Swanmay

From Irongate 3E: http://users.chariot.net.au/~mhedges/irongate3e

Class Level	Base Attack Bonus	Fort Save	Ref Save	Will Save	Special	Spells
1^st	0	2	0	0	Swan Form, Spell Resistance	+1 level of spellcasting ability
2^nd	1	3	0	0	Nature's Boon, Nature's Tongue	-
3^rd	2	3	1	1	Swan's spells, Swan's Vision	+1 level of spellcasting ability
4^th	3	4	1	1	Summon Nature's Ally, Nature's Tongue	-
5^th	3	4	1	1	Swan's Grace	+1 level of spellcasting ability

Designer's Note: This prestige class is based on the enitity described in the 1^st edition Dungeons and Dragons Monster Manual.

Swanmays are members of a sisterhood dedicated to preserving and protecting nature. They gain their name from their purported ability to assume the shape and appearance of a graceful white swan. This transformation is enabled by a feather token that they receive as a gift when they are accepted as a member of the sisterhood.

The sisterhood of swanmays votes to allow in new applicants. Such an applicant must be nominated by an existing member. To be nominated, a female human, half elf or elf must have performed a great deed that serves the greater cause of nature, such as protecting a forest from a rampaging orc horde.

Unsurprisingly, most swanmays are rangers and druids. However a number of barbarians and clerics of the nature deities are members. Because the paramount criteria for entry to the sisterhood is a great deed in the name of nature, even sorcerers, wizards, fighters and rogues are found amongst the sisters.

Swanmays usually live nearyby to a communal lodge where the local chapter of the sisterhood meets. Thoguh they sometimes ally themselves with non-member rangers and druids, swanmays are very secretive about the sisterhood and their own membership. Such information is only imparted to the closest of confidents.

Hit Die: d8

Requirements

Alignment: Any good, true neutral

Race: Human, Elf, Half-Elf

Gender: Female only

Knowledge (Nature): 8 ranks

Wilderness Lore: 13 ranks

Special: The character must have performed a great deed benefiting the natural world, and this deed must be recognized by the Swanmay sisterhood.

Class skills

The Swanmay’s class skills (and the key ability for each skill) are Animal Empathy (Cha), Concentration (Con), Craft (Int), Handle Animal (Cha), Heal (Wis), Hide (Dex), Intuit Direction (Wis), Knowledge (Nature)(Int), Listen (Wis), Move Silently (Dex), Profession (Wis), Scry (Int), Search (Int), Spot (Wis), Swim (Str), Wilderness Lore (Wis). See Chapter 4 in the Core Rulebook 1 for skill descriptions.

Skill Points at Each Level: 4 + Int modifier.

Class Features

Weapon and Armour Proficiency: Swanmay's gain no additional proficiency in weapons, armour or shields. Note that armor check penalties for armor heavier than leather apply to the skills Balance, Climb, Escape Artist, Hide, Jump, Move Silently, Pick Pocket, and Tumble. Also, Swim checks suffer a -1 penalty for every 5 pounds of armor and equipment carried.

Swan Form: On being accepted into the sisterhood, the new Swanmay is given a small feather token. This token is heavily enchanted and radiates magic of a transmutation kind. This token is a most prised possession and is unique to any given member. Other members of the sisterhood are able to recognise a token from a normal swan feather but not who it belongs to. Lost feather tokens are very hard to replace and such a loos affects the member's standing in the sisterhood. Feather tokens cannot be used by anyone other than the person it was originally created for.

This magical token enables the owner to transform into a beautiful white swan, gaining all the abilities of that animal, as well as some special magical abilities. The ability to transforn is a spell like ability. Only the swanmay's light clothes and possessions will be transformed with her, some swanmay's are used to travelling light. Up to 10 lbs worth of equipment and clothing may be transformed, plus an additional pound per class level. Swanmays usually place their feather tokens inside a feathered garment, such as a cloak or cap, to assist in its protection.

If the token is stolen from the swanmay, the swanmay will remain trapped in their current form until it is recovered or the sisterhood produces a new token to replace it. Such a replacement will require a quest on behalf of the sisterhood in order to atone for it's loss.

Statistics for the Swan form are provided below.

Spell Resistance: The secret rituals performed on the Swanmay during her intiation grant her some protection from spells. The swanmay gains spell resistance of 12 plus the swanmay's class level. This is a supernatural ability.

Nature's Boon: The Swanmay may choose to gain either Nature Sense (as per the Druid ability) or the Track feat.

Nature's Tongue: The Swanmay may choose a bonus language from the following: Aquan, Auran, Elven, Gnome, Goblin, Ignan, Orc, Sylvan, Terran.

Swan's Spells: The swanmay gains the ability to cast spells while in swan form.

Swan's Vision: Swanmays may add a +2 competence bonus to their spot skill checks.

Summon Nature's Allies: The swanmay recieves the spell like ability to Summon Nature's Allies equivalent to the spell Summon Nature's Ally VIII found on page 261 of Core Rulebook 1. This ability may be used once per day.

Swan's Grace: The swan is the epitomy of grace and elegance and all swanmays are expected to follow this example. Members of the sisterhood gain a enhancement bonus of +2 to their Dexterity and Charisma scores. This bonus is permanent, as long as the swanmay remains a member of the sisterhood.

Spells: Magic is at the very heart of the sisterhood and swanmay's continual with the magical training, be it divine or arcane, after they become swanmay's, though at a somewhat reduced pace.

Swan Form

Medium-size Animal

Hit Dice: as character

Initiative: as character (note modified Dex)

Speed: 10 ft., fly 40 ft. (average), swim 10 ft.

AC: 10 + character's modified dexterity bonus

Attacks: Bite (using character's BAB).

Damage: 1 point.

Face/Reach: 5 ft. by 5 ft./5 ft.

Special Attacks: None

Special Qualities: Damage Reduction 10/+1

Saves: as character

Abilities: Character's Strength -4, Character's Dexterity +2, all other abilities as for character.

Skills: As character but add +4 to swim check. Note a number of skills cannot be used in swan form (DM's call).

Damage Reduction: While in swan form, the Swanmay has 10/+1 damage reduction. This is a supernatural ability.

The Swanmay's swan form is that of a large, elegant white swan. While in this form it is impossible for the

character to cast any spells, or perform practically any task requiring manual dexterity. Although this form is extremely ineffectual in combat, it provides the Swanmay with several notable advantages, including the ability to fly, disguise her natural form, and swim, as well as near immunity to attacks by normal weapons.