Faerûnian Prestige Class : Olin Gisir
"Hush! Know that we walk in the ruins of the temple of Astaroth, a demon lord of the Abyss. It is said that the demon sleeps here still, seeking to poison the words of those who wander in. Luckily, I know just the spells to ensure that he remains asleep...." - Meracra of the Olin Gisiae
As all Faerûnians know, elves have very long memories. Events that took place thousands of years ago and have been largely forgotten by the shorter-lived races are still fresh in the minds of the elves, since they occurred only a generation or so ago from their perspective. Along with such clear memories comes considerable knowledge, some of which is best kept secret.
The Olin Gisiae (which means "secret keepers" in Elven; singular Olin Gisir) are elite elf mages who have taken it upon themselves to guard these dark secrets from the rest of the world, ensuring that ancient demons remain bound away in protective circles, unholy artifacts remain forgotten, and places of dark power remain unvisited by mortals.
Becoming a Olin Gisir
The Olin Gisiae have an informal organization. As inveterate collectors of useful information, they're quick to notice elves and half-elves who might qualify for the class and just as quick to welcome newcomers into their ranks.
Olin Gisiae are recruited exclusively from the ranks of wizards and other arcane casters. The ideal candidate possesses a keen mind and an irresistible curiosity that sends her hunting for ancient mysteries on her own. Usually, a seasoned secret-keeper watches prospective recruits for some time to determine their motives and desires. Those who seem to be seeking power or personal glory are ignored, or sometimes even killed if their searches threaten to reveal dangerous secrets to the world. Those who respect the secrets they discover are contacted and offered training.
The quickest and easiest path to Olin Gisir is via the wizard class. A wizard gains access to new spell levels faster than a bard or sorcerer does, and her bonus feats allow her to pick up a second metamagic feat at an earlier level than other spellcasters. Sorcerers take up this path on occasion, though they must purchase some cross-class skills to meet the requirements. While bards have easy access to the required skills, their slower spell progression means that they cannot take this class before 13th level.
Intelligence is a key ability, since an Olin Gisir relies heavily upon spellcasting and ancient knowledge. Charisma is also a key ability for sorcerers who choose to follow this path.
Requirements
To qualify to become an Olin Gisir, a character must fulfill all the following criteria:
- Race: Elf or half-elf.
- Skills: Concentration 8 ranks, Knowledge (arcana) 10 ranks, Knowledge (history) 10 ranks
- Feats: Iron Will and any two metamagic feats.
- Spells: Ability to cast 3rd-level arcane spells.
- Special: Abjuration must not be a prohibited school for you.
Class Skills
The Olin Gisir's class skills are Concentration, Craft (any), Decipher Script, Heal, Knowledge (all skills taken individually), Profession (any), and Spellcraft.
Skill Points at Each Level: 2 + Int modifier.
Class Features
Olin Gisiae focus on knowledge, both arcane and mundane. Though they are not front-line combatants, their ability to read signs and banish single threats enable them to protect the secrets of the ancients with great efficiency. All the following are Class Features of the Olin Gisir prestige class:
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: You gain no new proficiency with weapons, armor, or shields.
Spellcasting: At each Olin Gisir level, you gain new spells per day, and an increase in caster level (and spells known, if applicable) as if you had also gained a level in an arcane spellcasting class that granted you access to 3rd-level spells before you added the prestige class level. You do not, however, gain any other benefit a character of that class would have gained. If you have access to 3rd-level spells from more than one arcane spellcasting class when you gain a level as an Olin Gisir, you must decide to which class to add each level for the purpose of determining spells per day, caster level, and spells known.
Ancient Knowledge (Ex): You have studied ancient lore in considerable depth. You gain a +1 bonus on all Knowledge (arcana), Knowledge (history), and Use Magic Device checks. You also gain the same bonus on bardic knowledge checks if you possess that class feature. The bonus increases to +2 at 4th level, to +3 at 7th level, and to +4 at 10th level.
Secret (Ex): You have picked up countless bits of forgotten lore from ancient tomes you have uncovered, the whispers of imprisoned fiends you have been set to guard, and other even more dangerous sources. Add your Intelligence modifier to your Olin Gisir level. You can choose any one secret for which that result equals or exceeds the number in the left column of the table below. You can choose another secret in the same manner at 4th, 7th, and 10th level, though you may not select the same secret more than once.
Signs and Portents (Sp): At 2nd level, you learn to ferret out ancient, hidden evils by reading mystic omens in the world around you. Three times per day, you can use augury, as the spell (caster level equals your character level).
Word of Dispel (Sp): At 5th level, you gain additional power against the old perils you seek to destroy or subdue. You can add dispel chaos, dispel evil, or dispel law (your choice) to the 5th-level arcane spells that you can cast. If you cast spells as a wizard, you simply add the spell to your spellbook. If you cast spells as a sorcerer, you acquire it as a bonus spell known at that level. The spell you have chosen is now an arcane spell for you.
Word of Might (Sp): At 8th level, you can use words of power against your enemies. You can add dictum, holy word, or word of chaos (your choice) to the 7th-level arcane spells that you can cast. If you cast spells as a wizard, you simply add the spell to your spellbook. If you cast spells as a sorcerer, you acquire it as a bonus spell known at that level. The spell you have chosen is now an arcane spell for you.
| Olin Gisir Secrets | ||
|---|---|---|
| Level + Int Mod | Secret | Effect |
| 1 | Lore of tongues | Learn 3 new languages (any except secret languages) |
| 2 | Secret of health | +3 hit points |
| 3 | Secret of inner strength | +2 bonus on Will saves |
| 4 | Lore of true stamina | +2 bonus on Fortitude saves |
| 5 | Dungeon navigation | Trap sense +2 (as the rogue ability) |
| 6 | Sight of the hidden | +4 bonus on Search checks |
| 7 | Ancient artifice | Any item creation feat as a bonus feat |
| 8 | Forgotten spell lore | Any metamagic feat as a bonus feat |
| 9 | Fiend warding | +2 sacred bonus to AC and on saves against attacks made by evil outsiders |
| 10 or higher | Focused mind | Spell resistance 20 against enchantment spells |
| Olin Gisir | Hit Die: d4 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | +0 | +0 | +0 | +2 | Ancient knowledge +1, secret | +1 level of existing arcane spellcasting class |
| 2nd | +1 | +0 | +0 | +3 | Signs and portents | +1 level of existing arcane spellcasting class |
| 3rd | +1 | +1 | +1 | +3 | - | +1 level of existing arcane spellcasting class |
| 4th | ~2 | +1 | +1 | +4 | Ancient knowledge +2, secret | +1 level of existing arcane spellcasting class |
| 5th | +2 | +1 | +1 | +4 | Word of dispel | +1 level of existing arcane spellcasting class |
| 6th | +3 | +2 | +2 | +5 | - | +1 level of existing arcane spellcasting class |
| 7th | +3 | +2 | +2 | +5 | Ancient knowledge +3, secret | +1 level of existing arcane spellcasting class |
| 8th | +4 | +2 | +2 | +6 | Word of might | +1 level of existing arcane spellcasting class |
| 9th | +4 | +3 | +3 | +6 | - | +1 level of existing arcane spellcasting class |
| 10th | +5 | +3 | +3 | +7 | Ancient knowledge +4, secret | +1 level of existing arcane spellcasting class |
Source: Lost Empires of Faerûn