A geologist is attuned to ley lines and imbues his spells with their energy.
The geologist is an archetype of the scholar class.
Limit Breaks (Su)
At 1st level, the geologist receives the Limit Breaks (Elemental Torrent and Geocache).
Elemental Torrent (Su): This Limit Break produces a vertical column of random elements roaring downward upon an area within 60 ft. The area of effect is cylindrical (15-ft.-radius., 40-ft.-high). Enemies within the area of effect take 2d6 points of non-elemental damage + an additional 2d6 per four scholar levels after 1st, a Reflex save (DC 10 + half of the scholar’s level + her Wisdom modifier) reduces the damage by half. Those who fail the Reflex must make a Fortitude save for each status effect (DC 10 + half of the scholar’s level + her Wisdom or Intelligence modifier, whichever is higher) or be inflicted with Blind, Confuse, Curse, Petrification, Silence, and Slow status for 1 round + 1 round per four scholar levels after 1st.
Geocache (Su): This Limit Break allows the geologist to change the terrain to suit her needs. For a duration of 1 round + 1 round per four scholar levels after 1st, the geologist can choose a terrain (under Geomancy) and it converts the terrain around the geologist in a 30-ft.-radius. The geologist can change the terrain once per round as a free action. This limit break requires only a swift action.
These abilities replace the scholar’s standard Limit Breaks.
Spells
A geologist casts black magic and geomancer spells which are drawn from the black mage and geomancer spell lists. A geologist begins play with 2 1st level black magic spells and 2 1st level geomancer spells of her choice. The geologist also selects a number of additional 1st-level black magic spells equal to her Intelligence modifier and a number of additional 1st-level geomancer spells equal to her Wisdom modifier to add to her list of spells. Each time a character attains a new scholar level, she gains two black magic and two geomancer spells of her choice to add to her list of spells. These free spells must be of spell levels she can cast. Like most mages, a geologist can find or purchase scrolls with spells to add to her repertoire.
To learn or cast a black magic spell, the geologist must have an Intelligence score equal to at least 10 + the spell level (Int 11 for 1st-level spells, Int 12 for 2nd-level spells, and so forth). The Difficulty Class for a saving throw against a geologist’s black magic spell is 10 + the spell level + the geologist’s Intelligence modifier. In addition, a geologist gains additional MP for having a high attribute (Intelligence—see Table: Bonus MP per Day (by Spell Level) on the MP System page).
To learn or cast a geomancer spell, the geologist must have a Wisdom score equal to at least 10 + the spell level (Wis 11 for 1st-level spells, Wis 12 for 2nd-level spells, and so forth). The Difficulty Class for a saving throw against a geologist’s geomancer spell is 10 + the spell level + the geologist’s Wisdom modifier. In addition, a geologist gains additional MP for having a high attribute (Wisdom—see Table: Bonus MP per Day (by Spell Level) on the MP System page).
This ability modifies spellcasting.
Geomancy (Su)
At 1st level, a geologist gains the geomancy class feature from geomancer, using her scholar level as her geomancer level. In addition, she may use her Intelligence or Wisdom modifier for saves and effects, using the higher of the two.
This ability replaces light arts/dark arts.
Form Ley Line (Su)
At 3rd level, a geologist gains an instinctive ability to form ley lines. As a move action, she can concentrate and drop a ley line at her feet. This ability lasts for 1 round per scholar level. If the geologist is within her ley line, she may increase the DCs of her spells by 1. If the geologist moves from her ley line spot or otherwise forced to move, this ability ends and she must spend another move action to drop another ley line.
This ability replaces light arts: penury.
Conduit Surge (Su)
At 3rd level, a geologist is adept at channeling energy from ley lines to enhance her own spells. As a swift action, she can increase her effective caster level for the next spell she casts in that round by 1d4–1 levels. After performing a conduit surge, the geologist must succeed at a Fortitude save (DC 10 + level of spell cast + number of additional caster levels granted) or become staggered for a number of minutes equal to the level of the spell cast. At 8th level, the caster level increase becomes 1d4. She can use this ability 3 times per day.
This ability replaces dark arts: parsimony.
Favored Terrain (Ex)
Starting at 5th level, a geologist may select a type of terrain from Table: Favored Terrains. The geologist gains a +2 bonus on Initiative checks and Knowledge (geography), Perception, Stealth, and Survival skill checks when she is in this terrain. A geologist traveling through her favored terrain normally leaves no trail and cannot be tracked (though she may leave a trail if she so chooses).
At 9th level and every four levels thereafter, the geologist may select an additional favored terrain. In addition, at each such interval, the skill bonus and initiative bonus in any one favored terrain (including the one just selected, if so desired), increases by +2.
If a specific terrain falls into more than one category of favored terrain, the geologist’s bonuses do not stack; she simply uses whichever bonus is higher.
Table: Favored Terrains
| Favored Terrains |
|---|
| Cold (ice, glaciers, snow, and tundra) |
| Desert (sand and wastelands) |
| Forest (coniferous and deciduous) |
| Jungle |
| Mountain (including hills) |
| Plains |
| Planes (pick one, other than Material Plane) |
| Swamp |
| Underground (caves and dungeons) |
| Urban (buildings, streets, and sewers) |
| Water (above and below the surface) |
This ability replaces consume mp.
Ley Line Manipulation (Su)
At 7th level, a geologist strengthens her connection to ley lines. If she is within her ley line, she may cast one spell he knows with a metamagic feat (which she must possess) for free. She may not cast a spell with an effective level higher than 1 greater than the highest-level spell she can cast, or higher than 6th level. She may use this ability up to 3 times per day.
This ability replaces dark arts: manifestation.
Homefield Advantage (Su)
At 7th level, a geologist has learned to access her favored terrain, wherever she may be. Once per day, as a swift action, she may treat the area within a 30-ft radius burst centered on her as one of her favored terrain (chosen upon activation). This ability lasts for 1 round per scholar level. She gains an additional use of this ability at 11th, 14th, 17th, and 20th level.
At 11th level, a geologist’s homefield advantage radius increases by 10-ft.
At 14th level, the homefield advantage’s radius increases by another 10-ft. The duration for this ability is now in minutes per scholar level.
At 17th level, a geologist’s homefield advantage radius increases by 10-ft.
At 20th level, the duration for this ability is now 10 minutes per scholar level.
This ability replaces light arts: accession.
Geosynchronous (Su)
Starting at 11th level, while in any favored terrain that the geologist has chosen, she gains a +1 insight bonus to attack rolls and saving throws against creatures and a +1 insight bonus to all skill checks used in that terrain. These bonuses last as long as she remains in the specific location. These bonuses increase by +1 at every three levels gained after 11th.
This ability replaces light arts: celerity.
Nature’s Armor (Ex)
At 11th level, a geologist learns to use the natural cover her favored terrain provides. Whenever she is on one of her favored terrains, a geologist receives a +2 natural bonus to AC. This bonus increases by 1 at 14th, 17th and 20th level.
This ability replaces dark arts: alacrity.
Nature’s Resilience (Su)
At 15th level, whenever a geologist is on one of her favored terrains, she gains a bonus equal to her favored terrain bonus on all saves against extraordinary, spell-like and supernatural abilities.
This ability replaces light arts: rapture.
Ley Line Adept (Su)
At 15th level, the geologist’s control over ley lines greatly improves. Her form ley line ability improves such that she increases by 1.
This ability replaces dark arts: ebullience.