进阶职业以下进阶职业是黑暗六神的追随者独有的。
其他适合黑暗六神或其中一个神的神圣主题的进阶职业包括神圣十字军、风暴领主(吞噬)、渥利达马拉的神庙奇兵(旅者;修改神的名字),和植皮者(嘲弄)。前三个出现在《完美神力》,最后一个出现在《完美奥术》。
阴影超魔使 Escalation Mage(译注:“escalation”依循前人翻译,称为“阴影超魔”。如果有更好的译法欢迎指正。
本段将前人翻译的疏漏之处用红字标出,感谢翻译。)
“在魔法的腹地,阴影的力量是绝对的——所有人都能从它的低语中听到无限的力量。不过,只有杰出人物才有勇气面对这种力量的代价。”——洛沃斯,阴影之狼
许多人知道知识与秩序之神奥林的影子的故事,作为一个邪神获得了生命。传说中,邪恶的剥离是奥林为了掌握奥术而付出的代价。几千年后,走在阴影超魔使道路上的凡人仍然受益于奥林的牺牲。通过全身心侍奉阴影并专注于魔法的黑暗面,这些奥术施法者学会了如何与他们的神 “讨价还价”,付出代价使他们的法术更有效。
这是一场持续的对话。这些虔诚的信徒在施放他们希望增强的每一个法术之前,必须恳求阴影的帮助,而且不能保证成功。一般来说,施法者对魔法的控制力越强,维持这种控制力的可能性就越大。然而,即使是久经考验的咒语有时也会带来意想不到的损失,因为强化后的咒语变得太难驾驭。这种通过无声祈祷来强化奥术过程被称为“阴影超魔”,虽然回报可能是巨大的,但很少有奥术施法者会如此忠诚,仅仅为了获得更强的效果而冒着生命和肢体的危险。那些承担这些风险的人被称为阴影超魔使,如果他们能活下来,他们可以成长为最强大的法师,面对整个艾伯伦世界。
剧透 - :
“In the hinterlands of magic, the might of the Shadow is absolute—all can hear the promise of untold power in its whispered call. Still, only the worthy find the strength to face the price of that power.”
—Lovos, the Shadow of the Wolf
Many know the tale of the shadow of Aureon, god of law and knowledge, coming into a life of its own as an evil deity. According to legend, the unholy divestiture was the price Aureon paid to master the arcane arts. Millennia later, mortals who walk the paths of the escalation mage still benefit from Aureon’s sacrifice. By giving themselves over to the Shadow and focusing on the dark side of magic, these arcane spellcasters learn how to “bargain” with their god to make their spells more effective—for a price.
It is an ongoing dialogue. Such devotees must entreat the Shadow for aid before casting every spell they wish to enhance, and success is not guaranteed. As a general rule, the more control the caster has over magic, the greater the likelihood of maintaining that control. Yet even tried and true incantations can take unexpected tolls on occasion, as a boosted spell becomes too much to handle. This process of arcane enhancement through silent prayer is known as “escalation,” and while the rewards can potentially be great, few arcanists are quite so faithful as to risk life and limb merely for the possibility of greater efficacy. Those who take these risks are known as escalation mages, and if they survive their early years, they can grow into the most powerful mages to walk the face of Eberron.
成为一名阴影超魔使Becoming an Escalation Mage虽然这是一个奥术施法职业,但成为它最重要的特征是坚定的信仰。只有那些真正相信自己会因魔法黑暗面的恩典而成为更强大施法者的人,才有机会实现愿望,并且他们必须准备好付出阴影所要求的任何代价。法师成为阴影超魔使的路径可能是最短的,但任何奥术施法者都可以轻松合格,包括术士甚至邪术师。黑暗六神崇拜者对韵律的嗜好甚至让不少吟游诗人加入进来。除了正常的施法属性,魅力(针对某些职业特性)和体质(针对阴影造成的生命值损失)是任意阴影超魔使的关键属性。
先决条件 Entry Requirements技能:专注4级,知识(神秘)8级。
专长:任意超魔专长。
特殊:施法者等级5级,必须信仰阴影。。
表:阴影超魔使 生命骰:D4等级 | 基本攻击 | 强韧 | 反射 | 意志 | 特殊 | 施法能力 |
1 | +0 | +2 | +0 | +0 | 内心之影 | 现有奥术施法等级+1 |
2 | +1 | +3 | +0 | +0 | 阴影超魔(阴影集中) | 现有奥术施法等级+1 |
3 | +1 | +3 | +1 | +1 | 阴影超魔(阴影力量) | 现有奥术施法等级+1 |
4 | +2 | +4 | +1 | +1 | 阴影超魔(阴影增长) | 现有奥术施法等级+1 |
5 | +2 | +4 | +1 | +1 | 阴影超魔(阴影加速) | 现有奥术施法等级+1 |
6 | +3 | +5 | +2 | +2 | 阴影之魂 | 现有奥术施法等级+1 |
本职技能(2+智力调整值):唬骗,专注,手艺,文书解读,躲藏,威吓,知识(神秘),知识(位面),知识(宗教),专业,潜行,辨识法术,使用魔法装置
剧透 - :
Table: The Escalation Mage Hit Dice: D4
Level Base Attack Bonus Fort Save Ref Save Will Save Special Spellcasting
1st +0 +2 +0 +0 The shade within +1 level of existing arcane spellcasting class
2nd +1 +3 +0 +0 Escalation (shadow focus) +1 level of existing arcane spellcasting class
3rd +1 +3 +1 +1 Escalation (shadow power) +1 level of existing arcane spellcasting class
4th +2 +4 +1 +1 Escalation (shadow growth) +1 level of existing arcane spellcasting class
5th +2 +4 +1 +1 Escalation (shadow haste) +1 level of existing arcane spellcasting class
6th +3 +5 +2 +2 Soul of shadow +1 level of existing arcane spellcasting class
Class Skills (2 + Int modifier per level): Bluff, Concentration, Craft, Decipher Script, Hide, Intimidation, Knowledge (arcana), Knowledge (the planes), Knowledge (religion), Profession, Sense Motive, Spellcraft, and Use Magic Device.
职业特征 Class Features当你提升等级时,你将学习如何借用阴影的力量来增进你的施法能力。
施法能力:在每一个阴影超魔使等级,每日法术数量和施法者等级(以及可知法术,如果有的话)会提升,就好像你在进阶之前的奥术施法职业上升级了一样。你不获得其他的职业特性。如果你在进阶阴影超魔使之前有不止一个奥术施法职业,你可以决定将你的阴影超魔使等级加在哪个职业等级上来决定每日法术位、施法者等级和可知法术。
内心之影(Ex):当你初次踏入阴影超魔使之路时,你汲取阴影的力量以准备在一条危险的道路上前进。在第一级,你永久地获得生命值,数值等同于1+你的魅力调整值(至少1点)。在接下来每个等级,你都获得1点额外生命值。例如一名5级阴影超魔使将获得5+魅力调整值(至少5点)的额外生命值。
阴影超魔(Su):求助于阴影对奥术的掌握,你将自己置于危险之中以换取力量。从第二级开始,你学会了如何模仿超魔专长的力量用在你的法术上。阴影超魔不会增加你的法术等级或施法时间。你掌握的阴影超魔越多,你的法术就越强大,但是你冒的风险也越大。你每天能使用阴影超魔的次数等于职业等级。
使用该能力是一个迅捷动作,除非有特殊说明。并且它只对你在1轮内施展的下一个法术有效。你只能在一个法术上使用一项阴影超魔。你可以将阴影超魔效果与超魔专长联合使用,但这样做会带来额外的风险,因为你必须使用该法术的新等级(包含超魔效果)来决定施法者等级检定的DC(见下文)。
每种阴影超魔都需要一个难度不同的施法者等级检定。如果你在这次检定中失败了,那么这次阴影超魔依旧有效,但是阴影会向你收取一点额外的“费用”。如果你在施法者等级检定中失败了并因此而受伤,那么你就必须通过一个成功的专注检定(如同你在施法过程中受了攻击一般)或失去该法术。
阴影超魔能像作用于法术一样对类法术能力生效。
阴影集中:当你达到2级时,你解开了阴影超魔艺术的第一个秘密。你可以使有效法术等级+1,如同使用了法术升阶超魔专长,施法者等级检定的DC为10+两倍的法术等级。如果你在施法者等级检定中失败,那么你会受到每法术等级1点伤害。
阴影力量:当你达到3级时,你学会了如何强化你的法术。你可以使你的法术的所有可变数值增加到1.5倍,如同使用了法术强效超魔专长。施法者检定的DC为12+两倍的法术等级,如果你在施法者等级检定中失败,那么你会受到每法术等级2点伤害并且疲乏,轮数等于法术等级。
阴影增长:当你达到4级时,你学会了与阴影讨价还价来塑形法术,你可以使你的法术的爆发、弥漫、直线、锥形范围提升100%,如同使用了法术扩展超魔专长一样。施法者等级检定的DC为14+两倍的法术等级,如果你在施法者等级检定中失败,那么你会受到每法术等级3点伤害并且战栗,轮数等于法术等级。
阴影加速:当你达到5级时,你可以请求阴影催化你的魔法。你可以使你的施法时间不超过一整轮的法术的施法时间变为一个迅捷动作,如同使用了法术瞬发超魔专长(这项能力的动作已经包含在施法动作之中了。译注:即不需要额外的迅捷动作)。施法者等级检定的DC为16+两倍的法术等级。如果你在这次检定中失败了。你会受到每法术等级5点伤害并且
受到缓慢术效果,轮数等于法术等级。和其他阴影超魔不同,检定失败意味着没能成功施展这个法术(但你并没有失去这个法术,你依旧可以施展它。甚至你可以在同一轮使用
正常的施法时间施展它,假如你本轮还有足够的动作。)
阴影之魂(Ex):当你到达本职业的终点时,你已经渐渐理解了阴影的善变本质并且能小范围地控制阴影超魔中的可变因素。你可以每天无需施法者等级检定地使用四个能力(阴影集中,阴影力量,阴影增长,阴影加速)各一次。
这几次在职业等级授予的通常次数之外。
有一个限制:你不能将免费的阴影超魔次数用在你能施放的最高等级奥术上。例如,一个5级法师/6级阴影超魔使可以施放6环法师法术,但她只能将免费的阴影超魔用在不高于5级的法术上(而正常的阴影超魔可用在她的任何法术上。)剧透 - :
As you advance in level, you learn how to parlay with the Shadow to increase your spellcasting prowess.
Spellcasting: At each level, you gain new spells per day and an increase in caster level (and spells known, if applicable) as if you had also gained a level in an arcane spellcasting class to which you belonged before adding the prestige class level. You do not, however, gain any other benefit a character of that class would have gained. If you had more than one arcane spellcasting class before becoming an escalation mage, you must decide to which class to add each level for the purpose of determining spells per day, caster level, and spells known.
The Shade Within (Ex): When you first embark upon the path of the escalation mage, you draw strength from the Shadow to prepare for the dangerous road ahead. At 1st level, you permanently gain a number of hit points equal to 1 + your Cha modifier (minimum of 1). At each subsequent level, you gain 1 additional hit point. For example, an escalation mage who reaches 5th level would have received a total of (5 + Cha modifier, minimum 5) extra hit points.
Escalation (Su): By appealing to the arcane mastery of the Shadow, you put yourself at risk in exchange for the promise of power. Beginning at 2nd level, you learn how to instantly work such appeals into your arcane spellcasting, mimicking the effects of metamagic feats. These escalations do not actually change the spell’s level or casting time. The more escalations you master, the more powerful your spells potentially become, but the greater the risk to yourself. You can use escalation a number of times per day equal to your class level.
Using an escalation effect requires a swift action unless stated otherwise in the text below, and applies only to the next spell you cast as long as it is within 1 round. You can use only one escalation effect per spell. You can use escalation effects in conjunction with metamagic feats, but doing so involves additional risk, as you must use the spell’s new level (including the metamagic effect) to set the caster level check DC (see below).
Each escalation effect requires a caster level check of varying difficulty; if you fail the check, the escalation effect still functions, but Shadow exacts a toll from you. If you take damage as a result of failing the required check, you must also succeed on a Concentration check (as if taking damage during the casting of a spell) or lose the spell entirely.
Escalation effects can be applied to spell-like abilities just as if they were spells.
Shadow Focus: Upon reaching 2nd level, you unlock the first secret of the art of escalation. You can attempt to increase the effective level of a spell by +1, as though using the Heighten Spell metamagic feat. The caster level check DC is 10 + twice the spell’s level. If you fail the check, you immediately take 1 point of damage per level of the spell.
Shadow Power: Beginning at 3rd level, you learn to escalate the potency of your spells. You can attempt to increase all variable numeric effects of the spell by one-half, as though using the Empower Spell metamagic feat. The caster level check DC is 12 + twice the spell’s level. If you fail the check, you immediately take 2 points of damage per level of the spell and become fatigued for a number of rounds equal to the spell’s level.
Shadow Growth: Upon reaching 4th level, you learn to bargain with the Shadow to shape your magics. You can attempt to increase any numeric measurements of a burst, emanation, line, or spread spell’s area by 100%, as though using the Widen Spell metamagic feat. The caster level check DC is 14 + twice the spell’s level. If you fail the check, you immediately take 3 points of damage per level of the spell and become shaken for a number of rounds equal to the spell’s level.
Shadow Haste: By the time you reach 5th level, you can entreat the Shadow to catalyze your spellcasting. You can attempt to cast the spell with a casting time of 1 full-round action or less as a swift action, as though using the Quicken Spell metamagic feat. (The activation of this ability is subsumed within the casting time of the spell.) The caster check is DC 16 + twice the spell’s level. If you fail the check, you immediately take 5 points of damage per level of the spell and become slowed for a number of rounds equal to the spell’s level. Unlike other escalation effects, failing this check also means that the spell is not cast (though you don’t lose the spell and can attempt to cast it again using the normal casting time, assuming you have sufficient actions remaining in the round).
Soul of Shadow (Ex): At the culmination of your studies, you master enough of the Shadow’s capricious nature to exert some small measure of control over your escalations. You can employ each of your four escalations (shadow focus, shadow power, shadow growth, and shadow haste) once per day without a caster level check. These uses are in addition to those normally granted by your class level.
One restriction exists: you may not apply any free escalation to the highest level of arcane spell you are capable of casting. For example, a 5th-level wizard/6th-level escalation mage can cast 6th-level wizard spells, but can only apply her free escalation effects to spells of 5th level or lower. (Her normal escalation effects can be applied to any of her spells.)
扮演一名阴影超魔使 Playing an Escalation Mage鉴于他们的信仰和活动的性质,大多数阴影超魔使都是邪恶的。这种趋势使它们有点不适合做PC,但也并不一定要这样。无论你的道德观如何,你都真诚地崇拜阴影,不过并不一定唯一崇拜它,并且真正相信阴影比它的“创造者”奥林更优越。
你常常是一个孤独的个体,走在一条狭窄的小路上,只有学术和信仰陪伴着你。你所忍受的严酷条件也保证了阴影超魔使从来都不普遍。不过也有例外,可能会有一个专门致力于阴影力量的法师邪教。但这样的邪教很少见并且种类繁多,你们中的大多数人与其他人几乎没有任何联系,因此很难互相发现。
战斗与其他奥术施法者一样,你致力于魔法的进步,因而能成为一名强大的施法者。一般情况下,你会专注于能增强你与阴影联系的法术学派,使用符合神的口味的军事性或破坏性法术。你通常在物理战斗中很脆弱,宁愿后退并发动魔法攻击。然而,以牺牲一些精神抗性为代价,你却出奇的强健:你获得额外的生命值和更强的身体韧性。
当你在2级获得提升法术力量的能力时,你就真正进入了状态。你有能力提高你所施放的任何法术的效果,但你必须小心不要经常冒险进行阴影超魔,以免阴影要求太多代价。
在高等级,你可以成为当面最可怕的施法者之一。你的法术选择不会比其他同等级的施法者更强或更差,但你可能使任何法术更有效,而不用牺牲更高等级的法术位。到了第6级,你甚至可以在需要的时候使用这些能力而不会有受到伤害的风险。
升级很少有奥术施法者会有意识地选择将信仰融入他们的魔法技能中,但是阴影的奥术追随者知道这是获得力量的途径。你专注于与神对话而放弃了其他道路。即使如此,你并没有放弃任何魔法研究。阴影仅仅是通过信仰和偶尔的自我牺牲来实现传统的奥术掌握;它不会以任何方式取代或改变它。
随着你在这个职业上的进步,你与阴影的关系会加强,让你在发现新的阴影超魔的同时,对召唤已知阴影超魔的能力更加自信。这个过程是一种强大的宗教体验。当你达到职业的终点时,你会感觉到与你的神明有着深刻而有力的联系,就像是最虔诚的神职者一样。
一旦踏上这条道路,你根本不会想要放弃。虽然你们中的一些人会周期性的间断(通常因为过度的召唤阴影而受伤),但很少有人会选择中断他们在该职业上的进度。因为阴影永远不会要求你放弃魔法学习,哪怕是片刻,在其他职业上升级的唯一原因就是追求一条非奥术的道路。这样的个体确实存在,但很罕见。
资源作为一名阴影超魔使,当你达到一定的奥术水平时,你就可以获得你以前的职业中所有的资源。你们中的一些人与阴影神殿有着密切的联系,可以向你们的神职者同伴寻求神术帮助。除此之外,你唯一能接触到的特殊资源就是你的社团中其他阴影超魔使拥有的资源。
剧透 - :
Given the nature of their beliefs and activities, the majority of escalation mages are evil-aligned. This tendency makes them somewhat ill-suited to be PCs, but this need not be the case. Whatever your moral outlook, you worship the Shadow genuinely, if not exclusively, and truly believe in the god’s superiority to its “creator,” Aureon.
You are often a solitary individual, walking a narrow road with only scholarship and faith for companions. The rigors you endure also ensure that escalation mages are never very prevalent. An exception could be a cult of mages devoted specifically to the power of the Shadow. Such cults are rare and extremely diverse, however, and most of you have little to no affiliation with the others, making discovery difficult.
Combat
As with other arcane casters, you devote yourself to magical advancement and therefore become a powerful spellcaster. Usually, you focus on schools of magic that enhance your association with the Shadow, using spells of a martial or damaging nature, as befits the god’s tastes. You are generally weak in physical combat, preferring instead to hang back and launch magical attacks. However, at the cost of some mental resilience, you are surprisingly tough: You gain extra hit points and greater physical fortitude.
You truly come into your own at 2nd level, when you acquire the ability to escalate the power of your spells. You can potentially increase the effectiveness of any spell you cast, though you must be careful not to risk such escalation too often, lest the Shadow ask for too much in return.
At high level, you can be one of the most terrifying spellcasters to face. While your spell selection is no greater or worse than any other spellcaster of equal level, you have the potential to make any spell much more effective, without sacrificing higher-level spell slots in the process. By 6th level, you can even call upon such abilities in times of need without risk of harm.
Advancement
Few arcane spellcasters make the conscious choice to incorporate faith into their magical techniques, but arcane followers of the Shadow know that it is the way to power. You are the result of focusing on this dialogue with the divine to the exclusion of other paths. Even so, your path does not involve forsaking any magical studies. The Shadow merely enables traditional arcane mastery through faith and occasional self-sacrifice; it doesn’t replace or alter it in any way.
As you advance in this class, your relationship to the Shadow strengthens, allowing you to uncover new escalations while growing more confident in your ability to call upon known ones. This process is a powerful religious experience. By the time you reach the culmination of the class, you feel as deep and potent a connection to your god as does even the most pious priest.
It is unthinkable for you to abandon this path once begun. While some of you take periodic breaks (often because of injury from calling upon the Shadow too much), few choose to interrupt their progression in the class. Because the Shadow would never ask you to forsake magical study, even briefly, the only reason to take levels in another class would be to pursue a nonarcane path. Such individuals exist, but they are rare.
Resources
As an escalation mage, you have access to whatever resources are common to members of your previous class by the time you’ve reached a given level of arcane mastery. Some of you are intimately connected with temples to the Shadow and can look to your priestly counterparts for divine magical assistance. Otherwise, the only special resources to which you have access are those possessed by other escalation mages in your cabal.
世界上的阴影超魔使 Escalation Mages in the World“他们是异教徒。就像所有的异教徒一样,他们会为他们的异端邪说付出代价——即使不在今生,也会在来世。”——泰勒森·芬斯特,奥林大祭司
阴影超魔使虽然很少见,但却很危险,因为他们不受特定区域或环境的限制。只要奥术力量的诱惑足够强大,阴影超魔使就会出现。有些人在其他组织甚至其他信仰的队伍中侍奉阴影(和他们自己),日常事务中根本看不出他们真正的效忠对象。在其他地区,比如在卓姆,阴影超魔使作为奥术贵族公开行动。
组织阴影超魔使没有真正的组织。但这个职业确实包括一些专注于本地影响的奥术社团。
这种奥术社团没有预先确定的结构。仅仅是一群信仰阴影的志同道合的法师聚集在一起。在这一点上,每一个社团都更像是黄泉巨龙会。在某些地区,它被称为“结社”,在另一些地方被称为“密室”,而在某些城市,它被称为“沙龙”。唯一普适的规则是:社团中最高级的法师决定政策。
大部分社团的活动取决于其基地周围的环境。有些人参与政治活动,以地下组织的形式运作,颠复地方政府,或以阴影之名传教。在荒野地带,尤其是地精类很强大的地方,社团可能会充当部落议会,甚至包括阴影的神职者。在文明地区,奥术社团只不过是一些社会团体——献身于阴影并探索其奥秘的施法者的“俱乐部”。不管它做什么,奥术社团的存在总是为了增加其成员的魔法力量,任何想要领先的法师最好能给团队提供一些东西。
因此,这种奥术社团是基于双重价值的。奥术能力是衡量地位的标准,而一个成员对社团的直接利益决定了她能得到多少援助和魔法知识。但更高的级别并不一定意味着更高的参与度。一些最高级的施法者对改善同僚的处境做得最少,因此最不愿意要求或接受援助。同样的道理,一个低级法师如果积极地帮助和改善他同伴的处境,他就会得到很多回报,甚至从那些没有直接受益的人。
NPC的反应保密是阴影超魔使的强项。普通奥术施法者和阴影超魔使表面上没什么区别(也许除了当他呼唤阴影来提高施法能力的时候)。因此,普通民众对阴影超魔使的反应就像对其他法师、术士或吟游诗人的反应一样。如果一个阴影超魔使用他的力量去恐吓和破坏,并且在这个过程中表明了他的信仰,他很可能会遭遇敌意、恐惧和怨恨。
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“They are heretics. And like all heretics, they will pay for their heresy—if not in this life, then in the next.”
—Tellerson Fenster, high priest of Aureon
Escalation mages, though rare, are dangerous because they are not restricted to a particular region or environment. Wherever the lure of arcane power is strong, the escalation mage arises. Some serve the Shadow (and themselves) from within the ranks of other organizations or even other faiths, where their true allegiances remain all but invisible in the course of day-to-day affairs. In other areas, such as in Droaam, escalation mages walk the streets as arcane nobility.
Organization
Escalation mages have no real organization. However, the class does contain arcane cabals, which concentrate local influence.
The arcane cabal has no predetermined structure. It is simply a gathering of like-minded mages who put their faith in the Shadow. In this regard, each cabal is more akin to a cult of the Dragon Below than anything else. In some areas, it is known as a “ring,” in others a “cell,” and in certain city-based cases, a “salon.” The only rule that applies across the board is that might makes right: The most advanced mage in the cabal determines policy.
Much of a given cabal’s activity depends on the circumstances surrounding its foundation. Some are very politically involved and operate as underground cells, subverting the local government or predominant faith in the Shadow’s name. In wilder areas, particularly where the goblinoid races are strong, a cabal might act as tribal council and even contain priests of the Shadow. In more civilized venues, arcane cabals are little more than social groups— “clubs” of spellcasters devoted to the Shadow and to exploring its mysteries. Whatever else it does, the arcane cabal always exists to increase the magical might of its members, and any individual mage who wants to get ahead had better have something to offer the group.
The arcane cabal is thus doubly merit-based. Not only is arcane mastery the gauge by which status is measured, but a member’s direct benefit to the cabal determines how much aid and magical learning she can expect to receive. Higher level does not always equate to higher involvement, however. Some of the most advanced spellcasters do the least to better their colleagues’ situations and thus are the least inclined to require or receive aid. By the same token, a lower-level mage who actively assists and betters his fellows is likely to receive a great deal in return, even from those who did not benefit directly.
NPC Reactions
Secrecy is a strength of the escalation mage. Nothing outwardly distinguishes an ordinary arcane caster from an escalation mage (except, perhaps, when he calls on the Shadow to boost his spellcasting). Thus, common citizens react to an escalation mage much as they would to any other wizard, sorcerer, or bard. If an escalation mage uses his powers to terrify and destroy, and makes his allegiance known in the process, he is likely to be met with hostility, fear, and resentment.
阴影超魔使的传闻 Escalation Mage Lore有知识(宗教)或逸闻知识的人物可以研究阴影超魔使来了解更多。当一个角色进行了成功的技能检定或逸闻知识检定时,阅读或解释以下内容,包括下列DC决定的信息。
DC 10:一些奥术施法者向阴影祈祷,希望能赢得青睐。
DC 15:最虔诚的奥术师得到了他们的祈祷的回应,偶尔在他们的施法中获得了巨大的力量,虽然经常要付出可怕的代价。
DC 20:这些阴影力量的爆发被称为“阴影超魔”,一些法师毕生致力于发现和掌握它们。
任何人看到阴影超魔的人可以尝试DC 25知识(神秘)检定或DC 20知识(宗教)检定,以确定施法者是阴影最青睐的奥术门徒之一。
游戏中的阴影超魔使 Escalation Mages in the Game玩家角色不需要意识到他们遇到了阴影超魔使,直到你觉得时机成熟。即使PC知道他们在和一个崇拜阴影的奥术施法者打交道,他们也不能确定他实际上是一名阴影超魔使,除非他们看到他在战斗中使用了阴影超魔。阴影超魔使也提供了很好的叙事背景,使创造了对抗共同敌人的有趣盟友,或者长战役的幕后策划者。
和其他奥术施法者一样,阴影超魔使在前线的战斗能力很差,DM应该确保任何以阴影超魔使为特色的遭遇都能与PC保持适当的距离,至少在最初。使用较低级别的地面部队来充当充当掩体或炮灰——亡灵总是很适合阴影。
改变虽然阴影超魔使的理念和方法与阴影有明显的联系,但这个职业可以很容易地适应其他信仰甚至完全不同的设定。“以代价换取力量”的观念很典型,并不一定需要对神的崇拜。例如,这个职业可以聚焦于大魔。
范例遭遇独特的信仰和奥术能力的混合使阴影超魔使成为任何游戏中有趣的补充,无论是作为盟友还是对手。
等效等级10:被称为阴影之狼的半兽化人法师完全献身于和他同名的神。他在终末战争结束时遇见了阴影,在黑暗之神那里看到了一个克服弱点的方法,这个弱点导致他的战友在战争中丧生,他成了唯一一个充满内疚的幸存者。从那时起,他努力消除自己所有的内疚感和软弱感,尽管他对阴影超魔的鲁莽使用暴露出悲伤仍然牢牢地钉在他的心上。洛沃斯似乎盼望着死亡——这种印象与事实相差不远。
洛沃斯,阴影之狼 挑战等级9男性疾行半兽化人术士6级/阴影超魔使3级 混乱中立 中型类人生物(变形生物亚种)
(后面的摸了。Grp+4是擒抱+4)
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Player characters need not realize that they have encountered an escalation mage until you feel the time is right. And even if the PCs know they are dealing with an arcanist who worships the Shadow, they cannot be sure he is actually an escalation mage until they see him use escalations in combat. Escalation mages also provide great narrative context, making equally interesting temporary allies against shared foes, or hidden masterminds behind long-term campaigns.
Like other arcane spellcasters, escalation mages make poor front-line fighters, and the DM should ensure that any encounter featuring an escalation mage provides proper distance from the PCs, at least initially. Use lower-level ground troops to act as blockers or fodder—undead are always a good fit with the Shadow.
Adaptation
Although the concept and methods of the escalation mage clearly link it to the Shadow, the class can easily be adapted to suit other faiths or even entirely different settings. The idea of “power at a price” is an archetypal one and need not necessarily require deity worship. The class could work just as well with an archfiend as its focus, for example.
Sample Encounter
Its peculiar mix of faith and arcane mastery makes the escalation mage an interesting addition to any game, whether as ally or antagonist.
EL 10: The shifter mage known as the Shadow of the Wolf is devoted utterly to his divine namesake. He sought out the Shadow at the close of the Last War, seeing in the dark god a way to overcome the weakness that had resulted in the deaths of his battalion-mates in combat, leaving him the sole, guilt-ridden survivor. Since then, he has endeavored to erase all sense of both guilt and weakness in himself, though his reckless use of escalations betrays the sadness still anchored to his heart. Lovos seems to have a death wish—this impression is not far from the truth.
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LOVOS, THE SHADOW OF THE WOLF CR 9Male longstride shifter sorcerer 6/escalation mage 3 CN Medium humanoid (shapechanger)
Init +2; Senses low-light vision; Listen +2, Spot +1
Languages Common, Gnome
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AC 15, touch 12, flat-footed 13 (+2 Dex, +3 armor)
hp 51 (9 HD); DR 2/silver when shifting
Fort +10, Ref +5, Will +7
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Speed 30 ft. (6 squares); 50 ft. when shifting
Melee +1 spear +5 (1d8+1/×3)
Ranged light crossbow +6 (1d8/19–20)
Base Atk +4; Grp +4
Atk Options shifting 2/day (9 rounds)
Special Actions escalation (shadow focus), escalation (shadow power)
Sorcerer Spells Known (CL 9th):
4th (4/day)—dimension door, enervation (+6 ranged touch)
3rd (6/day)—dispel magic, fly, lightning bolt (DC 15)
2nd (7/day)—invisibility, Melf ’s acid arrow (+6 ranged touch), protection from arrows, see invisibility
1st (7/day)—endure elements, disguise self, magic missile, ray of enfeeblement (+6 ranged touch), shield
0 (6/day)—acid splash (+6 ranged touch), detect magic, flare, light, message, open/close, resistance, touch of fatigue (+6 ranged touch, DC 12)
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Abilities Str 10, Dex 14 (16 when shifting), Con 16, Int 11, Wis 11, Cha 14
Feats Great Fortitude, Healing Factor*, Longstride Elite*, Scribe ScrollB, Shifter Defense*
Skills Balance +4, Climb +2, Concentration +8, Hide +4, Jump +2, Knowledge (arcana) +6, Knowledge (religion) +3, Listen +2, Move Silently +3, Spellcraft +2, Spot +1
Possessions bracers of armor +3, +1 spear, light crossbow, amulet of health +2, periapt of Wisdom +2