Class Features

The aegis mage has the following class features.

Spellcasting

Aegis dwarves are naturally unskilled when it comes to the arcane arts. Unfortunately, this natural deficiency remain when one chooses to become an aegis mage. An aegis mage continues to take a –4 penalty to all Knowledge (arcana) and Spellcraft skill checks related to arcane magic and spells, and has a caster level equal to his aegis mage class level –3 (minimum 1). 

An aegis mage otherwise learns and prepares as a wizard equal to his level. 

Arcane Bond (Ex or Su)

At 1st level, an aegis mage must form a powerful bond with his armor. This armor is always masterwork quality. An aegis mage can add additional magic abilities to his bonded armor as if he has the required Item Creation Feats and if he meets the level prerequisites of the feat, as normal. 

If an aegis mage attempts to cast a spell without his bonded armor worn, he must make a concentration check or lose the spell. The DC for this check is equal to 20 + the spell’s level.

As a standard action, an aegis mage can enhance his armor by calling upon the arcane energies that fuel his powers. This effect lasts for 1 minute per aegis mage level. At 1st level, he can grant his armor a +1 enhancement bonus. For every four levels beyond 1st, the armor gains another +1 enhancement bonus, to a maximum of +5 at 17th level. These bonuses can be added to the armor, stacking with existing armor bonuses to a maximum of +5.

At 5th level, these bonuses can be used to add any of the following armor properties: delving, expeditious, fortification (heavy, light, or medium), ghost touch, impervious, invulnerability, and spell resistance (13, 15, 17, or 19).

Adding these properties consumes an amount of bonus equal to the property’s base price modifier. In addition, the bonuses can be consumed at the listed amount to add any of the following armor properties: energy resistance for +3 bonus and improved energy resistance for +5. These properties are added to any the armor already has, but duplicates do not stack. If the armor is not magical, at least a +1 enhancement bonus must be added before any other properties can be added. These bonuses and properties are decided when the ability is used and cannot be changed until the next time the aegis mage uses this ability. These bonuses do not function if the armor is worn by anyone other than the aegis mage.

An aegis mage can only enhance one suit of armor in this way at one time. If he uses this ability again, the first use immediately ends. This changes the arcane bond class feature.

Light Armor (Ex)

At 1st level, an aegis mage gains proficiency with light armor. An aegis mage can cast wizard spells while wearing light armor without incurring the normal arcane spell failure chance. Like any other arcane spellcaster, an aegis mage wearing medium or heavy armor or using a shield incurs a chance of arcane spell failure if the spell in question has a somatic component. In addition, he can also move at his normal speed while wearing light armor. 

Scribe Scroll

At 3rd level, an aegis mage gains Scribe Scroll as a bonus feat, instead of at 1st level.

Improved Spellcasting (Ex)

At 5th level, an aegis mage's spellcasting skills improve. An aegis mage takes only a –2 penalty to all Knowledge (arcana) and Spellcraft skill checks related to arcane magic and spells, and has a caster level equal to his aegis mage class level –2. This ability replaces the bonus feat gained at 5th level. 

Armor Training (Ex)

At 9th level, an aegis mage gains armor training, as the fighter ability. Whenever he is wearing light armor, he reduces the armor check penalty by 1 (to a minimum of 0) and increases the maximum Dexterity bonus allowed by his armor by 1. This ability does not increase with level advancement. This ability replaces the bonus feat gained at 10th level. 

Greater Spellcasting (Ex)

At 13th level, an aegis mage's spellcasting skills greatly improve. An aegis mage no longer takes a penalty to all Knowledge (arcana) and Spellcraft skill checks related to arcane magic and spells, but has a caster level equal to his aegis mage class level –1. This ability replaces the bonus feat gained at 15th level.

Well-Studied (Su)

At 20th level, an aegis mage's increased studies has resulted in an additional arcane power. The aegis mage gains two additional cantrips per day, six additional 1st- and 2nd-level spell slots, four additional 3rd- and 4th-level spell slots, two additional 5th-level spell slots, and one additional 6th-level spell slot. This ability replaces the bonus feat gained at 20th level.

Table: Aegis Mage