620_17668_DraconomiconA.qxd 9/8/03 11:17 AM Page 90
CHAPTER 2:
A DM’S GUIDE TO DRAGONS
Table 2–6: The Dispassionate Watcher of Chronepsis Class Level 1st
Base Attack Bonus +0
Fort Save +2
Ref Save +0
Will Save +2
2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th 10th 11th 12th
+1 +2 +3 +3 +4 +5 +6 +6 +7 +8 +9
+3 +3 +4 +4 +5 +5 +6 +6 +7 +7 +8
+0 +1 +1 +1 +2 +2 +2 +3 +3 +3 +4
+3 +3 +4 +4 +5 +5 +6 +6 +7 +7 +8
Special Divine conversion, calming aura, Draconic Knowledge Comprehend languages — Stunning rebuke Tongues Discern lies — — Clearsight Vision — Analyze dweomer
Calming Aura (Su): At 1st level, a dispassionate watcher loses its frightful presence ability (if it had one), gaining instead an infectious aura of calm detachment. This aura has the same radius and Will save DC as the dragon’s frightful presence ability, if it had one. If it did not possess frightful presence, the radius is equal to 5 feet per 2 HD the dragon possesses (counting only its base dragon Hit Dice, not any class levels). The Will saving throw to resist the effect has a DC of 10 + 1/2 dragon’s base HD + its Cha modifier. The effect of the aura is the same as that of a calm emotions spell, but it lasts as long as the dispassionate watcher does not attack. Draconic Knowledge: A dispassionate watcher gains Draconic Knowledge (see page 69) as a bonus feat. It uses its dispassionate watcher level as an additional modifier on its draconic knowledge checks. Spellcasting: From 2nd level on, when a new dispassionate watcher level is gained, the dragon gains new spells per day as if it had also gained a level in a divine spellcasting class it belonged to before it added the prestige class. It does not, however, gain any other benefit a character of that class would have gained (an improved chance of turning or rebuking undead, wild shape, and so on). This essentially means that the dragon adds the level of dispassionate watcher to the level of whatever divine spellcasting class the dragon has, then determines spells per day and caster level accordingly. If the dragon had more than one divine spellcasting class before becoming a dispassionate watcher, the dragon must decide to which class it adds each level of dispassionate watcher for the purpose of determining spells per day. A very old amethyst dragon/1st-level cleric/2nd-level dispassionate watcher has the spellcasting ability of a 13thlevel cleric: 11 from divine conversion of its sorcerer spellcasting levels, 1 from its single cleric level, and 1 from its two levels in the prestige class. If a dragon advances an age category after taking levels in this class, the added levels of spellcasting ability are added to its effective divine spellcasting level. If the very old amethyst dragon in the example above lives to be ancient, its spellcasting level would increase by 2, so it would cast spells as a 15th-level cleric.
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Spellcasting — +1 level of existing class +1 level of existing class +1 level of existing class +1 level of existing class +1 level of existing class +1 level of existing class +1 level of existing class +1 level of existing class +1 level of existing class +1 level of existing class +1 level of existing class
Comprehend Languages (Sp): At 2nd level, a dispassionate watcher gains the ability to use comprehend languages at will. Stunning Rebuke (Su): A 4th-level dispassionate watcher can deliver a thunderous rebuke that stuns one creature of its choice within 100 feet. If the target creature fails a Will saving throw (DC 10 + dispassionate watcher’s class level + 1/2 its Cha modifier), it is stunned for 1d4+1 rounds. This is a sonic effect, but is not language-dependent. Tongues (Sp): A 5th-level dispassionate watcher can use tongues at will. Discern Lies (Su): At 6th level, a dispassionate watcher knows when anyone (other than a deity) is deliberately lying. This ability is like the discern lies spell, except that it works continuously and applies to any creature the dragon can perceive. Clearsight (Ex): A 9th-level dispassionate watcher can see illusions, transmuted creatures and objects, and disguised creatures and objects for what they really are, provided they are within 30 feet of the dragon. This ability is similar to the true seeing spell, except that it also foils mundane disguises. Vision (Sp): At 10th level, a dispassionate watcher gains the ability to use vision three times per day. Using this ability is only a standard action for the dragon. Analyze Dweomer (Sp): A 12th-level dispassionate watcher can use analyze dweomer at will.
DRAGON ASCENDANT Easily the most powerful creatures native to the Material Plane, dragons hold a unique position in relation to the powers beyond that plane. Those who become dragon ascendants quest to transcend the limitations of material existence, rising above all other dragons to become nothing less than deities themselves. Their progress through the levels of this class represents their advancement toward their ultimate goal, and they become increasingly godlike as they advance. Most dragon ascendants have not previously gained class levels, but all are dragons of considerable age and power. A few dragon clerics, paladins, and blackguards move into the dragon ascendant prestige class when they reach sufficient levels of power. Members of the divine
