Pale Master
| Pale Master (Prestige Class) |
|
| Hit Die: d6 |
| Base Attack Bonus: +1/2 levels |
Proficiencies: None |
Skill Points: 2 + INT modifier |
| Class Skills: |
Primary Saving Throw(s): |
Alignment Restriction:
|
Description
Necromancy is usually a poor choice for arcane spellcasters. Those who really want to master the deathless arts almost always pursue divine means. However, an alternative exists for those who desire power over undead, without losing too much of their arcane power. Enter the pale master, who draws on a font of special lore that provides a macabre power all its own.
Requirements
Alignment: Any non-good
Arcane Spellcasting: Level 3 or higher
Level Progression
| Lvl | BAB | Saves | Feats | AC bonus |
Undead summon | Base Class Arcane Casting Progression | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fort | Ref | Will | |||||||
| 1st | +0 | +2 | +0 | +2 | Bone Skin | +2 | +1 caster level Spells/day gained | ||
| 2nd | +1 | +3 | +0 | +3 | Animate Dead | +2 | |||
| 3rd | +1 | +3 | +1 | +3 | Darkvision | +2 | +1 caster level Spells/day gained | ||
| 4th | +2 | +4 | +1 | +4 | Summon Undead | +4 | Ghoul (lesser) | ||
| 5th | +2 | +4 | +1 | +4 | Deathless Vigor | +4 | +1 caster level Spells/day gained | ||
| 6th | +3 | +5 | +2 | +5 | Undead Graft I | +4 | Shadow (lesser) | ||
| 7th | +3 | +5 | +2 | +5 | Tough as Bone | +4 | Ghast (lesser) | +1 caster level Spells/day gained | |
| 8th | +4 | +6 | +2 | +6 | Undead Graft II | +6 | Wight (lesser) | ||
| 9th | +4 | +6 | +3 | +6 | Summon Greater Undead | +6 | Wraith (lesser) Mummy Warrior (greater) |
+1 caster level Spells/day gained | |
| 10th | +5 | +7 | +3 | +7 | Deathless Master Touch Deathless Mastery |
+6 | Spectre (greater) | ||
Selectable Class Feats: Ambidexterity, Deflect Arrows
Epic Pale Master
| Lvl | Feats | AC Bonus |
Undead Summon | Base Class Arcane Casting Progression | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11th | +6 | +1 caster level Spells/day gained | |||
| 12th | +8 | Vampire Rogue | |||
| 13th | Bonus feat | +8 | +1 caster level Spells/day gained | ||
| 14th | +8 | Greater Bodak | |||
| 15th | +8 | +1 caster level Spells/day gained | |||
| 16th | Bonus feat | +10 | Ghoul King | ||
| 17th | +10 | +1 caster level Spells/day gained | |||
| 18th | +10 | Vampire Mage | |||
| 19th | Bonus feat | +10 | +1 caster level Spells/day gained | ||
| 20th | +12 | Skeleton Blackguard | |||
| 21th | +12 | +1 caster level Spells/day gained | |||
| 22th | Bonus feat | +12 | Lich | ||
| 23th | +12 | +1 caster level Spells/day gained | |||
| 24th | +14 | Lich Lord | |||
| 25th | Bonus feat | +14 | +1 caster level Spells/day gained | ||
| 26th | +14 | Alhoon | |||
| 27th | +14 | +1 caster level Spells/day gained | |||
| 28th | Bonus feat | +16 | Alhoon Elder | ||
| 29th | +16 | +1 caster level Spells/day gained | |||
| 30th | +16 | Lesser Demilich |
Epic Bonus Feats: Automatic Quicken Spell, Automatic Silent Spell, Automatic Still Spell, Epic Energy Resistance, Epic Spell Focus, Epic Spell Penetration, Epic spell: dragon knight, Epic spell: greater ruin, Epic spell: hellball, Epic spell: epic mage armor, Epic spell: mummy dust, Epic spell: epic warding, Improved Combat Casting
Epic Selectable Class Feats: Blinding Speed
Spellcasting
Every odd level, a pale master progresses in his knowledge of magic as if having gained one level in his primary casting class. This progress is in terms of spell levels and spell slots available. A wizard can learn from scrolls to add spells to his or her spellbook in order to take advantage of new spell levels. A sorcerer or bard, however, will have to level again as a sorcerer or bard in order to learn spells for these new levels. New spell slots can still be filled by preparing spells already known with metamagic feats, however.
In standard NWN, this progression does not affect caster level, which can determine damage, duration, and spell penetration. In Avlis, hooked spells take pale master levels into account for determining caster level - one caster level per two pale master levels (every odd level). However, this only affects damage and duration for hooked spells, dispelling another caster's spells, and spell penetration, but not dispel resistance.
Summon Control
The Pale Master has some ability to select the creature summoned by the summon undead abilities. This is a sub-feature of the overrall Summon Control system.
Notes
- Pale Masters can take Epic Spells at level 15 even if they only have 3 levels of an arcane class. They can also take epic spells with Epic Bonus Feats (after level 15) provided they meet the Spellcraft requirements. The duration of the spells will be based on Pale Master levels.
- At 6th level an Avlis Pale Master gets a +4 bonus to strength per standard D&D rule. As of NWN:EE, the strength bonus no longer counts towards the +12 Ability Cap but instead is added as an inherent bonus.
- Previously, before 5/31/2023, Pale Masters were considered an Advanced Magic Specialization, and thus ineligible for another. As of that date this is no longer the case. Pale Masters remain a Prestige Class (PrC) and thus require Team pre-approval to also pursue an AMS. As with any other character with a PRC, if you're interested in applying for an AMS, please PM the Event DM team with the particular details of your character and your plans on how to roleplay the combination. Requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis.