Python Master

“The python strikes quickly, disabling its prey with a crushing grip from which there is no escape.”

The python master is a monk who has studied the ways of the python and who seeks to emulate its great strength, natural armor, and its ability to completely incapacitate its prey by grappling. This requires complete dedication to a rigorous physical training routine, as well as mental and spiritual training. Eventually, the mind of the python master becomes so enlightened and disciplined that he is actually able to assume the form of a python.

Hit Die: d8

Requirements

To qualify to become a python master, a character must fulfill all of the following criteria:

• Level: Monk 6
• Ability Scores: Str 16, Wis 14
• Skills: Escape Artist 3 ranks, Handle Animal 3 ranks, Stealth 3 ranks
• Feats: Improved Grapple, Improved Initiative, Power Attack
• Special: Must have spent at least one month studying pythons.

Class Skills

The class skills for this class (and the key ability for each skill) are Acrobatics (Dex), Climb (Str), Craft (Int), Escape Artist (Dex), Intimidate (Cha), Knowledge (history, nature, religion) (Int), Perception (Wis), Perform (Cha), Profession (Wis), Ride (Dex), Sense Motive (Wis), Stealth (Dex), and Swim (Str).

Skill Ranks at Each Level: 4 + Int modifier

Table: The Python Master

Class Level	BAB	Fort Save	Ref Save	Will Save	Special
1st	+1	+1	+1	+1	Strength of the Python, Unarmed Damage 1d10
2nd	+2	+1	+1	+1	Scales of the Python 1/day
3rd	+3	+2	+2	+2	AC bonus +2, Improved Evasion
4th	+3	+2	+2	+2	Python Form 1/day
5th	+4	+3	+3	+3	Greater Flurry, Ki Strike (lawful), Unarmed Damage 2d6
6th	+5	+3	+3	+3	AC bonus +3, Slow Fall +10 ft., Scales of the Python 2/day
7th	+6	+4	+4	+4	Diamond Soul
8th	+6	+4	+4	+4	Python Form 2/day
9th	+7	+5	+5	+5	Ki Strike (adamantine), Unarmed Damage 2d8+1
10th	+8	+5	+5	+5	Sneak Attack +1d6, Slow Fall +20 ft.

Class Features

All of the following are class features of the python master prestige class.

Weapon and Armor Proficiency

Python masters receive no new weapon or armor proficiencies.

Monk Abilities

The python master’s Flurry of Blows, Ki Pool points, Unarmed Damage and AC Bonus continue to advance with each prestige class level as if he had gained a level in the monk class, unless otherwise noted in the table below. A python master’s unarmored speed bonus advances as if he were a monk two levels lower than his combined monk/python master levels.

He does not gain any of the other monk special abilities, improvements or bonus feats except those described below.

Strength of the Python (Ex)

At 1st level, the python master gains a +1 bonus on all Strength-based skill checks. Furthermore, when grappling, he gains a +1 bonus to damage rolls against his grappled opponent. The python master does not gain these extra bonuses when assuming python form (see below), since the form already grants significant Strength bonuses.

Scales of the Python (Su)

At 2nd level, the python master’s mental training allows him to toughen his skin and he has his body ritually tattooed with symbolic python scales. Once per day, as a standard action, the python master may cause the skin under each scale tattoo to slightly raise and toughen, providing him with damage reduction 3/magic or adamantine for 1 hour per two python master levels. At 6th level, he may use this ability twice per day. This ability may not be used when the python master assumes python form (see below).

Improved Evasion

At 3rd level, the python master gains the monk’s improved evasion ability.

Python Form (Su)

At 4th level, the python master gains the ability to assume the form of a Medium, Large or Huge constrictor snake. This ability is similar to a druid’s wild shape ability, is treated as beast shape III and lasts for 1 minute per two python master levels. The python master may assume this form once per day at 4th level and twice per day at 8th level.

Ki Strike

At 5th level, the python master gains the monk’s ki strike (lawful) ability. This increases to the ki strike (adamantine) ability at 9th level.

Greater Flurry

At 5th level, the python master gains the monk’s greater flurry ability.

Diamond Soul

At 7th level, the python master gains the monk’s diamond soul ability, making him resistant to spells.

Sneak Attack

At 10th level, the python master gains the sneak attack ability identical to a rogue’s. However, he may only use the ability in melee, not for ranged attacks. If the python master already had sneak attack from a previous class, the sneak attack damage stacks.