Ithilorien
First Post
I found that the Sword Dancer presented in Faiths and Pantheons left me cold, so here's my attempt at putting some life back into it.
Is it balanced?
Is it flavorful?
Is it fun?
All comments and criticisms are welcome (except for those along the lines of "GAH! Stupid good drow lover! Die, die, die!).
Sword Dancer
Hit Die: d8
Base Attack Bonus: 3/4 (as cleric)
Saves: Poor Fortitude, Good Reflex, Good Will (as bard)
Requirements
Race: Elf or half-elf
Base Attack Bonus: +5
Skills: Concentration 5, Perform (sing and dance) 5, Speak Language (Elven and Undercommon), Tumble 5.
Feats: Dodge, Skill Focus (Perform), and Weapon Focus (longsword or bastard sword).
Spells: Ability to cast 2nd-level Divine Spells.
Domain: Moon
Patron: Eilistraee.
Class Skills: Balance (Dex), Concentration (Con), Craft (Int), Diplomacy (Cha), Hide (Dex), Knowledge (History) (Int), Knowledge (Religion) (Int), Listen (Wis), Move Silently (Dex), Perform (Cha), Spot (Wis), Survival (Wis), and Tumble (Dex).
Skill Points Per Level: 4 + Int modifier.
Class Features:
1. Sword dance, +1 caster level
2. Moonlights
3. Sword song, +1 caster level
4. Moondark
5. Sword spell, +1 caster level
6. Shadowsight
7. Sword spirit, +1 caster level
8. Shadowmeld
9. Sword of the Maiden, +1 caster level
10. Moonshadow
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: A sword dancer gains no weapon or armor proficiencies. A sword dancer who wears medium or heavy armor or who carries a shield may not use any of her special abilities, and a sword dancer wearing light armor must succeed at an arcane spell failure roll in order to use any of her spell-like or supernatural abilities granted by this prestige class (not including spellcasting).
Spells per Day/Spells Known: At each indicated sword dancer level, the character gains new spells per day (and spells known, if applicable) as if she had also gained a level in a spellcasting class to which she belonged before adding the prestige class level. She does not, however, gain any other benefit the class would have gained (such as an improved chance at turning or rebuking undead). If the player had more than one spellcasting class before becoming a sword dancer, the player must decide to which class to add each sword dancer level for the purpose of determining spells per day and spells known.
Sword Dance (Su): A sword dancer who is wielding a longsword or bastard sword in one hand and nothing in the other may use an intricate, mystical fighting style called the sword dance. While using her sword dance ability, the sword dancer slips into a semi-dreamlike state wherein her instincts and a shadowy precognition allow her to more easily deflect and avoid blows. A sword dancer using this ability may add a dodge bonus to her armor class equal to one point of her wisdom modifier per level she has gained in the prestige class.
Moonlights (Su): Beginning at 2nd level a sword dancer may three times per day, at will and as a free action, cast the dancing lights spell as if she were a sorcerer equal to her sword dancer level. These lights are under the control of the sword dancer and cannot move more than 5 feet from her body.
Sword Song (Su): At 3rd level, a sword dancer may attune herself to a particular sword (magical or not), a process that takes one tenday. During this time she must be wearing or holding the sword for at least 12 hours each day, and if interrupted she must start again. She may only be attuned in this fashion to one sword at a time. Beginning the process of attuning another sword negates the ability of the ability of the currently attuned sword. Once attuned to this sword, whenever she wields it the sword sings heroic songs, granting her a +3 morale bonus on attack and damage rolls with the sword and a +3 morale bonus on saving throws against mind-affecting spells and effects. This ability is a sonic, mind-affecting effect, and can be used a maximum number of rounds per day equal to her sword dancer level plus her Charisma modifier. If this ability is applied to a dancing sword, the sword gains the attack and damage bonus, but the saving throw bonus still applies to the sword dancer.
Moondark (Su): When she reaches 4th level a sword dancer may once per day, at will and as a free action, cast the darkness spell as if she were a sorcerer equal to her sword dancer level. The sword dancer and her companions are able to see normally within the effect of this darkness spell.
Sword Spell (Su): Beginning at 5th level, a sword dancer who is wielding her attuned sword (as described above) and using her sword dance ability may also begin to use a more advanced sword dance technique which by allows her to, as a full round action, cast a single spell and make a single attack with her attuned weapon.
Shadowsight (Ex): Upon attaining 6th level, a sword dancer gains darkvision up to 240 feet.
Sword Spirit (Su): At 7th level, a sword dancer who has attuned herself to a particular sword in the process detailed above may use it as if it had the dancing property. She may use this ability a number of times per day equal to her class level.
Shadowmeld (Su): At 8th level, a sword dancer who is in a dark or shadowy area at nighttime may Hide in Plain Sight as if she possessed the ability of the same name while also gaining a +20 holy bonus to her hide skill check. This ability may be used a number of times per day equal to half her class level.
Sword of the Maiden (Su): At 9th level, a sword dancer gains the ability to craft magical swords as if she had the Craft Magic Arms and Armor feat. This ability only works with a sword she has attuned to herself, and the weapon loses all magical abilities if the attunement is broken. She may add any properties (including enhancement bonuses) to a sword so long as she meets the property’s other requirements. A magic sword thus crafter by a sword dancer will function only for her.
Moonshadow (Su): Upon attaining 10th level a sword dancer may, once per day, summon a shadowy duplicate of herself. The duplicate is partially real and formed from moonlight and shadows. It appears to be the same as the original, but it has only one-half of the sword dancer’s hit points, is unable to cast spells, and wields only a shadowy duplicate of the sword dancer’s attuned weapon. Moreover, a moonshadow wears neither armor nor clothing and possesses no items carried by the sword dancer. In all other respects, however, the moonshadow is identical to the sword dancer who created it, including base attack bonus, base armor class, ability scores, saving throw, etc. At all times the moonshadow remains under the sword dancer’s absolute command through a telepathic link which cannot be severed. A moonshadow has no ability to become more powerful. It cannot increase its level or abilities. If reduced to 0 hit points or otherwise destroyed, it melts instantly into nothingness. While a sword dancer has a moonshadow in existence she is unable to use her moonlights, moondark, shadowsight, or shadowmeld abilities, and any remaining effects of them are instantly negated. A moonshadow remains in existence for ten rounds or until destroyed.
Is it balanced?
Is it flavorful?
Is it fun?
All comments and criticisms are welcome (except for those along the lines of "GAH! Stupid good drow lover! Die, die, die!).
Sword Dancer
Hit Die: d8
Base Attack Bonus: 3/4 (as cleric)
Saves: Poor Fortitude, Good Reflex, Good Will (as bard)
Requirements
Race: Elf or half-elf
Base Attack Bonus: +5
Skills: Concentration 5, Perform (sing and dance) 5, Speak Language (Elven and Undercommon), Tumble 5.
Feats: Dodge, Skill Focus (Perform), and Weapon Focus (longsword or bastard sword).
Spells: Ability to cast 2nd-level Divine Spells.
Domain: Moon
Patron: Eilistraee.
Class Skills: Balance (Dex), Concentration (Con), Craft (Int), Diplomacy (Cha), Hide (Dex), Knowledge (History) (Int), Knowledge (Religion) (Int), Listen (Wis), Move Silently (Dex), Perform (Cha), Spot (Wis), Survival (Wis), and Tumble (Dex).
Skill Points Per Level: 4 + Int modifier.
Class Features:
1. Sword dance, +1 caster level
2. Moonlights
3. Sword song, +1 caster level
4. Moondark
5. Sword spell, +1 caster level
6. Shadowsight
7. Sword spirit, +1 caster level
8. Shadowmeld
9. Sword of the Maiden, +1 caster level
10. Moonshadow
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: A sword dancer gains no weapon or armor proficiencies. A sword dancer who wears medium or heavy armor or who carries a shield may not use any of her special abilities, and a sword dancer wearing light armor must succeed at an arcane spell failure roll in order to use any of her spell-like or supernatural abilities granted by this prestige class (not including spellcasting).
Spells per Day/Spells Known: At each indicated sword dancer level, the character gains new spells per day (and spells known, if applicable) as if she had also gained a level in a spellcasting class to which she belonged before adding the prestige class level. She does not, however, gain any other benefit the class would have gained (such as an improved chance at turning or rebuking undead). If the player had more than one spellcasting class before becoming a sword dancer, the player must decide to which class to add each sword dancer level for the purpose of determining spells per day and spells known.
Sword Dance (Su): A sword dancer who is wielding a longsword or bastard sword in one hand and nothing in the other may use an intricate, mystical fighting style called the sword dance. While using her sword dance ability, the sword dancer slips into a semi-dreamlike state wherein her instincts and a shadowy precognition allow her to more easily deflect and avoid blows. A sword dancer using this ability may add a dodge bonus to her armor class equal to one point of her wisdom modifier per level she has gained in the prestige class.
Moonlights (Su): Beginning at 2nd level a sword dancer may three times per day, at will and as a free action, cast the dancing lights spell as if she were a sorcerer equal to her sword dancer level. These lights are under the control of the sword dancer and cannot move more than 5 feet from her body.
Sword Song (Su): At 3rd level, a sword dancer may attune herself to a particular sword (magical or not), a process that takes one tenday. During this time she must be wearing or holding the sword for at least 12 hours each day, and if interrupted she must start again. She may only be attuned in this fashion to one sword at a time. Beginning the process of attuning another sword negates the ability of the ability of the currently attuned sword. Once attuned to this sword, whenever she wields it the sword sings heroic songs, granting her a +3 morale bonus on attack and damage rolls with the sword and a +3 morale bonus on saving throws against mind-affecting spells and effects. This ability is a sonic, mind-affecting effect, and can be used a maximum number of rounds per day equal to her sword dancer level plus her Charisma modifier. If this ability is applied to a dancing sword, the sword gains the attack and damage bonus, but the saving throw bonus still applies to the sword dancer.
Moondark (Su): When she reaches 4th level a sword dancer may once per day, at will and as a free action, cast the darkness spell as if she were a sorcerer equal to her sword dancer level. The sword dancer and her companions are able to see normally within the effect of this darkness spell.
Sword Spell (Su): Beginning at 5th level, a sword dancer who is wielding her attuned sword (as described above) and using her sword dance ability may also begin to use a more advanced sword dance technique which by allows her to, as a full round action, cast a single spell and make a single attack with her attuned weapon.
Shadowsight (Ex): Upon attaining 6th level, a sword dancer gains darkvision up to 240 feet.
Sword Spirit (Su): At 7th level, a sword dancer who has attuned herself to a particular sword in the process detailed above may use it as if it had the dancing property. She may use this ability a number of times per day equal to her class level.
Shadowmeld (Su): At 8th level, a sword dancer who is in a dark or shadowy area at nighttime may Hide in Plain Sight as if she possessed the ability of the same name while also gaining a +20 holy bonus to her hide skill check. This ability may be used a number of times per day equal to half her class level.
Sword of the Maiden (Su): At 9th level, a sword dancer gains the ability to craft magical swords as if she had the Craft Magic Arms and Armor feat. This ability only works with a sword she has attuned to herself, and the weapon loses all magical abilities if the attunement is broken. She may add any properties (including enhancement bonuses) to a sword so long as she meets the property’s other requirements. A magic sword thus crafter by a sword dancer will function only for her.
Moonshadow (Su): Upon attaining 10th level a sword dancer may, once per day, summon a shadowy duplicate of herself. The duplicate is partially real and formed from moonlight and shadows. It appears to be the same as the original, but it has only one-half of the sword dancer’s hit points, is unable to cast spells, and wields only a shadowy duplicate of the sword dancer’s attuned weapon. Moreover, a moonshadow wears neither armor nor clothing and possesses no items carried by the sword dancer. In all other respects, however, the moonshadow is identical to the sword dancer who created it, including base attack bonus, base armor class, ability scores, saving throw, etc. At all times the moonshadow remains under the sword dancer’s absolute command through a telepathic link which cannot be severed. A moonshadow has no ability to become more powerful. It cannot increase its level or abilities. If reduced to 0 hit points or otherwise destroyed, it melts instantly into nothingness. While a sword dancer has a moonshadow in existence she is unable to use her moonlights, moondark, shadowsight, or shadowmeld abilities, and any remaining effects of them are instantly negated. A moonshadow remains in existence for ten rounds or until destroyed.
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