Wailing Blade (Bard/Fighter)

Some who follow the path of song and sword eschew the knowledge and compulsion that is intrinsic in their calling and follow a more martial path. These rare few emulate the fearsome banshee and woe to those that stand in their way. (Original Concept by Trogdar)

Primary Class: Bard.

Secondary Class: Fighter.

Alignment: Any. 

Hit Dice: d8.

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

Weapon and Armor Proficiency: The wailing blade is proficient with all simple weapons, plus the longsword, rapier, sap, short sword, shortbow, whip, and one martial weapon of choice. The wailing blade is also proficient with light armor and shields (except tower shields). A wailing blade can cast bard spells while wearing light armor and using a shield without incurring the normal arcane spell failure chance. Like any other arcane spellcaster, a wailing blade wearing medium or heavy armor incurs a chance of arcane spell failure if the spell in question has a somatic component. A multiclass wailing blade still incurs the normal arcane spell failure chance for arcane spells received from other classes.

Diminished Spellcasting: The wailing blade casts arcane spells drawn from the bard spell list, and casts one fewer spell of each level than normal. 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 learns and casts spells as a bard of equal level.

Arcane Bond (Ex): At 1st level, a wailing blade gains the wizard’s arcane bond ability, but may only select the bonded object, using his weapon as his bonded item. He can continue to wield his weapon and cast spells with somatic components without restriction. This ability replaces lore master.

Bardic Performance: A wailing blade replaces four performances with the following new performances.

Rallying Cry (Su): At 1st level, a wailing blade can use his performance to rally dispirited allies. Each round he makes an Intimidate check. Any ally (including the bard) within 30 feet may use this check in place of his own saving throw against fear and despair effects. Those already under a fear or despair effect can attempt a new save each round using the wailing blade's Intimidate check. Rallying cry does not work on effects that don’t allow saves. This is a mind-affecting ability that uses audible components. This performance replaces countersong.

Harmonic Weapon (Su): At 4th level, whenever the wailing blade uses a performance, his bonded weapon vibrates and hums with harmonic resonance. If the wailing blade makes a successful attack while a performance is in effect, he deals an additional 1d6 points of sonic damage. At 8th level, and every four levels thereafter, this sonic damage increases one dice category (1d8 at 8th, 1d10 at 12th, 2d6 at 16th, and 2d8 at 20th). This ability replaces suggestion. 

Mass Harmonics (Su): At 16th level, a wailing blade can grant his harmonic weapon ability to all allies within 10 feet of him, as a swift action. Allies deal an additional 1d10 points of sonic damage if they make a successful attack with their weapons. This effect lasts until the current performance ends. This ability replaces mass suggestion. 

Shrieking Performance (Su): At 20th level, a wailing blade can use her performance to cause one enemy to possibly die from a terrible, soul-chilling scream. To be affected, the target must be able to hear the wailing blade perform for 1 full round and be within 30 feet. The target receives a Will save (DC 10 + 1/2 the wailing blade’s level + the wailing blade’s Charisma modifier) to negate the effect. If a creature’s saving throw succeeds, the target is frightened for 1d4 rounds, and the wailing blade cannot use shrieking performance on that creature again for 24 hours. If a creature's saving throw fails, it takes 10 points of damage per caster level. This otherwise functions like the wailing banshee spell. Shrieking performance is a death effect that relies on audible components. This performance replaces deadly performance.

Bonus Feats: At 2nd level and every four levels thereafter, a wailing blade learns to weave might and magic into his combat style. He gains the following as bonus feats at the indicated levels: Combat Casting (2nd), Disruptive (6th), Spellbreaker (10th), Penetrating Strike (14th), Greater Penetrating Strike (18th). This ability replaces versatile performance and well-versed.

Bonded Weapon Training (Ex): Starting at 5th level, a wailing blade can take weapon training with his bonded weapon. Whenever he attacks with his bonded weapon, he gains a +1 bonus on attack and damage rolls. Every four levels thereafter (9th, 13th, and 17th), he gains an additional +1 bonus to his attack and damage rolls with his bonded weapon. For example, when a wailing blade reaches 9th level, he receives a +2 bonus on attack and damage rolls with his bonded weapon. A wailing blade also adds this bonus to any combat maneuver checks made with his bonded weapon. This bonus also applies to the wailing blade’s Combat Maneuver Defense when defending against disarm and sunder attempts made against his bonded weapon. This ability replaces the inspire courage, soothing performance, and frightening tune bardic performances.

Medium Armor (Ex): At 8th level, a wailing blade gains proficiency with medium armor. A wailing blade can cast bard spells while wearing medium armor without incurring the normal arcane spell failure chance. Like any other arcane spellcaster, a wailing blade wearing heavy armor incurs a chance of arcane spell failure if the spell in question has a somatic component. This ability replaces jack of all trades.

Table: Wailing Blade

Table: Wailing Blade Spells Known