Rage Mage (3.5e Prestige Class)

A rage mage unleashing the fury of his magic.

Rage Mage

“	"There is truly no greater feeling than being able to completely cut loose, yet be able to control a situation."	”
—Egadden Dennet, Human rage mage, Diary of Egadden Dennet

A rage mage plunges into to their primal fury; a bestial rage formed from the very essence of nature itself and the thrill of the hunt. Infusing their brute strength and connection to the arcane arts, spell-flinging barbarian is something most fierce and dangerous. Though he may be well-learned in mystic ways, a rage mage shies away from civilization and the order it carries. The wilderness suits the destruction usually caused, and allows the freedom required for such a chaotic soul.

Becoming a Rage Mage

Those casters who wish to spice their magic with the melee prowess of the barbarian, or barbarians who wish to increase their options with arcane spellcasting, are most suited to become a rage mage. Only one level of barbarian is required, so many expand their combat abilities through levels of ranger or fighter.

Entry Requirements

Alignment:	Any nonlawful
Base Attack Bonus:	+4
Skills:	Knowledge (Arcana) 4 ranks, Spellcraft 4 ranks
Feats:	Combat Casting
Spellcasting:	Able to cast 2nd level arcane spells
Special:	Rage or Frenzy class feature

Table: The Rage Mage

Hit Die: d8

Level	Base Attack Bonus	Saving Throws			Special	Spellcasting
		Fort	Ref	Will
1st	+1	+0	+0	+2	Instinctive Casting 1/Rage	—
2nd	+2	+0	+0	+3	—	+1 level of existing arcane spellcasting class
3rd	+3	+1	+1	+3	Rage +1 Use/Day	-
4th	+4	+1	+1	+4	Instinctive Casting 2/Rage	+1 level of existing arcane spellcasting class
5th	+5	+1	+1	+4	Armored Mage (Light)	-
6th	+6	+2	+2	+5	—	+1 level of existing arcane spellcasting class
7th	+7	+2	+2	+5	Instinctive Casting 3/Rage	—
8th	+8	+2	+2	+6	Rage +1 Use/Day	+1 level of existing arcane spellcasting class
9th	+9	+3	+3	+6	Instinctive Casting 4/Rage	—
10th	+10	+3	+3	+7	Spell Fury	+1 level of existing arcane spellcasting class
Class Skills (4 + Int modifier per level) Balance (Dex), Climb (Str), Concentration (Con), Intimidate (Cha), Jump (Str), Knowledge (Arcana) (Int), Ride (Dex), Spellcraft (Int), Survival (Wis), Swim (Str), and Tumble (Dex).

Class Features

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

Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Rage mages gain no proficiency with any weapon or armor.

Spellcasting: At each level besides 1st, 4th, 7th, and 9th, you gain new spells per day and an increase in caster level (and spells known, if applicable) as if you had also gained a level in a spellcasting class to which you belonged before adding the prestige class level. You do not, however, gain any other benefit a character of that class would have gained. If you had more than one arcane spellcasting class before becoming a rage mage, you must decide to which class to add each level for the purpose of determining spells per day, caster level, and spells known.

Instinctive Casting (Ex): A rage mage has the ability to cast a number of spells while raging. At first level, a rage mage is able to cast one of his spells per day while raging, each rage, and it increases by another one each other odd level. This is the same rage that allowed him access to the class, not a new one. If a rage mage doesn't use all of his instinctive castings in a rage, they are lost and do not carry over to the next rage.

Rage (Ex): A rage mage can enter a rage one additional time per day at 3rd level, and another time per day at 8th level.

Armored Mage (Light) (Ex): Upon reaching 5th level, when a rage mage casts arcane spells while wearing light armor, he ignores arcane spell failure.

Spell Fury (Sp): Upon reaching 10th level, a rage mage can quicken one spell of 4th level or lower (as if he had used the Quicken Spell feat), but without adjusting the spell’s level or casting time. He may use this ability once during each rage.

Ex-Rage Mages

Chaos fuels the rage, and without it, the rage mage falls short of the power required to carry on. Should a rage mage become lawful, he loses all class abilities except armored mage.

Campaign Information

Playing a Rage Mage

Combat: As a rage mage, you have several options based on the spells available to you. Most are front-line casters, using their spells to augment their own combat abilities. Others take the standard role of a mage, saving their fury for dire situations.

Advancement: The shortcomings of following a sole-caster role afterwards are low Hit Die and poor base attack bonus; Whereas the martial path does not increase your casting abilities. Most rage mages simply continue leveling in alternations of barbarian and whatever spellcasting class they prefer. Others find another prestige class that suits them, such as eldritch knight or Elves might go into the arcane archer.

Resources: As a rage mage, you're typically capable of handling things yourself, living in the wilderness, and using your arcane magic to accomplish whatever your strength and senses cannot.

Rage Mages in the World

“

Run free, do right by you, and burn them. Burn them all!

”

^{Egadden Dennet, Human rage mage}

NPC Reactions: NPCs tend to steer clear of rage mages because there's little telling what might reign down upon them should they say the wrong thing.

Rage Mage Lore

Characters with ranks in Knowledge (arcana) or Knowledge (nature) can research rage mages to learn more about them. When a character makes a skill check, read or paraphrase the following, including information from lower DCs.

Knowledge (arcana) or Knowledge (nature)

DC	Result
10	Mystic warriors? Soldiers who can swing a sword and cast spells, I think.
15	Flashy, brutal, and vicious. Barbarians who can sling spells!
20	Rage mages can cast spells while they're raging. Even though it's arcane, they can do so in light armor.
30	Characters who achieve this level of success can learn important details about specific rage mages in your campaign, including notable members, the areas where they operate, and the kinds of activities they undertake.

Rage Mages in the Game

An NPC rage mage is typically found in the wilderness, knitting themselves in with barbarian, druid, and ranger clicks. They're generally unruly, blunt, and rude, though often well-learned in arcane magic. A rage mage is not necessarily stupid like a standard barbarian, and should be feared for it.

Adaptation: Alternatively, the rage mages could be a close group, protecting their homes as the top of their forest village or town. Or possibly even trained at a college to channel their natural instincts.

Sample Encounter:

EL 12: Egadden Dennet is chieftain of a village hidden away deep in the woods, a meritocracy. Though generally neutral, trespassers are not treated well, and inhospitality could lead quickly to hostility. Egadden will likely make a rash decision that turns the mood of his villagers without question, and he will act as he believes they wish him to. Strong, brave, and their defender.

Egadden Dennet

Male human barbarian 2/sorcerer 4/rage mage 6

CN Medium humanoid

Init +5; Senses Listen +4, Spot -1

Languages Common

AC20, touch 12, flat-footed 18

(+1 Dex, +6 Armor, +2 Natural, +1 Deflection) hp 74 (12 HD)

Fort +10, Ref +6, Will +11

Speed 40ft (8 squares)

Attack Greatsword +14 (2d6+5)

Full Attack Greatsword +14/+9 (2d6+5)

Base Atk +10; Grp +12

Atk Options Rage 2/day

Special Actions Instinctive Casting

Combat Gear +2 Greatsword of Mighty Cleaving, +2 armor of displacing

Sorcerer Spells Known (CL 8th):

4th (3/day) — Stoneskin*

3rd (6/day) — Haste**, Lightning Bolt (DC 16)

2nd (7/day) — Bull's Strength, Bear's Endurance, Darkvision

1st (7/day) — Enlarge Person, Expeditious Retreat, Shocking Grasp, Cause Fear (DC 14), Shield

0th (6/day) — Resistance, Detect Magic, Touch of Fatigue, Acid Splash, Daze, Mending, Message, Arcane Mark

• Already Cast

• • and extended

Abilities Str 14, Dex 12, Con 14, Int 8, Wis 10, Cha 16

Feats Extend Spell, Combat Casting, Power Attack, Cleave, Improved Initiative, Extend Rage

Skills Intimidate +8, Jump +7, Knowledge (Arcana) +4, Listen +4, Spellcraft +4, Survival +4, Tumble +5

Posessions Slicer (+2 Greatsword, Mighty Cleaving), amulet of natural armor +2, cloak of resistance +2, ring of protection +1, masterwork chain shirt (+2, displacing)

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