The Elven Bladesinger

 (The following is an attempt to create a balanced version of the elven Bladesinger, a fighter-mage that uses both his martial and magical skills to be a fearsome swordsman, but still is a balanced character to play.  Therefore, the primary advantage the Bladesinger receives is additional spellcasting while advancement as a warrior.  Also, this prestige class attempts to capture the “feel” of a Bladesinger, in both his obligations and his cunning.)
	The solitary defender of the elven way of life, the Bladesinger travels out into hostile lands, armed only with his martial skills and his magical spells, to both accomplish specific missions and serve as an extension of elven law.   His most fearsome tool is the Bladesong, a special set of maneuvers and theories on the art of swordsmanship and the arcane that he combines into lethal force.  
	Fighters and Rangers are the most common classes to become Bladesingers, as are Paladins, whose respect for their people’s law serves them well.  Likewise, Wizards and Sorcerers often follow this path.  Rare, but truly powerful, is the rare elven Bard who takes this solitary path.
	Hit Die: d8

Requirements
	(These requirements were chosen to reflect the training a Bladesinger must possess in order to start training in the blade song.  The requirement of diverse feats, a high base attack, and the spellcasting requirements show the necessary training. Note that the perquisites for the class are some of the perquisites for the Bladesong feat, which is what the class is centered around.)
Race: Elf
	Base Attack Bonus: +6
	Feats: Weapon Focus (any sword), Expertise, Quicken Spell, Combat Casting
	Balance: 5 ranks
	Diplomacy: 6 ranks
	Knowledge (Elven Culture): 6 ranks
	Spellcraft: 5 ranks
	Tumble: 5 ranks
	Spellcasting: Must be able to cast 3rd level Arcane Spells

Class Skills
(The skills were chosen to represent the bladesinger’s unique place in the elven world.  Not only must he use his body for fighting, but his mind for making important decisions, and also his charm for representing his people.)
	The Bladesinger’s Class Skills (and the key ability for each skill) are Balance (Dex), Bluff (Cha), Concentration (Con), Diplomacy (Cha), Knowledge (Arcana) (Int), Knowledge (Elven Culture) (Int), Sense Motive (Wis), Spellcraft (Int), Tumble (Dex).
	Skill Points at Each Level: 4+Int modifier.

Class Features
 	Attack	Fort	Ref	Will	 	 	 	
Lvl	Bonus	Save	Save	Save	Special	Spells per Day	
1	+1	+0	+2	+0	Bladesong, Elven Law		 	
2	+2	+0	+3	+0	Uncanny Dodge	+1 Spell Caster Level	
3	+3	+1	+3	+1	Bladesong, Tithe 		 	
4	+4	+1	+4	+1	Immune to Fear, Charm	+1 Spell Caster Level	
5	+5	+1	+4	+1	Bladesong, Solitude		 	
6	+6	+2	+5	+2	Uncanny Dodge	+1 Spell Caster Level	
7	+7	+2	+5	+2	Bladesong, Poverty		 	
8	+8	+2	+6	+2	Evasion	+1 Spell Caster Level	
9	+9	+3	+6	+3	Bladesong, Obligation		 	
10	+10	+3	+7	+3	Improved Evasion	+1 Spell Caster Level	
(The Bladesinger’s main advantage is his ability to gain martial proficiency while he gains new spells, and also, he will gain the Bladesong Feat more quickly than anybody else. Also, he receives stiff social penalties as he advances in the elven hierarchy.  The other abilities round out his fighting abilities, demonstrating the tricks he picks up as he grows more experienced.)

Bladesong:  At the first level, and every other level afterwards, the Bladesinger gains an additional rank in the feat, Bladesong.  He may choose a different special ability each time.  If he already has learned all the abilities, then he gains nothing from this ability.
Elven Law: With this restriction, the Bladesinger becomes bound by Elven Law.  The laws that govern a Bladesinger are far more restrictive than the common laws, and should a Bladesinger violate one of these laws, he will be summarily hunted down and executed by an elven war party.  The laws vary from land to land, but always include the following 3 tenets:  One must obey the decrees of the Monarch, one must never kill an elf, or through in action, allow an elf to be killed, and one may never refuse the request of an elf in dire need.  Although there may be loopholes in the wording of these three tenets, the only opinion who matters is that of the Monarch, who determines if a violation has occurred.  Although preferably the Bladesinger gets some sort of trial, a Monarch may find him guilty without such formalities.  However, at this point he is also considered a hero of the Elven People, and may request (and with reasonable expectations, expect) an elf to offer him food and shelter, as well as equipment within reason.
Uncanny Dodge: At Second Level, the Bladesinger acquires the ability to retain bonuses to AC even if he is caught flat-footed or attacked by an invisible attacker.  At the sixth level, he cannot be flanked. This is an extraordinary ability.
Tithe:  At the third level, the Bladesinger must tithe 25 percent of all wealth to his Monarch.  This shows his devotion to his culture, and prevents him from becoming too powerful.  However, at this point the Bladesinger is considered to be a constable, a roaming judge who is empowered to judge disputes, determine sentence, and execute the punishment if necessary.  His word, to elves, is the law.  Abuse of this priviledge is the most dire transgression a Bladesinger can commit, and will be treated accordingly.
Immune to Fear & Charm: At fourth level, a Bladesinger is so devoted to his cause that he becomes immune to any form of Fear or spells that would induce him to violate Elven Law. This is a supernatural ability
Solitude: In order to advance further in his path, the Bladesinger must forego all worldy connections other than that of his culture.  Although he may travel with others, he does not make any long-term connections.  His solitude is his strength, and he may not take the leadership feat, have cohorts, or marry. However, at this point, the Bladesinger may request to retire at anytime, turning his sword over to the Monarch and being allowed to raise a family, or change professions.  If she agrees, he may continue to live freely, however, he is not allowed to draw a sword ever again.  The Monarch may also refuse his request, and even if she does, may still call apon his service at anytime.
Poverty: When the Bladesinger’s power reaches a certain point, he is ordered to surrender most of his worldly possessions.  He may keep 10 gold pieces per level of Bladesinger, a small home in elven lands, one horse, one servant, and possessions not exceeding a value of 50 gold pieces per level.  Not counted against this total are his sword and armor, as well as 3 pieces of adventuring gear.  These may never be sold, only used to defend the nation.  All excess wealth must be donated to his nation.  The positive side of this penalty is that the nation provides the Bladesinger with a small stipend, enough to provide for basic expenses (food, shelter, and upkeep) so that he need not worry about money.
Evasion: At the eight level, the Bladesinger gains the ability to evade spells or breath weapons that deal half damage with a successful saving throw.  If the reflex roll is successful, the Bladesinger takes no damage.  At tenth level, he takes half damage even on a failed roll. This is an extraordinary ability.
Obligation: At this point, the Bladesinger is a champion of his people, and the Monarch calls on him accordingly.  She gives him a special pin, which does count against his equipment value, so that she may contact him at any time.  He will be given the most thankless and dangerous missions she has.  However, he now answers only to her, and is not considered subordinate to any other elf.

Bladesong (General)
You are trained in the elven martial art of swordsmanship and spell casting. 
	Prerequisites: Balance Skill, Tumble Skill, Base Attack Bonus +6 or Higher, Expertise, Quicken Spell.  Unless an extraordinary circumstance is present, the character must be an Elf)
	Benefits: This skill grants a variety of benefits, one may be chosen each time the feat is taken.
-	Apply Int modifier to Attack and Damage.  This is an extraordinary ability.
-	Apply Wis modifier to AC and Initiative. This is an extraordinary ability.
-	Parry: The character may roll a Reflex Saving Throw to avoid a melee attack.  The difficulty number is the opponent’s attack roll, minus the character’s AC, plus ten. This costs the character one attack for each attack he chooses to parry.  (For Example, Mengalik, an elven Bladesinger, is attacked by a Blackguard.  His AC is 21, the Blackguard rolls a 27.  His target number to parry is a 16 (27-21+10) he rolls a 19 and suffers no ill effects from the attack.) This is an extraordinary ability.
-	Enhance Quicken Spell:  The character chooses one spell to quicken, this spell can never be changed. The character can treat that spell as a level one spell, despite the fact that it is quickened, and cast it as a free action.  This never provokes an attack of opportunity. This is a supernatural ability.
-	Spell Strike:  The character may cast touch spells through his blade.  He strikes at his highest base attack with all applicable modifiers, and does damage equal to the spell plus his weapon.  He may only attack once per round in this manner. This is a supernatural ability.
-	Spell Shield:  The character can roll a normal attack roll, using his highest base attack, with all modifiers.  This number becomes his spell resistance roll for one spell.  The character must give up all attacks in order to perform this action, and can only use it when a spell strikes (either through a held action or an attack of opportunity.) If the spell doesn’t beat his resistance, the entire spell fizzles. (A fireball that is between in this manner would not effect anybody in the radius of its effect, as the character dispelled it.) This is a supernatural ability.
Special: The Bladesong can only be performed using a one-handed weapon, usually a sword.  No benefits are gained if a character cannot use his free hand (although a buckler may be worn.)  The Bladesong cannot be performed in Medium or Heavy Armor.