PRESTIGE CLASS: This class is not available at character creation and must be unlocked by meeting special requirements, listed below.
He who learns to leash the furies of the Elemental Planes is known as a bonded summoner. The mightiest manifestation of these planes, in their various potencies, is the elemental. The bonded summoner knows elementals, he has studied their ways, means, origins, and formation. He instinctively knowns an elemental's strengths and develops an unbreakable bond with a powerful elemental companion. As this bond deepens over time, the bonded summoner's kindship with the elemental forces he controls deepens, blurring the line between summoner and summoned. Eventually, this journey of discovery leads to his own ability to take on the form of that which he could formerly only summon.
The knowledge required to learn the secrets of the Outer Planes is arcane in nature, and thus this prestige class is filled mostly with sorcerers and wizards - though anyone else who meets the requirements may choose to make the journey of a bonded summoner.
Requirements:
Skills: Lore 8
Arcane Spells: Able to cast 2nd-level spells.
Special: Must have a familiar.
Class Features:
HD: d4
BAB: Low
High Saves: Will
Weapon proficiency: None
Armor proficiency: None
Skill points: 2 + Int modifier
Class Skills: Craft Alchemy, Concentration, Diplomacy, Lore, Spellcraft.
Class Abilities
Level 1: Elemental companion (Medium), Resistance to energy 5
Level 2: +1 level of arcane spellcasting ability
Level 3: Elemental companion (Large), Resistance to energy 10, immunity to sleep
Level 4: +1 level of arcane spellcasting ability
Level 5: Elemental companion (Huge), Resistance to energy 15, immunity to poison
Level 6: +1 level of arcane spellcasting ability
Level 7: Elemental companion (Greater), Resistance to energy 20, immunity to paralysis, immunity to stun
Level 8: +1 level of arcane spellcasting ability
Level 9: Elemental companion (Elder), Immune to sneak attacks, Immunity to energy
Level 10: Elemental Form, Elemental Type, Immunity to critical hits, +1 level of arcane spellcasting ability
Spells per Day
At every even-numbered level gained in the bonded summoner class, the character gains new spells per day as if he had also gained a level in an arcane spellcasting class he belonged to before adding the prestige class.
Elemental Companion
At 1st level, a bonded summoner picks his element of study: air, earth, fire, or water. This choice cannot be changed. The bonded summoner calls a Medium elemental of the type chosen, which replaces his familiar. The elemental gets abilities according to the information detailed below.
At 3rd level, his elemental companion grows to Large. At 5th level, it grows to Huge. At 7th level, the companion becomes a greater elemental, and at 9th level it becomes an elder elemental.
The companion gains several abilities based on your arcane caster level:
Up to 8th: the companion gains improved evasion and +4 Will saves against enchantment spells and effects.
From 9th to 11th: the companion also gains Spell resistance equal to 5 + your caster level.
12th or higher: the companion also gains the Dash feat.
Resistance to Energy
A bonded summoner gains resistance 5 against the energy type associated with his element of study. At 3rd level, this resistance improves to 10. At 5th level, it improves to 15. At 7th level, it improves to 20. At 9th level, the character gains immunity to the energy type in question.
Element Energy
Air Electricity
Earth Acid
Fire Fire
Water Cold
Immunities
Over time, a bonded summoner slowly turns into an elemental, gaining an elemental's immunities along the way.
At 3rd level, he becomes immune to sleep effects.
At 5th level, he becomes immunte to poison.
At 7th level, he becomes immune to paralysis and stunning.
At 9th level, he becomes immune to sneak attack.
At 10th level, he becomes immune to critical hits.
Elemental Form
At 10th level, a bonded summoner gains the ability to turn himself into an elemental and back again once per day. This elemental is an elder elemental of the bonded summoner's element of study. This abilility functions like the Wild Shape (Elemental) ability. The effect lasts for 10 hours, or until the bonded summoner changes back.
Source: Miniatures Handbook