Prestige Classes/SeeD Operative

*SeeD operatives are a mercenary force for hire, conducting missions around the world as battle support and undercover operatives. Their services are requested by governments and civilians; their tasks range from providing military support to protecting civilians to slaying monsters. Only Balamb Garden trains SeeD cadets, but members from the other Gardens can transfer to Balamb for the field exam. All SeeD operatives are stationed at Balamb. The SeeD operative specializes in high-level para-magic via the use of Guardian Forces.*

**Hit Die:** d8

**Requirements:** To qualify to become a seed operative, a character must fulfill all the following criteria.

**Base Attack Bonus:** +6

**Skills:** Spellcraft 6 ranks, Knowledge (Religion) 3 ranks

**Special:** Must be a student or cadet of a Mercenary Academy.

**Class Skills:** The seed operative’s class skills (and the key ability for each skill) are Acrobatics (Dex), Bluff (Cha), Diplomacy (Cha), Drive (Dex), Intimidate (Cha), Knowledge (Arcana, Engineering, Planes, Religion, Technology) (Int), Perception (Wis), Profession (Wis), Sense Motive (Wis), Spellcraft (Int), Survival (Wis), and Use Magic Device (Cha).

**Skill Points at each level:** 6 + Int modifier.

## Class Features

All of the following are class features of the seed operative prestige class.

### **Weapon and Armor Proficiency:**

SeeD operatives gain proficiency with a single weapon, either the blaster edge, gunblade (standard), nunchaku, shotgun, or whip (and scorpion whip).

### **Limit Break (Su):**

At 1st level, the seed operative receives the Limit Break (Guardian Force Summon).

Guardian Force Summon (Su): This Limit Break allows the seed operative to summon his guardian force for a small amount of time to perform the guardian force’s Limit Break. The seed operative summons the guardian force within 60 feet to perform its Limit Break, using double the seed operative’s level in place of the summoner level needed for the effect. If the seed operative has levels in summoner, the levels stack, to a maximum of his character level.

### **Para Magic:**

At 1st level, a seed operative casts spells which are drawn from enemies he faces and gained from guardian forces he has junctioned to. A seed operative doesn’t begin play with any spells, and must draw them from enemies he encounters. Unlike other mages, a seed operative cannot purchase or find scrolls to add spells to his spells known list.

To draw or cast a spell or spell-like ability, the seed operative must have a Charisma score equal to at least 10 + the spell level (Cha 11 for 1st-level spells, Cha 12 for 2nd-level spells, and so forth). The Difficulty Class for a saving throw against a seed operative’s spell is 10 + the spell level + his Charisma modifier.

When casting para magic, the seed operative’s caster level is equal to his seed operative level plus half of all other casting classes (up to character level). Any spell he casts uses his Charisma modifier in place of any other casting modifiers. Though he may draw and hold spells of any level, the seed operative must have the minimum caster level needed to cast a spell based on its spell level (his caster level must be at least 7 in order to cast Fire IV, for example). The seed operative cannot perform bard songs, nor form ninjutsus.

### **Draw (Su):**

The seed operative doesn’t gain any MP to cast his spells. Instead, he keeps these spells in a draw pool that stays with him until he discharges the spells. He may stock up as many unique spells in this pool equal to his seed operative level plus his Charisma modifier. He may stock multiple uses of the same spell type equal to his Charisma modifier at a time.

For example, a 1st level seed operative with a 14 Charisma has a draw pool of 3, which means he may stock up to 3 different spells with each type stackable up to 2 uses. (2 stocks of fire, 2 stocks of blizzard, 2 stocks of cure).

Drawing a spell from an enemy is a standard action that provokes attacks of opportunity. The seed operative may draw from an enemy he can see within 30 feet and must make a successful Spellcraft check (DC 10 + the creature’s HD) and if successful, he may choose a spell from creature’s spells or spell-like abilities, which he identifies the names of with a successful draw but not the effects. The creature loses the use of the chosen spell or spell-like ability for 1 round and the seed operative gains its use in his draw pool. If he fails, the attempt is wasted.

If the creature has no spells or spell-like abilities, the seed operative may choose between basic spells to draw from the essence of the creature. He may choose between: aero, blizzard, cure, dark, fire, light, stone, thunder, and water. These basic spells that he can pull increase to their 2nd level versions at 5th level and their 3rd level versions at 10th.

The same creature cannot be drawn from more than once every 24 hours. If the seed operative draws from a creature and cannot gain any more spells in his draw pool, he may lose an obtained spell in place of the new one. As soon as the spell is used, the spell is lost forever and a draw point is now free to gain another spell into the pool. The seed operative cannot draw bard songs or ninjutsus.

When drawing from a willing ally, the seed operative may draw as many times per day as they like, however, the ally loses both the spell for 1 round as well as the MP required to cast the spell.

Several willing seed operatives may exchange spells, as long as they have space for them in their stock, swapping or gifting any amount of stocked spells after a 10-minute meditation within 30ft of each other.

### **Guardian Force (Su):**

Guardian forces are used to junction abilities into seed operatives, allowing them to draw and cast spells (hereafter referred to as GFs). These guardian forces exist in specific energy fields that allow them to reside in living organisms and be called out to aid them.

At 1st level, the seed operative chooses a single guardian force to make a pact with, chosen from the summoner’s avatar list. If the seed operative has levels in summoner, he cannot choose his avatar as a guardian force. It takes a great deal of energy to summon the guardian force, only summoned for a brief time through their Limit Break. Otherwise, the guardian force’s purpose is to enhance the seed operative and allow him to gain junctions. If the seed operative were to ever lose his guardian force, he would lose all seed operative abilities associated with that guardian force and lose all other seed operative abilities and all gained spells.

See Avatars for more information on the individual avatars.

### **GF- Ability (Su):**

At 2nd level, and every two levels after the seed operative gains an ability from his guardian force chosen from the avatar list of the chosen avatar (see below). This is the mark of the guardian force as the seed operative gains more power and connection with his GF. However, the abilities gained affect the seed operative in different ways. If the ability chosen is a spell, refer to GF – Spells.

Abilities that are not spells such as Bahamut’s Frightful Presence are either permanent or at will, as appropriate, gained by the seed operative unless he loses the pact with the guardian force. Abilities that require a slam, bite or any natural attack can be used with a seed operative’s unarmed strikes, or the weapon the seed operative gained proficiency with upon taking their first level in this class if they do not have the appropriate attack.

The DC of abilities use the seed operative’s level instead of half summoner level, and any ability that requires MP does not cost MP for the seed operative. Instead, he can use the ability a number of times per day equal to his Charisma modifier. Any ability that already has a daily allotment instead uses its own daily uses. Abilities that have cooldowns, such as 1d4+1, still keep that cooldown for the seed operative.

*For example, a 4th level seed operative with a Charisma modifier of +6 can use Ifrit’s Burning Strike ability 6/day as well as Flaming Crush 6/day, whereas Eruption has its own daily limit of 3/day.*

A blue mage can learn spells from a seed operative using an ability from a GF as normal.

**Guardian Force Abilities:**

* At 2nd level the seed operative chooses the 2nd or 4th level ability to gain from the chosen avatar. As a utility ability, they may instead choose Magic-Refine.
* At 4th level the seed operative chooses the 6th or 8th level ability to gain from the chosen avatar. As a utility ability, they may instead choose Auto-Potion.
* At 6th level the seed operative chooses the 10th or 12th level ability to gain from the chosen avatar. As a utility ability, they may instead choose Auto-Haste.
* At 8th level the seed operative chooses the 14th or 16th level ability to gain from the chosen avatar. As a utility ability, they may instead choose Auto-Protect.
* At 10th level the seed operative gains the avatar’s 18th level ability. As a utility ability, they may instead choose Auto-Shell.

**Magic-Refine (Su):** The seed operative can absorb the magical powers of wands and scrolls, adding the spells to their stock. To absorb the power of a scroll they must make a spellcraft check (DC 20 + Spell Level), failure by 5 or more causes the scroll to be destroyed. To absorb the power of a wand they must make a spellcraft check (DC 20 + Caster Level), failure by 5 or more causes the wand to lose a charge. Succeeding in refining magic from a scroll or wand consumes the spell on the scroll or a charge from the wand.

**Auto-Potion (Ex):** The seed operative gains the Auto-Potion ability, where the seed operative can take an immediate action when hit by a melee attack or ranged attack to drink a potion. He must have a free hand to use this ability but does not provoke an attack of opportunity. He can only use this ability once a round.

**Auto-Haste (Su):** If the seed operative is aware of combat and not flat-footed they may use a free action to gain the benefits of Haste at the start of combat. If the seed operative cannot use this at the start of combat they may use it at the beginning of their first turn. This ability lasts for a number of rounds equal to his seed operative level. This ability can be used a number of times per day equal to their Charisma Modifier.

**Auto-Protect (Su):**  If the seed operative is aware of combat and not flat-footed they may use a free action to gain the benefits of Protect at the start of combat. If the seed operative cannot use this at the start of combat they may use it at the beginning of their first turn. This ability lasts for a number of rounds equal to his seed operative level. This ability can be used a number of times per day equal to their Charisma Modifier. The seed operative may spend an additional use of this ability to gain the benefits of Protect II, 3 uses for Protect III, or 4 uses for Protect IV. At level 10 they may spend 5 uses for Protect V.

**Auto-Shell (Su):** If the seed operative is aware of combat and not flat-footed they may use a free action to gain the benefits of Shell at the start of combat. If the seed operative cannot use this at the start of combat they may use it at the beginning of their first turn. This ability lasts for a number of rounds equal to his seed operative level. This ability can be used a number of times per day equal to their Charisma Modifier. The seed operative may spend an additional use of this ability to gain the benefits of Shell II, 3 uses for Shell III, 4 uses for Shell IV, or 5 uses for Shell V.

### **GF- Spells (Sp):**

At 2nd level, a seed operative begins the day with spells gained from his avatar if they have chosen them as their GF – Abilities. Spells such as Ifrit’s Fire II and Diabolos’s Pit of Despair are cast from the seed operative’s draw pool. At the beginning of each day, he gains a number of the spells available in his draw pool equal to half of his Charisma modifier, to a maximum of his seed operative level.

*For example, a 4th level seed operative with a +6 Charisma modifier would gain 3 casts of fire II if they selected those from the list of GF abilities.*

If he does not have enough room for spells types gained from his GF, he may choose not to gain them or replace any current spell type in his pool for them. Any unspent spell gained from a GF is lost at the beginning of each day

### **GF- Junction (Su):**

At 3rd level, the seed operative can use his magic to enhance his physical body rather than simply attack with para-magic. He chooses a single parameter he can junction his spells onto. Each parameter may only be opened for junctioning once, except for HP which may be selected twice. Junctions with multiple options must be selected individually. Once a junction is chosen, it cannot be changed, though the seed operative may change what spell is junctioned into a parameter at the beginning of each day. The same spell type cannot be junctioned to more than one stat.

Every 2 seed operative levels after 3rd, he gains an additional junction.

* *Hit Points:* Gain +2 max hp per spell, may be chosen twice.
* *Magic Points:* Gain +1 max mp per spell. If he doesn’t have MP, he gains an MP pool.
* *Ability Scores:* Choose a single score, up to a max of +8. This is an enhancement bonus.
* *Armor Class:* Does not apply to Flat-Footed or Touch.
* *Saving Throws:* Choose a single saving throw.

*For example, a 5th level seed operative with a Charisma modifier of +6 has chosen HP and strength as his junctions. He can junction 6 fire spells from his stock to HP to gain +12 to his maximum health, and 6 blizzard spells from his stock to Strength to gain +6 enhancement bonus to his Strength stat, but cannot put 3 fire in HP and 3 fire in Strength.*

When the seed operative draws a spell, he can junction it, as a free action to a stat that is empty of spells, or into the stock if that spell is already junctioned. He may also change his spells junctioned, taking 10 minutes to meditate to re-junction spells as desired.

When junctioning a spell to one of these stats, he gains a temporary bonus to the stat equal to the amount of that spell he has stocked. As an untyped bonus these effects do not stack with other abilities that add your charisma modifier to a parameter, such as AC or saving throws (via AC bonus or holy grace). These bonuses never become permanent and do not allow the seed operative to meet feat prerequisites or increase his spell stock.

### **GF- Activate (Su):**

At 3rd level, depending what type of spell is junctioned, he may activate different effects. He may activate these effects as a swift action once per round, with a duration of 1 round; however, he loses one spell from his stock of the junctioned spell when the effect ends. If a spell has multiple types, such as elemental and enfeebling, the seed operative may choose which effect to activate when expending the spell to enhance himself. In order to activate a junctioned spell, the seed operative must have a high enough caster level to cast using para magic.

HP and MP Junctions offer no bonus based on element or effect.

*Elemental Spells:* Elemental spells junctioned to a stat, empower the seed operative with that element based on the amount of that spell is stocked.

If a physical ability score is chosen (such as Strength, Dexterity, or Constitution), the seed operative may make a choice on activation as stated below. These effects only affect attacks that use the junctioned stat, melee attacks with Strength junctions, ranged/finesse attacks with Dexterity junctions, Constitution-based attacks with Constitution junction.

* Have all physical damage dealt by the seed operative treated as the element of the spell chosen to the junction. If the spell is non-elemental, his attacks instead ignore damage reduction or hardness equal to the amount of the junctioned spell that is stocked.
* Gain a bonus 1d6 damage of that element per two spells stocked of the junctioned spell.

*For example, with 6 stocks of fire in Strength the seed operative activates, he may have all his physical damage count as fire or deal 3d6 fire damage per hit.*

If a defense stat is chosen (AC or any of the three saving throws), he gains elemental resistance to the element of the spell equal to 5 x the amount of the junctioned spell that is stocked. If the spell junctioned is non-elemental, he may choose which element to gain 5 x the amount of the junctioned spell in elemental resistances that must split amongst any number of elements up to a max of twice his stocked amount in any one element.

*Enfeebling Spells:* Enfeebling spells junctioned to a stat, empowers the seed operative with the spell either to inflict on attacks or defend against it.

If a physical ability score is chosen (such as Strength, Dexterity, or Constitution), the first attack from the seed operative when that ability score modifier is applied also causes the attack to inflict that enfeebling effect. The DC for the enfeebling effect is equal to 10 + the seed operative’s level + his Charisma modifier.

If a defense stat is chosen (AC or any of the three saving throws), the seed operative gains a +1 circumstance bonus to all saving throws against that effect for each spell stocked with the junctioned effect. The effects that can be inflicted or defended against are limited to the normal status effects from the status effects page such as blind, or dazzled. Any enfeebling spells with more complex effects than those have no effect.

*Enhancing Spells:* Enhancing spells junctioned to a stat, empower the seed operative with a better defense or offense or the ability to break through defenses.

If a physical ability score is chosen (such as Strength, Dexterity, or Constitution), all damage dealt by the seed operative when that ability score modifier is applied may grant the seed operative the effects of the junctioned enhancing spell until the beginning of his next turn.

If a defense stat is chosen (AC or any of the three saving throws), he may invoke the enhancing spell’s effect until the end of his next turn as an immediate action when struck by any attack.

### **Perfect Junction (Su):**

At 10th level, the seed operative gains one final junction. He may swap which parameter this junction applies to at the start of each day in addition to selecting which spell is junctioned.

This prestige class created by Laeis.

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