Canticle Knight (Bard/Paladin)

There are many who seek allies to further the cause of good only when their own strength fails them. Such an ally is the canticle knight, a roaming warrior that wields song and sword in the name of her god. Canticle knights have been imbued with divine power. As such, they only unite themselves with those they deem as worthy vessels of righteousness in times of great need, and empower them with divine gifts granted from their deity. With an unwavering conviction in the goodness of their companions, canticle knights refuse to allow others to descend into wickedness and are ever encouraging them through reason and example to maintain their faith. The canticle knight numbers both men and women among its ranks, all of whom are dedicated to knowledge and purity, bring great glory to their orders, and seek to sanctify the hearts of all who possess a glint of goodwill within them. (Original Concept by Byrdology)

Primary Class: Bard.

Secondary Class: Paladin.

Alignment: Any good.

Hit Die: d8.

Bonus Skills and Ranks: The canticle knight may select three paladin skills to add to her class skills in addition to the normal bard class skills. The canticle knight gains a number of ranks at each level equal to 4 + Int modifier.

Weapon and Armor Proficiency: The canticle knight is proficient with all simple and martial weapon, with light armor, and with shields (except tower shields). A canticle knight can cast arcane spells while wearing light armor and using a shield without incurring the normal arcane spell failure chance. Like any other arcane spellcaster, a canticle knight wearing medium armor or heavy armor incurs a chance of arcane spell failure if the spell in question has a somatic component. A multiclass canticle knight still incurs the normal arcane spell failure chance for arcane spells received from other classes.

Spellcasting: The canticle knight casts arcane spells drawn from the bard spell list, and adds the following paladin spells to that list at the indicated spell levels: 1st level—bless, bless weapon, divine favor, endure elements, protection from chaos/evil/law; 2nd level—blessing of courage and life*, holy shield#, resist energy, shield other, vestment of the champion#; 3rd level—holy whisper*, litany of defense†, litany of eloquence†, sanctify armor*, veil of positive energy; 4th level—divine arrow†, litany of righteousness†, litany of warding†, sacred bond*; 5th level—archon’s aura#, bestow grace of the champion#, bright blade of victory#; 6th level—blaze of glory*, litany of thunder†, litany of vengeance†. A canticle knight otherwise casts spells as a bard equal to her canticle knight level. (Advanced Player’s Guide*, Ultimate Magic#, Ultimate Combat†)

Aura of Good (Ex): At 1st level, a canticle knight gains the paladin’s aura of good ability. This ability replaces distraction.

Bardic Performance: A canticle knight gains the following performances in place of those listed in their individual descriptions.

Hymn of Grace (Su): A canticle knight of 3rd level or higher can use her performance to grant an ally improved saving throws. The ally must be within 30 feet and able to see and hear the canticle knight. The ally gains a +2 insight bonus on all saving throws as long as she continues to hear the canticle knight’s performance. This bonus increases by +1 for every four levels the canticle knight has attained beyond 3rd (+3 at 7th, +4 at 11th, +5 at 15th, and +6 at 19th). This performance replaces the inspire competenceperformance.

Song of Mercy (Su): A canticle knight of 6th level or higher can expend 2 rounds of performance to grant mercy to allies within 30 feet that are able to see and hear her. The canticle knight selects one mercy from those listed in the paladin’s mercy ability. Whenever the canticle knight uses song of mercy, the targets also receive the effects from one mercy possessed by the canticle knight. A mercy can remove a condition caused by a curse, disease, or poison without curing the affliction. Such conditions return after 1 hour unless the mercy actually removes the affliction that causes the condition.

At 6th level, the canticle knight can select from paladin’s list of 6th level mercies. At 9th level, the canticle knight adds the paladin’s 6th level mercies to the list of those that can be selected. At 12th level, the canticle knight adds the paladin’s 9th level mercies to the list of those that can be selected. At 15th level, the canticle knight adds the paladin’s 12th level mercies to the list of those that can be selected.

These mercies are not cumulative, but the canticle knight can grant allies additional mercies by expending the appropriate rounds of performance. For example, a 12th-level canticle knight that performs song of mercy might cure the fatigued condition. By expending 2 additional rounds of performance for each additional mercy, the canticle knight could also remove the exhausted condition as well as removing diseases and neutralizing poisons. Doing so would expend a total of 8 rounds of performance. Once a condition or spell effect is chosen, it can't be changed. Song of mercy requires 2 rounds to perform, regardless of how many mercies (and rounds of performance expended) the canticle knight uses. A canticle knight can affect a number of allies equal to her Charisma modifier. This performance replaces thesuggestion and mass suggestionperformances.

Righteous Refrain (Su): A canticle knight of 14th level or higher can expend four rounds of performance to grant the ability to smite evil to all allies within 10 feet, using her bonuses. Allies must use this smite evil ability by the start of the canticle knight’s next turn and the bonuses last for 1 minute. Evil creatures gain no benefit from this ability. This performance replaces the frightening tune performance.

Miraculous Performance (Su): A canticle knight of 20th level or higher can use his performance to create an effect equivalent to the heal spell, using the canticle knight's level as the caster level. Using this ability requires 6 continuous rounds of performance, and the target must be able to see and hear the canticle knight throughout the performance. In addition, the canticle knight gains DR 5/evil and any use of lay on hands to heal a creature heals the maximum possible amount during the performance and for an additional number of rounds afterwards equal to the canticle knight’s Charisma modifier. Miraculous performance relies on audible and visual components. This performance replaces deadly performance.

Detect Evil (Sp): At 1st level, a canticle knight gains the paladin’s detect evil ability. This ability replaces fascinate.

Lay on Hands (Su): Starting at 2nd level, a canticle knight gains the paladin’s lay on hands ability, except that the canticle knight can heal 1d6 points of damage at 2nd level, and an addition 1d6 points of damage very three levels thereafter, to a maximum of 7d6 points of damage. This ability replaces versatile performance.

Smite Evil (Su): At 4th level, a canticle knight gains the paladin’s smite evil ability, except that he can smite evil once per day at 4th level, and an additional time per day every six levels thereafter, to a maximum of three times per day at 16th level. This ability replaces lore master and jack-of-all trades.

Medium Armor (Ex): At 8th level, a canticle knight gains proficiency with medium armor. A canticle knight can cast bard spells while wearing medium armor without incurring the normal arcane spell failure chance. Like any other arcane spellcaster, a canticle knight wearing heavy armor or using a tower shield incurs a chance of arcane spell failure if the spell in question has a somatic component. This ability replaces the dirge of doom performance.

Table: Canticle Knight