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<blockquote data-quote="Arkhandus" data-source="post: 3211414" data-attributes="member: 13966"><p><strong>Elven Bladesinger Prestige Class</strong></p><p></p><p><span style="color: Green"><span style="font-size: 12px"><em><strong>The Elven Bladesinger</strong></em></span></span></p><p></p><p>Elves esteem the arts, and think of both magic and swordplay as arts themselves, often combining the two with the art of singing. This combination is called the 'bladesong' style of fencing, and those who practice it are given the title 'bladesinger'. Only Elves and their Half-Elven kin are taught this particular art of fighting, an ancient tradition carefully kept out of the hands of non-Elves. The bladesong style is a very effective method of combining spells with swordsmanship, improving one's accuracy, grace, and magic all at once.</p><p></p><p>Bladesinging utilizes arcane magic, often sorcery since Elves are naturally gifted with that talent, as well as a particularly dancelike and swift fencing style. Elves, even Half-Elves, universally possess greater reflexes and swiftness of muscle than Humans do, which the bladesong style takes full advantage of. This provides a bladesinger with a pronounced advantage in the speed of his or her strikes and parries. Bladesong fencing is adaptable to use with the longsword and the Elven leafblade, as well as the more traditional rapier, which Elves favor. This style combines exceptional grace and speed with powerful strokes of the blade.</p><p></p><p>Elven bladesingers are typically colorful folk, wearing bright or fanciful garments and often decorated, as well as having varied quirks and personalities. Many are flamboyant or dramatic, while a few try and emphasize their dangerous presence instead. Few bladesingers are without either charm, wit, or sheer force of personality, so they are often very influential people who leave a lasting impression wherever they go. Although some bladesingers are very serious about their lineage, duties, nobility, and religion, most are good company and reliable comrades even so.</p><p></p><p>Whatever their drives or background, every bladesinger is an active force, employing their swordsmanship, arcana, and wit towards one goal or another, never content to wait or stand by the wayside. While a bladesinger may enjoy revelry and games as much as any other Elf, he or she never lets a quest or task go unfinished for long. Others may wait for situations to resolve themselves, or for time and patience to win out, but a bladesinger <em>acts</em>.</p><p></p><p>Bladesingers may be good or evil, lawful or chaotic, or even neutral in outlook, but they always have goals, and are trained in the bladesong style precisely because they will not let it go to waste. While some crusade against the enemies of Elvenkind or the enemies of Nature, others strive merely to protect their homeland from monsters or political plots. Many are just wandering adventurers, swashbucklers, pirates, or highwaymen. Some serve only to further the goals of their family within Elven lands, being champions of the family's honor and prestige.</p><p></p><p>A few may be mercenaries for a time, in the pursuit of some grander treasure or vengeance. In a few cases, bladesingers may even be sneaky and heartless assassins, furthering personal goals, family goals, or Elven goals through villainy and murder, rather than honest or valorous actions like most Elves would. A slight majority of bladesingers are Chaotic Good, Chaotic Neutral, or Neutral Good, with personalities much like a common bard only more martial.</p><p></p><p>Most bladesingers are fighter/sorcerers or fighter/bards, but some are fighter/wizards or even fighter/wu jen. A rare few, in the history of bladesingers, have been zealot/wizards, zealot/sorcerers, zealot/wu jen, or zealot/bards. A slightly greater number, although still few, are samurai/wizards or samurai/sorcerers. It is possible, albeit extremely unlikely, that a bladesinger may have been a psychic warrior/bard, psychic warrior/sorcerer, psychic warrior/wizard, or psychic warrior/wu jen before entering this prestige class. They may even have multiclassed into psion briefly, but such cases are as yet unheard of.</p><p></p><p>Since Elvenkind has few psionic individuals, psychic warriors are almost never bladesingers; most Elves who pursue psionics are striving to escape tradition rather than embrace it. The fastest path into this prestige class is 3 levels of the zealot variant cleric with 3 levels of wizard or wu jen, combined with the Skill Versatility feat to gain Perform and Tumble as class skills and thereby meet the rank prerequisites early, though the feat is unnecessary for wu jen. Only slightly slower is the path of taking 4 levels of fighter and 3 levels of wu jen, selecting Perform and Tumble as the extra wu jen class skills, or taking 3 levels of zealot and 3 levels of wizard as well as 1 level of rogue.</p><p><span style="color: Red"><strong>Hit Die:</strong></span> d6.</p><p></p><p></p><p><span style="color: Blue"><span style="font-size: 10px"><em><u><strong>Requirements</strong></u></em></span></span></p><p>To qualify to become an Elven bladesinger, a character must meet all the following criteria.</p><p><span style="color: Red"><strong>Race:</strong></span> Elf or Half-Elf.</p><p><span style="color: Red"><strong>Base Attack Bonus:</strong></span> +4.</p><p><span style="color: Red"><strong>Concentration:</strong></span> 6 ranks.</p><p><span style="color: Red"><strong>Knowledge (arcana):</strong></span> 6 ranks.</p><p><span style="color: Red"><strong>Perform:</strong></span> 6 ranks, must include Dance and Singing.</p><p><span style="color: Red"><strong>Spellcraft:</strong></span> 6 ranks.</p><p><span style="color: Red"><strong>Tumble:</strong></span> 6 ranks.</p><p><span style="color: Red"><strong>Feats:</strong></span> Combat Mystic, Weapon Focus (Elven leafblade or longsword or rapier), Weapon Specialization (Elven leafblade or longsword or rapier).</p><p><span style="color: Red"><strong>Special:</strong></span> Ability to cast arcane spells of at least 2nd-level, must be significantly trained by another bladesinger for at least a year at some point prior to gaining this prestige class.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: Blue"><span style="font-size: 10px"><em><u><strong>Class Skills</strong></u></em></span></span></p><p>The Elven bladesinger’s class skills (and the key ability for each skill) are Balance (Dex), Bluff (Cha), Concentration (Con), Craft (Int), Diplomacy (Cha), Jump (Str), Knowledge (arcana) (Int), Knowledge (local) (Int), Knowledge (nobility & royalty) (Int), Listen (Wis), Perform (Cha), Scry (Int), Sense Motive (Wis), Spellcraft (Int), Spot (Wis), and Tumble (Dex).</p><p><span style="color: Red"><strong>Skill Points Per Level:</strong></span> 4 + Int modifier.</p><p></p><p></p><p><span style="color: Blue"><span style="font-size: 10px"><em><u><strong>Class Features</strong></u></em></span></span></p><p>All of the following are class features of the Elven bladesinger prestige class.</p><p></p><p>[sblock]<span style="color: Red"><strong>Weapon and Armor Proficiency:</strong></span> An Elven bladesinger gains no extra proficiencies.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: Red"><strong>Spells:</strong></span> At every other Elven bladesinger level, the character’s spellcasting ability (spells per day, spells known, caster level, etc.) increases, as though he had gained a level in an arcane spellcasting class that he already possessed levels in before becoming a bladesinger. He does not, however, gain any of the other benefits from advancing a level in that class, such as improved familiar abilities, bonus feats, base attack bonus increases, and so on. When the character first becomes a bladesinger, he must choose a single arcane spellcasting class that his bladesinger levels will improve spellcasting for. He may not change his choice later.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: Red"><strong>Songblade (Ex):</strong></span> Each bladesinger favors a single, particular weapon and forms a minor bond with that weapon. This is too basic a bond to be considered magical, but it is something more than natural in any case. The bladesinger's chosen weapon may be referred to as a songblade, but most bladesingers just call it their favored weapon or special weapon.</p><p></p><p>This weapon is either an Elven leafblade, a longsword, or a rapier, the same type as whatever weapon they choose to apply their Bladesong Style with. To be chosen as a songblade, the weapon must have been in the character's possession for at least a year, the weapon must be magical, and the character must practice frequently with that particular weapon. A different weapon may be designated as the character's songblade once the bladesinger has possessed that weapon for at least a year and practiced extensively with it, but time spent bonded to a previous songblade does not count towards this.</p><p></p><p>The bladesinger may only be bonded to a single songblade at a time, and may permanently sever his or her connection to that songblade at any time, but never unwillingly (except when the songblade is destroyed). A destroyed songblade loses its connection to the bladesinger. When his or her songblade is destroyed, or its connection is otherwise permanently severed, the bladesinger suffers 1 point of damage per hit die he or she possesses. However, a songblade is somehow toughened by its connection to the bladesinger, gaining 1 extra hit point and +1 to Hardness per bladesinger level possessed by its master (maximum +10 HP and +10 Hardness).</p><p></p><p>The songblade gains a modicum of sentience and awareness, but only to a limited extent, and is not considered a true intelligent magic item (unless it already was an intelligent magic item beforehand, of course). The songblade and bladesinger may communicate empathically when in physical contact, transmitting emotions and similar feelings to one another. The songblade's proto-sentience resembles an animal's mind, and possesses no skill ranks or modifiers (though it may still attempt purely-mental skill checks, such as Listen and Spot checks, but not Search or Wilderness Lore checks for example), unless it was already an intelligent magic item. Bladesingers do not relinquish or replace their songblade lightly; they are generally reluctant to abandon it, and will usually strive to acquire greater enhancements for their songblade rather than replace it with a better weapon.</p><p></p><p>The Bladesong Style, Superior Focus, Superior Specialization, and Superior Critical features of this class only apply with the songblade itself.</p><p></p><p></p><p><span style="color: Red"><strong>Bladesong Style (Ex/Su):</strong></span> The Elven bladesinger learns to fight quite effectively with the Elven leafblade, longsword, or rapier. At 1st-level, the bladesinger must choose one of those weapons to gain this ability with, and it must be a weapon with which he already has both Weapon Focus and Weapon Specialization. When unarmored and wielding that weapon in one hand, holding nothing in the other hand (except material spell components or spell foci) and using no shield, the bladesinger gains a +1 bonus to attack and damage rolls with that weapon, and also gains a +1 dodge bonus to AC; he loses the dodge bonus to AC whenever he would lose a Dexterity bonus to AC. The dodge bonus improves by +1 at 2nd-level, and improves by another +1 at every fourth bladesinger level beyond that.</p><p></p><p>However, the bladesinger must apply his dodge bonus at the start of his turn each round in combat, applying each point of the Bladesong Style's dodge bonus against a particular enemy; the dodge bonus does not apply in full against all enemies, it can either be applied entirely against one foe or divided to apply in parts against multiple foes. Whenever an opponent goes unconscious, dies, or disappears, the bladesinger may reassign any points of his dodge bonus that were applied against that foe, at the end of his turn. The dodge bonus of the Bladesong Style does not apply against traps.</p><p></p><p>In addition to the aforementioned benefits, when fighting in the manner of the Bladesong Style, the Elven bladesinger adds his Intelligence modifier, if positive, as a supernatural Insight bonus to AC; he loses this AC bonus whenever he is denied his Dexterity bonus to AC. Lastly, when fighting this way, the bladesinger may choose to use his Dexterity modifier instead of his Strength modifier for purposes of determining his melee attack bonus with that weapon, as if using the Weapon Finesse feat, but without that feat's restriction on useable weapons. This henceforth counts as the Weapon Finesse feat for purposes of meeting any prerequisites for feats, abilities, prestige classes, or the like.</p><p></p><p></p><p><span style="color: Red"><strong>Spellsongs:</strong></span> Bladesingers learn to cast their spells through song, avoiding most of the usual words and phrases of incantations, instead inserting a few key pieces of an incantation into their lyrics as they sing and cast. The benefit of Spellsong only applies with the arcane spells of the class chosen at 1st-level as a bladesinger, that being the same class which will improve in spellcasting ability at every other bladesinger level.</p><p></p><p>When casting an arcane spell from that class, the bladesinger replaces the usual verbal component, if any, with a brief song that incorporates bits and pieces of the normal incantation, mixed in with ordinary lyrics; this still counts as a verbal component to the spell, but it adds +4 to the Spellcraft DC of any checks for identifying which spell is being cast, since other spellcasters trying to identify the spell have to notice and recognize the few key bits of incantation mixed with the song. Also, the usual somatic component, if any, is replaced by only a few delicate hand gestures and dancelike body movements, which adds a further +2 to the DC of the aforementioned checks when applicable. This still counts as a somatic component for the spell, and it does not circumvent or reduce any Arcane Spell Failure chances.</p><p></p><p>Other Elven bladesingers ignore half of the total DC increase mentioned above, such that an Elven bladesinger only treats the Spellcraft DC of a Spellsong spell with both verbal and somatic components as being +3 greater than normal, rather than +6, as bladesingers are more adept at identifying spells cast with the aid of a Spellsong. Additionally, the mystical power of music enhances any spell cast with the aid of the Spellsong ability, so any such spells enjoy a +2 bonus to the DC of any dispel checks attempted against them. Spellsong essentially makes the spells of a bladesinger more difficult to identify and thus counterspell. Use of the Spellsong ability is optional with each spell, but should be assumed unless the player specifies otherwise.</p><p></p><p></p><p><span style="color: Red"><strong>Improved Critical:</strong></span> At 3rd-level, the Elven bladesinger gains the Improved Critical feat with either the Elven leafblade, the longsword, or the rapier, as a bonus feat. He does not need to meet the normal prerequisites for the feat, however, as a special requirement he must have both Weapon Focus and Weapon Specialization with that weapon. Also, if the Elven bladesinger did not already have Improved Critical with the weapon chosen for his Bladesong Style, then this Improved Critical feat must be applied to that weapon.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: Red"><strong>Extend Song:</strong></span> An elven bladesinger of 3rd-level learns a metamagic trick to enhance the duration of his spells, at least occasionally. Up to twice per day, the bladesinger may cast a spell as though it had the benefits from one application of the Extend Spell metamagic feat. The spell must be one he casts with the benefit of his Spellsong ability, and the spell must also have a range of Personal or Touch; if the range is Touch, then that spell must be cast only upon the bladesinger himself, his songblade, and/or his familiar.</p><p></p><p>Extend Song stacks with the effects of any other Extend Spell applications on the spell cast in this manner. Also, Extend Song may be applied even to a spell that is not cast spontaneously, such as a prepared wizard spell, and the use of this ability is still determined at the time of casting, not when spells are prepared. Lastly, the application of Extend Song does not affect the level of spell slot needed, nor does it increase the casting time. However, Extend Song cannot be applied to a spell that is normally, in and of itself, unable to benefit from the Extend Spell metamagic feat.</p><p></p><p></p><p><span style="color: Red"><strong>Bardic Talent:</strong></span> Elven bladesingers acquire some minor bardic abilities at 4th-level, which improve at every fourth bladesinger level beyond that. At 4th-level in this class, the bladesinger gains the Bardic Knowledge and Bardic Music abilities of the bard basic class, if not already possessed. However, the bladesinger has only limited ability with these, unless they already had such capabilities. Thus, the bladesinger's effective bard level for purposes of Bardic Knowledge and Bardic Music is equal to one-quarter their level in this prestige class, rounded down.</p><p></p><p>If the bladesinger already possessed any of these capabilities beforehand, or if they later gain levels in a class with such capabilities, they merely stack their effective bard level from this class with their actual level in the other class that grants Bardic Music and/or Bardic Knowledge, as appropriate. Thus, for instance, a 5th-level bard/4th-level fighter/4th-level bladesinger would have Bardic Knowledge and Bardic Music abilities as per a 6th-level bard.</p><p></p><p></p><p><span style="color: Red"><strong>Superior Focus:</strong></span> At 5th-level, the bladesinger further improves his accuracy with the Elven leafblade, longsword, or rapier. He must choose the same weapon for this ability as he did for his Bladesong Style, and he must have the Improved Critical feat with that weapon. With that weapon, he gains double the normal benefit from Weapon Focus. This only applies with the character's songblade, and represents both great skill and great familiarity with the weapon.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: Red"><strong>Endure:</strong></span> A bladesinger adds +3 to his or her maximum hit points at 5th-level in this class, and again at 10th-level in it, as extensive combat training finally improves his naturally-poor Elven constitution.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: Red"><strong>Superior Specialization:</strong></span> At 7th-level, the Elven bladesinger further improves his skill and expertise with the Elven leafblade, longsword, or rapier. He must choose the same weapon for this ability as he did for his Bladesong Style. With that weapon, he gains double the normal benefit from Weapon Specialization. This represents great speed and power in striking with the songblade, and only applies with that weapon.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: Red"><strong>Superior Critical:</strong></span> At 9th-level, the bladesinger further improves his finesse with the Elven leafblade, longsword, or rapier. He must choose the same weapon for this ability as he did for his Bladesong Style. With that weapon, he gains double the normal benefit from Improved Critical, thereby tripling the weapon's threat range instead of doubling it. Bladesingers are able to use their great Elven reflexes and keen senses to strike telling blows more often than a Human might, at least with their songblade.</p><p></p><p></p><p><span style="color: Red"><strong>Quicken Song:</strong></span> Once an elven bladesinger reaches 9th-level in this class, he learns another metamagic trick for his spells. Up to twice per day, the bladesinger may cast a spell as though it had the benefits of the Quicken Spell metamagic feat. The spell must be one he casts with the benefit of his Spellsong ability, and the spell must also have a range of Personal or Touch; if the range is Touch, then that spell must be cast only upon the bladesinger himself, his songblade, and/or his familiar.</p><p></p><p>Quicken Song may be applied even to a spell that is not cast spontaneously, such as a prepared wizard spell, and the use of this ability is still determined at the time of casting, not when spells are prepared. Lastly, the application of Quicken Song does not affect the level of spell slot needed, nor does it increase the casting time, and Quicken Song may even be applied to spells from a class that, normally, cannot quicken any of its spontaneous spells. However, Quicken Song cannot be applied to a spell that is normally, in and of itself, unable to benefit from the Quicken Spell metamagic feat.[/sblock]</p><p></p><p>[code][B][COLOR=Red][U][I]The Elven Bladesinger:[/I][/U][/COLOR]</p><p>[COLOR=Blue]Class Base Fort. Ref. Will</p><p>Level Attack Save Save Save Special Spellcasting Ability[/COLOR][/B]</p><p>1 +0 +0 +2 +2 Bladesong Style, Spellsongs</p><p>2 +1 +0 +3 +3 Dodge +1 +1 level of existing class</p><p>3 +2 +1 +3 +3 Improved Critical, Extend Song</p><p>4 +3 +1 +4 +4 Bardic Talent +1 level of existing class</p><p>5 +3 +1 +4 +4 Superior Focus, Endure +3</p><p>6 +4 +2 +5 +5 Dodge +1 +1 level of existing class</p><p>7 +5 +2 +5 +5 Superior Specialization</p><p>8 +6 +2 +6 +6 Bardic Talent +1 level of existing class</p><p>9 +6 +3 +6 +6 Superior Critical, Quicken Song</p><p>10 +7 +3 +7 +7 Dodge +1, Endure +3 +1 level of existing class[/code]</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Arkhandus, post: 3211414, member: 13966"] [b]Elven Bladesinger Prestige Class[/b] [COLOR=Green][SIZE=3][I][B]The Elven Bladesinger[/B][/I][/SIZE][/COLOR] Elves esteem the arts, and think of both magic and swordplay as arts themselves, often combining the two with the art of singing. This combination is called the 'bladesong' style of fencing, and those who practice it are given the title 'bladesinger'. Only Elves and their Half-Elven kin are taught this particular art of fighting, an ancient tradition carefully kept out of the hands of non-Elves. The bladesong style is a very effective method of combining spells with swordsmanship, improving one's accuracy, grace, and magic all at once. Bladesinging utilizes arcane magic, often sorcery since Elves are naturally gifted with that talent, as well as a particularly dancelike and swift fencing style. Elves, even Half-Elves, universally possess greater reflexes and swiftness of muscle than Humans do, which the bladesong style takes full advantage of. This provides a bladesinger with a pronounced advantage in the speed of his or her strikes and parries. Bladesong fencing is adaptable to use with the longsword and the Elven leafblade, as well as the more traditional rapier, which Elves favor. This style combines exceptional grace and speed with powerful strokes of the blade. Elven bladesingers are typically colorful folk, wearing bright or fanciful garments and often decorated, as well as having varied quirks and personalities. Many are flamboyant or dramatic, while a few try and emphasize their dangerous presence instead. Few bladesingers are without either charm, wit, or sheer force of personality, so they are often very influential people who leave a lasting impression wherever they go. Although some bladesingers are very serious about their lineage, duties, nobility, and religion, most are good company and reliable comrades even so. Whatever their drives or background, every bladesinger is an active force, employing their swordsmanship, arcana, and wit towards one goal or another, never content to wait or stand by the wayside. While a bladesinger may enjoy revelry and games as much as any other Elf, he or she never lets a quest or task go unfinished for long. Others may wait for situations to resolve themselves, or for time and patience to win out, but a bladesinger [I]acts[/I]. Bladesingers may be good or evil, lawful or chaotic, or even neutral in outlook, but they always have goals, and are trained in the bladesong style precisely because they will not let it go to waste. While some crusade against the enemies of Elvenkind or the enemies of Nature, others strive merely to protect their homeland from monsters or political plots. Many are just wandering adventurers, swashbucklers, pirates, or highwaymen. Some serve only to further the goals of their family within Elven lands, being champions of the family's honor and prestige. A few may be mercenaries for a time, in the pursuit of some grander treasure or vengeance. In a few cases, bladesingers may even be sneaky and heartless assassins, furthering personal goals, family goals, or Elven goals through villainy and murder, rather than honest or valorous actions like most Elves would. A slight majority of bladesingers are Chaotic Good, Chaotic Neutral, or Neutral Good, with personalities much like a common bard only more martial. Most bladesingers are fighter/sorcerers or fighter/bards, but some are fighter/wizards or even fighter/wu jen. A rare few, in the history of bladesingers, have been zealot/wizards, zealot/sorcerers, zealot/wu jen, or zealot/bards. A slightly greater number, although still few, are samurai/wizards or samurai/sorcerers. It is possible, albeit extremely unlikely, that a bladesinger may have been a psychic warrior/bard, psychic warrior/sorcerer, psychic warrior/wizard, or psychic warrior/wu jen before entering this prestige class. They may even have multiclassed into psion briefly, but such cases are as yet unheard of. Since Elvenkind has few psionic individuals, psychic warriors are almost never bladesingers; most Elves who pursue psionics are striving to escape tradition rather than embrace it. The fastest path into this prestige class is 3 levels of the zealot variant cleric with 3 levels of wizard or wu jen, combined with the Skill Versatility feat to gain Perform and Tumble as class skills and thereby meet the rank prerequisites early, though the feat is unnecessary for wu jen. Only slightly slower is the path of taking 4 levels of fighter and 3 levels of wu jen, selecting Perform and Tumble as the extra wu jen class skills, or taking 3 levels of zealot and 3 levels of wizard as well as 1 level of rogue. [COLOR=Red][B]Hit Die:[/B][/COLOR] d6. [COLOR=Blue][SIZE=2][I][U][B]Requirements[/B][/U][/I][/SIZE][/COLOR] To qualify to become an Elven bladesinger, a character must meet all the following criteria. [COLOR=Red][B]Race:[/B][/COLOR] Elf or Half-Elf. [COLOR=Red][B]Base Attack Bonus:[/B][/COLOR] +4. [COLOR=Red][B]Concentration:[/B][/COLOR] 6 ranks. [COLOR=Red][B]Knowledge (arcana):[/B][/COLOR] 6 ranks. [COLOR=Red][B]Perform:[/B][/COLOR] 6 ranks, must include Dance and Singing. [COLOR=Red][B]Spellcraft:[/B][/COLOR] 6 ranks. [COLOR=Red][B]Tumble:[/B][/COLOR] 6 ranks. [COLOR=Red][B]Feats:[/B][/COLOR] Combat Mystic, Weapon Focus (Elven leafblade or longsword or rapier), Weapon Specialization (Elven leafblade or longsword or rapier). [COLOR=Red][B]Special:[/B][/COLOR] Ability to cast arcane spells of at least 2nd-level, must be significantly trained by another bladesinger for at least a year at some point prior to gaining this prestige class. [COLOR=Blue][SIZE=2][I][U][B]Class Skills[/B][/U][/I][/SIZE][/COLOR] The Elven bladesinger’s class skills (and the key ability for each skill) are Balance (Dex), Bluff (Cha), Concentration (Con), Craft (Int), Diplomacy (Cha), Jump (Str), Knowledge (arcana) (Int), Knowledge (local) (Int), Knowledge (nobility & royalty) (Int), Listen (Wis), Perform (Cha), Scry (Int), Sense Motive (Wis), Spellcraft (Int), Spot (Wis), and Tumble (Dex). [COLOR=Red][B]Skill Points Per Level:[/B][/COLOR] 4 + Int modifier. [COLOR=Blue][SIZE=2][I][U][B]Class Features[/B][/U][/I][/SIZE][/COLOR] All of the following are class features of the Elven bladesinger prestige class. [sblock][COLOR=Red][B]Weapon and Armor Proficiency:[/B][/COLOR] An Elven bladesinger gains no extra proficiencies. [COLOR=Red][B]Spells:[/B][/COLOR] At every other Elven bladesinger level, the character’s spellcasting ability (spells per day, spells known, caster level, etc.) increases, as though he had gained a level in an arcane spellcasting class that he already possessed levels in before becoming a bladesinger. He does not, however, gain any of the other benefits from advancing a level in that class, such as improved familiar abilities, bonus feats, base attack bonus increases, and so on. When the character first becomes a bladesinger, he must choose a single arcane spellcasting class that his bladesinger levels will improve spellcasting for. He may not change his choice later. [COLOR=Red][B]Songblade (Ex):[/B][/COLOR] Each bladesinger favors a single, particular weapon and forms a minor bond with that weapon. This is too basic a bond to be considered magical, but it is something more than natural in any case. The bladesinger's chosen weapon may be referred to as a songblade, but most bladesingers just call it their favored weapon or special weapon. This weapon is either an Elven leafblade, a longsword, or a rapier, the same type as whatever weapon they choose to apply their Bladesong Style with. To be chosen as a songblade, the weapon must have been in the character's possession for at least a year, the weapon must be magical, and the character must practice frequently with that particular weapon. A different weapon may be designated as the character's songblade once the bladesinger has possessed that weapon for at least a year and practiced extensively with it, but time spent bonded to a previous songblade does not count towards this. The bladesinger may only be bonded to a single songblade at a time, and may permanently sever his or her connection to that songblade at any time, but never unwillingly (except when the songblade is destroyed). A destroyed songblade loses its connection to the bladesinger. When his or her songblade is destroyed, or its connection is otherwise permanently severed, the bladesinger suffers 1 point of damage per hit die he or she possesses. However, a songblade is somehow toughened by its connection to the bladesinger, gaining 1 extra hit point and +1 to Hardness per bladesinger level possessed by its master (maximum +10 HP and +10 Hardness). The songblade gains a modicum of sentience and awareness, but only to a limited extent, and is not considered a true intelligent magic item (unless it already was an intelligent magic item beforehand, of course). The songblade and bladesinger may communicate empathically when in physical contact, transmitting emotions and similar feelings to one another. The songblade's proto-sentience resembles an animal's mind, and possesses no skill ranks or modifiers (though it may still attempt purely-mental skill checks, such as Listen and Spot checks, but not Search or Wilderness Lore checks for example), unless it was already an intelligent magic item. Bladesingers do not relinquish or replace their songblade lightly; they are generally reluctant to abandon it, and will usually strive to acquire greater enhancements for their songblade rather than replace it with a better weapon. The Bladesong Style, Superior Focus, Superior Specialization, and Superior Critical features of this class only apply with the songblade itself. [COLOR=Red][B]Bladesong Style (Ex/Su):[/B][/COLOR] The Elven bladesinger learns to fight quite effectively with the Elven leafblade, longsword, or rapier. At 1st-level, the bladesinger must choose one of those weapons to gain this ability with, and it must be a weapon with which he already has both Weapon Focus and Weapon Specialization. When unarmored and wielding that weapon in one hand, holding nothing in the other hand (except material spell components or spell foci) and using no shield, the bladesinger gains a +1 bonus to attack and damage rolls with that weapon, and also gains a +1 dodge bonus to AC; he loses the dodge bonus to AC whenever he would lose a Dexterity bonus to AC. The dodge bonus improves by +1 at 2nd-level, and improves by another +1 at every fourth bladesinger level beyond that. However, the bladesinger must apply his dodge bonus at the start of his turn each round in combat, applying each point of the Bladesong Style's dodge bonus against a particular enemy; the dodge bonus does not apply in full against all enemies, it can either be applied entirely against one foe or divided to apply in parts against multiple foes. Whenever an opponent goes unconscious, dies, or disappears, the bladesinger may reassign any points of his dodge bonus that were applied against that foe, at the end of his turn. The dodge bonus of the Bladesong Style does not apply against traps. In addition to the aforementioned benefits, when fighting in the manner of the Bladesong Style, the Elven bladesinger adds his Intelligence modifier, if positive, as a supernatural Insight bonus to AC; he loses this AC bonus whenever he is denied his Dexterity bonus to AC. Lastly, when fighting this way, the bladesinger may choose to use his Dexterity modifier instead of his Strength modifier for purposes of determining his melee attack bonus with that weapon, as if using the Weapon Finesse feat, but without that feat's restriction on useable weapons. This henceforth counts as the Weapon Finesse feat for purposes of meeting any prerequisites for feats, abilities, prestige classes, or the like. [COLOR=Red][B]Spellsongs:[/B][/COLOR] Bladesingers learn to cast their spells through song, avoiding most of the usual words and phrases of incantations, instead inserting a few key pieces of an incantation into their lyrics as they sing and cast. The benefit of Spellsong only applies with the arcane spells of the class chosen at 1st-level as a bladesinger, that being the same class which will improve in spellcasting ability at every other bladesinger level. When casting an arcane spell from that class, the bladesinger replaces the usual verbal component, if any, with a brief song that incorporates bits and pieces of the normal incantation, mixed in with ordinary lyrics; this still counts as a verbal component to the spell, but it adds +4 to the Spellcraft DC of any checks for identifying which spell is being cast, since other spellcasters trying to identify the spell have to notice and recognize the few key bits of incantation mixed with the song. Also, the usual somatic component, if any, is replaced by only a few delicate hand gestures and dancelike body movements, which adds a further +2 to the DC of the aforementioned checks when applicable. This still counts as a somatic component for the spell, and it does not circumvent or reduce any Arcane Spell Failure chances. Other Elven bladesingers ignore half of the total DC increase mentioned above, such that an Elven bladesinger only treats the Spellcraft DC of a Spellsong spell with both verbal and somatic components as being +3 greater than normal, rather than +6, as bladesingers are more adept at identifying spells cast with the aid of a Spellsong. Additionally, the mystical power of music enhances any spell cast with the aid of the Spellsong ability, so any such spells enjoy a +2 bonus to the DC of any dispel checks attempted against them. Spellsong essentially makes the spells of a bladesinger more difficult to identify and thus counterspell. Use of the Spellsong ability is optional with each spell, but should be assumed unless the player specifies otherwise. [COLOR=Red][B]Improved Critical:[/B][/COLOR] At 3rd-level, the Elven bladesinger gains the Improved Critical feat with either the Elven leafblade, the longsword, or the rapier, as a bonus feat. He does not need to meet the normal prerequisites for the feat, however, as a special requirement he must have both Weapon Focus and Weapon Specialization with that weapon. Also, if the Elven bladesinger did not already have Improved Critical with the weapon chosen for his Bladesong Style, then this Improved Critical feat must be applied to that weapon. [COLOR=Red][B]Extend Song:[/B][/COLOR] An elven bladesinger of 3rd-level learns a metamagic trick to enhance the duration of his spells, at least occasionally. Up to twice per day, the bladesinger may cast a spell as though it had the benefits from one application of the Extend Spell metamagic feat. The spell must be one he casts with the benefit of his Spellsong ability, and the spell must also have a range of Personal or Touch; if the range is Touch, then that spell must be cast only upon the bladesinger himself, his songblade, and/or his familiar. Extend Song stacks with the effects of any other Extend Spell applications on the spell cast in this manner. Also, Extend Song may be applied even to a spell that is not cast spontaneously, such as a prepared wizard spell, and the use of this ability is still determined at the time of casting, not when spells are prepared. Lastly, the application of Extend Song does not affect the level of spell slot needed, nor does it increase the casting time. However, Extend Song cannot be applied to a spell that is normally, in and of itself, unable to benefit from the Extend Spell metamagic feat. [COLOR=Red][B]Bardic Talent:[/B][/COLOR] Elven bladesingers acquire some minor bardic abilities at 4th-level, which improve at every fourth bladesinger level beyond that. At 4th-level in this class, the bladesinger gains the Bardic Knowledge and Bardic Music abilities of the bard basic class, if not already possessed. However, the bladesinger has only limited ability with these, unless they already had such capabilities. Thus, the bladesinger's effective bard level for purposes of Bardic Knowledge and Bardic Music is equal to one-quarter their level in this prestige class, rounded down. If the bladesinger already possessed any of these capabilities beforehand, or if they later gain levels in a class with such capabilities, they merely stack their effective bard level from this class with their actual level in the other class that grants Bardic Music and/or Bardic Knowledge, as appropriate. Thus, for instance, a 5th-level bard/4th-level fighter/4th-level bladesinger would have Bardic Knowledge and Bardic Music abilities as per a 6th-level bard. [COLOR=Red][B]Superior Focus:[/B][/COLOR] At 5th-level, the bladesinger further improves his accuracy with the Elven leafblade, longsword, or rapier. He must choose the same weapon for this ability as he did for his Bladesong Style, and he must have the Improved Critical feat with that weapon. With that weapon, he gains double the normal benefit from Weapon Focus. This only applies with the character's songblade, and represents both great skill and great familiarity with the weapon. [COLOR=Red][B]Endure:[/B][/COLOR] A bladesinger adds +3 to his or her maximum hit points at 5th-level in this class, and again at 10th-level in it, as extensive combat training finally improves his naturally-poor Elven constitution. [COLOR=Red][B]Superior Specialization:[/B][/COLOR] At 7th-level, the Elven bladesinger further improves his skill and expertise with the Elven leafblade, longsword, or rapier. He must choose the same weapon for this ability as he did for his Bladesong Style. With that weapon, he gains double the normal benefit from Weapon Specialization. This represents great speed and power in striking with the songblade, and only applies with that weapon. [COLOR=Red][B]Superior Critical:[/B][/COLOR] At 9th-level, the bladesinger further improves his finesse with the Elven leafblade, longsword, or rapier. He must choose the same weapon for this ability as he did for his Bladesong Style. With that weapon, he gains double the normal benefit from Improved Critical, thereby tripling the weapon's threat range instead of doubling it. Bladesingers are able to use their great Elven reflexes and keen senses to strike telling blows more often than a Human might, at least with their songblade. [COLOR=Red][B]Quicken Song:[/B][/COLOR] Once an elven bladesinger reaches 9th-level in this class, he learns another metamagic trick for his spells. Up to twice per day, the bladesinger may cast a spell as though it had the benefits of the Quicken Spell metamagic feat. The spell must be one he casts with the benefit of his Spellsong ability, and the spell must also have a range of Personal or Touch; if the range is Touch, then that spell must be cast only upon the bladesinger himself, his songblade, and/or his familiar. Quicken Song may be applied even to a spell that is not cast spontaneously, such as a prepared wizard spell, and the use of this ability is still determined at the time of casting, not when spells are prepared. Lastly, the application of Quicken Song does not affect the level of spell slot needed, nor does it increase the casting time, and Quicken Song may even be applied to spells from a class that, normally, cannot quicken any of its spontaneous spells. However, Quicken Song cannot be applied to a spell that is normally, in and of itself, unable to benefit from the Quicken Spell metamagic feat.[/sblock] [code][B][COLOR=Red][U][I]The Elven Bladesinger:[/I][/U][/COLOR] [COLOR=Blue]Class Base Fort. Ref. Will Level Attack Save Save Save Special Spellcasting Ability[/COLOR][/B] 1 +0 +0 +2 +2 Bladesong Style, Spellsongs 2 +1 +0 +3 +3 Dodge +1 +1 level of existing class 3 +2 +1 +3 +3 Improved Critical, Extend Song 4 +3 +1 +4 +4 Bardic Talent +1 level of existing class 5 +3 +1 +4 +4 Superior Focus, Endure +3 6 +4 +2 +5 +5 Dodge +1 +1 level of existing class 7 +5 +2 +5 +5 Superior Specialization 8 +6 +2 +6 +6 Bardic Talent +1 level of existing class 9 +6 +3 +6 +6 Superior Critical, Quicken Song 10 +7 +3 +7 +7 Dodge +1, Endure +3 +1 level of existing class[/code] [/QUOTE]
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