Bard

**Bard** is a default base class of the Neverwinter Nights.

## Progression

Bardic Performances: All Bardic Performances is an infinite use standard action spell to cast. The effect is a radius or cone of 30ft. centered from the bard to affect all creatures within the target ranges. These performances cease effects of the previous performance (effectively this means that bardic performance effects last as long as the bard maintain's their current performance). Each Bardic Performance is a separate ability that is granted to the bard. Using one will automatically cancel any others that are active. (Each Bardic Performance can be improved by "School Focus: Enchantment" line of feats for their DC modifiers.)

### New and changed feats:

**Countersong** – The bard evokes discord against their competitors as a duet is formed. Every round, a bard will check to counter any hostile bard currently performing in a 30ft. radius. The opposing bard must make a Concentration check (DC 10 + Bard Level + CHA mod). Failing this check will render the opposing bard silenced for 1d4+1 rounds, immediately ending their performances.

**Magician's Gambit** - The bard does a sleight of hand or other illusory trick to throw off their audience. Non-allied creatures in a 30ft cone must make a Concentration check (DC 10 + the Bard's pickpocket skill) or suffer 5% miss chance and -4 to Spot and Listen for 5 rounds. At Higher Levels: At level 4 the Spot and Listen penalty increases to -6. At level 7 it increases to -8.

**Resolving Resonance** – The bard invokes an empowering hymn that stirs the will to overcome the circumstances. All allies within 30ft receive a +1 bonus to saving throws against fear, attack rolls, and damage. At Higher Levels: The bonus improves to +2 at level 8, +3 at level 14, and +4 at level 19.

**Arcane Armor** - The bard is trained in the casting of spells within light armor. (Caster does not suffer ASF penalties in light armor, does not include shields.)

**Inspiring Rhapsody** – The bard invokes a rhapsody amongst his compatriots to better their competency in their tasks. All allies within 30ft gain a +2 bonus to all skills. At Higher Levels: This bonus improves to +4 at level 10 and +6 at level 17.

**Sonic Crescendo** - The bard sends forth a thunderous chord from their vocals or instrument towards their target. Enemies in a 30ft cone are blasted with sound, suffering 1d4 sonic damage and deafening them for 5 rounds (Fortitude negates the deafness). At Higher Levels: The damage increases to 2d4 at level 8, 3d4 at level 11, 4d4 at level 14, and 5d4 at level 17

**Enduring Cadence** – The bard creates a cadence to which each of their fellows might embolden themselves. All allies within 30ft gain a +1 bonus to all saving throws and dodge AC. At Higher Levels: This bonus increases to +2 at level 10, +3 at level 15, and +4 at level 20.

**Enthralling Art** – The bard does a hypnotic performance, their song, dance or other performance act is so entrancing as to charm their audience. Non-hostile NPCs in a 30ft cone are charmed unless they make a Will saving throw (DC 10 + 1/2 Bard Level + Cha mod). The duration of this song's effect is one round per bard level. A creature affected by this song cannot be affected by it again for one turn. At Higher Levels: At level 12 this effect also dazes hostile creatures in the area if they fail their saving throw. At level 18 this effect dominates all non-allied creatures in the area who fail their saves.

**Amplified Rhythm** - The bard invokes a harmonious melody among his companions to work together with expediency. All allies within 30ft receive a bonus attack and 10% increased movement speed.

**Incite Rage** - The bard causes the targets to be the butt of rhetoric or other performance act. Each creature within a 30ft cone is granted +2 Strength, +1 Will and Reflex saves, and is afflicted with -2 Dodge AC. Allies are affected automatically, while hostile creatures are allowed a Will saving throw (DC 10 + 1/2 bard level + Cha mod). Neutral creatures are granted the effects automatically and become hostile.

**Sorrowful Elegy** – The bard speaks in poetic verse concerning the fallen to instill sorrow in the listeners invoking lethargy and remorse. All hostile creatures within 30ft are slowed (Will save DC 10 + 1/2 bard level + Cha mod negates).

**Cursed Epitaph** - The bard unleashes a dirge that instills impending doom upon those whom listen. All hostile creatures within 30ft suffer -2 Attack Bonus, -2 damage, -2 saving throws, -2 to all ability scores, and -2 to all skill checks. Additionally, each round they will suffer 2d4 negative damage (Will save DC 10 + 1/2 bard level + Cha mod for half). Allies are unaffected unless they are undead. Allied undead receive +2 Attack Bonus, +2 damage, +2 saving throws, +2 to all ability scores, +2 to all skill checks, and heal 2d4 damage each round while in the area.

**Mystic Choreography** - The bard invokes a ritualistic dance that forms illusory afterimages from the bard's hypnotic movements, each seeming to take a life of their own. 2d4 images of the bard are created. The images are henchmen with 60% concealment, 50hp, deal no damage, and last 1 turn before vanishing. Cooldown: 10 minutes

#### **EPIC LEVEL PURECLASS BONUS**

**Magnum Opus** - Bards who have reached epic level have become the pinnacle of inspiration and artistic wonders, their works have become legend and performances they work reflect this. (All bardic performance abilities now have a universal +1 bonus.) All bardic performance feats receive a +1 bonus. As detailed below.

**Countersong**: Silence time increased to 1d4+2 rounds

**Magician's** Gambit: Spot and Listen penalties increased to -9, miss chance increased to 6%

**Resolving Resonance**: Bonus increased to +5

**Inspiring Rhapsody**: Skill bonus increased to +7

**Sonic Crescendo:** Damage increased to 6d4

**Enduring Cadence:** Bonus increased to +5

**Enthralling Art:** Duration increased by 1 round

**Amplified Rhythm:** No effect

**Incite Rage:** Modifiers increase to +3 strength, +2 will and reflex, and -3 Dodge AC

**Sorrowful Elegy:** No effect

**Cursed Epitaph**: Penalties increase to -3, damage increases to 3d4, bonuses to undead increase to +3 and healing to 3d4

**Mystic Choreography**: Creates one additional illusory double