PRIEST-MONK KIT

Mystic

Description:  Mystics are thoughtful priests devoted to self-enlightenment, 
seeing the study of magic as the key to spiritual awareness.  The Mystic enjoys 
nothing more than spending long hours contemplating the mysteries of the 
universe and attempting to become more in touch with his or her inner self, 
seeking to experience all that is in the world, its hidden beauties and truths, 
and the relationship between the world and their inner selves.  Mystics seeks an 
awareness that can only be found intuitively and through the enlightenment 
gained from the study of magic and the outside world.  They are very comfortable 
in the natural world and are very free within themselves and with world, 
piercing the veils that distort natural forms and beauty in themselves and those 
around them.  Mystics are interested in searching out universal truths and in 
freeing themselves (and others, if possible) from ties to material things (see 
Special Hindrances below).  They also believe that the inherent sources of 
conflict and strife are only perpetuated by the use of direct violence--one 
cannot persuade another to one's own way of thinking if they are dead.  

A Mystic must have scores of at least 12 in Intelligence and Wisdom and 15 in 
Charisma.  They are individualistic and independent by nature--in some ways the 
direct opposite of typical Monks--and must be of chaotic alignment.  Only 
humans, elves, half-elves, and halflings can become Mystics.

Weapons & Armor:  Mystics eschew combat in general and will never master martial 
weapons.  Thus, they are limited to proficiency in:  lasso, net, staff, sling, 
and whip.  They cannot wear armor or use shields.

Special Benefits:  As noted above, Mystics are highly individualistic and 
independent in nature and also have a strong degree of empathy with the natural 
world and with sentient beings around them.  These proclivities are reflected in 
their special class abilities.

Affinity with Nature:  At 3rd level, a Mystic learns how to speak with animals 
at will.  In addition, a Mystic can combine this with his or her Empathy ability 
in order to befriend an animal in a manner equivalent to the find familiar 
spell.  This power may be used no more than once per year, and it may not be 
attempted while the Mystic already has a familiar.  If the Mystic's familiar 
dies of natural causes, no system shock roll (as noted for the spell) is 
necessary, but the Mystic does temporarily lose a point of Constitution (for 1d4 
months) as he or she works through a grieving period.  After this period, 
however, a Mystic can attempt to secure a new familiar, assuming that a year has 
passed since the last summoning.

At 9th level, a Mystic is able to speak with plants through his or her natural 
communion.  Also, through focus and concentration on mental control of physical 
processes and their body's reactions, Mystics also gain the ability to ignore 
extremes of temperature and climate, gaining the effects the endure cold and 
endure heat spells continuously, save that no protection is offered against 
attack forms based on heat and cold.

At 15th level, Mystics are so in tune with their natural state that they are 
able to alter their appearance at will.  Appearance alteration can be 
accomplished in a single round and can be maintained for as long as desired.  
Height and weight can be increased or decreased by up to 50%, with an apparent 
age change from childhood to extreme old age.  Body and facial features can be 
changed to resemble any humanoid creature.  This alteration is not actually 
magical and so cannot be detected as such, though true seeing will see through 
the deception.  In addition, their natural aging process is slowed to one-tenth 
normal (though unnatural aging has its normal effect).

Candle Magic:  Mystics are highly knowledgeable about Herbalism, gaining the 
proficiency for free with a +2 bonus at 1st level and being able to unerringly 
identify plants and fungi starting at 5th level.  In addition, Mystics have kept 
alive is the process of capturing magical energy within the essence of special 
herbal candles.  Beginning at 5th level, Mystics learn the secret processes of 
creating these magical candles, learning one new candle recipe at each level of 
experience.  The details of Candle Magic can be obtained from the DM, including 
the specific powers of magical candles and the process of creating them.  In 
short, the types of candles a Mystic can create are as follows:

Lesser candles (minimum level 5th):  ivory candle of long burning, tan candle of 
unfailing light, brown candle of survival, lavender sanctuary candle, candle of 
propitiousness, white candle of brilliance, silver candle of visibility, black 
candle of darkness

Greater candles (minimum level 10th):  orange pyrotechnics candle, red love 
candle, purple hypnosis candle, blue protection candle, gold healing candle, 
white candle of disruption, silver candle of shielding, black candle of 
damnation

High Magic candles (minimum level 15th):  pink candle of charming, green fortune 
candle, yellow telepathy candle, aquamarine divination candle, candle of 
invocation, white candle of purification, silver candle of empowerment, black 
candle of curses; (minimum 20th level) copper candle of doom

Concentration:  As a Monk.

Empathy:  Mystics are very much in tune with the natural state of creatures 
around them and has a limited empathic ability with others.  By concentrating 
for a full round, a Mystic can attempt to soothe the spirits and calm the minds 
of nearby creatures, including animals as well as sentient humanoids.  This 
empathic impulse forces all creatures within 30' to save vs. paralyzation or 
have their reaction toward the Mystic adjusted positively by one step (e.g., 
'cautious' to 'indifferent').

At 3rd level, a Mystic's enhanced empathic abilities allow him or her to cause 
creatures to fall asleep.  This power may be used once per day and is similar in 
most ways to the sleep spell, but it requires one full round of concentration by 
the Mystic (taking effect at the end of the round), and potential targets are 
allowed a save vs. paralyzation to resist the effects of the empathic impulse; 
at 5th level a save is no longer allowed versus the Mystic's sleep power.

In addition to this sleep power, a Mystic can focus his or her Empathy once per 
week to generate a charm-type spell effect:

5th		suggestion
9th		charm monster
13th		mass suggestion
17th		mass charm

These effects are identical to the wizard spells of the same name and take 
effect at the Mystic's level.  Each requires a full round of uninterrupted 
concentration.  A Mystic may create one of each spell effect allowed to his or 
her level (e.g., a 9th level Mystic could perform suggestion and charm monster 
once per week).

Freedom:  Mystics' independent minds and spirits are very difficult to control 
mentally, gaining a +2 bonus to saving throws vs. any charm-type attacks, even 
gaining an unmodified save vs. spells when no saving throw would normally be 
allowed.  A Mystic of 5th level can use free action once per day as a granted 
power, and at 9th level this ability is gained permanently.  A Mystic of 13th 
level or above also becomes immune to geas and quest spells, unless they are 
from a divine source.

Meditation:  As a Monk, but a Mystic gains the ability to feign death at 1st 
level; however, he or she still cannot heal damage through Meditation until 
reaching 5th level.

Special Hindrances:  Mystics have the same disdain for material wealth described 
for Monks.  They also do not gain the Martial Arts or Ritual Purification 
abilities of typical Monks.  Like other Monks, they do not gain typical granted 
powers for their faith (including turning or commanding undead), though they can 
cast unique spells from their deity.

Mystics do not like being tied down, as this restricts their opportunities to 
see and to learn about the world and themselves.  They travel and work among the 
common people as well as those of high birth and often live far from large 
metropolitan areas.  They prefer to deal with others on an individual basis, 
rather than attempting to harangue large groups with their views.  Their view of 
the world is that every creature's vision and viewpoint is a very personal 
thing, and they feel very reticent to impose on others outright.  They generally 
help others to find their own parallel paths within the parameters of the 
Mystic's worldview or work behind the scenes to make others see the validity of 
their position.  Although they are very charismatic, they never settle into 
positions where they must be responsible for leading large groups of others.  
They never gain apprentices or followers and may not hire henchmen, nor will 
they ever build or set up permanent bases of operation, though they may have a 
small, simple dwelling available to them.

Bonus Proficiencies:  Herbalism
Required Proficiencies:  Chanting, Concentration, Ecology
Preferred Proficiencies:  Alertness, Ancient History, Animal Lore, Astrology, 
Charm, Debate, Divining, Artistic Ability, Etiquette, Healing, Hypnosis, 
Language (Modern), Language (Ancient), Magical Awareness, Musical Instrument, 
Observation, Pottery, Reading/Writing, Religion, Seamstress/Tailor, Sixth Sense, 
Slow Respiration, Spellcraft, Spirit Lore, Supernumerate, Weaving