Runehunter (3.5e Class)

Author: Zhenra-Khal (talk) Date Created: 4/6/2017 Status: Complete, but open to suggestions Editing: Clarity edits only please

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An arcane bounty hunter/treasure seeker. 20 1 Moderate Poor Good Good

Prepared Arcane Spellcasting, Spontaneous Arcane Spellcasting, Alternate Magic, Sneak Attack,

"Other." is not in the list (Prepared Arcane Spellcasting, Spontaneous Arcane Spellcasting, Prepared Divine Spellcasting, Spontaneous Divine Spellcasting, Arcane Spellcasting, Divine Spellcasting, Prepared Spellcasting, Spontaneous Spellcasting, Alternate Magic, Psionics, ...) of allowed values for the "Class Ability" property.

Other

Runehunter

“	"The keep is under siege, we're fighting an army of goblins and robots... and I have a bow and arrow."	”
—Cassie, Human Runehunter, Champions Of The Realm

The cloaked man you think you see in the corner of your vision, but isn't there when you turn to look, as a arrow sprouts from your chest. The bounty hunter who always seems to find you, through disguise, crowd and spell alike. The marksman who dabbles in the arcane, and ca hit seemly any mark he sets his mind to. These are Runehunters, stalkers of people and seekers of treasure, who meld arrow and arcana into a deadly art.

Making a Runehunter

Runehunters are a ranged class. They focus on status effects and ranged physical damage, and have low armor and low hit points, so they should generally avoid the front lines. Their runecrafting can make them a huge asset to any party, as they can scribe rune-spells onto virtually any any object.

Abilities: Intelligence is rather important for the Runehunter because it governs both their spells and their skill points, as well as some of their other abilities. Dexterity is also very important to cover their low armor class and their ranged attacks. Constitution helps with both their low hit points and their poor Fortitude saves. Wisdom is fairly useful for their skills - Like Survival, Spot and Listen. Strength and Charisma are optional, though Strength is always appreciated when used with Composite bows.

Races: Elves are rather likely to take up the mantle of the Runehunter, as are many Dwarves who happen to have an affinity for archery, as both have old enemies and strong ties to magic; One through the arcane and the other through runecasting. Illumians often enjoy the path of the Runehunter due to their use of arcane marks and such, and Humans find themselves drawn to the power as they do with many classes. Orcs and other less-civil races won't have much patience for being a Runehunter in most cases, and their penalty to Intelligence hinders them even when they do find interest in it.

Alignment: Any. Evil Runehunters use their power for conquest; Good Runehunters will use their power for justice. Some work for the law, bringing in criminals; Others work against it, taking out key officials in a larger scheme. These are all Runehunters, one and the same.

Starting Gold: 5d4×10 gp (125 gp).

Starting Age: Moderate, as fighter.

Table: The Runehunter

Hit Die: d6

Level	Base Attack Bonus	Saving Throws			Special	Spells per Day
		Fort	Ref	Will		0	1st	2nd	3rd	4th
1st	+0	+0	+2	+2	Stalker, Hunter's Mark, Trapfinding, Hunter's Shot +1d6, Marksman Training	3	2	—	—	—
2nd	+1	+0	+3	+3	Sigil, Hunter's Grace, Bonus Feat	3	2	—	—	—
3rd	+2	+1	+3	+3	Evasion, Rune Magic, Power Shot	3	3	—	—	—
4th	+3	+1	+4	+4	On The Mark (Ignores Concealment), Sigil	3	3	—	—	—
5th	+3	+1	+4	+4	Uncanny Dodge, Hunter's Shot +2d6, Trackless Step	4	3	1	—	—
6th	+4	+2	+5	+5	Sigil, Runecraft +1, Bonus Feat	4	3	2	—	—
7th	+5	+2	+5	+5	Empower Rune, Shoot Them Down	4	3	2	—	—
8th	+6/+1	+2	+6	+6	Improved Uncanny Dodge, Sigil, Woodland Stride	4	3	2	—	—
9th	+6/+1	+3	+6	+6	On The Mark (Touch Attack), Hunter's Shot +3d6, Runecraft +2, Improved Runecasting	5	4	2	—	—
10th	+7/+2	+3	+7	+7	Sigil, Improved Shoot Them Down, Bonus Feat	5	4	3	1	—
11th	+8/+3	+3	+7	+7	Improved Evasion, Expeditious Scribe	5	4	3	2	—
12th	+9/+4	+4	+8	+8	Sigil, Runecraft +3, Camoflage	5	4	3	2	—
13th	+9/+4	+4	+8	+8	Hunter's Shot +4d6, Maximize Rune	6	5	3	2	—
14th	+10/+5	+4	+9	+9	Sigil, Bonus Feat, Swift Tracker, Greater Runecasting	6	5	4	2	—
15th	+11/+6/+1	+5	+9	+9	Mark Of Death, On The Mark (Seeker), Runecraft +4	6	5	4	3	1
16th	+12/+7/+2	+5	+10	+10	Sigil, Hide In Plain Sight	6	5	4	3	2
17th	+12/+7/+2	+5	+10	+10	Hunter's Shot +5d6	6	6	4	3	2
18th	+13/+8/+3	+6	+11	+11	Sigil, Runecraft +5, Bonus Feat	6	6	5	3	2
19th	+14/+9/+4	+6	+11	+11	Rapid Scribe	6	6	5	4	2
20th	+15/+10/+5	+6	+12	+12	Supreme Rune	6	6	5	4	3
Class Skills (6 + Int modifier per level, ×4 at 1st level) Balance (Dex), Bluff (Cha), Climb (Str), Concentration (Con), Craft (Int), Diplomacy (Cha), Disable Device (Int), Disguise (Cha), Escape Artist (Dex), Gather Information (Cha), Heal (Wis), Hide (Dex), Intimidate (Cha), Jump (Str), Knowledge (Arcana) (Nature) (Local) (Geography) (Nobility And Royalty) (Int), Listen (Wis), Move Silently (Dex), Open Lock (Dex), Ride (Dex), Search (Int), Sense Motive (Wis), Sleight of Hand (Dex), Spellcraft (Int), Spot (Wis), Survival (Wis), Swim (Str), Tumble (Dex), Use Rope (Dex).

Class Features

All of the following are class features of the Runehunter.

Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Runehunters are proficient with all simple weapons, plus the longbow, shortbow and greatbow. They are proficient with light armor, but not with shields.

Spells: Runehunters can cast a number of Arcane spells. Runehunter spells are intelligence-based, having a DC equal to 10 + the spell's level + the Runehunter's Intelligence modifier. The Runehunter must have an Intelligence score of at least 10 + the spell's level to learn it, and they gain bonus spells for a high Intelligence. Runehunters also get a bonus number of 0th-level spells per day equal to the Runehunter's Intelligence modifier. Runehunter spells ignore the Arcane Spell Failure chance from light armor, but can never be Stilled, and thus cannot be cast without a somatic component (Which is, in the Runehunter's case, the tracing of a sign into the air or onto an object). Runehunters prepare their spells ahead of time from their spellbook, but can choose at the time of casting what spell to cast, much like a Sorcerer. Runehunters begin play knowing four 0th-level spells and two 1st-level spells; Each level thereafter they may add one new spell of any spell level they can cast to their spellbook for free. Runehunters choose their spells from the following list:

0— Dancing Lights, Daze, Deathwatch, Detect Magic, Detect Poison, Ghost Sound, Know Direction, Mage Hand, Mending, Read Magic, Stick.

1st— Accelerated Movement, Alarm, Armor Lock, Backbiter, Barkskin, Blindness/Deafness, Bloodhound, Burning Hands, Camouflage, Darkness, Darkvision, Detect Secret Doors, Detect Snares and Pits, Disguise Self, Dispel Ward, Endure Elements, Entangle, Erase, Expeditious Retreat, Faerie Fire, Fire Trap, Greater Mage Hand, Hawkeye, Hidden Ward, Hunter's Mercy, Insightful Feint, Lesser Shivering Touch, Lesser Vigor, Longstrider, Mage Burr, Magic Missile, Moon Lust, Net of Shadows, Nightshield, Obscuring Mist, Pass Without Trace, Persistent Blade, Power Word Fatigue, Power Word Pain, Ray Of Clumsiness, Ray of Enfeeblement, Ray Of Flame, Resist Energy, Sandblast, Scent, Shadow Double, Shadow Mask, Shadow Spray, Shield, Sleep, Snake's Swiftness, Snare, Stalking Brand, Swift Haste, Swift Invisibility, Targeting Ray, Tern's Persistence, True Strike, Wall Of Smoke, Woodwisp Arrow.

2nd— Acid Arrow, Battering Ram, Brilliant Energy Arrow, Blacklight, Blur, Cat's Grace, Claws of Darkness, Cloud of Knives, Create Magic Tattoo, Crystalline Memories, Curse Of Arrow Attraction, Curse of Ill Fortune, Curse Of Impending Blades, Dark Way, Darkbolt, Death Armor, Dimension Step, Dispel Magic, Escalating Enfeeblement, False Life, Find Traps, Fox's Cunning, Ghoul Glyph, Haste, Hold Person, Invisibility, Iron Silence, Lesser Celerity, Locate Creature, Magic Mouth, Magical Backlash, Mirror Image, Nondetection, Protection from Arrows, Ray of Sickness, Ray Of Stupidity, Ray of the Python, Remove Paralysis, See Invisibility, Sepia Snake Sigil, Silence, Sound Burst, Spectral Hand, Spellslayer Arrow, Tactical Precision, Theskyn's Hearty Heave, Vampiric Touch, Veil of Shadow, Wall of Gloom, Word of Binding.

3rd— Arcane Maul, Arcane Sight, Blindsight, Clairaudience/Clairvoyance, Darkfire, Darkflame Arrow, Deafening Blast, Decoy Image, Deeper Darkness, Deeper Darkvision, Dimension Door, Displacement, Ebon Ray of Doom, Explosive Runes, Fireball, Flame Arrow, Fly, Glyph Of Warding, Greater Mage Armor, Illusory Script, Laeral's Silver Lance, Mark of the Hunter, Mass Snake's Swiftness, Power Word Deafen, Power Word Maladroit, Power Word Weaken, Protection from Energy, Ray of Dizziness, Ray of Exhaustion, Reverse Arrows, Ring Of Blades, Rust Ray, Secret Page, Serpent Arrow, Shadow Binding, Slashing Darkness, Shivering Touch, Steeldance, Suppress Glyph, Tenacious Dispelling, Threesteel, Treasure Scent, Vigor, Weapon of Energy, Wounding Whispers.

4th— Assassin's Darkness, Bane Bow, Bloodbriars, Bloodfreeze Arrow, Bloodstar, Burning Blood, Caligarde's Claw, Caustic Mire, Celerity, Channeled Pyroburst, Death Ward, Doublestrike Arrow, Enervation, Explosive Rune Field, Force Missiles, Freedom of Movement, Greater Invisibility, greater Mirror Image,Heart Ripper, Hold Monster, Lightning Fog,Listening Coin, Mark of Justice, Mark of the Enlightened Soul, Melf's Slumber Arrows, Mislead, Moon Bolt, Pain, Phantasmal Killer, Poison Needles, Ray Deflection, Ruin Delver's Fortune, Runic Marker, Shadow Arrow, Shadow Conjuration, Shadow Form, Slashing Dispel, Snake Darts, Spell Theft, Stifle Spell, Stoneskin, Storm of Needles, Unseen Strike, Venom Bolt, Viscid Glob, Vulnerability, Wall of Thorns, Wither, Wrack.

In addition, all Runehunters automatically know the following spells and can convert any prepared spell of equal or lesser level into one of these spells:

Table: Runehunter Signature Spells

Level	Spell
0th	Arcane Mark
1st	Arrow Mind (CAdv)
2nd	Hunter's Eye (PHB2)
3rd	Arrowsplit (CoR)
4th	Arrow Storm (CAdv)

Stalker (Ex): All Runehunters gain Track and Endurance as bonus feats at first level.

Hunter's Mark (Su): The Runehunter's signature ability, the Hunter's Mark is an invisible mark that only the Runehunter can see without the use of spells like See Invisibility. Marking a target is a standard action that provokes attacks of opportunity and suffers arcane spell failure just as they Runehunter's spells do. This ability has Medium range (100ft + 10ft per caster level), and you must have line of sight to the target. The target is allowed a Will save against the effect; The DC for this ability is equal to 10 + 1/2 your Runehunter caster level + your Int modifier. If the target saves successfully, the Mark fails, but can be attempted with another Standard action the next round. The Mark lasts up the 1 day per caster level unless dispelled before then. The Runehunter gains a bonus on Spot, Listen, and Survival checks against his Marked targets equal to 1/2 his caster level. The Runehunter can have a number of Hunter's Marks active at any time equal to his Intelligence modifier; If he creates a new Mark above this limit, the oldest one immediately ends. This counts as the Favored Enemy class feature for the purposes of prerequisites, except that you favored enemies are Marked targets only. The Runehunter can sense the general direction and rough distance (To the nearest mile) of any Marked target with a Survival check with a DC equal to the target's HD + the target's total Will save modifier at the time of the attempt. The Runehunter cannot sense a Marked target this way if they are on another plane, however.

Trapfinding (Ex): Many a trap has been laid in hopes of foiling or at least slowing down a Runehunter on the trail. This is the same as the Rogue class feature of the same name.

Hunter's Shot (Ex): An arrow hitting it's mark is a deadly thing. Even deadlier is not knowing it's coming, nor where it came from. This functions the same as a Rogue's Sneak Attack, except that it only functions with attacks made by a bow or crossbow, and isn't limited to 30 feet in range. This counts as both Sneak attack of equal dice and as the Point Blank Shot feat for the purposes of prerequisites.

Marksman Training (Ex): Runehunters train almost exclusively with bows. For the purposes of archery feats (Feats like Rapid Shot or Manyshot, or any other feat focusing on ranged projectile weapons), the base attack bonus from Runehunter levels is treated as equal to their class level, rather than the actual progression shown on the table. This is both for qualifying for the feats, and for any BAB-dependent effects of the feats (Such as how many arrows you can fire with Manyshot).

Sigils (Su): At 2nd level and every even-numbered level thereafter, the Runehunter learns a new Sigil. A Sigil is an additional runic character that can be added to a Hunter's Mark to twist and change the power of the Mark. Applying a Sigil is just like applying the Hunter's Mark (A standard action, with Medium range), except that a Sigil can only be applied to a target already under the effects of a Hunter's Mark and they are allowed a Will save to resist, as with the Hunter's Mark, but they are also allowed a new Will save each round (unless otherwise noted) to end that Sigil's effect. Sigils are detailed in the own section below the description of class abilities. You can have a number of Sigils active on a single Marked target equal to your Intelligence modifier.

Hunter's Grace (Ex): At 2nd level, you gain Hunter's Grace. As long as you are wearing light or no armor and not using a shield, you may add one point of your Intelligence bonus per class level to your Armor Class as a Dodge bonus against attacks made by foes you've Marked using your Hunter's Mark ability. This Dodge bonus increases by +4 against attacks of opportunity you provoke by moving, as long as those attacks of opportunity are made by Marked foes. This counts as both the Dodge and Mobility feats for the purposes of prerequisites.

Bonus Feats (Ex): At 2nd level and every 4 levels thereafter, you gain a bonus feat. The Runehunter must meet all prerequisites for a feat in order to choose that feat. This must be an Ambush feat, or chosen from the following list: Crossbow Sniper, Deadeye Shot, Defensive Archery, Elusive Target, Far Shot, Greater Manyshot, Improved Precise Shot, Improved Rapid Shot, Manyshot, Penetrating Shot, Precise Shot, Rapid Reload, Rapid Shot, Ready Shot, Shadow Striker, Shot On The Run, Skill Focus (Calligraphy, Gemcutting, Metalworking, Stonecarving or Woodcarving) Spectral Skirmisher, Versatile Spellcaster, Woodland Archer, Xaniqos School.

Evasion (Ex): Runehunters are rather adept at avoiding even the deadliest attacks their quarries throw at them. At 3rd level, they gain Evasion, as the Rogue class feature. At 11th level, this ability improves to Improved Evasion.

Rune Magic (Su): At 3rd level, the Runehunter gains the ability to inscribe runes containing spells onto objects. This gives them the benefits of the Inscribe Rune item creation feat, allowing them to mark runes onto objects. Doing so take 10 minutes plus the casting time of the spell, and the Runehunter must succeed on a Craft check (Calligraphy, Gemcutting, Metalworking, Stonecarving or Woodcarving) with a DC equal to 20 + the level of the spell you're using; If the check fails, the rune is imperfect and cannot hold the spell, which is expended just as if it had been cast regardless of the success or failure of the rune. A single Medium-size or smaller object can hold only one Rune; Larger objects can hold 1 rune per 25 square feet of surface area. Runes cannot be placed on creatures, although they can be drawn on equipment a creature carries. Runes are triggered by touch, but last indefinitely until triggered. Triggering a rune is a free action; The caster can touch the rune without triggering it, or deliberately trigger it by touching it as a standard action. Runes are obvious and not concealed in any way, and Read Magic allows the caster of said spell to identify the spell within a particular Rune with a Spellcraft check (DC 15 + spell's level). Runes can be Erased (DC 15 + your caster level); Failure triggers the rune. They can also be Dispelled, unlike normal magic items (DC 11 + your caster level) or disables as if a magic trap (DC 25 + spell's level). A Rune has a base price of the spell level x the caster level x 50 GP (A 0th-level spells counts as 1/2 spell level). To create a rune, you must pay 1/25 of this base price in XP and use up raw materials costing half this base price. Normally the feat can only be used with Divine spells, but the Runehunter's spells are the singular exception to this rule.

Power Shot (Ex): A Runehunter of 3rd level or higher who possesses a Strength score of 13 or higher gains an ability called Power Shot. This functions exactly like the Power Attack feat, except that it only functions with bows. Shortbows and longbows count as one-handed weapons; Composite versions of any bow and Greatbows function as two-handed weapons. It also functions as the Power Attack feat for the purposes of prerequisites.

On The Mark (Su): Beginning at 4th level, shots the Runehunter makes against Marked targets ignore all cover short of total cover and all concealment short of total concealment. These shots ignore total concealment if the target is under the effects of the Sigil Of Revealing.

Beginning at 9th level, the Hunter's Mark allows the Runehunter to find holes in the Marked target's armor. Shots made against Marked targets are made as ranged touch attacks as long as the target is within Medium range of the Runehunter.

Beginning at 15th level, the Runehunter can fire Seeker arrows. A Seeker arrow will unerringly strike their target (Like a Magic Missile), rounding corners to find their mark and so forth to, as long as that target is under the effects of the Hunter's Mark. The Runehunter can fire a number of Seeker arrows each day equal to their Intelligence modifier. Seeker arrows cannot crit, nor can they deliver Hunter's Shot or Sneak Attack damage.

Uncanny Dodge (Ex): A hunter must always be on their toes, lest they become the hunted. At 5th level, the Runehunter gains Uncanny Dodge, as the Rogue class feature. At 8th level (Or if you possess Uncanny Dodge from another source), this improves to Improved Uncanny Dodge. As normal, levels in classes that have also granted you Uncanny Dodge stack with your Runehunter levels for the purposes of determining the Rogue level needed to flank you. Your Runehunter level is your effective Rogue level for the purposes of flanking targets with Improved Uncanny Dodge.

Trackless Step (Ex): A hunter who leaves traces of their passing is a hunter who is inviting others to hunt them, or to compete with them over their quarry. At 5th level, the Runehunter leaves no trail in natural surroundings, as the Druid class feature of the same name. The Runehunter can choose to leave a trail if they like, as normal.

Runecraft (Ex): At 6th level, the Runehunter gains a +1 bonus on Craft checks made to inscribe a Rune. This bonus increases by an additional +1 every 3 levels thereafter (+2 at 9th, +3 at 12th, and so forth. This bonus also increases the DC to Dispel a Runehunter's Mark, Sigil or Rune.

Empower Rune (Ex): At 7th level, the Runehunter learns to improve his runes. He can apply the Empower Spell metamagic to a spell within a Rune without increasing the spell's level by increasing the Craft check DC needed to successfully make the rune by 5. Thus while a Rune of Arrowsplit (A 3rd-level spell for a Runehunter) would require a DC 23 Craft check, an Empowered Rune of Arrowsplit would have a Craft check DC of 27.

Shoot Them Down (Ex): At 7th level, the Runehunter (If they have the Power Shot ability) gains the ability to fire another arrow when they drop a target. When they drop a foe within Medium range with a shot (As per the Cleave feat), they may fire another arrow at their highest BAB at another target within 30 feet of the dropped target (As long as the second target is also within Medium range). This can only occur once per round, however, nomatter how many foes you successfully drop. This counts as the Cleave feat for the purpose of prerequisites.

Beginning at 10th level, this ability improves; The extra attack is no longer limited to 1 per round. This counts as the Great Cleave feat for the purpose of prerequisites.

Improved Runecasting (Su): Beginning at 9th level, the Runehunter learns to make more powerful Runes. They can make a Rune that has more than one charge by multiplying the cost by the number of charges, and they can make a rune that works when read or when passed within 30 feet of by doubling the cost. These effects can, of course, be used together, so a Rune with 5 charges that activates when a target passes within 30 feet of it would cost 10 times what a normal Rune of that spell would cost.

Expeditious Scribe (Ex): Beginning at 11th level, the Runehunter becomes more adept at creating marks and sigils. This has three effects. First, the Runehunter can use his Hunter's Mark ability on two targets with the same standard action as long as they're within 30 feet of each other. Second, they can apply two Sigils at once, either to separate targets or to two targets that are within 30 feet of each other. Third, when they use a standard action to apply a Mark to a single target, they can also apply a Sigil to that target with the same action.

Camouflage (Ex): Most fearsome is the unseen hunter. Beginning at 12th level, the Runehunter can use the Hide skill in any sort of natural terrain, even if the terrain doesn’t grant cover or concealment.

Maximize Rune (Su): At 13th level, the Runehunter learns to improve his runes again. He can apply the Maximize Spell metamagic to a spell within a Rune without increasing the spell's level by increasing the Craft check DC needed to successfully make the rune by 10. Thus while a Rune of Arrowsplit (A 3rd-level spell for a Runehunter) would require a DC 23 Craft check, a Maximized Rune of Arrowsplit would have a Craft check DC of 33. Runes cannot be both Maximized and Empowered.

Swift Tracker (Ex): The slow hunter never catches his prey. Beginning at 14th level, a Runehunter can move at his normal speed while following tracks without taking the normal –5 penalty. He takes only a –10 penalty (instead of the normal –20) when moving at up to twice normal speed while tracking.

Greater Runecasting (Su): Beginning at 14th level, the Runehunter learns to make more powerful Runes. This allows them to make runes that have a certain number of charges per day (Such a 3/day); The cost of these runes is the spells's level x caster level x number of charges per day x 400 GP. They may also make runes that have no limit to the number of times they can be triggered, called permanent runes (However, they can still be dispelled); The cost for these is the spells's level x caster level x 2,000 GP.

Mark Of Death (Su): Beginning at 15th level, the Runehunter can fire an arrow that slays a Marked target on a failed save. The target, when hit, must make a Will save (DC 10 + 1/2 caster level + Runehunter's Int mod) or be slain instantly. This ability takes a full-round action to imbue and fire the arrow, and can be done once per day.

Hide In Plain Sight (Ex): At 16th level, a Runehunter can use the Hide skill even while being observed. As long as he is within 10 feet of some sort of shadow, a Runehunter can hide himself from view in the open without having anything to actually hide behind. He cannot, however, hide in his own shadow.

Rapid Scribe (Su): At 19th level, the Runehunter's Expeditious Scribe ability improves. This has three benefits. First, he can now mark a number of targets equal to his Intelligence modifier with a single action, so long as the targets are within 60 feet of each other. Second, he can apply a single Sigil to a number of targets equal to his Intelligence modifier with a single action, so long as the targets are within 60 feet of each other. Finally, the Runehunter chooses one Sigil he knows to become a permanent part of his Mark, being applied instantly when he applies the Mark and being reinstated in every round that the Mark remains active, making many effects very difficult to escape for days on end.

Supreme Rune (Su): At 20th level, the Runehunter's art reaches its zenith. He may add his Runecraft bonus to the DC of any spell contained within a Rune he crafts if he adds the same number to the Craft check DC made to inscribe the rune. Furthermore, Empowering a rune now only increases the DC by 3, and Maximizing a rune only increases the DC by 7. Finally, the Runehunter can both Empower and Maximize any rune he can craft without increasing the spell level by increasing the Craft DC accordingly.

Sigils

Sigil of Revealing: You create a sigil that outlines your target in faint arcane energy that only you can see. This outline reveals them through invisibility and the Blur spell, and through some barriers, but 1 foot of stone, 1 inch of common metal, a thin sheet of lead, or 3 feet of wood or dirt blocks it. This Sigil only allows a new Will save every minute, rather than every round.

Sigil Of Confusion: You create a Sigil that disrupts the subject's senses, Confusing them. Each round the subject is affected by the Sigil, roll on the following table.

d%	Behavior
01–10	Attack caster with melee or ranged weapons (or close with caster if attack is not possible).
11–20	Act normally.
21–50	Do nothing but babble incoherently.
51–70	Flee away from caster at top possible speed.
71–100	Attack nearest creature (for this purpose, a familiar counts as part of the subject’s self).

A confused character who can’t carry out the indicated action does nothing but babble incoherently. Attackers are not at any special advantage when attacking a confused character. Any confused character who is attacked automatically attacks its attackers on its next turn, as long as it is still confused when its turn comes. Note that a confused character will not make attacks of opportunity against any creature that it is not already devoted to attacking (either because of its most recent action or because it has just been attacked).

Sigil Of Clumsiness: You create a sigil that hinders the target's ability to react to attacks. While the sigil is active, the target suffers a penalty to their Armor Class equal to your Intelligence bonus.

Sigil Of Imbalance: You create a sigil that hampers the target's sense of balance. While this Sigil is active, the Target suffers a penalty equal to one-half your class level on Balance checks, and on checks to avoid being Tripped or Bull Rushed, or otherwise knocked down or back.

Sigil Of Weak Fortitude: You create a Sigil that weakens the target's physical resistances. While this Sigil is active, they take a penalty on Fortitude saving throws equal to your Intelligence modifer.

Sigil Of The Vampire: You create a Sigil that links the target's vitality to your own. While this Sigil is active, weapon attacks you make against the target heal you for half the amount of damage dealt by your weapon and only your weapon (Not extra dice from enchantments or Hunter's Shot, but the healing is multiplied on a critical hit to match the damage multiplier).

Improved Sigils: The following Sigils require you to be 7th level or higher to learn.

Sigil Of Torpor: You create a Sigil that hinder's the target's actions. While this Sigil is in effect, the target is Slowed. You must know the Sigil Of Imbalance in order to learn this Sigil.

Sigil Of Encumbered Reflex: You create a Sigil that hinders the target's reaction time. While this Sigil is active, they take a penalty on Reflex saving throws equal to your Intelligence modifer. You must know the Sigil Of Clumsiness in order to learn this Sigil.

Vexing Sigil: You can create a sigil upon an opponent that distracts them, causing their skin to crawl and showing them threatening shadows in the corners of their vision. When you use this Sigil, choose one square adjacent to the target. You are treated as being in that square for the purposes of flanking that target. If the target moves, you are always counted as occupying that square relative to thier current position; For example, by putting the mark on their back, you could choose to flank from the square directly behind them, nomatter where they move. A target affected by a Vexing Sigil are denied their Dexterity bonus against you, just as if you were actually flanking them. You must know the Sigil Of Confusion in order to learn this Sigil.

Sigil Of Enfeeblement: You create a Sigil that saps the target's might. While this Sigil is active, the target suffers a penalty to Strength equal to your Intelligence modifer. You must know the Sigil Of The Vampire in order to learn this Sigil. If this Sigil is active on a single target at the same time as the Sigil Of The Vampire is active on that target, then you gain a Strength bonus equal to their Strength loss for as long as their strength is lessened by this Sigil.

Sigil Of Malady: You create a Sigil that upsets internal organs. While this Sigil is active, the target must make a Fortitude save each round in addition to the normal Will save; If this Fort save fails, they are Nauseated that round. If it succeeds, they are only Sickened that round. Creatures immune to critical hits or to disease are immune to the effects of this Sigil. You must know the Sigil Of Weak Fortitude in order to learn this Sigil.

Greater Sigils: The following Sigils require you to be 14th level or higher to learn.

Sigil Of Clouded Will: You create a Sigil that clouds the target's mind. While this Sigil is active, they take a penalty on Will saving throws equal to your Intelligence modifer. You must know the Vexing Sigil in order to learn this Sigil.

Sigil Of Paralysis: You create a Sigil that locks the target's body in place. While this Sigil is active, the target is Paralyzed. You must know the Sigil Of Encumbered Reflex in order to learn this Sigil.

Sigil Of Enervation: You create a Sigil that drains the target's vitality. While this Sigil is active, the target suffers 1d3 Negative Levels; These negative levels can never incur actual level loss, but are lost when the Sigil is overcome by the target. You must know the Sigil Of Enfeeblement in order to learn this Sigil. If this Sigil is active on a single target at the same time as the Sigil Of The Vampire is active on that target, then you gain 5 bonus hit points for each negative level bestowed on the target for as long as they suffer from the negative level(s). These function like temporary hit points, except that they can be healed by healing magic (Including the healing from the Sigil Of The Vampire), acting as if your normal hit point total had been increased by that number.

Sigil Of Contagion: You create a Sigil that infects the target with a disease by rapidly mutating microrganisms already present on or in the target. When this Sigil is activated, the target begins to suffer from a disease, as if a Contagion spell had been cast on them (Including being allowed a Fortitude save to resist the disease itself); However, the disease cannot be completely cured while the Sigil is still active as the Sigil will simply continue to perpetuate the disease each time it is wiped away unless the Sigil is dispelled or otherwise removed before the cure attempt is made. You must know the Sigil Of Malady in order to learn this Sigil. The target is allowed a new Will save to escape the Sigil every minute as opposed to every round; But this only ends the Sigil, not the disease created by it.

Epic Runehunter

Table: The Epic Runehunter

Hit Die: d6

Level	Special
21st	Hunter's Shot +6d6, Runecraft +6
22nd	Bonus Feat
23rd
24th	Runecraft +7, Bonus Feat
25th	Hunter's Shot +7d6
26th	Bonus Feat
27th	Runecraft +8
28th	Bonus Feat
29th	Hunter's Shot +8d6
30th	Runecraft +9, Bonus Feat
6 + Int modifier skill points per level.

Hunter's Shot: The bonus damage continues to increase by +1d6 at 21st level and every 4 levels thereafter, as normal.

Runecraft: The bonus continues to increase by +1 at 21st level and every 3 levels afterwards, as normal.

Bonus Feats: The epic Runehunter gains a bonus feat (selected from the list of epic Runehunter bonus feats) every 2 levels after 20th.

Epic Runehunter Bonus Feat List: Additional Magic Item Space, Blinding Speed, Distant Shot, Combat Archery, Epic Endurance, Enhance Spell, Epic Prowess, Epic Skill Focus, Epic Speed, Epic Toughness, Epic Weapon Focus, Fast Healing, Improved Combat Casting, Improved Manyshot, Improved Spell Capacity, Incribe Epic Rune, Instant Reload, Legendary Climber, Legendary Leaper, Legendary Tracker, Overwhelming Critical (Bow or Crossbow only), Devastating Critical (Bow or Crossbow only), Penetrate Damage Reduction, Self-Concealment, Superior Initiative, Swarm of Arrows, Tenacious Magic (Hunter's Mark counts as a spell-like ability for the purposes of this feat), Uncanny Accuracy.

Elven Runehunter Starting Package

Weapons: Composite Longbow.

Skill Selection: Pick a number of skills equal to 6 + Int modifier.

Skill	Ranks	Ability	Armor Check Penalty
Concentration	4	Con	—
Craft (Calligraphy)	4	Int	—
Disable Device	4	Int	—
Hide	4	Dex	–1
Knowledge (Arcana)	4	Int	—
Listen	4	Wis	—
Move Silently	4	Dex	–1
Open Lock	4	Dex	—
Search	4	Int	—
Spellcraft	4	Int	—
Spot	4	Wis	—
Survival	4	Wis	—
Tumble	4	Dex	–1

Feat: Improved Initiative.

Bonus Feats: Track, Endurance.

Gear: Studded Leather; Backpack, bedroll, flint and steel, belt pouch, 2 weeks of trail rations, torch, waterskin.

Gold: 15 GP.

Campaign Information

Playing a Runehunter

Religion: Normally Runehunters follow deities of magic, or, depending on alignment, Justice (Lawful, Good), Tyranny (Lawful, Evil), Freedom (Chaos, Good), or outright Destruction (Chaos, Evil). Other common choices for religion are deities of nature or the gods of trickery or darkness. However, Runehunters are not innately religious and thus many follow no deity at all.

Other Classes: Runehunters fit in well with Rangers, Rogues, Duskblades/Hexblades and other sneaky or arcane sorts, though their magic is rather different and is sometimes viewed as inferior until it proves its worth. Paladins see them as too sneaky for their own good, just like with a Rogue, and they don't see much honor in increasing your odds with magic and then striking the target while they're weakened. The fighting sorts such as Barbarians and Fighters tend to view them as inept at war or sometimes outright call them cowardly, until an arrow blossoming from the chest of the beast that is closing in on them while they're wounded saves their lives.

Racial Veiws: Elves and Dwarves tend to have a much softer heart toward Runehunters than other races; Elves because of the mixing of arcana and archery that mirrors their cultural customs, and Dwarves because they know better than most the power within runes.

Combat: Just like any archer or spellcaster, the Runehunter's role is usually filled from the back line. They are adept at weakening foes and aiding allies before unleashing their arrows with fury. They also make very good scouts due to their stealth skills and defensive Sigils.

Advancement: Some Elven Runehunters advance as Arcane Archers; And Dwarves tend to enjoy becoming Abjurant Champions, but neither prestige class advances their Sigils. Arcane Tricksters are also rather common, allowing you to use the Sigil Of The Hidden Hunter to hide yourself from view and then use Ranged Ledgerdemain to pick their pockets, for example.

Runehunters in the World

“	"The Gods are watching, our blood is rushing, and the hunt... Is on."	”
—Tyra, Human Runehunter, Champions Of The Realm

Daily Life: Normally the typical Runehunter's day is spent enforcing the law or running from it, or tracking down a specific person or item for a generous price.

Notables: None to date.

Organizations: Runehunters have no true organization, though those without conflicting interests who meet each other may spend time teaching each other spells and the like.

NPC Reactions: It generally depends on alignment, class and social status (And need, or lack thereof, for a bounty hunter to accomplish a task - But then again, adventurers are normally viewed as reckless and annoying until you need one) far more than it depends on whether they're a PC or an NPC.

Runehunter Lore

Characters with ranks in Knowledge (Arcana) can research Runehunters to learn more about them. When a character makes a skill check, read or paraphrase the following, including information from lower DCs.

Knowledge (Arcana)

DC	Result
5	Runehunters are arcanists who favor the bow and who use runes to enhance their abilities.
10	Runehunters can also learn special Sigils that weaken or reveal the target.
15	Experienced Runehunters can craft a wide variety of runic magic items to help them on their hunts.
20	A character who achieves this result knows the name, last known whereabouts and general tactics of a single notable Runehunter.

Runehunters in the Game

Often Runehunters are bounty hunters, law officials or vigilantes. Other times, they're seekers of rare artifacts and dungeon delvers.

Adaptation: One could make a Runeblade, changing out the bow-themed abilities for melee-themed abilities and increasing the character's HD and armor proficiencies at the cost of lessened Spellcasting/Sigil progression. Another adaptation could be someone who has beneficial Sigils rather than detrimental ones, or simply a Runehunter prestige class.

Sample Encounter: Coming whenever.

EL Whatever: Coming whenever.

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