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[edit] The Paradox Mage

What would happen if an unstoppable force hits an immovable object?

In any pub there is a customer such that, if he or she drinks, everybody in the pub drinks.

Is the answer to this question no?

I always lie!

Although these sentences will make most ponder for a bit and then smile at their impossibility, there are those, born with a natural understanding for logic and paradoxes. They know how to make everything that appears to be impossible happen and they do it without remorse.

Adventures: Paradox mages are always planning and plotting something. Relying on their high intelligence and knowledge of the arcane arts to make it out of any possible situation they may end up in, they are not afraid to venture into the unknown.

Characteristics: Paradox mages are liars. And they state it loudly, yet no one believes them. They are adept at making others believe what they want them to. Being able to effectively predict other’s actions is one of the paradox mage’s key abilities. Always one step ahead of their foes and one step away from being revealed for the fakes they really are, they don’t like to spend more time in a single place, than they need to achieve their goals. The existence of a paradox mage is a difficult one; hence there aren’t many of them. Most of them are self-taught and ill-minded, however there are those few of them, who use the advantages they are given to support good causes. paradox mages always have a secret goal in mind and never stray from it, no matter how long they have to wait and work to achieve it. Once they do, they revert to the next goal in their never-ending list.

Alignment: Any.

Religion: Paradox mages are interested in religion as much as they need it to use it in their manipulation games and performances. They may favor any given deity if that would get them out of a bad situation, but overall they prefer to stay neutral.

Background: Paradox mages are basically wizards, who practice their craft in a different direction – logic and controversy.

Races: Mostly humans and shyrids, as the most adaptable of races grow up to be paradox mages. Gnomes, on the other hand, being a bit more intelligent then others favor this class too. Halflings like the sly ways of the paradox mage. Nevertheless there are the rare cases of, half-elves, elves and even orcs, but they are almost ignorable.

Other Classes: Paradox mages at best dislike beings less intelligent than themselves. In general they don’t like to bond with others, as their trust is almost impossible to gain, and they are aware, that friendship and partnership is ineffective without full trust. They tend to get along with rogues, who prove to be extremely useful when it comes to dirty work. Sorcerers are also great tools when it comes to achieving a goal, which requires more power then finesse. And they tend to be too proud to show they don’t fully understand the complicate plans a paradox mage makes, so they don’t ask too many questions, which is perfect. Bards are interesting and multifunctional, but too free-willed to be main figures in a paradox mage’s plans. Wizards are acceptable companions, but are not really needed, when you could always acquire the assistance of a sorcerer, and you can be the mastermind yourself. Barbarians, fighters and rangers are an unpleasant necessity to a paradox mage. Druids are boring at best. Monks are avoided if possible. Paladins are a threat. A paradox mage is always willing to leave a party with a paladin in it.

Role: In a group the paradox mage performs badly. He is often slowed by the others and has no remorse of using them as he finds best. There are cases when paradox mages have true friends, in who they put their full confidence, which greatly increases their productivity, but gaining a paradox mage’s friendship is next to impossible. Being natural born leaders, paradox mages aren’t really skilled in many different things, but are always able to find the ones who are and use them properly.

[edit] Game Rule Information

Paradox mages have the following game statistics.

Abilities: A paradox mage’s abilities are tied to his Intelligence and most of his skills are Charisma based.

Alignment: Any

Starting Age: Complex

Starting Gold: 1d4x10+8gp (28gp)

[edit] Class features

All of the following are class features of the paradox mage.

Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Paradox mages are proficient with no weapons except for daggers, light crossbows and quarterstaffs. They are not proficient with any type of armor or shield.

Spellcasting: Paradox mages can prepare and cast spells as though they were wizards of half the paradox mage’s class-level. At level 17 they start to progress faster, as their casting level now increases as wizard’s would on each level. For all spellcasting purposes a paradox mage should be treated as a wizard of level equal to the value in the “Wizard equiv.” column.

Paradox (Su): At 1st level, a paradox mage gains the ability to utilize paradoxes. At every odd level he may chose an additional paradox. Paradoxes are treated as spell-like abilities (with casting time a free action). A paradox mage can utilize any paradox he has chosen at a maximum of paradoxes equal to twice his Intelligence modifier per day. Utilizing a paradox also requires the paradox mage to sacrifice a prepared spell of any level.
Paradoxes:
“I always lie” – for the next number of hours equal to the sacrificed spell's level anything the paradox mage says he believes to be true, thus his lies cannot be detected.
“Never say never” – for the next number of hours equal to (the sacrificed spell's level + the paradox mage's intelligence modifier) hours all creatures who would make a Sense Motive or Diplomacy check or Will save affecting the paradox mage or one of his spells make the roll at a penalty of their own Intelligence modifier (if positive).
“Unstoppable force” – for the next number of hours equal to the paradox mage's intelligence modifier hours the paradox mage gains a +4 + Intelligence modifier bonus to any Intimidate checks he makes.
“Immovable object” – for the next number of minutes equal to (the sacrificed spell's level + the paradox mage's intelligence modifier) the paradox mage gains a bonus to any Will saves equal to his Intelligence modifier.
“I only know what I don’t know” – for the next number of minutes equal to the sacrificed spell's level + 1 the paradox mage gains a bonus to Intelligence equal to (base Wisdom modifier)x2 and a bonus to his Wisdom modifier equal to (base Intelligence modifier)x2. This bonus does not stack with any other kind of bonuses.
“You only know what you don’t know” – for the next number of minutes equal to the sacrificed spell's level + 1 the paradox mage gains a bonus to Intelligence equal to (base Charisma modifier)x2 and a bonus to his Charisma modifier equal to (base Intelligence modifier)x2. This bonus does not stack with any other kind of bonuses.
“Remember the future” – at the cost of 100xp. the paradox mage may use the spell Augury as a free action, whether he has it prepared or not.
“Change the past” – at the cost of 500xp. the paradox mage can reroll any Reflex saving throw after the original was made. This paradox cannot be used twice on the same roll. On the reroll the paradox mage gets a bonus equal to the sacrificed spell’s level. The paradox mage may choose which roll to use
“Buttered cat” – The paradox mage gains a flying speed of 15ft(perfect maneuverability) for a number of minutes equal to (Intelligence modifier + sacrificed spell's level).
“Fornever” – If the paradox mage has utilized both “Remember the Future” and “Change the Past” in the previous round, the paradox mage is under the effect of a Time Stop spell for (intelligence modifier - 5) rounds (minimum 1).
“Unknowledge” – If the paradox mage is under the effect of both “I only know what I don’t know” and “You only know what you don’t know”, he gets a +2 bonus to Intelligence, Charisma and Wisdom, which stacks with the bonus from the other two paradoxes.
“Unexistence” – If the paradox mage is under the effect of both “Unstoppable force” and “Immovable object” he becomes under the effect of an Ethereal Jaunt spell for a duration equal to (Intelligence modifier + sacrificed spell’s level).
“Constant Change” – For the next number of hours equal to (the sacrificed spell's level + the paradox mage's intelligence modifier) the paradox mage's alignment is detected by others as whatever he chooses. He must make the choice when he utilizes this paradox and once made, it cannot be changed unless with another use of this paradox or a spell like undetectable alignment.
"Original Copy" - The paradox mage creates multiple images of himself as per the "mirror image". The number of images is equal to his intelligence modifier + the sacrificed spell's level (max 8) and they exist for a number of minutes equal to his Wiz. equivalent.
"Huge for my size" - The paradox mage affects himself as per the "enlarge person" spell for a number of minutes equal to his Wiz. equivalent.
“Polynot” – for the next number of hours equal to the sacrificed spell's level the paradox mage gains the benefits of the Polyglot feat.
“Timeless Timing” – Beginning at the start of the next round and for the next number of rounds equal to (the sacrificed spell's level + the paradox mage's intelligence modifier) the paradox mage automatically wins initiative, and may hold choose to hold their initiative to any point in the round. The paradox mage must still announce their action at the beginning of the round.
“Something from Nothing” – The paradox mage creates a major magical surge, gaining a bonus to the surge roll equal to (Intelligence modifier + sacrificed spell’s level).
“Artificial Reality” - For the next number of hours equal to (the sacrificed spell's level + the paradox mage's intelligence modifier) the paradox mage walks in an aura of the surreal, causing those he encounters to wonder if he is some sort of illusion. This does not convince the person of this, nor does it affect the outcomes of any investigations into the paradox mage's reality - it merely plants the unshakable suspicion.
“Forgetmenow” - For the next number of hours equal to (the sacrificed spell's level + the paradox mage's intelligence modifier) the paradox mage may use the Out of Mind class ability without needing to converse or interact with the creature for any amount of time. The paradox mage may use the ability continuously to pass undetected amongst creatures, though the effect is broken if the paradox mage engages in combat or obviously threatening behavior.
“life in death” the next creature that is slain by another copy of the sacrificed spell rises as an aproprite type zombie the next night. The created zombie in indeoendent but cam be commanded, bolstered or rebuked as normal.
“Death in life” The Pradox Mage places a special mind afecting compulsion effect on a subject, which causes the subject tho thin that they´ve failed in anything they´ve aspired to be, and rhat they are a faliure, and that life is no longer worth living. causing them to taka -2 penalty on Initive, Perforn and Diplomacy checks due to their self doubt.They can make a DC16 Will save to negate this penallty when it would afect them. This effect lasts a nuber of days equal to the Mage´s Charisma modifier. The efects of this Paradox cannot be dispelled, but can be removed with a break enchantment, limited wish, miracle, remove curse, or wish spell or any similar ability.
"One Hand Clapping" The Paradox Mage gains the ability to Daze all creatures within 30 ft for a duration of (sacrificed spell's level + intelligence modifier of the effected creature) rounds unless they make a Will save (DC = 10 + sacrificed spell's level + Paradox mage's charisma modifier). This effect is based on noise and sight, thus any creature unable to see or hear the paradox is not effected. Any creature that can only see, or can only hear, the paradox gains a +2 on the Will save. In addition, any creature with an intelligence score of below 8 is not effected by this ability in any way. The Paradox mage must have at least one free hand to use this ability.

(Feel free to add any additional paradoxes you might think of.)

Scribe Scroll: At 1st level, a paradox mage gains Scribe Scroll as a bonus feat.

Non-offensive Casting: Paradox mages have specialized in casting non-offensive spells. Whenever a spell cast by a paradox mage would deal physical damage of any kind, except for spells of the illusion school, it deals half that damage instead. If a saving throw would allow half damage, all who succeed on this throw take no damage instead.

Organized mind: A paradox mage always pays attention to the details and is good at remembering things. He gets a +8 bonus to any roll, required to remember something.

Understanding: Understanding the world is the key, a paradox mage uses to achieve his goals. For each five minutes a paradox mage spends studying an item or person he gets a cumulative +1 insight bonus to checks related to the studied subject. This bonus is half for Strenght and Constitution-based checks and fades away at a speed of +1 per 24 hours. That bonus cannot exceed +4. Also studied subjects get a -1 penalty to any Will and Reflex saves for each +1 insight bonus. This penalty only applies for actions, related with the paradox mage, that has studied them.

Veil of Secrecy(Ex): Secrets are worthless if revealed and a paradox mage knows that. At 3rd level a paradox mage learns how, with the help of his arcane talents to hide information from himself, thus rendering it impossible to detect using mind reading. A paradox mage must make a concentration check (DC 15 + stored secrets) to “store” a secret in his mind for 24 hours or until retrieved. If the secret is not retrieved within 24 hours, it is lost and the paradox mage is considered to have never known it in the first place. The maximum number of stored secrets is equal to the paradox mage’s Intelligence modifier. Storing a secret beyond the maximum causes a random stored secret to be forgotten and the new one stored in its place. To retrieve all secrets a paradox mage must make a concentration check (DC 15 + stored secrets). If successful they appear in his mind like memories. If he fails a random secret is forgotten, and the rest are retrieved. Although a paradox mage is clearly aware of this ability and the current count of stored secrets, those facts are always hidden from mind reading.

Twisted Tongue: At 4th level, the paradox mage adds his Intelligence modifier to all Diplomacy, Bluff, Sense Motive and Gather Information checks.

Trustworthy (Ex): Through their steadily increasing understanding of body language, gesture and other aspects of human behaviour, the paradox mage learns how to make themselves trustworthy in the eyes of others. Unless proven to be a cheat and a liar, the paradox mage will tend to be regarded as a trustworthy and good individual by those they meet. The initial attitude of any non-player character encountered by the paradox mage will be either friendly or helpful unless they have had the paradox mage’s dishonesty proven to them.

Out of sight (Ex): Spinning his webs, sometimes a paradox mage needs to conceal his presence. Upon reaching 6th level, the paradox mage gains as a spell like ability Invisibility once per day. The caster level is equal to the paradox mage’s class level. He also adds his Intelligence modifier to any Disguise and Hide checks he makes.

Undetectable Alignment: Upon reaching 6th level, a paradox mages gains undetectable alignment as a spell-like ability once per day.

Familiar: Upon reaching 7th level, a paradox mage can obtain a familiar the same way a wizard can at 1st level. For all purposes concerning the familiar, a paradox mage’s level is equal to the value in the wizard equiv.

Out of Mind (Ex): At 8th level, after speaking with an intelligent being for more than five minutes a paradox mage can cast a subtle spell that causes the subject to erase all memories of the conversation (and existence if it’s the first time the creature meets the mage) of the paradox mage when it loses him from sight. The subject may make a Will save (DC 10 + paradox mage class level + paradox mage’s Intelligence modifier) to resist the effect, but the attempt remains undetected, so the paradox mage can retry after another five minutes. The effect is permanent.

Improved Dispel Magic: Starting from 9th level a paradox mage gets +4 + Intelligence modifier on his dispel checks.

Unquestioned (Ex): Beginning at 10th level, the paradox mage is so good at gaining people’s confidence and seeming like a friendly and trustworthy individual that people will follow his advice without thinking it through properly. The target must make a successful Will save (DC 10 + paradox mage class level + Intelligence modifier) or they will follow the advice they are given without thought, provided it does not directly and immediately threaten life and limb. The advice must be solicited but need not have anything to do with the problem originally presented to the paradox mage.

Tongue of the sun and moon (Ex): A paradox mage of 12th level or higher can speak with any living creatures.

The walls have ears (Ex): Upon reaching 14th level the paradox mage can sense by who he is being monitored. This requires a Concentration check(DC 20, free action). On success, the paradox mage feels any form of scrying spell or other type of direct monitoring (magical or not) and its origin. The sources appear in his mind as memories.

Shadow Jump (Ex): The paradox mage can use shadow jump as the shadowdancer’s ability with a range of (100 + 10*Intelligence modifier)ft per day.

Paradox Jump (Ex): Although it would cause a paradox, the paradox mage can use shadow jump to jump into his own shadow. The restrictions to the exit point still apply however.

Subtle Casting: Upon reaching 18th level, the paradox mage gains the ability to cast all his spells as though they were prepared as Silent and Still spells without the increase in spell level.

Mastermind (Su): Upon reaching 20th level a paradox mage gains eternal charm as a spell-like ability (DC 10 + wizard equiv + Intelligence modifier). The paradox mage may have a maximum of creatures, equal to his Intelligence modifer under the effect of this ability.

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