Doll Mage (Apath)
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Unofficial rules compendium | |
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A doll mage uses her magic to animate dolls, and learns to use her magic these dolls.
Magic Dolls (Ex)
A doll mage makes magical animated dolls. Except as described below, these function as familiars, with the base creature being a tiny animated object. Each magic doll has the Additional Movement (fly), Exceptional Reach (giving it a reach of 5 ft.) and Piercing Attack construction abilities and begin with one additional construction point to spend.
Magic dolls are normally humanoid in shape, can speak, and can manipulate objects.
All magic dolls normally are in the same space as the doll mage, hovering about her or riding on her, only leaving her space if directly ordered. A magic doll in the doll mage's space has cover (Meaning it normally does not trigger attacks of opportunity) and need not take actions to move or make any skill rolls (such as Fly) to move along with the doll mage as she moves. If the doll mage teleports or is teleported, all magic dolls in her space teleport along with her without counting against the restrictions of the teleport effect.
Unlike other classes that have familiars, a doll mage has several magic dolls, beginning with two and gaining an additional doll at level 8, 13, 17, and 20. At the same levels, each doll gains an additional construction point to spend. All magic dolls are identical have the same construction point abilities.
Destroyed dolls are replaced in the same way as normal familiars. Magic dolls must remain dolls; abilities that would permanently change them to not be dolls (such as the Improved Familiar feat) cause them to cease being familiars. Magic dolls cannot use magic items.
This replaces Arcane Bond.
Doll Powers
Magic dolls gain powers as the doll mage advances in level. When a magic doll uses one of these powers to cast a spell, this uses up one of the doll mage's spells per day and the spell has the same effect as it would have if by cast by the doll mage herself.
Doll Cantrips
At level 1, all magic dolls can cast cantrips (level zero wizard spells) from among those the doll mage has prepared that day.
Doll Spellcasting
At level 5, several dolls acting in concert can cast a spell. All spellcasting the dolls must be in the same space as the doll mage and the spell must be one the doll mage has prepared and must be lower in spell level than the number of dolls casting it. Only one spell can be cast this way each round.
At 13th level, a group of 2 magic dolls can cast a 1st level spell, 3 dolls can cast a 2nd level spell, and all 4 dolls can cast a third level spell.
Doll Sacrifice
At level 10, a magic doll can sacrifice itself to intercept an attack aimed at the doll mage. Doing so destroys the doll. If this is an attack with a to-hit roll, it is automatically successful. If it is against an attack that grants a saving throw, the doll mage gains a +4 bonus on this saving throw and suffers no effect whatsoever on a successful save. Against an attack that requires neither an attack roll nor allows a saving throw, the doll mage is allowed a Reflex saving throw with a DC based on the level of spell or 1/2 the HD + Charisma bonus of a non-spell ability to negate the effect.
Alternatively, a group of dolls can use doll spellcasting to cast a spell the doll mage has already expended for the day. This works just like normal doll spellcasting, but one of the participating dolls has to sacrifice itself.
Doll Counterspell
At level 15, magic dolls can counterspell as an immediate action, collaborating in the same way as for doll spellcasting. The dolls cannot use doll spellcasting in the following round.
Greater Doll Spellcasting
At level 20, the dolls can cast spells even when not in the same space as the doll mage, but each 100 ft. of distance between the doll mage and the spellcasting dolls reduces the maximum level of spell that can be cast by one. All the spellcasting dolls must be in the same square to cast a spell. Also, several groups of magic dolls can cast spells simultaneously, casting more than one spell per round using doll spellcasting.
This replaces the bonus feats and Arcane School abilities.
Summary of Changed Class Abilities
- Arcane Bond
- Bonus Feats
- Arcane School
The Care and Making of Magic Dolls
A doll mage can order a doll made for enchanting as a familiar at a cost of 200 gp per wizard level (per the cost of replacing a lost familiar). But many doll mages will prefer to craft their own dolls.
- Magic dolls gained by advancing in level do not have a cost. Like spells gained by advancing in level, they are assumed to be the result of the doll mage's downtime activities and studies on the side.
- Dolls are made with a combination of crafts; tailor, sculptor and painter. Each of these skills contribute 1/3 of the cost of the doll. But there is also a specialized craft skill that incorporates elements of all these crafts but is specialized in making dolls and other toys. As an optional rule, Craft (dollmaking) can function as one of the other crafts mentioned at half skill bonus, particularly if making small items. Any tools, weapons, or accessories for dolls can be made at no penalty.
- A doll mage who creates her own dolls do so faster than normal; her production rate is in gold pieces per week instead of silver. This applies only against the cost of replacing dolls for use as magic dolls; magic dolls have a value of only 1/10 normal if sold. It is still likely to take a long time to produce high-level dolls.
- A doll generally has a child-like humanoid appearance. Most people can identify it as a doll quite easily. A doll crafted to look like some tiny creature can make Disguise checks at +10 to stay in role, but few dolls are good at Disguise. Such a specialized for might make the doll unable to use tools or make the normal attacks.
Alternate: Pet Mage
A pet mage is a variant doll mage that has regular familiars rather than dolls. These gain all the abilities of doll mages, but have regular familiars rather than animated objects and these familiars do not gain any construction abilities. A pet mage's familiars can speak, but generally not use tools or weapons. They have no trouble with somatic components.