Epic Prestige Class : Shadar Sentinel
Those who have bathed in the liquid knowledge of the Shadar Pool know that lore is the most potent weapon. Without knowledge, one can hardly hope to wield a weapon or cast a spell with any modicum of skill. An unfortunate majority of those who bathe in the pool are quick to abuse the powers granted by its might, but a secret few realize that such power should not be made available to all. Power given so freely without the discipline required to earn it leads to irresponsibility and ultimately tragedy. Yet those who choose to learn and study the gifts of the Shadar Pool rather than to just abuse the power soon find that there are greater secrets hidden in the self that can be awakened with the pool's aid, given time and due diligence.
Shadar sentinels are those who have pledged to guard and protect the Shadar Pool from power-hungry abuse. A few choose to stay close to the pool and defend it, but the majority of those who pledge their lives to the Pool's defense are expected to travel and seek out others who might be ready to taste its power, while at the same time keep an eye out and prevent those who should not. They strive to make sure that one force does not rise in power above the other, that all sides of power are balanced so that one does not dominate and leave the world in ruin.
The majority of Shadar Sentinels are divine spellcasters, especially druids. Wizards are also common sentinels, since they are often intrigued by the knowledge the pool has to offer. Martial classes can become Shadar sentinels, although they are much less common since they tend to be more focused on material or social wealth rather than spiritual or intellectual wealth.
Requirements
To qualify to become a Shadar Sentinel, a character must fulfill all the following criteria:
- Alignment: Any neutral
- Skills: Knowledge (history): 21 ranks, Knowledge (nature): 21 ranks, Spellcraft: 21 ranks.
- Feats: Alertness, Iron Will, and Epic Skill Focus (any knowledge skills).
Class Skills
The shadar sentinel's class skills are Bluff, Concentration, Craft, Diplomacy, Gather Information, Knowledge (any), Listen, Perform, Profession, Search, Sense Motive, Spellcraft, and Spot.
Skill Points at Each Level: 4 + Int modifier.
Class Features
Sudden Insight (Su): Once a day at 1st level, a Shadar sentinel may invoke a special insight into a situation. Invoking an insight is a free action, and it grants the Shadar sentinel a +10 insight bonus to any one attack roll, saving throw, skill check, or level check made in the same round the insight was activated. At every 3rd level after 1st (at 4th, 7th, 10th, 13th, and so on), the Shadar sentinel may make an additional insight each day.
Aurasight (Sp): At will, a 1st-level Shadar sentinel can detect chaos, detect evil, detect good, detect law, and detect magic as a spell-like ability. This ability duplicates the effects of the spells of the same name. The Shadar sentinel can only activate one detection at a time.
Spell-like Divination (Sp): At 2nd level, the Shadar sentinel gains the ability to use one 1st-level Divination spell as a spell-like ability usable at will. At every 10th level after 2nd (12th, 22nd, and so on), the Shadar sentinel gains a new Divination spell-like ability of a level equal to or less than the previous spell-like ability gained +1. Thus, at 12th level, the sentinel could pick a 2nd-level Divination spell, and at 22nd level she could pick a 3rd-level Divination spell.
Shadar Insights: Every 3 levels, the Shadar sentinel's continued study of the Shadar Pool and the changes it has wrought upon her body and soul uncovers a new insight into the way her powers are developing. This insight must be chosen from the following list:
- +1 insight bonus to Armor Class
- +4 insight bonus to any one skill
- +1 insight bonus to attack rolls
- +1 insight bonus to one saving throw
- +4 insight bonus to maximum hit points
If the Shadar sentinel selects a bonus that she has already selected, the new bonus stacks with the old bonus. Insight bonuses gained from any other source do not stack with an insight bonus granted by a Shadar insight.
Bonus Feats: The shadar sentinel gains a bonus feat (selected from the epic loremaster bonus feats) at 5th level and at every 10 level after 5th (5th, 15th, 25th, and so on).
Spell-like Enchantment (Sp): At 8th level, the Shadar sentinel gains the ability to use one 1st-level Enchantment spell as a spell-like ability at will. Every 10 levels after 8th (18th, 28th, and so on), the Shadar sentinel gains a new Enchantment spell-like ability of a level equal to or less than the previous spell-like ability gained +1. Thus, at 18th level, the sentinel could pick a 2nd-level Enchantment spell, and at 28th level she could pick a 3rd-level Enchantment spell.
| Shadar Sentinel | Hit Die: d8 |
|---|---|
| CL | Special |
| 1 | Sudden insight 1/day, aurasight |
| 2 | Spell-like divination |
| 3 | Shadar insight |
| 4 | Sudden insight 2/day |
| 5 | Bonus feat |
| 6 | Shadar insight |
| 7 | Sudden insight 3/day |
| 8 | Spell-like enchantment |
| 9 | Shadar insight |
| 10 | Sudden insight 4/day |
Source: Epic Level Handbook
Older Prestige class adapted to 3.5