DWARVEN RUNECASTERS "A Wizard Sub-class for Dwarves"

Based off the Kit designed by Paul Westermeyer <westermeyer.3@osu.edu> Revised work by Martin Rhaume <rheaumem@HQICP2.ssc.ssc-asc.x400.gc.ca>

Runecasters are dwarves who practice the ancient dwarven rune of Rune-crafting. Some scholars identify this ancient skill as the It is said that in

first magical art, even some elven sages agree.

thre ancient days 1% of the dwavern popoulation were runecasters. Today they are rare except among certain reclusive Shield dwarven settlements. Runic magic is understood and approved of by the

Dwarven dieties, they actively encourage their priests to learn this skill whenever possible.

When dwarven smiths enchant weapons and armor, it is most often through the use of Runes. Most discover the proper runes for this through crafting the item, the knowledge is most often

God-inspired and the runes used are individual for that item. Runecasteres are a bit more practical, they use runes in everyday life; to heal, to protect, to fight. In a sense they are the

"mages" of the dwarves, everyday life.

shaping the magical weave in regards to

Runecasters must have minimum wisdom of 13, minimum intelligince of 13 and minimum dexterity of 12 to remember and understand the complex runic symbols and the unique interaction they have with the

magical weave. Runecasters may be single class or any multiclass option allowed to dwarves (see below).

In the FR only Shield dwarves are eligible for this kit, forgotten art for the Gold Dwarves of the South.

it is a

Other race who

have Runcecasters are: Elf (elves of Evermeet suplement/Totem Magic) and Giant & Giant-kin (Giantcraft suplement).

Class:

Runecaster (Wizard)

Aligment: Any Hit Dice: d4 Weapon Proficiencies: Runecasters may take any weapons.

Armor allowed: Cannot wear armors bulkier than Chain Mail.

NonWeapon Proficiences: Bonus: Recommended: Spellcraft (Runelore), artistic ability-carving Religion, heraldry, ancient history - dwarves, healing, herbalism

Special Benefits: Rune Magic. Most runecasters have access to only one rune per level, have more or less. but some

Additional Runes based on Wisdom Wisdom score Quantity 15 1 16 2 17 3 18 4 19 5 20 6 21 8 22 10 23 12 24 14 25 16

Runes are never of the firebal magic variety. Runes aid, heal, strengthen, or act over time. In general, the more powerful the

rune the longer it takes to cast.

Scribing a rune is a three-step process known as skapeng (Shaping). The first step is gormeng (Planning). (Scraping). The second step is skrapeng

The third and final step is virkreng (Activation).

Activation roll: after completion of the three steps , the shapper makes a save vs. spell. successfully activated. If the save succeeds, the rune is

Just seeing a rune does not allow one to recarve it, taught to a runecaster by:

it must be

1) someone who already knows it or researched by the runecaster who wishes to learn it. This process takes time, it involves long nights under the stars, but is not intensive.

searching the heavens and

equally long days examining the texture of stone and the inner secrets of gemstones, or 2) complete an epic quest that ends with an appropriate revelation or insight. For instance if a teacher is unavailable, one might travel to the Seven Heavens to discuss the virtues of Moradin with his servents.

When the caster reaches enlighenment, rune becomes clear to him,

the form and process of the

usually it appears in a small swirl of

granite or a previously unseen constellation among the stars (a chance to learn spell roll is made, if it fails the runecaster may

never make another attempt; it's simply beyond their grasp unless he can increase his intelligence). should be determined by the DM, The time spent on this research

but most often a new rune is

learned this way for each level a runecaster advances (chance to learn spell still needed).

A runecaster can know a total number of runes not to exceed his intelliegince (ie Int 15, counted once), can know 15 runes. Learnable runes are

and he can use this runes at anytime or place that At any given time, a runecaster Should the

permits the given runes casting.

may keep a number of active runes equal to his level.

caster shape more runes, the power automatically fades from one or more of the runes he shaped earlier.

Special Hinderences: Runecasters are forbidden from ever teaching their craft to non-dwarves (a love-besotted dwarven traitor is responsible for teaching the Elven runecasters, according to the dwarves). Those

that do are hunted down and slain as traitors to the race by any dwarves who hear of it. This hasn't completely stopped some evil dwarves from spreading the secrets, but for the most part the

dwarves have kept their secrets. The process of rune research is very taxing on both the body and the spirit, Runecasters are typically rude, hinderence, In general, abrasive, and ugly. This is a roleplaying

but one that should be carefully monitored by the DM. the runecaster should be played slightly crazed and he is always

with a little less attention to the world around him;

watching the worlds patterns for clues to his next rune.

Equipment: A runecaster always needs a sharp knife for carving runes on wood,a hammer and selection of chisels for stone, metal, an engraving tool for Otherwise Dwarven dwarves;

and paints and charcoal for other materials.

equipment appropriate for the class and situation will do. runecasters try to blend into other races perceptions of most hope to simply be remembered as "that dwarf".

Allowed Class Runecaster (Wizard) Fighter/Runecaster Cleric/Runecaster Thief/Runecaster Fighter/Cleric/Runecaster Fighter/Thief/Runecaster

Discussion There was some discussions with Paul Westermeyer on the Runecaster as a kit or as a class. Paul design the Runescaster as a kit. Due

to the power of the kit, I have decided to uprgade it to create a class. sould It is my opinion that if you want to use it as a kit, you give the PC a 50% penalty on his XP. The most important

thing to keep in mind is to keep game balance and have fun.

Credits:

TSR Foregotten Realms Elves of Evermeet suplement. TSR Vikings Historical Reference suplement. Original kit work by by Paul Westermeyer <westermeyer.3@osu.edu> TSR Foregotten Realms Giantcraft suplement Revised class work by Martin Rhaume <rheaumem@HQICP2.ssc.sscasc.x400.gc.ca>