Masters of wielding death, Onyx Magisters grasps higher learning for his magical prowess with his spells. Onyx Magisters are the highest practitioners of the black magic arts, wielding magic with the highest proficiency.
The onyx magister is an archetype of the black mage class.
Limit Break (Su)
At 1st level, the onyx magister receives the Limit Break (Metamagic Mastery).
Metamagic Mastery (Su): This Limit Break allows the onyx magister to be able to use one Metamagic feat that he possesses once per round without spending the extra MP or increasing the level of the spell for a duration of 1 round + 1 round per four black mage level. This limit break requires only a swift action.
This ability replaces the Limit Break (Spell Fury).
Black Wizardry (Ex)
At 13th and 17th level, an onyx magister increases his power with his spells. At each such opportunity, he can choose from the list of the following (with a maximum of 2 per):
- Improved Spell Mastery: This increases the DC for all of the onyx magister’s spells by 2.
- Improved Elemental Penetration: This allows the onyx magister to ignore 5 points of elemental resistance.
- Improved Spell Penetration: This increases the onyx magister’s caster level checks by 2 made to overcome a creature’s spell resistance. This stacks with the Spell Penetration feat.
This ability replaces black mageries gained at 13th and 17th level.
Dark Mastery (Ex)
At 15th level, any dark spells that the onyx magister casts that hits an opponent can obscure its vision. If the subject fails a Will save (DC 10 + half his black mage level + his Intelligence modifier), it treats all other creatures and objects as though they had concealment and takes a -5 penalty on Perception checks for 1 round. As a secondary benefit, the onyx magister gains a +1 competence bonus to his caster level when casting dark spells.
This ability replaces sudden metamagic.
Enfeebling Mastery (Ex)
At 17th level, any enfeebling spells that the onyx magister casts that hits an opponent can cause the subject to become sickened for a number of rounds equal to the level of the enfeebling spell he casts. The subject can reduce this duration to 1 round with a successful Fortitude save (DC 10 + half his black mage level + his Intelligence modifier). As a secondary benefit, the onyx magister gains a +1 competence bonus to his caster level when casting enfeebling spells.
This ability replaces bypass spell resistance.
Elemental Mastery (Ex)
At 19th level, any elemental spells that the onyx magister casts that hits an opponent can cause additional effects (see below). As a secondary benefit, the onyx magister gains a +1 competence bonus to his caster level when casting elemental spells.
- Elemental (Earth): An opponent struck by an Elemental (Earth) spell can reduce the speed of any land-bound creature. The creature must make a Reflex save (DC 10 + half his black mage level + his Intelligence modifier). If it fails, the creature’s normal land speed, as well as its burrow and climb speeds, decreases by 5 feet per level of the Elemental (Earth) spell to a minimum speed of 5 feet. This effect lasts for 1 round. Creatures currently swimming or flying are immune to this effect.
- Elemental (Fire): An opponent struck by an Elemental (Fire) spell causes the opponent to be dazzled for 1 round. Blind creatures or creatures immune to Blind status effects are immune to this effect.
- Elemental (Ice): An opponent struck by an Elemental (Ice) spell causes the square it’s in to be slick with ice. Creatures must make a successful Reflex save (DC 10 + half his black mage level + his Intelligence modifier) or fall. This save is repeated on each round that the creature remains within the area. A creature can walk within or through the area of ice at half normal speed with a DC 10 Acrobatics check. Failure means it can’t move that round (and must then make a Reflex save or fall), while failure by 5 or more means it falls. The ice melts away in 3 rounds.
- Elemental (Lightning): An opponent struck by an Elemental (Lightning) spell causes the opponent to be deafened for 1 round, no save.
- Elemental (Water): An opponent struck by an Elemental (Water) spell causes a small portion of the air in a living creature’s lungs to transform into water, making it difficult for the creature to breathe. The target becomes exhausted for 1 round; if it succeeds on a Fortitude save (DC 10 + half his black mage level + his Intelligence modifier), it is instead fatigued for 1 round. Creatures that can breathe water (or who don’t breathe) are immune to this effect.
- Elemental (Wind): An opponent struck by an Elemental (Wind) spell has a chance to be knocked back 5 feet. This functions much like a bull rush; the onyx magister makes a bull rush combat maneuver (using his caster level + his Intelligence modifier in place of CMB) + the level of the Elemental (Wind) spell against the opponent’s CMD. If he succeeds, he pushes the creature back 5 feet.
This ability replaces shaped area.