[FONT=&]The Amazing Chrythos[/FONT][FONT=&]
Male Human Bard (street performer) 5
CG Medium humanoid (human)
Hero Points 5
Init +1; Senses Perception +8
--------------------
Defense
--------------------
AC 13, touch 11, flat-footed 12 (+2 armor, +1 Dex,)
hp 9 (1d8+1)
Fort +3, Ref +6, Will +3; +4 vs bardic performace, language-dependent, and sonic
--------------------
Offense
--------------------
Speed 30 ft.
Melee dagger +1 (1d4-2/19-20)[/FONT]
[FONT=&]Ranged [/FONT][FONT=&]masterwork light crossbow +5 (1d8/19-20)[/FONT]
[FONT=&]Special Attacks [/FONT][FONT=&]bardic music 18 rounds/day (disappearing act, distraction, fascinate, harmless performer[/FONT][FONT=&]), gladhanding (bump attitude by up to 3 levels, +30/+26)[/FONT]
[FONT=&]Bard Spells Known [/FONT][FONT=&](CL 5<sup>th</sup>; concentration +11)[/FONT]
[FONT=&] 2<sup>nd</sup> (3/day)–heroism, tongues[/FONT]
[FONT=&] 1<sup>st</sup> (6/day)–charm person (DC 17), disguise self, grease (DC 17), silent image (DC 17),[/FONT]
[FONT=&]timely inspiration, vanish[/FONT]
[FONT=&] 0 (at will)–detect magic, ghost sound (DC 16), light, message, prestidigitation, sift[/FONT]
[FONT=&]
--------------------
Statistics
--------------------
Str 7, Dex 12, Con 13, Int 14, Wis 7, Cha 22
Base Atk +3; CMB +1; CMD 12
Feats Deific Obedience (Shelyn), Fast Learner, Improvisation, Skill Focus (bluff)
Traits Precise Treatment, Propitiation (bluff), Savant (Perform: Oratory)
Drawback Hedonistic[/FONT]
[FONT=&]Skills [/FONT][FONT=&]Acrobatics +3, Appraise [+30] +4, Bluff [+30] +26, Climb +0, Craft (any) +4, Diplomacy +25, Disable Device +3, Disguise +19, Escape Artist +9, Fly +3, Handle Animal +11, Heal [+30] +5, Intimidate +11, Knowledge (arcana) [+30] +4, Knowledge (dungeoneering) [+30] +4, Knowledge (engineering) [+30] +4, Knowledge (geography) [+30] +4, Knowledge (history) [+30] +4, Knowledge (local) [+30] +6, Knowledge (nature) [+30] +4, Knowledge (nobility) [+30] +4, Knowledge (planes) [+30] +4, Knowledge (religion) [+30] +4, Linguistics [+30] +4, Perception +8, Perform (Oratory) +23, Perform (Dance) +21, Profession (any) +0, Ride +3, Sense Motive +25, Slight of Hand +13 (+25 to hide small objects on self), Spellcraft [+30] +4, Stealth +11, Survival +0, Swim +0, Use Magic Device +17[/FONT]
[FONT=&]Note: [?] = skill check using Pageant of the Peacock[/FONT]
[FONT=&]2<sup>nd</sup> Note: = +2 on Diplomacy and Intimidate when gathering information or influencing crowds
Languages Common, Osirion, Taldon, Tien
SQ focused study, pageant of the peacock, quick change, silver-tongued, streetwise, versatile performance (oratory)
Other Gear circlet of persuasion, headband of charisma +2, cloak of resistance +1, false jewelry, pocketed scarf, masterwork tools [for: diplomacy (gifts, nicknacks, fine clothing), perception (lenses), sense motive (book of body language), slight of hand (hidden pockets, small knives, pouches), stealth (footpads, camoflagued clothing)], dagger (x2), masterwork light crossbow, leather armor, 20 bolts, 225 gp
--------------------
Special Abilities
--------------------
Deific Obedience +4 bonus to perform checks, as long as he creates a new story every day.[/FONT]
[FONT=&]Disappearing Act[/FONT][FONT=&] bardic performace that cause those within 30’ that fail save to treat two allies as being invisible.[/FONT]
[FONT=&]Distraction[/FONT][FONT=&] bardic performance that can replace an allies failed save vs illusions using the performance check.[/FONT]
[FONT=&]Fascinate[/FONT][FONT=&] bardic performace that fascinates foes who are not threatened.[/FONT]
[FONT=&]Fast Learner[/FONT][FONT=&] gain two different benefits each time a preferred class benefit is chosen.[/FONT]
[FONT=&]Focused Study[/FONT][FONT=&] gain a bonus Skill Focus feat at 1<sup>st</sup>, 8<sup>th</sup>, and 16<sup>th</sup> level.[/FONT]
[FONT=&]Gladhanding[/FONT][FONT=&] earn double the amount of gold from day job performance checks. Also, as a standard action, use bluff in place of diplomacy check to influence attitudes for 1 minute, after which time its attitude becomes one step worse than originally.[/FONT]
[FONT=&]Harmless Performer[/FONT][FONT=&] bardic performance that works as sanctuary.[/FONT]
[FONT=&]Hedonistic[/FONT][FONT=&] Once a day, he must gain treasure or reward, or spend an hour having fun, or make a DC 20 fort save to avoid fatigue for 4 hours.[/FONT]
[FONT=&]Hero Points (5)[/FONT][FONT=&] Hero Points can be spent at any time to grant a variety of bonuses.
Precise Treatment use intelligence for heal checks at +1.[/FONT]
[FONT=&]Propitiation[/FONT][FONT=&] pick one skill at the start of the day among appraise, bluff, craft, diplomacy, intimidate, or knowledge (local). You gain +2 trait bonus on that skill until the start of the next day.[/FONT]
[FONT=&]Pageant of the Peacock[/FONT][FONT=&] for the duration of the effect, gain +4 on bluff, and use bluff in place of Int checks or Int-based skill check. One round of bardic performace for 10 minutes of effect. [/FONT]
[FONT=&]Quick Change[/FONT][FONT=&] use disguise as a standard action at -5, can always take 10 on bluff/disguise checks, and 1/day take 20 on bluff/disguise.[/FONT]
[FONT=&]Savant[/FONT][FONT=&] +2 to one perform check.
Silver-Tongued +2 to Bluff and Diplomacy, and you can adjust attitudes with a successful diplomacy check by up to 3 steps.[/FONT]
[FONT=&]Streetwise[/FONT][FONT=&] +2 on bluff, disguise, knowledge (local), and slight of hand. Also, +2 when using diplomacy or intimidate to gather information or influence crowds.
Well-versed +4 on saves vs bardic performance, language-dependant, or sonic effects.
--------------------
Tactics:[/FONT]
[FONT=&]This fellow is not particularly combat-focused – where he really shines is OUT of combat. Using his Pageant of the Peacock ability combined with Quick Change bluff usage, he can take 10 on many of his skills, making a 40 without breaking a sweat. Although he has to use a standard action to ‘start’ his ability, it then lasts for 10 minutes – which is usually a whole encounter. A few uses will usually cover most dungeons and ‘smaller locations’, whereas longer journeys usually don’t require regular knowledge checks (If they do, he just does a little dance). He has most of his people skills maxed out as well, acting as a premier ‘face man’. His ability to gather information, make friends, know the lore behind dangerous monsters, and remember the right old folk tale to help with strange puzzles and problems makes him quite invaluable. If only he didn’t lie so much…[/FONT]
[FONT=&]Of course, he’s not useless in a fight.[/FONT]
[FONT=&]His first and best option is the Gladhanding ability – whereas diplomacy normally takes a full minute, he can use the combination of this ability and Silver-Tongued to adjust even hostile encounters to friendly with a simple standard action (taking 10 with Quick Change makes a check of 40 – which is more than enough to hit the DC 25+Charisma modifier). Of course, this fast-talking only lasts for 10 rounds – which is still usually enough time to gain a tactical advantage, such as allies moving to better positions, disarming them, or simply bypassing the fight. After that, though…all bets are off.[/FONT]
[FONT=&]He has a number of useful spells, as well. Silent image is particularly useful when used as a static effect. Create a wall in the right spot, and foes usually just spend the extra time to go around the effect – particularly useful vs. enemies with low intelligence. If they do that, then recreate it somewhere else. They don’t get a save until they actually interactive with it. Also, heroism is a solid buff which lasts for almost an hour – which makes up a bit for his lack of inspire courage. However, his specialty in combat is trickery, so stick with that. He can step behind a wall and quickly disguise himself as an enemy leader (using disguise self or quick change). The next round, put up a wall between the leader and his minions with silent image, and step out into view, commanding the enemy to stop. With his super high bluff, this has a good chance of working…or at the very least, causing some confusion.[/FONT]
[FONT=&]His other bardic performance abilities shouldn’t get used too much – the Pageant of the Peacock ability is too important to the build to burn away too many rounds of performance. However, a well-placed disappearing act to make two allies disappear at the right time (say, as a readied action) can really mess with enemies and their attacks (granting miss chances, allowing allies to avoid attacks of opportunities…and, of course, the rogue will love you).[/FONT]
[FONT=&]--------------------
[/FONT]
[FONT=&]Higher level build options:[/FONT]
[FONT=&]There are a few options on this build. At 6<sup>th</sup> level, versatile performance will allow his Perform (dance) to substitute his Acrobatics and Fly skills, taking the skills from +3 to +22. You could also look at Perform (percussion) later for Intimidate and Handle Animal. For some defense, a level of fighter with the unarmed fighter archetype (or monk maneuver master, if you were Lawful) gives access to Snake Style. Suddenly the bard can dodge one attack every round using his increased Sense Motive check as his AC (for both normal and touch attacks). The Evangelist prestige class would give access to some neat abilities, including illusion spells as spell-like abilities (which makes the Spellcraft check to know what spell was cast impossible), while still advancing bard abilities (you only lose out one level of bard advancement). Perhaps my favorite option – with a little bit of retraining one or two feats, at 7<sup>th</sup> level, you can pick up a large wolf companion as a druid of the same level by taking Nature Soul, Animal Ally and Boon Companion (note: once the bard picks up Jack of All Trades at 10<sup>th</sup> level, there is not that much need for Improvisation). A bard is never better than when he has someone along to ‘enhance’…and suddenly, the character is taking a slightly more active role in combat. Go Fang![/FONT]
[FONT=&]Obviously, you’ll want to pick up the spell glibness, as well.[/FONT]
[FONT=&]There are a few more items you can pick up for more bonuses, such as Mask of Stony Demeanor (+10 to Bluff for 800 gp), Mummer’s Ruff (+10 untyped to Bluff, when copying a noble’s voice for 3,500 gp), and a number of others (Rod of Beguiling, Ring of Chameleon Power, Bracers of the Glib Entertainer, just to name a few). With a few of these items and a glibness spell, the Bluff check can easily be raised up to 80+.[/FONT]
[FONT=&]--------------------
Notes: I forgot to list the masterwork tools for the skills on the PDF of the character sheet (I don't have Herolab, so I'm doing this the long, drawn-out way). The equipment list above is more up-to-date.
[/FONT]
Male Human Bard (street performer) 5
CG Medium humanoid (human)
Hero Points 5
Init +1; Senses Perception +8
--------------------
Defense
--------------------
AC 13, touch 11, flat-footed 12 (+2 armor, +1 Dex,)
hp 9 (1d8+1)
Fort +3, Ref +6, Will +3; +4 vs bardic performace, language-dependent, and sonic
--------------------
Offense
--------------------
Speed 30 ft.
Melee dagger +1 (1d4-2/19-20)[/FONT]
[FONT=&]Ranged [/FONT][FONT=&]masterwork light crossbow +5 (1d8/19-20)[/FONT]
[FONT=&]Special Attacks [/FONT][FONT=&]bardic music 18 rounds/day (disappearing act, distraction, fascinate, harmless performer[/FONT][FONT=&]), gladhanding (bump attitude by up to 3 levels, +30/+26)[/FONT]
[FONT=&]Bard Spells Known [/FONT][FONT=&](CL 5<sup>th</sup>; concentration +11)[/FONT]
[FONT=&] 2<sup>nd</sup> (3/day)–heroism, tongues[/FONT]
[FONT=&] 1<sup>st</sup> (6/day)–charm person (DC 17), disguise self, grease (DC 17), silent image (DC 17),[/FONT]
[FONT=&]timely inspiration, vanish[/FONT]
[FONT=&] 0 (at will)–detect magic, ghost sound (DC 16), light, message, prestidigitation, sift[/FONT]
[FONT=&]
--------------------
Statistics
--------------------
Str 7, Dex 12, Con 13, Int 14, Wis 7, Cha 22
Base Atk +3; CMB +1; CMD 12
Feats Deific Obedience (Shelyn), Fast Learner, Improvisation, Skill Focus (bluff)
Traits Precise Treatment, Propitiation (bluff), Savant (Perform: Oratory)
Drawback Hedonistic[/FONT]
[FONT=&]Skills [/FONT][FONT=&]Acrobatics +3, Appraise [+30] +4, Bluff [+30] +26, Climb +0, Craft (any) +4, Diplomacy +25, Disable Device +3, Disguise +19, Escape Artist +9, Fly +3, Handle Animal +11, Heal [+30] +5, Intimidate +11, Knowledge (arcana) [+30] +4, Knowledge (dungeoneering) [+30] +4, Knowledge (engineering) [+30] +4, Knowledge (geography) [+30] +4, Knowledge (history) [+30] +4, Knowledge (local) [+30] +6, Knowledge (nature) [+30] +4, Knowledge (nobility) [+30] +4, Knowledge (planes) [+30] +4, Knowledge (religion) [+30] +4, Linguistics [+30] +4, Perception +8, Perform (Oratory) +23, Perform (Dance) +21, Profession (any) +0, Ride +3, Sense Motive +25, Slight of Hand +13 (+25 to hide small objects on self), Spellcraft [+30] +4, Stealth +11, Survival +0, Swim +0, Use Magic Device +17[/FONT]
[FONT=&]Note: [?] = skill check using Pageant of the Peacock[/FONT]
[FONT=&]2<sup>nd</sup> Note: = +2 on Diplomacy and Intimidate when gathering information or influencing crowds
Languages Common, Osirion, Taldon, Tien
SQ focused study, pageant of the peacock, quick change, silver-tongued, streetwise, versatile performance (oratory)
Other Gear circlet of persuasion, headband of charisma +2, cloak of resistance +1, false jewelry, pocketed scarf, masterwork tools [for: diplomacy (gifts, nicknacks, fine clothing), perception (lenses), sense motive (book of body language), slight of hand (hidden pockets, small knives, pouches), stealth (footpads, camoflagued clothing)], dagger (x2), masterwork light crossbow, leather armor, 20 bolts, 225 gp
--------------------
Special Abilities
--------------------
Deific Obedience +4 bonus to perform checks, as long as he creates a new story every day.[/FONT]
[FONT=&]Disappearing Act[/FONT][FONT=&] bardic performace that cause those within 30’ that fail save to treat two allies as being invisible.[/FONT]
[FONT=&]Distraction[/FONT][FONT=&] bardic performance that can replace an allies failed save vs illusions using the performance check.[/FONT]
[FONT=&]Fascinate[/FONT][FONT=&] bardic performace that fascinates foes who are not threatened.[/FONT]
[FONT=&]Fast Learner[/FONT][FONT=&] gain two different benefits each time a preferred class benefit is chosen.[/FONT]
[FONT=&]Focused Study[/FONT][FONT=&] gain a bonus Skill Focus feat at 1<sup>st</sup>, 8<sup>th</sup>, and 16<sup>th</sup> level.[/FONT]
[FONT=&]Gladhanding[/FONT][FONT=&] earn double the amount of gold from day job performance checks. Also, as a standard action, use bluff in place of diplomacy check to influence attitudes for 1 minute, after which time its attitude becomes one step worse than originally.[/FONT]
[FONT=&]Harmless Performer[/FONT][FONT=&] bardic performance that works as sanctuary.[/FONT]
[FONT=&]Hedonistic[/FONT][FONT=&] Once a day, he must gain treasure or reward, or spend an hour having fun, or make a DC 20 fort save to avoid fatigue for 4 hours.[/FONT]
[FONT=&]Hero Points (5)[/FONT][FONT=&] Hero Points can be spent at any time to grant a variety of bonuses.
Precise Treatment use intelligence for heal checks at +1.[/FONT]
[FONT=&]Propitiation[/FONT][FONT=&] pick one skill at the start of the day among appraise, bluff, craft, diplomacy, intimidate, or knowledge (local). You gain +2 trait bonus on that skill until the start of the next day.[/FONT]
[FONT=&]Pageant of the Peacock[/FONT][FONT=&] for the duration of the effect, gain +4 on bluff, and use bluff in place of Int checks or Int-based skill check. One round of bardic performace for 10 minutes of effect. [/FONT]
[FONT=&]Quick Change[/FONT][FONT=&] use disguise as a standard action at -5, can always take 10 on bluff/disguise checks, and 1/day take 20 on bluff/disguise.[/FONT]
[FONT=&]Savant[/FONT][FONT=&] +2 to one perform check.
Silver-Tongued +2 to Bluff and Diplomacy, and you can adjust attitudes with a successful diplomacy check by up to 3 steps.[/FONT]
[FONT=&]Streetwise[/FONT][FONT=&] +2 on bluff, disguise, knowledge (local), and slight of hand. Also, +2 when using diplomacy or intimidate to gather information or influence crowds.
Well-versed +4 on saves vs bardic performance, language-dependant, or sonic effects.
--------------------
Tactics:[/FONT]
[FONT=&]This fellow is not particularly combat-focused – where he really shines is OUT of combat. Using his Pageant of the Peacock ability combined with Quick Change bluff usage, he can take 10 on many of his skills, making a 40 without breaking a sweat. Although he has to use a standard action to ‘start’ his ability, it then lasts for 10 minutes – which is usually a whole encounter. A few uses will usually cover most dungeons and ‘smaller locations’, whereas longer journeys usually don’t require regular knowledge checks (If they do, he just does a little dance). He has most of his people skills maxed out as well, acting as a premier ‘face man’. His ability to gather information, make friends, know the lore behind dangerous monsters, and remember the right old folk tale to help with strange puzzles and problems makes him quite invaluable. If only he didn’t lie so much…[/FONT]
[FONT=&]Of course, he’s not useless in a fight.[/FONT]
[FONT=&]His first and best option is the Gladhanding ability – whereas diplomacy normally takes a full minute, he can use the combination of this ability and Silver-Tongued to adjust even hostile encounters to friendly with a simple standard action (taking 10 with Quick Change makes a check of 40 – which is more than enough to hit the DC 25+Charisma modifier). Of course, this fast-talking only lasts for 10 rounds – which is still usually enough time to gain a tactical advantage, such as allies moving to better positions, disarming them, or simply bypassing the fight. After that, though…all bets are off.[/FONT]
[FONT=&]He has a number of useful spells, as well. Silent image is particularly useful when used as a static effect. Create a wall in the right spot, and foes usually just spend the extra time to go around the effect – particularly useful vs. enemies with low intelligence. If they do that, then recreate it somewhere else. They don’t get a save until they actually interactive with it. Also, heroism is a solid buff which lasts for almost an hour – which makes up a bit for his lack of inspire courage. However, his specialty in combat is trickery, so stick with that. He can step behind a wall and quickly disguise himself as an enemy leader (using disguise self or quick change). The next round, put up a wall between the leader and his minions with silent image, and step out into view, commanding the enemy to stop. With his super high bluff, this has a good chance of working…or at the very least, causing some confusion.[/FONT]
[FONT=&]His other bardic performance abilities shouldn’t get used too much – the Pageant of the Peacock ability is too important to the build to burn away too many rounds of performance. However, a well-placed disappearing act to make two allies disappear at the right time (say, as a readied action) can really mess with enemies and their attacks (granting miss chances, allowing allies to avoid attacks of opportunities…and, of course, the rogue will love you).[/FONT]
[FONT=&]--------------------
[/FONT]
[FONT=&]Higher level build options:[/FONT]
[FONT=&]There are a few options on this build. At 6<sup>th</sup> level, versatile performance will allow his Perform (dance) to substitute his Acrobatics and Fly skills, taking the skills from +3 to +22. You could also look at Perform (percussion) later for Intimidate and Handle Animal. For some defense, a level of fighter with the unarmed fighter archetype (or monk maneuver master, if you were Lawful) gives access to Snake Style. Suddenly the bard can dodge one attack every round using his increased Sense Motive check as his AC (for both normal and touch attacks). The Evangelist prestige class would give access to some neat abilities, including illusion spells as spell-like abilities (which makes the Spellcraft check to know what spell was cast impossible), while still advancing bard abilities (you only lose out one level of bard advancement). Perhaps my favorite option – with a little bit of retraining one or two feats, at 7<sup>th</sup> level, you can pick up a large wolf companion as a druid of the same level by taking Nature Soul, Animal Ally and Boon Companion (note: once the bard picks up Jack of All Trades at 10<sup>th</sup> level, there is not that much need for Improvisation). A bard is never better than when he has someone along to ‘enhance’…and suddenly, the character is taking a slightly more active role in combat. Go Fang![/FONT]
[FONT=&]Obviously, you’ll want to pick up the spell glibness, as well.[/FONT]
[FONT=&]There are a few more items you can pick up for more bonuses, such as Mask of Stony Demeanor (+10 to Bluff for 800 gp), Mummer’s Ruff (+10 untyped to Bluff, when copying a noble’s voice for 3,500 gp), and a number of others (Rod of Beguiling, Ring of Chameleon Power, Bracers of the Glib Entertainer, just to name a few). With a few of these items and a glibness spell, the Bluff check can easily be raised up to 80+.[/FONT]
[FONT=&]--------------------
Notes: I forgot to list the masterwork tools for the skills on the PDF of the character sheet (I don't have Herolab, so I'm doing this the long, drawn-out way). The equipment list above is more up-to-date.
[/FONT]