Post/Author/DateTime	Post
HailSpork 04-05-05, 03:15 AM	I was considering this as an alternative to bardic music in a different thread, and decided I wanted to flesh out the whole thing. I decided to make a bard build that was more similar to a magician (as in Houdini, not Merlin) than a musician. Loses Bardic Music. Bardic Knowledge at only half level Not proficient in longsword, shortbow, or shields. Tricks: A magician has a number of tricks per day equal to his number of bard levels. After a magician casts a spell, he may perform a trick as a swift action by making a Sleight of Hand (20) check. Each trick requires a special capsule, costing 1 gp each. These can be made with craft(alchemy) DC 20. A magician may use one of his daily tricks as a standard action to perform one without casting a spell. Smoke Trick: A 5' radius is filled with smoke, as per Fog Cloud. This must be centered on you or the target of the spell. This smoke lasts 1 round, though winds 21 mph or greater will immediately disperse it. Flash Trick: A flash of light dazzles sighted creatures within 15' excluding the caster. They may make a Will save with the same DC as the accompnaying spell to negate this effect. Bonus Feat: Quickdraw at level 2. Bonus Spells: Upon reaching level 5, Pyrotechnics is automatically added to the magician's list of spells known. This does not count for purposes of maximum spells known. Spell List: As per normal, but add Ray of Frost (0) and Burning Hands (1) to the list of spells to choose from. Notes: You can make the trick capsules with an alchemy check -or- buy them. Being able to make them is a way to save money, not a necessity. The trick ability is based on sleight of hand, not alchemy. I was thinking of incorporating wands in; a specially made wand can hold several capsules and provide a bonus for the sleight of hand. I was also thinking about adding more tricks as the magician progresses in level. Perhaps improved versions of the above tricks and a few others? I was thinking a bonus trick every 4 levels. The altered spell list was because I was going for a slightly more offensive spell list. I was considering removing a few of the sonic-based spells as well.
BrianD 04-06-05, 01:14 PM	Cool idea. I like the idea of assigning abilities similar to bardic music to skills other than Perform to change the flavor of the class. Another trick that could be cool would be one that deafens or blinds, or perhaps both?
HailSpork 04-07-05, 03:53 AM	I think I need to think of more tricks and give them 1 trick every 4 levels (with only 1 trick at level 1). Also, perhaps replace Summon Instrument with Summon Capsule? (1 capsule summoned, lasts 1 minute or until used). Also, I should probably limit the tricks per spell level, with level 0 counting as 1. Dazzle 1 person per spell level, fog lasts 1 round per spell level, etc. That way, summon capsule with flash trick isn't more powerful than flare. Using a trick without a spell is the same as using a 0 level spell. Blinding Trick: Requires Flash Trick, 11 ranks in sleight of hand: As flash trick, except 1 target within 15' is blinded instead of dazzled for 1 round per spell level. A fort save (same DC as the spell) negates this effect. Flame Spurt Trick: Requires 7 ranks in sleght of hand: Make a 10' line of fire that deals 1d4 fire damage per spell level. A reflex save (same DC as spell) halves this effect. Flame Breath Trick: Requires Flame Spurt Trick, 11 ranks in sleight of hand: As flame spurt trick, but 15' cone instead. That's a total of 5. It needs at least 1 more; 2-3 more would be better. I'm not sure how to direct the deafening effect. I don't have my phb handy, but I'll look it up later and try to apply it. I'm also thinking of an improved smoke trick; perhaps make it noxious? Doesn't particularly fit... What else do magicians (modern-day or not) use as distractions?
the_one_true_shea 04-07-05, 04:33 PM	It looks like your tempted to drop the fascinate ability for the tricks stuff, don't. Im telling you, the fascinate thing is what makes a bard class ... :shifty: "bardy" And, the fascinate completely works into a mugician class... did I just type mugician? Im leaving that one for posterity :D. MAgicians are "fascinating", they are showmen, and they (like all bards ever) should have the fascinate ability. That Fascinate (Sp) ability only shows up in the bard, its like rage. Its class defining. Ok, magic tricks... Disappearing objects (maybe like dimension door small objects?) cutting women in half (ummm, dunno yo) levitation!!!! oohhh thats a good one, David Blane and David Copperfield can both fly! :allalone: - pace - ing (how do you spell pacing?) OK! there it is: Hat Trick ... you know what Im talking about Alakazam! (\ /) (o.o) (> <) Bunny! (or other nearby objects - kinda ranged ledgerdomain but with a Dimension door effect) hey what if instead of dimension door, were talking about dimensional pocket? doesnt "go anywhere" it goes "in there" ... pounds per bard level?
HailSpork 04-08-05, 01:11 AM	Yeah, fascinate should definately stay. I'll try to work it in as a trick. When most magicians perform their illusions, they accompany them with things like puffs of smoke, flashbangs, etc. I'm trying to give that feel to the bard's magic. Btw, in my campaigns, I would include the spell "Dimension Leap" from Eberron. It's not essential to the class, it's just a spell I like. Confusion may be good as well...
the_one_true_shea 04-09-05, 04:16 AM	Confusion and Mass Confusion could replace the Suggestion and Mass Sugestion ability. The fascinate would be based off the slight of hand check right? The tricks replace the inspires so thats ... 4, Dip out Counterspell for ... some sort of fog cover? countermagic is effectivly a 3rd level spell. Song of freedom, is equivalent to 5th, hmm I still like levitate, but fly is 5th.
trapspringer 04-09-05, 11:31 PM	I am officially impressed. This is a very cool concept.