View source for Caustic (3.5e Prestige Class)

{{author
|author_name=Summerscythe
|date_created= August 7th 2009
|adopter=
|date_adopted= 
|status=Up for initial opinions.
|editing=Grammar and spelling sure, otherwise, put in  the talk page
|balance=Rogue
|img=Caustic.jpg
}}
{{3.5e PrC Semantic
|description=The warlock's pact with greater infernal powers has ended, and his power begins to turn on him. His blood becomes acid, slowly killing his body. But, the infernal power is also keeping him alive. This paradox occurring within the warlock ravages his body, but awakens powers inside him to stimulate his mind and further combat opponents. He is a Caustic, and every inch of him is trying to kill him. But, every inch of him... is fighting to stay alive.
|len=10
|minlvl=10
}}


==The Caustic==

{{quote
|This burning... I have known nothing but this burning for so long, I want you to know it too.
|orig=Damian Caspian, [[SRD:Humans (Race)|Human]] Caustic
}}

The warlock's power stems from pacts that their ancestors made in forgotten times. Warlocks nowadays don't even think of the source of their powerful archaic energies and  dark invocations. What happens, however, when these ancient infernal powers decide that they want to end this pact? What are the effects of a seizure of power, a power bound to the very blood of the warlock? What happens when these rituals and promises of power are called off? The blood changes. The very blood that the warlock uses to harness their eldritch power corrodes and undergoes a caustic change. It becomes vitriolic, an acid, corroding the very veins of the warlock. This would kill a normal man, but the warlock's granted powers have provided its body with the ability to heal. The body burns, the body wrenches, the body shrieks, but no part of it dissolves. The powers that the elder evils are trying to take back are the very powers keeping the warlock's body from dying, at least for a while, at least until the warlock has given into the pain. These warlocks are called The Caustic, for they will die of the acid, but until they do, they will find a way to use it.

===Becoming a Caustic===

Characters don't pursue this class. No one pursues banishment by the beings that grant them their powers. This class just happens, though only to warlocks.

{| class="dragon monstats" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"
|+ style="font-size: larger; white-space: nowrap;" | Entry Requirements
|-
! Alignment:
| Any Non-Good.
|-
! Spellcasting:
| Must know 6 Invocations.
|-
! Special:
| [[SRD:Resistance to Energy|Acid Resistance]] 5.
|-
! Special:
| Fiendish Resilience.
|} 

{| class="zebra d20"
|+ <div>{{Anchor|Table: The Caustic}}</div>
<p>Hit Die: d8</p>
|-
! rowspan="2" | Level
! rowspan="2" | [[BAB|Base<br/>Attack Bonus]]
! colspan="3" | [[SRD:Saving Throw|Saving Throw]]s
! rowspan="2" | Special
! rowspan="2" | Spellcasting
|-
! [[SRD:Saving Throw#Fortitude|Fort]] || [[SRD:Saving Throw#Reflex|Ref]] || [[SRD:Saving Throw#Will|Will]]
|- 
| 1st || +0 || +2 || +0 || +2
| class="left" | [[#Caustic Blood|Caustic Blood]], [[#Infernal Acid|Infernal Acid]]
| class="left" | +1 level of existing invoking class
|- 
| 2nd || +1 || +3 || +0 || +3
| class="left" | [[#Acidic Embellishment|Acidic Embellishment]], [[#Acidic Expulsion|Acidic Expulsion]]
| class="left" | +1 level of existing invoking class
|- 
| 3rd || +2 || +3 || +1 || +3
| class="left" | [[#Burning Body|Burning Body]]
| class="left" | +1 level of existing invoking class
|- 
| 4th || +3 || +4 || +1 || +4
| class="left" | [[#Thinning Skin|Thinning Skin]], [[#Dissolving Grasp|Dissolving Grasp]]
| class="left" | +1 level of existing invoking class
|- 
| 5th || +3 || +4 || +1 || +4
| class="left" | [[#Burning Soul|Burning Soul]], [[#Superacid|Superacid]]
| class="left" | +1 level of existing invoking class
|- 
| 6th || +4 || +5 || +2 || +5
| class="left" | [[#Vitriolic Eruption|Vitriolic Eruption]]
| class="left" | +1 level of existing invoking class
|- 
| 7th || +5 || +5 || +2 || +5
| class="left" | [[#Burning Betrayal|Burning Betrayal]], [[#Fortitudinous Presence|Fortitudinous Presence]]
| class="left" | +1 level of existing invoking class
|- 
|- class="noalt"
| colspan="42" class="skill" |
'''Class Skills (2 + [[Int]] modifier per level)'''<br/>
[[SRD:Bluff Skill|Bluff]] ([[SRD:Charisma|Cha]]), [[SRD:Concentration Skill|Concentration]] ([[SRD:Constitution|Con]]), [[SRD:Craft Skill|Craft]] ([[SRD:Intelligence|Int]]), [[SRD:Intimidate Skill|Intimidate]] ([[SRD:Charisma|Cha]]), [[SRD:Jump Skill|Jump]] ([[SRD:Strength|Str]]), [[SRD:Knowledge Skill|Knowledge]] (Arcana) ([[SRD:Intelligence|Int]]), [[SRD:Knowledge Skill|Knowledge]] (The Planes) ([[SRD:Intelligence|Int]]), [[SRD:Knowledge Skill|Knowledge]] (Religion) ([[SRD:Intelligence|Int]]), [[SRD:Profession Skill|Profession]] ([[SRD:Wisdom|Wis]]), [[SRD:Sense Motive Skill|Sense Motive]] ([[SRD:Wisdom|Wis]]), [[SRD:Spellcraft Skill|Spellcraft]] ([[SRD:Intelligence|Int]]), [[SRD:Use Magic Device Skill|Use Magic Device]] ([[SRD:Charisma|Cha]]).
|}

====Class Features====

All of the following are class features of the caustic.

'''{{Anchor|Spellcasting}}:''' At every level, you gain new invocations per day, increase eldritch blast damage, and an increase in caster level (and spells known, if applicable) as if you had also gained a level in a spellcasting class to which you belonged before adding the prestige class level. You do not, however, gain any other benefit a character of that class would have gained. If you had more than one invoking class before becoming a caustic, you must decide to which class to add each level for the purpose of determining spells per day, caster level, and spells known.

'''{{Anchor|Caustic Blood}} ([[Ex]]):''' When a warlock changes into a caustic, his blood begins to become more and more corrosive like acid, until it is nothing but. At 1st level, whenever the caustic is struck by a [[SRD:Piercing Weapon|piercing]] or [[SRD:Slashing Weapon|slashing]] weapon, that weapon takes acid damage equal to his caustic level, as the [[SRD:Acid|acid]] from his blood dissolves the metal. If the damage is dealt from a [[SRD:Natural Weapons|natural weapon]], the [[SRD:Acid|acid]] damage is instead dealt to the attacker.

'''{{Anchor|Infernal Acid}} ([[Ex]]):''' The caustic's blood is a special type of [[SRD:Acid|acid]] that most creatures who are resistant to acid are still harmed by.  The caustic may treat all [[SRD:Resistance to Energy|Acid Resistance]] as his caustic level x 2 fewer than it actually is. His [[SRD:Resistance to Energy|Acid Resistance]] also increases by 2 every level. The caustic begins to attempt to take advantage of its torture, using the [[SRD:Acid|acid]] against his enemies.  He gains the ''Vitriolic Blast'' invocation as a bonus invocation at first level as well.

'''''{{Anchor|Acidic Embellishment}}'' ([[Sp]]):''' At 2nd level, a caustic begins to learn how to use the [[SRD:Acid|acid]] in his body to supplement his power. Whenever the caustic performs a ''Vitriolic Blast'', he may add half of his [[SRD:Charisma|charisma]] modifier more dice to the damage roll; also, the [[SRD:Acid|acid]] damage that lingers may now linger for a number of rounds equal to his class level/3 instead of class level/5 like in the description of the invocation. A caustic may not use this with his ''[[#Acidic Expulsion|Acidic Expulsion]]'' ability.

'''''{{Anchor|Acidic Expulsion}}'' ([[Sp]]):''' At 2nd level, a caustic can throw out some of the [[SRD:Acid|acid]] in its body at enemies, relieving it, if just for a moment, its burning pain. Whenever the caustic performs a ''Vitriolic Blast'', he may heal a number of hit points equal to his [[SRD:Charisma|charisma]] modifier. A caustic may not use this with his ''[[#Acidic Embellishment|Acidic Embellishment]]'' ability.

'''{{Anchor|Burning Body}} ([[Ex]]):''' At 3rd level, the [[SRD:Acid|acid]] coursing through the caustic's veins does irreparable damage to his body, though the infernal powers within keep the caustic relatively alive. The caustic loses 2 points of constitution. The caustic gains [[SRD:Darkvision|Darkvision]] out to 60 feet. He also gains Immunity to [[SRD:Poison|poison]], sleep effects, [[SRD:Paralyzed|paralysis]], [[SRD:Stunned|stunning]], [[SRD:Disease|disease]], and [[SRD:Death Effect|death effects]].

'''{{Anchor|Thinning Skin}} ([[Ex]]):''' At 4th level, the [[SRD:Acid|acid]] has partially dissolved through the caustic's skin, making it thinner and more prone to bleeding. The caustic's [[#Caustic Blood|Caustic Blood]] ability now extends to [[SRD:Bludgeoning Weapon|bludgeoning]] weapons as well. Whenever the caustic is struck, the attacker takes [[SRD:Acid|acid]] damage equal to half the damage her weapon takes, as blood sprays upon the attacker.

'''{{Anchor|Dissolving Grasp}} ([[Su]]):''' The caustic has learned how to withhold some of his body's healing properties to let some [[SRD:Acid|acid]] pool up in the palm of his hand. At-will, anything that the caustic can clench a fist around, he may destroy as a [[SRD:Full-Round Actions|full-round action]], including magic rings and amulets. Anything that is too big to be clenched into a fist takes 1d6 [[SRD:Acid|acid]] damage per caustic level. A caustic may try to damage an enemy's weapon or armor by making a successful [[SRD:Disarm|disarm]] attempt or [[#Touch Attacks|touch attack]], respectively.

'''{{Anchor|Burning Soul}} ([[Ex]]):''' At 5th level, the burning of the [[SRD:Acid|acid]] has permanently damaged the caustic's mind, though the infernal power still keeps the heart beating. He no longer feels the pain; he no longer feels anything, really, but the burning is ever stained across the caustic's memory. The Caustic loses 2 points of constitution. However, he becomes immune to [[SRD:Critical Hit|critical hits]], [[SRD:Nonlethal Damage|nonlethal damage]], [[SRD:Ability Drained|ability drain]], or [[SRD:Energy Drain, Negative Levels, and Level Loss|energy drain]] and becomes immune to damage to its physical ability scores ([[SRD:Strength|Strength]], [[SRD:Dexterity|Dexterity]], and [[SRD:Constitution|Constitution]]), as well as to [[SRD:Fatigued|fatigue]] and [[SRD:Exhausted|exhaustion]] effects.

'''{{Anchor|Superacid}} ([[Ex]]):''' At 5th level, the caustic's [[SRD:Acid|acid]] becomes so corrosive it can dissolve even the sturdiest of material. Any [[SRD:Acid|acid]] damage dealt by the caustic bypasses all [[SRD:Resistance to Energy|Acid Resistance]].  His [[SRD:Acid|acid]] becomes so potent that it can dissolve barriers made of force as if they were made of [[#Walls|magically treated unworked]] stone.

'''''{{Anchor|Vitriolic Eruption}}'' ([[Sp]]):''' At 6th level, the caustic may combine his ''[[#Acidic Embellishment|Acidic Embellishment]]'' and ''[[#Acidic Expulsion|Acidic Expulsion]]'' when using a ''vitriolic blast''.

'''{{Anchor|Fortitudinous Presence}} ([[Ex]]):''' At 7th level, the caustic's body has become so irreparably damaged that he can no longer rely on its sturdiness to keep him alive; he must instead rely on his presence and force of influence to keep him a domineering force. The caustic uses his [[SRD:Charisma|charisma]] modifier for anything that would normally use his [[SRD:Constitution|constitution]] modifier, such as extra hit points, bonus to [[SRD:Saving Throw|fortitude save]], etc. etc.

'''{{Anchor|Burning Betrayal}} ([[Ex]]):''' At 7th level, the caustic's body dies, finally taken by the acid. The infernal power, however, keeps the caustic aware and alive inside of it. The Caustic becomes [[SRD:Undead Type|undead]], and gains the [[SRD:Undead Type|undead]] subtype. The caustic drops all his hit dice and replaces them with d12s.

===Campaign Information===

====Playing a Caustic====

'''Combat:''' The caustic plays the same role in combat as his warlock counterpart. He does, however, gain improved abilities in the realm of acid. The ability to dissolve weapons and armor renders a lot of martial characters vulnerable to you. The ability to dissolve force effects is rare and is sure to have its uses. If something needs to be melted, or blasted, or generally all messed up, the caustic is there to do it.

'''Advancement:''' Unfortunately, the lack of other warlock prestige classes make advancement limited for a caustic. However, the transcendence to undeath opens up a plethora of feat and prestige class options that would not have been available to warlocks otherwise.  

'''Resources:''' Caustics are generally shunned by other warlocks, which is saying something, since warlocks are shunned themselves. Other caustics may empathize and help each other, but the caustic may be saddened to find that only his adventuring party is willing to help him out.

====Caustics in the World====

{{quote|I have been banished by powers far greater than you; what makes you think I care what you think?|4= Liam Laroso, Half-Elf Caustic}}

Caustics are rare in the world, but where they appear, they are usually hunted and shunned. The slow transition to undead makes caustics an abomination to most people. One is most likely to find Caustics where they would find warlocks, only much rarer. The more vile caustics have been found in graveyards as [[SRD:Lich|Liches]], amassing undead armies and wreaking havoc. The neutral caustics are just trying to get by, and can be found where a warlock would be in any adventuring party.

'''NPC Reactions:''' NPCs retract in disgust and fear at the sight of caustics, and the degradation of their body and pale undead appearance leads to many terrible stories. Mostly, NPCs will react the same way they would to warlocks, with skepticism and fear, but to a more extreme degree.

====Caustic Lore====

Characters with ranks in [[SRD:Knowledge Skill|Knowledge]] (arcana) can research caustics to learn more about them. When a character makes a skill check, read or paraphrase the following, including information from lower DCs.

{| class="d20" {{#vardefine: odd | 0}}
|+ [[SRD:Knowledge Skill|Knowledge]] (arcana)
! DC || class="left" | Result
|- 
| 11 || class="left" | Caustics are warlocks with acid in their blood.
|- 
| 16 || class="left" | Just striking a caustic can cause one's weapon to disintegrate.
|- 
| 21 || class="left" | The caustic's acid slowly kills its body, but it stays alive as an undead.
|- 
| 26 || class="left" | The caustic was a warlock whose source of power has turned on him and began to punish his body and soul.
|}

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{{3.5e Prestige Classes Breadcrumb}}
[[Category:3.5e]]
[[Category:User]]
[[Category:Class]]
[[Category:Prestige Class]]

{{Navboxes}}
Article Balance	High +
Author	Summerscythe +
Identifier	3.5e Prestige Class +
Length	10 +
Minimum Level	10 +
Rating	Unrated +
Summary	The warlock's pact with greater infernal p … The warlock's pact with greater infernal powers has ended, and his power begins to turn on him. His blood becomes acid, slowly killing his body. But, the infernal power is also keeping him alive. This paradox occurring within the warlock ravages his body, but awakens powers inside him to stimulate his mind and further combat opponents. He is a Caustic, and every inch of him is trying to kill him. But, every inch of him... is fighting to stay alive. inch of him... is fighting to stay alive. +
Title	Caustic +