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Shadow Tempest

Alignment:          Any Neutral

Hit Dice:               D6

Class Skills:          Balance, Bluff, Climb, Concentration, Craft, Decipher Script, Diplomacy, Disable Device, Escape Artist, Gather Information, Hide, Jump, Knowledge (Local), Knowledge (Arcana), Listen, Move Silently, Open Lock, Profession, Search, Sense Motive, Sleight of Hand, Spellcraft, Spot, Swim, Tumble, Use Magic Device, and Use Rope.

Skill Points at 1^st Level:                                   (4 + INT modifier) x 4

Skill Points at each additional level:          4 + INT modifier

Class Features

All of the following are class features of the Shadow Walker

Weapon and Armor Proficiency:                                                                                                                                                   A Shadow Tempest is proficient with all simple weapons and martial weapons. He is only proficient in light armor. A Shadow Tempest can cast Shadow Walker Invocations while wearing light armor without incurring the normal arcane spell failure chance. However, like any other arcane spellcaster, a Shadow Tempest wearing medium or heavy armor or using a shield incurs a chance of arcane spell failure if the spell in question has a somatic component (most do). A multiclass Shadow Walker still incurs the normal arcane spell failure chance for arcane spells received from other classes.

Invocations:

A shadow tempest does not prepare or cast spells as other wielders of arcane magic do. Instead, he possesses a repertoire of attacks, defenses, and abilities known as invocations that require him to focus the wild energy that suffuses his soul. A shadow tempest can use any invocation he knows at will, with the following qualifications: A shadow tempest’s invocations are spell-like abilities; using an invocation is therefore a standard action that provokes attacks of opportunity. An invocation can be disrupted, just as a spell can be ruined during casting. A shadow tempest is entitled to a Concentration check to successfully use an invocation if he is hit by an attack while invoking, just as a spellcaster would be. A shadow walker can choose to use an invocation defensively, by making a successful Concentration check, to avoid provoking attacks of opportunity. A shadow tempest’s invocations are subject to spell resistance unless an invocation’s description specifically states otherwise. A shadow tempest’s caster level with his invocations is equal to his shadow tempest level.

The save DC for an invocation (if it allows a save) is 10 +equivalent spell level + the shadow tempest’s Intelligence modifier. Since spell-like abilities are not actually spells, a shadow tempest cannot benefi t from the Spell Focus feat. He can, however, benefi t from the Ability Focus feat (see page 303 of the Monster Manual), as well as from feats that emulate metamagic effects for spell-like abilities, such as Quicken Spell-Like Ability and Empower Spell-Like Ability (see pages 303 and 304 of the Monster Manual).

The four grades of invocations, in order of their relative power, are least, lesser, greater, and shadow. A shadow tempest begins with knowledge of one invocation, which must be of the lowest grade (least). As a shadow tempest gains levels, he learns new invocations, as summarized on Table 1–1 and described below. A list of available invocations can be found following this class description, and a complete description of each invocation can be found in Chapter 4 of this book. At any level when a shadow tempest learns a new invocation, he can also replace an invocation he already knows with another invocation of the same or a lower grade. At 6^th level, a shadow tempest can replace a least invocation he knows with a different least invocation (in addition to learning a new invocation, which could be either least or lesser). At 11th level, a shadow tempest can replace a least or lesser invocation he knows with another invocation of the same or a lower grade (in addition to learning a new invocation, which could be least, lesser, or greater). At 16th level, a shadow tempest can replace a least, lesser, or greater invocation he knows with another invocation of the same or a lower grade (in addition to learning a new invocation, which could be least, lesser, greater, or shadow).

Finally, unlike other spell-like abilities, invocations are subject to arcane spell failure chance as described under Weapon and Armor Proficiency above. Shadow Tempests can qualify for some prestige classes usually intended for spellcasters; see Warlocks and Prestige Classes, page 18, for details.

AC Bonus (Ex)

When unarmored and unencumbered, the shadow tempest adds his Wisdom bonus (if any) to his AC. In addition, a shadow tempest  gains a +1 bonus to AC at 5th level. This bonus increases by 1 for every five monk levels thereafter (+2 at 10th, +3 at 15th, and +4 at 20th level).

These bonuses to AC apply even against touch attacks or when the monk is flat-footed. He loses these bonuses when she is immobilized or helpless, when she wears any armor heavier than light, when she carries a shield, or when she carries a medium or heavy load.

Detect Magic (Su)

A Shadow Walker can detect magic as an at-will spell-like ability.

Mage Hand (Su)

A Shadow Walker can use mage hand as an at-will spell-like ability.

Sneak Attack

If a shadow tempest can catch an opponent when it is unable to defend itself effectively from his attack, he can strike a vital spot for extra damage.

The shadow tempest’s attack deals extra damage any time his target would be denied a Dexterity bonus to AC (whether the target actually has a Dexterity bonus or not), or when the shadow tempest flanks his target. This extra damage is 1d6 at 1st level, and it increases by 1d6 every two rogue levels thereafter. Should the shadow tempest score a critical hit with a sneak attack, this extra damage is not multiplied.

Ranged attacks can count as sneak attacks only if the target is within 30 feet.

With a sap (blackjack) or an unarmed strike, a shadow tempest can make a sneak attack that deals nonlethal damage instead of lethal damage. He cannot use a weapon that deals lethal damage to deal nonlethal damage in a sneak attack, not even with the usual -4 penalty.

A shadow tempest can sneak attack only living creatures with discernible anatomies—undead, constructs, oozes, plants, and incorporeal creatures lack vital areas to attack. Any creature that is immune to critical hits is not vulnerable to sneak attacks. The shadow tempest must be able to see the target well enough to pick out a vital spot and must be able to reach such a spot. A shadow tempest cannot sneak attack while striking a creature with concealment or striking the limbs of a creature whose vitals are beyond reach. This feature stacks with levels of rogue, or any class and prestige class that gives sneak attack.

Evasion (Ex)

At 2nd level and higher, a shadow tempest can avoid even magical and unusual attacks with great agility. If he makes a successful Reflex saving throw against an attack that normally deals half damage on a successful save, he instead takes no damage. Evasion can be used only if the shadow tempest is wearing light armor or no armor. A helpless shadow tempest does not gain the benefit of evasion.

Arcane Soul (Ex)

At 12^th level, a Shadow Tempest gains Spell Resistance equal to his Shadow Tempest level + 10. In order to affect the Shadow Tempest with a spell, a spellcaster must get a result on a caster level check (1d20 + caster level) that equals or exceeds the Shadow Tempest’s spell resistance.

Shadow Tempest Invocation List

Least Invocations (Spell Level Equivilant = 1^st and 2^nd)

Shadow Shield:  You gain Shield as a spell like ability.

Hold Portal:  You gain Hold Portal as a spell like ability.

Detect Secret Doors:  You gain Detect Secret Doors as a spell like ability.

Identify: You gain Identify as a spell like ability.

Charm: You gain Charm Person as a spell like ability.

Floating Disk: You gain Floating Disk as a spell like ability.

Disguise Self: You gain Disguise Self as a spell like ability.

Silent Image: You gain Silent Image as a spell like ability.

Expeditious Retreat: You gain Expeditious Retreat as a spell like ability.

Feather Fall: You gain Feather Fall as a spell like ability.

Obscure Object: You gain Obscure Object as a spell like ability.

Glitterdust: You gain Glitterdust as a spell-like ability.

Locate Object: You gain Locate Object as a spell like ability.

Hypnotic Pattern: You gain Hypnotic Pattern as a spell like ability.

Invisibility: You gain Invisibility as a spell like ability, except that only you can be targeted.

Minor Image: You gain Minor Image as a spell like ability.

Alter Self: You gain Alter Self as a spell like ability.

Knock: You gain Knock as a spell like ability.

Rope Trick: You gain Rope Trick as a spell like ability.

Spider Climb: You gain Spider Climb as a spell like ability, except that it only targets you and it lasts for 12 hours.

Lesser Invocations (Spell Level Equivilant = 3^rd level)

Dispel Magic: You gain Dispel Magic as a spell like ability.

Tongues: You gain Tongues as a spell like ability, except that it lasts 12 hours and it only can be applied to you.

Heroism: You gain Heroism as a spell like ability, except that it only targets you.

Suggestion: You gain Suggestion as a spell like ability.

Displacement: You gain Displacement as a spell like ability, except that it only targets you.

Major Image: You gain Major Image as a spell like ability.

Fly: You gain Fly as a spell like ability, except that it only targets you and lasts 12 hours.

Greater Invocations (Spell Level Equivilant = 4^th and 5^th level)

Stoneskin: You gain Stoneskin as a spell like ability, except that it only targets you.

Dimension Door: You gain Dimension Door as a spell like ability.

Locate Creature:  You gain Locate Creature as a spell like ability.

Dismissal: You gain Dismissal as a spell like ability.

Planar Binding, Lesser: You gain Lesser Planar Binding as a spell like ability.

Teleport: You gain Teleport as a spell like ability, except that it only targets you.

Telepathic Bond: You gain Telepathic Bond as a spell like ability.

Dominate Person: You gain Dominate Person as a spell like ability.

Sending: You gain Sending as a spell like ability.

Telekinesis: You gain Telekinesis as a spell like ability.

Shadow Invocations (Spell Level Equivilant = 6^th level)

Repulsion: You gain Repulsion as a spell like ability.

Legend Lore: You gain Legend Lore as a spell like ability.

Shadow Walk: You gain Shadow Walk as a spell like ability.

Desintegrate: You gain Desintegrate as a spell like ability.

Flesh to Stone: You gain Flesh to Stone as a spell like ability.

Stone to Flesh: You gain Stone to Flesh as a spell like ability.

Transformation: You gain Transformation as a spell like ability, except that it only targets you.