Songfilch (Bard/Rogue)

Songfilches employ the magic and performance expertise of a bard in conjunction with the stealth and skill capacity of a rogue. Through song, dance, and other performances, he can confuse his enemies, vanish from sight, fascinate his audience, pierce the bodies of his foemen with sound made manifest, and execute great feats of legerdemain. (Original Concept by Elghinn Lightbringer)

Primary Class: Bard.

Secondary Class: Rogue.

Alignment: Any.

Hit Dice: d8.

Bonus Skills and Ranks: The songfilche adds the rogue’s Disable Device skill to his class skills in addition to the normal bard class skills. The songfilch gains a number of ranks at each level equal to 6 + Int modifier.

Weapon and Armor Proficiency: The songfilche is proficient with all simple weapons, plus the hand crossbow, rapier, sap, shortbow, and short sword. They are proficient with light armor, but not with shields.

Bardic Performance: At 1st level, a songfilch gains bardic performance which functions as the bard ability of the same name, except that the songfilch has access to a small selection of new performances, in addition to a few of those typically used by the bard.

Diversion (Su): At 1st level, a songfilch can use his bardic performance to deceive the senses of his observers and vanish from view. Each round of diversion, he makes a Perform (act, dance, oratory, or sing) skill check. Any creature within 30 feet of the songfilch must make a Will save (DC 10 + 1/2 the songfilch’s level + the songfilch’s Charisma modifier) or come under the effects of ghost sounds (as the spell). If this save fails, the target’s attention is drawn away from the song filch who can immediately attempt a Stealth check to hide himself from their view. To the observers, the songfilch seems to have vanished into thin air. If this check succeeds, the target assumes that the noise was something innocent and disregards it and continues to observe the songfilch. Diversion only works if all observers have been distracted by the noise. Diversion relies on audible components to function. This ability replaces distraction.

Piercing Crescendo (Su): At 1st level, a songfilch can use his performance to unleash a powerful keening note which transforms into a razor-sharp crystalline shard that deals both an amount of piercing damage equal to 1d4 plus and an amount of sonic damage equal to 1/2 the songfilch’s level, and dazes a single target within 30 feet for 1 round. This crystalline shard ignores any hardness. This note is inaudible to all but the target, and requires the songfilch to make a ranged touch attack that does not provoke attacks of opportunity. This performance requires a standard action to perform. A piercing crescendo’s effective range increases to 40 feet at 8th level, and to 50 feet at 15th level.

In addition, piercing crescendo can be used as a ranged sneak attack, but only if the target is within 30 feet (see Sneak Attack). The songfilch must expend 1 additional round of his bardic performance to apply sneak attack damage to his piercing crescendo. Piercing crescendo is an evocation (sonic) ability. Piercing crescendo relies on audible components in order to function. This ability replaces countersong.

Obfuscate (Sp): At 1st level, a songfilch can use his performance to cause himself or a single creature to vanish from sight. The creature to be vanished must be within 30 feet, and able to see and hear the songfilch when the performance begins. This performance functions like invisibility (as the spell), except the effect only lasts as long as the songfilch continues to spend rounds of bardic performance. Like invisibility, the effect immediately ends if the subject attacks any creature. If the songfilch has made a successful diversion performance, he can use this performance in place of his Stealth skill check as a move action. Obfuscate is an illusion (glamer) ability. Obfuscate relies on visual components when it affects a creature other than the songfilch. This ability replaces fascinate.

Shrouded Step (Sp): A songfilch of 6th level or higher can use his performance to make himself or a single creature invisible (as per the greater invisibility spell), and requires a standard action to activate. This ability affects only a single creature, using an additional 1 round of the songfilch’s bardic performance for each round the performance continues. If the songfilch has made a successful diversion performance, he can expend 1 additional round of his bardic performance to use this performance in place of his Stealth skill check as a move action. Shrouded step is an illusion (glamer) ability that relies on visual components in order to function when used on a creature other than the songfilch. This ability replaces suggestion.

Silent Refrain (Su): At 8th level, a songfilch can use his performance (act) to silence a selected target (including himself). The songfilch can affect a number of single targets up to the songfilch’s Charisma modifier. For every three levels a songfilch has attained beyond 6th, he can target one additional creature with this ability. This is not an area effect. Each creature to be silenced must be within 60 feet of the songfilch, and be able to see him. The songfilch must also be able to see the creatures affected.

Each creature within range receives a Will save (DC 10 + 1/2 the songfilch’s level + the songfilch’s Charisma modifier) to negate the effect. If a creature’s saving throw succeeds, the songfilch cannot attempt to silence that creature again for 24 hours. If its saving throw fails, the creature is silenced as the spell, for as long as the songfilch continues to maintain it, plus an additional number of rounds afterwards equal to his Charisma modifier. While silenced, a creature is under the same effects as a silence spell (including effects on spellcasting), but with only a 5–foot radius emanation centered on the creature.

If the songfilch chooses to target himself, he is placed under the effects of a silence spell with a caster level equal to his songfilch level. In addition, the songfilch can continue to cast his spells as if he had the Silent Spell metamagic feat, but only for as long as the performance remains in effect. Silent refrain is an illusion (glamer) ability. Silent refrain relies on visual components in order to function. This ability replaces dirge of doom.

Manifold Melody (Su): A songfilch of 9th level or higher can use his performance to create illusory doubles to conceal his true location. The songfilch can create a number of duplicate images at 9th level equal to 3 + one additional image every two levels thereafter. Each of these images remains in the songfilch’s space and move with him, mimicking his movements, sounds, and actions exactly. These duplicate images remain for as long as the songfilch maintains his performance. This ability otherwise functions as the mirror image spell. Manifold melody is an illusion (figment) ability. Manifold melody relies on audible and visual components in order to function. This ability replaces inspire greatness.

Harmonious Measure (Sp): A songfilch of 12th level or higher can use his performance to become invisible (as greater invisibility) while an illusory double of him (as major image) appears. The songfilch is then free to go elsewhere while his double moves away. The double appears within range but thereafter moves as the songfilch directs, which requires a move action beginning on the first round after the casting. The songfilch can make the figment appear superimposed perfectly over his own body so that observers don't notice an image appearing and him turning invisible. The songfilch and the figment can then move in different directions. The double moves at the songfilch’s speed and can talk and gesture as if it were real, but it cannot attack or cast spells, though it can pretend to do so. The illusory double lasts as long as the songfilch continues performing, plus a number of additional rounds equal to his Charisma modifier. After the songfilch ceases the performance, the illusory double continues to carry out the same activity until the duration expires. Using this performance uses up 2 additional rounds of the songfilch’s bardic performance each round the performance is maintained. This performance may only create one duplicate at a time. If the performance is started again while another duplicate is still in existence, the original immediately ends. If the songfilch has made a successful diversion performance, he can expend 2 additional rounds of his bardic performance to use this performance in place of his Stealth skill check as a move action. Harmonious measure is an illusion (figment, glamer) ability. This ability replaces soothing performance.

Revealing Strain (Ex): At 14th level, a songfilch can use performance to compel creatures to reveal themselves when hiding. All enemies within 30 feet must make a Will save (DC 10 + 1/2 the songfilch’s level + the songfilch’s Cha modifier). If they fail, they must cease using Stealth, and dismiss, suppress, or dispel if necessary magical effects that grant invisibility or any other form of concealment from the songfilch. As long as they can hear the performance, affected creatures may not attack or flee until they have eliminated every such effect, though they are freed from this compulsion immediately if attacked. Creatures in the area must make this save each round the songfilch continues his performance. This ability is language-dependent and requires audible components. This performance replaces frightening tune.

Hidden Troupe (Sp): This ability functions just like obfuscate, but allows a songfilch of 18th level or higher to simultaneously make a number of creatures within 60 feet of each other invisible. The effect moves with the group and is broken when anyone in the group attacks. Individuals in the group cannot see each other. The spell is broken for any individual who moves more than 60 feet from the nearest member of the group. If only two individuals are affected, the one moving away from the other one loses its invisibility. If both are moving away from each other, they both become visible when the distance between them exceeds 60 feet. This performance requires a standard action to activate and affects a number of creatures equal to 1/2 the songfilch’s level + his Charisma modifier. Using this performance uses up 2 additional rounds of the songfilch’s bardic performance each round it is maintained. Hidden Troupe is an illusion (glamer) ability and replaces mass suggestion.

Deadly Crescendo (Su): Upon reaching 20th level, a songfilch becomes extremely deadly with his piercing crescendo. Each time the songfilch deals ranged sneak attack damage, the shard explodes in a burst of crystalline shrapnel. The target receives a Fortitude save (DC 10 + 1/2 the songfilch’s level + the songfilch’s Charisma modifier). If a creature’s saving throw succeeds, the target takes an amount of bleeding damage equal to the songfilch’s Charisma modifier, and is staggered for 2d4 rounds. If a creature’s saving throw fails, the shrapnel strikes the target’s heart and it dies. Once a creature has been the target of a deadly crescendo, regardless of whether or not the save is made, that creature is immune to that songfilch’s deadly crescendo for 24 hours. Creatures that are immune to sneak attack damage are also immune to this ability. This ability replaces deadly performance.

Diminished Spellcasting: The songfilch casts arcane spells drawn from the bard spell list, and both gains and knows one fewer spell of each spell level. If this reduces the number to 0 (minimum 1 for spells known), he may cast spells of that level only if his Charisma allows bonus spells of that level. He otherwise casts spells as a bard of equal level. In addition, the songfilch adds the following spells to his spell list and may select any of these spells as a spell known, in addition to those listed in the bard’s spell list: 0– detect poison; 1st–obscuring mist, shadow weapon‡, 2nd–forbid action‡, grace*; 3th–nondetection, silence; 4th–deeper darkness, twilight knife*; 5th–poison; 6th–forbid action (greater)‡. (*AdvancedPlayer’sGuide, ‡UltimateMagic)

Sneak Attack (Ex): This is exactly like the rogue ability of the same name, but the songfilch can apply his sneak attack damage to his piercing crescendo anytime the target would be denied a Dexterity bonus to AC, or when the songfilch flanks his target. This extra damage is 1d6 at 1st level, and increases by 1d6 every four levels thereafter, to a maximum of +5d6 at 17th level. This ability replaces inspire courage.

Spellsong (Ex): At 2nd level, a songfilch gains Spellsong as a bonus feat, even if he does not have the normal prerequisites.

Rogue Talents: At 2nd level and every four levels thereafter, a songfilch gains a rogue talent for which he qualifies. At 14th level, the songfilch can choose advanced rogue talents whenever he could choose a rogue talent, or when he selects the Extra Rogue Talent feat. The songfilch adds the following rogue abilities to the list of advanced talents he may select: evasion, uncanny dodge, and improved uncanny dodge. A songfilch must select uncanny dodge before selecting improved uncanny dodge. In the case of the improved evasion talent, the songfilch must have evasion to select it. A songfilch treats his level as his rogue level for the purpose of qualifying for talents with level-dependent requirements and calculating the effects of any talent or rogue ability he's chosen.

Rogue Talents: The following rogue talents complement the songfilch multiclass archetype: black market connections†, charmer*, coax information*, convincing lie†, fast stealth, finesse rogue, guileful polygot*, honeyed words*, quick disguise*, trap spotter, and underhanded†. (*Advanced Player’s Guide, †Ultimate Combat)

Advanced Talents: The following advanced rogue talents complement the songfilch archetype: confounding blades†, defensive roll, dispelling attack, fast tumble*, hard to fool†, improved evasion, master of disguise*, rumormonger†, skill mastery, thoughtful reexamining*, and unwitting ally†. (*Advanced Player’s Guide, †Ultimate Combat)

Table: Songfilch

Table: Songfilch Spells Known