Harper Mage
Wizards and sorcerers have been part of the Harpers since the organization's inception. Many of its senior members today are powerful mages. Among the organization's principal allies are several influential wizards and sorcerers who have made some of their accumulated knowledge available to the Harpers. Mystra, the deity of magic, is one of the patron deities of the Harpers; her predecessor was one of the deities who met at the Dancing Place centuries ago to inspire the founding of the organization. With such a rich magical tradition, it is inevitable that Harpers would develop some of their own magical lore and techniques to pass on to their agents.
The Harper mage has two principal responsibilities. The first of these is aiding the Harpers with spells and arcane knowledge. This aid might include anything from casting spells in a battle in which Harper agents are involved to using divination magic to find a missing Harper to examining a vanquished Red Wizard's personal spellbooks. Of course, many Harper mages are agents themselves, using their magic to investigate the activities of any number of evil groups.
The other primary responsibility of the Harper mage is to study, record, and pass on ancient lore, particularly that dealing with arcane discoveries. Harper mages do not limit themselves to just the study of arcana, however. Many a mage becomes an expert in other fields as well. Some study nature, supplementing the knowledge and wisdom offered by druids. Others study history, synthesizing their understanding of ancient magical lore with an insight into what forces of history may have played a part in shaping a particular approach to magic. Although perhaps not the equal of some of the more distinguished sages of the Realms, these Harper scholars are nevertheless respected in their own right.
Wizards, sorcerers, and bards all make fine harper mages. Multiclassed rogue/wizards and rogue/sorcerers are also common among their ranks.
Taking levels in this class represents being a close friend to the Harpers or being a Harper. Please note that being formally part of the Harpers Faction has separate requirements.
Requirements
Alignment: Any non-evil.
Skills: Concentration 4 ranks, Lore: Arcana 8 ranks, Lore: Local 5 ranks, Lore: (Any other ) 4 ranks, Sense motive 2 ranks, Spellcraft 8 ranks.
Spellcasting: Able to cast 3rd-level arcane spells (Wizard, Sorcerer or Bard).
Class Features
| Hit die: 4 |
| Proficiencies: None |
| Skill points: 4 + Int modifier |
| Class skills: Acrobatics, Bluff, Concentration, Diplomacy, Disguise, Gather Information, Heal, Hide, Lore (all), Linguistics, Listen, Move Silently, Perform, Ride, Sense motive, Spellcraft, Spot. |
| Base attack bonus progression: Low |
| Saving throws | high: | Will |
| low: | Reflex,Fortitude |
Class Abilities
|
Level |
Features Gained |
|---|---|
| 1 | Spellcasting Progression, Harper's Knowledge |
| 2 | Arcane theory, Oghma's insight |
| 3 | Extend Spell |
| 4 | Mystra's Boon |
| 5 | Specialist |
Spellcasting Progression
A Harper mage's training focuses on magic. Thus, when a character gains a new level of Harper mage, she gains new spells per day as if she had also gained a level in whatever arcane spellcasting class she belonged to before she added the prestige class. She does not, however, gain any other benefit a character of that class would have gained (metamagic or item creation feats, for example). If a character had more than one arcane spellcasting class before she became a Harper mage, she must decide to which class she adds each level of Harper mage for purposes of determining spells per day when she adds the new level.
Harper's Knowledge
Like a bard, a Harper scout has a knack for picking up odds and ends of knowledge. This ability works exactly like the bardic knowledge ability of the bard class. If a Harper scout has bard levels, her Harper scout levels and bard levels stack for the purpose of using bardic knowledge.
Oghma's Insight
As lorekeepers, Harper mages develop a keen interest in many fields. The Harper mage gains a free Skill Focus feat in any one Lore skill.
Arcane Theory
At 2nd level, the Harper mage gains Skill Focus Spellcraft. This represents an introduction to theories of magic from other civilizations through study and preservation of old lore.
Mystra's Boon
Harper mages gain a +2 insight bonus on all saves against magical effects.
Specialist
At 5th level the Harper mage focuses his study on the spell school of his choice. The Harper Mage gains a Spell Focus feat.
For clarity, the Harper Mage gains any of the first tier Spell Focus feats on a pop up menu after taking their 5th Harper Mage level. This feature cannot be used to take Greater or Epic Spell Focus feats. Closing this menu without making a selection will not give you another chance to open it and select a feat, so careful what you click.
Class courtesy of Valefort, thorough testing by the Quality Control Team. Implementation by Endelyon and AoS.