Aergoth
2014-12-04, 11:41 AM
The Firebrand
Give me the flammable life/I'm cold as a match/Ready to strike/So here I go...
Here lies a city on fire/Singing along/The arsonist choir/Now here I go...
It started with a spark/And burned into the dark/Now here I go...
Because some men aren't looking for anything logical, like money.
They can't be bought, bullied, reasoned, or negotiated with.
Some men just want to watch the world burn.
Some bards are malcontents with a great deal of charisma, a little incendiary know-how and idle hands. Regardless of their intent or aims, a firebrand is universally a chaotic force, kindling the inflammatory ideas and fanning the flames with a minimum of effort. While good aligned firebrands may attempt to manage the tools and forces at their disposal towards burning out corruption and villany it is just as easy for a less righteous firebrand to rabble-rouse and organize lynchings of the weak and innocent for no other reason than their own amusement.
Spells: A firebrand adds any spell on the sorcerer/wizard spell list with the [fire] descriptor to their list of bard spells at the same level as the sorcerer/wizard would learn it. This modifies the bard’s existing spell list.
Revolutionary Countersong: In addition to the normal utility of countersong, a firebrand can negate enemy bonuses with his performance, provided they come from an external source. For instance, a firebrand could negate the effects of another bard’s bardic performance, or a prayer spell, but not a paladin’s divine grace. A bard’s countersong used in this way never imposes a penalty on enemies affected even if the total bonus that the firebrand can negate is greater than the bonus being negated. This modifies countersong and bardic performance.
Refute Courage: An firebrand can negate the effects of morale provided they come from an external source (such as a bard’s performance, a spell or magic item) at first level this performance is limited to negating 1 point of bonus. This increases at 5th level and every 5 bard levels thereafter. This replaces inspire courage.
Pyrotechnic Distraction: Rather than distracting others from illusory effects with japes and other antics and firebrand takes a more direct approach. By spending a round of bardic performance, a firebrand may attempt to create a pyrotechnic distraction. The bard casts a spell with the [fire] descriptor, augmented by performance. If the spell is not instantaneous (such as summoning a fire elemental) the bard must spend an additional round of bard performance every round they wish to maintain the pyrotechnic distraction. Any creature within 30 feet of the bard’s spell (including the bard himself) 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 check result proves to be higher. If a creature within range of the Pyrotechnic Distraction is already under the effect of a non-instantaneous illusion (pattern) or illusion (figment) magical attack, it gains another saving throw against the effect each round it sees the Pyrotechnic Distraction, but it must use the bard’s Perform check result for the save. Pyrotechnic Distraction does not work on effects that don’t allow saves. Distraction relies on visual components. This modifies distraction.
Deride Competence: A firebrand can further use their countersong to negate the effects of competence bonuses, provided they come from an external source. At second level a firebrand can negate 2 points of bonus and increases every four bard levels thereafter. This replaces inspire competence.
Gather Crowd: At 5th level, the firebrand gains the ability to quickly gather a crowd. This is identical to the gather crowd ability of the celebrity bard archetype. This ability replaces lore master.
Incite Violence: At 6th level, the firebrand can use his performance to fan the fury of a crowd of people he has fascinated. Using this ability does not disrupt the fascinate effect, but does require a standard action to activate (in addition to the free action to continue the fascinate effect). The bard selects a number of targets equal to his level, who must make Will saves (DC 10 + 1/2 the bard’s level + the bard’s Charisma modifier) or be affected by rage for a number of rounds equal to the bard’s level. The bard indicates who is the intended target of violence (either after using this ability or as part of the performance leading to it) and the enraged members of the crowd immediately attack the target if possible. The target does not need to be present (“kill the king” is a suitable choice) and can be an object instead of a person (“destroy the prison!” is likewise appropriate). Other members of the crowd may follow suit, though they do not gain the benefits of rage. This is a sound-based effect and is affected by countersong. If two or more bards are attempting to direct the crowd against different targets, they must make opposed Charisma checks, with the crowd following the directions of the winner. This ability replaces suggestion.
Incendiary Invocation: A firebrand can use bardic performance to enhance the flammability of nearby creatures and objects. So long as the bard maintains this performance, creatures and objects within the range of the bard’s performance that take fire damage must make a saving throw to avoid catching fire. If the effect that causes them to take fire damage is continuous they must only save once. If the effect that causes them to take fire damage would normally cause a creature to catch fire, they must roll twice and take the worse result. The DC to avoid catching fire is equal to 10+1/2 the fire damage+ the firebrand’s cha modifier if the source of the fire damage does not have an existing DC, otherwise use the DC as appropriate for the effect (a second level fire spell would have the same DC as a second level spell normally would). This replaces dirge of doom
Blaspheme Divinity: A firebrand can use their countersong to negate the effects of sacred and profane bonuses, provided they come from an external source. At 9th level a firebrand can negate 1 point of bonus. A firebrand negates an additional point of bonus at 12th level and every 3 levels thereafter. This replaces inspire greatness.
Scalding Spite: You may use your bardic performance to create an effect similar to blistering invective, except as follows: you use a perform check in place of intimidate, and the effect does 3d4 points of fire damage instead of 1d10. This is a language dependant effect, but spell resistance does not apply. This replaces frightening tune.
Shatter Armor: You may use your countersong to negate deflection bonuses to AC so long as they come from an external source. This functions as a dispel attempt, if the deflection bonus is generated by a magic item it uses the item’s caster level for the opposed check. Ongoing effects of a higher caster level and magic items that the bard successfully dispels are supressed for the duration of the performance but continue to lose duration as though they were active. If the performance ends and a supressed effect still has rounds of duration remaining, it resumes functioning as normal. This replaces inspire heroics.
Righteous Cause: At 18th level, the firebrand can lift a crowd’s emotions and turn them toward a common purpose. First, he must fascinate the crowd, and then use incite violence without designating a target, at which point he can use righteous cause. Instead of driving the crowd with anger, he fills them with purpose. Fascinated creatures must make Will saves (DC 10 + 1/2 the bard’s level + the bard’s Charisma modifier) to resist. Those who fail are affected by mass suggestion of a plausible idea that lingers with them for one day. Typical uses of this ability are to spark rebellion, overthrow a king, build a beneficial structure such as an orphanage, or donate money to a cause. This ability replaces mass suggestion.
Bomb: A firebrand’s love of destruction and pyrotechnics eventually leads them to alchemy and the means of creating alchemically charged bombs, much as an alchemist does. Rather than constructing their bombs based on strict formulae and plans, and firebrand’s bombs are made using basic know-how and a general feel for the inflammable and explosive. A firebrand gains a number of bombs per day equal to half their class level + their cha modifier (minimum of 1). This otherwise functions as the alchemist’s bomb class feature save that any use of the intelligence modifier is replaced by charisma. At first level a firebrand’s bombs do 1d6+cha modifier damage. This increases by 2d6 at 6th level and at every 4 levels thereafter. This replaces bardic knowledge.
Discoveries: A firebrand continues to study alchemy and in their tinkering and tampering with designs, learns of a new way to construct their bombs to interesting effect. At second level a firebrand may choose a discovery from the alchemist’s list of discoveries, so long as it pertains to bombs. For the purposes of pre-requisites a firebrand’s alchemist level is equal to half their bard level. A firebrand gains access to a new discovery at sixth level and every 4 levels thereafter. The DC for a firebrand’s discoveries is 10+1/2 firebrand level + the firebrand’s cha mod. This replaces versatile performance.
Firestarter: A firebrand that survives long enough learns, if not fear, then a healthy respect for the tools of their trade. At second level an firebrand gains a +4 bonus to saves against fire effects and an additional +2 (total +6) to avoid catching fire. This replaces well-versed.
Give me the flammable life/I'm cold as a match/Ready to strike/So here I go...
Here lies a city on fire/Singing along/The arsonist choir/Now here I go...
It started with a spark/And burned into the dark/Now here I go...
Because some men aren't looking for anything logical, like money.
They can't be bought, bullied, reasoned, or negotiated with.
Some men just want to watch the world burn.
Some bards are malcontents with a great deal of charisma, a little incendiary know-how and idle hands. Regardless of their intent or aims, a firebrand is universally a chaotic force, kindling the inflammatory ideas and fanning the flames with a minimum of effort. While good aligned firebrands may attempt to manage the tools and forces at their disposal towards burning out corruption and villany it is just as easy for a less righteous firebrand to rabble-rouse and organize lynchings of the weak and innocent for no other reason than their own amusement.
Spells: A firebrand adds any spell on the sorcerer/wizard spell list with the [fire] descriptor to their list of bard spells at the same level as the sorcerer/wizard would learn it. This modifies the bard’s existing spell list.
Revolutionary Countersong: In addition to the normal utility of countersong, a firebrand can negate enemy bonuses with his performance, provided they come from an external source. For instance, a firebrand could negate the effects of another bard’s bardic performance, or a prayer spell, but not a paladin’s divine grace. A bard’s countersong used in this way never imposes a penalty on enemies affected even if the total bonus that the firebrand can negate is greater than the bonus being negated. This modifies countersong and bardic performance.
Refute Courage: An firebrand can negate the effects of morale provided they come from an external source (such as a bard’s performance, a spell or magic item) at first level this performance is limited to negating 1 point of bonus. This increases at 5th level and every 5 bard levels thereafter. This replaces inspire courage.
Pyrotechnic Distraction: Rather than distracting others from illusory effects with japes and other antics and firebrand takes a more direct approach. By spending a round of bardic performance, a firebrand may attempt to create a pyrotechnic distraction. The bard casts a spell with the [fire] descriptor, augmented by performance. If the spell is not instantaneous (such as summoning a fire elemental) the bard must spend an additional round of bard performance every round they wish to maintain the pyrotechnic distraction. Any creature within 30 feet of the bard’s spell (including the bard himself) 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 check result proves to be higher. If a creature within range of the Pyrotechnic Distraction is already under the effect of a non-instantaneous illusion (pattern) or illusion (figment) magical attack, it gains another saving throw against the effect each round it sees the Pyrotechnic Distraction, but it must use the bard’s Perform check result for the save. Pyrotechnic Distraction does not work on effects that don’t allow saves. Distraction relies on visual components. This modifies distraction.
Deride Competence: A firebrand can further use their countersong to negate the effects of competence bonuses, provided they come from an external source. At second level a firebrand can negate 2 points of bonus and increases every four bard levels thereafter. This replaces inspire competence.
Gather Crowd: At 5th level, the firebrand gains the ability to quickly gather a crowd. This is identical to the gather crowd ability of the celebrity bard archetype. This ability replaces lore master.
Incite Violence: At 6th level, the firebrand can use his performance to fan the fury of a crowd of people he has fascinated. Using this ability does not disrupt the fascinate effect, but does require a standard action to activate (in addition to the free action to continue the fascinate effect). The bard selects a number of targets equal to his level, who must make Will saves (DC 10 + 1/2 the bard’s level + the bard’s Charisma modifier) or be affected by rage for a number of rounds equal to the bard’s level. The bard indicates who is the intended target of violence (either after using this ability or as part of the performance leading to it) and the enraged members of the crowd immediately attack the target if possible. The target does not need to be present (“kill the king” is a suitable choice) and can be an object instead of a person (“destroy the prison!” is likewise appropriate). Other members of the crowd may follow suit, though they do not gain the benefits of rage. This is a sound-based effect and is affected by countersong. If two or more bards are attempting to direct the crowd against different targets, they must make opposed Charisma checks, with the crowd following the directions of the winner. This ability replaces suggestion.
Incendiary Invocation: A firebrand can use bardic performance to enhance the flammability of nearby creatures and objects. So long as the bard maintains this performance, creatures and objects within the range of the bard’s performance that take fire damage must make a saving throw to avoid catching fire. If the effect that causes them to take fire damage is continuous they must only save once. If the effect that causes them to take fire damage would normally cause a creature to catch fire, they must roll twice and take the worse result. The DC to avoid catching fire is equal to 10+1/2 the fire damage+ the firebrand’s cha modifier if the source of the fire damage does not have an existing DC, otherwise use the DC as appropriate for the effect (a second level fire spell would have the same DC as a second level spell normally would). This replaces dirge of doom
Blaspheme Divinity: A firebrand can use their countersong to negate the effects of sacred and profane bonuses, provided they come from an external source. At 9th level a firebrand can negate 1 point of bonus. A firebrand negates an additional point of bonus at 12th level and every 3 levels thereafter. This replaces inspire greatness.
Scalding Spite: You may use your bardic performance to create an effect similar to blistering invective, except as follows: you use a perform check in place of intimidate, and the effect does 3d4 points of fire damage instead of 1d10. This is a language dependant effect, but spell resistance does not apply. This replaces frightening tune.
Shatter Armor: You may use your countersong to negate deflection bonuses to AC so long as they come from an external source. This functions as a dispel attempt, if the deflection bonus is generated by a magic item it uses the item’s caster level for the opposed check. Ongoing effects of a higher caster level and magic items that the bard successfully dispels are supressed for the duration of the performance but continue to lose duration as though they were active. If the performance ends and a supressed effect still has rounds of duration remaining, it resumes functioning as normal. This replaces inspire heroics.
Righteous Cause: At 18th level, the firebrand can lift a crowd’s emotions and turn them toward a common purpose. First, he must fascinate the crowd, and then use incite violence without designating a target, at which point he can use righteous cause. Instead of driving the crowd with anger, he fills them with purpose. Fascinated creatures must make Will saves (DC 10 + 1/2 the bard’s level + the bard’s Charisma modifier) to resist. Those who fail are affected by mass suggestion of a plausible idea that lingers with them for one day. Typical uses of this ability are to spark rebellion, overthrow a king, build a beneficial structure such as an orphanage, or donate money to a cause. This ability replaces mass suggestion.
Bomb: A firebrand’s love of destruction and pyrotechnics eventually leads them to alchemy and the means of creating alchemically charged bombs, much as an alchemist does. Rather than constructing their bombs based on strict formulae and plans, and firebrand’s bombs are made using basic know-how and a general feel for the inflammable and explosive. A firebrand gains a number of bombs per day equal to half their class level + their cha modifier (minimum of 1). This otherwise functions as the alchemist’s bomb class feature save that any use of the intelligence modifier is replaced by charisma. At first level a firebrand’s bombs do 1d6+cha modifier damage. This increases by 2d6 at 6th level and at every 4 levels thereafter. This replaces bardic knowledge.
Discoveries: A firebrand continues to study alchemy and in their tinkering and tampering with designs, learns of a new way to construct their bombs to interesting effect. At second level a firebrand may choose a discovery from the alchemist’s list of discoveries, so long as it pertains to bombs. For the purposes of pre-requisites a firebrand’s alchemist level is equal to half their bard level. A firebrand gains access to a new discovery at sixth level and every 4 levels thereafter. The DC for a firebrand’s discoveries is 10+1/2 firebrand level + the firebrand’s cha mod. This replaces versatile performance.
Firestarter: A firebrand that survives long enough learns, if not fear, then a healthy respect for the tools of their trade. At second level an firebrand gains a +4 bonus to saves against fire effects and an additional +2 (total +6) to avoid catching fire. This replaces well-versed.