Ice Sculptor

In most parts of the world, ice is a transitory medium for any aspiring sculptor. While stone, bronze, and wood usually maintain their structural integrity for decades or even centuries after their transformation into something other than their base components, ice rapidly melts into a puddle of chilly water when exposed to warmth. This artist differs though from others who practice the craft. A lump of clay, a block of stone, or a hewn tree merely function as the starting point for the creator’s grand vision. The ice sculptor, on the other hand, perceives the artistic piece’s building blocks as the finished product. In his mind, no being can rival nature’s eye for beauty. Glaciers capture nature’s limitless imagination, making them the unseen force’s most wondrous masterpieces. Subtle changes in color, magnificent icicles, glacial lakes contained within icy prisons, perilous yet jaw-dropping crevasses, and countless other features combine to transform these gargantuan sheets of compacted ice and snow into a wondrous display beyond the abilities of any mortal and perhaps divine sculptor. of course, not all share his viewpoint. Some ambitious humanoids see glaciers as bleak wastelands impeding progress and blocking profitable trade routes to distant lands beyond the frozen landscape. Teams of men and material descending onto the frigid surface likely cannot destroy these mounds of compressed ice and snow, but they can wreak enough havoc to mar their exquisite facades and disrupt the delicate ecosystem eking out an existence in this difficult domain. The indigenous residents are also not above reproach. Bestial white dragons and pillaging frost giants waste no time contemplating the ecological consequences of their rash actions. Regardless of where the threat originates, the ice sculptor stands ready to defend the glacier’s sensitive habitat against those seeking to harm the frigid white sheets and those creatures dwelling atop and within their icy grasp. For most ice sculptors, it is a lonely profession as few of their fellow humanoids long to spend their days huddling for precious warmth in pitch darkness. However, a fortunate handful join adventuring parties with different motivations but similar goals. On these occasions, an ice sculptor becomes a valuable member of any traveling company making its way across the ice cap biome.

Spontaneous Casting

An ice sculptor can channel stored spell energy into domain spells he has not prepared ahead of time. He can “lose” a prepared spell in order to cast any domain spell of the same level or lower.

This ability replaces the ability to spontaneously cast summon nature’s ally spells.

Nature Bond (Ex)

An ice sculptor may not select an animal companion. Instead, he must choose from the following domains rather than those usually available to druids: Arctic, Darkness (Night subdomain), Water, Weather, and Winter*.

Glacier Born (Ex)

At 1st level, an ice sculptor gains the constant benefits of endure elements, but suffers no harm from being in a cold environment only.

This ability replaces wild empathy.

Glacier Strider (Ex)

At 2nd level, an ice sculptor moves across regular snow and ice without penalty, 126 and does not need to make Acrobatics checks to run or charge across ice. He leaves no trail in ice or regular snow and cannot be tracked unless he chooses to leave a trail. However, moving through heavy snow still costs him 4 squares of movement, and he also leaves a trail.

This ability replaces woodland stride and trackless step.

Icy Ground (Ex)

At 4th level, the ice sculptor gains a +4 competence bonus to his Combat Maneuver Defense when resisting a bull rush or trip attempt while standing on ice or regular snow. He does not gain this benefit while standing on heavy snow.

This ability replaces resist nature’s lure.

Shape Ice and Snow (Su)

At 4th level, an ice sculptor can sculpt ice and snow into any shape once per day.

This ability functions like stone shape, except he can target ice and snow only, not stone. He may use this ability one additional time per day at 6th level and every two levels thereafter to a maximum of eight times per day at 18th level. At 20th level, he may shape ice and snow at will.

This ability replaces wild shape.

Glacier Master (Sp)

At 6th level, an ice sculptor may create a large chasm in ice or snow as the crevasse spell. He may not use this ability to cause earth, stone, or any other material to splinter.

Alternatively, he can melt ice and snow as the thaw spell. He may use one, but not both, of these abilities once per day. He gains a second use of either effect at 13th level and a third and final use of either effect at 20th level. He may use the same effect multiple times or a combination of both effects as long as the total number of uses does not exceed the preceding limits.

This ability replaces a thousand faces.

Glacier Walk (Su)

At 9th level, an ice sculptor gains a burrow speed of 20 feet, though he can burrow through ice and snow only. He passes through non-magical ice and snow as easily as a fish swims through water. His burrowing leaves no tunnel or hole in his wake, nor does it create any ripple or other sign of his presence.

He may use this ability a number of minutes per day equal to his druid level. These minutes do not need to be consecutive, but they must be used in 1-minute increments.

This ability replaces venom immunity and timeless body.