Shadow Mage

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Shadow Mage is a custom path for Wizard (not specialist Evoker) or Sorcerer with Arelith specific changes.

Introduction

Arelith Shadow Mages enjoy changes that benefit their Illusion, Necromancy, and Enchantment paths at the cost of serving one of the Dieties that provide access to the Shadow Weave. This path has its own page for its unique mechanics applied on top of Wizard (not specialist Evoker) or Sorcerer. Mechanical changes are included in the #Class Mechanics on this page and explained in the #Arelith Changes section. Base mechanics can be found on NWNWiki (wizard) or (sorcerer). The #Roleplay Tips section provides suggestions for character development. Shadow Mages also have a tie to the Shadow Weave.

Class Mechanics

Requirements

Alignment restrictions: any*

Path: Shadow (Weave) Mage is a path for Wizard (not specialist Evoker) and Sorcerer characters. It can be obtained after creating your character via selection on the -path menu in the starter area, or by talking to a special Non-player-character (NPC) in-game (IG), which is strictly IG information and requires DM spawning which requires contacting DMs if it is a path you wish to pursue after character creation.

Shadow Weave

Many of the terms used when talking about "shadow" and "magic" tend to overstep their bounds. This happens because many arts and forms of power come from sources that are related in abstract ways.

Despite appearances, a Shadow Mage does not draw power from shadows, or even directly from the Plane of Shadow. In contrast to conventional mages, Shadow Mages use a mirrored variant of the Weave that is strictly controlled by Shar, the Mistress of the Night. They must usually petition and bargain with Shar and their patron Diety to even achieve access to the Shadow Weave.

* It is recommended that the character be non-good aligned when taking this path. As the powers drawn from Shar are ruinous by nature. This is not mechanically enforced but encouraged.

Class Features

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Hit die: d4

Proficiencies: Wizard (not specialist Evoker) or Sorcerer proficiencies

Skill points: 2+ int modifier ((2 + int modifier) * 4 at 1st level)

Class Skills: Wizard (not specialist Evoker) or Sorcerer

Unavailable feats: weapon specialization

Bonus feats: Wizard (not specialist Evoker) or Sorcerer

Primary saving throw(s): will

Base attack bonus: +1/2 level

Spellcasting: Arcane (spell failure from armor is a factor), intelligence or charisma based on wizard or sorcerer respectively, as the base for the path

Level Progression

Hit points rolls on Arelith are always maximum.

Wizard (not specialist Evoker) or Sorcerer progression.

Spells

Wizard (not specialist Evoker) or Sorcerer spells.

Epic Shadow Mage

Wizard (not specialist Evoker) or Sorcerer epic progression.

Arelith Changes

Change	Level	Description
Path	-	Wizard or Sorcerer. Specialist Evoker Wizards cannot become Shadow Mages as Evocation spells are barred for Shadow Mages.
Path Classes	-	Shadow (Weave) Mage is a path for Wizard (not specialist Evoker) and Sorcerer characters. It can be obtained after creating your character via selection on the -path menu in the starter area, or by talking to a special NPC IG, which is strictly IG information and requires DM spawning which requires contacting DMs if it is a path you wish to pursue after character creation.
Shadow Weave	-	A Shadow Mage uses the Shadow Weave to power their spells. This means: They cannot cast any Evocation spell and Evocation epic spells. However, they can cast Darkness. They cannot become Wild Mages (or take any other wizard/sorcerer subclass), and are not affected by Wild Magic zones. They cannot cast arcane spells if their deity is not one of the Dieties|Dieties that grant access to the Shadow Weave.
Boons	-	Shadow Mages get +2 DC on all Illusion, Enchantment and Necromancy spells. At Wizard/Sorcerer level 20, they are granted the Hide in Plain Sight feat. May take levels in Shadowdancer after obtaining 3 levels of Shadow Mage (and 5 total character levels) as an alternative to meeting the usual skill and feat requirements. Shadow Mages don't gain sneak dice from their Shadow. Instead, they gain 1 caster level for every Shadowdancer class level Notice: Some advise this is not a viable class combination.
Shadowdancer caster level and Sorcerer	-	Levels in Shadowdancer grant arcane caster levels but does not grant bonus spell slots for Wizard, or bonus/known spells for Sorcerer. This means that a 4 Sorcerer / 10 Shadowdancer would cast spells at caster level 14 but would only have access to circle 2 Sorcerer spells, same as level 4 Sorcerer. Taking 20 levels in Sorcerer either first, or after 10 levels in Shadowdancer would result in the same number of known spells as a level 20 Sorcerer.

Roleplay Tips

See Shadow Weave details.

External Links

Information about shadow mage available on FRwiki.