by Rob McCreary

The champion of the forge serves the forces of creation. They live to craft and create, always looking for new ways and techniques of crafting; the act of creation, in any form, in all forms, is the cause they champion. They represent the power of making; thus, they have the strength of a stalwart harness of armor and the keen edge of a forged blade but the flexibility of an innumerable number of tools. Champions of the forge work with their hands, and teach others valuable skills. Most are smiths of some sort, but do not limit themselves to only one craft. Many embrace the knowledges of science and engineering, anything to further their quest for new creations.

Champions of the forge frequently wear armor and carry weapons and tools that they have made themselves. Some take this to a further extreme, and carry or use nothing that they themselves did not create.

Popular symbols for champions of the forge include an anvil, a hammer, or a forge itself, or even forged items such as chains or a sword.

Special: The champion of iron gains a +2 bonus to two different Craft skills.

1st Level ? Forge Anew (Sp): The champion of the forge can use his knowledge and skills to fix and strengthen normal items. The champion can cast either harden or heightened repair (lesser) once per day as a caster of his class level.
5th Level ? Forge Enhancement (Sp): The champion of the forge can imbue items with temporary magical enhancements. The champion can cast either heightened magic armor or heightened magic weapon once per day as a caster of his class level. The champion also gains the Skill Focus feat in a single Craft skill as a free feat.
10th Level ? Fiery Chains (Sp): The champion can forge magical flaming chains to entangle his opponents. The champion of the forge can cast chains of vengeance once per day as a caster of his class level using Charisma as his spellcasting ability score.
15th Level ? Anvil of Creation (Sp): The champion of the forge has become such a creative force that he now can now create things out of thin air. The champion can cast heightened creation (greater) once per day as a caster of his class level.
20th Level ? Tempered Body (Sp): The champion of the forge?s body itself has become tempered from the heat of the forge, and is now immune to all fire, normal and magical.