Halfling Wayfarer — Travelling Class Tradition
Halfling Wayfarer
The Halfling Wayfarer is a travelling halfling class tradition built around roads, caravan life, practical magic, performance, trade, survival and family networks. Wayfarers may come from itinerant households or from settled halfling communities whose members spend part of their lives on the road.
Originally Posted by
Sleepwalker6661313 of the Book of Fey forums.
Campaign note: this class is a halfling wayfarer tradition for the setting. It is not a representation of any real-world ethnic people.
Adventures: Wayfarers are comfortable on roads, rivers and caravan routes. Exploration, trade, escort work, family obligations and the search for new opportunities can all draw them into adventure.
Abilities: Like most spellcasters a high Constitution is important, however they benefit from having high Dexterity scores and Charisma improves their curses and spells, a high Intelligence will allow a wayfarer to benefit from additional spells known and more skill points.
Alignment: Halfling wayfarers may be of any alignment. Their outlook is shaped by family, settlement, caravan, employer and personal experience rather than by the class itself.
Sacred Traditions: Wayfarers adopt the gods, spirits, household rites and roadside customs of the regions through which their families travel. Powers of roads, luck, hearth, harvest, trade and safe return are especially common where locally honoured.
Background: Wayfarers are usually born into travelling tribes, occasionally they are separated from the others or choose to leave on their own.
Races: Wayfarers are usually of human stock, but elves are known to travel amongst them. Half bred races such as half orcs, half elves or plane touched can usually find a home among the wayfarers.
Other Classes: Wayfarers work well with other roguish classes, as well as rangers and scouts.
Starting Age:As Wizard
Starting Gold: 5d4 x10 (125 gp)
Hit Dice: 1d6
Skills Per Level: 6+Intelligence mod x4 Lv 1, 6+Intelligence mod Lv 2+
Class Skills: Balance (Dexterity), Bluff (Charisma), Climb (Strength), Concentration (Constitution), Craft (Intelligence), Hide (Dexterity), Listen (Wisdom), Move Silent (Dexterity) Perform (Charisma), Profession (Intelligence), Sleight of Hand (Dexterity), Spellcraft (Intelligence), Spot (Wisdom), Survival (Wisdom), Tumble (Dexterity) and Rope Use(Dexterity).
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Wayfarers are proficient in dagger, club, staff, light crossbow, sling, spear, and short spear. Wayfarers are proficient in light armor andno shields.
| LV | B.A.B. | Fort | Refl | Will | Special |
| 01 | +0 | +0 | +2 | +2 | Knife Fighting, Sudden Strike +1d6 |
| 02 | +1 | +0 | +3 | +3 | Wayfarer Curse 1x Day, Folklore |
| 03 | +2 | +1 | +3 | +3 | Family Secret |
| 04 | +3 | +1 | +4 | +4 | Fortune Telling |
| 05 | +3 | +1 | +4 | +4 | Sudden Strike +2d6 |
| 06 | +4 | +2 | +5 | +5 | Wayfarer Curse 2x Day |
| 07 | +5 | +2 | +5 | +5 | Family Secret |
| 08 | +6/+1 | +2 | +6 | +6 | Greater Wayfarer Curse (-4) |
| 09 | +6/+1 | +3 | +6 | +6 | Sudden Strike +3d6 |
| 10 | +7/+2 | +3 | +7 | +7 | Wayfarer Curse 3x Day |
| 11 | +8/+3 | +3 | +7 | +7 | Family Secret |
| 12 | +9/+4 | +4 | +8 | +8 | Improved Fortune Telling |
| 13 | +9/+4 | +4 | +8 | +8 | Sudden Strike +4d6 |
| 14 | +10/+5 | +4 | +9 | +9 | Wayfarer Curse 4x Day |
| 15 | +11/+6/+1 | +5 | +9 | +9 | Family Secret |
| 16 | +12/+7/+2 | +5 | +10 | +10 | Eternal Curse |
| 17 | +12/+7/+2 | +5 | +10 | +10 | Sudden Strike +5d6 |
| 18 | +13/+8/+3 | +6 | +11 | +11 | Wayfarer Curse 5x Day |
| 19 | +14/+9/+4 | +6 | +11 | +11 | Family Secret |
| 20 | +15/+10/+5 | +6 | +12 | +12 | Dire wayfarer Curse (-6) |
| Spells | |||||
| Lv | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| 01 | 1 | – | – | – | – |
| 02 | 1 | – | – | – | – |
| 03 | 1 | 0 | – | – | – |
| 04 | 2 | 1 | – | – | – |
| 05 | 2 | 1 | 0 | – | – |
| 06 | 2 | 2 | 1 | – | – |
| 07 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | – |
| 08 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | – |
| 09 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| 10 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| 11 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| 12 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 |
| 13 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2 |
| 14 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2 |
| 15 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 |
| 16 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 |
| 17 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 |
| 18 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3 |
| 19 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| 20 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 |
Knife Fighting: Wayfarers are exceptionally well trained in the use of knifes, whenever wielding a dagger or knife they gain a +1 competence bonus on attack and damage roles, further a wayfarers level counts as fighter levels for the purpose of determining the feats they can select to use with knifes and daggers, they may select fighter only feats for their knifes.
Sudden Strike: Like a rogue the wayfarer is able to take advantage of a foe who has let his guard down, though to a lesser degree. Whenever the wayfarer attacks a foe who is flat-footed the wayfarer deals it’s additional damage.
Spellcasting: The wayfarer is a spontaneous arcane caster and uses it’s Charisma modifier to determine bonus spells per day and spell Dcs. The wayfarer uses the witches spell list, and knows one spell of each spell level plus their Intelligence modifier from that list that she is capable of casting. Wayfarers suffer no arcane spell failure for wearing light non-metal armour.
Wayfarer Curse: Once per day as a free action the Wayfarer can unleash a curse upon a foe. The target must be visible to the wayfarer and within 60 feet. A wayfarer can choose a standard curse which imposes a -2 to attack roles, saving throws, damage roles, ability checks and skills checks to the recipient. Or may choose a more specific curse (see bestow curse variant in Book of Vile Darkness Pg 28). A target can negate the curse by making a will save Dc 10+1/2 wayfarer level +Charisma modifier, a failed save puts him under the curse for 1 hour.
Folklore: Wayfarers are told from a young age stories of the hungry dead, the wild beasts and the creatures beyond the mist that surround their homes. As a wayfarer continues her travels she becomes able to apply that knowledge to identify undead, fey and lycanthropes. The wayfarer makes a special check, 1D20 with a bonus equal to half her wayfarer level plus her Intelligence modifier. The result functions as the appropriate knowledge check such as arcana, religion or planes.
Fortune Telling: 1xday per Charisma modifier the wayfarer may perform an Augury spell.
Greater Wayfarer Curse: The wayfarers curse increases in power, now it can bestows a -4 instead of a -2 or the wayfarer can choose two bestow curse effects, or one of the Bestow Greater Curse variant effects.
Improved Fortune Telling: The Wayfarer may 1 time per week per Charisma modifier perform a commune spell.
Eternal Curse: To one that has truly wronged a wayfarer she may choose to make its effects permanent. The wayfarer must have a piece of the intended victim such as a lock of hair, or a possession such a scrap of clothing. Performing an eternal curse requires a ritual that last 1 hour and cost the wayfarer 500 gp and 1,000 exp. Once completed the victim, which the wayfarer need not be able to see or within any particular distance (so long as they are still on the same plane) must succeed a will save Dc 10 + Wayfarer Level +Charisma modifier or suffers the effect of wayfarer curse with a permanent duration. The wayfarer can dismiss the effect at any time, however unless amends are made towards her or her people, most likely she will not.
Dire Wayfarer Curse: The Wayfarers curse now has a more potent effect, it can bestow a -6 penalty instead of a -4 or the wayfarer may select 3 bestow curse effects, or 1 bestow curse and 1 Bestow Greater Curse
Family Secret: Wayfarers have strong ties to their families, as they walk the path of the wayfarer, they secrets of their ancestors empower them. At character creation, the player decides which one of the eight family secrets he will benefit from when he gains his family secrets. Once chosen it cannot be changed. Occasionally one not born of a wayfarer family takes the path of a wayfarer, he will not receive the family secrets class feature until he finds a wayfarer family to join, in which he will undergo a short ritual that involves becoming a blood brother and he is welcomed into the family, this ritual only takes about an hour to complete, but usually a full day of celebration takes place afterwards.
Family Secrets
Blade Dancer
While all wayfarers are trained with knifes, your family shows incredible skill and grace, to members of your bloodline the blade is truly an extension of yourself.
| Lv 3 | Bonus Feat, Dual Dagger Fighting. |
| Lv 7 | Bonus Feat |
| Lv 11 | Bonus Feat |
| Lv 15 | Bonus Feat |
| Lv 19 | Bonus Feat |
Bonus Feat: The Wayfarer gains a few tricks along her travels, when a Wayfarer gains a bonus feat she may select a feat from the following list so long as she meets all prerequisites.
Blind Fight, Combat Expertise, Far shot, Greater Weapon Focus, greater weapon specialization, Improved critical, Improved Disarm, Improved Feint, Improved Precise Shot, Point Blank Shot, Precise Shot, Quick Draw, Two Weapon Defense, Two Weapon Fighting, Weapon Finesse, Weapon Focus, Weapon Specialization.
Dual Dagger Fighting: The wayfarer gains the benefits of Two Weapon Fighting while wielding daggers of knifes.
Eldritch Blood
Your family was born of wayfarer and witch, you show more magical talent than other wayfarer members.
| Lv 3 | Eldritch Knowledge |
| Lv 7 | 2 additional 0 and 1st level spells per day |
| Lv 11 | 2 additional 2nd and 3rd level spells per day |
| Lv 15 | 2 additional 4th and 5th level spells per day |
| Lv 19 | 2 6th level spells per day |
Eldritch Knowledge: Rather than knowing a handful of spells, you know all magic’s available to you; you have the entire spell list as spells known.
Additional Spells: You gain access to more magic per day as well as higher-level spells than your other wayfarer kin.
Moon Touched
Your family lineage was known for the hunting of the lycanthropes, one of your ancestors contracted the curse, and your family has a touch of it’s strength.
| Lv 3 | Fury of the Beast 1 x day, Claws of the Beast |
| Lv 7 | Maw of the Beast, DR 2 Silver |
| Lv 11 | Fury of the Beast 2 x day, Call of the Beast, |
| Lv 15 | Hide of the Beast, DR 4 Silver |
| Lv 19 | Fury of the Beast 3 x day, Resilience of the Beast |
Fury of the Beast: One time per day as a free action, you may call upon your family curse, this grants you a +2 to Strength and Dexterity for a number of rounds equal to your Constitution modifier.
Claws of the Beast: While under the effects of your Fury of the Beast, your fingernails extend into talons dealing 1d6+ Strength modifier in damage and have a crit range of 19-2 x2.
Maw of the Beast: While under the effects of your Fury of the Beast, your mouth enlarges and fills with canine fangs, you can make a bite attack dealing 1d8 + 1 1/2 your Strength modifier.
Damage Reduction: Whenever dealt damage by a physical attack from a non-silver weapon you ignore some of that damage, at level 7 this is 2 at level 15 it is 4.
Call of the Beast: When you use your Fury of the Beast you let out a howl that attracts wolfs to your side, in 1d4 rounds a number of wolfs equal to your level arrive, these wolfs function as summoned creatures.
Hide of the Beast: While using your Fury of the Beast, your skin grows a tough fur that grants you a natural Ac bonus of +3 or increases your natural Ac by +3 if you already possess it.
Resilience of the Beast: While using your Fury of the Beast, you recover from wounds far more quickly gaining fast healing 2.
Fey Friend
Your family has ties to the realm beyond the mist, your blood carries the secret of fey magic and can attract their allegiance.
| Lv 3 | Fey Animal, DR 1/cold iron |
| Lv 7 | Spell Resistance 10 +1/2 level |
| Lv 11 | Fey Magic, DR 2/cold iron |
| Lv 15 | Fey Companion |
| Lv 19 | Fey Wings, DR 3/cold iron |
Fey Animal: You have attracted a creature from the realms beyond the mist, this creature may be any normal 1/2 hit dice animal, except it has an Intelligence of 10, can speak, has Damage Reduction 1/cold iron and small wings with a fly speed of 20 and a good maneuverability. This creature is your friend and companion; it will prefer to avoid combat. If slain it is not replaced.
Damage Reduction: You have some of the fey resilience within your granting you damage reduction from physical attacks not made of cold iron.
Spell Resistance: Like most fey you are protected from magic, you gain Spell Resistance equal to 10 + half your wayfarer level.
Fey Magic: All spells from the enchantment and illusion school you cast have a +2 to there save Dcs.
Fey Companion: You have attracted a second creature from the faerie realm, this time a true fey, a pixie has chosen to be your companion. Like the fey animal, if slain is not replaced.
Fey Wings: You grow a large pair of butterfly wings, these wings grant you a fly speed of 30 with a good maneuverability. If you already have wings, they are replaced with the butterfly wings, however you use the better speed and maneuverability of the two.
Hunters Guile
Your clan excels and using ambush tactics, sworn to protect their families your posses the means to take advantage of your foes.
| Lv 3 | Bonus Skill Trick, Sudden Strike +1d6 |
| Lv 7 | Bonus Skill Trick |
| Lv 11 | Bonus Skill Trick, Sudden Strike +2d6 |
| Lv 15 | Bonus Skill Trick |
| Lv 19 | Bonus Skill Trick, Sudden Strike +3d6 |
Bonus Skill Trick: You may select any skill trick from the following list as long as you meet the prerequisites, these do not count against your maximum skill tricks per level.
Acrobatic Backstab, Escape Attack, Hidden Blade, Mosquito’s Bite, Shrouded Dance; Spot the Weak Point, Sudden Draw, Timely Misdirection, and Tumbling Crawl.
Sudden Strike: Your sudden strike increases in effectiveness; this damage is added to your normal sudden strike.
Seers Gaze
Your family the gift of foresight, you can rarely be caught off guard and can gaze into the fate of yourself and allies.
| Lv 3 | Uncanny Dodge (Dexterity to Ac), Fortune Telling +1 x day |
| Lv 7 | Favorable Fate |
| Lv 11 | Evasion |
| Lv 15 | Uncanny Dodge (No Flank), Fortune Telling +2 x day |
| Lv 19 | Favorable Fate |
Uncanny Dodge: At level 3 you retain your Dexterity modifier to Ac even when caught flat footed, at level 15 you can no longer be flanked.
Fortune Telling: At levels 3 and 15 you gain an additional use of your fortune telling ability.
Favorable Fate: At level 7, you gain a +1 luck bonus to all saving throws, further any allies within 15 feet of you benefit from this bonus. At level 15 any allies within 10 feet of you function as though they have the evasion class feature.
Evasion: At level 11 you gain the benefits of the evasion class feature.
Improved Evasion: At level 23 you gain the improved evasion class feature.
Trap Sense: At level 27 your heightened sense of awareness allows you to prepare for traps, you gain the trap sense ability.
Evil Eye
Your family was once wronged, it took revenge by bestowing a hex upon an entire family, your blood bears that vengeance and the power to imbue more powerful hexes.
| Lv 3 | Vengeful Hex |
| Lv 7 | Touch of Sorrow 2 x day |
| Lv 11 | Lingering Suffering |
| Lv 15 | Wave of Grief 1 x day (add Wave of Grief to spell list) |
| Lv 19 | Hateful Hex |
Vengeful Hex: When using your wayfarer curse the save Dc is increased by 2, suffer when using your Touch of Sorrow or Wave of Grief ability gained later, the Dc is increased by 2.
Touch of Sorrow: 2 Times per day as a standard action you may make a touch attack that provokes an attack of opportunity, if successful your victim makes a saving throw Dc 11+ 1/2 wayfarer level + Charisma modifier or suffers the effects of the Sorrow spell. (See Book of Vile darkness pg. 104.) You Also add the sorrow spell to your spell list.
Lingering Suffering: When using your wayfarer curse, a victim that fails his saving throw endures it effect for an additional 24 hours.
Wave of Grief: as a standard action you may as a spell like ability, cast Wave of Grief, the dc is 13+ 1/2 level + Charisma modifier. You also add Wave of Grief to your spells known list. (see Book of Vile Darkness pg. 109)
Hateful Hex: When using your Wayfarer Curse you may apply an additional -2 penalty to the effects, or choose an additional Bestow Minor Curse effect from the book of Vile Darkness.
Healers Hands
Your family was known for their mercy and compassion, you are able to channel positive energy.
| Lv3 | Healing Touch 1x day |
| Lv7 | remove disease 1 x Week |
| Lv11 | Healing Touch 2 x day, Talisman of Fortune |
| Lv15 | remove disease 2 x Week |
| Lv19 | Healing Touch 3 x day |
Healing Touch: You are able to channel a small amount of positive energy into healing magic; this heals half your wayfarer times your Charisma modifier to a single person touched. Using the Healing Touch is a standard action.
Remove disease: One time per week, you are able to perform a ritual to cleanse a disease that ails another. This ritual takes 1 hour to complete, and requires 25 gp worth of special incense. After the ritual is complete the disease is removed.
Talisman of Fortune: A wayfarer is a able to make a small talisman, this requires a Craft jewellery check Dc 15 and the expenditure of 1,000 experience as well as 250 gp worth of materials. A wayfarer may create as many as she wants, but only 1 per day. This talisman allows the wayfarer to turn undead as a cleric of 4 levels lower 1 time per day per Charisma modifier. Only the wayfarer who made the amulet can use it to turn undead. A wayfarer can willingly give or loan this talisman to another, which will grant them a +1 luck bonus on all saving throws. If the talisman is unwillingly taken from the wayfarer the person is convinced it is a talisman of luck, but actually bestows a -1 penalty to all saves.