Thursday, April 10, 2014

A to Z of Witches. I

I is for Incantatrix and Imbolc Mage

The Incantatrix is an interesting character class in the D&D game.  She began her life in the pages of Dragon Magazine (issue #90) as something akin to a "spell thief" or a magic-user that could steal spells out of the minds of other spellcasters.  When the game was updated to 3rd Edition another Incantatrix appeared.  This one, in the lands of Faerûn, became a mistress of meta-magical skills.

We even got an "OSR" version for Swords & Wizardry.

For me these are all interesting, but not what I had in mind as an Incantatrix.

Incantatrix comes from the Latin meaning "witch" or "enchantress".  Now games (and books and movies) have played pretty fast and loose with names in the past, but lets use this one to our advantage.

If the name is related to Enchantress then I would expect them to be able to cast, if not master, enchantment spells.  In Pathfinder (and most versions of D&D prior to that) have had schools of magic.  Enchantment is one of those schools.  The Incantatrix then specializes in magic from this school, more so than an Enchantress type Wizard and more so than a Witch.  Also I think I would want to throw in some Abjuration type spells as well.

I did a quick check with my spell spreadsheets and Enchantment and Abjuration spells are about 20% of all spells, 20% of witch and 20% of wizard spells too.  There are also a lot of Enchantment spells that are not Witch or Wizard. A lot of Bard ones for example.
So I am getting an idea here.

So for me an Incantatrix would need to be focused on her Enchantment and Abjuration spells, almost to the inclusion of all else.

Like the Imbolc Mage I did a while back, the Incantatrix would be a spellcasting Prestige Class.
For those not in the know, that is like Grad School.  You focus on something to the exclusion of all else.

Witch by Bloodyman88
Incantatrix

Hit Dice: d6

Requirements
To qualify as an Icantatrix, a character must fulfill all of the following criteria.

Ability: Charisma score of 16 or better.
Feat: any metamagic feat
Knowledge (arcana): 10 Ranks
Spell casting: Ability to cast 3rd level Enchantment spells; Arcane Spellcaster

Class Skills
The Incantatrix's class skills (and the key ability for each skill) are Concentration (Con), Craft (Int), Diplomacy (Cha), Handle Animal (Cha), Intimidate (Cha), Knowledge (arcana) (Int), Knowledge (nature) (Int), Knowledge (the planes) (Int), Perform (Cha), Profession (Wis), Sense Motive (Wis), Spellcraft (Int) and Use Magical Device (Cha)

Skill points at Each Level: 4 + Int modifier

Incantatrix Progression
Class Level Attack Bonus Fort Save Ref Save Will Save Special Spells per Day
1st +1 +0 +0 +2 Charm Resistance +1 level of existing class
2nd +1 +1 +0+3 xxx +1 level of existing class
3rd +2 +1 +1 +3 xxx +1 level of existing class
4th +2 +1 +1 +4 xxx +1 level of existing class
5th +3 +2 +1 +4 xxx +1 level of existing class
6th +3 +2 +2+5 xxx +1 level of existing class
7th +4 +2 +2 +5 xxx +1 level of existing class
8th+4 +3 +2 +6 xxx +1 level of existing class
9th +5 +3+3 +6 xxx +1 level of existing class
10th+5 +3 +3 +7 xxx +1 level of existing class

Class Features
All of the following are class features of the incantatrix prestige class.

Weapon & Armor Proficiency: The incantatrix only learns to use simple martial weapons. They gain no additional proficiency in armor.

Special: The Incantatrix gains special powers at each level of her progression.

Spell Use: The incantatrix continues to gain spell levels in her arcane spell class. If she has more than one arcane spell casting class then she chooses one to advance in.  The Incantatrix only gains spells, she doesn't gain extra abilities as if leveling up in that class, such as Witches' Hexes.

Charm Resistance (Su):  The incantatrix is extra resistant to the tools of her own trade.  She gains an additional bonus equal to her CHA + 1/2 her Incantatrix level bonus to saving throws against Enchantment, Charm and Compulsion magic.

xxx: Still working these out. ;)  There are some good powers for the Icantatrix, but I have not worked them all out.




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7 comments:

Tasha Duncan-Drake said...

That is such a great word, Incantatrix - I've never come across it before. Might be hard to say after you've had a few though:). I also like your definition. I have little idea what all the stats mean since I don't role play, but I find all the details fascinating.
Tasha
Tasha's Thinkings - AtoZ (Vampires)
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Mina Burrows said...

There is a ton to work out. I would think she could be formidable opponent or ally if she could steal spells.

Timothy S. Brannan said...

I love the name too. Just rolls off the tongue. I still have some work to do with her to be sure.

The Daily Bern said...

i loved playing D&D with my friends as a kid. If I had a good group I'd easily get into something like this. Met ya through the A to Z, your brand new follower, Shawn from Laughing at Life 2

Sophie Duncan said...

A grad student spellcaster - I love that mental image :)
Sophie
Sophie's Thoughts & Fumbles - A to Z Ghosts
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A Tarkabarka Hölgy said...

That reminds me of the books of Gerald Morris: "I'm not a witch. I'm an enchantress." Sounds badass in Latin. :D

@TarkabarkaHolgy from
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Jolie du Pre said...

Incantatrix. Okay, I learned something new.

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