Unapproachable East.pdf - The Forgotten Realms

Scribe Runescar (Sp): At 1st level, a runescarred berserker
learns how to carve a runescar into her own skin. A runescar is
a means of storing a spell, much like a scroll. The berserker
knows only a limited number of spells with which to imbue runescars,
selected from the runescarred berserker spell list below. To
learn a runescar spell, the berserker must have a Wisdom score
of at least 10 + the spell level. A runescar berserker can only cast
spells by crafting them as runescars; she has no other spellcasting
capability and cannot use spell completion or spell trigger magic
items based on spells from this list.
Scribing a runescar takes 1 hour, the expenditure of materials
equal to 5 gp × spell level × caster level, and the expenditure
of XP equal to 1/25th the gp spent. The character
may set the caster level of the runescar at anywhere from the
minimum class level necessary for her to know the rune to
her own runescarred berserker class level. She may scribe a
runescar only on her own body. The act of scribing a runescar
is painful and deals 1d6 points of damage per spell level
at the end of the scribing time. (The berserker is free to heal
this damage by any normal means afterward—the runescar
remains until activated.)
A runescarred berserker can bear no more than seven runescars
at any one time: two on the chest, two on the upper
arms, two on the backs of the hands, and one on the face.
Runescars are dormant until activated and cannot be dispelled
(although they can be suppressed).
Runescars are considered divine spells, although a berserker
does not actively prepare or cast them. The save DC,
if necessary, is 10 + spell level + the berserker’s Wisdom
score. To activate a runescar, the character must take a
standard action and touch the rune. All runescar spells
target only the runescarred berserker or an item in her possession,
even if the spell scribed could normally be bestowed
on another subject.
After activation, the runescar’s magic is discharged, and
the rune fades to nothing but a faint outline. Typically, a
berserker’s skin is crisscrossed with dozens of old, discharged
runescars.
Extra Rage (Ex): A runescarred berserker gains additional
daily uses of the barbarian rage ability. At 2nd level, she gains
one additional rage per day; at 5th level, she gains a second additional
rage; and at 9th level, she gains a third additional
rage. For example, a barbarian 8/runescarred berserker 5 can
rage three times per day from her barbarian levels, plus two
more times from her runescarred berserker levels, for a total
of five rages per day.
Ritual Scarring (Ex): Through frequent disfiguration of her
own skin, a runescarred berserker gains a +1 natural armor
bonus to AC at 3rd level. This increases to +2 at 6th level, and
+3 at 9th level.
Spawn of the Frost (Su): Inured to the bitter cold of Rashemen’s
winters, a runescarred berserker gains cold resistance 5.
Damage Reduction (Ex): Starting at 4th level, a runescarred
berserker gains the ability to shrug off some
amount of injury from each blow or attack. Subtract 1 from
the damage the berserker takes each time she is dealt damage
PRESTIGE CLASSES
32
from a weapon or natural attack. At 7th level and 10th level,
this damage reduction increases to 2 and then 3 points. This
overlaps (does not stack with) damage reduction from any
other class feature.
Greater Rage: Starting at 8th level, a runescarred berserker’s
rage bonuses become +6 to Strength, +6 to Constitution,
and a +3 morale bonus on Will saves. Her AC penalty
remains –2.
RUNESCARRED BERSERKER SPELL LIST
Runescarred berserkers must select their runescar spells known
from the following list.
1st level—cure moderate wounds, divine favor, low-light
vision*, protection from chaos/evil/good/law, resist elements, see
invisibility, true strike.
2nd level—bull’s strength, cure serious wounds, darkvision,
endurance, invisibility, keen edge, protection from elements.
3rd level—air walk, cure critical wounds, death ward,
divine power, freedom of movement, greater magic
weapon, haste.
4th level—improved invisibility, neutralize poison, restoration,
righteous might, spell immunity, stoneskin.
5th level—antimagic field, dimension door, heal, polymorph
self, spell resistance.
*New spell described in Chapter 4: Magic and Spells.
Shou Disciple
Shou disciples are martial artists who have studied or observed
the monks of Kara-Tur and seek to emulate their
style. Focusing more on the martial aspects of a monk’s
training, they sacrifice the enlightenment and supernatural
abilities of the true ascetic. Shou disciples fight with martial
weapons and often wear armor, instantly marking them as
different from monks.
Fighters and rogues are the most likely to become Shou disciples,
although some bards study the martial arts of Kara-
Tur to enhance their combat ability. Clerics of athletic deities
may train in this manner, and a few true monks have become
Shou disciples to maximize their skill with weapons at the expense
of some supernatural abilities. Barbarians usually prefer
other methods of disabling opponents, most druids follow a
more spiritual path, and sorcerers and wizards would rather
spend their time developing their magic, so members of those
classes rarely become Shou disciples.
Shou disciples work alone or together. The loners are usually
wanderers in the manner of traveling monks, seeking
wisdom or worthy opponents. Those in groups are usually
members of the same gang or training school, since skilled
Shou disciples often retire to found their own academies,
teaching these Kara-Turan martial arts to those who are willing
to learn.
Hit Die: d10.