Skincarver

The Skincarver gains supernatural and spell-like powers by using their body as a living magical scroll. The carving of these exotic symbols is performed by several tribes and monastic orders from Rashemen to the Bloodstone Lands. Preparing the enchanted inks is difficult and expensive, while marking the skin is not merely painful but outright dangerous to the uninitiated.

Through a combination of permanent enchanted tattoos and other runes which quickly fade to scars once used, the Skincarver becomes capable of superhuman feats.

Properties

• Hit Die: d10.
• AB Progression: High.
• Primary Save: Fortitude and Will.
• Skill Points: 3 + Int Modifier.
• Class Skills: Balance, Heal, Intimidate, Knowledge, Parry, Perception, Sense Motive, Stealth, Survival.

Requirements

• Class: Barbarian or Monk
• Feat: Artist.
• Skill: Knowledge: Arcana 7.

Progression

Available

Lvl	BAB	Saves			Feats	HP range	Runescar	Tattoo	AC Bonus
		Fort	Ref	Will
1	+1	+2	+0	+2	Runescar (left shin), Tattoo (left biceps)	10±CON Modifier	1	1	-
2	+2	+3	+0	+3	Runescar (right shin)	20±CON Modifier	2	1	-
3	+3	+3	+1	+3	Runescar (left forearm), Ritual Scarring I	30±CON Modifier	3	1	+1
4	+3	+4	+1	+4	Tattoo (right biceps), Energy Resistance: Cold	30±CON Modifier	3	2	+1

Not Accessible

Lvl	BAB	Saves			Feats	HP range	Runescar	Tattoo	AC Bonus
		Fort	Ref	Will
5	+4	+4	+1	+4	Runescar (right forearm)	40±CON Modifier	4	2	+1
6	+5	+5	+2	+5	Marked Torso, Ritual Scarring II	50±CON Modifier	4;5	3;2	+2

Feats

• Ritual Scarring - Through frequent disfiguration of their own skin, a Skincarver gains a +1 bonus to AC at 3rd level. This increases to +2 at 6th level.
• Marked Torso - The Skincarver has a choice between adding an additional Tattoo (torso) or an extra Runescar (torso).
• Runescars - Each Runescar location can be filled with a runic spell once/day. This costs 25 x Skincarver level x Rune level in cp and deals d6 damage per Rune level to the Skincarver. The runes remain in their slot until they are activated, at which point the slot becomes empty. While each Runescar has only a single use, it is possible to inscribe the same rune upon multiple locations on the body. As a character gains more levels, more and more powerful runes become available (if the Skincarver meets the required Wisdom score). All runic powers are centered upon the bearer.
• Tattoos - Tattoos have permanent or daily powers and cannot be replaced once chosen. Unlike Runescars, each type of tattoo can only be placed once.

Runic List

• Rune level 1 (WIS 11+): Camouflage, Cure Moderate Wounds, Entropic Shield, Ironguts and Truestrike
• Rune level 2 (WIS 12+): Bear's Endurance, Bull's Strength, Cure Serious Wounds, Resist Elements and Ultravision
• Rune level 3 (WIS 13+): Balagarn's Iron Horn, Clarity, Ghostly Visage, Lesser Restoration and See Invisibility
• Rune level 4 (WIS 14+): Cure Critical Wounds, Displacement, Greater Magic Weapon, Haste and Keen Edge
• Rune level 5 (WIS 15+): Freedom of Movement, Monstrous Regeneration, Neutralize Poison, Polymorph Self and Stoneskin
• Rune level 6 (WIS 16+): Death Ward, Elemental Shield, Heal, Resist Magic (see below) and Restoration

Resist Magic grants a +5 saving throw vs Spells for 1 turn per Skincarver level.

Basic Tattoos Mark of the Bat - +3 Stealth Mark of the Hawk - +3 Perception Mark of the Heart - +3 Sense Motive Mark of the Monkey - +3 Balance Mark of the Nightingale - +3 Heal Mark of the Skull - +3 Intimidate Mark of the Tortoise - +3 Survival Mark of the Wasp - +3 Parry Mark of the White Mask - +5 Bluff Sign of the Arrowroot - Heal another character for WIS x level HP Sign of the Centipede - Cast Expeditious Retreat once/day Sign of the Chameleon - Cast Camouflage once/day Sign of the Chrysanthemum - Cast Heroism once/day Sign of the Crescent Moon - Extra use/day of Barbarian Rage (if Barbarian) Sign of the Scorpion - Cast Doom once/day

Advanced Tattoos (Skincarver level 4+ required) Full Moon Emblem - Gain Great Rage feat (if Barbarian) Blazing Sun Emblem - Cast Monstrous Regeneration once/day (only during the daytime, under clear skies) Crab Emblem - Gain DR 5/+1 Crane Emblem - Immune to Poison Dragon Emblem - Cast Fire Breath once/day Dragonfly Emblem - Improved Defense feat (+1 AC) Falcon Emblem - Immune to Fear High Mountain Emblem - Defensive Stance once/day Lion Emblem - +2d3 STR for 1 round/level once/day Phoenix Emblem - Creatures always disengage when bleeding starts Pine Tree Emblem - Always stabilize when in negative hp Rolling Ocean Emblem - Immune to Sleep, rest as if level 2 food is always available. Spider Emblem - Gain Poison Attack (CON, DC 14) as an alternative to Stunning Fist (shared uses/day) Tiger Emblem - +d6 slashing damage (unarmed strike only) for 1 round/level once/day Unicorn Emblem - +2 Bonus to SR Tattoo of the Bamboo Stand - Gain +1 CON Tattoo of the Bellflower - Gain +1 CHA Tattoo of the Butterfly - Gain +1 DEX Tattoo of the Fox - Gain +1 INT Tattoo of the Salmon - Gain +1 WIS

Class Route to Prestige

This assumes the character has only a single class to meet the requirements and is non-human before taking the prestige class (PrC). Human characters will have greater flexibility in regards to feat progression due to the extra feat granted at character creation by their racial bonus, Quick to Master. Some class routes to prestige may also favour multi-classing in order to more effectively meet pre-requisites or to better synergise the character's skill set to suit the PrC, however caution is advised as most PrCs have strict skill requirements and the wrong combination of classes (due to cross-classing of skills) may result in further delaying and reducing the levels of a prestige class obtainable or render it entirely unobtainable for the character.

Base Class	Minimum Base Class Level	Maximum Prestige Class Level	Knowledge: Arcana	Artist
Barbarian	4th Level	4th Level	4th Level	1st Level
Monk	4th Level	4th Level	4th Level	1st Level

Special Mention: The Tattooed Monk

The Skincarver prestige class draws heavy inspiration from the Forgotten Realms prestige class of the Tattooed Monk, with a line of divergence from the original concept by making it less religiously focused in theme and more open to secular and arcane approaches to the career path. All of which still may tend to be informed by shamanistic practices, diverse and arcane traditions, as well as cultural and spiritual insights. Despite this, the Tattooed Monk remains a viable archetype after which Skincarvers may be stylised, for which the following information is provided as inspiration:

Certain monastic orders bestow supernatural or spell-like powers on their members by inscribing magic tattoos on their skin. These tattooed monks shave their heads, speak in cryptic riddles and maxims, and - in many cases - travel the countryside furthering their quest for enlightenment by facing and conquering temptation.

The great majority of tattooed monks begin their careers as monks. A small number of fighters, druids, and even a few clerics adopt the tattooed monk prestige class. In general, tattooed monks are drawn almost exclusively from rural or wild regions, though more "civilized" individuals who gain the favor of the order are sometimes allowed to join.

The ranks of the tattooed monks are divided between worldly monks - those who believe that temptation can only be overcome if it is squarely faced - and ascetic monks, who rarely leave their mountaintop retreats. Player character tattooed monks are assumed to fall into the former category, but NPCs can be found in both roles. NPC tattooed monk often fulfill roles as philosophers and mystics, helping others find answers to esoteric questions and solutions to unusual problems.

Reference: Tattooed Monk - General Prestige Class

Notes

All prestige classes require a PC to met the real (unmodified) rank of a skill, refer to Skills for clarification, in order to progress into the prestige class.