Well, I finally got around to posting this guy.
Priest of the Unseen Host
This class is favored by the Unseen Host, an amorphous force that originated from from the combined divine power of the ghosts of demideities, and since has become a conglomeration of powerful souls. Their religion relies not on any individual authority, but on the infallibility of scriptures written by or about members of the Host itself. Their Priests attempt to take on characteristics of members of the Unseen Host by repeating their words and meditating to bring their spirits closer in form the the Host, in the hope that one day they, too, will become part of it.
Alignment: The priesthood detests complicated hierarchies, and the spiritual exercises they undergo involve spiritual shaping anathematical to the forces of law. Therefore, a lawful character cannot become a priest of the unseen host. A priest of the unseen host who later becomes lawful in alignment cannot further in the class, though he retains all previously granted abilities. A lawful nature conflicts too badly with the spiritual exercises a member of the priesthood must undergo to bring his spirit into greater conformance, freezing off and preventing further spiritual development.
Hit Die:d6
Although better able to take hits than the average wizard or sorcerer, the priests do not gain much in the way of resilience
Class SkillsThe Priest of the Unseen Host’s class skills (and the key ability for each skill) are Appraise (Int), Balance (Dex), Bluff (Cha), Climb (Str), Concentration (Con), Craft (Int), Decipher Script (Int), Diplomacy (Cha), Disguise (Cha), Escape Artist (Dex), Gather Information (Cha), Hide (Dex), Jump (Str), Knowledge (all skills, taken individually) (Int), Listen (Wis), Move Silently (Dex), Perform (Cha), Profession (Wis), Sense Motive (Wis), Sleight of Hand (Dex), Speak Language (None), Spellcraft (Int), Swim (Str), Tumble (Dex), and Use Magic Device (Cha).
Skill Points at 1st Level (6 + Int modifier) ×4.
Skill Points at Each Additional Level 6 + Int modifier.
The Priests of the Unseen host attempt to convince others to join their cause non-violently, and abhor physical attacks (if possible, retreating from combat by whatever means is fastest). Their attempts to reshape their spirits often involve physical conditioning as well - some go so far as to change their appearances to match one of the spirits, hoping that a more perfect imitation in appearance will increase their spiritual presence. Having a familiarity with the their scriptures involves comparing and memorizing them in a thousand translations - thus, they tend to pick up languages far more easily than average, simply by remembering equivalent passages.
Base attack Bonus: 3/4s progression. They are able to hold their own in combat since they must venture to dangerous places to recover fragments of written wisdom), but as they tend to abhor violence they are not primarily focused on melee combat.
Saves:Reflex: Good
Will: Good
Fort: Bad
The focus on reforming their spirits gives them great mental resilience, and their spiritual attunement to the world makes them quick to react, but they are not as hardy as others.
Class Features:Weapon and Armor ProficiencyA priest of the unseen host is proficient with all simple weapons, plus rapier, long and short swords, all forms of weapons listed in the player's handbook which inflict nonlethal damage (except the bolas and unarmed strikes), and the shortbow. Priests of the unseen host are proficient with light armor and shields (except tower shields).
The priests of the unseen host emphasize elegance (as would be expected from a sect that worships an unseen deity.) As such, they only train in the bare minimum of weapons needed to cover all bases. Whips and saps tend to be the priesthood's primary weapons, as they only deal nonlethal damage - but those who serve in the military will occasionally take up the sword.
Unique among priesthoods, they focus on elevating themselves to deityhood. Their focus is on unlocking their own inner power instead of relying upon an outside source, so although the spells that they cast are very similar to "traditional" divine magic, they are unable to cast spells in exactly the same way. For all rules-based effects (except spell failure, see next paragraph), their spells count as arcane in origin. This also limits the maximum amount of power they can channel compared to a cleric or druid. However, as their magic is channeled in a different way, Priests of the Unseen Host get their own list (not included), which focuses on nonlethal combat resolution, and still includes typical divine standbys, such as cure spells.
Unlike "true" arcane casters, Priest of the Unseen host are not hampered by all armors. A priest of the unseen host can still cast priest spells while wearing light armor without incurring any spell failure chance. However, unlike other divine spellcasters, a priest of the unseen host wearing medium or heavy armor or using a shield incurs a chance of spell failure chance (identical to arcane spell failure) if the spell in question has a somatic component (most do). A multiclass priest of the unseen host still incurs arcane spell failure chance for arcane spells received from other classes - after all, just being able to channel divine magic in an unusual way doesn't influence use of arcane power obtained from other sources.
As rote memorization is an important part of their spiritual refinement, they do not need their scriptures to cast spells, although scriptures are still necessary for most uses of the recitation class ability (some options at character creation allow for a fully memorized recitation).
SpellsA priest of the unseen host casts arcane spells, which are drawn from the priest spell list. He can cast any spell he knows without preparing it ahead of time. Every priest spell has a verbal component (reciting, chanting, et cetra). To learn or cast a spell, a priest of the unseen host must have a Charisma score equal to at least 10 + the spell level. The Difficulty Class for a saving throw against a priest of the unseen host’s spell is 10 + the spell level + the priest of the unseen host’s Charisma modifier.
Like other spellcasters, a priest of the unseen host can cast only a certain number of spells of each spell level per day. His base daily spell allotment is given on Table: The Priest. In addition, he receives bonus spells per day if he has a high Charisma score. When the table indicates that the priest of the unseen host gets 0 spells per day of a given spell level, he gains only the bonus spells he would be entitled to based on his Charisma score for that spell level.
The priest of the unseen host’s selection of spells is extremely limited. A priest of the unseen host begins play knowing four 0-level spells of your choice. At most new priest of the unseen host levels, he gains one or more new spells, as indicated on Table: The Priest of the unseen host. (Unlike spells per day, the number of spells a priest of the unseen host knows is not affected by his Charisma score.)
Upon reaching 5th level, and at every third priest of the unseen host level after that (8th, 11th, and so on), a priest of the unseen host can choose to learn a new spell in place of one he already knows. In effect, the priest of the unseen host "loses" the old spell in exchange for the new one. The new spell’s level must be the same as that of the spell being exchanged, and it must be at least two levels lower than the highest-level priest of the unseen host spell the priest of the unseen host can cast. A priest of the unseen host may swap only a single spell at any given level, and must choose whether or not to swap the spell at the same time that he gains new spells known for the level.
As noted above, a priest of the unseen host need not prepare his spells in advance. He can cast any spell he knows at any time, assuming he has not yet used up his allotment of spells per day for the spell’s level.
-I'll insert the table once I've properly formatted it. Hold yer horses-
Ancient LoreThe intensive studies of their scriptures give priests of the unseen host knowledge of all sorts of topics. Since ancient texts often require translations and cross-referencing to other works of the same time period, this means that they have a chance of knowing the most obscure lore.
This ability functions as the Ollam's Lore ability (Complete Adventurer), including the synergy from knowledge(history).
Recitation:Once per day per priest of the unseen host level, a priest of the unseen host can read from his scriptures to produce magical effects on those around him (usually including himself, if desired). While these abilities fall under the category of recitation and the descriptions discuss reading scriptures or reciting ancient psalms, they can all be activated by reciting poetry, chanting, singing lyrical songs, singing melodies, whistling, playing an instrument, or playing an instrument in combination with some spoken performance. The unseen host has many voices, and each priest of the unseen host can approach it in a unique way. Each ability requires both a minimum priest of the unseen host level and a minimum number of ranks in that particular Perform skill to qualify (Perform is chose here because the priest is trying to take on the role of a member of the unseen host, and perform covers acting); if a priest of the unseen host does not have the required number of ranks in at least one Perform skill, he does not gain the recitation ability until he acquires the needed ranks.
Starting a recitation effect is a standard action. Some recitation abilities require concentration, which means the priest of the unseen host must take a standard action each round to maintain the ability. Even while using a recitation that doesn’t require concentration, a priest of the unseen host cannot cast spells, activate magic items by spell completion (such as scrolls), spell trigger (such as wands), or command word. Just as for casting a spell with a verbal component, a deaf priest of the unseen host has a 20% chance to fail when attempting to use recitation. If he fails, the attempt still counts against his daily limit. Since the priest of the unseen host is trying to channel their magic through the ancient writings, it makes sense that they'd be hindered by other attempts to channel magic.
Refutation (Su)A priest of the unseen host with 3 or more ranks in a Perform skill can use his recitation to counter magical effects that depend on sound (but not spells that simply have verbal components). Each round of the refutation, he makes a Perform check. Any creature within 30 feet of the priest of the unseen host (including the priest himself) that is affected by a sonic or language-dependent magical attack may use the priest of the unseen host’s Perform check result in place of its saving throw if, after the saving throw is rolled, the Perform check result proves to be higher. If a creature within range of the refutation is already under the effect of a noninstantaneous sonic or language-dependent magical attack, it gains another saving throw against the effect each round it hears the refutation, but it must use the priest of the unseen host’s Perform check result for the save. Refutation has no effect against effects that don’t allow saves. The priest of the unseen host may keep up the refutation for 10 rounds.
The priest of the unseen host can emulate his chosen member of the unseen host to the extent that he refutes the magical power of others. As the power is channeled through spoken words, the effect is confined to sounds.
Enthrall (Sp)A priest of the unseen host with 3 or more ranks in a Perform skill can recount tales from the ancient scriptures to cause one or more creatures to become enthralled by him. Each creature to be enthralled must be within 90 feet, able to see and hear the priest of the unseen host, and able to pay attention to him. The priest of the unseen host must also be able to see the creature. The distraction of a nearby combat or other dangers prevents the ability from working. For every three levels a priest of the unseen host attains beyond 1st, he can target one additional creature with a single use of this ability.
To use the ability, a priest of the unseen host makes a Perform check. His check result is the DC for each affected creature’s Will save against the effect. If a creature’s saving throw succeeds, the priest of the unseen host cannot attempt to enthrall that creature again for 24 hours. If its saving throw fails, the creature sits quietly and listens to the story, taking no other actions, for as long as the priest of the unseen host continues to play and concentrate (up to a maximum of 1 round per priest of the unseen host level). While enthralled, a target takes a -4 penalty on skill checks made as reactions, such as Listen and Spot checks. Any potential threat requires the priest of the unseen host to make another Perform check and allows the creature a new saving throw against a DC equal to the new Perform check result.
Any obvious threat, such as someone drawing a weapon, casting a spell, or aiming a ranged weapon at the target, automatically breaks the effect. Enthrall is an enchantment (compulsion), mind-affecting ability.
Pretty obvious. The priest of the unseen host can tell stories that are magical in nature, so engrossing that they effect the mind.
Recount Greatness (Su)A priest of the unseen host with 3 or more ranks in a Perform skill can use tales of mighty warriors to give his allies (including himself) a fragment of the strength of the ancient heroes, bolstering them against fear and improving their combat abilities. To be affected, an ally must be able to hear the priest of the unseen host recite. The effect lasts for as long as the ally hears the priest of the unseen host recite and for 5 rounds thereafter. An affected ally receives a +1 morale bonus on saving throws against charm and fear effects and a +1 morale bonus on attack and weapon damage rolls. At 8th level, and every six priest of the unseen host levels thereafter, this bonus increases by 1 (+2 at 8th, +3 at 14th, and +4 at 20th). Inspire courage is a mind-affecting ability.
The greatness of past heroes can bring forth greatness in the present. Members of the Unseen host were all great, and by telling their stories a priest of the unseen host can infuse his compatriots with part of the member's spirit.
Blessings of the Unseen Host(Su)A priest of the unseen host of 3rd level or higher with 6 or more ranks in a Perform skill can recite from their scripture and bless an ally to help them to succeed at a task. The ally must be within 30 feet and able to see and hear the priest of the unseen host. The priest of the unseen host must also be able to see the ally.
The ally gets a +2 competence bonus on skill checks with a particular skill as long as he or she continues to hear the recited blessing. Certain uses of this ability are infeasible (Making someone better at sneaking around by reciting scripture? No.). The effect lasts as long as the priest of the unseen host concentrates, up to a maximum of 2 minutes. A priest of the unseen host can’t bless himself. Inspire competence is a mind-affecting ability.
All priests should be able to bless their parishioners. This is the bread and butter of non-combat priests of the unseen host, since it can be applied to so many things.
Exhortation (Sp)A priest of the unseen host of 6th level or higher with 9 or more ranks in a Perform skill can make a exhortation to a creature that he has already enthralled (resolve as in the spell Suggestion). Using this ability does not break the priest of the unseen host's concentration on the enthralling effect, nor does it allow a second saving throw against the enthralling effect.
Making a suggestion doesn’t count against a priest of the unseen host’s daily limit on recitation. A Will saving throw (DC 10 + ½ priest of the unseen host’s level + priest of the unseen host’s Cha modifier) negates the effect. This ability affects only a single creature (but see mass exhortation, below). Exhortation is an enchantment (compulsion), mind-affecting, language dependent ability.
The Unseen host can see much of reality that is hidden. As such, they know exactly what can be done to induce someone to act in a certain way. Whether or not the priest of the unseen host is able to successfully imitate this ability is up to their personal strengths.
Spiritual Guardian (Su)A priest of the unseen host of 9th level or higher with 12 or more ranks in a Perform skill can use the power of their scripture to inspire greatness in himself or a single willing ally within 30 feet, granting him or her a spiritual guarding to enhance their fighting capability. For every three levels a priest of the unseen host attains beyond 9th, he can call forth a spiritual guarding for one additional ally with a single use of this ability (two at 12th level, three at 15th, four at 18th). To call forth a spiritual guardian, a priest of the unseen host must recite from their scriptures and an ally must hear him do so. The effect lasts for as long as the ally hears the priest of the unseen host recite and for 5 rounds thereafter. A creature with a spiritual guardian gains 2 bonus Hit Dice (d10s), the commensurate number of temporary hit points (apply the target’s Constitution modifier, if any, to these bonus Hit Dice), a +2 competence bonus on attack rolls, and a +1 competence bonus on Fortitude saves. The bonus Hit Dice count as regular Hit Dice for determining the effect of spells that are Hit Dice dependant. Spiritual Guardian is a mind-affecting ability. As the guardian is spiritual in nature, it cannot be perceived by anyone other than the priest of the unseen host and the target, and exists as an extension of the target's soul.
Reject Distortion(Sp)A priest of the unseen host of 12th level or higher with 15 or more ranks in a Perform skill can use their scriptural recitations to create an effect equivalent to the break enchantment spell (caster level equals the character’s priest of the unseen host level). Using this ability requires 1 minute of uninterrupted concentration and recitation, and it functions on a single target within 30 feet. A priest of the unseen host can’t use Reject Distortion on himself.
The priest of the unseen host sees the world as conforming to an order laid down by the unseen host itself. By reading the correct parts of scripture and bringing his spirit into alignment with a particular member of the unseen host he can attempt to force parts of reality unnaturally changed to conform to that member's plan. This doesn't work on himself, as he is already unnaturally assuming the role of one of the host's members.
Protection of the Unseen Host (Su)A priest of the unseen host of 15th level or higher with 18 or more ranks in a Perform skill can use their recitations to bring the protection of the unseen host upon himself or a single willing ally within 30 feet. For every three priest of the unseen host levels the character attains beyond 15th, he can call protection for one additional creature. To bring forth this protection, a priest of the unseen host must recite and an ally must hear the recitation for a full round. A creature so protected gains a +4 morale bonus on saving throws and a +4 dodge bonus to AC. The effect lasts for as long as the ally hears the recitation and for up to 5 rounds thereafter. Protection of the Unseen Host is a mind-affecting ability.
Mass Exhortation(Sp)This ability functions like Exhortation, above, except that a priest of the unseen host of 18th level or higher with 21 or more ranks in a Perform skill can make the exhortation simultaneously to any number of creatures that he has already enthralled. Mass Exhortation is an enchantment (compulsion), mind-affecting, language-dependent ability.
An example of a Priest.
Meet Jiba Mustard. He is tasked as a spiritual counselor for the Harbonean army. Now, this job, of course, entails mediating disputes between soldiers, as well as calling for divine aid. His scriptures give him vast and terrible power, and merely by reading from them he can heal the wounded and bring holy blessings upon the soldiers under his care, making them fight harder than they otherwise could. In order to remain mobile in the quickly-shifting battlefield, he wears only light armor, which doesn't interfere with his spellcasting. In the event that he is forced to fight directly (which he avoids if at all possible, from a personal distaste for killing), he either calls upon divine aid to deliver an array of non-lethal effects to incapacitate his foes, or, with reluctance, attempts to knock them unconscious with his blackjack.
Can anyone make a nifty class feature progression table?
