Epic Ghostwalk

Epic Ghostwalk

Ghostwalk presents two new base classes -- the eidolon and eidoloncer -- available to characters who have died. These are 20-level classes (just like the classes in the Player's Handbook), and thus can be advanced to epic levels just like those classes. Both classes are pretty straightforward in their approach to class features, and thus they make for relatively simple conversions.

Unlike most classes, the epic eidolon and eidoloncer don't have a unique list of epic bonus feats. Instead, epic-level characters in each class may select bonus feats from the epic bonus feat lists of any class, provided that at least one-fifth (20%) of the character's total class levels are made up of levels from that class (round down to the nearest whole number). For instance, a Ftr6/Bbn1/Eidolon 22 can select bonus feats from the fighter list of epic bonus feats, since out of his 29 class levels, six (20%) are of fighter, but not from the barbarian list, since less than 5% of his total class levels are from that class.

On the other hand, a Sor4/Rog4/Eidoloncer 23 can't select a bonus feat from either the sorcerer list or the rogue list, since each class's levels make up only about 12% of the character's total number of class levels. For this reason, most epic eidolons choose to spend occasional stretches of adventuring time in living form to "reacquaint" themselves with the classes they practiced before dying.

Epic Eidolon

The epic eidolon is a true horror to the living, whether as a profane haunter of the innocent or a dire warning to those of evil bent.

The connection between the epic eidolon and his levels of the "living" classes allows him to select bonus feats from the lists available to those classes, but only so long as he maintains a minimum percentage of class levels in nonghost classes. The eidolon's ability increases should go primarily toward Strength or Dexterity -- depending on which score is more 24424p1514y crucial to the character's success.

Hit Die: d8.

Skill Points at Each Additional Level: 2 + Int modifier.

Bonus Feats: The epic eidolon gains a bonus feat (selected from the list of epic eidolon feats) every 2 levels after 20th.

Epic Eidolon Bonus Feat List: An epic eidolon may select any feat with the [Ghost] descriptor as a bonus feat.

In addition, an epic eidolon may select bonus feats from the class lists of any class, provided that at least one-fifth (20%) of his total class levels are made up of levels from that class (round down to the nearest whole number). See above for details.

Epic Eidoloncer

As the eidoloncer moves into the realm of epic levels, her link to the world of the living becomes weaker, though her ghostly and magical powers continue to improve.

Due to the link between the epic eidoloncer and her levels of the "living" classes, her bonus feat selection is limited to those that were available to her in life, but only so long as she maintains a minimum percentage of class levels in nonghost classes. For this reason, most epic eidoloncers choose to spend occasional stretches of adventuring time in living form. An eidoloncer should focus ability score increases on the ability that influences her spellcasting, though an occasional point of Dexterity or Constitution can't hurt.

Hit Die: d6.

Skill Points at Each Additional Level: 2 + Int modifier.

Spellcasting The epic eidoloncer advances her spellcasting ability at every level in the eidoloncer class, just as at non-epic levels. When the eidoloncer?s spellcasting ability exceeds 20th level in a class, treat the eidoloncer as an epic spellcaster (see the individual class levels in the Epic Level Handbook for details).

Bonus Feats: The epic eidoloncer gains a bonus feat (selected from the list of epic eidoloncer feats) every 3 levels after 20th.

Epic Eidoloncer Bonus Feat List: An epic eidoloncer may select any feat with the [Ghost] descriptor as a bonus feat.

In addition, an epic eidoloncer may select bonus feats from the class lists of any class, provided that at least one-fifth (20%) of her total class levels are made up of levels from that class (round down to the nearest whole number). See above for details.

Epic Arboreal Guardian

The epic arboreal guardian is one of the most powerful protectors of the Spirit Wood, holding the line against all those who would endanger the trees of that forest.

Most epic arboreal guardians combine combat prowess with spellcasting, so choosing a mix of feats from those categories -- such as Swarm of Arrows, Improved Metamagic, and Combat Archery -- is a pretty good idea. The arboreal guardian's Wisdom score is usually her most important, though combat-oriented guardians may look to Strength or Constitution instead.

Other Options: Thanks to her ever-increasing natural armor, the epic arboreal guardian usually doesn't have to worry about defense, but even so, feats such as Energy Resistance or Fast Healing can come in awfully handy. If your spellcasting powers meet the prerequisites, consider Epic Spellcasting.

Hit Die: d8.

Skill Points at Each Additional Level: 4 + Int modifier.

Spells: The epic arboreal guardian's divine caster level increases by 1 per even-numbered level gained above 10th. In addition, at every even-numbered level the epic arboreal guardian gains new spells per day as if she had also gained a level in whatever divine spellcasting class she belonged to before she added the prestige class, up to the number of spells per day possessed by a 20th-level character of that class.

Natural Armor (Ex): The epic arboreal guardian's natural armor bonus improves by +1 at every even-numbered level above 10th (+6 at 12th, +7 at 14th, and so on).

Bonus Feats: The epic arboreal guardian gains a bonus feat (selected from the list of epic arboreal guardian feats) every 5 levels after 10th.

Epic Arboreal Guardian Bonus Feat List: Beast Companion, Combat Archery, Distant Shot, Energy Resistance, Enhance Spell, Epic Spell Penetration, Fast Healing, Improved Combat Casting, Improved Low-Light Vision, Improved Manyshot, Improved Metamagic, Perfect Health, Permanent Emanation, Plant Wild Shape, Spell Opportunity, Spell Stowaway, Swarm of Arrows, Tenacious Magic.

Epic Deathwarden Chanter

At epic levels, the deathwarden chanter becomes one of the most respected dwarves in the history of the Deathwarden clan.

The deathwarden chanter is a powerful spellcaster, and most focus their epic feat selection on those that improve that capacity, including Enhance Spell, Epic Spell Focus, Improved Heighten Spell. Feats that aid in combat against undead, such as Great Smiting, Positive Energy Aura, and Spectral Strike, also make fine choices. As a divine spellcaster, Wisdom is likely the most important ability for the epic deathwarden chanter.

Other Options: Deathwarden chanters who find themselves in combat with frequency should consider Epic Toughness or Armor Skin to aid in defense.

Hit Die: d8.

Skill Points at Each Additional Level: 2 + Int modifier.

Spells: The epic deathwarden chanter's divine caster level increases by 1 per level gained above 10th. In addition, at every even-numbered level the epic deathwarden chanter gains new spells per day as if he had also gained a level in whatever divine spellcasting class he belonged to before he added the prestige class, up to the number of spells per day possessed by a 20th-level character of that class.

Smite Undead (Su): The epic deathwarden chanter may use this ability one additional time per day for every four levels gained above 8th (4/day at 12th, 5/day at 16th, and so on).

Deep Chant (Su): The epic deathwarden chanter may use this ability one additional time per day for every five levels gained above 10th (3/day at 15th, 4/day at 20th, and so on).

Bonus Feats: The epic deathwarden chanter gains a bonus feat (selected from the list of epic deathwarden chanter feats) every 4 levels after 10th.

Epic Deathwarden Chanter Bonus Feat List: Armor Skin, Automatic Quicken Spell, Automatic Still Spell, Bonus Domain, Enhance Spell, Epic Reputation, Epic Spell Focus, Epic Spell Penetration, Epic Spellcasting, Epic Toughness, Epic Will, Great Smiting, Ignore Material Components, Improved Alignment-Based Casting, Improved Combat Casting, Improved Darkvision, Improved Heighten Spell, Improved Metamagic, Improved Spellcasting, Intensify Spell, Multispell, Permanent Emanation, Positive Energy Aura, Spectral Strike, Spell Opportunity, Spell Stowaway, Spontaneous Domain Access, Spontaneous Spell, Tenacious Spell.

Alternatively, the deathwarden chanter may learn a new chanter rune (for which he must meet all prerequisites) in place of a bonus feat.

New Epic Feats

Here are a variety of new epic feats designed specifically for the Ghostwalk setting.

Endless Malevolence [Epic, Ghost, Dominator]

You can possess creatures for an unlimited period of time.

Prerequisites: Cha 25, Ghost Ride, Iron Will, Minor Malevolence, Malevolence.

Benefit: As the Malevolence feat, except the duration is permanent. You may take a standard action to end your possession of a target creature.

Epic Enervating Touch [Epic, Ghost, Corruptor]

Your touch bestows a powerful surge of negative energy upon creatures.

Prerequisites: Cha 23, Corrupting Touch, Enervating Touch, nongood alignment.

Benefit: Your enervating touch bestows two negative levels upon the creature touched. Add +2 to the save DC require to remove the negative levels.

Epic Horrific Appearance [Epic, Ghost, Haunt]

Your appearance causes tremendous impairment to those who view it.

Prerequisites: Cha 25, Control Visage, Haunting Appearance, Horrific Appearance, Improved Control Visage, nongood alignment.

Benefit: Your horrific appearance deals 1d6 points of temporary damage to each viewer's Strength, Dexterity, and Constitution scores.

Epic Witchlight [Epic, Ghost, Shaper]

Your witchlight grows in duration, strength, and power of illumination.

Prerequisites: Ectoplasm, Greater Witchlight, Witchlight.

Benefits: Your witchlight effects grow in power, as follows:

Extended Witchlight: Your witchlight lasts as long as you concentrate + 1 hour.

Hot Witchlight: Your witchlight deals 2d6 points of fire damage every round to the target.

Bright Witchlight: Your witchlight sheds light as a daylight spell.

You can voluntarily reduce the power of your witchlight (to the levels listed for Greater Witchlight) if you so choose when activating the ability.

Ethereal Leap [Epic, Ghost, Traveler]

Your teleports can cover a greater distance.

Prerequisites: Wis 21, Ethereal Sidestep, Incorporeal Form.

Benefit: The distance you can transfer via your Ethereal Sidestep feat increases by 30 feet.

Special: You may select this feat multiple times. Each time you choose the feat, the distance covered by your Ethereal Sidestep increases by 30 feet.

Extended Full Manifestation [Epic, Ghost, Traveler]

You can manifest fully for an extended period of time.

Prerequisites: Con 17, Wis 17, Full Manifestation.

Benefit: When incorporeal, as a standard action you can make a Will saving throw (DC 15) to manifest fully for 1 minute.

Normal: A ghost without this feat cannot manifest fully outside the Manifest Ward without magical aid, or (if he has the Full Manifestation feat) can manifest only for a single round.

Poltergeist Shield [Epic, Ghost, Poltergeist]

You can extend a shield of deflection around a nearby ally.

Prerequisites: Cha 19, Ghost Hand, Improved Deflection, Poltergeist Hand.

Benefit: As a move action, you can grant any creature within 30 feet a deflection bonus to AC equal to your incorporeal deflection bonus. This bonus lasts until you end it (a free action), grant it to another target, or until you and your target move more than 30 feet apart.

Rapid Ghost Flight [Epic, Ghost, Traveler]

Your fully manifested ghost body can fly at great speed with unsurpassed maneuverability.

Prerequisites: Ghost Flight, Ghost Glide, Improved Ghost Flight.

Benefit: Your ghost flight speed increases by 20 feet. (This stacks with the increase gained from Improved Ghost Flight.) Your maneuverability becomes perfect.