Animal Soul (3.5e Prestige Class)

= Animal Soul =

Those with the power to transform sometimes feel a kinship with certain animals. Perhaps it was a childhood memory, or a past life, but they feel the blood of beasts in their veins. Taking a hold of this power within they use they're transformations until they eventually permanently join with the aspect of animals they possess.

Prerequisites
Base Attack Bonus: +4

Feats: Animal Affinity

Skills: Survival 4 ranks, Handle Animal 4 ranks, Knowledge (Nature) 9 ranks

Special: Must have access to either Wild Shape or a form of polymorph which allows them to turn into their chosen animal.

Class Features
All the following are class features of the Animal Soul:


 * Chosen Animal

At the beginning of this class an Animal Soul chooses a patron animal to follow and eventually turn into. This cannot be changed. The example animals are Eagle, Bull, Turtle, Bear, Tiger, Rabbit, Wolf, Lion, Cat, Fox, and Snake. Additional animals may be constructed by the DM following this format.

The Animal Soul form is an anthromorphic form between human and the animal. This form effectively has the original scores of the creature, in addition to the benefits of this class. Until 10th level, when the Animal Soul turns into their anthromorphic form for good, all Animal Soul class abilities apply only when in the appropriate anthromorphic form, with exception to the bonus spells, BAB, and saves gained from this class.

In addition, depending on the animal chosen, you also add the following skills as class skills.


 * Bonus Spells

Animal Souls gain bonus spells as they gain levels in this prestige class, as if from having a high ability score, as given on Table: The Animal Soul. A bonus spell can be added to any level of spells the Animal Soul already has the ability to cast.

If a character has more than one spellcasting class, he must decide to which class he adds each bonus spell as it is gained. Once a bonus spell has been applied, it cannot be shifted.

While new spells per day and new spell levels are not gained with this class, this class counts as far as determining your caster level for the class which gains the bonus spells.


 * Wild Empathy

An Animal Soul can improve the attitude of an animal. This ability functions just like a Diplomacy check made to improve the attitude of a person. The Animal Soul rolls 1d20 and adds her Animal Soul level and her Charisma modifier to determine the wild empathy check result. If the Animal is related to the Chosen Animal (such as a cat and a lion) they gain a +2 circumstance bonus to their roll. If it is the exact same animal (a bear to a bear) the bonus is +4.

The typical domestic animal has a starting attitude of indifferent, while wild animals are usually unfriendly. Animals of the exact same type as the Chosen Animal will also be indifferent normally.

To use wild empathy, the Animal Soul and the animal must be able to study each other, which means that they must be within 30 feet of one another under normal conditions. Generally, influencing an animal in this way takes 1 minute but, as with influencing people, it might take more or less time.

An Animal Soul can also use this ability to influence a magical beast with an Intelligence score of 1 or 2, but she takes a -4 penalty on the check.

This ability stacks with Wild Empathy from other classes.


 * Speak With Chosen Animal

At will the Animal Soul may use Speak with Animals with any animal of the same type as them. Wolves may speak to all canines for example (wolves, dogs, wild dogs), cats can speak to any feline (cats, lions, tigers), and so forth.


 * Claws and Bite

At 2nd level the Animal Soul gains the bite and claw/slam attacks appropriate to their animal. They may choose either two claws/slams at 1d4 damage, or one bite at 1d6 damage. This is the damage given for Medium creatures, for small it is 1d3 for claws and 1d4 for bite attacks.


 * Animal Powers

As the Animal Soul grows they get to tap into more and more powers of their chosen animal. The powers vary wildly, but all are gained at levels 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10.


 * Extended Morph

The Animal Soul's ability to transform, either by Wild Shape, polymorph, or similar, now acts as if it were under the Extend Metamagic feat, doubling the time it lasts.


 * Ability Boosts

At levels 4, 7, and 10 you gain boosts to your ability scores. They are classified as Primary and Secondary, as each animal has a different ability boosted. Please refer to the chart below for details. By level 10, the primary ability will have gained +4 and the secondary, +2.


 * Pack Leader

The Animal Soul is treated as having the Leadership feat when dealing with animals of their own kind. If in the event of battle and fighting with animals of their own kind, they can grant a +2 morale boost to attack rolls and damage to all within 30' of the Animal Soul. Likewise if fighting against those of her kind they make inflict a -2 morale penalty to attack rolls and damage. Enemies get a Will save, DC (10 + Animal Soul class level + Cha modifier).


 * Unlimited Morph

At 7th level one can polymorph or Wild Shape into your Animal Soul form at will as a full round action.


 * Mark Of The Animal

At 9th level the Animal Soul manifests a physical permanent sign of their change, which persists in their natural state. The part and benefit varies. See the table for each animal.


 * Animal Apotheosis

At 10th level the Animal Soul finally binds to their animal and becomes anthromorphic. Her type changes to Monstrous Humanoid.

Class Features
All the following are class features of the Epic Animal Soul


 * Ability Boosts

At levels 4, 7, and 10 you gain boosts to your ability scores. They are classified as Primary and Secondary, as each animal has a different ability boosted. Please refer to the chart below for details. By level 10, the primary ability will have gained +4 and the secondary, +2.


 * Bonus Feats

The epic animal soul gains a bonus feat (selected from the list of epic animal soul bonus feats) every three levels higher than 20th.

Epic Animal Soul Bonus Feat List

Armor Skin, Blinding Speed, Damage Reduction, Energy Resistance, Epic Dodge, Epic Endurance, Epic Prowess, Epic Reflexes, Epic Speed, Epic Toughness, Epic Will, Fast Healing, Great Charisma, Great Constitution, Great Dexterity, Great Intelligence, Great Strength, Great Wisdom, Improved Combat Casting, Improved Combat Reflexes, Keen Strike, Legendary Climber, Legendary Leaper, Legendary Tracker, Legendary Wrestler, Penetrate Damage Reduction, Perfect Health, Self-Concealment, Superior Initiative.