Formbender (Monk/Summoner)

Monks are well known for their mystical connection to their inner power. However, some bend this connection to form a bond with an extraplanar entity, gaining a number of powerful abilities in the process. These formbenders can summon forth the aspect of an eidolon from the outerplanes through meditation and training, enhancing their combat capabilities and diversifying their abilities. (Original Concept by Arkellus)

Primary Class: Monk.

Secondary Class: Summoner.

Alignment: Any.

Hit Dice: d8.

Bonus Skills and Ranks: The formbender may select three summoner skills to add to his class skills in addition to the normal monk class skills. The formbender gains a number of ranks at each level equal to 4 + Int modifier.

Weapon and Armor Proficiency: The formbender is proficient with the brass knuckles, cestus, club, crossbow (light or heavy), dagger, handaxe, javelin, kama, nunchaku, quarterstaff, sai, shortspear, short sword, shuriken, siangham, sling, spear, temple sword, and all natural attacks. The formbender is not proficient with any armor or shields. When wearing armor, using a shield, or carrying a medium or heavy load, the formbender loses his AC bonus, as well as his fast movement and Multiattack abilities.

Eidolon Aspect (Su): A formbender gains evolutions as if he were an eidolon. Some of the evolutions can be permanently manifested in his normal form (see the Manifestation ability), while others can be summoned temporarily. A formbender begins play with the ability to assume the aspect of a powerful outsider called an eidolon. A formbender can assume this aspect by spending 1 point from his ki pool as a swift action. This aspect lasts for 1 minute per formbender level. The formbender’s hit points are unchanged from his normal form and he can heal naturally as normal. Spells such as banishment or dismissal do not work on the formbender’s aspect, but the aspect can be dismissed by the formbender (a swift action). Drawing upon this ability uses up the same power as the formbender’s manifestation ability. As a result, when the formbender assumes his eidolon aspect, his manifestation ability is immediately suppressed. He retains all evolutions granted by his manifestation and immediately gains any additional evolutions granted by his aspect.

At 1st level, a formbender must choose one of the base forms listed in the eidolon description, and when manifested, takes a form shaped by the formbender’s desires. The formbenders uses his Hit Dice, saving throws, skills, feats, and other abilities while assuming his eidolon aspect. He also receives a pool of evolution points, based his level, that can be used to give the formbender different abilities and powers. Whenever the formbender gains a level, he must decide how these points are spent, and they are set until he gains another level of formbender. In addition, the formbender is also limited a maximum number of natural attacks (see Table: Formbender).

The aspect’s physical appearance is up to the formbender, but it always appears as some sort of fantastical creature. This control is not fine enough to make the formbender appear like a specific creature. While the aspect is manifested, the formbender bears a glowing rune that appears on his forehead. While this rune can be hidden through mundane means, it cannot be concealed through magic that changes appearance, such as alter self or polymorph (although invisibility does conceal it as long as the spell lasts).

The formbender can choose the Extra Evolution as a normal feat. This ability replaces the bonus feat gained at 1st, maneuver training, slow fall, diamond body, and quivering palm.

Manifestation (Su): At 1st level, a formbender permanently manifests his eidolon aspect evolutions by diverting 1 point from his eidolon aspect’s evolution pool. He cannot select the ability increase, Large, or Huge evolutions through this ability, nor can he select any evolution that the eidolon aspect could not possess.

As the formbender gains levels, he can divert more points from his eidolon aspect. For every two levels beyond 1st, the formbender can divert one additional point from his eidolon aspect, up to a maximum of 10 evolution points at 19th level. The formbender can change the evolutions he receives from these points any time he can change the eidolon aspect’s evolutions.The number of natural attacks that can be chosen with this ability is likewise limited to Table: Eidolon Manifestation Base Statistics.

A formbender can suppress his manifestation or reactivate it as a swift action. When the formbender uses his eidolon aspect ability, his manifestation is immediately suppressed and is superseded by his eidolon aspect. This ability replaces flurry of blows, and the bonus feats gained at 10th and 18th level.

Feral Strike: A formbender learns to improve his natural attacks gained through his evolutions. At 1st level, a formbender gains Feral Combat Training as a bonus feat. The damage of any natural attack manifested through his manifestation ability improves according to Table: Formbender. A Small formbender and some natural attacks deal less damage than the amount given there, while a Large formbender and other natural attacks deal more damage; see Table: Small or Large Formbender Feral Strike Damage. Feral strike attacks can be enhanced by the improved damage evolution, but not the Improved Natural Attack feat. This ability replaces stunning fist and unarmed strike.

Table: Small or Large Formbender Feral Strike Damage

Ki Pool (Su): This is exactly like the monk’s ability of the same name, except that the formbender gains his ki pool at 1st level. A formbender also uses his ki pool to power his eidolon manifestation ability. In addition, the formbender applies the effects of his ki strike to his feral strike ability. This ability otherwise functions as and replaces ki pool.

Unfettered Magic (Sp): Starting at 5th level, a formbender can spend points from his ki pool to cast spells as a spell-like ability. These spells have a caster level equal to his formbender level. These spells can only affect the formbender and he is treated as an eidolon for purposes of their effects.

At 5th level, he can cast lesser rejuvenate eidolon by spending 1 ki point.

At 8th level, he can cast enlarge person or lesser eidolon surge by spending 2 ki points.

At 11th level, he can cast eidolon surge or rejuvenate eidolon by spending 2 ki points.

At 14th level, he can cast greater eidolon surge or transmogrify by spending 3 ki points.

At 17th level, he can cast greater rejuvenate eidolon by spending 3 ki points.

The formbender can use this ability when his eidolon aspect is manifested. This ability replaces the bonus feat gained at 2nd level, high jump, purity of body, and wholeness of body.

Shielded Meld (Ex): At 6th level, whenever the formbender’s eidolon aspect is manifested, he gains a +2 shield bonus to his Armor Class and a +2 circumstance bonus on his saving throws. This ability replaces the bonus feat gained at 6th level.

Greater Shielded Meld (Ex): At 13th level, whenever the formbender’s eidolon aspect is manifested, he gains a +4 shield bonus to his Armor Class and a +4 circumstance bonus on his saving throws. This ability replaces diamond soul.

Persistent Manifestation (Su): At 14th level, a formbender’s eidolon aspect is manifested for 10 minutes per formbender level. This ability replaces the bonus feat gained at 14th level.

Perfect Merger: At 20th level, a formbender becomes a magical creature. He is forevermore treated as an outsider rather than as a humanoid (or whatever the formbender's creature type was) for the purpose of spells and magical effects. Additionally, the formbender gains damage reduction 10/chaotic, which allows him to ignore the first 10 points of damage from any attack made by a nonchaotic weapon or by any natural attack made by a creature that doesn't have similar damage reduction. Unlike other outsiders, the formbender can still be brought back from the dead as if he were a member of his previous creature type. In addition, a formbender can now use eidolon manifestation as long as she has at least 1 ki point, instead of spending 1 ki point. This ability otherwise functions as and replaces perfect self.

Table: Formbender