Post/Author/DateTime	Post
khaalis 06-25-05, 01:43 PM	Well the search function is back down yet again, and I am having difficulty finding any posts that relate to the topic at hand.... evil oriented Bards. I am trying to build an evil (ie:; selfish) bardic Dirge build. However, all of the Bardic abilities are are more good/ally oriented. The Hexblade's abilities are much more suited to the abilities a Dirge should have (basically along the lines of bardic music that concentrates more on negetively affecting others rather than aiding allies - like the Hexblade curse or the reverse of Inspire Courage [Inspire Fear?]). However, the hexblade's magic lacks... tremendously, and their abilities are usable much less often than a bard's so it doesnt make a truly effective dirge. Is there even a way to create such a Dirge type bard build? I have been through most of the books, and short of just giving a bard the evil spells from BoVD, I dont see a way to create a Dirge type bard. Every PrC and current Bardic ability seems to focus on one aspect of bards, the fact that they are all good types out to help those around them. Even the stacking feat that allows bard and paladin levels to stack for abilities. So, is there a way to create a Dirge? Any hints or possibilities would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Khazra Reborn 06-25-05, 02:09 PM	i tried this before but it was really difficult. I just went bard7/blackguard3/warchanter10. If figured making my followers/slaves lose massive amounts of AC in exchange for attack & thereby sending them to their deaths was pretty evil :P The hexer from masters of the wild has a curse, similar to (although better then) the hexblade's curse. Unfortanetly it requires the lightning bolt spell, which no longer exists so you might be able to get that off the requirements or come to another agreement with your DM. Also it has fighter BaB & +1 caster level every level.
SemperMutatio 06-25-05, 02:58 PM	Dirgesinger PrC in Libris Mortis = Evil bard.
Kurama Youko 06-25-05, 04:06 PM	Bard 5/Stormsinger5/Dirgesinger 5/Stormsinger5/Sublime Cord 10/Seeker of the Song10/Dragonsong Lyrist 5/
Khazra Reborn 06-25-05, 04:09 PM	why have you given an ECL 45 build...
Kurama Youko 06-25-05, 05:21 PM	to give him something to strive for of course. :)
Ashlan 06-26-05, 12:12 AM	If you do consider going with Dirgesinger, the earliest you can get into it is 7th level, not 6th. If you are allowed to use Dragon Mag. stuff, there was a Jester prc not to long ago that can really walk the line of evil. Ash P.S. Pretty sure it was the April Dragon from this year that had the Jester in it. I really wish there was a way to do get full Jester and Dirgesinger in one build but it's not possible.
khaalis 06-26-05, 12:27 AM	Thanks all for the input. I will have to try and get a copy of Libris Mortis to look at the Dirgesinger. I will also check out the Hexer and see what can be done with it. Thanks!
Ashlan 06-26-05, 02:18 AM	Just to give you a quick description of dirgesinger, its a PrC that can be taken at 7th level. Needs ranks in Perform and Knowledge: Religion and the Requiem feat. Allows you to use Bardic Music for a kind of curse, a confusion effect, ability (Str and Dex) damage, bolster undead and create undead for as long as you can play the song. The level 5 ability, to me anyway, is the best so you really need to stick in the class to the end if you want it. Now the downsides, and these hurt, are that you don't advance casting, you lose your good reflex save and the skill points/selection isn't as good. Still, it's an interesting class with good flavor. Ash
Kurama Youko 06-26-05, 07:23 AM	seriously only the Bard PrC classes from the Book of Exalted Deeds require you to be good. Every other oratory/singing PrC class allows any alignment. just pick someones that give nice abilities and be evil. i had a awesome build for a lv 15 bard i was gonna run in a campaign. Bard 5/Stormsinger5/Seeker of the song 5. Take Practice Spellcaster, and you pretty much set. Though i had some other kick butt feats to make sure I was very versitle. Feats: Feats: (B)Artist, 1st-Storm Magic, 3rd-Magical Aptitude, 6th-Snowflake Wardance, 9th-Skill Focus (Perform: Sing), 12th-Arcane Strike, 15th-Practiced Spellcaster (Bard), (It was a Faerunian campaign.) Snowflake, allows you to use a single use of your bardic music to add your cha modifier to your attack roll for the round, that plus arcane strike.. was a nice combo. Spells: I chose, Spells Per Day: 3 3 3 2 0 Spells Known: 6 4 4 4 2 Spells: 0th-Light, Mage Hand, Detect Magic, Prestidigitation, Message, Read Magic. 1st-Cure Light Wounds, Grease, Inspirational Boost, Expeditious Retreat. 2nd-Fly Swift, Tactical Precision, Heroism, Glitterdust. 3rd-Phantom Steed, Cure Serious Wounds, Confusion, Leomund's Tiny Hut. 4th-Dimensional Door, Cure Critical Wounds. class features. Special Attack: Spells, Bardic Music (Countersong, Fascinate, Inspire Courage +1, Inspired Competence) 18/day, Stormsong (Gust of Wind, Thuderstrike, Control Winds), Seeker Music (Burning Melody, Song of Unmaking, Dirge of Frozen Loss, Song of Life, Anthem of Thunder and Pain) Special Qualities: Bardic Knowledge +5, Storm Power, Electricity Resistance +5, Rapture of the Song (+2 AC, +2 Saves), Combine Songs, Subvocalize .. Very nice build if i say so myself.. continue with Seeker of the song if you go to 20.