General Prestige Class : The Master Astrologer
by E.W Morton, Dragon #340
Mages have long known the patterns of stars and planets are more than mere coincidence. As the features of the heavens evolve over time, they reflect cyclical shifts in the workings of magic and the arrangement of the planes, as measured by an ancient system of astrology. Master astrologers are spellcasters devoted to studying astrology and its influence upon the cosmos.
Those who seek knowledge, whether from ancient dusty tomes or the collective wisdom of elders or deities, pursue the master astrologer class. Most spellcasters can easily qualify for the prestige class by 5th level.
Requirements
To qualify to become a Master Astrologer, a character must fulfill all the following criteria:
- Skills: Knowledge (the planes) 4 ranks, Sense Motive 4 ranks, Profession (astrologer) 8 ranks.
- Feats: Skill Focus (Profession [astrologer]).
- Able to prepare spells.
Class Skills
The master astrologer's class skills are Concentration, Craft, Knowledge (arcana), Knowledge (nature), Knowledge (religion), Knowledge (the planes), Profession, Sense Motive, Spellcraft, and Spot.
Skill Points at Each Level: 2 + Int modifier.
Class Features
A master astrologer is a spellcaster with the ability to manipulate - and be manipulated by - the stars.
Spells per Day: At each level after 1st, you gain new spells per day (and spells known, if applicable) as if you had also gained a level in a spellcasting class to which you belonged be adding the prestige class level. You do not, however, gain any other benefit a character of that class would have gained. If you had more than one spellcasting class before becoming a master astrologer, you must decide which class to add each level for the purpose of determining spells per day and spells known.
Stargazer (Ex): Whether you have access to a spyglass and an unobstructed view of the stars you may prepare spells in half the usual amount of time. Typically, this means it takes you only 30 minutes to prepare spells.
Zodiac Sense (Ex): You understand the ways in which the stars influence behavior. You gain a competence bonus equal to your master astrologer level on all Sense Motive checks. Also, as a full-round action, you can make a DC 20 Sense Motive check to determine the astrological sign of any one creature to which you have line of effect. You may instead make this check as a move action or as a free action, but doing so increases the DC of the Sense Motive check (to DC 35 and DC 50, respectively).
Numerology (Ex): Starting at and level, your spells are more potent against creatures whose astrological signs you know. Against all such creatures, you gain a +1 insight bonus or caster level checks to overcome spell resistance and your spells' save DCs increase by +1. At 5th level, these bonuses increase to +2. At 8th level they become +3.
Bonus Feats: At 3rd level, and again at 6th and 9th-level, you tap into the mystical power of your astrological sign to enhance your own natural aptitudes. As a result, you gain a bonus feat at each of those levels. You must meet a feat's prerequisites before selecting it as a bonus feat. As your bonus feat you may select Greater Spell Focus (divination), Spell Focus (divination), or a feat from the following list that corresponds to your astrological sign.
Beholder: Alertness, Investigator, Iron Will, Negotiator, Obscure Lore, Quick Reconnoiter, Self Sufficient, or Skill Focus (any Knowledge or Spot).
Harpy: Cooperative Spell, Deceitful, Greater Spell Focus (illusion), Negotiator, Persuasive, Skill Focus (Bluff or Diplomacy), Spell Focus (illusion) or Sudden Quicken.
Ettin: Chant of Fortitude, Deceitful, Great Fortitude, greater Two Weapon Fighting, Improved Two-Weapon Fighting, Persuasive, Twin Spell, or Two Weapon Fighting.
Dryad: Diehard, Endurance, Great Fortitude, Greater Spell Focus (abjuration), Iron Will, Sanctum Spell, Self-Sufficient, or Spell Focus (abjuration).
Stirge: Arcane Mastery, Combat Casting, Diligent, Greater Spell Penetration, Investigator, Skill Focus (Concentration or any Craft), Spell Penetration, or Track.
Wyvern: Agile, Greater Spell Focus (conjuration), Reckless Wand Wielder, Run, Self-Sufficient, Spell Mastery, Spell Focus (conjuration), or Sudden Quicken.
Dragon: Alertness, Appraise Magic Value Diligent; Draconic Heritage, Iron Will, Leadership, Skill Focus (any Craft or Profession), or Toughness.
Unicorn: Acrobatic, Athletic, Battle Caster, Combat Reflexes, Dodge, Mobility, Spring Attack, or Toughness.
Hydra: Deceitful, Deft Hands, Diehard, Endurance, Fortify Spell, Guardian Spirit, Iron Will, or Persuasive.
Chimera: Communicator, Cooperative Spell, Iron Will, Leadership, Lightning Reflexes, Negotiator, Skill Focus (Diplomacy), or Stealthy.
Kraken: Athletic, Delay Spell, Greater Spell Focus (enchantment), Improved Initiative, Investigator, Jack of All Trades, Persuasive, or Spell Focus (enchantment).
Basilisk: Combat Casting, Extend Spell, Insightful, Investigator, Iron Will, Persistent Spell, Self-Sufficient, or Skill Focus (Concentration or Intimidate).
Astrological Communication (Su): Beginning at 4th level, you can temporarily shift the apparent alignment of celestial bodies. All other master astrologers capable of seeing the stars can automatically read what these rearranged astrological bodies mean. This ability, in effect, functions as the spell message, sent to all other master astrologers viewing the sky. Others who are not master astrologers might also notice these changes if they've been warned to look for a specific sign or astrological change, although they cannot discern a specific meaning. You can use this ability once per night per master astrologer class level. This message remains visible for 1 hour.
Planetary Alignment (Ex): At 7th level, you can sense when your world moves into alignment with other cosmic bodies. Some sort of alignment, whether relatively minor or breathtakingly grand, occurs every day. You can tap into these alignments. Every day, you can spontaneously apply 1d6 levels worth of metamagic feats you know without increasing the spell level. You can expend all of your metamagic levels on one spell or you can spread them out among different spells throughout the day.
For example, if you roll a 1, you may apply a metamagic feat to a spell that would normally increase the spell's level by one level, such as Silent Spell. If you roll a 6, you may apply a number of metamagic feats to increase a spell's level by six levels, such as applying both Maximize Spell and Widen Spell. You might also choose to apply metamagic feats that would normally increase the spell's level by one level to six different spells, to apply metamagic feats that would normally increase the spell's level by three levels to two different spells, or any combination of metamagic feats and spells that equal six spell levels.
The Stars are Right: Upon gaining 10th level, you can, once per day as a standard action, force the stars to appear to realign themselves temporarily for your benefit. You then have until the end of the following round to cast a spell at a greatly enhanced effect. A spell affected by this ability is cast at +4 caster level and the DC to resist it increases by +4. In addition, all numeric effects of the spell are increased by one-half the spell's range, duration, and area increase by half against as much as normal, it deals half again as much damage, cures half again as many hit points, affects half again as many targets, and so forth, as appropriate.
For example, a 5th-level wizard/10th-level master astrologer could cast a delayed blast fireball as a 19th-level caster for 150% x 19d6 points of damage with a DC +4 higher than it would otherwise have, a range of 1,740 feet (instead of the normal 1,160 feet), and affect a 30-foot-radius area (instead of the normal 20-foot radius).
| Master Astrologer | Hit Die: d4 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CL | BAB | Fort | Ref | Will | Special | Spells |
| 1st | +0 | +0 | +0 | +2 | Stargazer zodiac sense | - |
| 2nd | +1 | +0 | +0 | +3 | Numerology +1 | +1 level of existing spellcasting class |
| 3rd | +1 | +1 | +1 | +3 | Bonus feat | +1 level of existing spellcasting class |
| 4th | +2 | +1 | +1 | +4 | Astrological communication | +1 level of existing spelling class |
| 5th | +2 | +1 | +1 | +4 | Numerology +2 | +1 level of existing spellcasting class |
| 6th | +3 | +2 | +2 | +5 | Bonus Feat | +1 level of existing spellcasting class |
| 7th | +3 | +2 | +2 | +5 | Planetary alignment | +1 level of existing spellcasting class |
| 8th | +4 | +2 | +2 | +6 | Numerology +3 | +1 level of existing spellcasting class |
| 9th | +4 | +3 | +3 | +6 | Bonus Feat | +1 level of existing spellcasting class |
| 10th | +5 | +3 | +3 | +7 | The stars are right | +1 level of existing spellcasting class |
Astrological Organizations
A variety of organizations exist that support master astrologers. Those listed here are but a sampling.
Fraternal Order of Astrologists: The oldest and best-organized group of master astrologers, the Order exists to dispassionately observe and report the movements of the stars and the possible implications of such movements. Members of the Order, frequently called "brothers" (regardless of gender), report their findings to higher-ranking officers, called deans, who disseminate information to interested parties. The Fraternal Order of Astrologers maintains a strictly neutral stance as an organization, although its members can be of any alignment.
Readers: A secret cult splintered from the Fraternal Order of Astrologers, the Readers watch the heavens looking for signs of the end times. Short of the destruction of the entire multiverse, the Readers look to the stars for upcoming events that further the cause of destruction and entropy. Many who know of the Readers claim they destroy at random and later blame their acts on the "will of the stars."
Stargazers: Stargazers have added incentive to embark upon adventures, particularly those involving travel to distant lands: They watch the stars for hints of invasion of extraplanar powers - as prophesied by earlier master astrologers - and ready themselves to act as the front line of defense when the invasion comes. Members of the Stargazers expend great amounts of energy to share information with one another. Those who belong to the Stargazers can acquire star charts, astrolabes, abaci, and other instruments of measurement at reduced rates. Most stargazers are druids or clerics of deities interested in defense, knowledge, or the stars.
Playing a Master Astrologer
You devote yourself to astrology as an academic pursuit, using knowledge of the zodiac to further understand the mysteries of the heavens and the multiverse. While the division of interest in the zodiac colors your outlook slightly, it does not alter your abilities. You relentlessly pursue knowledge, sometimes merely for the sake of uncovering it and sometimes for more personal reasons.
If you belong to an organization of master astrologers, the group's tenets provide further guidance.
Combat
A master astrologer plans ahead. You attempt to enter every combat fully prepared to face whatever creatures oppose you. When possible, you attempt to learn your foes' astrological signs ahead of time so you can use that knowledge to your advantage once combat begins.
Advancement
While many master astrologers come from the ranks of wizards, druids - already attuned to the natural order - comprise the second-largest group of members. Clerics of deities interested in knowledge or revealing secrets also sometimes join the ranks.
Master astrologers tend to maximize their ranks in as many different Knowledge skills as possible. They tend to learn or prepare a wide variety of divination spells, frequently making use of Spell Focus (divination). Those who wish to use their knowledge against their enemies also focus on evocation spells and the more offensive spells of the conjuration and transmutation schools.
Resources
Depending on the organization to which you belong (see the Astrological Organizations sidebar) you either have a great deal of support or none at all. Those master astrologers who strike out on their own most likely have little or no support structure.
Master Astrologers in the World
The master astrologer prestige class fills many of the same roles as a diviner. He can uncovers secrets that others either can't or don't care to, and he can utilize the knowledge gleaned from those secrets in ways mysterious to everyone else. Master astrologers in an organization work together to uncover forgotten knowledge and apply it toward the shared goals of the group.
Organization
Despite their shared motivations and training, master astrologers are not required to belong to any organization, although many do. Master astrologers with an academic interest in the zodiac tend to form organizations and groups that resemble - in structure and intent - universities, wizard schools, and other institutes of learning. Many such organizations teach their craft through both apprenticeships and formal academies. Those more interested in using their knowledge for personal gain form guilds. Groups filled with master astrologers who seek guidance from the stars or deities associated with the stars tend to set up their organizations like strictly regimented religious orders.
NPC Reactions
Most NPCs who meet a master astrologer assume it is a professional title and consider the individual bearing it a wizard who happens to engage in a noteworthy profession. Those who know the difference still tend to think of master astrologers as variant spellcasters (although they might closely guard their dates of birth if a master astrologer is around).
Master Astrologer Lore
Characters with Knowledge (arcana), Knowle4ge (the planes), or Profession (astrologer) can research the zodiac and the master astrologers who draw upon its power. When a character makes a skill check, the following information is gained, including that listed for lower DCs.
- DC 10: "Astrology assigns specific signs to every one. Master astrologers are spellcasters who study astrology and the meanings of its signs."
- DC 15: "Most master astrologers who know a creature's astrological sign can use that knowledge to gain power over that creature."
- DC 20: "Master astrologers can guess a creature's astrological sign just by studying its behavior. Once a master astrologer knows a creature's sign, that creature likely has difficulty resisting the master astrologer's spells."
- DC 30: "The zodiac also measures the alignment of the planes at any given point in time. An experienced master astrologer can force the stars to realign for a brief period." Also, the character knows all information contained in the article, "The Stars are Right.", Dungeon #340
Master Astrologers in the Game
The master astrologer makes an excellent choice for a mysteriously knowledgeable NPC who knows things about the PCs that he shouldn't. A master astrologer (or an astrologer organization) can make an excellent patron for PCs.
The master astrologer prestige class should appeal to players who enjoy playing knowledgeable characters. At higher levels the prestige class can certainly hold its own in battle, but overall its major strengths lie in spellcasting and hindering enemies.
Adaptation
The master astrologer, as written, assumes use of the D&D zodiac presented on page 24. In order to incorporate the master astrologer into a campaign world that uses a different zodiac, alter the lists of bonus feats to reflect the zodiac reality of your campaign setting. If your world does not have a zodiac, or you do not wish to keep track of one, create one unified list for all master astrologers.
Source: Dragon #340