Fell Scholar (3.5e Prestige Class)

Author: Leziad (talk) Date Created: 11th September 2018 Status: WIP Editing: Clarity edits only please

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A Prestige Class that allow spellcasters, both arcane or divine, to pursue the study of dark spells and occult methods.

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Prepared Arcane Spellcasting, Spontaneous Arcane Spellcasting, Prepared Divine Spellcasting, Spontaneous Divine Spellcasting Full

Fell Scholar

“	It appears that I underestimated the amount of knowledge that could be find in the Aboleth's archives... I may need a minute to compose myself.	”
—Unknown Fell Scholar

The study of strange occult methods and it suppression by various group has a long history indeed. The hedge witch who consort with fiend for great powers, the parish cleric who read heretical text under candlelight, the wizard's apprentice sneaking into the tower's hidden chambers seeking the secret tomes tucked away hastily by it master. The Fell Scholar is the result of one of such person getting their hand on an ancient and terrible text, a Black Book. These texts are not always books, they may be scrolls or slabs or other medium on which information can be acquired from. The Fell Scholar make a career out of fining deeper and darker occult knowledge, reveling in the forbidden lore they acquire.

Becoming a Fell Scholar

Entry Requirements  

Alignment:	Any Non-Good.
Skills:	Knowledge (Arcana or Religion) 8 Ranks, Knowledge (The Planes) 8 Ranks, Spellcraft 8 Ranks.
Feats:	Dark Knowledge or Forbidden Knowledge.
Spellcasting:	Must be capable of casting 3rd level spell, including at least a single [Evil] spell.
Special:	Must acquired a Black Book by either finding one or making a contract with an evil or eldritch outsider.

Table: The Fell Scholar

Hit Die: d6

Level	Base Attack Bonus	Saving Throws			Special	Spellcasting
		Fort	Ref	Will
1st	+0	+0	+0	+2	Black Book, Forbidden Lore, Partial Advancement	+1 level of existing spellcasting class
2nd	+1	+0	+0	+3	Bonus Spell, Dark Delving, Profaned Spellcasting	+1 level of existing spellcasting class
3rd	+2	+1	+1	+3	Bonus Spell, Taint Component	+1 level of existing spellcasting class
4th	+3	+1	+1	+4	Bonus Spell, Jaded Countenance	+1 level of existing spellcasting class
5th	+3	+1	+1	+4	Bonus Spell, Enlightening Revelation	+1 level of existing spellcasting class
6th	+4	+2	+2	+5	Bonus Spell, Dark Historian	+1 level of existing spellcasting class
Class Skills (4 + Int modifier per level) Balance (Dex), Bluff (Cha), Climb (Str), Concentration (Con), Control Shape (Wis), Craft (Int), Decipher Script (Int), Diplomacy (Cha), Disguise (Cha), Escape Artist (Dex), Forgery (Int), Gather Information (Cha), Heal (Wis), Hide (Dex), Intimidate (Cha), Jump (Str), Knowledge (Int), Listen (Wis), Move Silently (Dex), Perform (Cha), Profession (Wis), Ride (Dex), Search (Int), Sense Motive (Wis), Speak Language (None), Spellcraft (Int), Spot (Wis), Survival (Wis), Swim (Str), Truespeak (Int).

Class Features

All of the following are class features of the Fell Scholar.

Spellcasting: At each level, you gain new spells per day 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 spellcasting class before becoming a Fell Scholar, you must decide to which class to add each level for the purpose of determining spells per day, caster level, and spells known.

Black Book: Upon taking her 1st level in Fell Scholar, the character acquire a dark tome of magic called a Black Book. The Black Book is necessary to advance in the class, if lost or forsaken any levels taken in Fell Scholar do not yield any class features beside spellcasting advancement, until the Black book is found again and studied or another is acquired. The Black Book radiate a mild evil aura and can be identified with a Knowledge (The Plane) check DC 25.

If Dark Insight is employed, the Black Book count as a Masterwork Tool for Dark Insight checks, granting a +2 competence bonus. The effect of studying the Black Book is harsh however, each time the Fell Scholar gain a class level she gain a single point of Dark Insight.

The Black Book may be further enhanced, such as being made into a Blessed Book.

Forbidden Lore (Ex): A 1st level Fell Scholar add her class level on all Knowledge checks and on Intelligence-based Dark Insight.

Partial Advancement: The fell scholar levels stack with levels in one other pre-existing class of your choice (determined each time you take a level of fell scholar) for the purpose of determining abilities based off class level. For example, you can advance, initiator level, sneak attack, rages per day, and other abilities. You do not gain new abilities granted by your class (including greater and mighty rage), nor do you learn any new maneuvers known or spells known (except for your normal spellcasting advancement).

Bonus Spell: At each level except the 1st, the Fell Scholar gains an additional spell from any list from a full casting class (that is, 9th level spells), as long as it has the [Darkness], [Evil] or [Shadow] descriptor up to your highest level spell available. If the Fell Scholar is a a prepared spellcaster, she add it to her spell list and spellbook for free if applicable. If the Fell Scholar is a spontaneous caster, she gain it as a spell known without taking a spell known slot.

Dark Delving (Ex): At 2nd level a Fell Scholar's research allow her to learn much more about forbidden magic. She gain a +5 to her Knowledge and Spellcraft checks made to identify spells and creatures of evil or eldritch nature.

If Dark Insight is employed the cost of learning Dark Insight Spells is reduced by 50%. This is in addition to the previous benefits.

Profaned Spellcasting: A 2nd level Fell Scholar receive both Corrupt Spell^CD and Malign Spell Focus^CoR as bonus feats.

Taint Component: A 3rd level Fell Scholar has unlocked the means of using her own corrupted essence as material component for spellcasting. She gain Alternative Eschew Materials as a bonus feat, however it only function for [Evil] spells.

Jaded Countenance (Ex): Because of her dark research, a Fell Scholar eventually become emotionally detached, even from mortal dangers. A Fell Scholar of 4th level or higher become immune to [Fear] and halves any moral penalty she receive.

If Dark Insight is employed, the Fell Scholar's Madness threshold increase by 2.

Enlightening Revelation (Ex): A 5th level Fell Scholar learn a formidable revelation, gaining a +2 inherent bonus to either her Intelligence, Wisdom or Charisma.

Dark Historian (Ex): A 6th level Fell Scholar has gained incredible foresight into fell magic, whenever she gain a class level whcih advance her spellcasting she gain a bonus spell as her Bonus Spell class feature.

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