| Prime Requisite: | INT |
| Requirements: | CON 9, INT 9 |
| Hit Dice: | 1d4 |
| Maximum Level: | 11 |
Gnomes have a natural affinity for illusions and trickery, but gnomish illusionists take this talent to its extremes. They are rare, and are the only true mages among the gnomes.
Gnomish illusionists advance in attack and saving throws as mages, by two points every six levels of experience. At first level, illusionists hit an unarmored foe (AC 0) with an attack throw of 10+. Gnomish illusionists may wield daggers, darts, slings, and whips. They may fight wielding two weapons. They cannot wear armor. Illusionists may use any magic items usable by mages or by thieves.
Gnomish illusionists cast and learn spells as mages. Because of their innate illusion mastery, when illusionists cast illusion spells or use their innate powers (see below), the effects are calculated as if they were 2 levels higher. Attempts to disbelieve illusions created by gnomish illusionists are at a -2 penalty on the saving throw. Gnomish illusionists can also engage in magical research as mages of their level (or 2 levels higher, for illusion spells and items).
Gnomish illusionists are masters of prestidigitation: they can magically accomplish simple illusions and sleight of hand tricks suitable for impressing peasants, such as lighting a candle or shuffling cards, at will. The illusionist must be able to perform the task physically, and be free to speak and gesture. He may use magical sleight-of-hand to pick pockets as a thief of one half his class level.
Once per hour, gnomish illusionists can cast faerie fire and ventriloquism. Once every 8 hours, they can cast mirror image and phantasmal force. Finally, once per day, they can cast chimerical force. For all these powers, their level is treated as 2 higher than their class level.
The gnomish penchant for trickery leaves gnomes resistant to illusions made by others. They receive a +4 bonus on saving throws to disbelieve magical illusions. Gnomes have a nose for potions. They may make a proficiency throw of 11+ to determine the magical properties of a potion or oil on taste. The gnomish tendency to underground life has granted them extended infravision to 90'. Gnomish characters speak the Common and Gnome tongue, and can also speak the tongues of Dwarves, Elves, Goblins, and Kobolds. In addition, gnomes can speak with animals (as the spell) at will.
At 9th level (Gnomish Master Illusionist), a gnomish illusionist may build a hidden sanctum, often concealed by illusions and clever construction, and frequently underground. He will then attract 1d6 gnomish illusionist apprentices of 1st – 3rd level plus 2d6 gnomes seeking to become illusionists. Their Intelligence scores will be above average, but many will become discouraged from the rigorous mental training and quit after 1d6 months. While in the illusionist's service, apprentices must be provided food and lodging, but need not be paid wages. If the illusionist builds a dungeon beneath or near his sanctum, monsters will start to arrive to dwell within, followed by adventurers seeking to fight them.
Gnomish Illusionist Class Proficiency List: Acrobatics, Alchemy, Alertness, Ambushing, Art, Battle Magic, Beast Friendship, Bribery, Cat Burglary, Caving, Climbing, Collegiate Wizardry, Contortionism, Disguise, Eavesdropping, Elven Bloodline, Familiar, Gambling, Knowledge, Lip Reading, Loremastery, Magical Engineering, Magical Music, Mimicry, Passing Without Trace, Performance, Quiet Magic, Sensing Power, Trapping, Unflappable Casting, Wakefulness
| Spell Progression | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Experience | Title | Level | Hit Dice | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
| 0 | Gnomish Huckster | 1 | 1d4 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 3,625 | Gnomish Fabulist | 2 | 2d4 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 7,250 | Gnomish Charlatan | 3 | 3d4 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — |
| 14,500 | Gnomish Mountebank | 4 | 4d4 | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | — |
| 29,000 | Gnomish Deluder | 5 | 5d4 | 2 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — |
| 58,000 | Gnomish Virtuoso | 6 | 6d4 | 2 | 2 | 2 | — | — | — |
| 115,000 | Gnomish Phantasist | 7 | 7d4 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | — | — |
| 230,000 | Gnomish Illusionist | 8 | 8d4 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | — | — |
| 430,000 | Gnomish Master Illusionist | 9 | 9d4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | — |
| 630,000 | Gnomish Master Illusionist, 10th level | 10 | 9d4+1* | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | — |
| 830,000 | Gnomish Master Illusionist, 11th level | 11 | 9d4+2* | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| * Hit point modifiers from Constitution are ignored | |||||||||
| Level | Petrification & Paralysis | Poison & Death | Blast & Breath | Staff & Wands | Spells | Attack Throw |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1–3 | 13+ | 13+ | 15+ | 11+ | 12+ | 10+ |
| 4–6 | 12+ | 12+ | 14+ | 10+ | 11+ | 9+ |
| 7–9 | 11+ | 11+ | 13+ | 9+ | 10+ | 8+ |
| 10–11 | 10+ | 10+ | 12+ | 8+ | 9+ | 7+ |