Faerûnian Prestige Class : Master of the Yuirwood
The masters of the Yuirwood are an elite group of foresters who work to keep the ancient Yuirwood free of evil influence. They strive to halt the retreat of this proud forest that once covered the entire Aglarondan peninsula, and in some regions they have actually been able to reclaim some of that lost land. The masters make frequent use of the menhir circles that dot the Yuirwood, employing these portals to swiftly take them from one part of the forest to another. They can also activate the portals to take them to distant lands or even other worlds.
Most masters of the Yuirwood start out as rangers, although there are also a number of druids in their ranks. Paladins of nature gods might be interested in this class, and it sometimes attracts fighters and bards. Monks, rogues, sorcerers, and wizards find that the life of a master of the Yuirwood - dwelling in the forest, always on the lookout for threats to its health - rarely fits with their preferences. The masters of the Yuirwood spend most of their days patrolling the forest, protecting it from strangers who may damage the place (intentionally or not). They work in conjunction with the half-elves of the forest, and they are traditionally loyal to the ruler of Aglarond. The Simbul holds a special place in their hearts, for she has done more than any recent ruler to defend the Yuirwood herself.
The masters of the Yuirwood follow a loose meritocracy. Those of lower level are obliged to listen to the wisdom of those of higher level. The leader - never called "ruler" - of their organization is the person who has the most levels as a master of the Yuirwood.
Requirements
To qualify to become a Master of the Yuirwood, a character must fulfill all the following criteria:
- Race: Elf or half-elf
- Alignment: Any nonevil
- Skills: Knowledge (nature) 5 ranks, Survival 10 ranks
- Feats: Alertness, Track,
- Special: The character must qualify to select regional feats from Aglarond or the star elf region (the region is his home region, or he has 2 ranks in Knowledge [local - Aglarond or star elf])
Class Skills
The master of the Yuirwood's class skills are Climb, Concentration, Handle Animal, Hide, Jump, Knowledge (nature), Listen, Move Silently, Profession, Search, SpellCraft, Spot, and Survival.
Skill Points at Each Level: 4 + Int modifier.
Class Features
All the following are features of the master of the Yuirwood prestige class.
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Masters of the Yuirwood are proficient with all simple and martial weapons, with light armor, and with shields.
Spells Per Day/Spells Known: At each master of the Yuirwood level, the character gains new spells per day (and spells known, if applicable) as if he had also gained a level in a spellcasting class to which he belonged before adding the prestige class level. He 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). This essentially means that he adds the level of master of the Yuirwood to the level of whatever spellcasting class the character has, then determines spells per day hand caster level accordingly.
If the character had more than one spellcasting class before becoming a master of the Yuirwood, the player must decide to which class to add each master of the Yuirwood level for the purpose of determining spells per day.
Work Menhir Circle (Su): Once per day per class level, the master of the Yuirwood can activate the menhir circles scattered throughout the Yuirwood. These circles act as keyed portals, transporting users to any other menhir circle in the Yuirwood or to the star elf realm of Sildeyuir. The master of the Yuirwood can choose which menhir circle he wishes to travel to. Once activated, the portal remains open for 1 full round. During this time, any creature touching one of the menhirs is transported to the destination the master of the Yuirwood chose.
At 4th level, the master of the Yuirwood can use a Yuirwood menhir circle portal to transport himself to any circle of standing stones in any wooded region in Faerûn, regardless of whether or not the destination stones are a portal terminus, although he must have knowledge of the destination he is trying to reach.
At 7th level, the character can use this ability to return to a menhir circle in the Yuirwood from a circle of standing stones in a wooded region anywhere in Faerûn, regardless of whether the origination circle is a portal terminus or not. In effect, the master can create a one-way portal that lasts 1 round from any suitable spot, as long as the destination is a menhir circle in the Yuirwood.
At 10th level, the master of the Yuirwood can use a menhir circle to transport to a ring of menhirs in any wooded region in another world, although he must have knowledge of the destination he is trying to reach. He can return to the Yuirwood from a menhir circle in another world, regardless of whether the origination circle is a portal terminus or not.
Uncanny Dodge (Ex): Beginning at 2nd level, a master of the Yuirwood gains uncanny dodge as the rogue ability, retaining his Dexterity bonus to AC even when flat-footed. At 5th level, he gains the improved uncanny dodge ability and cannot be flanked except by a rogue of at least four levels higher. If a master of the Yuirwood has another class that grants the uncanny dodge ability, he gains improved uncanny dodge instead.
Pass without Trace (Sp): At 3rd level, a master of the Yuirwood can use pass without trace once per day, affecting up to one creature per class level.
Speak with Animals (Sp): At 6th level, a master of the Yuirwood can use speak with animals at will.
Forest's Grace (Ex): At 9th level, a master of the Yuirwood applies his Charisma modifier (if positive) as a bonus on all saving throws.
| Master of the Yuirwood | Hit Die: d8 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CL | BAB | Fort | Ref | Will | Special | Spells per Day |
| 1st | +0 | +2 | +0 | +0 | Work menhir circle (Yuirwood) | +1 level of existing spellcasting class |
| 2nd | +1 | +3 | +0 | +0 | Uncanny dodge | +1 level of existing spellcasting class |
| 3rd | +2 | +3 | +1 | +1 | Pass without trace | +1 level of existing spellcasting class |
| 4th | +3 | +4 | +1 | +1 | Work menhir circle (Faerûn) | +1 level of existing spellcasting class |
| 5th | +3 | +4 | +1 | +1 | Improved uncanny dodge | +1 level of existing spellcasting class |
| 6th | +4 | +5 | +2 | +2 | Speak with animals | +1 level of existing spellcasting class |
| 7th | +5 | +5 | +2 | +2 | Work menhir circle (return) | +1 level of existing spellcasting class |
| 8th | +6 | +6 | +2 | +2 | - | +1 level of existing spellcasting class |
| 9th | +6 | +6 | +3 | +3 | Forest's grace | +1 level of existing spellcasting class |
| 10th | +7 | +7 | +3 | +3 | Work menhir circle (other worlds) | +1 level of existing spellcasting class |
Source: Unapproachable East