Just for fun - A Bard-Bear-ian

[Grogg of the North]

So this?

I would probably go for Black Bear to minimize the racial HD and level adjustment. Then, you only really need one level of Barbarian for the rage. Extra Rage can get you the rest. Take the rest as Bard. Remember that Bardic music just requires ranks in perform to use. Your spell DCs may be poor but you can get around that by choosing spells that either have no saves or by going for spells that help your allies.

Another way to do this would be human! Go into Bear Warrior (Complete Warrior) and turn into a bear when you rage!

 

[Greenfield]

The problem with the low Charisma isn't that the spell DCs will be low, it's that there won't be any spells at all. At least not for a while.

At most, short of several Wishes or something similar, he'll be able to cast 2nd

 

[Grogg of the North]

You're right! I had completely forgotten the needed Charisma for spell casting. Silly me.

Lets say you're at 9 Charisma to start. Bards only get 6th level spells. A bump from leveling up and a +6 cloak is more than enough.

On another note, would a bear need Natural Spell?

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

I would hope not!

As I recall, that feat essentially gives the PC Still Spell and Silent Spell as one feat, without a corresponding boost in spell slot level. But it requires 13 Wis and Wild Shape. No way Yogi will ever qualify.

 

[Greenfield]

Sorta-kinda right. A druid using Natural Spell can still be shut down by a Silence spell or a Grapple, as far as I know.

The feat just lets them cast in Wild Shape form, using the limited verbal capacity and manual dexterity of that form.

NATURAL SPELL [GENERAL]
You can cast spells while in a wild shape.
Prerequisites: Wis 13, wild shape ability.
Benefit: You can complete the verbal and somatic components of spells while in a wild shape. For example, while in the form of a hawk, you could substitute screeches and gestures with your talons for the normal verbal and somatic components of a spell. You can also use any material components or focuses you possess, even if such items are melded within your current form. This feat does not permit the use of magic items while you are in a form that could not ordinarily use them, and you do not gain the ability to speak while in a wild shape.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

Ok...chainmail is obvious- because it’s light, it won’t interfere with casting.

Spells? CLW, Disguise Self and Expeditious Retreat are good 1st level spells for this character.

Looking at the SRD, it might be worth it to use an alternative Barbarian or Bard class. The Savage Bard gets more aggressive spells; the Divine Bard uses Wis as his casting stat (sorta). The Bear Totem Barbarian gets Toughness and (functionally) Diehard as bonus feats.
http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/classes/variantCharacterClasses.htm#horseTotemClassFeatures

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

I know I already suggested drums as a good instrument- steel ones would be best, on some level, I think- but what about bagpipes? A Bard-Bear-Ian in a tanned, studded kilt with a chain shirt toting a bagpipe just has an epic feel to it.

Or a vuvuzela!

 

[Grogg of the North]

Some big steel drums that he uses a mace for a drumstick. Though I like the idea of the bear tossing a caber as a weapon, too.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

Cabers suck indoors, though.

 

[Grogg of the North]

If you toss it hard enough the second floor will be the first floor's vaulted ceiling.