Shadow Hunter

Like other practitioners of voodoo, shadow hunters deal with the darker aspects of the spirit world. Unlike witch doctors and members of other professions associated with this ancient faith, shadow hunters claim to develop a special bond with voodoo spirits called the Loa. Able to channel the essence of some of these extremely potent beings - and often acting with their blessings - shadow hunters gain special abilities only the Loa can grant. As they grow in experience, the shadow hunters' bond with the Loa strengthens and their connection to these powerful voodoo spirits eventually gives them the ability to curse and heal at a whim. Brave practitioners of rituals and dark rites, shadow

Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Shadow hunters gain no new proficiencies with weapons or armor. Spells Slots per Day: Every time a shadow hunter gains a level in this class, he gains new spell slots per day as if he had also gained a level in the divine spellcasting class in which he could cast 3rd-level divine spells before he added the shadow hunter level. He does not gain any other benefit a character from that class would have gained. If he had more than one divine spellcasting class in which he could cast 3rd-level divine spells before he became a shadow hunter, he must decide to which class he adds each level of shadow hunter for the purpose of determining spells per day. Spirit of the Loa: The voodoo faith of the shadow hunter deals with beings they call the Loa. Supposedly, these spirits are mighty entities that grant the faithful extraordinary powers. By calling upon these voodoo spirits, the shadow hunter gains special blessings with which he can combat darkness and help those in need. The abilities granted vary according to the Loa the shadow hunter calls upon. Unless otherwise specified, activating each of these abilities is a standard action that provokes attacks of opportunity. A shadow hunter can choose to learn any one of the following abilities from the Loa at 1st level. He may choose another spirit of the Loa ability at 3rd, 7th and 9th level. Battle Stride (Su): The Loa Legba is a master of swift motion. Through him, the shadow hunter learns to bestow great speed and grace to his allies. A number of times per day equal to half his shadow hunter class level, the shadow hunter can grant his allies a +4 bonus on initiative checks (this bonus applies even if the allies have already rolled their initiative checks) and +10 feet to their base land speed. The number of allies he can affect with this ability equals his shadow hunter class level. Affected allies must be within 30 feet of the shadow hunter when he uses this ability. The effects of battle stride last for a number of rounds equal to the shadow hunter's shadow hunter level + his Spirit modifier (minimum of 1 round). This ability does not affect the shadow hunter.

Healing Shower (Sp): Lukou is the Loa of healing and respite. She grants the shadow hunter the ability to heal his allies. With a word, the shadow hunter can invoke a scintillating rain of positive energy, which drops from the sky to heal all living allies it touches. This ability, usable once per day, functions as the healing rain spell with the exception that the positive energy has no effect against undead in its area - Lukou grants the capacity to heal, but she has no power over the restless dead. The shadow hunter's caster level is equal to the caster level of his highest divine spellcasting class (which is probably his shadow hunter class). Smite Undead (Su): Samedi is the Loa of cemeteries and the restful sleep of the dead. In Samedi's eyes, the undead are abominations that should be destroyed. A shadow hunter with this ability may attempt to smite an undead with one normal melee attack. He must declare his intent to use smite undead before he makes his attack roll. The shadow hunter gains a bonus on his attack roll against the undead creature equal to his Spirit modifier (if positive). If he hits, he deals an additional amount of damage equal to his shadow hunter level. The shadow hunter may use this ability once per day at 2nd level, twice per day at 4th level, and one additional time every three levels thereafter (three times at 7th level and four times at 10th level). If the shadow hunter accidentally smites a creature that is not undead, the smite has no effect, but the ability is still used up for that day.

Stormspear (Su): Shango controls the realm of storms, and he guards the secrets of lightning and mayhem. By channeling the fury of this powerful and often unpredictable Loa, the shadow hunter can throw a lightning bolt that deals electricity damage equal to 1d4 + his Spirit modifier (if positive). This attack does not provoke attacks of opportunity, requires a ranged touch attack and has a range of 30 feet. The shadow hunter may use this ability at will. Boon of the Loa: At 5th level and at 10th level, the shadow hunter unlocks more powerful secrets from the Loa. His years of experience and his special relationship with the Loa grant him a special boon, which he must choose from the following: Hex (Sp): Ogoun, the Loa of war, teaches the shadow to place dire curses upon his enemies. Once per day, the shadow hunter may change a single targeted individual into a frog. This ability functions as the baleful polymorph spell except that it always turns the target into a frog (use the statistics for a toad; see the Monster Guide web e xtras for details). The shadow hunter's caster level is equal to the caster level of his highest divine spellcasting class (which is probably his shadow hunter class). Se rpentine Form (Sp): Dambala, the Loa of serpents and t reachery , teaches the shadow hunter to move swiftly and quietly by changing his shape into that of a serpent. This ability functions like the polymorph spell, with the following exceptions. Serpentine form may only affect the shadow hunter , and he can turn himself only into a snake. (See the Mo nster Guide web extras and the A lliance Player's Guide, equal to the caster level of his highest divine spellcasting class (which is probably his shadow hunter class). Table 3 -11: The Shadow Hunter (Swh) Base Class Attack Fort Ref Will Level Bonus Save Save Save Special Spell Slots per Day 1st +0 +0 +0 +2 Spirit of the Loa +1 level of existing divine spellcasting class 2nd +1 +0 +0 +3 - +1 level of existing divine spellcasting class 3rd +2 +1 +1 +3 Spirit of the Loa +1 level of existing divine spellcasting class 4th +3 +1 +1 +4 - +1 level of existing divine spellcasting class 5th +3 +1 +1 +4 Boon of the Loa +1 level of existing divine spellcasting class 6th +4 +2 +2 +5 - +1 level of existing divine spellcasting class 7th +5 +2 +2 +5 Spirit of the Loa +1 level of existing divine spellcasting class 8th +6 +2 +2 +6 - +1 level of existing divine spellcasting class 9th +6 +3 +3 +6 Spirit of the Loa +1 level of existing divine spellcasting class 10th +7 +3 +3 +7 Boon of the Loa +1 level of existing divine spellcasting class