Thursday, October 3, 2013

Jeff Crunch: Veiled Dancer/Sultana Sworn

by Jeff Harris



Veiled Dancer/Sultana Sworn (Bard)

Whether it is the blazing day or cold night the desert is not as empty or silent as those not born to the dunes think.  Along with the bray of camels, the caravans that cross the sands travel to music by day and dance by night.  In the palaces of Pasha and Sultan, women of great beauty dance, their silk veils floating in time to their entrancing performance.  And in the pillow bedecked chambers of Sultana’s equally handsome men entertain their charges with poetry and stories along with displays of daring prowess, both artistic and martial.  These people are veiled dancers and sultana sworn, women and men of enticing appearance and stimulating intellect.  However all Pashas, Sultans, and Sultanas know these subjects have many uses beyond simple entertainment, and their rivals never forget this when attending their performances, as the unwary sometimes do not live to see the end. Regardless of whether these performances have darker motives or not, no guest of a desert noble would ever say that they are not one of the great pleasures a proper host can offer.

*As a note from the author, this particular archetype has been presented with different abilities depending on PC gender; this is simply to best represent the flavor of 1001 Arabian Nights.  It is perfectly acceptable to have a male veiled dancer or a female sultana sworn if you wish, as it does not affect class abilities, however you may wish to discuss this with your GM if you plan on using this archetype, as the somewhat sexual theme of some of the class abilities may lead to some uncomfortable or strange situations during your game.  This may well be more apparent if you do play a male veiled dancer or female sultana sworn.  However in keeping with Flying Pincushion stance, as long as no problems are caused at your table, feel free to go as far as you and your group want with this.  We at the Flying Pincushion of course welcome your feedback and thoughts on this and all of our work.     

                                                                                                                                                Respectfully,

                                                                                                            Jeffery B. Harris


 

Veiled Dancer (Bard)

Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Veiled dancers are proficient with all simple weapons, plus the scimitar, short bow, jambiya*, bladed scarf, and whip.  Veiled dancers are not proficient with any type of armor or shield.  Wearing such incurs the normal non-proficiency penalties and spell casting failure.

Diminished Spell Casting:  Veiled dancers subtract one spell per level from the number of spells they can cast per day.  If this reduces a number to 0 then the veiled dancer may only cast spells of this level if granted a bonus spell from high charisma.

Sneak Attack:  The veiled dancer receives sneak attack at 1st level and the damage increases by 1d6 for every three levels attained beyond first.  Thus 2d6 at 4th, 3d6 at 7th, 4d6 at 10th, etc.

Canny Defense:  When wearing no armor and not using a shield, a veiled dancer adds 1 point of Intelligence bonus (if any) per veiled dancer class level as a dodge bonus to her Armor Class. If a veiled dancer is caught flat-footed or otherwise denied her Dexterity bonus, she also loses this bonus.

This ability replaces Bardic Knowledge.

Bardic Dance:  A veiled dancer is able to manipulate the world around her and those in it through her dancing.  Using this bardic dance functions as bardic performance and can influence crowds and buff allies just as bardic performance.  Additionally while using this class feature the veiled dancer gains access to additional abilities, veils and gazes.  The veiled dancer’s bardic dance ability must be active for many of her other special abilities to function.

This ability replaces Bardic Performance.

Veil of Warding (Su):  The silk veils that are the trademark of a veiled dancer are for more than show, as their mystical dances seem to make them come alive.  When maintaining bardic dance a veiled dancer may cause one of her silk veils to act as if the silk to steel spell has been cast upon it.  This effect lasts one round per class level and may be used a number of times per day equal to 1 + your Charisma modifier.  Using this ability is a standard action.

This ability replaces Versatile Performance.

Smoldering Gaze (Su):  The careful application of charcoal and other cosmetics, especially to the eyes, is another common trademark of the veiled dancer, as the eyes are the window to the soul, and a talented dancer can bring a man to his knees with just their sultry gaze.  While using bardic dance you may attempt as a standard action to use smoldering gaze to force a target who saved successfully against your fascination or distraction attempt to make a new save at -2.  You may only affect a given target with this ability once per 24 hour period. Using this ability is a swift action.

This ability replaces Well Versed.

Veil of Venom (Su):  At 4th level the veiled dancer while maintaining a bardic dance may transform one of her veils into either a green sting scorpion, scarlet spider, or a tiny viper.  As long as the target is affected by fascination or distraction they are considered flat footed against this ability and may be hit with your sneak attack damage as well while using this ability.  As the veil must be tossed onto the target before the transformation, a ranged attack is required that if successful deals 1 point of physical damage and the target must save against poison, the DC is determined by the creature chosen.  The range of this ability is 30 ft.  A veiled dancer may choose to change the veil back to its normal form as a free action, but can maintain the transformation for one round per two class levels as a maximum duration.  If the effect is maintained the creature attacks in subsequent rounds as a normal example of its type during the veiled dancers turn.  This ability may be used a number of times a day equal to 1 + Charisma modifier.  Using this ability is a standard action.

Bewitching Gaze (Su):  At 5th level the veiled dancers gaze becomes even more powerfully alluring.  While maintaining bardic dance the veiled dancer may attempt to affect one target that has been fascinated or distracted by her performance with the unnatural lust spell.  This functions in all ways as the spell, except the DC of the will save to resist this ability is equal to 10 + ½ your character level + your Charisma modifier.  You may only affect a given target with this ability once per 24 hour period.  Using this ability is a swift action.

This ability replaces Lore Master.

Veil of Burning Sands (Su):  At 6th level the veiled dancer may invoke the heat and grit of the desert through the magic of her veils.  While maintaining bardic dance the veiled dancer may use her veil to create a burning lash of sand.  This is a ranged attack that deals 2d4 slashing and piercing damage and 2d4 fire damage that has a maximum range of 30 ft. +5ft. per three class levels.  There are no range increment penalties to this ranged attack.  This ability is a standard action and may be used a number of times per day equal to 1 + your Charisma modifier.

This ability replaces Versatile Performance 6th level.

Unavoidable Gaze (Su):  At 10th level the veiled dancers gaze is so enticing that few can resist it.  While maintaining bardic dance a veiled dancer may attempt to completely enthrall a number of targets equal to ½ her class levels in this class. Each target must make a will save DC equal to 10 + ½ class level + your Charisma modifier.  If successful the target is only dazed for one round.  If the target fails however they are stunned for 1d4 rounds.  This is a standard action and as with all veiled dancer gazes this ability may only affect a given target once in a 24 hour period.  Using this ability is a swift action.

This ability replaces Jack of All Trades.

Veil of the Dust Devil (Su):  At 10th level the veiled dancer can channel the graceful spinning of her dance into her veils to then call upon the desert’s power.  While maintaining bardic dance the veiled dancer may either use her veils to summon a dust devil (use medium air elemental) or mimic the effects of the spell wind wall.  Either way the dust devil or spell effect last for one round per two class levels.  This ability may be used a number of times per day equal to 1 + your Charisma modifier.  Using this ability in either way is a standard action.

This ability replaces Versatile Performance 10th level.

All Consuming Gaze (Su):  At 11th level the veiled dancer’s gaze can make those it falls upon literally do the bidding of the dancer.  While maintaining bardic dance the veiled dancer may attempt to effect a target who is fascinated or distracted with the effects of the dominate person spell.  This ability functions in all ways as the spell save that the DC of the will save is 10 + ½ your class level + your Charisma modifier.  You may only dominate one target at a time, and as with other gazes you may only affect a given target with this ability once in a 24 hour period.  Using this ability is a swift action.

This ability replaces Lore Master 11th level.

Veil of the Genie (Su):  At 14th level the veiled dancer can through her dance tap into even the realms of the genies and set them to task, if only for a short time.  While maintaining bardic dance the veiled dancer may call to aid her one genie, this must be a standard Djinni, Efreet, Marid, or Shaitan.  The genie remains for one round per two class levels and unless commanded to do something extremely contrary to their alignment, will willingly serve the veiled dancer.  This ability may be used a number of times per day equal to 1 + your Charisma modifier.  Using this ability is a standard action.

This ability replaces Versatile Performance 14th level.

Unearthly Gaze (Su):  At 17th level the gaze of a veiled dancer is simply irresistible to many.  This ability functions as all consuming gaze but it can affect a number of targets equal to ¼ of your class levels rounded down.

This ability replaces Lore Master 17th level.

Veil of the Desert’s Heart (Su):  At 18th level the veiled dancer is as much part of the desert as the desert is part of her, and she can summon that might to hand through her veils.  This ability works as veil of burning sands save for the following.  You may select within your range a number of targets equal to half your level rounded down, and each target is a separate attack roll.  Also the damage from this attack is 3d4 slashing and piercing and 3d4 fire.  You may use this ability a number of times per day equal to 1 + your Charisma modifier.  Using this ability is a full round action.

This ability replaces Versatile Performance 18th level.
 

 

Sultana Sworn (Bard)

Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Sultana Sworn are proficient with all simple weapons, plus the scimitar, short bow, long bow, jambiya, falchion, and falcata.  Sultana sworn are proficient with light armor and shields (except for tower shields).  Wearing such incurs no spell failure chance; spells from other classes are still affected by spell failure.

Diminished Spell Casting:  Sultana sworn subtract one spell per level from the number of spells they can cast per day.  If this reduces a number to 0 then the veiled dancer may only cast spells of this level if granted a bonus spell from high charisma.

Curves Cut Deep:  Sultana sworn may include the jambiya, falchion, and falcate along with the scimitar for taking and applying the Dervish Dance or Weapon Finesse feats.

Wide Bladed Defense:  When wielding a falchion or falcata and no shield a sultana sworn adds 1 point of Intelligence bonus (if any) per four class levels as a shield bonus to his Armor Class. If a sultana sworn is caught flat-footed or otherwise denied his Dexterity bonus, he also loses this bonus.

This ability replaces Bardic Knowledge.

Bardic Dance:  A sultana sworn is able to manipulate the world around him and those in it through his weapon augmented dancing.  Using this bardic dance functions as bardic performance, additionally in order to use this ability a weapon the sultana sworn is proficient with must be used in the performance, and can influence crowds and buff allies just as bardic performance.  Additionally while using this class feature the sultana sworn gains access to additional abilities, displays and oaths.  The sultana sworn’s bardic dance ability must be active for many of his other special abilities to function.

This ability replaces Bardic Performance.

Dazzling Display (Ex):  At 2nd level a sultana sworn may during a bardic dance use the dazzling display feat even if they do not otherwise posses it.  If the sultana sworn posses this feat, then the DC of the intimidate check is calculated as if the target posses two less hit dice than they actually do.  This ability may be used a number of times per day equal to 1 + your charisma modifier.

This ability replaces Versatile Performance.

Oath of the Admirer (Su):   At 2nd level a sultana sworn may during a bardic dance speak an oath of admiration about an ally, granting that ally a +1 bonus on will saves for one round per class level.  Additionally this ability, while active, allows the target of the oath to re-roll the first will save failed during the duration of the oath, the second result must be taken, even if it is worse.  You may only affect a given target with this ability once per 24 hour period.  Using this ability is a swift action. 

This ability replaces Well Versed.

Goading Display (Ex):  At 4th level the sultana sworn have learned that actions often do speak louder than even words.  While maintaining bardic dance a sultana sworn may attempt to use his weapon display to force a target to attack him.  This ability works similar to a cavalier’s challenge, if the target fails their save they compelled to attack the sultana sworn in melee.  Targets who are affected by this ability receive a -1 to their Armor Class vs. the sultana sworn’s attacks.  The DC of the will save to resist this ability is 10 + ½ your class level + your Charisma modifier.  Like the challenge ability, this ability remains in effect until the target is unconscious or dead, or the combat ends.  This ability may be used a number of times a day equal to 1 + Charisma modifier.  Using this ability is a standard action.

Oath of the Lover (Su):  At 5th level the sultana sworn’s oaths can move people to surprising acts of emotion.  While maintaining bardic dance the sultana sworn may attempt to affect one target that has been fascinated or distracted by his performance with the unnatural lust spell.  This functions in all ways as the spell, and the DC of the will save to resist this ability is equal to 10 + ½ your character level + your Charisma modifier.  As with oath of the admirer this ability can only affect a given target once in a 24 hour period.  Using this ability is a swift action.

This ability replaces Lore Master.

Disheartening Display (Ex):  At 6th level a sultana sworn knows that sometimes the fear of pain is more effective than simply attacking head on.  While maintaining bardic dance a sultana sworn may select a single foe he can see and who can see him and attempt to crush their will to fight by displayed prowess alone.  If the target of this ability fails a will save DC 10 + ½ your class level + your Charisma modifier they gain the staggered condition.  This condition lasts for one round per two class levels.  This ability is a standard action and may be used a number of times per day equal to 1 + your Charisma modifier.  Using this ability is a standard action.

This ability replaces Versatile Performance 6th level.

Oath of Vengeance (Su):  At 10th level the sultana sworn may speak an oath of vengeance for an injured ally. While maintaining bardic dance may select a target ally, if ally is hit in melee combat the sultana sworn gains a +1 bonus to damage on attacks against that foe for that round.  If an ally is hit by more than one foe, only the first attacker takes a damage bonus from the sultana sworn.  Additionally if the target of this ability is rendered unconscious or killed the sultana sworn is immediately granted an attack of opportunity against the foe who struck the blow.  The sultana sworn may take a 5 foot step (even if not normally allowed to do so) to make this attack, if they cannot reach the target with this movement, then the attack is wasted.  Making the oath is a swift action; the granted attack of opportunity is an immediate action.  You may maintain this ability for one round per class level.  You may only affect a target with this ability once per 24 hour period.

This ability replaces Jack of All Trades.

Deadly Display (Ex):  At 10th level the sultana sworn’s dance is a blur of steel, and while maintaining bardic dance may treat the weapon he is wielding as if he had the improved critical feat with it.  If the sultana sworn already has this feat, then they gain critical focus with the weapon they are wielding.  This ability lasts for one round per two class levels and does not stack with the keen weapon property.  This ability may be used a number of times per day equal to 1 + your Charisma modifier.

This ability replaces Versatile Performance 10th level.

Oath of Undying Loyalty (Su):  At 11th level the sultana sworn may speak an oath of undying loyalty.  This ability works like oath of vengeance except that each enemy that strikes the target of this oath in melee combat takes a damage bonus of +1 from the sultana sworn’s attacks in that round.  As with all other oaths you may only affect a given target with this ability once per 24 hour period.  Using this ability is a swift action.

This ability replaces Lore Master 11th level.

Cleaving Display (Ex):  At 14th level the sultana sworn can literally dance their weapons through multiple foes. While maintaining bardic dance you may gain the benefit of the great cleave feat.  This ability lasts for one round per two class levels and may be used a number of times per day equal to 1 + your Charisma modifier.

This ability replaces Versatile Performance 14th level.

Oath of Sacrifice (Su):  At 17th level the sultana sworn may speak an oath of their willingness to sacrifice themselves to protect another.  This oath works much like oath of vengeance and oath of undying loyalty save that when the target is struck the sultana sworn may chose to take half of the damage for the target.  If a sultana sworn chooses to take damage for the target in a given round, then all weapon or natural attack damage the target takes in that round is subject to this effect.  The sultana sworn must be within five feet of the target in order to use this ability.  A given target can be affected by the ability only once per 24 hour period.  Using this ability is a swift action.

This ability replaces Lore Master 17th level.

Indomitable Display (Ex):  At 18th level the sultana sworn’s displays of weapon skill have reached their zenith.  While maintaining bardic dance this ability provides the bonuses of both the deadly display and cleaving display class features.  Thus the sultana sworn may take advantage of both the improved critical and great cleave feats.  This ability lasts for one round per two class levels and may be used a number of times per day equal to 1 + your Charisma modifier.

This ability replaces Versatile Performance 18th level.

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