Maiden of the Crow (3.5e Prestige Class)


 * Note: This class has a Wizard Level of balance only because it uses my variant rules for vampires. If the default rules for vampires are used with this class, this class can be placed at a Rogue Level of balance. That is my opinion anyway. The vampire overhaul is incomplete, but only in a few areas. The Aundae Bloodline that this prestige class uses is complete, and should be usable.

Maiden of the Crow
"Our attachments to the world serve as chains that hold our minds back from their true power. Only through spiritual enlightenment and a complete understanding of magic can we aspire to the ranks of the gods."

The Maidens of the Crow is an esoteric and eccentric cult of witches. A Maiden devotes herself to the study of knowledge of all things magic for the purposes of enlightenment and self-improvement. She devotes herself equally, if not more so, to the mysterious leader of their order, Madam Crow. Madam Crow teaches that, through the combination of both arcane and divine magic, coupled with time and detachment from the world, one can achieve spiritual apotheosis. The Maidens of the Crow are her followers, and wield powerful magic in her name. Maidens are almost invariably Witch/Clerics, Wizard/Clerics, and the occasional Sorcerer/Cleric. Few others meet their strict requirements. Druids who multiclass as an arcane spellcaster may meet their requirements, but few ever consider taking the path to undeath. Bards are unwelcome and untrusted among The Maidens. The Maidens of the Crow distrust males most of all, and only females may join their order. This distrust stems from Madam Crow’s extreme prejudice towards males in general. Maidens are obsessed with knowledge and power, as such, many often take levels in the Loremaster class.


 * Note: See DMG PG 175 for details on the Witch class.

Becoming a Maiden of the Crow
Madam Crow founded this order over four thousand years before her ascension. Little is known about them. They are mysterious, reclusive, and quite eccentric. The Maidens are a psuedo-religious occultic coven of witches seeking “enlightenment”. They have strict requirements and a few tests to join their order. To join, one must meet the following requirements: Must be female. Must be an Aundae vampire (if the witch is still living, but all other requirements are met then the witch will simply be embraced by a Maiden). Must be a virgin. Must be at least 30 years old (or the equivalent of whatever race the witch belongs to), younger witches will be taken in as handmaidens. After the witch reaches 30 years old (or the equivalent of whatever race the witch belongs to) they will be received as a full-fledged member. Must complete the initiation tests.

The first test is finding their initiation grounds, the location of which is unknown. It is believed that the location is hidden within “The Way of the Crow*”; A cryptic text written by Madam Crow herself before she founded The Maidens of the Crow. The second test is simply a size-up by a Maiden of sufficient rank. If the Maiden believes the witch to be worthy of joining, then they will give them the third test. The third test varies, but always involves some form of quest. Should the aspiring witch complete their task, they will be given the fourth test. The fourth test requires the witch to renounce all ties with their family; The Maidens of the Crow are her new family. Afterwards, the witch will be given one final test. The witch must swear an oath of chastity and an oath of loyalty to Madam Crow. Should the Maiden ever break her oaths willingly, she is cursed by Madam Crow. After all this, the witch will be accepted into The Maidens. The Maidens see Madam Crow as a mother figure and themselves as her children. One notable aspect about The Maidens is that they do not have bat-like wings and instead their wings are crow like. Similarly, Maidens cannot control bats but they can control crows in the same manner. Little else is known about them, their activities, or their goals


 * Many copies of The Way of the Crow exist. When their purpose is discerned by a good aligned church, and some neutral aligned churches, they are typically outlawed by the local authorities. A character who finds a copy, or buys one (usually no more than 100gp, depending on the merchant), they may attempt to decipher it. A successful DC 30 Decipher Script will reveal the location of the Maiden’s initiation grounds. The text is non-magical, but the knowledge therein grants the reader the feat Spell Focus (Evocation) on a successful DC 20 Decipher Script.

The Maiden of the Crow’s class skills (and the key ability for each skill) are Bluff (Cha), Concentration (Con), Craft (alchemy) (Int), Decipher Script (Int), Hide (Dex), Knowledge (all skills taken individually) (Int), Move Silently (Dex), Spellcraft (Int), and Use Magic Device (Cha)

Skill Points at Each Level: 2 + Int modifier.

Class Features
''All the following are class features of the Maiden of the Crow

Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Maidens of the Crow gain no proficiency with any weapon or armor.

Spells per Day/Spells Known:  When a new Maiden of the Crow level is gained, the character gains new spells per day (and spells known, if applicable) as if she had also gained a level in whatever arcane and divine spellcasting classes in which she could cast 2nd-level spells before she added the prestige class level. She does not, however, gain any other benefit a character of that class would have gained. If a character had more than one arcane and divine spellcasting classes in which she could cast 2nd-level spells before she became a Maiden of the Crow, she must decide to which class she adds each level of Maiden of the Crow for the purpose of determining spells per day. She adds one level to one arcane spellcaster class and one divine spell caster class. She gains a +1 bonus to the caster level of the classes selected each time they are selected.

Familiar: A character’s levels in Maiden of the Crow stack with her levels in whatever arcane spellcasting class she had before for the purpose of determining the strength of her familiar. If she previously did not have access to a familiar, she now has the ability to summon a familiar, with her Maiden of the Crow level determining the strength of the familiar.

Bonus Feat: The Maiden gains a bonus feat at 1st, 4th, and 8th level. The Maiden selects a bonus feat as a wizard.

Crow Affinity: The Maiden loses her ability to command and control bats (she retains her ability to command and control rats). If she is a Category B Aundae Vampire, she also loses her ability to sprout bat-like wings. She gains the ability to command and control crows in the same manner as she previously controlled bats. She gains the ability to sprout crow-like wings. This ability works in the same manner as a Category B Vampire’s flight ability, except that Category C Vampires gain it as well. Category C Vampires still cannot fly without their wings, as Category B Vampires can, and do not fly at double speed with their wings out, as Category B Vampires do. At 3rd level, the Maiden may use her wings as a secondary natural weapon. Each wing deals damage as her claw attack, but they do not bestow negative levels. At 5th level, the Maiden may use her wings to launch several razor-sharp feathers as an additional secondary natural weapon. The attack strikes as a ranged touch attack and deals 1d6 damage and +1 damage for each level she has in Maiden of the Crow. The feathers are magical in nature and strike as a +1 magic weapon for the purpose of overcoming damage reduction. The range for this attack is 10ft and +5ft for every level she has in Maiden of the Crow.

Enlightenment: Starting at 2nd level, and every 2 levels thereafter, the Maiden gains a +1 perfection bonus to all Knowledge (arcana), Knowledge (religion), and Spellcraft checks, and on all opposed caster level checks, and to the DC of all her spells.

Playing a Maiden of the Crow
Adventure: A Maiden is primarily concerned with increasing her own knowledge and power and with serving her order. Few ever travel far from their coven, preferring the company of her fellow Maidens. Still, a Maiden might travel in search of secret knowledge, or she might be on a task assigned by a higher ranking member. The path to power certainly benefits from adventuring, so a Maiden might find herself called to travel, if only for the sake of power.

Characteristics: Maidens are all female Aundae vampires. They tend to be secretive and eccentric. A Maiden could easily pass as a Mystic Theurge.

Races: Any race capable of gaining the vampire template can become a maiden of the crow, provided they are female and meet all other requirements.

Combat: A Maiden has a wide array of spells at her disposal. Her flexibility allows her to adapt to many situations. She prefers to keep her distance, taking enemies out with her spells. As a vampire, she isn’t totally helpless in melee combat, but ultimately she is a caster, and it would be unwise to let enemies get too close.

Advancement: Maidens have already taken levels in at least 3 classes. Further division can hinder their development if they are not careful. Still, Maidens frequently take levels in the Loremaster class. Other classes that improve their spellcasting abilities, such as Archmage, aid them as well.

Resources: The Maidens of the Crow are an organized group of witches with several covens placed across the world. As this sisterhood has a deep sense of loyalty and are not motivated by monetary gain, Maidens enjoy free access to many spell components and tomes of knowledge. A Maiden can call on her sisters for aid in research, battle, or all manner of things. A Maiden is expected to do her part for the coven and obey her superiors, but can otherwise expect to have the backing of several witches, some of which may be more powerful than her.

Religion: The Maidens of the Crow worship Madam Crow. They revere no other deity. As undead, they are often weary of clerics of any alignment, with the exception of other Maidens, who would never rebuke her sisters. They are especially weary of Paladins, understandably.

Daily Life: Maidens spend most of their time studying magic and esoteric knowledge. If they aren't lost in their books, they are performing some task for the local coven.

Other Classes: A Maiden of the Crow rarely travels with others, aside from other Maidens. Should she find herself in an adventuring party, she may support them with her wide array of spells. She can’t spontaneously cast cure spells, as she is undead, so she does not normally take the roll of the party healer. She works well with Fighters, Rangers, and Barbarians, who can keep enemies away from her. She is loath to join a party with a Paladin or Cleric. She distrusts Bards, but values their guile, just as she values the subtly of a rogue.

Role-Playing a Maiden: You have renounced all ties with your former friends, family, and life. The Maidens of the Crow are your new family, and they have welcomed you with open arms. They are your sisters and most trusted friends. Above all else, you serve Madam Crow, and look up to her as a mother figure. You especially hate males, considering them to be inferior to females. As a vampire, you are faced with many challenges, but the call to further your knowledge and power is not something you can ignore. If you are not busy with the activities of your coven, you are lost in musty tomes and scrolls. Should you find yourself on the adventuring trail, you probably seek hidden lore in ancient ruins and decaying crypts. You have to take care that others do not learn of your vampiric state, lest they bring their wrath down upon you.

Maidens of the Crow in the World
"She was the strangest wizard I had ever seen, and believe me when I say that I’ve seen some strange ones. She looked so young, but her eyes carried the weight of an ageless wisdom. Imagine my surprise when I learned what she really was."

NPC Reactions: Most who encounter a Maiden think she is simply another eccentric wizard. A Maiden can easily be mistaken for a Mystic Theurge. The local temple is sometimes suspicious of her, believing, correctly, that she is a witch. Those who discover her vampiric nature usually raise a cry of alarm, gaining the attention of the local authorities. If not, they probably just run away.

Maiden of the Crow Lore
Characters with ranks in Knowledge (arcana) or Knowledge (religion) can research The Maidens of the Crow to learn more about them. When a character makes a skill check, read or paraphrase the following, including information from lower DCs.

Maiden of the Crow in the Game
Adaptation: The Maidens of the Crow are very secretive. It is entirely possible that the PCs, a community, or even an entire nation has never heard of them before. The Maidens of the Crow use my vampire overhaul, which can be found here. The vampire overhaul is incomplete. If you don’t want to use variant rules for vampires, simply use the default template, or whatever variant you are using.