The chronologist transcends mere academia to become a living conduit of temporal knowledge. Unlike other scholars focused on dusty tomes, the chronologist delves directly into the fabric of time itself almost as good as a time mage. Their mastery of divination isn’t limited to scrying distant lands; it allows them to glimpse the echoes of the past, foretell potential futures, and perceive the intricate causal chains that bind events. This temporal insight grants them an unparalleled tactical advantage, enabling them to anticipate enemy movements, uncover forgotten secrets, or discern the most opportune moment for action. Coupled with their burgeoning command over chronomancy, a chronologist can subtly twist or accelerate the flow of time around themselves and their allies, manifest spells that slow foes to a crawl, or even momentarily rewind a minor misstep. They are not just historians, but active participant-observers in the grand tapestry of causality, constantly analyzing the “when,” “how,” and “why” of existence. For a chronologist, time is not a linear progression, but a vast, navigable archive, making them invaluable strategists and unparalleled sources of information for any party venturing into the annals of history.
The chronologist is an archetype of the scholar class.
Spells
A chronologist casts time magic and astrologian spells which are drawn from the time mage and astrologian spell lists. A chronologist begins play with 2 1st level time magic spells and 2 1st level astrologian spells of her choice. The chronologist also selects a number of additional 1st-level time magic spells equal to her Intelligence modifier and a number of additional 1st-level astrologian spells equal to her Wisdom modifier to add to her list of spells. Each time a character attains a new scholar level, she gains two time magic and two astrologian spells of her choice to add to her list of spells. These free spells must be of spell levels she can cast. Like most mages, a chronologist can find or purchase scrolls with spells to add to her repertoire.
To learn or cast a time magic spell, the chronologist must have an Intelligence score equal to at least 10 + the spell level (Int 11 for 1st-level spells, Int 12 for 2nd-level spells, and so forth). The Difficulty Class for a saving throw against a chronologist’s time magic spell is 10 + the spell level + the chronologist’s Intelligence modifier. In addition, a chronologist gains additional MP for having a high attribute (Intelligence—see Table: Bonus MP per Day (by Spell Level) on the MP System page).
To learn or cast an astrologian spell, the chronologist must have a Wisdom score equal to at least 10 + the spell level (Wis 11 for 1st-level spells, Wis 12 for 2nd-level spells, and so forth). The Difficulty Class for a saving throw against a chronologist’s astrologian spell is 10 + the spell level + the chronologist’s Wisdom modifier. In addition, a chronologist gains additional MP for having a high attribute (Wisdom—see Table: Bonus MP per Day (by Spell Level) on the MP System page).
This ability modifies spellcasting.
Divine Arts/Time Arts (Su)
Starting at 1st level, as a standard action, a chronologist can activate or deactivate the Divine Arts or Time Arts. She may only use Divine Arts or Time Arts abilities while in the Divine/Time Arts. While in either Divine/Time Arts, she gains the bonuses as dictated in the “Bonuses” column of the following table, but she also has penalties when casting spells associated with the opposite art. The bonus/penalty from this ability applies only to spells that she casts as a chronologist, not to those she might have by virtue of levels in another class. This is indicated in the “Penalties” column of the following table:
| Table: Divine Arts/Time Arts Bonuses | ||
| Current Form | Bonuses | Penalties |
| Divine Arts | All divination spells are increased by 1 extra die or 1 extra point of the appropriate type.
All divination spells with variable durations are increased by 1 + 1 per four scholar levels after 1st.
All divination spells’ caster level are increased by 1 + 1 per four scholar levels after 1st.
The save DC for all divination spells is increased by 1 + 1 per four scholar levels after 1st.
The caster level checks made to overcome a creature’s spell resistance is increased by 1 + 1 per four scholar levels after 1st for divination spells. |
All chronomancy spells are decreased by 1 die or 1 point of the appropriate type to a minimum of 1. If there is only 1 die or 1 point, then it is subject to a -1 penalty – 1 per four scholar levels after 1st on damage.
All chronomancy spells with variable durations are decreased by 1 + 1 per four scholar levels after 1st to a minimum of 1.
All chronomancy spells’ caster level are decreased by 1 + 1 per four scholar levels after 1st.
The save DC for all chronomancy spells is decreased by 1 + 1 per four scholar levels after 1st.
The caster level checks made to overcome a creature’s spell resistance is decreased by 1 + 1 per four scholar levels after 1st for chronomancy spells.
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| Time Arts | All chronomancy spells are increased by 1 extra die or 1 extra point of the appropriate type.
All chronomancy spells with variable durations are increased by 1 + 1 per four scholar levels after 1st.
All chronomancy spells’ caster level are increased by 1 + 1 per four scholar levels after 1st.
The save DC for all chronomancy spells is increased by 1 + 1 per four scholar levels after 1st.
The caster level checks made to overcome a creature’s spell resistance is increased by 1 + 1 per four scholar levels after 1st for chronomancy spells. |
All divination spells are decreased by 1 die or 1 point of the appropriate type to a minimum of 1. If there is only 1 die or 1 point, then it is subject to a -1 penalty – 1 per four scholar levels after 1st on healing.
All divination spells with variable durations are decreased by 1 + 1 per four scholar levels after 1st to a minimum of 1.
All divination spells’ caster level are decreased by 1 + 1 per four scholar levels after 1st.
The save DC for all divination spells is decreased by 1 + 1 per four scholar levels after 1st.
The caster level checks made to overcome a creature’s spell resistance is decreased by 1 + 1 per four scholar levels after 1st for divination spells.
|
This ability replaces light arts/dark arts.
Mote of Time (Su)
At 1st level, a mote is a tiny, split-second of time that a chronologist gathers from lost timelines and the aftereffects of chronal dissonance. The motes are inconsequential slivers of continuance left over from lost timelines, denied fates, and avoided destinies. If left “wild,” the motes can cause chronal dissonance, leading most chronologists to believe gathering them is an important part of their timeline-guarding duties. By using these motes, a chronologist can affect his present timeline, allowing him to subtly alter the normal flow of time.
Once a round, as a free action, a chronologist can expend a mote to create one of the effects listed below. When the effect grants a bonus to a roll or check, the bonus is equal to +1d4. This increased to +2d4 at 8th level, and +3d4 at 16th level. The chronologist can decide to add this bonus immediately after seeing the result of the original die roll. The possible uses of a mote are as follows:
- Defensive Retry: Gain a bonus to one saving throw.
- Detailed Retry: Gain a bonus to one skill check or ability check. The roll must represent a single action that occurs entirely within a single round. (A chronologist could use a mote to add a bonus to a Spellcraft check to identify a spell as it is cast, but not to a Craft check made to determine how much progress was made after a day of work.)
- Eldritch Retry: Gain a bonus to one caster level check.
- Ready for Anything: Add a bonus to an initiative check.
- Spare Second: Take a single swift action that does not count against the chronologist’s normal limit of one swift action per round.
- Time of War: At 2nd level, a chronologist gains the ability to add the bonus from spending a mote of time to his Armor Class (as a dodge bonus) until the beginning of his next turn, or to gain proficiency in a single weapon or type of armor for 24 hours.
- Slow Spell: At 5th level, the chronologist can spend a mote to extend the duration of a chronologist spell he has cast. By slowing the speed with which the spell’s magic travels through time, the chronologist can increase the duration of any chronologist spell he has cast that already has a duration of at least 7 rounds. The spell’s duration is increased by the chronologist’s mote of time bonus.
- Personal Timeline: At 8th level, a chronologist can spend a mote of time to alter his personal timeline to one in which he received different training. This requires 1 hour of uninterrupted meditation. At the end of this time, the chronologist can remove skill ranks from one skill and add them to a different skill, or exchange one feat for another feat, or exchange one spell known for a different spell known. In all cases the selection must meet all normal restrictions (cannot exceed maximum skill ranks in a skill, select a feat for which the chronologist does not qualify or exchange one being used to qualify for other feats, spells must be exchanged for other spells of the same level on the same class list, and so on). Any change made remains in effect for 24 hours. A chronologist cannot have more than 1 total change per three class levels in effect at the same time. Any attempt to make additional changes to his timeline of training fail.
- Personal Casting Time: At 11th level, the chronologist can spend a mote to cast a spell with a casting time of 1 standard action or less as a swift action. The chronologist cannot cast any other spell on the same round this ability is used.
- Sphere of Calm Time: At 17th level, the chronologist can use a mote to grant any ally he can see his mote of time bonus to any one skill check or ability check that occurs entirely within 1 round.
Each day, a chronologist can spend a total of three motes, plus one mote per scholar level.
This ability replaces arcane hypothesis.
Knowledge of the Ages (Su)
At 3rd level, the chronologist can search through time to recall some bit of forgotten lore or information. The chronologist can retry any Knowledge skill check she has made within the past minute, gaining an insight bonus on the check equal to her Intelligence or Wisdom modifier, whichever is higher. The chronologist can use this ability a number times per day equal to her Intelligence or Wisdom modifier, whichever is higher.
This ability replaces light arts: penury.
Time Flicker (Su)
At 3rd level, as a standard action, the chronologist can flicker in and out of time, gaining concealment (as the blur spell). The chronologist can use this ability for 1 minute per scholar level that she possesses per day. This duration does not need to be consecutive, but it must be spent in 1-minute increments. At 7th level, each time the chronologist activates this ability, she can treat it as the blink spell, though each round spent this way counts as 1 minute of her normal time flicker duration.
This ability replaces dark arts: parsimony.
Foretell (Su)
At 7th level, the chronologist can utter a prediction of the immediate future. While her foretelling is in effect, the chronologist emit a 30-foot aura of fortune that aids her allies or hinders her enemies, as chosen by the chronologist at the time of prediction. If the chronologist choose to aid, the chronologist and her allies gain a +2 luck bonus on ability checks, attack rolls, caster level checks, saving throws, and skill checks. If the chronologist choose to hinder, her enemies take a –2 penalty on those rolls instead. The chronologist can use this ability for a number of rounds per day equal to her scholar level. These rounds do not need to be consecutive.
This ability replaces light arts: accession.
Speed or Slow Time (Sp)
At 7th level, as a standard action, the chronologist can speed up or slow down time, as either the haste or slow spell. The chronologist can use this ability once per day, plus one additional time per day at 12th level and 17th level.
This ability replaces dark arts: manifestation.
Time Sight (Su)
At 11th level, the chronologist can peer through the mists of time to see things as they truly are, as if using the true seeing spell. At 15th level, this functions like moment of prescience. At 18th level, this functions like foresight. The chronologist can use this ability for a number of minutes per day equal to her scholar level, but these minutes do not need to be consecutive.
This ability replaces light arts: celerity.
Rewind Time (Su)
At 11th level, once per day as an immediate action, the chronologist can reroll any one d20 roll that she has just made before the results of the roll are revealed. The chronologist must take the result of the reroll, even if it’s worse than the original roll. At 15th level, and every four levels thereafter, the chronologist can use this ability an additional time per day.
This ability replaces dark arts: alacrity.
Forewarned (Su)
At 15th level, the chronologist can always act in the surprise round even if the chronologist fail to make a Perception roll to notice a foe, but the chronologist are still considered flat-footed until the chronologist take an action. In addition, the chronologist receive a bonus on initiative checks equal to 1/2 her scholar level (minimum +1). At 20th level, anytime the chronologist roll initiative, assume the roll resulted in a natural 20.
This ability replaces light arts: rapture.
Time Hop (Su)
At 15th level, as a move action, the chronologist can teleport up to 10 feet per scholar level that she possesses per day. This teleportation must be used in 5-foot increments. This movement does not provoke attacks of opportunity. The chronologist must have line of sight to her destination to use this ability. The chronologist can bring other willing creatures with her, but she must expend an equal amount of distance for each creature brought.
This ability replaces dark arts: ebullience.
Lord of Time (Su)
At 20th level, the chronologist has almost total control over her own timeline, allowing her to change her history (and training) daily. Each time the chronologist regains the use of her spells and abilities for the day, she can also re-assign her skill points, feats, and spells known as she wishes. The chronologist must meet the prerequisites for any new feats she selects, and she cannot change out a feat she is using as a prerequisite for other feats or abilities. The new selection of skill point allotment, feats, and spells known is instant, remaining (even in an antimagic field) until the chronologist changes them again with this ability. Further, the chronologist can add her Intelligence or Wisdom modifier, whichever is higher, to her caster level when resisting any spell effect attempting to dispel her spells and abilities.
This ability replaces sagacity.