Epic Prestige Class : Cosmic Descryer
The cosmic descryer is interested in the infinite variety of the planes and fascinated by the different layers of the multiverse. She uses experimentation to grow knowledgeable in the whirl and gyre of the cosmos, developing an extraordinary affinity for all things planar. Furthermore, she derives power from that fundamental understanding. She is particularly adept in the summoning arts, able to call and command the most powerful outsiders known. She can travel to other planes with ease, adapting herself to those otherworldly environments no matter how alien.
By necessity, spellcasters are the only classes eligible to become cosmic descryers. But most spellcasters, whether divine or arcane in nature, can eventually advance into this epic prestige class.
The cosmic descryer can serve a variety of capacities in an ongoing campaign. She is a useful part of an adventuring group that travels to different planes of existence or that has frequent need of an outsider's help. Even if she doesn't travel very often, a cosmic descryer can help anyone who seeks knowledge through scrying or communication with outsiders. The Gleaners employ cosmic descryers, as does the Planar Cartographic Society.
Requirements
To qualify to become a Cosmic Descryer, a character must fulfill all the following criteria:
- Skills: Knowledge (the planes) 24 ranks
- Feats: Spell Focus (Conjuration).
Epic Feats: Energy Resistance, - Spells: Ability to cast gate and any planar ally spell.
- Special: Must have previously traveled to any other plane of existence.
Class Skills
The cosmic descryer's class skills are Bluff, Concentration, Craft, Diplomacy, Knowledge (arcane), Knowledge (religion), Knowledge (the planes), Profession, Sense Motive, and Spellcraft.
Skill Points at Each Level: 2 + Int modifier.
Class Features
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: A cosmic descryer gains no proficiency with any weapons, armor, or shields.
Spells per Day/Spells Known: At every other cosmic descryer level, the character gains new spells per day (and spells known, if applicable) as if she had also gained a level in a spellcasting class to which she had belonged before adding the prestige class level. If already an epic spellcaster, the character gains only the benefit noted under the Spells entry for that epic class. She does not however, gain any other benefit a character of that class would have gained (improved chance of turning or destroying undead, metamagic or item creation feats, and so on). If the character had more than one spellcasting class before becoming a cosmic descryer, the player must decide to which class to add the new level for the purpose of determining spells per day.
Superior Planar Summoning (Ex): Beginning at 1st level, the cosmic descryer can increase the power of any of the following spells - elemental swarm, gate, greater planar ally, greater planar binding, summon monster IX, or summon nature's ally IX - to affect or summon outsiders of 4 Hit Dice higher than the spell's normal limit or conjure creatures with 4 Hit Dice of advancement. Thus, greater planar summoning summons an outsider of 28 HD rather than just 24 HD. Every four levels thereafter, the cosmic descryer can increase the number of extra Hit Dice by 4.
Naturalization (Ex): Starting at 2nd level, the cosmic descryer develops a natural affinity for one plane that she has visited, becoming resistant to any spells and spell-like effects that would normally affect any creature not native to that plane (such as banishment). Every two levels thereafter, the cosmic descyer gains naturalization to one additional plane (two planes at 4th, three planes at 6th, four planes at 8th, and so on).
Enduring Gate (Su): Starting at 3rd level, as a full-round action, the cosmic descryer can make any casting of the gate spell remain for a full day, rather than disappearing after 1 round per caster level. Every three levels thereafter, the cosmic descryer can increase the duration of gate by one additional day (two days at 6th, three days at 9th, four days at 12th, and so on).
Bonus Feat (Ex): The cosmic descryer gains a bonus feat at 5th level and an additional bonus feat every five levels thereafter (10th, 15th, 20th, and so on). These bonus feats must be selected from the following list: Augmented Alchemy, Automatic Quicken Spell, Automatic Silent Spell, Automatic Still Spell, Combat Casting, Craft Epic Magic Arms and Armor, Craft Epic Rod, Craft Epic Staff, Craft Epic Wondrous Item, Efficient Item Creation, Enhance Spell, Epic Spell Focus, Epic Spell Penetration, Epic Spellcasting, Familiar Spell, Forge Epic Ring, Ignore Material Components, Improved Combat Casting, Improved Heighten Spell, Improved Metamagic, Improved Spell Capacity, Intensify Spell, Multispell, Permanent Emanation, Scribe Epic Scroll, Spell Focus, Spell Knowledge, Spell Mastery, Spell Opportunity, Spell Penetration, Spell Stowaway, Spontaneous Spell, Tenacious Magic.
Cosmic Connection (Su): At 7th level, the cosmic descryer may join with the massive energy of the multiverse once per day, plus one additional time per day every five levels thereafter (12th, 17th, 22nd, and so on). The cosmic descryer can remain connected for a number of minutes equal to her class level. The cosmic connection is a transcendent experience for the devotee, and she is transfigured by it.
While connected, she is immune to critical hits, is a native on any plane she visits, and can use dimension door at will as a 20th level caster. Using her exceptional knowledge, the cosmic descryer can draw off excess energy from the multiverse itself to increase her effective caster level or enhance any attack roll, saving throw, skill check, or ability check. Drawing off excess energy from the multiverse is dangerous, and it deals the cosmic descryer 5 points of damage for each +1 bonus applied to a single roll or +1 caster level on a single spell. For instance, a cosmic descryer could add a +5 bonus on her next attack roll or saving throw, but in doing so she takes 25 points of damage.
| Cosmic Descryer | Hit Die: d4 | |
|---|---|---|
| CL | Special | Spells per Day |
| 1st | Superior planar summoning (+4 HD) | - |
| 2nd | Naturalization (1 plane) | +1 level of existing class |
| 3rd | Enduring gate (1 day) | - |
| 4th | Naturalization (2 planes) | +1 level of existing class |
| 5th | Bonus feat, superior planar summoning (+8 HD) | - |
| 6th | Naturalization (3 planes), enduring gate (2 days) | +1 level of existing class |
| 7th | Cosmic connection 1/day | - |
| 8th | Naturalization (4 planes) | +1 level of existing class |
| 9th | Superior planar summoning (+12 HD), enduring gate (3 days) | - |
| 10th | Naturalization (5 planes) bonus feat | +1 level of existing class |
Source: Epic Level Handbook
Older Prestige class adapted to 3.5