 1d8 damage per level (maximum 20d8).

Greater Frost Nova

Evocation [Cold]
Level: Extrementalist 7

As Frost Nova, except that it deals 1d6 damage per level (maximum 20d6).

Immolate

Transmutation [Fire] [Evil]
Level: Extrementalist 8
Components: V, S
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: Touch
Target: One creature
Duration: 1 hour/level
Saving Throw: Will partial
Spell Resistance: Yes

Immolate causes a massive amount of pain and psychological damage as burn induced blisters and seared flesh are brought to the target's attention. This deals 5d6 fire damage with no save, and on a failed Will save the target creature takes -4 to attack rolls, skill checks, and ability checks. If the creature has been affected by an Immolate spell within 2 rounds of a Freeze spell, he takes 2d6 extra damage with no save.

Once a creature has failed his save, Immolate may not be cast on it until the duration has expired, except to renew the duration (doing no extra damage). The penalties from Freeze and Immolate stack.

Freeze

Transmutation [Cold] [Evil]
Level: Extrementalist 8
Components: V, S
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: Touch
Target: One creature
Duration: 1 hour/level
Saving Throw: Will partial
Spell Resistance: Yes

This spell freezes key points within a target creature's body to cause a large amount of pain. It deals 5d4 cold damage with no save, and on a failed Will save the target creature takes -6 to attack rolls, skill checks, and ability checks. If the creature has been affected by a Freeze spell within 2 rounds of an Immolate spell, he takes 2d4 extra damage with no save.

Once a creature has failed his save, Freeze may not be cast on it until the duration has expired, except to renew the duration (doing no extra damage). The penalties from Freeze and Immolate stack.

Greater Parch

Transmutation [Fire]
Level: Extrementalist 9
Components: V, S
Casting Time: 1 round
Range: Long
Target: One creature
Duration: Instantaneous
Saving Throw: Fortitude partial
Spell Resistance: Yes

This spell drives the water from a target creature, causing it to make a Fortitude save or die. It still takes 6d6 fire damage on a successful save. If the creature has been affected by a Greater Parch spell within 2 rounds of a Greater Chill spell, the DC of the Greater Parch spell is increased by +2 and the damage is increased by 2d6.

Greater Chill

Transmutation [Cold]
Level: Extrementalist 9
Components: V, S
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: Long
Target: One creature/level
Duration: Instantaneous
Saving Throw: Fortitude half; see text
Spell Resistance: Yes

This spell covers a creature in frost, dealing 1d6 cold damage per level (maximum 25d6). If the creature has been affected by a Greater Chill spell within 2 rounds of a Greater Parch spell, he must make a Fortitude save or be paralyzed for 2 rounds and he takes 3d6 extra damage.

needs more Will save spells in there; I couldn't think of any! any additional spells or spell ideas would be helpful. also, of course, is it balanced?