Master of Masks

Requirements

Skill: Bluff 8 ranks, Disguise 8 ranks, Perform (act) 8 ranks.

Languages: Any four.

Special: Must have successfully impersonated an individual, fooling even that person’s friends and associates.

Summary

Liars, charlatans, actors, and people with something to hide are the users of this class, and its wonderful. This is the first prestige class I ever played, this class is really awesome and just fun. It's similar to Tattooed Monk in that there's one sort of core ability that which the class revolves around, that being the persona masks. This class is excellent at giving a wide range of versatility to these characters that use this class, it's not even caster gated, even more so than they already have. They can become adept fighters, get new spells, gain a variety of bonuses on skill checks, and even become discreet and unseen.

Role: Spell Utility

Characteristics: Wearers of many faces that gain a variety of abilities from their mask

Source: Complete Scoundrel

Game Rule Information

The Master of Masks has the following game statistics.

Abilities: Whatever your casting stat is, Constitution and Dexterity for surviving with your d6 hit dice, as you are likely not heavily armored.

Alignment: Any

Hit Die: d6

Starting Gold: N/A

Class Skills

The Master of Masks's class skills are Appraise (Int), Bluff (Cha), Craft (Int), Disguise (Cha), Forgery (Int), Listen (Wis), Pickpocket (Dex), Search (Int), and Spot (Wis)

Skill Points at 1st Level: (4 + Int modifier) × 4

Skill Points at Each Additional Level: 4 + Int modifier

Class Features

All of the following are class features of the Master of Masks.

Weapon and Armor Proficiency: A Master of Masks is proficient with whatever they were already proficient with prior to taking levels in this class.

Spellcasting: At 2nd, 4th, 7th, and 9th level, you gain new spells per day and an increase in caster level (and spells known, if applicable) as if you had also gained a level in a spellcasting class to which you belonged before adding the prestige class level. You do not, however, gain any other benefit a character of that class would have gained. If you had more than one spellcasting class before becoming a master of masks, you must decide to which class to add each level for the purpose of determining spells per day, caster level, and spells known.

Persona Masks Su: You gain the ability to craft potent magical masks, each of which allows you to take on a different persona and gain some aspect of that creature or archetypal character. At 1st level, you learn to create and use two masks selected from those described below. At 2nd level, and at every odd-numbered level thereafter, you can create and use one more mask from the list.

Creating a new persona mask requires 8 hours of work and costs 100 gp. You can use only persona masks that you have crafted. No one else (not even another master of masks) can benefit from a persona mask that you create.

To gain the benefit of a mask, you merely wear it. Putting on a mask is a standard action, and removing one is a move action. Once it is worn, the mask’s benefit immediately applies. Your master of masks level is your caster level for any spell-like abilities produced by a mask.

In addition to its other benefits, a mask conceals your alignment, replacing it (for the purpose of detection spells or abilities) with an alignment appropriate to the mask. You still retain your normal alignment for all other purposes (such as if a paladin uses smite evil against you).

One or more persona masks can be worn at the same time, occupying the eye lenses/goggles body slot.

Angel: The image of an androgynous face with eyes serenely upturned to the heavens forms this mask, carved from flawless alabaster. Cultic runes adorn the forehead and cheeks, and its edges are ringed by downy feathers.

As an immediate action, you can use feather fall as a spell-like ability any number of times per day, but only on yourself.

Once per day as a swift action, you can use fly as a spelllike ability; the effect lasts for 5 rounds. As you advance in the master of masks class, you can use this ability more often: twice per day at 4th level, three times per day at 7th level, and four times per day at 10th level.

Your alignment appears to be lawful good while you wear an angel mask.

Archmage: This mask of deep purple fluorite is sculpted in the image of a heavily wrinkled old man. A roughly circular tangle of arcane runes appears where the visage’s mouth should be.

You can use each of these spell-like abilities once per day: charm person, dancing lights, detect magic, and magic missile. As you advance in the master of masks class, you can use additional spell-like abilities, each once per day: 4th level, invisibility and scorching ray; 7th level, lightning bolt and slow; and 10th level, dimension door and ice storm.

Your caster level is treated as two higher for the purpose of casting arcane spells (up to a maximum of your character level). If you have no arcane spellcasting ability, this effect grants you no benefit.

Your alignment appears to be chaotic good while you wear an archmage mask.

Assassin: Hardened black leather and metal clasps create the disturbing aspect of the assassin. A jagged, cruel slit forms the opening for the mouth, and the mask’s edges are worn and stained.

You can deliver a sneak attack that deals an extra 1d6 points of damage when you are flanking an opponent or at any time when the target would be denied its Dexterity bonus (see the rogue class feature, PH 50). As you advance in the master of masks class, your sneak attack becomes more devastating: This extra damage improves to 2d6 points at 4th level, 3d6 at 7th level, and 4d6 at 10th level. If you get a sneak attack bonus from another source (such as rogue levels), the bonuses on damage stack.

In addition, you gain a +2 competence bonus on Hide and Move Silently checks. This bonus improves to +4 at 4th level, +6 at 7th level, and +8 at 10th level.

Your alignment appears to be lawful evil while you wear an assassin mask.

Demon: This obsidian mask bears the visage of a darkly handsome fiend. Small, black horns adorn the demon’s forehead, and its black ears rise to points. Its smiling mouth shows rows of sharp teeth.

Once per day, you can use summon monster III as a spell-like ability, only to summon creatures of chaotic evil alignment. As you advance in the master of masks class, you can summon increasingly powerful creatures: At 4th level, you can instead use summon monster IV; at 7th level, summon monster V; and at 10th level, summon monster VI.

Your alignment appears to be chaotic evil while you wear a demon mask.

Dragon: This multihued mask of precious metals and scintillating gemstones forms the terrible visage of a snarling wyrm. A sunburst of metallic and bejeweled scales flares out around the reptilian face.

Three times per day you can breathe a cone of fire as a standard action. The cone is 30 feet long and deals 2d8 points of fire damage. A successful Reflex save (DC 10 + your master of masks level + your Cha modifier) halves the damage dealt. Once you use this ability, you can’t use it again for 1d4 rounds. As you advance in the class, you can deal additional damage with this ability: 4d8 points at 4th level, 6d8 at 7th level, and 10d8 at 10th level.

Your alignment appears to be neutral evil while you wear a dragon mask.

Faceless: Only a pair of empty eyeholes break this otherwise featureless oval, porcelain mask.

You gain a +5 competence bonus on saves against mindaffecting spells and abilities. You are protected from divination effects as if by a nondetection spell; the DC of the caster level check is 15 + your master of masks level.

Even if the nondetection effect is overcome, your alignment appears to be neutral while you wear a faceless mask.

Gladiator: This wyvern-hide mask is shaped like the face of a grim warrior. Scars cover its surface, and silver chainmail rings surround its outer edge.

You gain proficiency with all martial and exotic weapons. You also gain a +1 competence bonus on attack rolls and weapon damage rolls. As you advance in the master of masks class, you become more expert in weapon use: This bonus improves to +2 at 4th level, +3 at 7th level, and +4 at 10th level.

Your alignment appears to be neutral while you wear a gladiator mask.

High Priest: This mask of rose porphyry has a wide mouth open in song, but instead of eyes it has slits twisted into runes (these do not restrict your vision).

You can use each of the following spell-like abilities once per day: bless, cure light wounds, protection from evil, and sanctuary. As you advance in the class, you can use additional spell-like abilities, each once per day: At 4th level, you can use aid and lesser restoration; at 7th level, cure serious wounds and remove curse; and at 10th level, death ward and neutralize poison.

Your caster level is treated as two higher for the purpose of casting divine spells (up to a maximum of your character level). If you have no divine spellcasting ability, this effect grants you no benefit.

Your alignment appears to be neutral good while you wear a high priest mask.

Jester: Gaudy ribbons, tinkling bells, and a bobbing cockscomb adorn this leather mask. Brightly hued eyeshadow, lipstick, and alternating red, black, and white diamonds flamboyantly paint the form’s angular features.

You gain a +2 competence bonus on Balance, Perform, Sleight of Hand, and Tumble checks. As you advance in the master of masks class, you become more proficient with these skills: This bonus improves to +4 at 4th level, +6 at 7th level, and +8 at 10th level.

Your alignment appears to be chaotic neutral while you wear a jester mask.

Lich: This mask is made of poorly cured, purplish skin stretched over yellowed bone. Bloodless cuts and old bruises mar its surface, and tufts of long, white hair sprout from its wrinkled brow.

Once per day you can use cause fear and detect undead as spell-like abilities. As you advance in the master of masks class, you can use additional spell-like abilities, each once per day: At 4th level, you can use false life; at 7th level, halt undead; and at 10th level, fear.

Additionally, you gain resistance to cold 10.

Your alignment appears to be neutral evil while you wear a lich mask. Furthermore, you register as an undead creature with Hit Dice equal to your character level to any form of magical divination (such as detect undead).

Lord: A swirling mixture of gleaming copper and silver forms the regal countenance of a smiling man. A gem-studded diadem adorns its brow, and stamped across its surface are layered images of coins.

Once per day, you can use remove fear as a spell-like ability. As you advance in the master of masks class, you can use additional spell-like abilities, each once per day: At 4th level, you can use eagle’s splendor; at 7th level, heroism; and at 10th level, dispel chaos.

In addition, you gain a +2 competence bonus on Diplomacy and Gather Information checks. This bonus improves to +4 at 4th level, +6 at 7th level, and +8 at 10th level.

Your alignment appears to be lawful neutral while you wear a lord mask.

Savage: Bright, flaking warpaint streaks this battered wooden image of a snarling, fang-toothed wild man.

Your hands transform into claws, granting you two primary natural weapon attacks, each dealing 1d4 points of damage (assuming you are Medium), plus your Strength modifier. You are considered to be proficient with your natural weapons. Your claws overcome damage reduction as if they were magic weapons.

As you advance in the master of masks class, you can deal more damage with your claws: 1d6 points at 4th level, 1d8 at 7th level, and 2d6 at 10th level.

Your alignment appears to be chaotic neutral while you wear a savage mask.

Mask Specialist Su: Starting at 3rd level, you innately enhance the abilities of any magic mask you wear. If the mask creates an effect that requires a saving throw, the save DC increases by 2. If the mask grants a bonus on skill checks, that bonus is increased by 2. Otherwise, the mask’s caster level is treated as two higher.

This ability has no effect on the persona masks you create and use.

Many Faces Ex: At 5th level, you can wear more than one persona mask simultaneously. You can use the abilities of only one mask at a time, but you can switch between masks more quickly.

While wearing a persona mask, you can don a second without taking off the first. The appearance and benefit of the second replace those of the first. As a move action, you can have the first mask appear instead, granting its effect in place of the other’s.

At 8th level, you can wear up to three masks simultaneously and can switch masks as a swift action.

At 10th level, you can wear up to four masks simultaneously and can switch masks as an immediate action.

While wearing multiple persona masks in this way, you can remove any worn mask as a move action (regardless of which one is active).

Hidden Mask Su: Beginning at 6th level, you can make any mask you wear become invisible (or return an invisible mask to visibility). Activating or deactivating this ability requires a swift action. The mask’s benefit applies regardless of whether it is visible.

Table 1-1: Master of Masks Progression

Level	Base Attack Bonus	Fort Save	Ref Save	Will Save	Special	Spellcasting	Masks Known
1st	+0	+0	+2	+2	Persona masks	—	2
2nd	+1	+0	+3	+3	—	+1 level of existing spellcasting class	3
3rd	+1	+1	+3	+3	Mask specialist	—	4
4th	+2	+1	+4	+4	—	+1 level of existing spellcasting class	4
5th	+2	+1	+4	+4	Many faces (2, move)	—	5
6th	+3	+2	+5	+5	Hidden mask	—	5
7th	+3	+2	+5	+5	—	+1 level of existing spellcasting class	6
8th	+4	+2	+6	+6	Many faces (3, swift)	—	6
9th	+4	+3	+6	+6	—	+1 level of existing spellcasting class	7
10th	+5	+3	+7	+7	Many faces (4, immediate)	—	7

Adaptation

The master of masks is flexible enough to fit a variety of roles in nearly any campaign setting. One interpretation of the class might have a more sinister nature, with each mask drawing its abilities from trapped outsiders bound within. Masters of masks might be members of an organized group of spies or assassins in the service of an unscrupulous government, arcane organization, or deceptive religion. Alternatively, masters of masks and their signature disguises might be far rarer than suggested above. Perhaps each mask is unique, and a handful of masters compete to find a legendary mask, each hoping to make its powers his alone.