Shinobi Brewmaster (Ninja/Alchemist)

Among the secretive clans of the ninja are those skilled in the mystic science of alchemy. By diverting from her studies of the hidden arts of stealth and camouflage, the shinobi brewmaster employs both bombs and her limited extracts to deadly effect. Occasionally seen as deficient by other members of the clan, it is the shinobi brewmaster that is often given vital tasks on behalf of the clan leader, such a destroying a key instillation belonging to a rival clan, assassinating a prominent merchant, or infiltrating the staff of a ruling lord. Regardless of the view of others, the shinobi brewmaster deems himself an integral part of his clan due to the unusual skill set he employs. (Original Concept by Elghinn Lightbringer)

Primary Class: Ninja.

Secondary Class: Alchemist.

Alignment: Any.

Hit Dice: d8.

Bonus Skills and Ranks: The shinobi brewmaster can select three alchemist skills to add to his list of class skills in addition to normal ninja class skills, one of which must be Craft (alchemy). The shinobi brewmaster gains a number of ranks at each level equal to 6 + Int modifier.

Weapon and Armor Proficiency: The shinobi brewmaster is proficient with all simple weapons and bombs, plus the kama, katana, kusarigama, nunchaku, sai, shortbow, short sword, shuriken, siangham, and wakizashi. The shinobi brewmaster is proficient with light armor, but not with shields.

Alchemy (Ex): At 1st level, a shinobi brewmaster gains the alchemist’s alchemy ability, except that he can only use his Craft (alchemy) to create mundane alchemical items.

Sneak Attack: This is exactly like the ninja ability of the same name, except that this extra damage is 1d6 at 1st level, and increases by 1d6 at 3rd level and every four shinobi brewmaster levels thereafter, to a maximum of +6d6 at 19th level. Sneak attack bonuses from multiple sources stack.

Ninja Tricks (Ex): This is exactly like the ninja ability of the same name, except that whenever the shinobi brewmaster could select a ninja trick, he can select one of the new ninja tricks or an alchemist discovery for which he qualifies, using his shinobi brewmaster as his alchemist level. The shinobi brewmaster may only select from discoveries related to bombs and extracts, not mutagens. At 10th level, whenever the shinobi brewmaster could select a ninja trick, he can select a master trick instead.

In addition, any ninja trick with “bomb” in its name descriptor (such as smoke bomb) functions as a bomb discovery for the purpose of the shinobi brewmaster’s bomb ability, and can therefore add its effects to bombs created with his bomb ability without expending the indicated number of ki points. A shinobi brewmaster that uses a “bomb” ninja trick separately from the bomb ability must spend the required ki points.

Poison Resistance (Ex): At 3rd level, a shinobi brewmaster gains the alchemist’s poison resistance ability, except that he gains a bonus on all saving throws against poison of +2 at 3rd level, and increases to +4 at 6th level, and again to +6 at 9th level. At 12th level, a shinobi brewmaster becomes completely immune to poison. This ability replaces no trace.

Shinobi Extracts (Ex): Beginning at 4th level, a shinobi brewmaster can create a small number of extracts. A shinobi brewmaster’s formulae list is very limited. He knows only one formulae of each level, but he can create an extract from any formulae he knows a number of times per day equal to 3 + his Intelligence modifier. At 4th level, a shinobi brewmaster may select one of the following as his 1st–level formula: disguise self, forced quiet±, jump, and vanish*. (*Advanced Player's Guide, ±Ultimate Magic)

At 7th level, a shinobi brewmaster may select one of the following as his 2nd–level formula: alter self, darkvision, spider climb.

At 10th level, a shinobi brewmaster may select one of the following as his 3rd–level formula: blur, cat’s grace, invisibility.

At 13th level, a shinobi brewmaster may select one of the following as his 4th–level formula: displacement, shadow step.

Through 3rd level, a shinobi brewmaster has no caster level. At 4th level and higher, his caster level is equal to his shinobi brewmaster level –3. A shinobi brewmaster uses no formulae book. Any formula he selects is added to a list of formulae known (like a bard’s list of spells known), and therefore, cannot learn additional formulae. This ability otherwise functions as the alchemist’s extract ability. This ability replaces uncanny dodge and improved uncanny dodge.

Bombs (Su): At 5th level, a shinobi brewmaster gains the alchemist ability to create bombs, except that a shinobi brewmaster’s bomb inflicts 1d6 points of fire damage + additional damage equal to his Intelligence modifier. At 9th level and every four levels thereafter, the damage of his bomb increases by 1d6 points to a maximum of 4d6 at 17th level. This ability replaces sneak attack 3d6, 5d6, 7d6, and 9d6.

Shinobi Master (Su): At 20th level, a shinobi brewmaster becomes a true master of his art. A shinobi brewmaster can brew a master extract of significant import to his art of vanishing and escaping. Upon imbing this extract, the shinobi brewmaster can, as a standard action, invoke the effects of the spell once per day, using his shinobi brewmaster level as his caster level. A shinobi brewmaster may select one of the spell effects listed below. This ability otherwise functions as and replaces hidden master.

Master of the Mists: The shinobi brewmaster becomes ethereal, as the ethereal jaunt spell. If he spends 3 points from his ki pool, his attacks and spells he casts affect material creatures while he is ethereal.

Master of the Shadow: The shinobi brewmaster can travel through Plane of Shadow, as the shadow walk spell. If he spends 3 points from his ki pool, he can make out details of the terrain or areas he passes over and judge distances accurately, allowing him to scout or spy. Also, when he reemerges into the Material Plane, he does so at his desired endpoint.

Master of the Unseen: The shinobi brewmaster becomes invisible, as the greater invisibility spell. If he spends 3 points from his ki pool, he cannot be detected by any means, not even invisibility purge, see invisibility, and true seeing can reveal him, while he is invisible.

Table: Shinobi Brewmaster