Michael Morris
First Post
The most famous bards in the Telzoa hail from the land of Hone Rae. These people are largely descended from half-elven stock, and their love of music, lore and dance is unparalleled on the island, such that members of that culture consider the bard their favored multiclass. But music is not the property of the Hone Raeans alone - bards can be found among all of the peoples of Telzoa bringing cheer, or at least some mystery to the locales they visit.
Religion: Most, if not all bards follow Court Rizaldi. The College of the Rose is devoted to this group of deities and is the largest bardic college native to the island. Within the court Poen, Lord of Music and God of Love is the most popular of the deities. More than a few legends relate that it was Poen who invented the Methods of Loom which are used by bards to cast their spells. Terix the prankster is also a popular choice, and evil aligned bards sometimes swear fealty to Narisane.
Background: Any given bard's background is guaranteed to be at least as colorful as he. Some bards are simply born to the music and ply their trade for years before being accepted into one of the colleges or societies. Others work as apprentices to the masters and already have considerable prestige as they begin their careers. Still others are independents, owing no allegiances.
[h2]Variant: Rose Bard of Poen[/h2]
Sponsored by the priesthood of Rizaldi and operating out of Merryville in Hone Rae, the College of the Rose is the eldest and largest bardic college on the island with a professed membership of around 230. Founded in 1104 by King Elgrel II, the college has grown from its roots as the King's personal entertainment squad to become one of the most efficient information gathering groups on the island. The allegiance of the College is to Court Rizaldi, it's sponsor, though many whisper that the College works for Queen Tiliansia of Hone Rae, keeping her apprised of the strengths of the enemies of the small nation.
Gender: Rose bards are a fraternity, ladies who apply are directed to join the ranks of the Sacred Dancers of Cuane (who is Poen’s wife).
[h3]Class Features [/h3]
The Rose Bard has all the standard bard abilities except as noted below.
Spellcasting: A Rose bard learns and casts spells as a normal bard with some minor exceptions. A Rose bard’s spells are divine, not arcane spells. This means that the Rose Bard can wear armor of any weight without affecting his spellcasting. The Rose Bard can’t learn any lawful or evil spells.
To learn or cast a spell, a Rose Bard must have a wisdom score (not charisma score) equal to at least 10+ the spell level. All other spellcasting factors, including bonus spells and save DCs, are still determined using the Rose Bard’s charisma score.
Add the spells from the good, chaotic, healing and air domains to the list of spells available to a Rose Bard except those of 7th through 9th level.
Power of Song and Dance: If a Rose Bard and a Sacred Dancer (see below) employ the same bardic music technique, the effects will stack (normally spell and ability effects don’t stack).
[h2]Variant: Bardic Sage[/h2]
Two organizations in the Dusk setting use this variant that was first introduced in Unearthed Arcana.
Council Bard: These bards work for the Council of Tanzeos. While believed to be primarily a wizard's organization, and there are several wizards in the membership, the Council of Tanzeos is in truth more bard composed than wizards. The Council is charged with the maintenance of the heraldic badges of the noble houses - this council alone holds the authority to issue new coats of arms to the nobles. The council also acts as a discreet courier service.
Chroniclers: This group is concerned with the preservation of Telzoa's oral histories. Compared to the other groups the chroniclers does little in the way of actual performing and more in the way of research. They frequently hire exploration teams to explore this or that truth behind the various legends, particularly when new ruins are discovered. These bards operate out of Kinsula in the nation of Creania.
Base Save Bonuses: The bardic sage reflex saving throws are identical to a wizard’s.
[h3]Class Features[/h3]
The bardic sage has all the standard bard abilities except as noted below.
Spellcasting: A bardic sage learns and casts spells as a normal bard, with a few exceptions. In addition to the normal number of spells known, a bardic sage knows one additional divination spell of each spell level he is capable of casting. (For example, a 1st level bardic sage knows 4 0th level spells and 1 0th level divination)
To learn or cast a spell, a bardic sage must have a wisdom score (not charisma score) equal to at least 10+ the spell level. All other spellcasting factors, including bonus spells and save DCs, are still determined using the bardic sage’s charisma score.
Add the following spells to the bardic sage’s spell list (spells in bold italics are from this book): 0th – displace perspective (lowered from 1st), 1st – detect chaos/evil/good/law; 2nd – zone of truth; 3rd – arcane sight; 4th – analyze dweomer (lowered from 6th); 5th – contact other plane, greater scrying (lowered from 6th); 6th – true seeing, vision.
Bardic Knowledge: The bardic sage gains a +2 on all bardic knowledge checks.
Bardic Music: The music of a bardic sage only lingers 3 rounds after he ceases to sing instead of for 5 rounds.
[h2]Variant: Sacred Dancer of Cuane[/h2]
Feminine counterparts to the Rose Bards (see above), the sacred dancers employ mystical dances instead of music to inspire their allies. Often the dancers work with the bards and it isn’t unusual for them to intermarry.
Gender: Sacred Dancers are a sorority. Males that apply for entrance are gentle asked to instead join the Rose Bards.
[h3]Class Features[/h3]
The Sacred Dancer has all the standard bard abilities except as noted below.
Armor Restrictions: Sacred Dancers have no training in the use of armor.
Bardic Knowledge: Sacred Dancers are not gossips on the same level as most bards and therefore do not have this class ability.
Fast Movement: The Sacred Dancer adds 10’ to her base movement rate.
Divine Grace: A Sacred Dancer adds her charisma modifier to her saving throws and, while she wears no armor, her AC.
Spellcasting: A Sacred Dancer learns and casts spells as a normal bard with some minor exceptions. A Sacred Dancer’s spells are divine, not arcane spells. Hence she can use armor without affecting her spells if she later acquires such training. However, the bardic music abilities of the Sacred Dancer can’t be used while in any armor.
To learn or cast a spell, a Sacred Dancer must have a wisdom score (not charisma score) equal to at least 10+ the spell level. All other spellcasting factors, including bonus spells and save DCs, are still determined using the Sacred Dancer’s charisma score.
Add the spells from the good, chaotic, healing and air domains to the list of spells available to a Rose Bard except those of 7th through 9th level.
New bard spells in Art of Magic that have the song component instead have no verbal component at all for a Sacred Dancer. Instead, she must perform a dance to cast the spell. The casting time of all such spells she learns is increased by 1 round (or to a full round if the dance. Add a Somatic component to the spell if it doesn’t already have one. A Sacred Dancer can’t cast spells with the song component while in armor at all (there is no spell failure chance – she simply can’t).
Power of Song and Dance: If a Sacred Dancer and a Rose Bard (see above) employ the same bardic music technique, the effects will stack (normally spell and ability effects don’t stack).
Bardic Music: Sacred Dancers employ dance rather than song to produce Bardic Music effects. As such they aren’t subject to being silenced. However, allies must have a line of sight to the Dancer to be affected. Also, the Sacred Dancer doesn’t gain a countersong. Instead she gains the counterdance (see below)
If a Sacred Dancer must concentrate to maintain an effect she can still move her normal movement distance as part of the standard action she uses to maintain the spell.
Being deaf doesn’t affect a Sacred Dancer, but dancing does provoke an attack of opportunity – however she is allowed to make a tumble check to avoid these attacks.
Counterdance: A Sacred Dancer with at least 3 ranks in the perform skill may employ a counterdance to thwart gaze attacks and the bardic music effects of other sacred dancers (but not bards). Each round of the counterdance the Sacred dancer makes a Perform (Dancing) check, and her allies may use the result in place of their own saving throws.
[h2]Variant: Ocarina Bards[/h2]
The bards of this organization named it for a sweet sounded, high-pitched instrument used in love ballads. The bards who form this rather young organization have done so with the purpose of using charm magic to attempt to put an end to the two century long succession war that has plagued Telzoa. Who knows if they will succeed at their high-minded ideas, or fall apart. As the group is less than twenty years old only time will tell. The Ocarina is based out of Paldace.
[h3]Class Features [/h3]
Ocarina bards have all the standard bard abilities except as noted below.
Base Saves: The reflex saves of an Ocarina Bard are no better than a wizard’s
Negotiators: Ocarina Bards receive the Negotiator feat for free at 1st level.
Bardic Knowledge: Ocarina Bards are negotiators, diplomats and peacemakers, not gatherers of secrets by trade. They make all bardic knowledge checks at a –2 penalty.
Spellcasting: A Ocarina bard learns and casts spells as a normal bard, with a few exceptions. In addition to the normal number of spells known, a bardic sage knows one additional enchantment spell of each spell level he is capable of casting. (For example, a 1st level Ocarina bard knows 4 0th level spells and 1 0th level enchantment).
Religion: Most, if not all bards follow Court Rizaldi. The College of the Rose is devoted to this group of deities and is the largest bardic college native to the island. Within the court Poen, Lord of Music and God of Love is the most popular of the deities. More than a few legends relate that it was Poen who invented the Methods of Loom which are used by bards to cast their spells. Terix the prankster is also a popular choice, and evil aligned bards sometimes swear fealty to Narisane.
Background: Any given bard's background is guaranteed to be at least as colorful as he. Some bards are simply born to the music and ply their trade for years before being accepted into one of the colleges or societies. Others work as apprentices to the masters and already have considerable prestige as they begin their careers. Still others are independents, owing no allegiances.
[h2]Variant: Rose Bard of Poen[/h2]
Sponsored by the priesthood of Rizaldi and operating out of Merryville in Hone Rae, the College of the Rose is the eldest and largest bardic college on the island with a professed membership of around 230. Founded in 1104 by King Elgrel II, the college has grown from its roots as the King's personal entertainment squad to become one of the most efficient information gathering groups on the island. The allegiance of the College is to Court Rizaldi, it's sponsor, though many whisper that the College works for Queen Tiliansia of Hone Rae, keeping her apprised of the strengths of the enemies of the small nation.
Gender: Rose bards are a fraternity, ladies who apply are directed to join the ranks of the Sacred Dancers of Cuane (who is Poen’s wife).
[h3]Class Features [/h3]
The Rose Bard has all the standard bard abilities except as noted below.
Spellcasting: A Rose bard learns and casts spells as a normal bard with some minor exceptions. A Rose bard’s spells are divine, not arcane spells. This means that the Rose Bard can wear armor of any weight without affecting his spellcasting. The Rose Bard can’t learn any lawful or evil spells.
To learn or cast a spell, a Rose Bard must have a wisdom score (not charisma score) equal to at least 10+ the spell level. All other spellcasting factors, including bonus spells and save DCs, are still determined using the Rose Bard’s charisma score.
Add the spells from the good, chaotic, healing and air domains to the list of spells available to a Rose Bard except those of 7th through 9th level.
Power of Song and Dance: If a Rose Bard and a Sacred Dancer (see below) employ the same bardic music technique, the effects will stack (normally spell and ability effects don’t stack).
[h2]Variant: Bardic Sage[/h2]
Two organizations in the Dusk setting use this variant that was first introduced in Unearthed Arcana.
Council Bard: These bards work for the Council of Tanzeos. While believed to be primarily a wizard's organization, and there are several wizards in the membership, the Council of Tanzeos is in truth more bard composed than wizards. The Council is charged with the maintenance of the heraldic badges of the noble houses - this council alone holds the authority to issue new coats of arms to the nobles. The council also acts as a discreet courier service.
Chroniclers: This group is concerned with the preservation of Telzoa's oral histories. Compared to the other groups the chroniclers does little in the way of actual performing and more in the way of research. They frequently hire exploration teams to explore this or that truth behind the various legends, particularly when new ruins are discovered. These bards operate out of Kinsula in the nation of Creania.
Base Save Bonuses: The bardic sage reflex saving throws are identical to a wizard’s.
[h3]Class Features[/h3]
The bardic sage has all the standard bard abilities except as noted below.
Spellcasting: A bardic sage learns and casts spells as a normal bard, with a few exceptions. In addition to the normal number of spells known, a bardic sage knows one additional divination spell of each spell level he is capable of casting. (For example, a 1st level bardic sage knows 4 0th level spells and 1 0th level divination)
To learn or cast a spell, a bardic sage must have a wisdom score (not charisma score) equal to at least 10+ the spell level. All other spellcasting factors, including bonus spells and save DCs, are still determined using the bardic sage’s charisma score.
Add the following spells to the bardic sage’s spell list (spells in bold italics are from this book): 0th – displace perspective (lowered from 1st), 1st – detect chaos/evil/good/law; 2nd – zone of truth; 3rd – arcane sight; 4th – analyze dweomer (lowered from 6th); 5th – contact other plane, greater scrying (lowered from 6th); 6th – true seeing, vision.
Bardic Knowledge: The bardic sage gains a +2 on all bardic knowledge checks.
Bardic Music: The music of a bardic sage only lingers 3 rounds after he ceases to sing instead of for 5 rounds.
[h2]Variant: Sacred Dancer of Cuane[/h2]
Feminine counterparts to the Rose Bards (see above), the sacred dancers employ mystical dances instead of music to inspire their allies. Often the dancers work with the bards and it isn’t unusual for them to intermarry.
Gender: Sacred Dancers are a sorority. Males that apply for entrance are gentle asked to instead join the Rose Bards.
[h3]Class Features[/h3]
The Sacred Dancer has all the standard bard abilities except as noted below.
Armor Restrictions: Sacred Dancers have no training in the use of armor.
Bardic Knowledge: Sacred Dancers are not gossips on the same level as most bards and therefore do not have this class ability.
Fast Movement: The Sacred Dancer adds 10’ to her base movement rate.
Divine Grace: A Sacred Dancer adds her charisma modifier to her saving throws and, while she wears no armor, her AC.
Spellcasting: A Sacred Dancer learns and casts spells as a normal bard with some minor exceptions. A Sacred Dancer’s spells are divine, not arcane spells. Hence she can use armor without affecting her spells if she later acquires such training. However, the bardic music abilities of the Sacred Dancer can’t be used while in any armor.
To learn or cast a spell, a Sacred Dancer must have a wisdom score (not charisma score) equal to at least 10+ the spell level. All other spellcasting factors, including bonus spells and save DCs, are still determined using the Sacred Dancer’s charisma score.
Add the spells from the good, chaotic, healing and air domains to the list of spells available to a Rose Bard except those of 7th through 9th level.
New bard spells in Art of Magic that have the song component instead have no verbal component at all for a Sacred Dancer. Instead, she must perform a dance to cast the spell. The casting time of all such spells she learns is increased by 1 round (or to a full round if the dance. Add a Somatic component to the spell if it doesn’t already have one. A Sacred Dancer can’t cast spells with the song component while in armor at all (there is no spell failure chance – she simply can’t).
Power of Song and Dance: If a Sacred Dancer and a Rose Bard (see above) employ the same bardic music technique, the effects will stack (normally spell and ability effects don’t stack).
Bardic Music: Sacred Dancers employ dance rather than song to produce Bardic Music effects. As such they aren’t subject to being silenced. However, allies must have a line of sight to the Dancer to be affected. Also, the Sacred Dancer doesn’t gain a countersong. Instead she gains the counterdance (see below)
If a Sacred Dancer must concentrate to maintain an effect she can still move her normal movement distance as part of the standard action she uses to maintain the spell.
Being deaf doesn’t affect a Sacred Dancer, but dancing does provoke an attack of opportunity – however she is allowed to make a tumble check to avoid these attacks.
Counterdance: A Sacred Dancer with at least 3 ranks in the perform skill may employ a counterdance to thwart gaze attacks and the bardic music effects of other sacred dancers (but not bards). Each round of the counterdance the Sacred dancer makes a Perform (Dancing) check, and her allies may use the result in place of their own saving throws.
[h2]Variant: Ocarina Bards[/h2]
The bards of this organization named it for a sweet sounded, high-pitched instrument used in love ballads. The bards who form this rather young organization have done so with the purpose of using charm magic to attempt to put an end to the two century long succession war that has plagued Telzoa. Who knows if they will succeed at their high-minded ideas, or fall apart. As the group is less than twenty years old only time will tell. The Ocarina is based out of Paldace.
[h3]Class Features [/h3]
Ocarina bards have all the standard bard abilities except as noted below.
Base Saves: The reflex saves of an Ocarina Bard are no better than a wizard’s
Negotiators: Ocarina Bards receive the Negotiator feat for free at 1st level.
Bardic Knowledge: Ocarina Bards are negotiators, diplomats and peacemakers, not gatherers of secrets by trade. They make all bardic knowledge checks at a –2 penalty.
Spellcasting: A Ocarina bard learns and casts spells as a normal bard, with a few exceptions. In addition to the normal number of spells known, a bardic sage knows one additional enchantment spell of each spell level he is capable of casting. (For example, a 1st level Ocarina bard knows 4 0th level spells and 1 0th level enchantment).
