The Classes: Bards

Keepers of the Sacred Song

As opinionated and fractious as Wune’s rare chroniclers and sages may be, there is one point upon which they all agree- the ancient gods Sang this world into being. And while the great hymns and prayers that can restore life to the dead or rain fiery judgment from above are the auspices of their orphaned servants alone, only those known as bards can access the fabled Song of creation, the divine loom upon which the fabric of reality is woven. As potent as it sounds, their abilities are subtle in both nature and application- reweaving reality to enhance and enspell more than lob balls of flame or turn others into toads- but its mythical origins give those that loudly proclaim themselves to be bards an undeserved reputation as blasphemous charlatans or dangerous madmen. Most prefer to travel hither and yon in the guise of a harmless minstrel or restive sage, using their abilities as their alignment dictates and as gently as they dare- for those that tickle the underbelly of creation one too many times find the consequences to be dire.

No one knows for sure what separates a bard from a mundane performer, and since no one race produces bards more than any other, speculation abounds as to their origins. Human bards in particular are a font for the confusion that surrounds the class. Loquacious even amongst their own people, each has their own pet theory on how the abilities of their fellows came to be, eagerly sharing it with any who ask (and even a few who don’t), and aren’t afraid to draw steel upon those who disagree a little too strongly for their tastes. This pride and passion creates heroes and villains in equal measure, as human bards simply refuse to be ignored.

Surprisingly, halfling bards flourish in the background. They prefer to use their abilities passively, tapping into the Song to learn as much as they can about the world around them. This makes them natural storytellers and historians: professions that make it easy to hide their true calling. They do this in part because of the stigma bardic magic bears- it boorishly takes where clerical magic graciously borrows- and corrupts over time, the elders warn. A halfling known to be a bard may be tolerated for a time out of courtesy, but are ultimately encouraged to move on before they bring the wrath of the gods down upon them and those in their company.

Among the elven people, only common elves cleave to the idea of a sacred Song with any regularity- although the peculiarities that plague their magic make their abilities seem more profane than divine. Of course, their atheist cousins reject the idea of Song being divine. The Shuu consider Song a special form of magic associated with what their mages consider the “fifth element” of life (and its absence). Many consider this a grave responsibility and show great respect to all living things. Some have been known to embrace non-Shuu bards as brothers in arms in a fashion similar to druids, and a rare few act as ambassadors on behalf of their people. Unfortunately, there is a growing minority that prefers to use their abilities as a weapon, emanating a siren song from the Yggdrasil that lures any who hear it to an untimely demise. Half-elven bards fall somewhere in between these two extremes, sometimes choosing philosophies contrary to those embraced by their adoptive society to define themselves while frustrating their peers.

Half-orc bards are uncommon, but not unknown. They delve into their abilities with reckless abandon at first; reveling in the things that other races take for granted: respect, admiration and acceptance. Those who mature enough to realize that magically enhanced emotions are no match for the genuine article sometimes become adventurers with an eye towards righting the wrongs they committed during their life of hollow luxury…or dedicated grifters looking to bring their schemes to a grander stage.

Bards are rare among those of dwarven and half-dragon descent, the former due to a lack of musical interest among the populace (many of whom are phonophobic when climbing out of their cups), and a lack of sophistication on the part of the latter, who rarely distinguish between a bard’s Song and a cleric’s hymns. To such straightforward folk, power is power, no matter the source.

In an adventuring party, bards are most comfortable near the middle of the marching order, eagerly filling roles that provide freedom from the burdens of leadership, yet simultaneously ensure that they will be taken seriously without having to employ mind-altering magic. This is not to say that the average bard is irresponsible, a lackadaisical know-it-all or an erudite bully (although such specimens certainly exist), just that they never know when the stigma both they and their abilities bear will come to a head. If they must beat a hasty retreat, they reason, it is better to leave the pack as a capable and respected beta wolf, not an envied alpha or cringing omega.

Because they spend so much time on the road, bards appreciate the abilities of other classes more so than most. Those bereft of magical abilities- fighters, reavers and barbarians- are highly prized for their physical prowess- and if the bard leans towards evil, their mental malleability as well. Those whose abilities stem from unique sources- druids, paladins, sorcerers and rangers- are considered kindred spirits, for they too have been born with a gift of which they must prove themselves worthy, or in the case of the monk, exercise regularly in order to maintain a certain level of competence. Although bards pride themselves on their ability to work with anyone, wizards and clerics can be a challenge. Wizards are often too busy pouring over ancient texts to communicate with the bard beyond the occasional demand for silence so they can memorize their spells in peace. Furthermore, the fantastic rumors surrounding their origins make bards natural specimens for study. Wealthy evil wizards have paid small fortunes for bard corpses to dissect, and would rejoice in having a live one to experiment upon; even good wizards would be very interested in obtaining a few sample humors for later examination. Clerics and bards will eventually come to some kind of impasse concerning the ethics or morals of Song. Neutral clerics will counter the defiler with stoic debate at every turn while lawful ones prefer direct and occasionally violent confrontation.

Bard Traits:

As Bard in the Player’s Handbook, except as follows.

Bardic Knowledge- Bardic Knowledge now represents what a bard learns by opening his mind the resonance someone or something creates within the Divine Song as opposed to mundane gossip. A bard can make a single Bardic Knowledge check only after interacting with the target through one minute of personal conversation OR ten minutes of uninterrupted observation (if a person), or ten minutes of physical manipulation/exploration OR a full day of research in a dedicated library or with someone who has a detailed, first hand account(if an object or location). No other bardic abilities (such as bardic music, or bardic magic) can be used to augment what a bard learns using this special ability, although use of invisibility is a notable exception to this rule if the bard is attempting to observe someone unnoticed or filch an item for later examination.

In any case, if the bardic knowledge check fails, the bard receives a blistering headache for their efforts and cannot use bardic knowledge against the target for the rest of the day. Should they succeed, the bard enjoys a bonus on various checks related to the situation, and learns some information as detailed on the table below.

DC	Description	Effect (Person)	Effect (Object)	Effect(Location)
10	The bard picks up faint strains from the target that provide only the most basic information.	The character adds half their level in bard to all Sense Motive checks to resist Bluff attempts and Spot checks to see through disguises.	The character adds half their level in bard on Appraise checks	The character adds half their level in bard on relevant Knowledge checks (such as Knowledge: Local or Knowledge: Dungeoneering. Knowledge: Engineering does NOT count).
20	The bard hears the subject within the Sacred Song, if not particularly clearly.	As above, and the bard can immediately re-roll any one failed Bluff or Diplomacy check.	As above, and the bard can immediately re-roll any one failed Use Magic Device check relating to said item (if magical)	As above, and the bard can immediately re-roll any one failed Survival or Search check that occurs that day at that location.
25	The target resonates strongly within the Song.	As above, and the bard learns one part of the target’s alignment, determined at random.	As above, and the bard can Locate Object as the spell, save that the duration is for one day.	As above, and the bard may act as if they have cast a special version of Detect Snares and Pits that finds complex and magical traps with a Search DC equal to 25 plus the bard’s intelligence modifier in addition to its normal effects. This lasts for one day and only at that location.
30	The target’s every move creates a harmonious crescendo, telling the bard almost everything they need to know.	As above, and the bard can estimate the target’s CR- treat like Detect Magic cast upon a magic item where the target’s HD correlates to the spell’s level- and learns a number of the target’s special attacks and/or qualities equal to their Intelligence modifier.	As above, and the bard can treat the object as if he cast a special version of Legend Lore upon it, learning cryptic yet factual information in the space of one round. This information can be used to learn more information on actual castings of the spell.	The bard can use Evasion as if they were a rogue for one day at that particular location. If they already have Evasion, they enjoy a bonus on their Evasion checks equal to their Intelligence modifier.

DM’s Option: Reality Bites- Bards draw their abilities from the Sacred Song, the tapestry upon which all reality simultaneously rests upon and woven from. Although it is not a living entity, it asserts itself when disturbed. Each time a bard fails a caster level check, bardic knowledge check, or if an enemy makes a save against bardic music- NOT a spell- the DM adds 1 to any random encounter checks made until the character has rested for 8 hours(so, yes, that means the bard and his party are still in trouble while the bard is asleep). A character can only accrue a number of points up to their level in bard.

The Classes: Barbarians

Destruction Incarnate

Untamed and unpredictable, the way of the barbarian is a choice, not a mere slur thrown at those deemed savage by their ‘betters’. The hot blood flowing through their veins does not discriminate between those born of rustic or genteel origins, and can take years to control, let alone master. Flashes of raw and ready temper mark one as a barbarian early in life, and while it is the individual who chooses whether to use this ability for good or ill- indeed, if at all- it is the culture surrounding them determines whether those afflicted view it as a curse or a blessing.

Half-orcs are by far the most common strain of barbarian, as they must learn to temper their urges more so than any one else. Whether they are growing up enduring the brutal hazing of their full orc cousins or the sullen fear of human half siblings, the stanch self-control this class perhaps paradoxically offers proves to be a boon for half-orcs during their formative years. They grow almost comfortable on the outskirts of society: too useful to dismiss or ignore, and too dangerous to attack directly- even with superior numbers. It is only a matter of time until such an individual becomes a wanderer, as one too many near-incidents (some carefully orchestrated by bigoted kinfolk) force them to seek their fortune elsewhere.

While not exactly welcomed with open arms, true elves and dwarves actively seek out their future barbarians. The Shuu believe barbarians are the physical manifestation of the Yggdrasil’s fury, and abandon them in the most inhospitable parts of that very same forest within a fortnight of their first rage to seek its blessing. The few who survive exposure and find their way back to their people are inducted into the tribe with all the fanfare due a warrior destined for greatness, though they are still given a wide berth. Dwarves watch their young barbarians from afar, quietly cleaning up the aftermath of their destructive fury. They are given numerous tests of character and integrity, and those whose alignments would damage the reputation of the local Blood are sent into exile. Those that prove worthy are exhaustively educated in the laws and history of their people- sometimes even serving brief stints as arbitrators and diplomats- and then set loose upon the world, given great latitude in their adventuring life with the unspoken understanding that they should only use their gift in the service of the Oneclan.

Barbarians from other peoples are unique individuals who turn to this class for solace after some terrible incident resulted in their expulsion. Halflings in particular revile their few barbarians, as their society looks down on the blatant violence that is the class’ hallmark. Many humans share this sentiment, but those that live in areas where one must be particularly strong or ruthless in order to survive respect their capabilities. Half-dragon barbarians are almost completely lost to the primal side of their draconic nature, dividing others into neat categories of potential threat and potential prey. Common elven and half elven barbarians are stereotyped as those who take their admiration of their cousins too far, but some are lost and troubled souls who do not learn how to control the blood of their Shuu ancestors until it is too late.

Regardless of their origins, all barbarians have a certain practicality about them that help them gel with most adventuring parties. Their insular, straightforward outlook can make them prone to prejudice and distrust when it comes to unfamiliar races, but this rarely extends to classes. For example, they do not differentiate between different types of magic users, although the role the arcane and the divine played in their upbringing may result in the party will-worker being treated with great respect-- or killed in their sleep in the name of self-defense. Barbarians deem fighters and reavers worthy friends and rivals, though rogues are rarely trusted. Paladins, rangers, and bards are curiosities best judged individually, but they save their greatest astonishment for monks, who have spent years training to transcend the wash of emotion they rely upon for survival.

Barbarian Traits:

The barbarian class is the same as presented in the Player’s Handbook, except as follows:

Rage- A barbarian adds their Constitution modifier to the amount of times they can rage per day, and a rage lasts for a number of rounds equal to half the character's level in barbarian plus their (improved) Constitution modifier.

Trap Sense- This extraordinary ability reflects the barbarian’s quick reflexes beset upon by aggressors both mechanical and mortal. They can add the bonus from this ability to their initiative modifier.

Frenzy- Frenzy is mechanically identical to rage but the barbarian is not in control of herself and will continuously attack the creature that caused them to become frenzied until either they drop of the creature does. The latter can be just as problematic as the former, as once they have dropped said creature, the barbarian will then attack the creature physically closest to her without pausing to discern between friend or foe. A frenzy is triggered either when the character is dropped below their barbarian level in hit points due to an attack (falling damage, subdual damage, poison damage and damage from traps do not count), or when they suffer a critical hit. A barbarian can attempt to avoid frenzy either by making Will save with a difficulty equal to 20 minus their barbarian level(in the case of low hit points) or the damage dealt (in the case of a critical hit) . A barbarian cannot intentionally fail this save, nor can they enter a rage to avoid frenzy. There is no limit to the amount of times a barbarian can frenzy in one day. Once the frenzy ends, the barbarian is exhausted. All of the spells that would end a rage also end a frenzy(such as calm emotions), as does knocking out the barbarian through subdual damage or other means. A barbarian who is at risk for frenzy while in the midst of a rage checks for frenzy immediately after the rage ends. If the save fails, they frenzy and are not considered fatigued.

Bonus Feats: At first level, a barbarian can take either Iron Will or Diehard as a bonus feat. At third level, a barbarian receives either Improved Grapple or Improved Unarmed Strike as a bonus feat. Finally, at fifth level, they receive either Mobility or Combat Reflexes as a bonus feat.