Abstruse Cardshark (3.5e Class)

Summary::A versatile caster with a casting system much like the Crusader's. This one uses actual suits. Length::20 Minimum Level::1 Base Attack Bonus Progression::Poor Fortitude Save Progression::Poor Reflex Save Progression::Good Will Save Progression::Good Class Ability:Alternate Magic Class Ability Progression::Full

Allowed Alignments::Lawful Good Allowed Alignments::Lawful Neutral Allowed Alignments::Lawful Evil Allowed Alignments::Neutral Good Allowed Alignments::Neutral Allowed Alignments::Neutral Evil Allowed Alignments::Chaotic Good Allowed Alignments::Chaotic Neutral Allowed Alignments::Chaotic Evil

Abstruse Cardshark
The Abstruse Cardshark is a channeler of the powerful energies of a well-shuffled deck.

Making a Abstruse Cardshark
The Abstruse Cardshark has much of the advantages of a more conventional caster, but none of the practicality.

Abilities: Wisdom and Charisma are required for effective casting practices. Intelligence and Dexterity can give your Abstruse Cardshark other capacities.

Races: Halflings, Elves, and Gnomes are particularly likely to join in this class, due to its abstruse and sly nature.

Alignment: Any.

Starting Gold: 100; 4d4&times;10 gp

Starting Age: Moderate

Class Features
All of the following are class features of the Abstruse Cardshark.

Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Abstruse Cardsharks are proficient with Daggers, Darts, Throwing Cards, and light armor, although they suffer from arcane spell failure while wearing it.

After a full 8-hour rest, the Abstruse Cardshark summons sequential sets of cards from up to four different suits. In order to summon a higher card, he must have the card immediately lower to it in his deck, of the same suit (with the exception of the Ace, of course, since it's the lowest). He cannot summon more than one of each card. He then shuffles those cards together, says some magical words on them, and draws a number of cards equal to his maximum hand size (normally his Base Hand Size plus his Charisma modifier).

The Abstruse Cardshark can only play cards that are in his hand. Whenever he plays a card, that card disappears in a puff of smoke and he may draw a new card from the deck as a move action (unless he has Quick Draw or some other such ability). It is physically impossible to draw a card from the deck while there are a number of cards equal to his maximum hand size out of it.

Playing a card is a spell-like ability.

Although the Ace is listed as both Ace (Low) and Ace (High), there is only one of it per suit (the Ace), and which effect you want to make happen is up to you when you play it from your hand (although, of course, you can't choose to play it as an Ace (High) until you reach level 18.)

The Save DCs for an Abstruse Cardshark's cards are equal to 10 + half his Hit Dice + his Wisdom modifier.

To do so, he shuffles his hand into his deck and draws up to his maximum hand size as a full-round action.

Epic Abstruse Cardshark
"I declare war."

Cards: The Abstruse Cardshark's maximum hand size increases by 1 every even numbered level.

He ignores all XP and component costs for that card, and casts it as a swift action.







He then shuffles the deck.

Gokiburi Abstruse Cardshark Starting Package
Weapons: Dagger or dart.

Skill Selection: Pick a number of skills equal to 4 + Int modifier.

Feat: Skill Focus (Sleight of Hand).

Gear: Leather armor, deck of ordinary playing cards.

Gold: 70.

Deck: Rainbows (Ace), Crystals (Ace), Flames (Ace), and Scripts (Ace).

Campaign Information
"I have not invented a "new style," composite, modified or otherwise that is set within distinct form as apart from "this" method or "that" method. On the contrary, I hope to free my followers from clinging to styles, patterns, or molds. Remember that ["cards"] is merely a name used, a mirror in which to see "ourselves". . . [Card-playing] is not an organized institution that one can be a member of. Either you understand or you don't, and that is that."

Playing an Abstruse Cardshark
Religion: Abstruse Cardsharks are more likely than other casters to worship a deity, particularly one that influences luck.

Other Classes: Abstruse Cardsharks are looked down upon by Wizards and Clerics for their idiotic casting method. Bards tend to see more similarity with them.

Combat: Abstruse Cardsharks tend to throw out spells continuously, in the hopes that they will draw one appropriate to the situation.

Advancement: Abstruse Cardsharks are casters, so they are a real pain to multiclass.

Abstruse Cardsharks in the World
"How's this Nine of Rainbows going to help me fight an army of rabid blind monks? It'll just make me blind too!"

Abstruse Cardsharks often become prophets, fortunetellers, and gamblers.

Daily Life: An ordinary Abstruse Cardshark gambler might use the Four of Rainbows to steal some poor gamblers' money, or the Seven of Crystals to smuggle people across borders.

Notables: Ilobmit Tsaginarsa, famous savior of the rotting, generally ignored flying city of Sucifirakiabilasli.

Organizations: Most con men don't organize very strongly, and more often than not end up turning on one another when the pot gets too tempting.

NPC Reactions: Abstruse Cardsharks have established a reputation of being cardsharks and con men, so NPC's are unlikely to regard them with a great deal of respect, nor trust.

Abstruse Cardshark Lore
Characters with ranks in Knowledge (Arcana) can research Abstruse Cardsharks to learn more about them. When a character makes a skill check, read or paraphrase the following, including information from lower DCs.

Abstruse Cardsharks in the Game
Abstruse Cardsharks fulfill the caster role.

Adaptation: The Tarot Mage, who is functionally identical. The Abstruse Dicemonger, who gets different spells on different rolls of colored d6's.