View source for Blue Mage (3.5e Class)

===Making a Blue Mage===

The source of a blue mage’s power is the azure essence tied to his soul. A blue mage can absorb and command the powers of the essence of any foe he has felled, drawing on their supernatural and extraordinary abilities. Even without their repertoire of blue magic, a blue mage is skilled in the use of scimitars, clubs, and the chakram, therefore making him a formidable opponent in one-on-one combat.

The further a blue mage delves into his power, the more fragmented his soul becomes. Many blue mages teeter on the brink of insanity. A blue mage whose azure essence has taken control of his body is truly a terrifying thing to see, and a deadly foe to face.

'''Abilities:''' A blue mage has a use for almost every attribute; strength for their skill with scimitars, dexterity for striking at a range with their chakrams, constitution for weathering blows, intelligence to aid in the learning of spells, and charisma for dealing with the masses. Most important, though, is their wisdom, the one thing keeping them sane. Ever on the verge of insanity, a blue mage with a weak will is doomed to failure.

'''Races:''' Blue mages can be of any intelligent race, so long as they originate in the empire of Aht Urhgan. Human, Elven, Halfling, Gnomish, Dwarven, and even Half-Orc blue mages are not unheard of, and all undergo the same training and all serve the empress with every fiber of their being.

'''Alignment:''' Lawful Neutral, Lawful Evil &mdash; A blue mage must keep a lawful mindset if he has even the slightest hope of remaining sane, and, though he can strive to do good, and to be good, most good deities tend to frown upon such actions as the consumption of souls for power.

'''Starting Gold:''' 100 gp.

'''[[SRD:Race Descriptions#Starting Age|Starting Age]]:''' "As [[Fighter]]"
{| class="zebra d20"
|+
<div>{{Anchor|Table: The Blue Mage}}</div>
Hit Die: d8
|-
! rowspan="2" | Level
! rowspan="2" | [[BAB|Base<br/>Attack Bonus]]
! colspan="3" | [[SRD:Saving Throw|Saving Throw]]s
! rowspan="2" | Special

|-
! [[SRD:Saving Throw#Fortitude|Fort]] || [[SRD:Saving Throw#Reflex|Ref]] || [[SRD:Saving Throw#Will|Will]]
|-
|1st||class="left" | +0 || +2 || +0 || +0
| class="left" | [[#Learning|Learning]], [[#Insanity|Insanity]], [[#Scimitar Wielding|Scimitar Wielding]], [[#Azure Lore|Azure Lore]]
|- class="{{Odd-Even|{{#var:odd}}}}"
|2nd||class="left"  | +1 || +3 || +0 || +0
| class="left" | [[#Track|Track]]
|- class="{{Odd-Even|{{#var:odd}}}}"
|3rd||class="left"  | +2 || +3 || +1 || +1
| class="left" | [[#Physical Spells|Physical Spells]], [[#Bludgeon|Bludgeon]]
|- class="{{Odd-Even|{{#var:odd}}}}"
|4th||class="left"  | +3 || +4 || +1 || +1
| class="left" | [[#Head Butt|Head Butt]]
|- class="{{Odd-Even|{{#var:odd}}}}"
|5th||class="left"  | +3 || +4 || +1 || +1
| class="left" | [[#Burst Affinity|Burst Affinity]]
|- class="{{Odd-Even|{{#var:odd}}}}"
|6th||class="left"  | +4 || +5 || +2 || +2
| class="left" | [[#Monstrous Mutation|Monstrous Mutation (Scent)]]
|- class="{{Odd-Even|{{#var:odd}}}}"
|7th||class="left"  | +5 || +5 || +2 || +2
| class="left" | [[#Monstrous Mutation|Monstrous Mutation (Poison Resistance)]]
|- class="{{Odd-Even|{{#var:odd}}}}"
|8th||class="left"  | +6/+1 || +6 || +2 || +2
| class="left" | [[#Death Scissors|Death Scissors]]
|- class="{{Odd-Even|{{#var:odd}}}}"
|9th||class="left"  | +6/+1 || +6 || +3 || +3
| class="left" | [[#Monstrous Mutation|Monstrous Mutation (Dark Vision)]]
|- class="{{Odd-Even|{{#var:odd}}}}"
|10th||class="left" | +7/+2 || +7 || +3 || +3
| class="left" | [[#The Beast Within|The Beast Within]], [[#Azure Mutation|Azure Mutation (Captured Soul)]]
|- class="{{Odd-Even|{{#var:odd}}}}"
|11th||class="left" | +8/+3 || +7 || +4 || +4
| class="left" | [[#Assimilation|Assimilation]]
|- class="{{Odd-Even|{{#var:odd}}}}"
|12th||class="left" | +9/+4 || +8 || +4 || +4
| class="left" | [[#Disseverment|Disseverment]]
|- class="{{Odd-Even|{{#var:odd}}}}"
|13th||class="left" | +9/+4 || +8 || +4 || +4
| class="left" | [[#Monstrous Mutation|Monstrous Mutation (Supernatural Disease Resistance)]]
|- class="{{Odd-Even|{{#var:odd}}}}"
|14th||class="left" | +10/+5 || +9 || +4 || +4
| class="left" | [[#Convergence|Convergence]] 
|- class="{{Odd-Even|{{#var:odd}}}}"
|15th||class="left" | +11/+6/+1 || +9 || +5 || +5
| class="left" | [[#Chain Affinity|Chain Affinity]]
|- class="{{Odd-Even|{{#var:odd}}}}"
|16th||class="left" | +12/+7/+2 || +10 || +5 || +5
| class="left" | [[#Azure Mutation|Azure Mutation (Immortal Flan)]]
|- class="{{Odd-Even|{{#var:odd}}}}"
|17th||class="left" | +12/+7/+2 || +10 || +5 || +5
| class="left" | [[#Cannonball|Cannonball]]
|- class="{{Odd-Even|{{#var:odd}}}}"
|18th||class="left" | +13/+8/+3 || +11 || +6 || +6
| class="left" | [[#Diffusion|Diffusion]]
|- class="{{Odd-Even|{{#var:odd}}}}"
|19th||class="left" | +14/+9/+4 || +11 || +6 || +6
| class="left" | [[#Azure Mutation|Azure Mutation (Immortal Flayer)]]
|- class="{{Odd-Even|{{#var:odd}}}}"
|20th||class="left" | +15/+10/+5 || +12 || +6 || +6
| class="left" | [[#Azure Soul|Azure Soul]]
|-
|- class="noalt"
| colspan="42" class="skill" |
'''Class Skills ([[Skill Points::3]] + [[SRD:Intelligence|Int]] modifier per level, &times;4 at 1st level)'''<br/> 
{{Property Link|Skill|SRD:Balance Skill|Balance}} ([[SRD:Dexterity|Dex]]), 
{{Property Link|Skill|SRD:Bluff Skill|Bluff}} ([[SRD:Charisma|Cha]]), 
{{Property Link|Skill|SRD:Climb Skill|Climb}} ([[SRD:Strength|Str]]), 
{{Property Link|Skill|SRD:Concentration Skill|Concentration}} ([[SRD:Constitution|Con]]), 
{{Property Link|Skill|SRD:Craft Skill|Craft}} (Alchemy) ([[SRD:Intelligence|Int]]), 
{{Property Link|Skill|SRD:Diplomacy Skill|Diplomacy}} ([[SRD:Charisma|Cha]]), 
{{Property Link|Skill|SRD:Gather Information Skill|Gather Information}} ([[SRD:Charisma|Cha]]), 
{{Property Link|Skill|SRD:Handle Animal Skill|Handle Animal}} ([[SRD:Charisma|Cha]]), 
{{Property Link|Skill|SRD:Intimidate Skill|Intimidate}} ([[SRD:Charisma|Cha]]), 
{{Property Link|Skill|SRD:Jump Skill|Jump}} ([[SRD:Strength|Str]]), 
{{Property Link|Skill|SRD:Knowledge Skill|Knowledge}} (Arcana) ([[SRD:Intelligence|Int]]), 
{{Property Link|Skill|SRD:Knowledge Skill|Knowledge}} (Nature) ([[SRD:Intelligence|Int]]), 
{{Property Link|Skill|SRD:Knowledge Skill|Knowledge}} (Nobility and Royalty) ([[SRD:Intelligence|Int]]), 
{{Property Link|Skill|SRD:Search Skill|Search}} ([[SRD:Intelligence|Int]]), 
{{Property Link|Skill|SRD:Sense Motive Skill|Sense Motive}} ([[SRD:Wisdom|Wis]]),  
{{Property Link|Skill|SRD:Spellcraft Skill|Spellcraft}} ([[SRD:Intelligence|Int]]), 
{{Property Link|Skill|SRD:Spot Skill|Spot}} ([[SRD:Wisdom|Wis]]), 
{{Property Link|Skill|SRD:Survival Skill|Survival}} ([[SRD:Wisdom|Wis]]), 
{{Property Link|Skill|SRD:Swim Skill|Swim}} ([[SRD:Strength|Str]]), 
|}

====Class Features====
As a blue mage gains power, he turns further and further into a beast, and that's just how he wants it to be. All of the following are class features of the blue mage. All of the following are class features of the blue mage.

'''Weapon and Armor Proficiency:''' Blue mages are proficient only with the following weapons: the scimitar, the club, and the chakram. They are proficient with only light armor but no shields. When casting spells in light armor, a blue mage does not experience an arcane failure rate.

'''{{Anchor|Spells}}:''' A blue mage learns spells from his fallen enemies by absorbing their essences. These can be any supernatural or extraordinary ability of theirs. These are considered arcane spells with no verbal or somatic components, but are unaffected by arcane spell failure rate, so long as the blue mage is wearing light or no armor. These spells have no level, and thus the DC of the spells is equal to (10 + 1/2 Blue Mage Level + WIS). Physical spells (spells learned as blue mage class features, or extraordinary abilities from monsters, such as the ability to rend an opponent with claws) act separately, making an attack roll against the opponent. The attack bonus is equal to (Blue Mage Level + STR). A blue mage does not need to prepare his spells in the morning, but must meditate for one hour once a week to realign his soul. Blue mages that attempt to cast any spell that allows them to change form become irrevocably mad, and only a ''miracle'' or ''wish'' spell can cure them. Passive abilities such as an Ash Rat's smoky hide are able to be activated as a free action and last for one round, despite the source's duration.
:*A blue mage may only know a number of spells equal to his spellcraft modifier. Any time a blue mage learns a spell when already at the maximum, they may discard a spell permanently from their repertoire. This spell can only be relearned by absorbing the soul once again. 
:*A blue mage may cast a number of spells per day equal to their spellcraft ranks.
:*A blue mage may absorb the same soul more than once, but may not absorb the same spell. (A blue mage can learn a dragon's terrifying presence and breath, for example, but not the breath twice.) <!--This is not consistent!-->
:*A blue mage may not cast the same spell more than once per day, but does not need to prepare his spells ahead of time.

'''{{Anchor|Learning}} ([[SRD:Special Abilities Overview#Supernatural|Su]]):''' A blue mage is trained to absorb the essence of their fallen foes. A blue mage who witnesses a monster use a natural (as opposed to a class-based) extraordinary or supernatural ability may, upon defeat of the foe, make a Spellcraft check DC equal to 10 + the monster's HD to learn the ability as an azure spell. Absorbing essence is a standard action and must take place no less than ten rounds after a foe is slain. A monster who is dying (between &minus;1 and &minus;9 HP) cannot be learned from until they are killed. A monster whose essence is absorbed is exceedingly hard to revive, and cannot be resurrected through normal means. A Resurrection, True Resurrection, Limited Wish, Miracle, or Wish spell is required. In the event that a blue mage witnesses multiple abilities from the same foe, they can either focus on a specific ability (increasing the DC by 5) or have the abilities assigned to a d% (as equal portions as possible, going in order as they are listed in the monster manual.) A spell can be learned multiple times. Each time a spell is learned, it can be cast an additional one time per day. A blue mage who is not threatened or rushed may spend five full rounds to taken 10 on a spellcraft check to absorb a soul.

'''{{Anchor|Insanity}} ([[SRD:Special Abilities Overview#Supernatural|Su]]):''' Blue mages are extremely unstable; their very souls are fragmented. A blue mage is always at war within himself, holding back the beasts within. If a blue mage takes more than five times their hit dice in damage or fails a will save, they must make a will save DC 10 + damage exceeded or against a DC equal to 10 + Will save source's HD + Will save source's CHA, or fall into a state of azure rage. An insane blue mage gains their blue mage level as an azure bonus to their STR, CON, and DEX, but is unable to use any skill that requires intelligent thought, rushing headlong into combat and furiously attacking anything they perceive as a threat — including allies. They will use any means at their disposal (spells, weapons, even bare hands) to kill their foes. After the initial source of the insanity is gone, the blue mage may make another will save each round (same DC) to regain control. They may also willingly fail this save, but doing so increases the DC of future saves by a cumulative +1. A natural 20 does not guarantee success if a blue mage has willingly stayed insane.

'''{{Anchor|Scimitar Wielding}} ([[SRD:Special Abilities Overview#Extraordinary|Ex]]):''' A blue mage's training is extremely focused. A blue mage fighting with two scimitars takes only minimal penalties, receiving a −2 on both main and off hand attacks. This does not apply to any other weapon a blue mage can wield.

'''{{Anchor|Azure Lore}} ([[SRD:Special Abilities Overview#Supernatural|Su]]):''' Blue mages have developed a sixth sense as to the natural (or unnatural) wildlife around them. Upon entering a new area, a blue mage may make a check similar to a Bard's Bardic Lore check to learn the existence and general location of nearby wildlife. Upon encountering a foe, he may then make another Azure Lore check (vs. 10 + the monster's HD) to determine any skills it may know. Azure Lore checks are determined as such: Blue Mage level + Survival (Finding wildlife)/Spellcraft (Determining abilities) + WIS modifier.

'''{{Anchor|Track}} ([[SRD:Special Abilities Overview#Extraordinary|Ex]]):''' By second level, a blue mage has honed his senses well enough to recognize tracks and how to follow them using their survival skill, just like a ranger.

'''''{{Anchor|Physical Spells}}'' ([[SRD:Special Abilities Overview#Spell-Like|Sp]]):''' As a blue mage progresses in his training, he begins to recall the spells he was shown in his early years of training. All blue mages will eventually remember the following spells once the azure essence in them has reached a certain maturity. Additional physical magic may be learned from monsters. For physical blue magic, the attack bonus is equal to the blue mage's level plus their wisdom modifier. Unless otherwise noted, they are force effects and casting them is a standard action and are usable once per day.

:'''''{{Anchor|Bludgeon}}'' ([[SRD:Special Abilities Overview#Spell-Like|Sp]]):''' At third level, a blue mage remembers the skill of the eastern constructs in the wielding of their magical staves and can manifest a magical quarterstaff that attacks autonomously for three rounds. It will attempt to strike the nearest foe, dealing 1d6 + 1.5x WIS damage. Crit 19-20/×2. Blunt.

:'''''{{Anchor|Head Butt}}'' ([[SRD:Special Abilities Overview#Spell-Like|Sp]]):'''  At fourth level, a blue mage remembers the ferocity with which the bestial hordes would fight and can envelop their head in a magical shield of force and slam it into a foe with great strength. This deals 1d6 + STR damage and stuns the target for one round. Crit 19-20/x2 and stun is 2 rounds. Stun: Fort DC 10 + blue mage level + STR. Blunt.

:'''''{{Anchor|Death Scissors}}'' ([[SRD:Special Abilities Overview#Spell-Like|Sp]]):''' At eighth level, a blue mage remembers witnessing the savage scorpions trained by the trolls and is able to manifest a tail of force capable of dealing immense damage, dealing 1d12 + 1.5x STR Crit 19-20/×4. Slashing.

:'''''{{Anchor|Disseverment}}'' ([[SRD:Special Abilities Overview#Spell-Like|Sp]]):''' At twelfth level, a blue mage remembers the skilled assassins of the bestial hordes, and is able to manifest a dagger to rapidly strike at an opponent's weak points five times, wounding them and dealing 1d4 + DEX + wounding that bleeds for one point of damage for each attack that lands. Crit 19-20/×2. Piercing.

:'''''{{Anchor|Cannonball}}'' ([[SRD:Special Abilities Overview#Spell-Like|Sp]]):''' At Sixteenth level, a blue mage remembers the abilities of the writhing vermin of Mount Zayholm and is able to launch a force projection of himself at a range dealing 1d10 + CON damage. Crit 19-20/x2. Blunt. Ranged up to 50 ft. No range increment.

'''{{Anchor|Burst Affinity}} ([[SRD:Special Abilities Overview#Supernatural|Su]]):'''  A blue mage has learned to blend their physical and magical prowess together, and, at fifth level, is able to replace one of his melee attacks per round with a magical blue magic spell. (e.g. a blue mage of fifth level could attack with a scimitar while dual wielding at a +3 bonus, and then sacrifice his off-hand attack to breathe fire at an enemy.)

'''{{Anchor|Monstrous Mutation}} ([[SRD:Special Abilities Overview#Extraordinary|Ex/Su]]):''' By sixth level, a blue mage's body, not just his soul, begins to take on bestial traits. 
:'''{{Anchor|Scent}} ([[SRD:Special Abilities Overview#Extraordinary|Ex]]):''' At sixth level, a blue mage, becoming ever more bestial, has developed a keen sense of smell and is now able to track a foe by scent, even if no tracks are visible.
:'''{{Anchor|Poison Resistance}} ([[SRD:Special Abilities Overview#Supernatural|Su]]):''' At seventh level, a blue mage's body becomes so accustomed to poisons both natural and unnatural that he gains a supernatural resistance to them, granting him a +4 to saves against poison.
:'''{{Anchor|Dark Vision}} ([[SRD:Special Abilities Overview#Extraordinary|Ex]]):''' At ninth level, a blue mage's senses have heightened from the bestial souls within him, granting him dark vision out to sixty feet.
:'''{{Anchor|Supernatural Disease Resistance}} ([[SRD:Special Abilities Overview#Supernatural|Su]]):''' At thirteenth level, a blue mage's body has become so accustomed to unnatural diseases that it grants him +4 to saves against supernatural diseases.

'''{{Anchor|The Beast Within}} ([[SRD:Special Abilities Overview#Supernatural|Su]]):''' At tenth level, a blue mage's soul is so torn that he can no longer be considered human. In fact, any spell that mandates the target be a "person" can no longer affect him.

'''{{Anchor|Azure Mutation}} ([[SRD:Special Abilities Overview#Supernatural|Su]]):''' Upon reaching tenth level, a blue mage's spirit begins to critically destabilize. Any time he falls into insanity, he might experience side effects of the monstrous spirits used to bring out his azure essence in the first place. He has a 25% chance of experiencing an azure mutation for the duration of the insanity.    
:'''{{Anchor|Captured Soul}}:''' A blue mage has a chance of mutating into any creature he has absorbed the essence of. The DM assigns the monsters a blue mage has learned magic from to a d% and rolls to determine the form. The creature is average in all ways for its type, except that it has the HD of the blue mage who transformed into it.
:'''{{Anchor|Immortal Flan}}:''' A blue mage of seventeenth level has an additional 25% chance of transforming into a gelatinous blob. In this state, he takes on ooze traits but loses the ability to wield weapons, instead gaining a slam that deals 1d10 + STR + 1d10 acid damage and improved grab on any creature equal to his size or smaller. A successful grab deals 1d10 acid each round of grapple. 
:'''{{Anchor|Immortal Flayer}}:''' A blue mage of nineteenth level has an additional 25% chance of transforming into something similar to a Mindflayer in all physical regards, save for the blue mage's base stats and alignment (yhough, for all intents and purposes, an insane blue mage is chaotic evil).

'''{{Anchor|Assimilation}} ([[SRD:Special Abilities Overview#Supernatural|Su]]):'''  Having absorbed many spirits by this point, a blue mage of eleventh level has learned to focus his mind at the task of gaining new spells and may take a full round action to absorb a soul without fail once a day.

'''{{Anchor|Convergence}} ([[SRD:Special Abilities Overview#Supernatural|Su]]):''' At fourteenth level, a blue mage can focus the azure energies of his magic onto a specific point, reducing an area spell to a single target, and increasing its numerical values by 1.5×. He can use this ability a number of times per day equal to his wisdom modifier.

'''{{Anchor|Chain Affinity}} ([[SRD:Special Abilities Overview#Supernatural|Su]]):''' Much as a blue mage can cast a magical spell in place of an attack, at fifteenth level, he may sacrifice an attack to use one of his physical blue magic spells in its place at its attack bonus.

'''{{Anchor|Diffusion}} ([[SRD:Special Abilities Overview#Supernatural|Su]]):''' At eighteenth level, a blue mage can spread a single target spell to targets within an area of a 20 foot radius. A blue mage can do this a number of times per day equal to their wisdom modifier.

'''{{Anchor|Azure Soul}} ([[SRD:Special Abilities Overview#Supernatural|Su]]):''' At twentieth level, a blue mage has finally come to peace within himself, bringing all the monster spirits into line. He no longer has to risk going insane upon taking substantial damage or failing a will save, and can enter into a state of insanity at will. Though still able to differentiate friend from foe, he is still unable to use any skill or feat that requires intelligent thought.

====Ex-Blue Mages====

Blue mages who have fled the service of the empress are often left alone, so long as they don't pose a threat to the empire; those that do are hunted down ruthlessly. Once a blue mage becomes infused with a monster's soul, nothing short of a Wish or Miracle spell can return them to purely human; which causes them to lose all class features save for scimitar wielding.

====Epic Blue Mages====

{| class="zebra d20"
|+ class="epic" |
<div>{{Anchor|Table: The Epic  Blue Mage}}</div>
Hit Die: d8
|-
! Level !! Special
|- 
| 21st || class="left" |
|- 
| 22nd || class="left" |
|- 
| 23rd || class="left" | 
|- 
| 24th || class="left" | 
|- 
| 25th || class="left" | 
|- 
| 26th || class="left" | 
|- 
| 27th || class="left" | 
|- class
| 28th || class="left" | 
|- class
| 29th || class="left" |
|- class=
| 30th || class="left" | 
|- class="noalt"
| colspan="42" class="skill" |
3 + [[SRD:Intelligence|Int]] modifier skill points per level.
|}

'''Spells:''' Besides normal advancement  at epic levels, the only way a blue mage advances is through a growing repertoire of spells.
==== Human Blue Mage Starting Package ====

'''Weapons:''' 2 [[SRD:Scimitar|Scimitars]], Chakram

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

{| class="zebra d20"
|-
! class="left" | Skill || Ranks || Ability || Armor<br/>Check<br/>Penalty
|- class=
| class="left" | Concentration || 4 || CON ||&mdash;
|- class=
| class="left" | Intimidate || 4 || CHR || &mdash;
|- class=
| class="left" | Spellcraft || 4 || INT || &mdash;
|- class=
| class="left" | Survival || 4 || WIS || &mdash;
|}

'''Feat:''' [[Power Attack]]

'''Bonus Feats:''' [[SRD:Blind-Fight|Blind-Fight]]

'''Gear:''' [[SRD:Leather Armor|Leather Armor]],  Standard Adventurer's Kit, [[SRD:Traveler's Outfit|Traveler's Outfit]], Tome of Aht Urhgan Law. 

'''Gold:''' 4d6 x4.
Allowed Alignments	Lawful Neutral + and Lawful Evil +
Article Balance	High +
Author	Lordshadow +
Base Attack Bonus Progression	Moderate +
Challenge Rating	11 +
Class Ability	Arcane Spellcasting +, Spontaneous Spellcasting + and Alternate Magic +
Class Ability Progression	Minor +
Fortitude Save Progression	Good +
Identifier	3.5e Class +
Length	20 +
Minimum Level	1 +
Name	Nashib Tigerfeller +
Race	elf +
Rated By	Luigifan18 +, Zhenra-Khal + and The-Marksman +
Rating	Rating Pending +
Reflex Save Progression	Poor +
Size	Medium +
Skill	Balance +, Bluff +, Climb +, Concentration +, Craft +, Diplomacy +, Gather Information +, Handle Animal +, Intimidate +, Jump +, Knowledge +, Search +, Sense Motive +, Spellcraft +, Spot +, Survival + and Swim +
Skill Points	3 +
Summary	Bestial mages from the east skilled in both swords and sorcery using the fiercest attacks of their fallen foes. +
Title	Blue Mage +
Type	humanoid (Elf) +
Will Save Progression	Poor +