trentonjoe
Explorer
I am working on an idea that would "swap" the Bard's arcane spellcasting ability for a more "song" oriented ability. I would like some help on the balance issue and wording.
Instead of Bard's gaining the ability to cast arcane spells I would like them to "sing" songs that have magical powers. Bard's would gain "songspells" when they previously gained the ability to cast a spell level. Each time the bard gained a new spell level he/she would choose one spell from the bard list and be able to sing this spell as a supernatural effect. The bard would start singing as a free action and the "spell" would go into effect after the bard sang for as many rounds as the spell had levels. The duration of the spellsong would be the same as the amount of ranks the bard has in perform. Only one song could be active at a time. The bard would not need to roll for arcane spell failure if he/she is wearing armor. Saving throws would be the same as if she were casting a spell. The bard would choose the one spell it gets per spell level and would not be able to change it.
For example:
Clarence the 6th level bard has access to 0, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd level spells. He has 9 ranks in perform. He has choosen the following spells as his "spell songs": 0-resistance, 1-expedious retreat, 2-mirror image, 3-haste.
If Clarence wanted to sing haste upon himself he would need to sing three rounds before it took effect. It would last for nine rounds. He could do this while he was doing a variety of other actions as long as he was able to continue singing. Clarence could neither sing another spell song NOR use his PHB bardic abilities during this time.
Instead of Bard's gaining the ability to cast arcane spells I would like them to "sing" songs that have magical powers. Bard's would gain "songspells" when they previously gained the ability to cast a spell level. Each time the bard gained a new spell level he/she would choose one spell from the bard list and be able to sing this spell as a supernatural effect. The bard would start singing as a free action and the "spell" would go into effect after the bard sang for as many rounds as the spell had levels. The duration of the spellsong would be the same as the amount of ranks the bard has in perform. Only one song could be active at a time. The bard would not need to roll for arcane spell failure if he/she is wearing armor. Saving throws would be the same as if she were casting a spell. The bard would choose the one spell it gets per spell level and would not be able to change it.
For example:
Clarence the 6th level bard has access to 0, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd level spells. He has 9 ranks in perform. He has choosen the following spells as his "spell songs": 0-resistance, 1-expedious retreat, 2-mirror image, 3-haste.
If Clarence wanted to sing haste upon himself he would need to sing three rounds before it took effect. It would last for nine rounds. He could do this while he was doing a variety of other actions as long as he was able to continue singing. Clarence could neither sing another spell song NOR use his PHB bardic abilities during this time.
