"A bard ghost? What's he gonna do, sing us to death?" (PEACH) [Archive] - Wizards Community

"A bard ghost? What's he gonna do, sing us to death?" (PEACH) [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Talisman
12-20-06, 03:31 PM Dark Muse
Medium Undead (Incorporeal)
Hit Dice 9d12+45 (104 hp)
Initiative +6
Speed Fly 30' (perfect)
AC 17 (+2 Dex, +5 deflection), touch 17, flat-footed 15
Base Attack/Grapple +4/--
Attack/Full Attack Incorporeal touch +6 melee touch
Damage Incorporeal touch 1d6 Wisdom
Space/Reach 5'/5'
Special Attacks Bestow madness, dirge, spell-like abilities
Special Qualities Dark inspiration, SR 21, unholy grace, unholy toughness,
vulnerabilities
Saves Fort +8, Ref +10, Will +10
Abilities Str --, Dex 14, Con --, Int 15, Wis 9, Cha 21
Skills Bluff +17, Concentration +17, Diplomacy +21, Knowledge (any 1) +14,
Perform (any 1) +20, Sense Motive +11
Feats Ability Focus (bestow madness), Dodge, Improved Initiative,
Skill Focus (Perform)
Environment Any
Organization Solitary
Challenge Rating 9?
Treasure Standard
Alignment Usually neutral evil
Advancement 10-18 HD (Medium) or by character class
Level Adjustment --

A dim, shadowy humanoid figure turns to regard you. It appears to be a man---human or half-elf--clad in luxurious clothing and holding a lute. The figure seems strangely dark, as though the light did not illuminate him as well as the rest of the area. The figure offers you a melancholy smile and strums his lute.

Dark muses are the unhappy remains of brilliant artists who prished in pursuit of their dream of perfection. A sculptor crushed beneath his masterpiece, a musician who played until he died of exhaustion, or a painter who focused on his work with such intensity that he died of starvation--all of these could become dark muses.
Because of the circumstances surrounding their deaths, dark muses are brooding and melancholy creatures, more inclined to harm the living out of spite than either ignore or aid them. Left alone, they will brood for centuries, trying with their non-material hands to re-create the masterpieces which were their downfall. When interrupted by the living, some dark muses fly into a violent rage, while others are more cunning. These, the most dangerous type of dark muse, attempt to ensnare the living, either as "art critics" to admire the dark muse's latest work, or merely to cause suffering.
Dark muses are usually formed of humanoid races (though a dark muse of another type is a possibility). They retain the appearance they had in life, but stained with sorrow and despair, and they seem darker than they should.
Dark muses speak Common. Many know one or two other languages; for example, an elven dark muse will understand Elven as well.

Combat: Dark muses view combat as another form of art: a way to show of their impeccable handiwork. They compliment combatants on particularly impressive attacks or defenses, and spew vicious insults when they witness clumsiness or foolishness. Secure in their incorporeal state, they have little fear of destruction--some even seem to welcome it.
Bestow Madness (Sp): Up to three times per day a dark muse can drain away sanity and leave madness in its wake. This attack has a 30' range, affects a single target, and a successful Will save (DC 21) negates it. If the save fails, the victim is confused for 1d4 rounds, and immediately takes 6 points of Wisdom damage (minimum 1). Until Wisdom is fully restored, the victim's behavior remains erratic; each time the victim is under significant stress (such as combat, or a similar life-and-death situation), the victim must make a Will save (DC 21) or once again become confused for 1d4 rounds. This save must be made only once per encounter. Once a victim has been targeted by this power, regardless of whether he succeeds or fails, he is immune to the bestow madness power of any dark muse for 24 hours or until his Wisdom has been restored.
In addition to its obvious effects, this power energizes and invigorates the dark muse, who gains a +2 enhancement bonus to Charisma and a +2 luck bonus on attacks, saves and checks. These bonuses last for only 1 minute.
This is a mind-affecting effect. The save DC is Charisma-based.
Dark Inspiration (Su): The influence of a dark muse can provide great, if brief, benefits to someone the dark muse chooses to favor. In general, dark muses use this power on minions they have charmed or otherwise deluded into carrying out their wishes. The power of dark inspiration has several effects.
First, the favored one is immune to the usual effects of a dark muse's dirge. Instead, when the dark muse uses its dirge ability, the favored one gains a +2 morale bonus on attack and saving throws.
Second, the dark muse may, as a standard action, incite rage in the favored one. This is equal to, and does not stack with, the rage of a 1st-level barbarian. It follows all the rules for barbarian rage, except that the victim immediately takes 2 points of Wisdom drain when this power is activated and can only receive its effects once per day.
Third, the dark muse can inspire the subject to transcendant brilliance, but at a cost. The subject of this power gains a luck bonus equal to the dark muse's Charisma bonus (usually +5) on all Intelligence and Charisma-based checks for a period of 24 hours. However, the subject takes 2 points of Wisdom drain when this power is activated and receives one negative level at the end of the 24-hour period. The Fortitude DC to remove this negative level is 19.
The save DC is Charisma-based. Note that most of the powers of dark inspiration do not have a save DC, as they do not affect unwilling subjects.
Dirge (Su): At will, a dark muse may sing, play, or otherwise create music of such haunting melancholy that all who hear it (within 60' of the dark muse) are overcome with ennui and do nothing but listen and weep (treated as stunned). Stunned victims remain so until the dark muse stops singing, for 1d4 rounds, or until they take damage from any source. On a successful Will save (DC = dark muse's Perform check result), affected creatures are instead shaken, and remain so for as long as the dark muse continues to sing. Stunned creatures that take damage or simply survive the 1d4-round duration become shaken until the dark muse ceases to sing. A dark muse may begin a dirge as a standard action, but can continue singing indefinitely as a free action.
A bard can use countersong against a dirge as he can against most sound-based effects.
Dirge is a sonic, mind-affecting fear effect.
Spell-like Abilities: At will--charm person, mage hand, sculpt sound, hypnotic pattern; 3/day--crushing despair, fear, suggestion. Caster level 9th; save DC 15 + spell level. The save DCs are Charisma-based.
Unholy Grace (Ex): A dark muse gains its Charisma modifier as a bonus on saves.
Unholy Toughness (Ex): A dark muse gains extra hit points equal to its HD x its Charisma modifier.
Vulnerabilities: Because of their unique origins, dark muses share certain vulnerabilities not common to the undead. They are repelled by art of the same type as that which they pursued in life (for example, a dark muse who had been a painter is repelled by paintings), and will not approach closer than 10' from such items. Artist's tools than have been blessed by a good-aligned priest also repel them, and touching such tools renders one immune to a dark muse's charm and suggestion spell-like abilities. These vulnerabilities can be discerned with a DC 19 Knowledge (religion) or bardic knowledge check, or a DC 24 Knowledge (arcana) or Knowledge (local) check.
drakkonflye
12-23-06, 09:32 PM Nice, but I have a couple questions:
Bestow Curse: How many creatures can it affect at a time? And what type of mind-effect is it? Charm? Compulsion?

Dirge: Can a bard counter the effects?
SkullsForKhorne
12-24-06, 05:14 AM "A bard ghost? What's he gonna do, sing us to death?"

Actually, yes. They have a critter like this in Libris Mortis, it's called a spectral lyrist, page 123.
Talisman
01-02-07, 05:09 PM Nice, but I have a couple questions:
Bestow Curse: How many creatures can it affect at a time?

One. Should have noted that.

And what type of mind-effect is it? Charm? Compulsion?

Neither. It's not a charm, compulsion, fear, or any of the usual descriptors. It's just a mental attack.

Dirge: Can a bard counter the effects?

Yes! As written, a bard can countersing a dirge, but I'll edit to make it clearer.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Talisman 12-20-06, 03:31 PM	Dark Muse Medium Undead (Incorporeal) Hit Dice 9d12+45 (104 hp) Initiative +6 Speed Fly 30' (perfect) AC 17 (+2 Dex, +5 deflection), touch 17, flat-footed 15 Base Attack/Grapple +4/-- Attack/Full Attack Incorporeal touch +6 melee touch Damage Incorporeal touch 1d6 Wisdom Space/Reach 5'/5' Special Attacks Bestow madness, dirge, spell-like abilities Special Qualities Dark inspiration, SR 21, unholy grace, unholy toughness, vulnerabilities Saves Fort +8, Ref +10, Will +10 Abilities Str --, Dex 14, Con --, Int 15, Wis 9, Cha 21 Skills Bluff +17, Concentration +17, Diplomacy +21, Knowledge (any 1) +14, Perform (any 1) +20, Sense Motive +11 Feats Ability Focus (bestow madness), Dodge, Improved Initiative, Skill Focus (Perform) Environment Any Organization Solitary Challenge Rating 9? Treasure Standard Alignment Usually neutral evil Advancement 10-18 HD (Medium) or by character class Level Adjustment -- A dim, shadowy humanoid figure turns to regard you. It appears to be a man---human or half-elf--clad in luxurious clothing and holding a lute. The figure seems strangely dark, as though the light did not illuminate him as well as the rest of the area. The figure offers you a melancholy smile and strums his lute. Dark muses are the unhappy remains of brilliant artists who prished in pursuit of their dream of perfection. A sculptor crushed beneath his masterpiece, a musician who played until he died of exhaustion, or a painter who focused on his work with such intensity that he died of starvation--all of these could become dark muses. Because of the circumstances surrounding their deaths, dark muses are brooding and melancholy creatures, more inclined to harm the living out of spite than either ignore or aid them. Left alone, they will brood for centuries, trying with their non-material hands to re-create the masterpieces which were their downfall. When interrupted by the living, some dark muses fly into a violent rage, while others are more cunning. These, the most dangerous type of dark muse, attempt to ensnare the living, either as "art critics" to admire the dark muse's latest work, or merely to cause suffering. Dark muses are usually formed of humanoid races (though a dark muse of another type is a possibility). They retain the appearance they had in life, but stained with sorrow and despair, and they seem darker than they should. Dark muses speak Common. Many know one or two other languages; for example, an elven dark muse will understand Elven as well. Combat: Dark muses view combat as another form of art: a way to show of their impeccable handiwork. They compliment combatants on particularly impressive attacks or defenses, and spew vicious insults when they witness clumsiness or foolishness. Secure in their incorporeal state, they have little fear of destruction--some even seem to welcome it. Bestow Madness (Sp): Up to three times per day a dark muse can drain away sanity and leave madness in its wake. This attack has a 30' range, affects a single target, and a successful Will save (DC 21) negates it. If the save fails, the victim is confused for 1d4 rounds, and immediately takes 6 points of Wisdom damage (minimum 1). Until Wisdom is fully restored, the victim's behavior remains erratic; each time the victim is under significant stress (such as combat, or a similar life-and-death situation), the victim must make a Will save (DC 21) or once again become confused for 1d4 rounds. This save must be made only once per encounter. Once a victim has been targeted by this power, regardless of whether he succeeds or fails, he is immune to the bestow madness power of any dark muse for 24 hours or until his Wisdom has been restored. In addition to its obvious effects, this power energizes and invigorates the dark muse, who gains a +2 enhancement bonus to Charisma and a +2 luck bonus on attacks, saves and checks. These bonuses last for only 1 minute. This is a mind-affecting effect. The save DC is Charisma-based. Dark Inspiration (Su): The influence of a dark muse can provide great, if brief, benefits to someone the dark muse chooses to favor. In general, dark muses use this power on minions they have charmed or otherwise deluded into carrying out their wishes. The power of dark inspiration has several effects. First, the favored one is immune to the usual effects of a dark muse's dirge. Instead, when the dark muse uses its dirge ability, the favored one gains a +2 morale bonus on attack and saving throws. Second, the dark muse may, as a standard action, incite rage in the favored one. This is equal to, and does not stack with, the rage of a 1st-level barbarian. It follows all the rules for barbarian rage, except that the victim immediately takes 2 points of Wisdom drain when this power is activated and can only receive its effects once per day. Third, the dark muse can inspire the subject to transcendant brilliance, but at a cost. The subject of this power gains a luck bonus equal to the dark muse's Charisma bonus (usually +5) on all Intelligence and Charisma-based checks for a period of 24 hours. However, the subject takes 2 points of Wisdom drain when this power is activated and receives one negative level at the end of the 24-hour period. The Fortitude DC to remove this negative level is 19. The save DC is Charisma-based. Note that most of the powers of dark inspiration do not have a save DC, as they do not affect unwilling subjects. Dirge (Su): At will, a dark muse may sing, play, or otherwise create music of such haunting melancholy that all who hear it (within 60' of the dark muse) are overcome with ennui and do nothing but listen and weep (treated as stunned). Stunned victims remain so until the dark muse stops singing, for 1d4 rounds, or until they take damage from any source. On a successful Will save (DC = dark muse's Perform check result), affected creatures are instead shaken, and remain so for as long as the dark muse continues to sing. Stunned creatures that take damage or simply survive the 1d4-round duration become shaken until the dark muse ceases to sing. A dark muse may begin a dirge as a standard action, but can continue singing indefinitely as a free action. A bard can use countersong against a dirge as he can against most sound-based effects. Dirge is a sonic, mind-affecting fear effect. Spell-like Abilities: At will--charm person, mage hand, sculpt sound, hypnotic pattern; 3/day--crushing despair, fear, suggestion. Caster level 9th; save DC 15 + spell level. The save DCs are Charisma-based. Unholy Grace (Ex): A dark muse gains its Charisma modifier as a bonus on saves. Unholy Toughness (Ex): A dark muse gains extra hit points equal to its HD x its Charisma modifier. Vulnerabilities: Because of their unique origins, dark muses share certain vulnerabilities not common to the undead. They are repelled by art of the same type as that which they pursued in life (for example, a dark muse who had been a painter is repelled by paintings), and will not approach closer than 10' from such items. Artist's tools than have been blessed by a good-aligned priest also repel them, and touching such tools renders one immune to a dark muse's charm and suggestion spell-like abilities. These vulnerabilities can be discerned with a DC 19 Knowledge (religion) or bardic knowledge check, or a DC 24 Knowledge (arcana) or Knowledge (local) check.
drakkonflye 12-23-06, 09:32 PM	Nice, but I have a couple questions: Bestow Curse: How many creatures can it affect at a time? And what type of mind-effect is it? Charm? Compulsion? Dirge: Can a bard counter the effects?
SkullsForKhorne 12-24-06, 05:14 AM	"A bard ghost? What's he gonna do, sing us to death?" Actually, yes. They have a critter like this in Libris Mortis, it's called a spectral lyrist, page 123.
Talisman 01-02-07, 05:09 PM	Nice, but I have a couple questions: Bestow Curse: How many creatures can it affect at a time? One. Should have noted that. And what type of mind-effect is it? Charm? Compulsion? Neither. It's not a charm, compulsion, fear, or any of the usual descriptors. It's just a mental attack. Dirge: Can a bard counter the effects? Yes! As written, a bard can countersing a dirge, but I'll edit to make it clearer.