Xenophile (3.5e Prestige Class)

Xenophile
"The things I've seen... You've no idea the things I've seen! Or... how they've changed me..."

Most beings live their whole life blissfully unaware of the aliens that dwell at the edges of the cosmos. But sometimes, the ends of the universe fold and crinkle and different artifacts find their way to the home of a myriad of different beings. Most of these artifacts are ignored, destroyed, or used as paperweights by those who have no idea at their true power. But others study their artifacts. And just as studying something changes the object being studied, so too does it change the observer...

Becoming a Xenophile
Xenophiles share a single common trait; their unhealthy fascination for all that is xenotheric in origin. As time passes and they continue to study xenotechnology, they slowly change into the creatures with whom they are so fascinated. Often the changes are at first cosmetic, and frightening for those who live in proximity to the xenophile, but sometimes the changes are abrupt and horrifying, laying waste to whole villages before the xenophile learns to control the new power under his command.

Class Features
All of the following are class features of the xenophile.

He does not, however, gain any other benefit a character of that class would have gained. If he had more than one spellcasting class before becoming a xenophile, he must decide to which class to add each level for the purpose of determining spells per day, caster level, and spells known.

Alternatively, a xenophile may choose instead to gain a bonus feat he qualifies for at the appropriate levels. This decision is made when taking the first level of the class, and cannot be changed once the first level of the prestige class is taken.

 (Ex): As he encounters new and strange phenomena that most mortals were never meant to know, the xenophile begins to change. At level 1, he finds that he no longer needs to eat nor sleep. He must still rest for eight hours at a time to regain spells, powers, and the like, but need not spend this time sleeping.

 (Ex): Even when others would encase the xenophile in stone, he stands firm as his new alien flesh changes and warps, resisting such effects. A first level xenophile gains immunity to all petrification effects.

 (Ex): At first level, the xenophile gains resistance to some of the rigors of the creatures he studies. He gains Acid Resistance 5 and Electricity Resistance 5. Both resistances improve to 10 at level 2.

 (Ex): Xenotheric metabolism is capable of yielding large amounts of biological energy that can be used for different purposes. A second level xenophile's biology begins to change appropriately, and he finds himself being able to harness this pool of energy, known as a Bio-Energy Pool. This Bio-Energy Pool can hold a maximum amount of charges equal to 3 plus the xenophile's Constitution modifier (minimum 1), and recharges at a rate of 1 charge per minute. These charges may be expended to facilitate certain special powers.

 (Ex): As the xenophile progresses in the class, he gains more and more features of the aliens which he studies so closely. At level 2, he gains one xenotheric feat he qualifies for.

 (Ex): At level 2, a xenophile is so changed that he is now considered to have the Xenotheric subtype for the purpose of gaining Xenotheric Feats.

 (Ex): At third level a xenophile is considered to have reached the pinnacle of his transformation into the type of beings he so worships. At this level, he gains the Xenotheric subtype.

 (Su): As his body changes, so does his mind, gaining new and special powers to speak with others without using his tongue. A level 3 xenophile gains Telepathy out to 100'.

 (Ex): A xenophile's body continues to change as he progresses in the class. At third level, he gains immunity to both poison and the effects of abilities with the polymorph subtype.

Playing a Xenophile
Combat: Xenophiles can fill any role in combat, depending on their class before becoming a xenophile. Their xenotheric feats allow them to be more than they once were, and their improved casting and larger selection of feats allows them a wide range of options.

Advancement: Once becoming a fully xenotheric being, the sky's the limit and the xenophile may continue progressing either in the previous class he had, or can continue in another prestige class.

Resources: Often the xenophile is a loner and must find what resources he can. However, sometimes he makes contact with xenotheric beings who feel an affinity with the changed mortal, and at times even render him assistance.

Xenophiles in the World
"Landscapes full of rock and ice where nothing could live, molten valleys of fiery waterfalls, vacuums where only the hardiest of beings can live... All these I've seen and more. And you think that would surprise me?"

Xenophiles are rare, but can be found anywhere in the world. Anywhere that planar rifts can form, anywhere where strange sightings and otherworldly encounters occur, and anyone with a sudden fascination with alien devices can become a xenophile.

NPC Reactions: For the most part, xenophiles keep to themselves and keep their abilities hidden--and for good reason. When NPCs discover their differences, xenophiles are often used as scapegoats or killed outright for being so alien. That they sometimes grow strange appendages or do not join a community in eating doesn't help their case either.

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

Xenophiles in the Game
Xenophiles are the epitome of mortal transformation into a xenotheric creature. Often enough their knowledge of such beings is unmatched, and due to keeping their secrets hidden, they can be anyone.

Adaptation: If xenotheric creatures come from a different place in a specific campaign, the class can fit for a more scholarly role, that of one who studies beings from other planes and has been changed by their learnings.

Sample Encounter: <-DM placement for NPC of this class->

EL whatever: EL 8