"Some fools blather about the magic of song. I know what real magic is."
Kathyn, elven bard
For some bards, the normal tricks of their nefarious trade are not enough. They want more, more power, more versatility, more options. For some of these individuals, that power can only come from arcane magic. Lacking the dedication to learn the true art of wizardry, a bardic sorcerer instead learns an eclectic grab bag of spells and tricks that make his chosen trade easier. While he must be extremely careful not to alert the templars, the common folk, or his noble patrons of his arcane dabbling, a bardic sorcerer soon learns ways to make his art invisible. Like all other arcane spellcasters, bardic sorcerers must choose between the power of defiling or the balanced path of the preserver. Most choose to preserve, not out of any concern for the environment, but for the simple fact that leaving huge circles of ash behind whenever they cast a spell is not conducive to keeping their magic hidden and thus maintaining their good health. All bardic sorcerers have at least some training as a bard, since the knowledge and skills of a bard are virtually necessary to hunt down the illusive individuals that train them in their craft. Elves and half-elves are the most common members of this uncommon class, since elven culture is quite tolerant of arcane magic and few half-elves have a culture to care about.
Hit Die: d6.
Requirements
To qualify to become a Bardic Sorcerer, a character must fulfill all of the following criteria.
Skills: Bluff 7 ranks, Craft (alchemy) 5 ranks, Gather Information 4 ranks, Knowledge (arcana) 8 ranks, Perform 8 ranks, Spellcraft 4 ranks
Feats: Magical Aptitude, Obscure Lore
Special: Must have the bardic knowledge class feature. Also, a prospective bardic sorcerer must be trained by another arcane spellcaster or have access to magical writings or spellbooks that he can decipher and understand prior to taking his first level in this class.
One of the things I might change is the BAB advancemet. The only reason I would do this is because the bardic sorcerer is now focusing on gathering arcane knowledge, not necessarly working on their fighting skills.
I might also change the bardic music advancement too, perhaps having them add hald their bardic sorcerer level to the music related class skills. Again, this would be due to them spending more time working on develiping their magical skills then their music.
Is the class skill/feat Disguise Spell or Obscure Spell? I hav never seen Disguise Spell feat which you have themm gaining at 2nd level and Obscure Spell at 4th.
The last thing I would consider changing is the HD from d6 to d4, just to keep it on par with the other arcane spellcasting classes.
I really do like the PrC, these are just suggestions that you could take or blow off- it's your work. I look forward to seeing a final version.
Looks really cool
One of the things I might change is the BAB advancemet. The only reason I would do this is because the bardic sorcerer is now focusing on gathering arcane knowledge, not necessarly working on their fighting skills.
I might also change the bardic music advancement too, perhaps having them add hald their bardic sorcerer level to the music related class skills. Again, this would be due to them spending more time working on develiping their magical skills then their music.
Is the class skill/feat Disguise Spell or Obscure Spell? I hav never seen Disguise Spell feat which you have themm gaining at 2nd level and Obscure Spell at 4th.
The last thing I would consider changing is the HD from d6 to d4, just to keep it on par with the other arcane spellcasting classes.
I really do like the PrC, these are just suggestions that you could take or blow off- it's your work. I look forward to seeing a final version.
More cookies! Munch!
I like the reduced-BAB and bardic music ideas, didn't think of that. I think I'll stick with the d6 HD though, since they are really only minor casters at best. Not sure though.
Disguise Spell is a general feat from Complete Adventurer, while Obscure Spell is a new metamagic feat of mine (shown at the bottom of the post).
Fix stuff latter, need sleep.
More cookies! Munch!
I like the reduced-BAB and bardic music ideas, didn't think of that. I think I'll stick with the d6 HD though, since they are really only minor casters at best. Not sure though.
Disguise Spell is a general feat from Complete Adventurer, while Obscure Spell is a new metamagic feat of mine (shown at the bottom of the post).
Fix stuff latter, need sleep.
Sleep is overrated and a crutch for the weak :D
Just kidding!
I do see, looking over the PrC again, that you are right about the HD, no reason to really penalize a minor spell caster further.
I have the complete adventurer- I just forgot about the feat. Plus my home PC has died, again, and I am having the hard drive replaced, so I am writing all of this great, wondrous, and insightful feedback from my office. :D
Sleep is overrated and a crutch for the weak :D
Just kidding!
I do see, looking over the PrC again, that you are right about the HD, no reason to really penalize a minor spell caster further.
I have the complete adventurer- I just forgot about the feat. Plus my home PC has died, again, and I am having the hard drive replaced, so I am writing all of this great, wondrous, and insightful feedback from my office. :D
No prob
Great idea for a PrC! Bards are probably some of the most likely canidates for picking up arcane magic later on in their careers (what with their extensive knowledge and many contacts). I agree with reducing something in their ablilities, because the way it written now, the class is balanced like a standard bard plus a whole bunch of feats, but with a few less skill points. Of course a PrC should be a little better than a core class because you can't get into it right away.
Thanks
I was originally going to go with the PH bard, but give them the ability to choose whether they were manifesters or spellcasters. When I show the athas.org bard to my players, though, they like it so much that they wanted to go with it. There was still some support for my bard-with-choice idea, so I worked out a way that bards can pick up some minor psionic abilities as trade secrets, and came up with this class to cover the arcane end. I had originally thought of just giving them spell-like abilities that they could select (like the eagle and jaguar knights in Dragon #315), but decided to go this way instead.Btw, Sage, where is the Back Alley Stalker PrC? Looked on that thread but didn't find it, and I really wanted to see that one
Thanks
Hmmm, yah it never occured to me to make a PrC. I have a Bard/Telepath in my game right now and that works pretty well, just multi-classing... I suppose I could offer a Class combo feat like the ones in the Complete Adventurer allowing levels in Bard and Psion to stack for Bardic Music and Bonus Power points or some such. What are the Psionic Trade secrets you use in your game? You've intrigued me.
Btw, Sage, where is the Back Alley Stalker PrC? Looked on that thread but didn't find it, and I really wanted to see that one
There is a link to the thread in my sig :D, the completed version of both of the PrCs are at the bottom of the 1st page.
There is a link to the thread in my sig :D, the completed version of both of the PrCs are at the bottom of the 1st page.
Thanks What are the Psionic Trade secrets you use in your game? You've intrigued me.
Ask and ye shall receive (eventually) ;)