General Prestige Class : Gnome Trickster
by Monte Cook (web)
Forced to dwell among creatures larger and stronger than they, gnomes have often turned to their unique strengths to survive. The phrase "they might be big, but we're smart" is a common one among their kind, as is "if you can't beat them, trick them." The gnome trickster prestige class provides a model in which the "tricky little guy" archetype of the gnome is quantified with formidable game mechanics.
Gnome Trickster
The trickster is a gnome specializing in the use of deception and misdirection to get ahead. He can be playful and light-hearted, but he just as often uses his skills to fool his foes in deadly situations. A trickster employs the skills of both illusionists and rogues fused together in a uniquely gnomish amalgam.
Tricksters are most often rogues or wizards, but just about any gnome character - short of perhaps a paladin - has taken up the role of the trickster.
NPC tricksters are usually loners looking for fun, adventure, riches, or all of the above.
Requirements
To qualify to become a Gnome Trickster, a character must fulfill all the following criteria:
- Race: gnome
- Alignment: Neutral.
- Skills: Hide skill 3 ranks, Sleight of Hand 5 ranks, Bluff 7 ranks
- Feats: Combat Expertise
- Spellcasting: Must be able to cast at least 1st-level arcane spells of the Illusion school
Class Skills
The trickster's class skills are Balance, Bluff, Escape Artist, Hide, Listen, Move Silently, Perform, Sense Motive, Sleight of Hand, Spot, and Tumble.
Skill Points at Each Level: 4 + Int modifier.
Class Features
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: The trickster is proficient with all simple weapons, but no type of armor or shield.
Misdirection: Once per day, for every three levels of the trickster, the trickster can, as a free action, force one foe of greater than 2 Int within 10 feet to make a Will save with a DC of 10 + the trickster's class level. If the saving throw fails, that foe is treated as flat-footed until the foe's next action. This ability involves some sort of communication between the trickster and the target -- a few words, a gesture, and so on. This is an extraordinary ability.
Slippery: At 2nd level, gnome tricksters gain a +2 bonus to Escape Artist and Tumble checks. This is an extraordinary ability.
Illusion Expertise: The Trickster can use his character level rather than his class level in regards to any level-based effects of Illusion spells (duration, range, and so on).
False Charm: At 3rd level, the trickster gains a +2 bonus to his Charisma. This is an extraordinary ability.
Size Combat: At 4th level, the trickster gains a +1 competence bonus to attack all creatures larger than Small size. This is an extraordinary ability.
Extended Illusion: At 5th level, one of the Illusion spells the trickster can cast is forever treated as being extended, as per the feat Extend Spell, though with no modification in level. This is a supernatural ability.
Repeated Strike: At 6th level, a trickster in combat can attack a foe he has already hit that round again, as a free action, once per round. The gnome uses the same attack bonus used in the attack that struck the foe. This is an extraordinary ability.
Enlarge Illusion: At 7th level, one of the Illusion spells the trickster can cast is forever treated as being enlarged, as per the feat Enlarge Spell, though with no modification in level. This is a supernatural ability.
Bonus Illusion: At 8th level, the trickster gains a bonus Illusion spell at each spell level known. This is a supernatural ability.
Quickened Illusion: At 9th level, one of the Illusion spells the trickster can cast is forever treated as being quickened, as per the feat Quicken Spell, though with no modification in level. This is a supernatural ability.
Fade Away: At 10th level, the trickster can use a dimension door as a spell-like ability once per day as a free action as if he were a sorcerer of his trickster class level.
| The Gnome Trickster | Hit Dice: d6 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CL | BAB | Fort | Ref | Will | Special |
| 1 | +1 | +0 | +2 | +0 | Misdirection |
| 2 | +2 | +0 | +3 | +0 | Slippery, illusion expertise |
| 3 | +3 | +1 | +3 | +1 | False charm |
| 4 | +3 | +1 | +4 | +1 | Size combat |
| 5 | +4 | +1 | +4 | +1 | Extended illusion |
| 6 | +5 | +2 | +5 | +2 | Repeated strike |
| 7 | +6 | +2 | +5 | +2 | Enlarge illusion |
| 8 | +6 | +2 | +6 | +2 | Bonus illusion |
| 9 | +7 | +3 | +6 | +3 | Quickened illusion |
| 10 | +8 | +3 | +7 | +3 | Fade away |
Source: Dragon Annual 5