Help me with this bard variant?

[Dunjin]

A player in my campaign has an interesting character. She is currently a Rogue 1/Fighter 1, but her character was at one point revived from the point of death by a temple of Pelor, and so she has a bit of a warm softie for the god of healing. I was opening the cleric class to her, but I'm not sure it'd fit well with her character. Bard was another class we'd thought about for her, but I'd like a class that acknowledges her debt to Pelor somehow.

So I figured, why not alter the bard?

Here's where I'd like your help. I want to balance the class (which I've called "Missionary" or "evangelist") with the bard, but I'd like it to be a divine caster with the ability to make powerful speeches and inspirational statements rather than singing. I imagine I'd want to change the spell list a bit, as well.

Would I need to toss a bone to make up for the change from arcane spells to divine ones? I know divine spells lack the punch that arcane ones have, but if I put more protective spells and fewer wacky arcane ones in, and leave the illusion and enchantment spells, do you think that'd work?

What would you do?

 

[dave_o]

A player in my campaign has an interesting character. She is currently a Rogue 1/Fighter 1, but her character was at one point revived from the point of death by a temple of Pelor, and so she has a bit of a warm softie for the god of healing. I was opening the cleric class to her, but I'm not sure it'd fit well with her character. Bard was another class we'd thought about for her, but I'd like a class that acknowledges her debt to Pelor somehow.

So I figured, why not alter the bard?

Here's where I'd like your help. I want to balance the class (which I've called "Missionary" or "evangelist") with the bard, but I'd like it to be a divine caster with the ability to make powerful speeches and inspirational statements rather than singing. I imagine I'd want to change the spell list a bit, as well.

Would I need to toss a bone to make up for the change from arcane spells to divine ones? I know divine spells lack the punch that arcane ones have, but if I put more protective spells and fewer wacky arcane ones in, and leave the illusion and enchantment spells, do you think that'd work?

What would you do?

I don't think there's a lot you need to do. Don't be so quick to go making a new class, it's a lot of work.

Let's look at the Bard. First, they get the Cure Whatever Boo-Boos line of spells. Sounds nice and Divine to me! Their spell list is sort of wacky, and way Arcane, but that's what a Bard should be -- besides, it's got lots of those Charm Person sort of spells, and every good evangelist needs a few of those.

Bards don't necessarily have to sing. Perform can be anything from giving speeches to dancing to playing Elf skulls. The skill simply means that they're so good at whatever art, it warrants a check and whatever bonuses may come with that.

Short of a few changes to the spell list, like adding some "burn stuff" spells (since I'm pretty sure Pelor is the sun god or something), and maybe some Protection from Scary Guys spells, you're totally set with the plain, vanilla Bard.

Oh yeah, and call it something cool too. Like the Pat Robertson.

 

[Nifft]

I've had in mind the Cantor class, which would be a holy hymn / song prayer sort of Cleric/Bard hybrid. (Since so many real-world religions have a wonderful musical focus, I'm sure you could come up with great flavor with a tiny bit of research.)

Suggestions:
- Proficient with all Simple weapons, and the deity's favored weapon (if martial)
- Proficient with Light and Medium armor, and Shields
- Full Bardic music progression
- Good Fort, bad Reflex saving throw
- Bardic spell progression & spell list, plus a few anti-undead spells -- Pelor is a Sun god -- like Detect Evil, Consecrate, Align Weapon, Daylight, etc., and some Contact-the-Divine spells like Augury, Divination, Commune, etc.

Finally, allow Plane Shift as a 6th level Bard spell. All Bards and Bard-a-likes need to be able to Plane Shift at 17th level.

-- N

 

[Dunjin]

I like the idea of the bard, but I do think I'd add some Protection from Evil spells and such.

Since Pelor is a Sun god, would it make sense to give the class a type of Turn Undead? If so, what would go to balance that?