Geisha, the (missing) Asian Bard

[smootrk]

For a Touch Spell specialist, I would add something like Any Spell Effect delivered by Touch is cast as if the caster was 1 level higher. This is in addition to the massage delivered spells (if applicable). The caster can choose to deliver a spell that is normally ranged, and still gain this benefit.

For example a wizard with 6 effective caster levels (with this prc) can cast magic missile by touch and deliver 4 missiles throught the touch as if he was 7th level. The same wizard might apply a Bull Strength spell onto a companion through Massage Casting and the effects would apply as if the caster was +1 level higher in addition to the additional effects from Massage Casting.

Anyway... just a thought to beef up the caster, despite the loss of actual caster levels (not having +1CL at each prc level). Several Clerical Domains grant something as simple as this.

 

[Sound of Azure]

Nice! Simple, and innovative!

Of course, your example would need to be a sorcerer as the class stands (it's for spontanteous casters at the moment).

I'll fold that into the Gentle Touch ability. I lied. Folded into Massage Casting instead.

 

[smootrk]

I checked out the Celebrant of Sharess, and those options are really appropriate - and a plus that they are already essentially geared like bardic abilities. I will include the sanctuary effect as well, as it seems appropriate as well.

Going to insert the sanctuary effect in for Inspire Greatness (9th level), and the Inspire Desire in for Inspire Heroics (15th level) although I will tweak it slightly so that the Geisha is the object of desire (also changing name to Inspire Infatuation). Seems like good spots as the levels will roughly correspond to when a standard bard with the Celebrant prc would achieve the abilities (roughly anyhow). Good Tip.

I would like to still think up a minor effect to replace Inspire Courage, although of all the Inspire abilities, this is the one which could stay.

(edit) I also needed to change the DC of the will save to 1/2Geisha level. Since the Celebrant is a 10 level PRC, the DC would never be more than 20 + CHA bonus. A Geisha using the same formula could have DC of 30 + CHA bonus at 20th level - which may be a little out of line. If anyone feels otherwise, let me know as I have limited experience with DCs at the highest character levels.

Inspire Infatuation (Sp)

A Geisha of 15th level or higher with 18 or more ranks in a Perform skill can use her performance ability to inspire loving feelings towards the Geisha in a creature that she has already fascinated. Using this ability does not break the Geisha’s concentration on the fascinate effect, but it does count against her daily limit on Geisha Performances. A Will saving throw (DC 10 + ½ Geisha’s level + Geisha’s Cha modifier) negates the effect. This ability affects only a single creature per usage. Inspire Infatuation is an enchantment (compulsion), mind-affecting ability. It is not necessarily language-dependent, but lacking communication obviously limits the effectiveness.

The effect of this ability causes the target to fall in love with the Geisha. The subject takes any opportunity to be near the Geisha, and makes every effort to win the Geisha’s attention. The subject will do his utmost to prevent any harm to the Geisha, even to the point of self sacrifice. The Geisha must tend to this relationship, as any treatment which spurns this ‘love’ will cause another save with a +2 cumulative bonus for each occurrence. Having multiple disciples in this manner tends to cause trouble as each works against the other to earn her favor. The Geisha can dismiss the direct effect, although some feelings may persist (lingering longing, or sometimes bitter scorn).

 

[Sound of Azure]

Changes have been made to the Tui Na Masseuse, above.
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Glad the tip for the Celebrant worked out. I tend to agree with your decision regarding the save DC (Of note, though... the OA and Rokugan Samurai have a good Will save to resist the Geisha's charms, but the CW Samurai is a push over. ).

Really, I think inspire courage is ok enough, although I wish I could come up with something else. I'll keep thinking, anyway.

EDIT: By the way, nice work on converting the ability.

 

[ivocaliban]

I'm much better at coming up with concepts than I am at putting them into a workable form. That said, I was just reading about poi and thought it would make an interesting and exotic prestige class for your campaign. It's essentially a Maori term for juggling (or twirling) balls on ropes, but the items juggled can vary greatly. There is traditional poi, sock poi, fire poi...the last of which is, of course, the most appealing to myself.

I could imagine a prestige class where you begin with traditional poi then progress to fire poi (adding fire damage to attacks). Also, the various tricks mentioned in the article could be adapted to some interesting special abilities. Perhaps the abilitity to deflect arrows, increase one's armor class, or, even create hypnotic effects (fascinate, perhaps) with the spinning lights. It might also provide some bonuses or abilities connected to feinting in combat or disarm as well. BAB like a rogue, Reflex saves. Two-Weapon Fighting comes to mind as a requirement (possibly Battle Dancer and/or Combat Acrobat if you have the PHBII). As do skills like Balance, Concentration, Perform (Poi), and maybe Tumble.

Granted I tend to think of prestige classes that would be useful in combat in some way. While I'm sure poi isn't traditionally a combat-oriented artform, it certainly presents that opportunity in a D&D game. Even if it was viewed simply as an artform, I'm sure you could do something with it along those lines.

 

[smootrk]

Isn't it interesting how much real life cultures can apply to D&D. Those fire poi dancers are very cool. Not sure how I would build a class or prc around it, but it does look striking. Maybe a sort of monkish martial arts technique could be modeled around it.

I have been re-writing portions of the main Geisha document to include many of the changes discussed on this thread (haven't re-uploaded it yet - so don't bother, yet). One part I plan is a couple of introductory paragraphs, describing the Geisha (without my commentary on Historical Accuracies).

One interesting change I made was to simply drop the Gossip ability (it was a simple bonus to a few skills). I realized that the Geisha, being CHA focused already, and having other abilities (like Courtly Grace) is already a Gather Info beast - without any extra boost. So, I just dropped it. A feat choice could easily add to the impressive ability anyhow. This also had the bonus of removing the minor controversy over Bardic Knowledge and Gossip mismatch - and leaves the official Courtier as the premier Gather Info dude. If a Geisha wants that boost to Gather Info, then she will take levels in Courtier as well.

I also exchanged those bardic performance abilities, although I want to revisit the Sanctuary effect. As copied from the PGtF ability, something just seems off or lacking, and I would like to cross reference it with actual Sanctuary and Mass Sanctuary spells and probably update the ability.

I still need to re-write a section for Geisha Gear which will hold information for Kimonos and some other handy stuff like magical make-ups, masks, obi (belt), and other equipment related ideas.

I created a section for Variant Geisha, listing tips for tweaking the class cultural variations. So far, I have only listed 2 variants, though I plan at least 2 more (Malay and Pinoy versions). Maybe more if anyone has concrete info on something similar in another culture - thinking I need a Thai or Siam version in there.

All in all, the document looks much the same, but it contains a little more concise info.

 

[Aikuchi]

I go for the weekend, and this much information 'gathers' ...
tsk tsk ---- LOL

I'll see what I can do about the Thai culture (it is only few hours away) ...

 

[Sound of Azure]

Aik

Eh-heh.

Pretty much had a free weekend to work on things, so I got busy. I didn't get your e-mail (it probably got lost somewhere, hotmail's like that sometimes).

Thanks for helping with the research!

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Smootrk

Groovy, I look forward to te new document. I'm nearly done with the ninj-eisha PrCl, should have it up tomorrow or the next day.

 

[smootrk]

I went to the Blockbuster Video in an attempt to get the movie "sleeping dictionary" but they did not carry it there. Might just be my cue to start with an online option like Netflix or Blockbuster's version of Netflix. I see what I can come up with tomorrow.

 

[Sound of Azure]

The Ninja of the Crimson Sakura Design Diary is up here. Let me know if you like it. It's incomplete as yet, but I'm unsure of the kind of balance ou want in regard to the sudden strike and spellcasting.
At the moment it's somewhere in between what the Arcane Trickster and Shadowmind get, with some slightly undefined special abilities.

I created a seperate thread because I don't want to clutter this one up too much before it's done.
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I might have to see that movie too, it sounds rather interesting.