Loremasters are spellcasters who concentrate on knowledge, valuing lore and secrets over gold. They uncover secrets that they then use to better themselves mentally, physically, and spiritually.
Characters without at least one level of wizard, sorcerer, cleric, or druid gain little benefit for becoming a loremaster. Paladins, rangers, and bards might gain some benefit, but overall, it would be minor.
Loremasters sometimes gather in secluded cabals but are more often found as members of an order attached to a university, a library, or some other source of information. They’re likely to earn extra money as sages and information brokers, pouring their wages into their own research. A loremaster might also adopt a position as a wise one in a community, or even as its leader, drawing upon her knowledge to help others.
Hit Die: d4.
To qualify to become a loremaster, a character must fulfill all of the following criteria.
Skills: Knowledge (any two) 10 ranks in each.
Feats: Any three metamagic or item creation feats, plus Skill Focus (Knowledge [any individual Knowledge skill]).
Spells: Able to cast seven different divination spells, one of which must be 3rd level or higher.
The loremaster’s class skills (and the key ability for each skill) are Appraise (Int), Concentration (Con), Craft (alchemy) (Int), Decipher Script (Int), Gather Information (Cha), Handle Animal (Cha), Heal (Wis), Knowledge (all skills taken individually) (Int), Perform (Cha), Profession (Wis), Speak Language (none), Spellcraft (Int), and Use Magic Device (Cha).
Skill Points at Each Level: 4 + Int modifier.
| Level | Base Attack Bonus | Fort Save | Ref Save | Will Save | Special | Spells per Day |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | +0 | +0 | +0 | +2 | Secret | +1 level of existing class |
| 2nd | +1 | +0 | +0 | +3 | Lore | +1 level of existing class |
| 3rd | +1 | +1 | +1 | +3 | Secret | +1 level of existing class |
| 4th | +2 | +1 | +1 | +4 | Bonus language | +1 level of existing class |
| 5th | +2 | +1 | +1 | +4 | Secret | +1 level of existing class |
| 6th | +3 | +2 | +2 | +5 | Greater lore | +1 level of existing class |
| 7th | +3 | +2 | +2 | +5 | Secret | +1 level of existing class |
| 8th | +4 | +2 | +2 | +6 | Bonus language | +1 level of existing class |
| 9th | +4 | +3 | +3 | +6 | Secret | +1 level of existing class |
| 10th | +5 | +3 | +3 | +7 | True lore | +1 level of existing class |
All of the following are class features of the loremaster prestige class.
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Loremasters gain no proficiency with any weapon or armor.
Spells per Day/Spells Known: A loremaster continues training in magic as well as her field of research. Thus, when a new loremaster level is gained, the character gains new spells per day (and spells known, if applicable) as if she had also gained a level in a spellcasting class she belonged to before she added the prestige class. She does not, however, gain any other benefit a character of that class would have gained (improved chance of controlling or rebuking undead, metamagic or item creation feats, and so on). This essentially means that she adds the level of loremaster to the level of some other spellcasting class the character has, then determines spells per day, spells known, and caster level accordingly.
Secret: In their studies, loremasters stumble upon all sorts of applicable knowledge and secrets. At 1st level and every two levels higher than 1st (3rd, 5th, 7th, and 9th), the loremaster chooses one secret from the Loremaster Secrets table. Her level plus Intelligence modifier determines the total number of secrets she can choose. She can’t choose the same secret twice.
| Level + Int Mod | Secret | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Instant mastery | 4 ranks of a skill in which the character has no ranks |
| 2 | Secret health | +3 hit points |
| 3 | Secrets of inner strength | +2 bonus on Will saves |
| 4 | The lore of true stamina | +2 bonus on Fortitude saves |
| 5 | Secret knowledge of avoidance | +2 bonus on Reflex saves |
| 6 | Weapon trick | +1 bonus on attack rolls |
| 7 | Dodge trick | +1 dodge bonus to AC |
| 8 | Applicable knowledge | Any one feat |
| 9 | Newfound arcana | 1 bonus 1st-level spell* |
| 10 | More newfound arcana | 1 bonus 2nd-level spell* |
| *As if gained through having a high ability score. | ||
Lore: Loremasters gather knowledge. At 2nd level, a loremaster gains the ability to know legends or information regarding various topics, just as a bard can with bardic knowledge. The loremaster adds her level and her Intelligence modifier to the lore check. See the bardic knowledge class skill for more information.
Bonus Languages: Loremasters, in their laborious studies, learn new languages in order to access more knowledge. A loremaster can choose any new language at 4th and 8th level.
Greater Lore (Ex): At 6th level, a loremaster gains the ability to understand magic items, as with the identify spell.
True Lore (Ex): At 10th level, once per day a loremaster can use her knowledge to gain the effect of a legend lore spell or an analyze dweomer spell.
Source: Dungeon Master’s Guide (version 3.5), page 191.