Instead of summoning a skeleton, these necromancers summon the shadows of their fallen victims to do their bidding.
The shadow mage is an archetype of the necromancer class.
Class Skills
A shadow mage adds Stealth to his list of class skills and loses Use Magical Device as a class skill.
This ability modifies the starting necromancer skills.
Shadow Soldier (Su)
At 1st level, a shadow mage is able to make shadow soldiers out of his fallen victims. Any intelligent, living creature killed (doing at least 1 damage, if killed by other party members) by the shadow mage that has the same hit dice or lower than the shadow mage’s level can be made into a shadow soldier. The shadow soldier has the same abilities and equipment (the equipment disappears if removed from the shadow soldier) that they had in life and are incorporeal and can fly (up to their land movement speed), but can’t improve their abilities any further. Once made into a shadow soldier, the body can no longer be resurrected. A shadow mage can have a number of hit dice of shadow soldiers equal to twice his necromancer level. A shadow mage can spend a standard action to summon all his shadow soldiers at once. If a shadow mage has too many hit dice of shadow soldiers, he must immediately release enough hit dice to fit within his shadow soldier pool. The shadow soldier counts as a bone commander for all necromancer class features, talents, and feats.
This ability replaces bone commander.
Shadowstrike (Su)
At 1st level, a shadow mage can make a melee touch attack as a standard action that inflicts 1d6 points of shadow damage + 1 for every necromancer level he possesses. In addition, the target is dimmed for 1 minute (no save). Creatures with low-light vision or darkvision are not dazzled by this ability. He can use this ability a number of times per day equal to 3 + his Charisma modifier.
This ability replaces bolster.
Nighteye (Ex)
At 2nd level, a shadow mage gains darkvision 30 feet. At 9th level, a shadow mage gains darkvision 60 feet. If he already possesses darkvision, its range is increased by these amounts.
This ability replaces a necromancy talent gained at 2nd level.
Cloak of Darkness (Su)
At 5th level, a shadow mage conjures a cloak of shadowy darkness that grants him a +4 armor bonus and a +2 circumstance bonus on Stealth checks. At 7th level, and every four levels thereafter, these bonuses increase by +2. He can use this cloak for 1 hour per day per necromancer level. The duration does not need to be consecutive, but it must be spent in 1-hour increments.
This ability replaces fear aura.
Wings of Darkness (Su)
At 7th level, as a swift action, a shadow mage can manifest a set of translucent, inky wings that grant him a fly speed of 60 feet with good maneuverability. He can use these wings for 1 minute per day per necromancer level. This duration does not need to be consecutive, but it must be spent in 1-minute increments. At 11th level, he can use these wings to fly as if with flight once per day. Used in this way, the ability lasts for up to 1 hour per level, and counts as his total use of this ability for the day.
This ability replaces cheat death.
Shadow Well (Su)
At 9th level, a shadow mage can use the Stealth skill even while being observed and without cover or concealment, as long as he is within 10 feet of a shadow other than his own. In addition, when within an area of darkness or dim light, as a standard action, he may choose to switch places with a willing ally within 60 feet, who must also be in darkness or dim light. At 13th level, he can instead switch the positions of two willing allies, each of whom must be within 60 feet of him. Unless otherwise noted, this travel is identical to dimension door. He may use the ability to switch places once per day at 9th level, plus one additional time per day at 17th level and 20th level.
This ability replaces miasma
Living Shadow (Sp)
At 13th level, a shadow mage’s body dissolves, and he becomes a living shadow. This ability functions as gaseous form. At 20th level, this ability functions as shadow body instead, except he also gains DR 10/magic and becomes immune to poison, sneak attacks, and critical hits as if also using gaseous form. He can use this ability a number of minutes per day equal to his necromancer level. This duration does not need to be consecutive, but it must be spent in 1-minute increments.
This ability replaces death’s kiss.
Enveloping Darkness (Su)
At 19th level, a shadow mage may create an area of deeper darkness that he can see through without penalty. All creatures except the shadow mage are entangled within this darkness unless using freedom of movement or a similar effect. He may use this ability once per day.
This ability replaces final guide.