Michael Morris
First Post
One of the things I did while working on Art of Magic was to analyze the balance of the classes. While 3.5 has done much the same and improved the situations somewhat, there still are some class imbalances. Especially, alas, for my favored class - the bard.
Art of Magic contains a new spell type for bards - the song spell. Song spells follow the following rules:
First, song is a new component for the spells
[bq]Song (Sg): You must use your bardic music as part of the casting of this spell. This will expend one or more of your bardic music uses for the day. All spells with the song component will also carry a verbal (V) component and have the [sonic] descriptor. [/bq]
Second, most of these spells have a duration of "while sung" This means:
[bq]While Sung: Seen on many bard spells with the song component, these spells require the bard to sing continuously round after round (a move equivalent action that doesn’t provoke an attack of opportunity). Maintaining a song when struck in combat requires a concentration check DC 10 + spell level + damage dealt.
Targets of a spell with a duration of “while sung” are freed from the spell if the bard moves out of range or they are somehow rendered unable to hear the spell. If the spell has a duration after the singing stops this duration continues normally for the subject.[/bq]
And now, some song spells.
Song of Chaos
Enchantment (Compulsion) [Mind-Affecting, Red, Sonic, Wild]
Level: (2), Brd 2
Components: V, S, Song
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: Close (25’ + 5’ / 2 levels)
Targets: Up to 1 creature / level.
Duration: While Sung
Saving Throw: Will Neg.
Spell Resistance: Yes
[bq]"If there is one thing a bard and rogue can agree to - barfights are good pickings." - Timmon.[/bq]
Each round you sing the song of chaos you may expend a bardic music ability attempt to confuse one creature that hears it. This effect is identical to the lesser confusion spell, except it persists as long as you sing.
Song of Charm
Enchantment (Charm) [Green, Mind-Affecting, Sonic]
Level: (2), Brd 2
Components: V, S, Song
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: 60’
Effect: Up to 1 humanoid creature / level who can hear the song (see text).
Duration: While sung and 1 minute / level afterward.
[bq]“The power of music over hearts is unequalled.” – Rowain.[/bq]
When you sing the song of charm you may expend a use of your bardic music ability each round to attempt to charm a listener within range. The effects of this charm are the same as charm person except they don’t persist as long.
Discordant Dirge
Necromancy [Black, Metamagic, Sonic]
Level: (3), Brd 3
Components: V, S, Song
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: Personal
Effect: 60' radius emanation
Duration: While Sung
Saving Throw: Will Neg. [see Text]
Spell Resistance: Yes
[bq]"Music can be used to bring joy, love and hope to the world, but I find it more useful in sowing discontent and despair." - Kerith.[/bq]
When you sing the discordant dirge you must use one bardic music ability use for the day. All spellcasters who hear this song must make a willpower save each round or lose a number of spell levels equal to the number of rounds you’ve sung. Cantrips count as ½ a level. The victim may use any combination of spell slots to meet this requirement, or drop all of his spells in an attempt to meet it.
Have fun
Art of Magic contains a new spell type for bards - the song spell. Song spells follow the following rules:
First, song is a new component for the spells
[bq]Song (Sg): You must use your bardic music as part of the casting of this spell. This will expend one or more of your bardic music uses for the day. All spells with the song component will also carry a verbal (V) component and have the [sonic] descriptor. [/bq]
Second, most of these spells have a duration of "while sung" This means:
[bq]While Sung: Seen on many bard spells with the song component, these spells require the bard to sing continuously round after round (a move equivalent action that doesn’t provoke an attack of opportunity). Maintaining a song when struck in combat requires a concentration check DC 10 + spell level + damage dealt.
Targets of a spell with a duration of “while sung” are freed from the spell if the bard moves out of range or they are somehow rendered unable to hear the spell. If the spell has a duration after the singing stops this duration continues normally for the subject.[/bq]
And now, some song spells.
Song of Chaos
Enchantment (Compulsion) [Mind-Affecting, Red, Sonic, Wild]
Level: (2), Brd 2
Components: V, S, Song
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: Close (25’ + 5’ / 2 levels)
Targets: Up to 1 creature / level.
Duration: While Sung
Saving Throw: Will Neg.
Spell Resistance: Yes
[bq]"If there is one thing a bard and rogue can agree to - barfights are good pickings." - Timmon.[/bq]
Each round you sing the song of chaos you may expend a bardic music ability attempt to confuse one creature that hears it. This effect is identical to the lesser confusion spell, except it persists as long as you sing.
Song of Charm
Enchantment (Charm) [Green, Mind-Affecting, Sonic]
Level: (2), Brd 2
Components: V, S, Song
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: 60’
Effect: Up to 1 humanoid creature / level who can hear the song (see text).
Duration: While sung and 1 minute / level afterward.
[bq]“The power of music over hearts is unequalled.” – Rowain.[/bq]
When you sing the song of charm you may expend a use of your bardic music ability each round to attempt to charm a listener within range. The effects of this charm are the same as charm person except they don’t persist as long.
Discordant Dirge
Necromancy [Black, Metamagic, Sonic]
Level: (3), Brd 3
Components: V, S, Song
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: Personal
Effect: 60' radius emanation
Duration: While Sung
Saving Throw: Will Neg. [see Text]
Spell Resistance: Yes
[bq]"Music can be used to bring joy, love and hope to the world, but I find it more useful in sowing discontent and despair." - Kerith.[/bq]
When you sing the discordant dirge you must use one bardic music ability use for the day. All spellcasters who hear this song must make a willpower save each round or lose a number of spell levels equal to the number of rounds you’ve sung. Cantrips count as ½ a level. The victim may use any combination of spell slots to meet this requirement, or drop all of his spells in an attempt to meet it.
Have fun

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