Mechanics for an L12 Nerd/Librarian Type? (Also, how to build a bard?)

[DM_Matt]

I am trying to stat out a 12th level nerd/librarian type military-employed NPC and am not sure waht route to take. Going expert will make her too weak, Wizard or Wizard-Loremaster will make her overly mighty, and artificer doesnt fit that well and will risk turning a high-equiptment group into an excesive-equiptment group. Any suggestions? Any good PRCs for this? I'd rather not do a Loremaster with an inexplicably ineffective spell list.

 

[Jack Simth]

Start with a Bard. All Knoweledge skills as class skills, a small amount of spellcasting, decent skill points, then re-flavor Bardic Lore.

 

[Three_Haligonians]

How Odd..

Strangely enough.. I have just done something similar.

I used the "Cloistered Cleric" variant from Unearthed Arcana and then the Loremaster PrC. I chose the most "bookish" feats I could find and decided that on any given day, the cleric had mostly divination spells memorized.

I haven't tested him out fully yet but I have high hopes for his "non-combat-ness"

J from Three Haligonians

 

[FireLance]

Agree with Jack Simth. Give the bard ranks in Perform (Oratory) and have her "bardic music" abilities take the form of lectures, preferably delivered in a dry, boring, nasal tone.

 

[Saeviomagy]

A specialist diviner with no extra spells scribed into their book, and all divination spells taken for level-ups would be a relatively ineffective (combat-wise) character, yet fit the role perfectly.

Beyond that - if you're making a 12th level character, they're mighty. If you really want a weak character, simply don't make them 12th level.

 

[DM_Matt]

Beyond that - if you're making a 12th level character, they're mighty. If you really want a weak character, simply don't make them 12th level.

Well, to be in a 14th level party and be of some use witohut dying every time they are hit with an area effect spell or face someone with missile weapons, she needs some HP and saves.

Regarding bards, a bard witohut bardic music is basically an expert. Altohugh I guess the bonuses can come from strategizing or explaining weaknesses or something.

 

[DM_Matt]

Start with a Bard. All Knoweledge skills as class skills, a small amount of spellcasting, decent skill points, then re-flavor Bardic Lore.

So what cool things are out there in non-core WOTC stuff for bards? I have very little experience with the class.

 

[Jack Simth]

So what cool things are out there in non-core WOTC stuff for bards? I have very little experience with the class.

Does he really need to be cool? He's an NPC; find a Random 12th level Bard and tweak specs until he's something that will fit. Third party splatbooks are a bad idea when you didn't choose Wizard specifically so that he wouldn't be too powerful.

 

[DM_Matt]

Does he really need to be cool? He's an NPC; find a Random 12th level Bard and tweak specs until he's something that will fit. Third party splatbooks are a bad idea when you didn't choose Wizard specifically so that he wouldn't be too powerful.

Not "lets add up bonuses," but instead useful things. And NPCs that will hang with the party for an extended period do need to be cool.

 

[CronoDekar]

Unearthed Arcana has a Bardic Sage variant class which makes your bardic songs less effective and sacrifices of good reflex in exchange for a bonus on bardic knowledge and an additional divination spell known for each spell level.