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Back to [[Serpents and Sewers: Character Classes|Character Classes]] Back to the [[Serpents and Sewers|Main page]] =Class Role and Description= There are a few very rare children, which are born with an animal spirit within their souls. In some communities, these children are seen as blessed, in others as cursed, but most certainly do not fit in well in a normal society. This is mainly caused by the constant voice of the beast spirit in their mind and the ability to change their form and become a large and powerful beast. Shapechangers are extraordinary individuals and the spirit they share a body with makes them even stranger from the point of view of a more normal person. They are often associated with druids and it is rumored that the first Shapechangers were created as guardians and servants for a circle of powerful druids. The shapeshifter is effectively the other side of the druid - the druid is all about spellcasting, but has no shapeshifting ability anymore, the Shapeshifter is all about shapeshifting and has only a verylimited access to spellcasting. The shapeshifter is somewhat of a gimmic character; the whole character class is built around one concept - shapeshifting - and that is mostly the attraction of the class. For those players who always felt that playing a towering beastman or lycanthrope is pure greatness will love the shapeshifter; for those who are not that interested in this concept, this class will be somewhat pointless. The shapeshifter is also a very versatile character with a very broad spectrum of abilities he can cover; there are pure brawl and slash shapeshifters as well as tiny spies. It is also one of the most fluff-heavy classes of Serpents and Sewers as it was designed specifically for a very spiritual campaign, but it works well in most campaigns. '''Class Skills''' The Shapeshifter’s class skills (and the key ability for each skill) are Concentration (Con+Wis), Craft (Int+?), Handle Animals (Wis+Cha), Heal (Wis+Con), Knowledge (history) (2xInt), Knowledge (Nature) (2xInt), Knowledge (Religion) (2xInt), Profession (Wis+?), Ride (Dex+Cha), Spellcraft (Int+Wis) and Survival (Wis+Con). '''Skill Points at 1st Level''': (4 + Int modifier) x 4. '''Skill Points at Each Additional Level''': 4 + Int modifier. '''Hit Points at 1st Level''': 12 + Con modifier '''Hit Points at Each Additional Level''': 3 + Con modifier '''Spell Points at 1st level:''' 0 '''Spell points at each additional level (starting at level 5)''': 1 + Wis modifier '''Spell point regeneration (per hour of meditation)''': 1d10 +Wis modifier '''Starting Age:''' like Fighter '''Starting Gold:''' 4d4 x 10 (100gp) =Table: The Shapechanger= {| border="1" !Level !BAB !BDB !Fortitude !Reflex !Will !Special |- |1st | +0 | +0 | +2 | +1 | +1 | Wild Empathy, Shapeshifting, Spirit Vision |- |2nd | +1 | +1 | +3 | +1 | +1 | Simple beast feature |- |3rd | +2 | +1 | +3 | +2 | +2 | Trackless Step |- |4th | +3 | +2 | +4 | +2 | +2 | Simple beast feature |- |5th | +3 | +2 | +4 | +3 | +3 | basic energy control |- |6th | +4 | +3 | +5 | +3 | +3 | Simple beast feature, Whispering Spirit |- |7th | +5/+0 | +3 | +5 | +3 | +3 | Woodland Stride |- |8th | +6/+1 | +4 | +6 | +4 | +4 | advanced beast feature |- |9th | +6/+1 | +4 | +6 | +4 | +4 | Healing Changes |- |10th | +7/+2 | +5 | +7 | +5 | +5 | advanced beast feature, greater beast form |- |11th | +8/+3 | +5 | +7 | +5 | +5 | Language of the Land |- |12th | +9/+4 | +6 | +8 | +6 | +6 | advanced beast feature, Spirit precognition |- |13th | +9/+4 | +6 | +8 | +6 | +6 | Fast Change |- |14th | +10/+5/+0 | +7 | +9 | +6 | +6 | advanced beast feature |- |15th | +11/+6/+1 | +7 | +9 | +7 | +7 | advanced energy control |- |16th | +12/+7/+2 | +8 | +10 | +7 | +7 | complex beast feature |- |17th | +12/+7/+2 | +8 | +10 | +8 | +8 | Fast Healing 2 |- |18th | +13/+8/+3 | +9 | +11 | +8 | +8 | complex beast feature, Spirit attack |- |19th | +14/+9/+4 | +9 | +11 | +9 | +9 | Spirit Form |- |20th | +15/+10/+5/+0 | +10 | +12 | +9 | +9 | complex beast feature, Perfect beast form |- |} =Class Features= * '''Weapon and Armor proficiency''': The Shapechanger is proficient with all simple weapons. Shapechangers are also proficient with all natural attacks (claw, bite, and so forth) of any form they assume. They are not proficient with any shields or armor. A shapechanger bonus language options include Sylvan, the language of woodland creatures. This choice is in addition to the bonus languages available to the character because of her race. * '''Shapeshifting (Su'''): A shapechanger can change his form as often as she wants per day, and if she knows more than one form, she can change from one animal to another without problems without re-turning to human form first. There is no time limit how long a shapechanger can spend in any chosen form. Changing form (to beast form or back) is a full round action and doesn’t provoke an attack of opportunity. In any form, the shapechanger keeps her Hit Dice, Hit Points, base attack bonus, base defense bonus, base saving throw bonuses, and skills regardless of the given form. The abilities of the shapechanger are adjusted by the assumed animal form. In beast form, the shapeshifters loses her original creature type and counts as a magical creature. At first level, the shapechanger can chose a number of simple beast features equal to his Wisdom modifier. A shapechanger gains an additional beast feature on every even class level. Additionally, the Shapeshifter’s charisma is reduced by 6 points while all his physical abilities are increased by two points. Held, carried and worn gear meld into the animal form and ceases to function. Armor, both mundane and magically enhanced does not grant any bonus anymore. Magical items do not merge with the new body but adapt to the new form and can still be used. It takes a full round action to change shape. A shapechanger can not activated magic items or spells in animal form. They can not talk, or use any equipment that would need opposable thumbs. But she gains natural weapons, according to the chosen animal form. This natural weaponry gain an enhancement of ¼ of the shapechanger’s class level (round down) and at 4th and any higher level, they are considered as magical attacks. The damage dice given are for medium sized shapechangers; small and large shapechangers should adjust the damage. * '''Beast Features''': At every even level, the Shapeshifter gains additional beast features added to his beast form when she changes the shape. The more powerful the shapeshifter grows, the more powerful the abilities of his beast form get. Starting at level 8, he can choose from the advanced beast feature list and at level 16 and after from the complex beast feature list. * '''Wild Empathy (ex)''': A shapechanger can improve the attitude of an animal. This ability functions just like a Diplomacy check made to improve the attitude of a person. The shapechanger rolls 1d20 and adds her class level and her Charisma modifier to determine the wild empathy check result. The typical domestic animal has a starting attitude of indifferent, while wild animals are usually un-friendly. To use wild empathy, the shapechanger and the animal must be able to study each other, which means that they must be within 30 feet of one another under normal conditions. Generally, influencing an ani-mal in this way takes 1 minute but, as with influencing people, it might take more or less time. A shapechanger can also use this ability to influence a magical beast with an Intelligence score of 1 or 2, but she takes a -4 penalty on the check. * '''Spirit Vision (ex)''': The Senses of the Spirit denizen of the Shapechanger give the host the ability to sense what is real and what is not. The Shapechanger gains a +2 Bonus to resist or disbelieve Illusions. * '''Spells''': Beginning at 5th level, a shapeshifter gains the ability to cast a small number of divine spells, which are drawn from the Ranger spell list. A Shapeshifter must choose and prepare her spells in ad-vance. The Difficulty Class for a saving throw against a Shapeshifter’s spell is the spell level + the Shapeshifter’s Wisdom modifier +1d20. Like other spellcasters, a Shapeshifter can cast only a certain number of spells per day, limited by the number of spellpoints. Starting at 5th level, a Shapeshifter gains 1 + Wis modifier spell points per level. A Shapeshifter prepares and casts spells the way a cleric does, though she cannot lose a prepared spell to spontaneously cast a domain spell in its place. A Shapeshifter may prepare and cast any spell on the Ranger spell list, provided that she can cast spells of that level, but she must choose which spells to prepare during her daily meditation. Through 4th level, a Shapeshifter has no caster level. At 5th level and higher, her caster level is one-half her Shapeshifter class level. * '''Basic energy control''': At 5th level, a shapeshifter can channel one spell energy point per turn and can keep a total amount of energy under control equal to her wisdom modifier or three, whichever is lower. * '''Whispering Spirit (Su)''': When reaching 6th level, the Shapechanger learns to communicate silently with his spirit within and can use this as a source of knowledge and insight. The Shapechanger gains an en-hancement bonus to Wisdom or a chosen skill check equal to her class levels. Activating the power is a free action, the power lasts 1 round, and it is usable once per day. * '''Healing Changes (Su)''': Starting at 9th level, the Shapeshifter can heal her wounds through the change into her beast form. Whenever she assumes the beast form, she regains lost hit points as if you had rested for a night. The otherworldly presence of the spirit within her soul also grants the shapeshifter the fast healing 1 ability. This Bonus increases to Fast Healing 2 at 17th level. * '''Greater Beast Form''': On 10th level, the shapeshifter’s control over her basi shapeshifter has greatly increased – the Charisma Penalty in Beast Form is reduced to –4, while the Bonus to the Physical abilities is increased to +4. * '''Language of the Land (ex)''': Starting at 11th level, the shapechanger can communicate with all spirits and animals without problem. * '''Spirit Precognition (Su)''': At 12th level, the perception of the spirit and the host is almost completely merged, granting the Shapechanger the ability to intuitively ‘feel’ what happens in her environment. This ability grant Blindsense with a reach of 60 feet. * '''Fast Change (Ex)''': A shapechanger of 13th level or higher only needs a move action instead of a full round action to change her shape. * '''Advanced Energy Control''': At 15th level, a shapeshifter has improved her ability to control her magic abilities a lot better than before. From now on, she can channel two spell energy points per turn and therefore increase the casting speed of complex spells, and the maximum of energy he can keep under his control increases to her Wisdom modifier +1 up to a – theoretic – maximum of five Spell energy points. * '''Spirit Attack (Ex)''': The spirit within the Shapechanger allows her to strike what they can sense, inde-pendently of the target’s actual physical constitution. All attacks of the Shapeshifter are treated as if the weapon – including the shapeshifter’s natural weapon – has the Ghost touch enchantment. * '''Spirit Form (Su)''': At 19th level, the shapeshifter and the spirit in her have completely merged. Once per day, the shapeshifter can become incorporeal for 3 + Wisdom Modifier rounds. * '''Perfect Beast Form''': On 20th level, the shapeshifter’s beast form is bare of any weaknesses. She no longer suffers from any Charisma Penalty in Beast form and gains a total Bonus of +6 to all her physical abilities. =Beast Features= ==Simple Beast Features== * '''Adaptive Coloring''': The shapeshifter gains a +8 bonus to hide while in beast form in a natural environment. * '''Climber''': While in Beast Form, the shapeshifter gains a climb speed equal to half his move rate (and a bonus of +8 to climb checks, can always take 10 on climb checks and retains their dexterity bonus to defense while climbing). You can take this feature twice, and gain climb speed equal to the shapeshifter’s full speed at the second time. * '''Fast Movement''': The base movement of the shapeshifter increases by +10’. This feature can be taken multiple times and its effects stack. * '''Hold Breath''': A shapeshifter in beast form can hold its breath for a number of rounds equal to 4 × its Constitution score before he risks drowning. * '''Natural Armor''': The natural armor of the shapechanger improves by +1. This feature can be taken multiple times and its effects stack. * '''Natural Attacks: Bite''': The beast form gets a natural bite attacks, dealing 1d6 points of slashing damage for a medium creature. * '''Natural Attacks: Claws''': The beast form gets two natural claw attacks, dealing 1d4 points of slashing damage for a medium creature. * '''Natural Grapple''': The shapechanger grapples as if he was one size category bigger than he really is when he assumes beast form. * '''Natural Trip''': The shapeshifter trips his enemies as if he was one size category larger than he really is when he assumes beast form. * '''Nightvision''': In Beastform, the shapeshifter can see as if he had nightvision: * '''Physical Prowess''': The shapechanger adds +2 to any physical score when entering his beast form. Once this ability is chosen, it can not be changed. This feature can be taken multiple times and its effects stack. * '''Powerful Built''': The shapchanger’s Beast form is bigger and broader than usual. He gains the powerful built trait. This ability does not change the damage of the beast form’s natural attacks. * '''Scent''': The shapeshifter gains the scent extraordinary ability when assuming his beast form. * '''Size adaptation''': small and medium: A small character gains medium size in beast form. Likewise, a medium sized shapechanger changes to small size when he assumes the beast form. This does not influence any ability scores but the damage of the natural attacks. * '''Slight Built''': The shapeshifters beast form is unusual skinny and small. While in Beastform, the Shapechanger gains the Slight Build trait. This ability does not change the damage of the beast forms natural attacks. * '''Swimmer''': While in Beast Form, the shapeshifter gains a swim speed equal to half his normal move rate. You can take this feature twice, and gain climb speed equal to the shapeshifter’s full speed at the second time. * '''Wild Spell''': The shapechanger gains wild spell as a bonus feat. ==Advanced beast features== * '''Burrow''': A shapechanger in beast form gains a burrow speed of 10’. * '''Blind Sense''': The shapechanger gains a blind sense ability up to 20’ when assuming beast form. This feature can be taken multiple times, and increases the blindsense range by +20’. * '''Cheetah Speed''': ''(Requirement: Fast Movement)'' Once per hour, the shapeshifter in beast form can move up to ten times his normal speed when he makes a charge. * '''Gills''': The shapechanger’s beast form has gills and allows him to stay in water for an unlimited time span. * '''Humanoid Form''': The beast form of the shapeshifter walks upright and can use its Arms to use tools and weapons and such like. The shapeshifter’s creature type changes to Monstrous Human and she can use all items and even armor and weapons in this form. * '''Improved Natural Weapons''' ''(Requirement: Natural Attacks)'': The damage of all of the Natural Attacks of the shapechanger’s beastform increases by one step. * '''Large Size''' ''(Requirement: Ability to assume medium size)'': The beast form of the shapechanger counts as a large creature. * '''Poison, killing:''' ''(Requirement: Natural Bite Attack)'': The bite attack of the east form serves as a carrier for a deadly poison. The poison deals 1d2 of consititution damage as initial damage and 1d4 points of constitution damage as secondary damage. The poison’s DC is 10+ half the shapechanger’s class level. The shapeshifter can not gain access to more than one form of poison. * '''Poison, paralyzing:''' ''(Requirement: Natural Bite Attack)'': The bite attack of the east form serves as a carrier for a paralyzing poison. The poison deals 1d2 of dexterity damage as initial damage and 1d4 points of dexterity damage as secondary damage. The poison’s DC is 10+ half the shapechanger’s class level. The shapeshifter can not gain access to more than one form of poison. * '''Poison, weakening''': ''(Requirement: Natural Bite Attack)'': The bite attack of the east form serves as a carrier for a weakening poison. The poison deals 1d2 of strength damage as initial damage and 1d4 points of strength damage as secondary damage. The poison’s DC is 10+ half the shapechanger’s class level. The shapeshifter can not gain access to more than one form of poison. * '''Pounce''': ''(Requirement: Natural Attacks, fast movement)'' While in beast form, the shapechanger gains the pounce ability. * '''Powerful Charge''': The natural attacks of the shapeshifter’s beast form deals 2d6 additional damage when she charges. * '''Rake''' ''(Requirements: Claws, Natural Grapple)'': When grappling a foe in beast form, the shapechanger can attack with his natural attacks without penalty. * '''Smaller Changes''': Instead of one complex change, the shapeshifter can chose three simple beast features and add them to her beast form. * '''Tremor sense''': Somehow, the Shapeshifter can feel the vibrations of the ground. She gains tremor sense 30’ while in beast form. ==Complex Beast Features== * '''Advanced Changes''': Instead of one complex beast feature, the shapeshifter can choose two advanced features. * '''Blind Sight''': The shapeshifter’s beast form gains the blind sight ability with a reach of 20’. This feature can be taken several times, increasing the creature’s blind sight by 20’. * '''Deadly Poison''' ''(Requirement: Any poison)'': The ability damage of the poison increases by one step (1d3 initial damage and 1d6 as follow up damage) and the poison’s Save throw difficulty increases by +2. * '''Diminutive Size''' ''(Requirement: Ability to assume tiny size)'': The shapeshifter counts as a diminutive creature after assuming beast form. * '''Flight''' ''(Requirement: medium or smaller Beast form)'': The shapeshifter’s beast form grows wings, giving her the ability to fly. She gains a flying speed equal to her movement rate +10’ and a maneuverability that depends on the beast form’s size: ** Medium: clumsy maneuverability ** Small: poor maneuverability ** Tiny: average maneuverability ** Diminutive: good maneuverability. This feature can be taken several times, each times it increases the flying speed by 10’ and improves the maneuverability by one step. * '''Greater Natural Weapons''' ''(Requirement: Improved Natural Weapons)'': The natural weapons of the shapeshifter’s beast form increases a step. This stacks with the damage bonus of the advanced Beast Feature improved natural weapons. * '''Huge Size''' ''(Requirement: Ability to assume large size)'': The shapeshifter counts as a huge creature in beast form. * '''Spit Poison''' ''(Requirement: Any poison)'': Instead of a bite, the shapeshifter can spit her poison to hurt her enemies. Spitting a poison is a ranged touch attack with 10’ range increment and spitting poison is a standard action attack. A natural 20 on the attack roll means that the poison has hit the enemies eyes and blinded him. * '''Swallow Whole''' ''(Requirement: large Size or bigger, natural bite attack, natural grapple)'': The shapeshifter gains the swallow whole ability. After swallowing an enemy, the shapeshifter can’t change back to human form without dying horribly for 24 hours.
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