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.
No comments:
Post a Comment