Faerûnian Prestige Class: Incantatrix
Incantatrixes are the definitive practitioners of metamagic in Faerûn, devoting themselves to the study of spells and techniques that affect other spells. They deal with magic in its raw form, shaping it according to their own desires rather than any external laws of magic. They can apply their deep understanding of metamagic to alter spells their allies cast, spells they cast from wands or staffs, and even spells that have already been cast.
Most incantatrixes were previously skilled wizards or sorcerers, although a few bards also study this type of magic. Divine spellcasters rarely adopt this class-perhaps, as the incantatrixes say, because their magic is tinged with divine influence and therefore less "pure" than arcane magic. Most incantatrixes are female; the rare males who take up this class are known as incantatars.
Incantatrix NPCs usually act independently, but sometimes they join together to solve a common problem. Since they dislike extraplanar intrusions on the Material Plane, they see the destruction of active portals to other planes as their responsibility. Thus, an incantatrix is usually a knowledgeable source of information on functional portals in the area. Because incantatrixes have little offensive combat magic that is effective against normal creatures, they prefer to avoid combat or travel with companions who balance their shortcomings.
Requirements
To qualify to become an Incantatrix, a character must fulfill all the following criteria:
- Skills: Concentration 4 ranks, Knowledge (arcana) 8 ranks, Spellcraft 8 ranks.
- Feats: Iron Will, any one metamagic feat.
- Spellcasting: Able to cast 3rd-level arcane spells.
- Special: The candidate cannot have abjuration as a prohibited school.
Class Skills
The incantatrix's class skills are Concentration, Craft, Heal, Intimidate, Knowledge (arcana), Knowledge (the planes), Profession, and Spellcraft.
Skill Points at Each Level: 2 + Int modifier.
Class Features
All of the following are class features of the incantatrix prestige class.
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Incantatrixes gain no proficiency with any weapon, armor, or shield. Armor check penalties for armor heavier than leather apply to the skills Balance, Climb, Escape Artist, Hide, Jump, Move Silently, Sleight of Hand, and Tumble, and double the normal armor check, penalty applies to Swim checks.
Spells per Day/Spells Known: When a new incantatrix level is gained, the character gains new spells per day (and spells known, if applicable) as if she had also gained a level in whatever arcane spellcasting class granted her access to 3rd-level spells before she added the prestige class. She does not, however, gain any other benefit a character of that class would have gained (bonus metamagic or item creation feats, bard or assassin abilities, and so on), except for an increased effective level of spellcasting. This essentially means that she adds the level of incantatrix to the level of whatever other arcane spellcasting class granted her access to 3rd-level spells, then determines spells per day, spells known, and caster level accordingly.
If a character had more than one arcane spellcasting class that granted access to 3rd-level spells before she became an incantatrix, she must decide to which class she adds each level of incantatrix for the purpose of determining spells per day and spells known.
Bonus Metamagic Feat: At 1st level, and again at 4th, 7th, and 10th level, the incantatrix may select any metamagic feat as a bonus feat. She must meet any prerequisites for a feat in order to select it.
Focused Studies (Ex): At 1st level, the incantatrix gives up a school of magic so as to focus more on the remaining schools. She must choose a school of magic other than abjuration or divination as a prohibited school. This prohibited school is in addition to any others already chosen due to school specialization. Thus, a specialized wizard taking this prestige class has three prohibited schools instead of two.
Cooperative Metamagic (Su): At 2nd level, an incantatrix gains the ability, to apply any metamagic feat she possesses (except Silent Spell, Still Spell, or Quicken Spell) to a spell being cast by a willing allied spellcaster. The caster need not prepare the spell in metamagic form or in a higher-level spell slot; the incantatrix simply modifies the spell during the casting. Using this ability is a standard action that provokes an attack of opportunity, just like casting a spell, though the incantatrix can use the Concentration skill with this ability as though she were casting defensively. The incantatrix must ready an action to use cooperative metamagic when her ally begins casting and must be adjacent to the caster. The incantatrix must make a Spellcraft check (DC 18 + [3 x modified spell level]) to succeed. "Modified spell level" is the level of the spell slot that the spell would occupy if it were prepared with the metamagic feat applied. Any spell level increases from metamagic feats that the caster applied also count toward the modified spell level. For example, if an incantatrix applies the Maximize Spell feat to an ally's chain lightning spell, the modified spell level is 9th (6th for the spell, +1 for the Maximize Spell feat), and the DC is 18 + (3 x 9) 45. If she applies the same feat to an ally's silent chain lightning spell, the modified spell level is 10th and the Spellcraft DC is 48. An incantatrix can use this ability a number of times per day equal to 3 + her Int modifier.
Metamagic Effect (Su): At 3rd level, an incantatrix can attempt to apply a metamagic feat she possesses to a persistent spell effect that is already in place. For example, she could use Extend Spell to extend the duration of a wall of force or Maximize Spell to maximize the damage dealt by a cloudkill. To use this ability, the incantatrix must be adjacent to or within the spell effect and make a successful Spellcraft check (DC 18 + [3 x modified spell level]. "Modified spell level" is the level of the spell slot that the spell would occupy if .it were prepared with the metamagic feat applied. Spell slot increases for metamagic feats that were applied to affect the spell's casting (such as Still Spell, Silent Spell, or Quicken Spell) do not count toward the modified spell level, but adjustments for metamagic that change the spell's effect (such as Empower Spell, Enlarge Spell, or Widen Spell) do count.
For example, applying the Extend Spell feat to a wall of fire gives it a modified spell level of 5th (4th for the spell +1 for the Extend Spell feat), so the DC would he 18 + (3 X 5) = 33. If the wall of fire had been cast with the Silent Spell feat applied, the DC is still 33, since that feat applies to the spell's casting, not its effect. On the other hand, extending an empowered wall of fire would give it a modified spell level of 7th and a Spelleraft DC of 39.
An incantatrix can use this ability a number of times per day equal to 3 + her Int modifier. Using this ability is a full-round action that provokes attacks of opportunity.
Metamagic Spell Trigger (Su): At 5th level, an incantatrix gains the ability to apply a metamagic feat she possesses to the effect of a spell trigger item (generally a wand). To use this ability, she must have the appropriate item creation feat to make the spell trigger item she is using. Using metamagic spell trigger expends a number of additional charges from the item equal to the number of effective spell levels the metamagic feat would add to a spell. For example, an incantatrix can use Quicken Spell to modify a spell cast from a wand by spending 5 charges (1 + 4 additional charges for the spell slot increase). Alternatively she can apply Empower Spell to the effect by spending 3 charges, or trigger it silently by spending 2 charges. The Still Spell feat confers no benefit when applied to a spell trigger item.
An incantatrix cannot use this ability when using a spell trigger item that does not have charges, such as a strand of prayer beads.
Seize Concentration (Su): At 6th level, an incantatrix gains the ability to wrest control of a spell that requires concentration (such as implosion, major image, or summon swarm) from another spellcaster within 30 feet. If the target spellcaster is willing, this transfer of concentration occurs automatically. Otherwise, the incantatrix and the target spellcaster make an opposed caster level check. A divine spellcaster receives a +2 bonus on this check. If the incantatrix wins, she gains control of the spell for as long as she maintains concentration or until the original spell duration expires. The spell functions as though the incantatrix were the caster (even if it is a spell she cannot cast), except that any variables determined when the spell was cast (including its caster level) remain as determined by the original caster. The original spellcaster can be affected by his own spell, though he receives a +2 circumstance bonus on any saving throw allowed against it. If the incantatrix allows her concentration to lapse before the spell duration expires, the original caster may reassert control over his spell by making a successful caster level check (DC 15 + spell level). If he fails to do so, no one controls the spell.
Instant Metamagic (Su): Once per day, a 7th-level or higher incantatrix can apply a single metamagic feat she possesses to a spell without preparing it that way beforehand (if she prepares spells) or increasing its casting time (if she does not prepare spells). Thus, a wizard's prepared spell works as if she had prepared it with the metamagic feat, but it does not use a higher-level spell slot. A sorcerer or bard's spell is cast without adjusting its casting time, but it works as if he had cast it with the metamagic feat. A 9th-level incantatrix can use this power twice per day. The incantatrix cannot use this ability if the metamagicked spell would normally use a spell slot of a higher level than she can cast.
Snatch Spell (Su): At 8th level, an incantatrix can attempt to seize control over a persistent effect created by another spellcaster. The effect must be one that does not depend on concentration but still relies on or responds to the caster's control (such as a summon monster spell or spiritual weapon, but not a wall of fire or acid fog). Furthermore, the effect (but not necessarily the spellcaster) must be within 30 feet of the incantatrix. The target spellcaster and the incantatrix make an opposed caster level check. A divine spellcaster receives a +2 bonus on this check. If the incantatrix wins, she, gains control of the spell until its original duration expires. The spell functions as though the incantatrix had cast it, except that any variables determined when the spell was cast (including its caster level) remain as determined by the caster. The original caster can be affected by his own spell, though he receives a +2 circumstance bonus on any saving throw allowed against it. If the spell is dismissible and the incantatrix wishes to dismiss it, she must make a second successful opposed caster level check to do so. If she fails, the spell remains in effect and control reverts to the original caster.
Improved Metamagic (Su): At 10th level, an incantatrix has mastered metamagic to such an extent that whenever she uses a metamagic feat, the required increase in spell level (if any) is reduced by one (minimum +1 spell level). For example, a wizard incantatrix could prepare a quickened fireball as a 6th-level spell instead of a 7th-level spell.
This benefit also applies to the incantatrix's other class abilities. Thus, the DC for using her metamagic effect or cooperative metamagic ability is reduced appropriately for the metamagic feats involved, and she spends fewer charges when using metamagic spell trigger.
| Incantatrix | Hit Die: d4 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CL | BAB | Fort | Ref | Will | Special | Spells per day |
| 1st | +0 | +0 | +0 | +2 | Bonus metamagic feat, focused study | +1 level of existing arcane spellcasting class |
| 2nd | +1 | +0 | +0 | +3 | Cooperative metamagic | +1 level of existing arcane spellcasting class |
| 3rd | +1 | +1 | +1 | +3 | Metamagic effect | +1 level of existing arcane spellcasting class |
| 4th | +2 | +1 | +1 | +4 | Bonus metamagic feat | +1 level of existing arcane spellcasting class |
| 5th | +2 | +1 | +1 | +4 | Metamagic spell trigger | +1 level of existing arcane spellcasting class |
| 6th | +3 | +2 | +2 | +5 | Seize concentration | +1 level of existing arcane spellcasting class |
| 7th | +3 | +2 | +2 | +5 | Bonus metamagic feat, instant metamagic 1/day | +1 level of existing arcane spellcasting class |
| 8th | +4 | +2 | +2 | +6 | Snatch spell | +1 level of existing arcane spellcasting class |
| 9th | +4 | +3 | +3 | +6 | Instant metamagic 2/day | +1 level of existing arcane spellcasting class |
| 10th | +5 | +3 | +3 | +7 | Bonus metamagic feat, improved metamagic | +1 level of existing arcane spellcasting class |
Epic Incantatrix
The epic incantatrix is even more solitary than the typical representative of the prestige class.
Improved Metamagic further augments the incantatrix's prodigious metamagic abilities, and its benefit stacks with that provided by her class ability of the same name. Any of the epic metamagic feats (such as Improved Heighten Spell) are also likely to come in handy for her.
The epic incantatrix should focus her ability score increases on the ability that controls her spellcasting (typically Intelligence or Charisma). Beyond that, either Dexterity or Constitution is a fine choice.
Skill Points at Each Additional Level: 2 + Int modifier.
Spells: The epic incantatrix's caster level increases by 1 for every level higher than 10th. Her spells per day and spells known do not increase after 10th level unless the sum of the class levels contributing to her caster level equals 20 or less.
Instant Metamagic (Su): The incantatrix gains one additional use per day of her instant metamagic ability for every two levels higher than 9th. Thus, she can use it three times per day at 11th level, four times per day at 13th level, five times per day at 15th level, six times per day at 17th level, and seven times per day at 19th level.
Bonus Feats: The epic incantatrix gains a bonus feat, selected from the list below, for every three levels higher than 10th. She must meet any prerequisites for a feat in order to select it.
Epic Incantatrix Bonus Feat List: Augmented Alchemy, Automatic Quicken Spell, Automatic Silent Spell, Automatic Still Spell, Enhance Effect, Enhance Spell, Epic Counterspell, Epic Spell Focus, Epic Spell Penetration, Epic Spellcasting, Epic Will, Familiar Spell, Ignore Material Components, Improved Combat Casting, Improved Cooperative Metamagic, Improved Heighten Spell, Improved Metamagic, Improved Snatch Spell, Improved Spell Capacity, intensify Spell, Master Staff, Master Wand, Multispell, Permanent Emanation, Spell Knowledge, Spell Stowaway, Spell Opportunity, Spontaneous Spell, Tenacious Magic.
| Epic Incantatrix | Hit Die: d4 |
|---|---|
| CL | Special |
| 11th | Instant metamagic 3/day |
| 12th | - |
| 13th | Bonus feat, instant metamagic 4/day |
| 14th | - |
| 15th | Instant metamagic 5/day |
| 16th | Bonus feat |
| 17th | Instant metamagic 6/day |
| 18th | - |
| 19th | Bonus feat, instant metamagic 7/day |
| 20th | - |
Source: Magic of Faerûn
Player's Guide to Faerûn