Virtuoso of the Sword (3.5 Prc) PEACH

[Masterclick]

Virtuoso of the Sword
A brightly clad minstrel traveled through our forest today his pack jangling with gold and other notable baubles. The leader of our band of robbers told us, "It's only a spoony bard, he should be any easy mark." Our leader was so confident that we would be able to take the bard without a conflict, Our leader was so confident, he decided to seize the goods from the bard himself. At the sight of our leader, the bard began a lively tune and five swords that were stowed in his pack leaped up and started slashing away at our leader. After 20 short seconds of combat, the bard offered to let us go if we gave him our gold and ran. We all decided that it would be wise to accept the offer, and ran away from that "spoony bard."
-Tales of Mal'destro, the misfortunate footpad

A virtuoso of the sword loves grandeur. They view the sword as a symbol of grandeur and as a trademark of their profession.
A virtuoso of the sword, like a bard, is able to use his sense of stateliness to create music that has a supernatural effect.
The virtuoso of the sword's blade becomes a symbol of the magnificence that is able to join in with them in created music that resonates with its listener's soul, boosting their combat prowess.

Hit Die: d8
Entry Requirements
Base Attack Bonus +5
Skills: Perform (sing) 10 ranks
Special: You must have a magic sword of +1 quality or better

Class Skills
The virtuoso of the sword’s class skills (and the key ability for each skill) are Appraise (Int), Balance (Dex), Bluff (Cha), Climb (Str), Craft (Int), Decipher Script (Int), Diplomacy (Cha), Disguise (Cha), Escape Artist (Dex), Gather Information (Cha), Hide (Dex), Jump (Str), Knowledge (all skills, taken individually) (Int), Listen (Wis), Move Silently (Dex), Perform (Cha), Profession (Wis), Sense Motive (Wis), Sleight of Hand (Dex), Speak Language (None), Swim (Str), and Tumble (Dex).
Skill Points at Each Level 4 + Int modifier

{table=head]Level | Base Attack Bonus | Fort Save | Ref Save | Will Save | Special
1st | +1 | +2 | +2 | +0 | Singing Swordsman, Singing Sword, Singing Swordsman (Inspire Courage)
2nd | +2 | +3 | +3 | +0 | Dazzling Display
3rd | +3 | +3 | +3 | +1 | Singing Swordsman (Allegro)
4th | +4 | +4 | +4 | +1 | Singing Swordsman (Vivace)
5th | +5 | +4 | +4 | +1 | Singing Swordsman (Ballet of the Sword)
6th | +6/+1 | +5 | +5 | +2 | Singing Swordsman (Sharp Note)
7th | +7/+2 | +5 | +5 | +2 | Singing Swordsman (Song of Flame)
8th | +8/+3 | +6 | +6 | +2 | Singing Swordsman (Sundering Song)
9th | +9/+4 | +6 | +6 | +3 | Singing Swordsman (Song of Fury)
10th | +10/+5 | +7 | +7 | +3 | Singing Swordsman (Quintet of the Swords) [/table]

Weapon and Armor Proficient A virtuoso of the swords is proficient with all shortswords, longswords, and rapiers, light armor, medium armor, and shields (except tower shields).

Singing swordsman: At 1st level, the virtuoso of the sword gains bardic music if he did not already have it. He gains one additional use of bardic music per virtuoso of the sword class level. His levels do not stack with bard levels for learning new songs. All uses of singing swordsman are standard actions unless otherwise mentioned.

Singing Sword (Su): At 1st level, the virtuoso of the sword designates either a longsword, rapier, or shortsword to be their singing sword. For a sword to become a singing sword, it must have at least a +1 enhancement bonus, The singing sword is able to harmonize with you providing a +6 enhancement bonus on any perform checks that involve singing.
The singing sword gains a number of uses of bardic music equal to half the virtuoso of the sword's class levels. The bardic music functions as if the virtuoso of the sword was singing the singing swordsman abilities inspire courage,, adagio, allegro, sharp note, vivace, and sundering song. However, the virtuoso of the sword must be within 30 feet of the singing sword for the singing sword to use its bardic music.
A virtuoso of the sword may change his singing sword by spending one day per class level attuning themselves to a new blade. A virtuoso of the sword cannot have more than one singing sword at a time.
The singing sword maintains while more than 30 feet of the virtuoso of the sword. The virtuoso of the sword activates the singing sword's bardic music ability with a command word.

Inspire Courage (Ex:) At level 1, a virtuoso of the sword is able instill in his allies a fervor for what they are fighting in. This function exactly as the bard ability Inspire Courage. Levels in bard stack with levels in virtuoso of the sword for determining the bonuses that inspire grants.

Dazzling Display (Ex): At 2nd level, the virtuoso of the sword is able to wield his blade in such a way that it dazzles his opponents. All opponents with in a 30' + 5' per class level burst must make a will saving throw (10+ virtuoso of the sword's class level + virtuoso of the sword's Cha modifier) or become flat footed until the end of the virtuoso of the sword's next turn. The virtuoso of the sword can use this ability a number of times per day equal to his charisma modifier.

Allegro (Su): At 3rd level, a virtuoso of the sword with at least 12 ranks in Perform (sing) can use his inspire courage ability to grant a dodge bonus to AC in addition to and the same as the attack bonus.

Vivace (Sp): A virtuoso of the sword at level 4 or higher with 13 or more ranks in Perform (Sing) can sing a tune so lively that their allies are invigorated, and are able to move faster than normal. All allies that hear function as if a sorcerer of the same class level as the the virtuoso of the sword had cast a haste spell on them, except the spell lasts as long as the Virtuoso of the Sword sings.

Ballet of the Sword (Su): A virtuoso of the sword at level 5 or higher with 14 or more ranks in perform (Sing) can cause his singing sword to begin moving as if it had the dancing property, but mentally controlled by the virtuoso of the sword. This ability lasts for a number of rounds equal to the virtuoso of the sword's Charisma modifier. Using this effect is an immediate action. A sword under the effect of ballet of the sword can be affected by the virtuoso of the sword's singing swordsman ability.

Sharp Note (Sp): A virtuoso of the sword at level 6 or higher with 15 or more ranks in Perform (Sing) can sharpen the blades of all weapons within a 20-foot radius. The affected weapons function as if a sorcerer of the same class level as the the virtuoso of the sword had cast a keen edge spell on them, except that the effect lasts only 10 minutes.

Song of Flame (Su): A virtuoso of the sword at level 7 or higher with 16 or more ranks in Perform (Sing) can release a fiery melody that causes the air around metal weaponry to ignite into flame giving all metal weapons with in a 20-foot radius to gain the magic item ability flaming. This ability lasts for 10 minutes.
If a magic item already has flaming, instead it gains the magic ability flaming burst. If an item already has flaming burst, treat damage for flaming burst as if the weapon's critical damage was one step higher (x2 does an extra 2d10 damage, x3 does an extra 3d10 damage, and x4 does an extra 4d10 damage on a critical)

Sundering Song (Su): A virtuoso of the sword at level 8 or higher with 17 or more ranks in Perform (Sing) can transmute the blades of all weapons within a 10-foot radius. The affected weapons function as if they were adamantine when it comes to overcoming DR and hardness.

Song of Fury (Su): A virtuoso of the sword at level 9 or higher with 18 or more ranks in Perform (Sing) can enrage his allies. This ability functions exactly like barbarian rage on all willing allies who can hear him, and lasts as long as the virtuoso of the sword continues his performance. His allies are not fatigued afterwards

Quintet of the Swords (Su): At 10th level, a virtuoso of the sword with at least 19 ranks in Perform can, once per day, cause 5 swords to begin moving of their own accord as if they had the magic ability dancing and were under his control. This ability lasts for a number of rounds equal to 3 + the virtuoso of the sword's Charisma modifier.
To use this ability the virtuoso of the sword must make a Perform check. All magic weapons the virtuoso of the sword doesn't own are entitled to a Will save with a DC of the Perform check. A successful save still grants the sword the magic however, the magic sword is not under his control.
The virtuoso of the sword may make an immediate action at the end of the effect's duration to use bardic music to keep the swords dancing. If he does so, he must make another Perform check and the unowned magic swords gain a +2 on all Will saves against the effect. A sword under the effect of quintet of the swords can be affected by the virtuoso of the sword's singing swordsman ability.

Personal comments: This is my first attempt at homebrewing a PrC or a class. So I'm not positive on the balance. I don't have the largest collection of books and I'm not overly knowledgeable on the correct way to format the abilities so if you could correct any mistakes I've made, I would greatly appriciate it. This PrC was designed some what for a specific character for a certain campaign, so the flavor on it is a little shoddy due to much of the flavor being character specific and due to me being bad at putting flavor from my mind onto paper.

Edits from 1st comment from Temotei221 complete
Edits from 2nd comment from Temotei221 complete

[Temotei]

Virtuoso of the Sword
A brightly clad minstrel minstrel traveled through our forest today his pack jangling with gold and other notable baubles. The leader of our band of robbers told us, "It's only a spoony bard, he should be any easy mark." Our leader was so confident that we would be able to take the bard without a conflict, he was the one who went to seize the goods from the bard. At the sight of our leader, the bard began a lively tune and five swords that were stowed in his pack leaped up and started slashing away at our leader. After 20 short seconds of combat, the Bard offered to let us go if we gave him our gold and ran. We all decided that it would be wise to accept the offer, and ran away from that "spoony bard."
-Tales of Mal'destro, the misfortunate footpad

You said minstrel twice. The part "Our leader was so confident that we would be able to take the bard without conflict, he was the one who went to seize the goods from the bard" should be changed to be more clear. Consider changing that to "Our leader was so confident, he decided to seize the goods from the bard himself." Don't capitalize bard in the middle of a sentence.


Virtuoso of the Swords love grandeur. To them a sword is the perfect expression of magnificence and grace that to them symbolizes grandeur. A Virtuoso of the Sword, like a Bard, is able to use his sense of grandeur to create music that has a supernatural effect on people. Unlike a Bard, the Virtuoso of the Sword uses songs that only benefit him and his allies in their ability to fight at the front line.
The Virtuoso of the Sword's sword becomes a symbol of the Grandeur that is able to join in with him in created music that resonates with its listeners soul, boosting their combat prowess.

"Virtuoso of the Swords" should be "Virtuosos of the sword." The second sentence can be revised. I recommend cutting off the last phrase to make "To them, a sword is the perfect expression of magnificence and grace." Don't capitalize bard in the middle of a sentence. The class name should also be lowercase when it doesn't start a sentence. You should also replace grandeur with a synonym, unless you think the repetition is enough to warrant multiple uses. "A...that has a supernatural effect on people" should probably be changed. Get rid of "on people," and say "A...that have supernatural effects." After that, you say they only use music to benefit themselves and their allies, instead of hurt enemies, but then you have an ability (maybe more than one--I have yet to look) that makes five swords dance for them. You should probably just cut that sentence. And after that, change "sword" to "blade." It's easier to read, and less clunky. Don't capitalize grandeur. "...that is able to join in with him in created music that resonates with its listeners soul, boosting their combat prowess" is difficult to sort out. I recommend changing it to "that joins [them] (You can have him--I just prefer "them," because it doesn't discriminate against genders. The Player's Handbook does it, though, so you can too.) in music, resonating in the listener's soul." You can include the last part, too, if you like. I just think it makes it far easier to read and much more concise. I made bold the lack of an apostrophe.


Entry Requirements
Skills: Perform (Song) 10 ranks
Special: You must have a Magic Longsword of +1 Quality or better

The color change is unnecessary, but if you like it, it's fine. The skill requirement is bad because the player taking this will have no idea what that means. Perform (song) doesn't exist. There's Perform (sing), if that's what you were going for...also, don't capitalize the word in the parentheses after Perform. Magic longsword shouldn't be capitalized, and neither should quality.


Class Skills
The Virtuoso of the Sword’s class skills (and the key ability for each skill) are Appraise (Int), Balance (Dex), Bluff (Cha), Climb (Str), Craft (Int), Decipher Script (Int), Diplomacy (Cha), Disguise (Cha), Escape Artist (Dex), Gather Information (Cha), Hide (Dex), Jump (Str), Knowledge (all skills, taken individually) (Int), Listen (Wis), Move Silently (Dex), Perform (Cha), Profession (Wis), Sense Motive (Wis), Sleight of Hand (Dex), Speak Language (None), Swim (Str), and Tumble (Dex).
Skill Points at each level 4+Int modifier

Don't capitalize the class name. Put spaces between "4" and "+," and "+" and "Int." Capitalize "each" and "level," as the Dungeon Master's Guide does.


Hit Dice: D8

This should be "Hit Die." "D8" should be "d8." And this should be before the skills. Even before the requirements.


Bardic Music: At 1st level, the Virtuoso of the Sword gains the bardic music if she did not already have it from a previous class. She gains one additional use of Bardic Music per Virtuoso of the Sword class level. She does not gain any new Bardic Music effects, but the Virtuoso of the Sword's levels stack with Bardic Levels for determining the bonus granted by Inspire Courage. (For example, a level 7 Bard/level 1 Virtuoso of the Sword's Inspire Courage would grant a +2 to all Inspire Courage bonuses.

The part that says "the bardic music" in the first sentence should just say "bardic music." Don't capitalize the class name. Also, if you're going to have a gender for the class, keep it uniform throughout, no matter what you think a bard should be. Cut the part on the first sentence that says "from a previous class." Don't capitalize bardic music in the middle of a sentence. Don't capitalize bardic. Inspire courage should also not be capitalized.


Singing Sword (Su): At 1st level, the Virtuoso of the Sword designate a magic Longsword to be your Singing Sword. The Singing Sword is able to harmonize with you providing a +6 enhancement bonus on any Perform checks that involve singing.
The Singing Sword gains a number of uses of Bardic Music equal to half the Virtuoso of the Sword's class levels. The Singing Sword can use its Bardic Music as if the Virtuoso of the Sword was singing. The Singing Sword can use the Bardic Music Inspire Courage as well as the Singing Swordsman abilities Adagio, Allegro, Sharp Note, Vivace, and Sundering Song. The Singing Sword can only use this ability when within 30 feet of the Virtuoso of the Sword.
A Virtuoso of the Sword may change his Singing Sword by spending 1/day per class level attuning himself to the new weapon. A Virtuoso of the Sword can not have more than one Singing Sword at a time.

The first sentence is messed up. Change it to say "At 1st level, the virtuoso of the sword designates a magic longsword to be their singing sword." Don't capitalize singing sword. Don't capitalize bardic music, or any other abilities, in the middle of a sentence. "A Virtuoso of the Sword may change his Singing Sword by spending 1/day per class level attuning himself to the new weapon" should be changed to say "A virtuoso of the sword may change his singing sword by spending one day per class level attuning [themselves] (look at the above critiques on gender) to a new blade." On the mechanics, does this ability make the sword sentient, or only sentient when it's within thirty feet of the virtuoso of the sword? Does the character control the sword's bardic music, or does it control itself?


Inspire Courage (Su): At level one, the Virtuoso of the Sword gets the ability Inspire Courage if she did not already have it. This functions exactly like the Bard ability of the same name.

I'm not entirely sure this is necessary with the above bardic music ability.



Dazzling Display (E)] The Virtuoso of the Sword is able to wield his longsword in such a way that it dazzles his opponents. To use this ability, a Virtuoso of the Sword makes a Perform check. Her check result is the DC for each affected creature’s Will save against the effect. If the creature's saving throw succeeds, there is no effect. If the creature fails its saving throw, it is counted as flat-footed for 1 round.

"(E)" should be changed to a colon. Extraordinary abilities have (Ex). Edit the sentence that says "Her check result is the DC for each affected creature's Will save against the effect." Get rid of the "her" and make it "him," because that's what you had first. Plus, you just said "his" in an earlier sentence in the ability. That's just confusing. I'd also change it to say "...Will save against dazzling." The ability, as is, is essentially an alternative to using Bluff for feints. Making the enemies dazzled for a round would be cool. Unless this is an area-of-effect ability. Then, by all means, keep it as written--just specify the area. Also, at the beginning, put in "At 2nd level, the virtuoso of the sword..."


Allegro (Su) A Virtuoso of the Sword of level 3 or higher with 12 or more ranks in Perform, can use her inspire courage ability grants a dodge bonus to AC equal to the bonus to attack rolls.

There shouldn't be a comma after Perform. The first part should also be "At 3rd level, a virtuoso of the sword with 12 or more ranks..." The part saying "...grants a dodge bonus..." should be simply "to grant a dodge bonus to AC in addition to the attack bonus."


Knowledge of the Sword (Su) A Virtuoso of the Sowrd of level 4 or higher with 13 or more ranks in Perform can grant his allies with a understanding of how to effectively wield a longsword. All allies (including himself) gain the effects of Martial Weapon proficiency: longsword and weapon focus: longsword.

You spelled "sword" wrong. All ability entries should say "At 'x' level..." It's how the Player's Handbook does it. I think if the allies already have Weapon Focus, they should get a bonus too. This is like a kick in the face for fighters using longswords. Also, capitalize Proficiency in Martial Weapon Proficiency, and Weapon Focus. Longsword should be capitalized in both cases, because it is part of the feat names.


Ballet of the Sword (Su) A Virtuoso of the Sword of level 5 or higher with 14 or more ranks in Perform can cause his singing sword to begin moving of its own accord as if it had the magic ability Dancing and under his control. This ability last for a number of rounds equal to the Virtuoso of the Sword's charisma modifier.
The Virtuoso of the Sword may make a immediate action at the end of the effect's duration to use another instance of bardic music to start the effect over again.

Dancing shouldn't be capitalized. Also, change that sentence to say "...to begin moving as if it had the dancing property, but mentally controlled by the virtuoso of the sword." That last paragraph is difficult to read. Are you trying to say if the virtuoso of the sword wants to use this, they use bardic music? If that's the case, change the first part to say that, and cut out the last part. Just say it's an immediate action at the end. Lastly, Charisma should be capitalized.


Sharp Note (Sp) A Virtuoso of the Sword of level 6 or higher with 15 or more ranks in Perform can sharpen the blades of all piercing and slashing weapons within a 10-foot radius. The affected weapons function as if a 6th-level sorcerer had cast a keen edge spell on them, except that the effect lasts only 10 minutes.

I'd say change this to be cast at the level of the virtuoso of the sword as a sorcerer of the same level.


Vivace (Sp) A Virtuoso of the Sword of level 7 or higher with 16 or more ranks in Perform can sing a tune so lively that her allies are able to move themselves faster than normal. All allies that hear function as if a 6th level sorcerer had cast a haste spell on them, except the spell lasts a Sends long as the Virtuoso of the Sword sings.

"...the spell lasts as long as the..." That would make much more sense. For fluff, I'd say "...sing a tune so lively that [their] allies are invigorated, and are able to move faster than normal." I'd also change it as above. Make it so the caster level is based on virtuoso of the sword levels.


Song of Fury (Su) A Virtuoso of the Sword of level 9 or higher with 18 or more ranks in Perform can enrage her allies. This ability functions exactly like barbarian rage on all willing allies who can hear her, and lasts as long as the Virtuoso of the Sword continues her performance.

Are they fatigued after the rage ends, as barbarian rage?


Quintet of the Swords (Su) A Virtuoso of the Sword of level 10 or higher with 19 or more ranks in Perform can cause 5 longswords to begin moving of their own accord as if they had the magic ability Dancing and under his control. This ability last for a number of rounds equal to the Virtuoso of the Sword's charisma modifier.
To use this ability the Virtuoso of the Sword must make a perform check. All Magic weapons are entitled to a will save with a DC of the perform check. A successful save still grants the sword the magic ability however, the magic sword is not under his control.
The Virtuoso of the Sword may make a immediate action at the end of the effect's duration to use another instance of bardic music to start the effect over again. If he does so, he must make another perform check and the magic swords gain a +2 on all will saves against the effect.
This ability can only target unattended longswords and a longsword can only benefit from this effect once a day.

The bold word should be "lasts." Charisma should be capitalized. Perform should be as well. Magic shouldn't be. Will should be. "...the sword the magic ability however, the..." should be changed to "...the sword the magic ability. However, the..." Or you can add a semicolon after ability. "A" should be "an" before immediate action. Why can this only target unattended longswords? I'd say allow a Will saving throw for longswords the virtuoso of the sword doesn't own, but for swords he does own, don't. You can also put "once per day" at the beginning of the ability description, after the "At 10th level," phrase that should be there.

Interesting class overall. I'm hoping to see this through.

EDIT: Also, why is sharp note italicized? Vivace, I suppose I could understand...I'm thinking they should just be bold. Especially sharp note.

[Masterclick]

I think I got all your edits Temotei. I based this class a little off a 3.0 PrC "virtuoso." It gives up the bard's combat abilities for better bardic music instead of spellcasting ability that this PrC takes away. Sharp notes and Song of Fury were ideas I got from that book and I must have left a fair amount of the 3.0 editing in there (namely the use of the female gender and the italicization of Sharp Notes).
I'm glad that you liked the class. The class is based off the singing sword magic item thats from the same book as the virtuoso (Song and Silence).
Now that formatting of the class is out of the way (I hope) do you have any comments on the balance of the class?

[Temotei]

Singing Sword (Su): At 1st level, the virtuoso of the sword designates a magic longsword to be their singing sword. The singing sword is able to harmonize with you providing a +6 enhancement bonus on any perform checks that involve singing.
The singing sword gains a number of uses of bardic music equal to half the virtuoso of the sword's class levels. The singing sword can use its bardic music as if the virtuoso of the sword was singing. The singing sword can use the bardic music inspire courage as well as the singing swordsman abilities adagio, allegro, sharp note, vivace, and sundering song. The singing sword can only use this ability when within 30 feet of the virtuoso of the sword. A virtuoso of the sword may change his singing sword by spending one day per class level attuning themselves to a new blade. A virtuoso of the sword can not have more than one singing sword at a time.
The singing sword maintains while more than 30 feet of the virtuoso of the sword. The singing sword's bardic music effect is activated by a command word from the virtuoso of the sword.

Notice that almost every sentence begins the same. "The singing sword..." I recommend changing that, for flow purposes. "Can not" should be "cannot." The way it's written, it says "A virtuoso of the sword can decide not to have more than one singing sword at a time, but may have more." Darn English language. :smallbiggrin:

I like it now. You've cleared up my questions, and it's a cool thing to have a singing sword.


Allegro (Su) A virtuoso of the sword at level 3 or higher with 12 or more ranks in Perform can use her inspire courage ability to grant a dodge bonus to AC in addition to the attack bonus

There should be a period at the end. Also, all abilities should be in the format "At [3rd] level..." This ability would be rewritten as "At 3rd level, a virtuoso of the sword with at least 12 ranks in Perform can use her inspire courage ability to grant a dodge bonus to AC in addition to the attack bonus." There should also be a colon after (Su).

On a side note, do you want any Perform checks to work? Or just Perform (sing)?


Ballet of the Sword (Su) A virtuoso of the sword at level 5 or higher with 14 or more ranks in perform can cause his singing sword to begin moving as if it had the dancing property, but mentally controlled by the virtuoso of the sword. This ability last for a number of rounds equal to the virtuoso of the sword's Charisma modifier. This effect is an immediate action

You missed your period again. :smalltongue: "Last" should be "lasts." The last sentence should probably also be reworded. "Using this effect is an immediate action." That would suffice. Add a colon.


Sharp Note (Sp) A virtuoso of the sword at level 6 or higher with 15 or more ranks in Perform can sharpen the blades of all piercing and slashing weapons within a 10-foot radius. The affected weapons function as if a sorcerer of the same level as the the virtuoso of the sword had cast a keen edge spell on them, except that the effect lasts only 10 minutes.

Add a colon. I think you could get away with fifteen feet on this ability fairly easily. Maybe even make the range the same as the spell. That might be a stretch, though I wouldn't be too put off by it balance-wise.


Vivace (Sp) A virtuoso of the sword at level 7 or higher with 16 or more ranks in Perform can sing a tune so lively that their allies are invigorated, and are able to move faster than normal. All allies that hear function as if a sorcerer of the same level as the the virtuoso of the sword had cast a haste spell on them, except the spell lasts as long as the Virtuoso of the Sword sings.

Add a colon. Don't capitalize virtuoso of the sword at the end of this. This ability is sweet, by the way. :smallbiggrin:


Sundering Song (Su) A virtuoso of the sword at level 8 or higher with 17 or more ranks in Perform can transmute the blades of all piercing and slashing weapons within a 10-ft radius. The affected weapons function as if they were adamantine when it comes to overcoming DR and hardness.

Add a colon. I think you should include bludgeoning weapons. "10-ft radius" should be "10-foot radius" or "10-ft. radius."



Song of Fury (Su) A virtuoso of the sword at level 9 or higher with 18 or more ranks in Perform can enrage his allies. This ability functions exactly like barbarian rage on all willing allies who can hear her, and lasts as long as the Virtuoso of the Sword continues her performance. His allies are not fatigued afterwards

Add a colon. Don't capitalize virtuoso of the sword at the end. Put a period at the end. I like how this only affects willing allies. It makes it much better for your spellcasting friends than plain old barbarian rage. "Cleric, I need help!" "TOO ANGRY TO HEAL FRIEND! MUST SMASH LIKE BUG!"


Quintet of the Swords (Su) A virtuoso of the sword can once a day at level 10 or higher with 19 or more ranks in perform can cause 5 swords to begin moving of their own accord as if they had the magic ability dancing and under his control. This ability lasts for a number of rounds equal to the virtuoso of the sword's Charisma modifier.
To use this ability the virtuoso of the sword must make a perform check. All magic weapons the virtuoso of the sword doesn't own are entitled to a will save with a DC of the perform check. A successful save still grants the sword the magic however, the magic sword is not under his control.
The virtuoso of the sword may make an immediate action at the end of the effect's duration to use another instance of bardic music to start the effect over again. If he does so, he must make another perform check and the magic swords gain a +2 on all will saves against the effect.
This ability can only target unattended swords and a sword can only benefit from this effect once a day.

Add a colon. The wording is very off on the first sentence. Change it to "At 10th level, a virtuoso of the sword with at least 19 ranks in Perform can, once per day, cause 5 swords to begin moving of their own accord as if they had the magic ability dancing and were under his control." I think you could also raise the duration. Make it 3 + Charisma modifier rounds. Perform should be capitalized. So should Will, when it's referring to the saving throw. "...still grants the sword the magic however, the magic sword..." should be changed to "...still grants the sword the dancing ability; however, the magic sword..." Cut out the last sentence. You already said once per day, and the unattended swords part is weak, in my opinion. The virtuoso would have to drop all of his swords on the ground, which would require a few free actions as parts of a move action (unless they have Quick Draw). Some dungeon masters don't allow you to do many free actions in a round, so it might take several rounds to get ready for it, during which, the enemy might decide to pick up that shiny magical longsword...anyways, you're already giving a save to unowned swords. "The virtuoso of the sword may make an immediate action at the end of the effect's duration to use another instance of bardic music to start the effect over again." Change this to "The virtuoso of the sword may make an immediate action at the end of the effect's duration to use bardic music to keep the swords dancing." The sentence after that says swords get a +2 on Will saves against the effect when the virtuoso does this. You should probably specify that it gives unowned swords a bonus on the save.

[Masterclick]

Ok, that was a lot shorted than the last set of revisions. Thanks again for the comments. I've been a little fuzzy on the formatting on Quintet of the Swords since I haven't come across any abilities I could format it off of (I haven't look very hard though).
Thanks again for the help with formatting. Ever since I started taking German as a foreign language my grammar has become a hodgepodge of german and english.

[Temotei]

Okay, just to clear things up, every ability should have "At 'x' level" in front of the description, where "x" is 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, or 10th, depending on when you get the ability. You fixed the one ability, but no others. :smallsmile:

Use Ctrl + F to find "perform," and capitalize it. Also find "sing," and make sure it's not capitalized.

There are also a few errors in gender here and there, so you may want to fix that eventually. Just replace "her" with "him," or vice-versa.

Nice job, though, overall. I'm liking it. :smallbiggrin:


Ever since I started taking German as a foreign language my grammar has become a hodgepodge of german and english.

It happens. I've still got French, so I know what you mean. The biggest problem is rearranging the sentences for me.

[Delandel]

I think this class would make way more sense if it was a bard PrC. That is, its requirements require it to be a bard of a certain level. Then balance the ability strengths based on what the bard gives up (spells + bard abilities).

[Masterclick]

I've never liked PrC that require you to be class X. I've played in games where the DM allows you to make a CC skill a class skill with a feat and I would like classes that don't have to be bards able to get this class. Thank you for the advice, but the way I view PrC classes is that anyone can take them, its just some classes are more prone to it than others.

[Temotei]

I've never liked PrC that require you to be class X. I've played in games where the DM allows you to make a CC skill a class skill with a feat and I would like classes that don't have to be bards able to get this class. Thank you for the advice, but the way I view PrC classes is that anyone can take them, its just some classes are more prone to it than others.

I like this better. My first thoughts agreed with Delandel, but I hate to not be able to take a prestige class just because I multiclassed, or because I hate a certain class (in this case, bard). I don't know why I dislike the bard. I just do. :smallamused:

[Tackyhillbillu]

I've got to ask, why just the Longsword? Including several others (such as the Rapier) would make more sense, at least from where I sit.

[Temotei]

I've got to ask, why just the Longsword? Including several others (such as the Rapier) would make more sense, at least from where I sit.

Good point. You could include the longsword, rapier, shortsword, and maybe dagger. The weapon that lets them fulfill the requirements of the class would be the weapon type that the virtuoso of the sword's class features depend on.

[Masterclick]

I guess other weapons fit flavor wise. I was basing it off the original singing sword (which is a longsword) but other swords make sense as well. Changed to represent longswords, rapiers, and short swords.

[Temotei]

The allowance of rapiers and shortswords also increases the amount of classes that are able to join this prestige class. Rogue comes to mind.

[tiny tim]

Interesting. I think I may try this in a campaign where my character recently died to to the stupidity of another party member. I was looking for a more bardic music focused bard, so this could work well. One question though, for abilities, like sharp note, that say something to the effect of, "The caster level is equal to the virtuoso of the sword's levels." Is that his character level, or levels in virtuoso of the sword?

[Masterclick]

Class level.
If you play the character you'll have to get me the playtest results. Any idea how? :smalltongue:

[Temotei]

A virtuoso of the sword love grandeur. They view the sword as a symbol of grandeur and as a trademark of their profession.

It should be "loves grandeur."

The Complete series is 3.5e, right? Virtuoso is already a class in Complete Adventurer, if that's the case. I like this class better, personally. More class features, more BAB, and two good saves, instead of one. No spellcasting, but...whatever. :smalltongue:

[UglyPanda]

Time to look at crunch. I'm going to be calling the class VotS for short.

Am I correct in assuming that the abilities all take standard actions?

Bardic Music - A little problem here. If he can't learn new songs, then he can't use inspire courage. You need to fix that wording or add in a separate ability for Inspire Courage. You also have it written as Singing Swordsman instead of what it should be.

Singing Sword - Fairly worthless. I guess if you were maximizing Suggestion or Song of Freedom, it could possibly be used. But most of the time, a Bard's perform check just doesn't matter.

Dazzling Display - All being dazzled does is impose a -1 penalty on attacks%. Kinda silly and overly situational. When VotS fights monsters (Massive to-hit bonuses) or Casters (Rarely use their to-hit), it can't find a use for this.

Allegro - How much is this dodge bonus?

Knowledge of the Sword - In a level 11 party, the only one with that type of sword is either a VotS, a Rogue, or maybe a Swordsage. Nobody who isn't naturally proficient with a sword uses them.

Ballet of the Sword - Dancing swords just aren't that useful since most damage comes from the character, not the weapon itself.

Sharp Note - It's ok.

Vivace - Haste is on the Bard spell list. A Bard-base VotS most likely already has it.

Sundering Song - DR/Adamantine is construct only, right? It would be marginally useful, but this is a level 15 ability. If you needed this, you would have bought an adamantine weapon by now. Heck, even monks get to bypass construct DR the very next level.

Song of Fury - Ok.

Quintet of the Swords - It's not as strong as you might think. Dancing swords are mindless, and thus can't get buffed through song. Being able to insta-disarm% a strong opponent might be fun, but how many high level opponents even use weapons?

% As anyone who has used suggestion knows, perform check as a DC is obscenely high.

[Temotei]

Allegro - How much is this dodge bonus?
Allegro (Su): At 3rd level, a virtuoso of the sword with at least 12 ranks in Perform (Sing) can use her inspire courage ability to grant a dodge bonus to AC in addition to the attack bonus.

Allegro should be "At 3rd level, a virtuoso of the sword with at least 12 ranks in Perform (sing) can use [her] inspire courage ability to grant a dodge bonus to AC in addition to and the same as the attack bonus."


Knowledge of the Sword - In a level 11 party, the only one with that type of sword is either a VotS, a Rogue, or maybe a Swordsage. Nobody who isn't naturally proficient with a sword uses them.

The VotS could carry a bunch of swords. That was my suggestion. Once they've used up their capstone ability, they can just throw around the swords to casters and to the others who want to use the weapons. Clerics would get some use out of that. Anyways, who's to say a person playing a fighter doesn't want them using a rapier?


Sundering Song - DR/Adamantine is construct only, right? It would be marginally useful, but this is a level 15 ability. If you needed this, you would have bought an adamantine weapon by now. Heck, even monks get to bypass construct DR the very next level.

You missed the hardness part. Adamantine bypasses hardness of less than 20...which I'm pretty sure is everything but adamantine itself. Not particularly powerful, because not many builds use sundering, but it's something.

[Masterclick]

Am I correct in assuming that the abilities all take standard actions?
Yes you are. Changed description in singing swordsman to reflect this.


Bardic Music - A little problem here. If he can't learn new songs, then he can't use inspire courage. You need to fix that wording or add in a separate ability for Inspire Courage. You also have it written as Singing Swordsman instead of what it should be.
Changed in table to singing swordsman. Name change is mostly for flavor. Inspire courage is now granted as a class ability.

Singing Sword Fairly worthless. I guess if you were maximizing Suggestion or Song of Freedom, it could possibly be used. But most of the time, a Bard's perform check just doesn't matter.
The bonus to perform is mostly for fluff. The main advantage is that it allows for an extra use of singing swordsman to be in effect.


[B]Dazzling Display - All being dazzled does is impose a -1 penalty on attacks. Kinda silly and overly situational. When VotS fights monsters (Massive to-hit bonuses) or Casters (Rarely use their to-hit), it can't find a use for this.

Him, would having them lose their next action be good then?


[B]Allegro How much is this dodge bonus?
Suppose you had Inspire courage +1 it would be a +1 dodge bonus. Inspire courage +2 would be a +2 bonus. etc.


Knowledge of the Sword - In a level 11 party, the only one with that type of sword is either a VotS, a Rogue, or maybe a Swordsage. Nobody who isn't naturally proficient with a sword uses them.
I like Tem's explanation for this


[B]Ballet of the Sword Dancing swords just aren't that useful since most damage comes from the character, not the weapon itself.
It's still a free attack every round Since he'd probably have an extra sword he could pull that out and use that one while the singing sword was attacking. I've also changed it so that the item can benefit from the Singing swordsman ability


Vivace - Haste is on the Bard spell list. A Bard-base VotS most likely already has it.
Yes, but with a lot of bardic music uses he could practically have haste as a permanent effect on them. Not just 1 encounter. [/quote]


Sundering Song - DR/Adamantine is construct only, right? It would be marginally useful, but this is a level 15 ability. If you needed this, you would have bought an adamantine weapon by now. Heck, even monks get to bypass construct DR the very next level.
See Tem's answer


Quintet of the Swords - It's not as strong as you might think. Dancing swords are mindless, and thus can't get buffed through song. Being able to insta-disarm a strong opponent might be fun, but how many high level opponents even use weapons?
Assume you had 5 swords of mediocre quality on you? Also, changed so that it can be buffed through song.

[Temotei]

Quintet of swords could also be put to use with the rogue. Have them feint for you, and you can make a full attack. It works with ninjas, too, but I have no idea why you'd be using a ninja, unless you're using a variant from this forum. You could also have them sunder, especially now that they're affected by your music. Sundering song + quintet of swords + rogue sneak attacks...:smallbiggrin: To be fair, you'd have to carry several swords, and that could encumber a rogue/virtuoso of the sword, but it would be worth it for sure if you had a fair Strength score.

Vivace allows you to use haste more if you're a bard. Or you can just use different spells with your bard spells known, and use this class for haste.

[UglyPanda]

Dazzling Display would be too strong if it caused stun. As I've said, Perform check as a DC is way too strong.

Allegro might actually make the class worthwhile. Not actually sure. This is probably the first dip level.

Knowledge of the sword would not be used by your frontliners. Your frontliners are using +1 flaming greatswords and +2 battleaxes and the like. They would not give up their decent magic weapons that have two to seven points higher base damage for 1 point of to-hit. This song is a waste of an action.

Ballet of the Sword - I like the revision. Not sure if it's any good, but I like it.

Vivace - There is a second problem of getting this ability late. This is a level 14 ability for something a straight bard has had for 7 levels and a wizard has had for 9. It's not so much utility as nearly every class feature of every class has some utility. It's that it's unimpressive.

Sundering song - So you want this ability in order to break adamantine walls or epic level constructs? Yeah, this ability is just weird. It's not going to be useful except once in a blue moon.

Quintet of the Swords - It works ok due to the revisions of its previous incarnation. Not sure about whether rogues can deal sneak attack with dancing weapons.



Overall, the class isn't too bad. I've seen a lot worse that people just didn't comment on.

[Masterclick]

So would you suggest replacing knowledge of the sword with vivace then putting in another ability for that one? Yes sundering song is probably going to be a once in a blue move ability but I put it in there mostly so the virtuoso of the sword had one or two abilities that would come in handy once in a blue move.

I'll probably get around to coming up with a new ability later. We're having 19 people come over to our house for Thanksgiving today and I need to go help.

[Temotei]

Quintet of the Swords - It works ok due to the revisions of its previous incarnation. Not sure about whether rogues can deal sneak attack with dancing weapons.

The dancing weapons wouldn't get the sneak attacks. They would feint, allowing a full round to sneak attack for the rogue/virtuoso of the sword to sneak attack.


Vivace - There is a second problem of getting this ability late. This is a level 14 ability for something a straight bard has had for 7 levels and a wizard has had for 9. It's not so much utility as nearly every class feature of every class has some utility. It's that it's unimpressive.

This is true. Masterclick has a fairly good solution, though, so I'll leave it be.


Knowledge of the sword would not be used by your frontliners. Your frontliners are using +1 flaming greatswords and +2 battleaxes and the like. They would not give up their decent magic weapons that have two to seven points higher base damage for 1 point of to-hit. This song is a waste of an action.

Not all the time. Not all frontliners are using those weapons, although they are the more common choices. Some of them will be two-weapon fighters as well, which makes the longsword, rapier, and shortsword somewhat useful. Also, it's probably increasing the cleric's damage output weapon-wise, and definitely increasing the sorcerer and wizard damages (although they don't really have the hit points to keep up with that).


Dazzling Display would be too strong if it caused stun. As I've said, Perform check as a DC is way too strong.

Maybe 10 + class levels + Cha modifier would be better. Then make it...shaken or dazed? Losing an action doesn't mean getting stunned. Dazed is losing actions. Stunned is losing actions, dropping weapons, losing Dex bonus to AC, and a -2 penalty to AC on top of that. Dazed wouldn't be a terrible alternative, I suppose. Not quite Stunning Fist, but not totally weak.

[Masterclick]

Dazziling display now equal to 10 + level + charisma modifier and causes all those who see him to be flat footed for one round.

Vivace moved to level 4.

Song of Flame took Vivace's place. Give's weapons in 20 ft radius flaming.

Keen edges now affects all weapons.

Dropped knowledge of the sword.

If any suggestions for other abilities to be placed in sundering song's slot I might put it in. However, most of the other ideas I have left for this class are specialty abilities that probably would be as useful as much as this one in most situations.

[Temotei]

Dazziling display now equal to 10 + level + charisma modifier and causes all those who see him to be flat footed for one round.

That's kind of vague. Does it affect all with a line of sight to the virtuoso of the sword, or only those that are fighting them, or what? If it affects all with a line of sight, that could be weird, because you can see them from pretty far off. Imagine having an army of orcs attacking, and the virtuoso of the sword uses dazzling display. Oh, all flat-footed. Time to get shooting and using ray spells.

[Masterclick]

How about with in 30 ft + 5 ft per class level then?

[Temotei]

Sounds good to me. :smallsmile:

[Masterclick]

Any more comments?

[Temotei]

Song of flame should be edited to make sure it doesn't start armor on fire, because it says metal objects start on fire. Right after that, you have weapons, but still. Just say weapons.

[Masterclick]

Changed fluff to represent weapons. Any suggestions on usefulness of ability?

[Temotei]

I recommend changing it to say that if someone already has a flaming weapon, flaming burst replaces it for the duration. If they already have that, then say the weapon acts as if it had a critical multiplier that's one better. For example, if a fighter was holding his flaming burst greatsword, and the virtuoso of the sword used song of flame, the critical multiplier would increase to x3. That way, it's useful for everyone, and no one feels like they have to stay away from the flaming enchantment because of this.

[Masterclick]

How's the grammar look on that? I got it fixed.

[Temotei]

Two things:
1. "If an item already has both magical abilities flaming and flaming burst, treat..." Having flaming burst is like having flaming, but with the bonus of having better critical hits. Just say if it has flaming burst, then...etc.
2. You need 17 ranks in Perform for it, but the ability below it requires 15, and the one above requires 17. Why not 16 ranks?

[Masterclick]

Question 1: I knew that, really I did...

Question 2: Can't count correctly.