Aegis Mage (Aegis Dwarf, Wizard Archetype)
While dwarves rarely possess an affinity for the arcane arts, aegis dwarves have a natural antipathy towards the arcane, making them even less likely to become a practitioner of the arcane arts. However, on occasion, a rare aegis dwarf will choose the path of the arcane, but to do so requires far greater effort on their part than those of other races. Despite their arcane deficiency, the aegis mage gains greater defense capabilities and can become of powerful practitioner of the magic with continued study. This racial archetype is available only to aegis dwarves.
Class Features
The aegis mage has the following class features.
Spellcasting
Aegis dwarves are naturally unskilled when it comes to the arcane arts. Unfortunately, this natural deficiency remain when one chooses to become an aegis mage. An aegis mage continues to take a –4 penalty to all Knowledge (arcana) and Spellcraft skill checks related to arcane magic and spells, and has a caster level equal to his aegis mage class level –3 (minimum 1).
An aegis mage otherwise learns and prepares as a wizard equal to his level.
Arcane Bond (Ex or Su)
At 1st level, an aegis mage must form a powerful bond with his armor. This armor is always masterwork quality. An aegis mage can add additional magic abilities to his bonded armor as if he has the required Item Creation Feats and if he meets the level prerequisites of the feat, as normal.
If an aegis mage attempts to cast a spell without his bonded armor worn, he must make a concentration check or lose the spell. The DC for this check is equal to 20 + the spell’s level.
As a standard action, an aegis mage can enhance his armor by calling upon the arcane energies that fuel his powers. This effect lasts for 1 minute per aegis mage level. At 1st level, he can grant his armor a +1 enhancement bonus. For every four levels beyond 1st, the armor gains another +1 enhancement bonus, to a maximum of +5 at 17th level. These bonuses can be added to the armor, stacking with existing armor bonuses to a maximum of +5.
At 5th level, these bonuses can be used to add any of the following armor properties: delving, expeditious, fortification (heavy, light, or medium), ghost touch, impervious