Forester Prestige Class
by Roger LV Girtman IICenturies ago, far-sighted Thyatian emperors made pacts of peace with the Vyalia elves of the western Dymrak Forest; the elves began teaching their forest spells to selected men and women called Foresters, who learned both to fight and wield magic in the fashion of the elves. These humans, who had an affinity for the elven way of life, were adopted into Greenheight clans in a ceremony invoking the elves’ Immortal Patron Ilsundal.
So, for 500 years there have been a class of foresters in the Vyalia woods. Foresters are few in number; there are only a few hundred of them. But because they combine magic-use and martial prowess using methods that no other humans use, yet do not appear different from other humans, they are effective as adventurers and spies.
Hit Die: 1d6
REQUIREMENTS
To qualify to become a Forester, a character must fulfil all of the following criteria.
Race: Human (or Half-elf)
Speak Language: Elfin (any dialect)
Base Attack Bonus: +6, or Spells: Ability to cast 3rd-level arcane spells
Special: The character must be adopted into the Vyalia clan of Forest Elves in a special ceremony. At the DM’s option, the adoption ceremony may be provided by any Sylvan or Forest Elf clan.
CLASS SKILLS
The Forester’s class skills (and the key ability for each) are Climb (Str), Concentration (Con), Craft (Int), Handle Animal (Cha), Heal (Wis), Hide (Dex), Jump (Str), Knowledge (nature) (Int), Listen (Wis), Move Silently (Dex), Profession (Wis), Ride (Dex), Search (Int), Spot (Wis), and Survival (Wis).
Skill Points at Each Level: 4 + Int modifier.
Table 1-X: Forester
BAB: Moderate
Fort: Poor
Ref: Good
Will: Poor
| Level | Special | Spells per Day |
| 1 | Elven Magical Training, Elf-kin | — |
| 2 | -- | +1 arcane spellcaster level |
| 3 | Woodwise | +1 arcane spellcaster level |
| 4 | Bonus Feat | +1 arcane spellcaster level |
| 5 | Trance | +1 arcane spellcaster level |
| 6 | -- | +1 arcane spellcaster level |
| 7 | Armoured Casting | +1 arcane spellcaster level |
| 8 | Bonus Feat | +1 arcane spellcaster level |
| 9 | -- | +1 arcane spellcaster level |
| 10 | Absolute Trust | — |
CLASS FEATURES
All of the following are features of the Forester prestige class.
Weapon and Armour Proficiency: Foresters are taught how to fight in the elven style. He receives the Martial Weapon Proficiency feats for the longsword, rapier, longbow (including composite longbow), and shortbow (including composite shortbow) as bonus feats. Foresters also gain Light Armour Proficiency and Shield proficiency feats if he did not already have them.
Spellcasting: At each level except first and tenth, foresters gain new spells per day and an increase in caster level (and spells known, if applicable) as if he had also gained a level in an arcane casting class to which he belonged before adding the prestige class level. He does not gain any other class feature a character of that class would have gained.
If the forester previously had no arcane casting class, he is taught arcane magic as a wizard of three levels lower than his forester level. For example, a fifth level forester would have the caster level and spells per day of a second level wizard (not counting Elven Magical Training, see below). Minimum intelligence scores for casting spells still apply as normal.
Elven Magical Training: Foresters are taught some of the secrets of elven magic. At first level, a forester receives the Elven Magical Training feat as a bonus feat. The cantrips provided by this feat are in addition to any zero-level spells per day the character might have.
Elf-kin: Due to the foresters’ affinity for the elven way of life, he receives a +1 circumstance bonus on all Cha-based skills and ability checks when dealing with elves and elf-friendly creatures (such as the fey or other sylvan creatures). Likewise, when dealing with creatures that are less-than-friendly, if not outright hostile, towards elves (such as orcs and some dwarves) the forester receives a -1 penalty on Cha-based skills and ability checks.
Woodwise (Ex): At third level, the forester’s affinity for the elven lifestyle has granted him the uncanny visual acuity and senses of the elves. He gains a +2 bonus on Listen, Search, and Spot checks. A forester who merely passes within 5 feet of a secret or concealed door is entitled to a Search check to notice it as if he were actively looking for it, just as an elf does.
Bonus Feat: At fourth and eighth level, a forester may select any Fighter or Metamagic Feat as a bonus feat.
Trance (Ex): Foresters of fifth level and higher have learned how to trance like an elf. He only requires four hours of deep meditation to receive the benefit normally provided by 8 hours of sleep. This ability does not provide the forester with the elven immunity to magical sleep effects.
Armoured Casting: At 7th level, the forester gains the Armoured Casting feat.
Absolute Trust: At tenth level, a forester has earned the unquestionable trust of the clan. He is taught a limited number of Elven High Magic spells. The forester learns one EHM spell for each spell level he is capable of casting. He may select any spell which is not restricted to elven Relic Keepers. He may never learn any more spells beyond that, even if he later increases his caster level.