Bardic Performances

### **Annoying Distraction**

A Bard can use her performance to distract and annoy her enemies. Upon beginning this performance the Bard must make a Perform check. Whenever an enemy can both see and hear the Bard and is within 60 feet of her they must succeed on a Concentration check (opposed by the Bard's Perform check) or suffer a -2 penalty to all Attack rolls, ability checks, skill checks, and saving throws for as long as the Bard maintains her performance.

### **The Aristocrats**

A Bard can use a comedic routine to fascinate and repulse her enemies. To be affected, an enemy must be be within 30-feet and able to hear (and understand) the Bard. If a creature's saving throw succeeds, they are immune to the same Bard's uses of this performance 24 hours. Should a creature fail their Will save they are both Fascinated and Sickened each round the Bard performs, and remain Sickened for a number of rounds thereafter equal to half the number of rounds used in the performance, to a minimum of one additional round.
The Aristocrats is a language-dependent, mind-affecting ability.

This performance requires 5 ranks in Perform (Comedy).

### **Cheer**

A Bard can use her performance to cheer her allies towards victory. Unlike other performances, using Cheer is an Immediate action that expends four rounds of bardic performance. When used, this performance grants a single ally a Morale bonus equal to half the Bard's Charisma modifier on an Ability check, Attack roll, Saving Throw, or Skill check although they must be able to both see and hear the Bard. Certain uses of this ability are unfeasible, such as on a Move Silently check, and may be disallowed at the DM's discretion. This performance may only be used once per round.

### **Combat Juggling**

A Bard can use her performance to juggle up to three items or weapons in her hands. The Bard must be able to hold and wield an object in one hand in order to juggle it. This ability doesn’t grant the Bard additional attacks, though it does allow her to use different weapons as part of a full attack. As long as she is juggling fewer than three objects, the Bard is considered to have a free hand (for the purposes of drawing a weapon, using somatic components, using Deflect Arrows, and so on). At 6th level and every 4 levels thereafter, the maximum number of objects the Bard can juggle increases by one, to a maximum of seven objects at 18th level.
If the Bard is affected by any action or condition that would require a Concentration check while she is juggling, she must attempt a Sleight of Hand check, instead, to continue juggling and avoid losing concentration. The check’s DC is the same as the Concentration check would be, treating the spell level as twice the number of objects being juggled. If the Bard fails her Sleight of Hand check, she drops all juggled objects but one, determined randomly.

This performance requires 5 ranks in Sleight of Hand.

### **Command Rats**

A Bard can use her performance to command rats. All rats within 60 feet of the Bard who can hear her performance must succeed on a Will save or fall under her power as per Dominate Monster. This effect lasts for as long as the Bard maintains her performance, plus an additional round thereafter.

Command Rats is an enchantment (compulsion), mind-affecting ability.

This performance requires 5 ranks in Handle Animal.
This performance requires 5 ranks in Perform (Wind).

A Bard must be at least 6th level to learn this performance.

### **Coral Riff**

A Bard can use her performance to bolster the power of water magic. All creatures within 30 feet who can hear the Bard's performance gain a +2 increase to their caster level whenever casting spells or spell-like abilities with the [Water] descriptor.

This performance requires 5 ranks in Spellcraft.

This performance requires 5 ranks in Perform (String).

A Bard must be a creature with either the (Aquatic) or (Water) subtype to learn this performance.

### **Countersong**

A Bard can use her performance to counter magic effects that depend on sound, although not simply spells that have verbal components. Each round of a countersong performance the Bard makes a Perform (Keyboard, Percussion, Oratory, Wind, String, or Sing) check. Any creature within 30 feet of the Bard (including the Bard herself) that is affected by a sonic or language-dependent magical attack may use the Bard's Perform check result in place of its saving throw if, after the saving throw is rolled, the Perform check result proves to be higher. If a creature within range of the countersong is already under the effect of a noninstantaneous sonic or language-dependent magical attack, it gains another saving throw against the effect each round it hears the countersong, but it must use the Bard's Perform skill check result for the save.

Countersong does not work on effects which don't allow saves.

### **Dance of Fury**

A Bard can use her dance to attack multiple times while moving. She can combine a Full-attack action with a single Move action, making the attacks at any point during her movement, although she must move at least 5 feet between each attack. This movement provokes attacks of opportunity as normal.

This performance requires 10 ranks in Perform (Dance).

A Bard must be at least 12th level to learn this performance.

### **Death Metal**

A Bard can use her performance to bolster the power of death magic. All creatures within 30 feet who can hear the Bard's performance gain a +2 increase to their caster level whenever casting spells or spell-like abilities with the [Death] descriptor.

This performance requires 5 ranks in Spellcraft.

This performance requires 5 ranks in Perform (String).

A Bard must be an Undead creature to learn this performance.

### **Distraction**

A Bard can use her performance to counter magic effects that depend on sight. Each round of the distraction, she makes a Perform (Act, Comedy, or Dance) check. Any creature within 30 feet of the Bard (including the Bard herself) that is affected by an illusion (pattern) or illusion (figment) magical attack may use the Bard's Perform check result in place of its saving throw if, after the saving throw is rolled, the Perform skill check proves to be higher. If a creature within range of the distraction is already under the effect of a noninstantaneous illusion (pattern) or illusion (figment) magical attack, it gains another saving throw against the effect each round it sees the distraction, but it must use the Bard's Perform skill check result for the save.

Distraction does not work on effects which don't allow saves.

### **Exhausting Ramble**

A Bard can use her performance to launch into extremely boring and pointless rambles which tire and entrance those who hear them. Creatures she has already Fascinated within 30 feet become Fatigued unless they succeed at a Will save. A save renders them immune to this ability for 24 hours. The Fatigue caused by this performance lasts for the duration of the performance, plus an additional number of rounds equal to half the rounds in the performance.

Exhausting ramble is a language-dependant mind-affecting ability.

This performance requires 5 ranks in Perform (Oratory).

### **Fascinate**

A Bard can use her performance to cause one or more creatures to become Fascinated with her. Each creature to be Fascinated must be within 90 feet, able to see and hear the Bard, and capable of paying attention to her. The Bard must also be able to see the creatures affected. The distraction of a nearby combat or other dangers prevents this ability from working. For every 3 levels of Bard, the Bard can target one additional creature with this ability.
Each creature within range receives a Will save (DC 10 + ½ the Bard's level + the Bard's Cha modifier) to negate the effect. If a creature's saving throw succeeds, the Bard cannot attempt to Fascinate that creature again for 24 hours. If its saving throw fails, the creature sits quietly and observes the performance for as long as the Bard continues to maintain it. While Fascinated, a target takes a –4 penalty on all skill checks made as reactions, such as Spot or Listen checks. Any potential threat to the target allows the target to make a new saving throw against the effect. Any obvious threat, such as someone drawing a weapon, casting a spell, or aiming a weapon at the target, automatically breaks the effect.

Fascinate is an enchantment (compulsion), mind-affecting ability.

### **Grand Epic**

A Bard can use her performance to tell captivating tales that engross and enthrall those who hear them. Creatures she has already Fascinated within 30 feet become flat-footed unless they succeed on a Will save. A successful save renders them immune to this ability for 24 hours.

Grand Epic is a language-dependent, mind-affecting ability.

This performance requires 10 ranks in Perform (Oratory or Sing).

A Bard must be at least 8th level to learn this performance.

### **Hard Rock**

A Bard can use her performance to bolster the power of earth magic. All creatures within 30 feet who can hear the Bard's performance gain a +2 increase to their caster level whenever casting spells or spell-like abilities with the [Earth] descriptor.

This performance requires 5 ranks in Spellcraft.

This performance requires 5 ranks in Perform (String).

A Bard must be either a Dwarf or a creature with the (Earth) subtype to learn this performance.

### **Hilarious Routine**

A Bard can use her performance to cause a number of creatures equal to or less than her Charisma modifier which she has already Fascinated to succeed on a Will save or be overcome with laughter as per Hideous Laughter, but with the effect lasting as long as the Bard maintains her performance, plus an additional round after she ends it.

Hilarious Routine is an enchantment (compulsion), mind-affecting ability.

This performance requires 5 ranks in Perform (Act or Comedy).

A Bard must be at least 4th level to learn this performance.

### **Hymn**

A Bard can use a round of bardic performance to turn, but not destroy, Undead Rather than rolling turning damage normally, however, the Bard must make a Perform (Oratory or Sing) check in place of the turning damage roll.

This performance requires 5 ranks in Knowledge (Religion).

### **Igneous Rock**

A Bard can use her performance to bolster the power of fire magic. All creatures within 30 feet who can hear the Bard's performance gain a +2 increase to their caster level whenever casting spells or spell-like abilities with the [Fire] descriptor.

This performance requires 5 ranks in Spellcraft.

This performance requires 5 ranks in Perform (String).

A Bard must be either a Dwarf or a creature with the (Earth) or (Fire) subtype to learn this performance.

### **Incite Rage**

A Bard can induce a furious rage in one creature within 30 feet. This effect functions as a Rage spell that lasts as long as the target can hear the Bard’s performance; however, unwilling creatures, at the Bard's choice, can also be affected if they fail a Will save. The Bard cannot target herself with this ability. If the target has the Rage class feature, it can instead immediately rage and stay in this rage without consuming rounds of rage per day as long as the Bard continues performing.

Incite Rage is an enchantment (compulsion), mind-affecting ability.

This performance requires 5 ranks in Perform (Oratory, Percussion, or Sing).

A Bard must be at least 6th level to learn this performance.

### **Inspire Competence**

A Bard can use her performance to help an ally succeed on a task. The ally must be within 30 feet and be able to hear the Bard. The ally gains a +2 Competence bonus on skill checks with a particular skill as long as they continue to hear the Bard's performance. This bonus increases by +1 for every four levels the Bard has attained beyond 3rd. Certain uses of this ability are unfeasible, such as Move Silently checks, and may be disallowed at the DM's discretion.

This performance requires 5 ranks in Perform (Keyboard, Oratory, Percussion, Sing, String, or Wind).

### **Inspire Courage**

A Bard can use her performance to inspire courage in herself and her allies, bolstering them against fear and improving their combat abilities. To be affected, an ally must be able to perceive the Bard's performance. An affected creature receives a +1 Morale bonus on saving throws against charm and fear effects and a +1 Competence bonus on Attack rolls and weapon Damage rolls. At 5th level, and every six Bard levels thereafter, this bonus increases by +1, to a maximum of +4 at 17th level.

This performance requires 5 ranks in Perform (Any).

### **Inspire Greatness**

A Bard can use her performance to inspire greatness in herself or a single ally within 30 feet, granting extra fighting capability. For every three levels the Bard attains beyond 9th, she can target an additional ally while using this performance (up to a maximum of four targets at 18th level). To inspire greatness, all of the targets must be able to perceive the Bard's performance. A creature inspired with greatness gains 2 bonus d10 Hit Dice, the commensurate number of temporary Hit Points (apply the target's Constitution modifier, if any, to these bonus Hit Dice), a +2 Morale bonus on Attack rolls, and a +1 Morale bonus on Fortitude saves. The bonus Hit Dice count as regular Hit Dice for determining the effect of spells that are Hit Dice dependent.

This performance requires 10 ranks in Perform (Any).

A Bard must be at least 8th level to learn this performance.

### **Inspire Heroics**

A Bard can inspire tremendous heroism in herself or a single ally within 30 feet. For every three Bard levels she attains beyond 15th, she can inspire heroics in an additional creature. To inspire heroics, all of the targets must be able to perceive the Bard's performance. Inspired creatures gain a +4 Morale bonus on saving throws and a +4 Dodge bonus to their AC. This effect lasts for as long as the targets are able to witness the performance.

This performance requires 15 ranks in Perform (Any).

A Bard must be at least 14th level to learn this performance.

### **Instill Fear**

A Bard can use her performance to cause fear in her enemies. To be affected, an enemy must be able to hear the Bard perform and be within 30 feet. Each enemy within range receives a Will save to negate the effect. If the save fails, the target becomes Frightened and flees for as long as the target can hear the Bard's performance.

Instill Fear is a mind-affecting fear ability.

This performance requires 15 ranks in Perform (Keyboard, Oratory, Percussion, Sing, String, or Wind).

A Bard must be at least 12th level to learn this performance.

### **Leaf on the Wind**

A Bard can use her dance to evade attacks with unearthly grace and to shake off the effects of her wounds. Unlike other performances, Leaf on the Wind requires a Standard action each round to start or maintain the performance. Each round it is maintained, including the first, the Bard gains a +6 Dodge bonus to her Armor Class and on Reflex saves. Additionally, she gains Fast Healing 1 for the duration of the performance.

This performance requires 15 ranks in Perform (Dance).

A Bard must be at least 14th level to learn this performance.

### **Love Song**

A Bard can use her singing to cause a single creature which she has already Fascinated to succeed on a Will save or became wildly enamored with her as per the Charm Person. This charm effect lasts for the duration of the performance plus an additional number of hours equal to the number of rounds in the performance.

Love Song is an enchantment (charm), language-dependent, mind-affecting, seduction ability.

This performance requires 5 ranks in Perform (Sing).

### **Lullaby**

A Bard can use her performance to cause a creature she has already Fascinated to succeed on a Will save or fall asleep as per Deep Slumber, but without any limit as to the target's Hit Dice.

Lullaby is an enchantment (compulsion), mind-affecting ability.

This performance requires 5 ranks in Perform (Oratory, Sing, String, or Wind).

A Bard must be at least 6th level to learn this performance.

### **Marching Song**

A Bard can use her performance to inspire her allies to move faster without suffering from fatigue. By expending 1 round of bardic performance, the Bard invigorates all allies within 60 feet, who may hustle for the next hour; this movement counts as a walk (not a hustle) for the purpose of accruing nonlethal damage and fatigue. The Bard must continue to perform the song for the remainder of the hour, otherwise its effects end, but only 1 round of bardic performance is expended per hour.

This performance requires 5 ranks in Perform (Keyboard, Oratory, Percussion, Sing, String, or Wind).

### **Mockery**

A Bard can use her performance to ridicule and defame a specific individual. The Bard selects one target who can hear her performance. That individual takes a –2 Morale penalty on Charisma checks and Charisma-related skill checks as long as the Bard continues performing. This penalty increases by –1 every four levels after 3rd.

Mockery is a language-dependent, mind-affecting ability.

This performance requires 5 ranks in Perform (Act, Comedy, Oratory, or Sing).

### **Profound Tragedy**

A Bard can use her performance to tell moving tragedies that depress those who hear them. Creatures she has already Fascinated within 30 feet become melancholic unless they succeed at a Will save. A save renders them immune to this ability for 24 hours. A melancholic creature suffers a -2 Morale penalty to all Attack rolls, weapon Damage rolls, ability checks, skill checks, and saving throws. Creatures remain melancholic for the duration of the performance, plus an additional number of rounds equal to half the number of rounds in the performance.

Profound Tragedy is a language-dependent, mind-affecting ability.

This performance requires 10 ranks in Perform (Oratory or Sing).

A Bard must be at least 8th level to learn this performance.

### **Rain of Blows**

A Bard can use her dance to speed up her attacks. When making a Full-attack action, she may make one extra attack with any weapon she is holding, as though under the effects of Haste. She also gains a +1 bonus on Attack rolls and a +1 Dodge bonus to AC and on Reflex saves. At 9th level, and every three Bard levels thereafter, these bonuses increase by +1, to a maximum of +5 at 18th level. These bonuses do not stack with the effects of a Haste spell.

This performance requires 5 ranks in Perform (Dance).

A Bard must be at least 6th level to learn this performance.

### **Rally the Townsfolk**

A Bard can use her oration to gather and motivate an angry mob. The Bard selects a number of willing targets equal to her Perform (Oratory) modifier. These targets gain a +2 Morale bonus on all Attack rolls and weapon Damage rolls made with clubs, handaxes, improvised weapons, light picks, quarterstaves, sickles, and torches. This effect lasts for as long as they can hear the Bard's performance.

Rally the Townsfolk is a language-dependent, mind-affecting ability.

This performance requires 5 ranks in Knowledge (Local).

This performance requires 5 ranks in Perform (Oratory).

### **Razor's Kiss**

A Bard can use her dance to improve her weapons’ critical threat range. All attacks she makes with manufactured weapons are treated as though she had Improved Critical. Natural weapons and spells are not affected by this performance.

This performance requires 10 ranks in Perform (Dance).

A Bard must be at least 8th level to learn this performance.

### **Rousing Retort**

A Bard can expend 4 rounds of bardic performance to grant all allies within 60 feet a new saving throw against an ongoing enchantment or fear effect. Affected allies gain a +2 bonus on this new saving throw.

This performance requires 5 ranks in Perform (Keyboard, Oratory, Percussion, Sing, String, or Wind).

A Bard must be at least 4th level to learn this performance.

### **Safety Dance**

A Bard can use her dance to aid her in dodging and evading enemy attacks. While using this performance she may apply her Charisma modifier as a Dodge bonus to her AC and as a bonus to Reflex saves.

This performance requires 5 ranks in Perform (Dance).

### **Satire**

A Bard can use her performance to undermine the confidence of enemies who hear it, causing them to suffer a –1 Morale penalty on Attack rolls and weapon Damage rolls and a –1 Morale penalty on saves against fear and charm effects as long as the Bard continues performing. This penalty increases by –1 at 5th level and every six levels thereafter.

Satire is a language-dependent, mind-affecting ability.

This performance requires 5 ranks in Perform (Act, Comedy, Oratory, or Sing).

### **Scathing Tirade**

A Bard can use her performance to verbally lash out at another creature, forcing it succeed on a Will save or become Frightened. To be affected, the target creature must be within 30 feet and be able to hear and understand the Bard’s performance. Victims are Frightened for as they can hear the Bard's performance, plus an additional 1d4 rounds thereafter.
Although the Bard can only direct the effect at one creature at a time, its effects persist for as long as she continues the performance, even if directed at a different creature. For example, she could direct her tirade at an innkeeper, who becomes frightened, then focus her wrath on the captain of the guard, and the innkeeper remains frightened for 1d4 more rounds even though her attention is no longer directed at him.
This performance cannot cause a creature to become Panicked, even if the target is already Frightened from another effect.

Scathing Tirade is a language-dependent, mind-affecting fear ability.

This performance requires 10 ranks in Perform (Oratory, or Sing).

A Bard must be at least 8th level to learn this performance.

### **Seductive Dance**

A Bard can use her dance to cause a number of creatures equal to her Charisma modifier which she has already Fascinated to succeed on a Will save or became wildly enamored with her as per Charm Person. This charm effect lasts for the duration of the performance plus an additional number of hours equal to half the number of rounds in the performance.

Seductive Dance is an enchantment (charm), mind-affecting, seduction ability.

This performance requires 5 ranks in Perform (Dance).

### **Soothe the Savage Beast**

A Bard can use her performance to soothe and calm wild animals. The Bard can use this performance to cause an Animal she has already Fascinated to succeed on a Will save or became friendly to her as per the spell Charm Monster. Additionally, while using this performance the Bard may substitute Handle Animal checks with Perform checks.
Beginning at 6th level, this performance can affect Magical Beasts with 3 or less Intelligence, and also enables the Bard to use Handle Animal/Perform to train and influence Magical Beasts.

Soothe the Savage Beast is an enchantment (charm), mind-affecting ability.

This performance requires 5 ranks in Knowledge (Nature).

This performance requires 5 ranks in Perform (Keyboard, Percussion, Sing, String, or Wind).

### **Taunt**

A Bard can use her performance to taunt and antagonize foes that can both see and hear her, and draw their ire. The target of the taunt gains a Will save during the initial round of taunting, but not during subsequent taunts. Each round the Bard taunts the creature it suffers a -4 Morale penalty to its AC and all Attack rolls unless it attempts to attack the Bard, or to move within range of the Bard should she be out of the creature's range. Should the target of the taunt attempt to Attack the Bard, it gains a +2 Morale bonus to its Attack rolls and Damage rolls against her. These effects remain as long as the Bard continues to perform, plus an additional round thereafter. If the creature succeeds on its initial Will save it both ignores the above penalties and is immune to the same Bard's taunt for 24 hours.

Taunt is an enchantment (compulsion), mind-affecting ability.

This performance requires 5 ranks in Perform (Act, Comedy, Dance, Oratory, or Sing).

### **Veil Dance**

A Bard can use her dance to deceive her opponents and move unseen. While using this performance, a Bard may make Perform (Dance) checks in place of Hide and Move Silently checks. Additionally she may use a Move action and expend an additional round of bardic performance to grant herself concealment until her next turn.

This performance requires 5 ranks in Perform (Dance).

### **Whirlwind Dance**

A Bard can use her dance to strike at all enemies in reach. While using this performance and wielding light weapons, a Bard's attacks strike out against each opponent within reach, with each Attack roll applying to all valid targets. Additionally while using this performance a Bard cannot be flanked.

This performance requires 10 ranks in Perform (Dance).

A Bard must be at least 8th level to learn this performance.

### **Wild Dancing**

A Bard can use her dance to cause a number of creatures equal to or less than her Charisma modifier which she has already Fascinated to succeed on a Will save or be overcome by a fit of dancing as per Irresistable Dance, but with the effect lasting for as long as the Bard maintains her performance, plus an additional round after she ends it.

Wild Dancing is an enchantment (compulsion), mind-affecting ability.

This performance requires 15 ranks in Perform (Dance).

A Bard must be at least 16th level to learn this performance.