Fantasy Core RPG--The Half-Elf Arcane Ranger

The Half-Elf Arcane Ranger

Level	Base Attack Bonus	Fort Save	Ref Save	Will Save	Spell Level
1st	+1	+0	+2	+2	1
2nd	+2	+0	+3	+3	1
3rd	+3	+1	+3	+3	1
4th	+4	+1	+4	+4	2
5th	+5	+1	+4	+4	2
6th	+6	+2	+5	+5	2
7th	+7	+2	+5	+5	3
8th	+8	+2	+6	+6	3
9th	+9	+3	+6	+6	3
10th	+10	+3	+7	+7	4

Description: A Half-Elf, or Changeling, is the offspring of a human and an Elf. (Elves are no longer able to have children by themselves and are too magical to live in the mortal world.) They are born with an Arcane magical ability and abilities that apply well to the Ranger class. Half-Elves may be male or female. Any offspring of a Half-Elf will be human.

Hit Die: d6

Prime Abilities: Dex, Cha, Int

Sub-Prime Abilities: Con, Str, Wis

Weapon and Armor Proficiency: An Arcane Ranger is proficient with light one-handed melee weapons (short sword, rapier, mace, etc), any ranged weapon (except longbow and heavy crossbows), and with light armor, but not shields.  Magical Elven chain mail, Elven longswords, and Elven longbows are the preferred for Half-Elves, as they have no ability qualifications.

Standard Starting Gear: 5+1d10 GP, pack, 3 days rations, waterskin, 2 useful items, Elvish longbow, 20 arrow quiver, short sword.

Crack Shot: Arcane Rangers add ½ level to their bow damage. An Arcane Ranger may make a successful bow attack into a melee fight without making a Called Shot.

Mounted Archery: A mounted Arcane Ranger may make a ranged bow attack with their full BAB. 

Detection: An Arcane Ranger may detect ambushes and traps adding (Int + Wis bonuses)/2 + ½ level to the attempt. This does not apply to trapped items.

Stealth: An Arcane Ranger may sneak and hide adding (Dex + Int bonuses)/2 + ½ level to attempts.

Track: An Arcane Ranger adds (Int + Wis bonuses)/2 + ½ level to the attempt.

First Aid: An Arcane Ranger may apply first aid to heal the wounded.

Infravision: Has the ability to see in the dark.

Immunities: Sleep, charm, and paralysis effects. They may also move freely between the Otherworld and the mortal world, without suffering any adverse effects.

Elvish Contacts: The Half-Elf has access to purchasing magic weapons and armor from the elves. Elves will not sell magic items to other races, but might give them to those designated as "Elf Friends," those who have done an extraordinary favor for the Elves. Elvish chain mail, longswords, and longbows do not have ability qualifications (though other restrictions may still apply).

Spells

An Arcane Ranger begins play with a spellbook containing all 0-level Wizard spells plus one 1st-level spell of the player's choice. For each point of Int bonus the Arcane Ranger has, the spellbook holds one additional 1st-level spell of their choice. With each new level, Arcane Rangers gain one new spell of their choice, up to the highest level they can cast, from their mentor or the Wizard Council (or some similar organization).  New spells (including ones bought, bartered, found, and stolen) must be copied into their spellbook and practiced before being used in the field. Assume a day per spell.

Spellcasting

Arcane Rangers may cast any spell they know by making a Spellcheck: Int bonus + ½ level vs. DC 12 + Spell Level. (Cantrips are DC 10.)  With 2 cumulative failures in a turn/encounter, all magic use is suspended pending 1 turn of rest. The Spell Level Limit is the highest spell level that they can cast.  A spellcaster must roll to activate a spell, even if their Spell Check is greater than the spell’s DC.  A Natural 1 is a Botch, meaning all spellcasting is immediately suspended until the caster has had 1 turn of rest. A Saving Throw against a spell has a DC of 12 + ½ caster level.

Spellcasting Restrictions (Optional Rule)

Half-Elves are trained by the Wizard Council, but never reach their full potential as Wizards. Doing so inevitably pushes their Elf side into prominence and they can no longer live in the mortal world.  Alternately, their Ranger training prevents the Half-Elf from attaining their full Wizard potential.  Either way, at 10^th level, they are not able to covert XP to improving their Spell Check and are unable to cast higher than 4^th level spells.