View source for Snake Handler Priest (3.5e Class)

====Class Features====

All of the following are class features of the snake handler priest.

'''Weapon and Armor Proficiency:''' Snake handler priests may be proficient with all simple weapons plus the whip. They may also be proficient with all types of armor and shields (except tower shields).

'''Religion:''' The practice of snake handling is uncommon. In fact, most people have never even heard of it in many parts of the world. However, congregants of many different religions have seen the power of snake handling and will extol its virtue to anyone who challenges its legitimacy. Nonetheless, the snake-handling practice is not supported by several gods, making the worship of them off-limits to snake handler priests. The gods who will not help a snake handler are [[Corellon_Larethian|Corellon Larethian]], [[Erythnul|Erythnul]], [[Gruumsh|Gruumsh]], [[Canon:Kord|Kord]], [[Olidammara|Olidammara]], and any other chaotic god. All other deities are conducive to snake handling.

'''{{Anchor|Spells}}:''' A snake handler priest casts divine spells, which are drawn from the [[SRD:Cleric Spell List|cleric spell list]]. However, his alignment may restrict him from casting certain spells opposed to his moral or ethical beliefs; see Chaotic, Evil, Good, and Lawful Spells, below. A snake handler priest must choose and prepare his spells in advance (see below).

To prepare or cast a spell, a snake handler priest must have a [[SRD:Wisdom|Wisdom]] score equal to at least 10 + the spell level. The Difficulty Class for a saving throw against a snake handler’s spell is 10 + the spell level + the snake handler’s [[SRD:Wisdom|Wisdom]] modifier.

Like other spellcasters, a snake handler priest can cast only a certain number of spells of each spell level per day. His base daily spell allotment is given on the table above. In addition, he receives bonus spells per day if he has a high [[SRD:Wisdom|Wisdom]] score. A snake handler also gets one [[SRD:Cleric Domains|domain spell]] of each spell level he can cast, starting at 1st level. When a snake handler priest prepares a spell in a domain spell slot, it must come from one of his two domains (see [[#Deity, Domains, and Domain Spells|Deity, Domains, and Domain Spells]]).

Snake handlers meditate or pray for their spells. Each snake handler must choose a time at which he must spend 1 hour each day in quiet contemplation or supplication to regain his daily allotment of spells. Time spent resting has no effect on whether a snake handler can prepare spells. A snake handler may prepare and cast any spell on the cleric spell list, provided that he can cast spells of that level, but he must choose which spells to prepare during his daily meditation.

'''{{Anchor|Deity, Domains, and Domain Spells}}:''' A snake handler priest’s deity influences his [[SRD:Alignment|alignment]], what magic he can perform, his values, and how others see him. A snake handler chooses [[SRD:Cleric Domains|two domains]] from among those belonging to his deity. A snake handler can select an alignment domain (Chaos, Evil, Good, or Law) only if his alignment matches that domain.

If a snake handler is not devoted to a particular deity, he still selects two domains to represent his spiritual inclinations and abilities. The restriction on alignment domains still applies.

Each domain gives the snake handler access to a domain spell at each spell level he can cast, from 1st on up, as well as a granted power. The snake handler gets the granted powers of both the domains selected.

With access to two domain spells at a given spell level, a snake handler prepares one or the other each day in his domain spell slot. If a domain spell is not on the cleric spell list, a snake handler can prepare it only in his domain spell slot.

'''Spontaneous Casting:''' A good snake handler priest (or a neutral priest of a good deity) can channel stored spell energy into curing spells that the priest did not prepare ahead of time. The snake handler priest can “lose” any prepared spell that is not a domain spell in order to cast any ''[[SRD:Cure Spells|cure]]'' spell of the same spell level or lower (a ''[[SRD:Cure Spells|cure]]'' spell is any spell with “cure” in its name).

An evil snake handler priest (or a neutral priest of an evil deity), can’t convert prepared spells to ''[[SRD:Cure Spells|cure]]'' spells but can convert them to ''[[SRD:Inflict Spells|inflict]]'' spells (an ''[[SRD:Inflict Spells|inflict]]'' spell is one with “inflict” in its name).

A snake handler priest who is neither good nor evil and whose deity is neither good nor evil can convert spells to either ''[[SRD:Cure Spells|cure]]'' spells or ''[[SRD:Inflict Spells|inflict]]'' spells (player’s choice). Once the player makes this choice, it cannot be reversed.

'''Chaotic, Evil, Good, and Lawful Spells:''' A snake handler priest can’t cast spells of an alignment opposed to his own or his deity’s (if he has one). Spells associated with particular alignments are indicated by the chaos, evil, good, and law descriptors in their spell descriptions.

'''{{Anchor|Serpent Empathy}} {{Ex}}:''' At first level, a snake handler priest can use body language, vocalizations, and demeanor to improve the attitude of snakes (or anything with a serpentine likeness). This ability functions just like a Diplomacy check to improve the attitude of a person. The snake handler priest rolls 1d20 and adds his class level + Charisma bonus to determine the serpent empathy check result.<br/> - To use serpent empathy, the snake handler priest and the serpent must be no more than 30 feet of one another under normal visibility conditions.

'''{{Anchor|Serpent Companion}} {{Ex}}:''' A snake handler priest may begin play with a [[SRD:Small Viper|Small Viper]] or [[SRD:Medium Viper|Medium Viper]]. This [[SRD:Animal Type|animal]] is a loyal companion that accompanies the snake handler priest on his adventures as appropriate for its kind.<br/> - A 1st-level snake handler’s companion is completely typical for its kind except as noted below. As a snake handler advances in level, the [[SRD:Animal Type|animal]]’s power increases as shown on the table [[Snake_Handler_Priest_(3.5e_Class)#Serpent_Companion_Progression|Serpent Companion Progression]]. If a snake handler priest releases his companion from service, he may gain a new one by performing a ceremony that usually lasts about 24 hours. This ceremony can also replace an [[SRD:Animal Type|animal]] companion that has perished.

{| class="zebra d20"
|+ <div>{{Anchor|Serpent Companion Progression}}</div><br/>
|-
! Class<br/>Level
! Bonus<br/>HD
! Str/Con<br/>Adj.
! Int/Cha<br/>Adj.
! Natural<br/>Armor
! Bonus<br/>Tricks
! Special
|- 
| 1st || +0 || +0 || +1 || +0 || 1
| class="left" | [[Snake_Handler_Priest_(3.5e_Class)#Link|Link]],  [[Snake_Handler_Priest_(3.5e_Class)#Share_Spells|Share Spells]]
|-
| 2nd || +1 || +0 || +2 || +1 || 1
| class="left" | -
|-
| 3rd || +2 || +1 || +3 || +2 || 2
| class="left" | [[Snake_Handler_Priest_(3.5e_Class)#Constrictor_Companion|Constrictor Companion]]
|-
| 4th || +3 || +1 || +3 || +3 || 2
| class="left" | 
|-
| 5th || +3 || +2 || +4 || +3 || 3
| class="left" | [[Snake_Handler_Priest_(3.5e_Class)#Evasion|Evasion]]
|-
| 6th || +4 || +2 || +5 || +4 || 3
| class="left" | [[Snake_Handler_Priest_(3.5e_Class)#Size_Changes|(large)]]
|-
| 7th || +5 || +3 || +6 || +5 || 4
| class="left" | [[Snake_Handler_Priest_(3.5e_Class)#Devotion|Devotion +4]]
|-
| 8th || +6 || +3 || +6 || +6 || 4
| class="left" | -
|-
| 9th || +6 || +4 || +7 || +6 || 5
| class="left" | [[Snake_Handler_Priest_(3.5e_Class)#Damage_Reduction|Damage Reduction 3/-]]
|-
| 10th || +7 || +4 || +8 || +7 || 5
| class="left" | -
|-
| 11th || +8 || +5 || +9 || +8 || 6
| class="left" | [[Snake_Handler_Priest_(3.5e_Class)#Couatl_or_Naga|Couatl or Naga]]
|-
| 12th || +9 || +5 || +9 || +9 || 6
| class="left" | -
|-
| 13th || +9 || +6 || +10 || +9 || 7
| class="left" | [[Snake_Handler_Priest_(3.5e_Class)#Devotion|Devotion +8]]
|-
| 14th || +10 || +6 || +11 || +10 || 7
| class="left" | -
|-
| 15th || +11 || +7 || +12 || +11 || 7
| class="left" | [[Snake_Handler_Priest_(3.5e_Class)#Damage_Reduction|Damage Reduction 6/-]]
|-
| 16th || +12 || +7 || +12 || +12 || 8
| class="left" | [[Snake_Handler_Priest_(3.5e_Class)#Size_Changes|(huge)]]
|-
| 17th || +12 || +8 || +13 || +12 || 8
| class="left" | -
|-
| 18th || +13 || +8 || +14 || +13 || 8
| class="left" | -
|-
| 19th || +14 || +9 || +15 || +14 || 8
| class="left" | 
|-
| 20th || +15 || +9 || +15 || +15 || 8
| class="left" | -
|}

'''{{Anchor|Summon Serpent I}} {{Sp}}:''' Starting at 2nd level, snake handler priests may summon a snake once/day as a spell-like ability. It appears where you designate and acts immediately, on your turn. It attacks your opponents to the best of its ability. If you can communicate with the snake, you can direct it not to attack, to attack particular enemies, or to perform other actions.<br/> - This spell summons either a [[SRD:Small_Viper|small viper]], or 1d3 [[SRD:Tiny_Viper|tiny vipers]].<br/> - A summoned snake cannot summon or otherwise conjure another creature, nor can it use any teleportation or planar travel abilities. Snakes cannot be summoned into an environment that cannot support them. 

'''{{Anchor|Faith Against Poison}} {{Ex}}:''' At level 3, the snake handler priest has faith in his god strong enough to repel poison. He may add his Wisdom modifier to his [[SRD:Saving_Throw#Fortitude|Fortitude]] saving throws against poison.

'''{{Anchor|Summon Serpent II}} {{Sp}}:''' Starting at 4th level, snake handler priests may summon medium snakes once/day as a spell-like ability. This spell functions like ''summon serpent I'', except that you can summon one [[SRD:Medium_Viper|Medium Viper]] or 1d3 creatures of the same kind from the list of creatures that ''summon serpent I'' allows you to summon.

'''{{Anchor|Summon Serpent III}} {{Sp}}:''' Starting at 6th level, snake handler priests may summon large snakes once/day as a spell-like ability. This spell functions like ''summon serpent I'', except that you can summon one [[SRD:Large_Viper|Large Viper]], or one [[SRD:Constrictor_Snake|Medium Constrictor]], or 1d3 creatures of the same kind that ''summon serpent II'' allows you to summon, or 1d4+1 creatures of the same kind ''summon serpent I'' allows you to summon.

'''{{Anchor|Sepia Snake Sigil}} {{Sp}}:''' Although snake handler priests specialize in divine magic, they recognize the power in certain magic symbols, especially those involving snakes. This is why they learn to use ''[[SRD:Sepia_Snake_Sigil|Sepia Snake Sigil]]'' as a spell-like ability once/day at level seven.

'''{{Anchor|Summon Serpent IV}} {{Sp}}:''' Starting at 8th level, snake handler priests may summon huge vipers once/day as a spell-like ability. This spell functions like ''summon serpent I'', except that you can summon one [[SRD:Huge_Viper|Huge Viper]], or 1d3 creatures of the same kind that ''summon serpent III'' allows you to summon, or 1d4+1 creatures of the same kind ''summon serpent II'' allows you to summon.

'''{{Anchor|Summon Serpent V}} {{Sp}}:''' Starting at 10th level, snake handler priests may summon huge constrictors once/day as a spell-like ability. This spell functions like ''summon serpent I'', except that you can summon one [[SRD:Giant_Constrictor_Snake|Huge Constrictor]], or 1d3 creatures of the same kind that ''summon serpent IV'' allows you to summon, or 1d4+1 creatures of the same kind ''summon serpent III'' allows you to summon.

'''{{Anchor|Venom Immunity}} {{Ex}}:''' At level 11, snake handler priests gain immunity from all poisons.

'''{{Anchor|Summon Divine Serpent I}} {{Sp}}:''' Starting at 12th level, snake handler priests may summon divine snakes once/day as a spell-like ability. This spell functions like ''summon serpent V'', except that the snakes summoned are either [[SRD:Celestial_Creature|Celestial]] (good alignment, or neutral snake handlers worshiping a "good" deity) or [[SRD:Fiendish_Creature|Fiendish]] (evil alignment, or neutral snake handlers worshiping an "evil" deity). Neutral snake handlers serving a "neutral" deity may choose either type of divine summoning.

'''{{Anchor|Slippery Mind}} {{Ex}}:''' At level 13, snake handler priests gain the ability to wriggle free from magical effects that would otherwise control or compel him. If a snake handler priest with slippery mind is affected by an enchantment spell or effect and fails his saving throw, he can attempt it again 1 round later at the same DC. He gets only this one extra chance to succeed on his saving throw.

'''{{Anchor|Summon Divine Serpent II}} {{Sp}}:''' Starting at 14th level, snake handler priests may summon stronger divine snakes once/day as a spell-like ability. This spell functions like ''summon divine serpent I'', except that the snakes summoned are improved by +2HD, +2 Strength, and +2 Constitution.

'''{{Anchor|Summon Divine Serpent III}} {{Sp}}:''' Starting at 16th level, snake handler priests may summon stronger divine snakes once/day as a spell-like ability. This spell functions like ''summon divine serpent I'', except that the snakes summoned are improved by +4HD, +4 Strength, and +4 Constitution.

'''{{Anchor|Summon Couatl}} {{Sp}}:''' Starting at level 18, snake handler priests of good alignment (or those merely serving a "good" deity) may summon the mighty [[SRD:Couatl|Couatl]] into service. Snake handlers of evil alignment (or those merely serving an "evil" deity) may summon the equivalent [[Infernal_Couatl_(3.5e_Monster)|Infernal Couatl]]. Neutral snake handlers serving a "neutral" deity may choose either type of divine summoning. Each summoning may be done as a spell-like ability once/day.
Article Balance	High +
Author	Nolanf +
Base Attack Bonus Progression	Moderate +
Fortitude Save Progression	Good +
Identifier	3.5e Class +
Length	20 +
Minimum Level	1 +
Rating	Unrated +
Reflex Save Progression	Poor +
Skill	Concentration +, Craft +, Diplomacy +, Handle Animal +, Heal +, Knowledge +, Listen +, Move Silently + and Spellcraft +
Skill Points	2 +
Summary	This is like a cleric with relatively low spellcasting ability, but relatively high ability to summon and fight alongside snakes! +
Title	Snake Handler Priest +
Will Save Progression	Good +