The Gnomish Chymist

"All right, you primitive screw-heads, listen up! See this? This ... is my boomstick!"

Army of Darkness, 1993

Prime Requisite: INT and DEX

Requirements: INT 9, CON 9

Hit Dice: 1d6

Maximum Level: 11

There are gnomes cleverer than a gnomish trickster but lacking a trickster’s mastery of illusion. Some of these gnomes choose to supplement their lesser skill in illusion by strengthening their gift for mixology. These gnomish chymists pursue strange sciences and dangerous technologies which push forward the boundaries of alchemical achievement.

Gnomish chymists are able combatants. At first level, chymists hit an unarmored foe (AC 0) with an attack throw of 10+. Like thieves, they advance in attack throws and saving throws by two points every four levels of experience. Chymists may only wear leather or lighter armor. Due to their short height, gnomish chymists cannot use human-sized two-handed weapons, such as two-handed swords or pole arms, or longbows. They are trained to fight wielding a weapon in each hand or wielding a weapon two-handed, but not wielding a weapon and shield. The chymist can wield a broad selection of weapons, including dagger, short sword, spear, sword, war hammer and any missile weapon.

A gnomish chymist begins his career knowing two Degrees, increased by his Intelligence bonus, one of which must be a Chemistry Degree. Chymists are renowned for their specialization in alchemical engineering, synthesizing alchemical compounds, metallurgic reagents, and vaporous clouds. Similarly, a 1st level gnomish chymist may prepare and utilize two Devices per day, one of which must be a Device based upon a Chemistry Degree. Chymists gain additional Degrees and Devices as they gain levels, as shown on the Gnomish Chymist Level Progression table below.

Once per hour, gnomish chymists can cast faerie fire and ventriloquism. Once per 8 hours they can cast mirror image and phantasmal force. Each of these spells takes one round to cast, and otherwise functions like a normal spell cast by a mage of his class level. As they advance, gnomish chymists progress into very limited casting of arcane spells. Starting at 3rd level, they will learn and cast spells as mages of one-third their level, using the same spell list and the same rules for learning and casting spells. Unlike (human) mages, gnomish chymists can also cast spells while wearing armor.

Gnomish chymists may use any magic item usable by thieves.

Like all gnomes, chymists have a nose for potions. They may make a proficiency throw of 11+ to determine the magical properties of a potion or oil on taste. Starting at 5th level, gnomish chymists may brew potions as if mages of their class level. The gnomish tendency to underground life has granted them extended infravision to 90’. Gnomes speak the tongues of Dwarves, Elves, Goblins and Kobolds. In addition, gnomish chymists can speak with animals (as the spell) at will. A lifetime spent in the company of illusionists leaves gnomish chymists resistant to illusions made by others. They receive a +4 bonus on saving throws to disbelieve magical illusions.

A gnomish chymist who achieves enough fame and fortune from his adventures may build a gnomish vault when he reaches 9th level. Gnomes usually live in clans, so gnomes of the character’s clan will be the first to live under his roof, but gnomes from other clans will also come and live nearby to be ruled by the character. A total of 3d6x10 1st level NPCs of the same race will move in to help maintain and defend the vault at no cost to the character. A gnomish chymist is expected to employ only soldiers of gnomish descent, but may hire members of other races for other tasks.

Gnomish Chymist Proficiency List (31): Alchemical Engineering, Alertness, Ambushing, Arcane Dabbling, Beast Friendship, Blind Fighting, Caving, Combat Reflexes, Combat Trickery (disarm, sunder), Eavesdropping, Familiar, Fighting Style, Goblin-Slaying, Knowledge, Magical Engineering, Mystic Aura, Passing Without Trace, Precise Shooting, Prestidigitation, Quiet Magic, Running, Siege Engineering, Skirmishing, Sniping, Swashbuckling, Trapping, Unflappable Casting, Vermin-Slaying, Weapon Finesse, Weapon Focus

Natural Philosopher Template: This pre-generated template represents a gnomish chymist who proves his alchemical compounds in the field. The template is ready for adventure. However, if your gnomish chymist’s INT is 13 or greater, you may pick one or more additional general proficiencies before play if you’d like.

Template: Natural Philosopher

Proficiencies: Fighting Style (missile weapon), Knowledge (natural philosophy)

Starting Equipment: Chymist’s tools (for chemical smoke and psychotropic compound), crossbow, case with 20 bolts, war hammer, short sword, dagger, leather armor, hooded cloak, wool tunic and pants, leather belt, low boots, backpack, wool blanket, tinderbox, 12 torches, 3 flasks of military oil, 2 week’s iron rations, 3gp

Experience	Level	Title	Hit Dice	Degrees	Devices	1	2
0	1	Gnomish Apprentice	1d6	2	2
2,475	2	Gnomish Assistant	2d6	2	2
4,950	3	Gnomish Chymist	3d6	3	3	1
9,900	4	Gnomish Chymist	4d6	3	3	1
19,800	5	Gnomish Chymist	5d6	4	4	1
39,600	6	Gnomish Chymist	6d6	4	4	2
80,000	7	Gnomish Chymist	7d6	5	5	2
160,000	8	Gnomish Chymist	8d6	5	5	2
310,000	9	Gnomish Vaultlord	9d6	6	6	2	1
460,000	10	Gnomish Vaultlord, 10th lvl	9d6+2*	6	6	2	1
610,000	11	Gnomish Vaultlord, 11th lvl	9d6+4*	7	7	2	1

*Hit point modifiers from constitution are ignored

New Proficiency

Alchemical Engineering: The character knows one additional Degree, which must be a Chemistry Degree, and may prepare and utilize one additional Device per day, which must be a Device based upon a Chemistry Degree.

Custom Class Build Information

Hit Dice	Fighting	Thievery	Divine	Arcane	Technology	Gnome
1	1b	0	0	0	1	3

XP Calculation: 500 + 500 + 200 + 1275 = 2,475 at 2nd level