Rogue Archetype
The Mechanic
I n a thieving crew, the members often
take specialties: the brains, the face, the
muscle… In every crew, however, there is at
least one member you can count on to
always have the right tool at the right time:
the mechanic.
Using their technological prowess, the
mechanic constructs a wondrous marvel:
the Aethergear. Able to modify their
abilities, the Aethergear is a transformative
device that is made to be adaptable to any
situation. Stored in a backpack, a satchel,
or a wheelchair: the mechanic’s Aethergear
is able to be deployed at a moment’s
notice, and is controlled using a link to the
mechanic’s own mind.
Mechanic Features
Rogue Mod
Level Feature Slots
Aether Gearhead, I
3rd 1 madness table; on a fourth failure, your
Have a Tool for That
9th That’s a Keeper 1 mind irreparably fractures from the strain
More Power to the
13h 2 die.
Engines
17th Safety Not Guaranteed 2 duration you can maintain your form when
Aether Gearhead
Starting at 3rd level, you have finally
constructed an Aethergear. As a bonus
action on your turn, you can transform your
Aethergear and gain certain abilities.
You start with three different Aethergear
transformations: the Corsair, the Delver,
and the Brute, which are detailed at the end
of this document. Each transformation
grants different abilities.
If your Aethergear abilities require a
saving throw, you use your Intelligence
modifier to calculate your DC.
DC = 8 + proficiency modifier + Intelligence
Modifier
You can safely deploy your Aethergear a
number of times per day equal to half of
your Intelligence modifier, rounded up
(minimum 1) before requiring a long rest.
You can maintain your Aethergear’s form
for a number of hours equal to one-third of
your rogue level (rounded up) before
requiring you to expend an additional use
to maintain your transformation.
You can attempt to push your limits and
transform your Aethergear additional times
past your maximum. If you do so, you must
make a DC10 Intelligence saving throw. On
a failure, you still deploy your Aethergear,
but you also gain one short-term madness
after the transformation ends.
If you attempt to push your limit and fail
second time before taking a long rest, roll
on the long-term madness table instead; on
a third failure, roll on the indefinite
and at the end of the transformation you
Regardless of success or failure, the
pushing your limits is measured in minutes
instead of hours, and the saving throw DC
increases by 5 for each additional
transformation past your maximum before
a long rest.
I Have a Tool for That
At 3rd level, you have assembled a
collection of spare tools from various kits
to assist you in your abilities.
If you make a skill check which would
require a tool set or kit that you are not
proficient in, you can make the check even
if you do not own the tool. When doing so,
you add half of your proficiency bonus to
the check, rounded down.
If you use this feature to craft an item
using a tool, you require twice the amount
of time and material cost to do so.
You can also use this kit to craft
modifications for your Aethergear during
your downtime, which are detailed at the
end of this document. These modifications
are placed into mod slots. When you gain
this feature, you have one mod slot. You
gain one additional slot at level 13.
If you wish to have more modifications
than you have available mod slots, you can
choose to use your magical item
attunement slots to substitute for mod
slots.
If you have multiple modifications built,
you can change an installed modification
for a different one you own by spending 8
hours doing so.
That’s a Keeper
At 9th level, you can deconstruct magical
items for use in upgrading your Aethergear.
When you spend downtime crafting a
modification for your Aethergear, you can
spend an additional amount of time equal
to half of the crafting time to recycle an
identified magical item (though you do not
have to identify it).
You can apply the full value of this item
to your crafted modification. The DM will
determine if the item is applicable to the
modification you are crafting.
More Power to the Engines
At 13th level, you gain one additional mod
slot. You can use this slot to either install
another mod into your Aethergear or to
attune to a magical item. The process of
switching from a modification to attuning
to a magical item takes 8 hours.
Safety Not Guaranteed
At 17th level, you have unlimited uses of
your Aethergear and you Intelligence score
increases by 2, up to a maximum of 22..
You also gain advantage on saving
throws against madness, and you can
choose to ignore one or more indefinite
madness effect that you have as a result of
overuse of your Aethergear.
Additionally, when you deploy your
Aethergear, you can choose to push your
limits and willingly gain one short term
madness after your deployment ends. If
you do so, your deployment is measured in
minutes and your Sneak Attack damage
while transformed increases by 3d6.
Aethergear Forms
Corsair Form
A land-vehicle like contraption, this
transformation has an aether-charged plow
able to ram enemies as you quickly engage
them.
Traits: Gain +10 movement speed while in
this form.
Charge!: When you Dash using your
Cunning Action feature, you can move
through the space occupied by a creature.
You must move at least 10 feet in a
straight line before entering the creature’s
space, and you cannot end your movement
in an occupied space.
When you do so, each creature in your
line of travel must make a Dexterity saving
throw versus your mechanic DC. On a
success, the creature is pushed 5 feet into
the nearest unoccupied space. On a failure,
the creature is knocked prone.
If you move through at least one
creature’s space using this feature, then
your next weapon attack that hits a
separate creature deals Sneak Attack
damage.
Delver Form
Four mechanical arms sprout out from your
device, assisting you in climbing and
maneuvering in rough terrain.
Traits: Gain a climbing speed of 30ft and
the ability to climb very difficult surfaces,
such as a sheer cliff-face, through the use
of a deployable grappling hook.
Grapple Gear: You can use your action to
make a special ranged attack (range:
20ft/60ft) using your Intelligence modifier.
On a hit, the target takes piercing damage
equal to 1d8 + your Intelligence modifier
and must make a Strength saving throw.
On a failure, the creature becomes
grappled.
The grappled creature can use an attack
or action to try to break the grapple during
its turn, and you may only have one enemy
grappled like this at a time.
If you move on your turn, you can drag
the grappled creature with you but can only
move at half movement speed.
Additionally, you can use a bonus action to
pull the grappled creature 10 feet towards
you.
Weapon attacks you make against
creatures grappled using this ability deal
Sneak Attack damage on a hit.
Brute Form
The Aethergear transforms to encase your
body, providing you with durability at the
expense of mobility.
Traits: You cannot use items or weapons
while in this form. Your speed becomes
25ft, and your AC is equal to 12 + your
Intelligence modifier.
Two-Cycle Slam: Use your action to make a
special melee attack using your Intelligence
modifier. On hit, the target takes
bludgeoning damage equal to 1d6 + your
Intelligence modifier. If you hit the target,
you can use your bonus action to make an
additional attack, dealing 1d6 bludgeoning
damage (no modifier).
If you hit with both attacks, you may roll
Sneak Attack damage on the second attack,
provided you have not already used sneak
attack on this turn.
Aether Mods
You have a number of mod slots available
as per the feature list at the beginning of
this document. You can use these to create
modifications for your Aethergear on your
downtime. Each modification requires one
slot to use and list the forms that it can be
used for.
Mods are able to be upgraded at an
additional cost without requiring the use of
an additional slot. Unless otherwise noted,
when you upgrade a mod you retain your
previously crafted benefits.
Exploration Mod
(Form: All | Cost: 100gp | Time: 1 week)
This increases the exploration potential of your
Aethergear. You build an extra-dimensional
storage compartment weighing 15 pounds
which is able to hold up to 150 pounds with a
volume not exceeding 32 cubic feet.
Upgrade: Increased Storage
(Form: All | Cost: 200gp | Time: 2 weeks)
You increase the storage capability of your
extra-dimensional compartment. It is now able
to hold up to 500 pounds with a volume not
exceeding 64 cubic feet.
Upgrade: Delver Miner
(Form: Delver | Cost: 200gp | Time: 2 weeks)
You gain a burrowing speed of 10 feet per
minute through soil and1 foot per 10 minutes
through rock. The size of the hole created is
large enough for a medium-sized creature to
move through.
Upgrade: Brute Submersible
(Requires level 6 | Form: Brute | Cost: 200gp |
Time: 2 weeks)
While in your Brute form, you gain a swimming
speed of 25 feet, gain a filtering mask which
allows you to breathe underwater, and are no
longer impeded when fighting underwater.
Upgrade: Corsair Aerialist
(Requires level 13 | Form: Corsair | Cost:
500gp | Time: 3 weeks)
While in your Corsair form, you gain a flying
speed equal to your movement speed.
Upgrade: Aether Transport
(Form: Special | Cost: 8,000gp | Time: 10
weeks)
You craft an addition that can link to your
Aethergear, allowing you and 8 additional
companions to travel at a speed of 5mph over
land and ignore difficult terrain. Over the
course of a day, you can travel 50 miles.
Upgrade: Aether Swift Carrier
(Requires Aether Transport upgrade | Form:
Special | Cost: 25,000gp | Time: 25 weeks)
You craft an addition that can link to your
Aethergear, allowing you and 8 additional
companions to travel at a flying speed of
8mph. Over the course of a day, you can travel
80 miles.
Analysis Mod
(Form: All | Cost: 100gp | Time: 1 week)
You develop a device that is able to analyze
items for their magical properties. You can
spend one hour with a magical item to
determine its basic properties as per the
identify spell. This does not reveal the presence
of curses or detrimental effects on an item.
Upgrade: Geological Pulse
(Form: Delver | Cost: 500gp | Time: 2 weeks)
You can use an action to send out a pulse
through the surrounding area that you are
touching. The pulse travels out to a radius of
100 feet or in a 90-degree directional wave
reaching 500 feet, and allows you to detect
abscesses in the environment. You can spend 1
minute analyzing the information to discover
the pathways of tunnels or hidden areas. After
using this, you cannot do so again until
completing a short or long rest.
Upgrade: Combat Analysis
(Form: All | Cost: 500gp | Time: 3 weeks)
As an action on your turn, you can target one
creature with a component designed to analyze
creatures for their properties.
Make an Investigation (Intelligence) check
against a DC equal to the creature’s challenge
rating. If the creature does not have a challenge
rating, the DC is equal to 10 + the creature’s
proficiency bonus + the number of legendary
resistances it has.
On a success, you can choose to learn one
of the following properties about the creature:
one damage vulnerability, one damage
resistance, one damage immunity, one
condition immunity, or its current hit points.
On a failure, you do not learn anything about
the creature and cannot attempt to do so again
for 24 hours.
Mobile Security Mod
(Form: Special | Cost: 200gp | Time: 2 weeks)
The Aethergear is a large device, and as
such, sometimes needs to be left behind.
You create a special form of your basic
Aethergear, allowing you detach a portion from
your main gear in order to be more
concealable. This lacks the bulk of your normal
Aethergear, and its form is reflective of your
original gear. For example, if your Aethergear
was fashioned into a mobile chair, this may
take the shape of leg plates and segments of
armor hugging your form.
When you use your mobile detachment, you
leave the remainder of your Aethergear behind.
You can choose one form when you detach to
take with you. When using your Aethergear
transformation, you can only transform into
that single form while you are detached.
Upgrade: Burglar Deterrent
(Form: All | Cost: 50gp | Time: 2 days)
You place an arcane-infused lock on your
Aethergear and set a password. If an individual
attempts to move or use your Aethergear and
uses an incorrect password, they must make a
Constitution saving throw against your
mechanic DC. On a failure, the creature takes
1d10 lightning damage and is thrown
backwards 10 feet. On a success, they take half
as much damage and are not thrown
backwards.
Upgrade: Locator Beacon
(Form: All | Cost: 50gp | Time: 2 days)
You create a tracking beacon and implant it in
your Aethergear, as well as a receiver. So long
as your Aethergear is on the same plane of
existence and is not blocked by magical
means, you know the direction and
approximate distance to it.
Upgrade: Instant Recall
(Form: All | Cost: 10,000gp | Time: 12 weeks)
You craft a device able to recall your
Aethergear to you at any time. As an action on
your turn, regardless of physical or planar
distance, you can summon your Aethergear to
the nearest unoccupied space.
Brute Armor Mod
(Form: Brute | Cost: 200gp | Time: 2 weeks)
This upgrades the durability of your Brute Form
armor. You gain +1 AC while in Brute Form.
Upgrade: Arcane Discharge
(Requires level 5 | Form: Brute | Cost: 200gp
| Time: 2 weeks),
As part of your reaction when you Uncanny
Dodge feature damage, you can temporarily
accumulate and then explosively redirect the
inertial, kinetic, or energetic damage outwards.
Creatures within 5 feet of you must make a
Dexterity saving throw against your mechanic
DC. On a failure, they take force damage equal
to 1d8 + your Intelligence modifier. After using
this feature, you cannot do so again until taking
a short or long rest.
Upgrade: Vigilant Armor
(Form: Brute | Cost: 1000gp | Time: 4 weeks)
Your armor upgrade increases to a total of +2
AC while in Brute Form.
Upgrade: Mighty Armor
(Form: Brute | Cost: 10,000gp | Time: 12
weeks),
Your armor upgrade increases to a total of +3
AC while in Brute Form.
Corsair Agility Mod
(Form: Corsair | Cost: 200gp | Time: 2 weeks)
This upgrades the speed of your Corsair form.
You gain an additional +10 movement speed
while in your Corsair transformation.
Upgrade: Emergency Boost
(Requires level 5 | Form: Corsair | Cost:
200gp | Time: 2 weeks)
As part of your reaction when you use the
Uncanny Dodge feature, you can move up to a
number of feet equal to 5 x your Intelligence
modifier without provoking an attack of
opportunity.
Upgrade: Drag Reducing Inertial Friction
Turbo
(Form: Corsair | Cost: 500gp | Time: 3 weeks)
When you use your Charge feature, you no
longer have to move in a straight line after your
initial 10 feet of starting the Charge.
Delver Utility Mod
(Form: Delver | Cost: 200gp | Time: 2 weeks)
This upgrade grants various features which
improve the ability of the Delver in
underground environments:
• You can provide a source of bright light out
to 20 feet and dim light out to an additional
20 feet. This can be a radius or directed light.
• You gain a set of goggles which grant
darkvision up to a distance of 60 feet. If you
already have darkvision, the distance is
extended by 60 feet.
• You gain the benefits of the spider climb
spell while in Delver form, provided that the
material you are attempting to cling to is not
made of solid metal.
• You can purify 1 gallon of water in 10
minutes. You do not have to be actively
engaged to do this, and can purify up to 6
gallons of water at a time.
Upgrade: Emergency Line
(Form: Delver | Cost: 100gp | Time: 1 week),
You can use your reaction when you are falling
to shoot your grappling hook out to a nearby
surface to catch yourself. The surface must be
within 60 feet of you.
You may also use your reaction to catch a
falling ally within 60 feet of you, provided they
are not more than one size larger than you.
Upgrade: Tack Wire Impact Projectile
(Form: Delver | Cost: 200gp | Time: 2 weeks),
You can use your action to shoot out a sticky
projectile mass to ensnare creatures. This
projectile mimics the effects of the web spell,
but only lasts for 1 minute and does not
require concentration. After using this ability,
you cannot do so again until taking a short or
long rest.
Upgrade: Adaptive Cloaking
(Requires level 5 | Form: Delver | Cost:
200gp | Time: 2 weeks)
As part of your reaction when you use the
Uncanny Dodge feature, you can activate a
form of active camouflage that blurs and
conceals your form. Until the start of your next
turn, attacks made against you have
disadvantage. After using this feature, you
cannot do so again until taking a short or long
rest.
Upgrade: Electromagnetic Claws
(Form: Delver | Cost: 500gp | Time: 3 weeks)
You can benefit from your Delver’s spider
climb even when you are attempting to cling to
solid metal.