New Class: The Spelldancer

Spelldancers

Requirements: DEX 15, INT 15, WIS 15

Prime Requisite: None

Hit Dice: 1d6

Experience, Attacks and Saves: As Magic-User

Spelldancers are an unusual subclass of magic-user. They may use the same small weapons as magic-users and are unable to use shields or wear any kind of armor. Although they share all of the same restrictions that apply to magic-users, dancers do not gain bonus experience points for high ability scores and so they have no prime requisite. Spelldancers may use many of the same magic items available to all characters. Most spelldancers are female, but spelldancers can be of either sex.

Spellcasting: Spelldancers have access to all magic-user spells. However, they do not use hand gestures or spoken words, but wild, passionate dances to bring about magical effects. Spelldancers do not have to memorize their spells. They are not limited in the number of spells they can cast per day, or in the level of the spell they try to cast.

To perform her dance, the spelldancer must have at least an area of 20’ diameter to dance in. The spelldancer slips into a magical trance and is unaware to her environment while dancing. Anyone attacking a dancing spelldancer automatically has surprise. However, the frenzied movements make the spelldancer more difficult to hit. While dancing, a spelldancer’s AC is reduced by 1 for every 2 experience levels of the character. For example, a 7^th level spelldancer has a-3 bonus to her AC when dancing.

To cast a spell, the spelldancer must dance a number of rounds equal to the level of the spell. She may improve the chance of producing the desired effect by dancing longer, for a maximum number of rounds equal to her CON. After the desired number of rounds have past, the spelldancer must make a Dexterity check. The roll is modified as follows:

·         -4 for each level by which the spell exceeds the level of the spellcaster.

·         +1 for every two additional rounds the character dances, a + 1 bonus is applied to the roll.

·         +1 bonus per dancer beyond the first. No more than 8 spelldancers may aid the spelldancer at the same time.

When the spelldancer’s concentration is broken or her dance is interupted, and she has not danced the required number of rounds equal to the spell’s level, the casting fails and the spell doesn’t take effect. If she has danced the minimum number of round required to cast the spell, she may make her Dexterity check, but with a -4 penalty because of the abrupt end to the dance.

No matter if the attempt to cast the spell was successful or unsuccessful, after dancing the spelldancer is fatigued. While fatigued, all attack rolls and saving throws the character makes suffer a -2 penalty.

The spelldancer must rest for a number of rounds equal to the number of rounds spend dancing in the attempt before she can dance again.

Evasion: Instead of casting a spell, a spelldancer can use her dancing to make herself more difficult to hit. When attempting to evade an attack, a spelldancer is able to reduce her Armor Class by 1 point per level. The spelldancer must be aware of the attack. A spelldancer can use evasion for a number of rounds equal to half her CON (rounded down). Thus a spelldancer with CON 15 can evade for a maximum of 7 successive rounds. After using this ability, the spelldancer is fatigued and must rest a number of rounds equal to the number of rounds the character has been dancing, just as after spellcasting.

Reaching 6^th level: When a spelldancer reaches the 6^th level, a spelldancer may use her dancing to emulate the effects of a Hypnotic Pattern spell. The spelldancer cannot use this power at the same time as dancing to cast a spell. The target may make a save vs. spells to resits.

Reaching 10^th level: When a spelldancer reaches the 10^th level, a spelldancer may use her dancing to emulate the effects of a Sleep spell. To use this ability, the spelldancer must be of higher level than the intended target. Characters of higher level are immune to this ability. The spelldancer must dance a minimum number of rounds equal to the target’s level, after which the subject may save vs. spell.

NOTE: If the campaign uses skills or proficiencies, the spelldancer should gain Dancing, Perform, or the equivalent thereof as a free bonus skill. Instead of Dexterity, this skill should be rolled when attempting to cast a spell.