In a word, Performers are inspirational. Their artistry can bring out the best and the worst in people; either inspiring their greatest achievements, or sowing discord and chaos among a group. Bards are the best known performers, but the greatest generals are often performers as well, using speeches to exhort their troops before battle.
Attack: Medium
Accuracy: Medium
Defense: Medium
Resistance: Medium
Tough: Medium
Quick: High
Mind: Medium
Hit Points: Medium
Maximum Energy Points at 20th Level: 128
Weapon Proficiencies: Light, Medium
Armor Proficiencies: Light, Medium
Allowed Alignments: Any
Tunes are level 1; Verses are tier 1; Songs, tier 2; Ballads, tier 3; and Epics, tier 4 effects. Tunes, Verses, Songs, Ballads, and Epics are collectively referred to as Performances.
All performances have Method: perform in some manner (sing, dance, play the gnomish accordion, give a speech, etc) that is relevant to the subject at hand for the entirety of the casting time.
Multiple performances never stack under any circumstances. Should a character be targeted by a second performance, the higher tier performance takes effect, Negating the effect of the lower tier performance on the character. If both performances are of the same tier, the first performance to target the character remains in effect. The subsequent performance has no effect on the character. Performances do, however, stack with magic.
The following are basic emotions, arranged by category and intensity:
- Annoyance, Anger, Rage
- Interest, Anticipation, Vigilance
- Serenity, Joy, Ecstasy
- Acceptance, Trust, Admiration
- Apprehension, Fear, Terror
- Distraction, Surprise, Amazement
- Pensiveness, Sadness, Grief
- Boredom, Disgust, Loathing
The “Cause Emotion” effect sets the target’s emotion category to one of the performers choosing, but only at the lowest (leftmost) intensity. The “Affect Emotion” effect increases or decreases the intensity of emotion felt by a target, but may not alter the basic emotion category.
GRANTED ABILITIES
Level 1 – Tune of Morale
Performer spends EP to grant a +2 bonus to Attack and Accuracy.
Cost: 1 EP
Casting Time: 2
Effect: Buff: Attack/Accuracy (+2)
Range: Short
AoE: 3 Targets
Duration: Encounter
Save: Accuracy vs. Resistance(Mind): Negates
Level 1 – Tune of Emotion
Performer spends EP to increase or decrease the intensity of emotion felt by one target.
Cost: 1 EP
Casting Time: 3
Effect: Mental Effect: Affect Emotion (Shift Intensity 1 grade)
Range: Short
AoE: 1 Target
Duration: Encounter
Save: Accuracy vs. Resistance(Mind): Negates
Level 1 – Tune of Serenade
Performer spends EP to instill in one target a feeling of acceptance towards the performer. Target is not inclined to take hostile actions towards the performer unless the performer first shows hostility.
Cost: 1 EP
Casting Time: 3
Effect: Mental Effect: Cause Emotion (Acceptance)
Range: Short
AoE: 1 Target
Duration: Encounter
Save: Accuracy vs. Resistance(Mind): Negates
Level 1 – Tune of Discord
Performer spends EP to grant a -2 penalty to Attack and Accuracy.
Cost: 1 EP
Casting Time: 3
Effect: Buff: Attack/Accuracy (-2)
Range: Short
AoE: 3 Targets
Duration: Encounter
Save: Accuracy vs. Resistance(Mind): Negates
SELECTABLE ABILITIES
Performers gain selections at levels 1,3,5 // 6-12 // 13-19 // 20
Tier 1
Performer gains proficiency with heavy weapons.
Cost: Permanent EP reduction of 1
Activation: None
Duration: Always On
Ability Check: None
Tier 1
Performer gains proficiency with heavy armors.
Cost: Permanent EP reduction of 1
Activation: None
Duration: Always On
Ability Check: None
These grant a bonus to the relevant save. Bonuses must be taken in order and at their requisite Tier level. However, for the purposes of EP cost they are all considered Tier 1 abilities.
Tier 1 – Mind Bonus
Performer gains a +5 to Mind save
Cost: Permanent EP reduction of 1
Activation: None
Duration: Always On
Ability Check: None
Tier 2 – Quick Bonus
Performer gains a +5 to Quick save
Cost: Permanent EP reduction of 1
Activation: None
Duration: Always On
Ability Check: None
Tier 3 – Tough Bonus
Performer gains a +5 to Tough save
Cost: Permanent EP reduction of 1
Activation: None
Duration: Always On
Ability Check: None
This ability may be taken multiple times.
Tier 1
Performer gains a permanent addition of 2 EPs.
Cost: None
Activation: None
Duration: Always On
Ability Check: None
Tier 1 – Remove Limited Bonds
Performer spends EP to remove non-magical bonds and shackles (up to Level 12) from 1 target within Touch range. This ability may be used on Self, even when Held by non-magical bonds and shackles.
Cost: 2 EP
Activation: General Action
Duration: Instant
Ability Check: Attack+Quick vs. Item Level: Negates
Tier 2 – Remove Any Bonds
Performer spends EP to remove any bonds and shackles (magic or non-magic up to Level 20) from 1 target within Touch range, including magic Non-Damage Effect: Held effects with an Elemental Descriptor. This ability may be used on Self, even when Held by the type of bonds described in this ability.
Cost: 7 EP
Activation: General Action
Duration: Instant
Ability Check: Attack+Quick vs. Effect or Item Level: Negates
Tier 1 – Detect Danger
Performer spends EP to determine if there is any Danger to the Performer in a 6-step cone radiating from the Performer in the direction the she is looking. Answer will be either yes or no. Performer need not be able to detect the source of the Danger to use this ability.
Cost: 2 EP
Activation: General Action
Duration: Instant
Ability Check: Accuracy+Mind vs. Resistance(Mind): Negates
Tier 2 – Detect and Identify Danger
Performer spends EP to determine if there is any Danger to the Performer in a 6-step cone radiating from the Performer in the direction the she is looking. Answer will be either yes or no. If yes, Performer also identifies what the specific Danger is, as well as its source. Performer may detect the Danger without needing to be aware of its source, but may not identify Danger she is not aware of.
Cost: 7 EP
Activation: General Action
Duration: Instant
Ability Check: Accuracy+Mind vs. Resistance(Mind): Negates
Tier 3 – Early Warning Danger Sense
Performer spends EP to determine if there is any Danger to the Performer in a 6-step Radius radiating from the Performer. Answer will be either yes or no. If yes, Performer also identifies what the specific Danger is, as well as its source. Performer may detect the Danger without needing to be aware of its source, but may not identify Danger she is not aware of.
Cost: 14 EP
Activation: General Action
Duration: Day
Ability Check: Accuracy+Mind vs. Resistance(Mind): Negate identification, but not detection
Tier 4 – Sense Danger At Will
Performer spends a General Action to determine if there is any Danger to the Performer in a 6-step Radius radiating from the Performer. Answer will be either yes or no. If yes, Performer also identifies what the specific Danger is, as well as its source. Performer may detect the Danger without needing to be aware of its source, but may not identify Danger she is not aware of.
Cost: Permanent EP reduction of 15
Activation: General Action
Duration: Instant
Ability Check: Accuracy+Mind vs. Resistance(Mind): Negate identification, but not detection
Tier 1 – Snatch and Grab
Performer spends EP to place a Pick Pocket sticker on a visible item to steal it. If the Pick Pocket attempt is unsuccessful, the target discovers the identity of the Performer and knows the Performer attempted to steal from them.
Cost: 2 EP
Activation: General Action
Duration: Instant
Ability Check: Attack+Quick vs. Defense(Mind): Negates and discovers Performer
Tier 2 – Cutpurse
Performer spends EP to place a Pick Pocket sticker on a visible item to steal it.
Cost: 7 EP
Activation: General Action
Duration: Instant
Ability Check: Attack+Quick vs. Defense(Mind): Negates
Tier 1 – Verse of Morale
Performer spends EP to grant a +5 bonus to Attack and Accuracy.
Cost: 2 EP
Casting Time: 2
Effect: Buff: Attack/Accuracy (+5)
Range: Short
AoE: 5 Targets
Duration: Encounter
Save: Accuracy vs. Resistance(Mind): Negates
Tier 2 – Song of Morale
Performer spends EP to grant a +1 bonus to all weapon damage.
Cost: 7 EP
Casting Time: 2
Effect: Buff: Damage (+1)
Range: Short
AoE: 5 Targets
Duration: Encounter
Save: Accuracy vs. Resistance(Mind): Negates
Tier 3 – Ballad of Morale
Performer spends EP to grant a +5 bonus to Critical Success Threshold and a -5 Bonus to Critical Failuer Threshold (minimum 1).
Cost: 14 EP
Casting Time: 2
Effect: Buff: Critical Success Threshold (+5); Buff: Critical Failure Threshold (-5, minimum 1)
Range: Short
AoE: 5 Targets
Duration: Encounter
Save: Accuracy vs. Resistance(Mind): Negates
Tier 4 – Epic of Morale
Performer spends EP to grant a +5 bonus to Attack, Accuracy, and Critical Success Threshold and a +1 bonus to all weapon damage.
Cost: 20 EP
Casting Time: 2
Effect: Buff: Critical Success Threshold (+5); Buff: Attack/Accuracy (+5), Buff: Damage (+1)
Range: Short
AoE: 5 Targets
Duration: Encounter
Save: Accuracy vs. Resistance(Mind): Negates
Tier 1 – Verse of Inspiration
Performer spends EP to grant a +1 bonus to Movement.
Cost: 2 EP
Casting Time: 3
Effect: Buff: Movement (+1)
Range: Short
AoE: 3 Targets
Duration: Encounter
Save: Accuracy vs. Resistance(Mind): Negates
Tier 2 – Song of Inspiration
Performer spends EP to grant an additional Martial Action (Ready, Attack, Parry, or Dodge).
Cost: 7 EP
Casting Time: 3
Effect: Buff: Additional Martial Action (+1)
Range: Short
AoE: 3 Targets
Duration: Encounter
Save: Accuracy vs. Resistance(Mind): Negates
Tier 3 – Ballad of Inspiration
Performer spends EP to grant an additional General Action.
Cost: 14 EP
Casting Time: 3
Effect: Buff: Additional General Action (+1)
Range: Short
AoE: 3 Targets
Duration: Encounter
Save: Accuracy vs. Resistance(Mind): Negates
Tier 4 – Epic of Inspiration
Performer spends EP to grant 2 additional Martial Actions (Ready, Attack, Parry, or Dodge).
Cost: 20 EP
Casting Time: 3
Effect: Buff: Additional Martial Action (+2)
Range: Short
AoE: 3 Targets
Duration: Encounter
Save: Accuracy vs. Resistance(Mind): Negates
Tier 1 – Verse of Resilience
Performer spends EP to grant a +5 bonus to any 1 Save (Tough, Quick, or Mind), chosen when Performance is started.
Cost: 2 EP
Casting Time: 2
Effect: Buff: Save (+5 to Tough, Quick, or Mind)
Range: Short
AoE: 7 Targets
Duration: Encounter
Save: Accuracy vs. Resistance(Mind): Negates
Tier 2 – Song of Resilience
Performer spends EP to grant immunity to Mental Effect: Cause Emotion (Apprehension, Fear, or Terror) of up to Level 19.
Cost: 7 EP
Casting Time: 3
Effect: Negate: Specific (Mental Effect: Cause Emotion (Apprehension, Fear or Terror) Level 19)
Range: Self
AoE: Radius (3)
Duration: Encounter
Save: Accuracy vs. Resistance(Mind): Negates
Tier 3 – Ballad of Resilience
Performer spends EP to grant a +15 bonus to any 1 Save (Tough, Quick, or Mind), chosen when Performance is started
Cost: 14 EP
Casting Time: 2
Effect: Buff: Save (+15 to Tough, Quick, or Mind)
Range: Medium
AoE: 3 Targets
Duration: Encounter
Save: Accuracy vs. Resistance(Mind): Negates
Tier 4 – Epic of Resilience
Performer spends EP to grant immunity to Non-Damage Attack effects of up to Level 20.
Cost: 20 EP
Casting Time: 1
Effect: Negate: Limited (Non Damage Attack, Level 20)
Range: Self
AoE: Radius (3)
Duration: Encounter
Save: Accuracy vs. Resistance(Mind): Negates
Tier 1 – Theme Verse
Performer spends EP to grant a +1 bonus to weapon damage.
Cost: 2 EP
Casting Time: 3
Effect: Buff: Damage (+1)
Range: Short
AoE: 1 Target
Duration: Encounter
Save: Accuracy vs. Resistance(Mind): Negates
Tier 2 – Theme Song
Performer spends EP to grant a +1 bonus to weapon damage and a +5 bonus to Attack / Accuracy.
Cost: 7 EP
Casting Time: 3
Effect: Buff: Damage (+1); Buff: Attack/Accuracy (+5)
Range: Short
AoE: 1 Target
Duration: Encounter
Save: Accuracy vs. Resistance(Mind): Negates
Tier 3 – Theme Ballad
Performer spends EP to grant a +1 bonus to weapon damage, a +5 bonus to Attack / Accuracy and a +1 bonus to movement.
Cost: 14 EP
Casting Time: 3
Effect: Buff: Damage (+1); Buff: Attack/Accuracy (+5); Buff: Movement (+1)
Range: Short
AoE: 1 Target
Duration: Encounter
Save: Accuracy vs. Resistance(Mind): Negates
Tier 4 – Theme Epic
Performer spends EP to grant a +2 bonus to weapon damage, a +5 bonus to Attack / Accuracy and a +1 bonus to movement.
Cost: 20 EP
Casting Time: 3
Effect: Buff: Damage (+2); Buff: Attack/Accuracy (+5); Buff: Movement (+1)
Range: Short
AoE: 1 Target
Duration: Encounter
Save: Accuracy vs. Resistance(Mind): Negates
Tier 1 – Verse of Emotion
Performer spends EP to increase or decrease by one level the emotional intensity of all targets.
Cost: 2 EP
Casting Time: 2
Effect: Mental Effect: Affect Emotion (+/- 1 grade)
Range: Self
AoE: Radius (5)
Duration: Encounter
Save: Accuracy vs. Resistance(Mind): Negates
Tier 2 – Song of Emotion
Performer spends EP to instill one basic emotion in all targets.
Cost: 7 EP
Casting Time: 2
Effect: Mental Effect: Cause Emotion (Performer’s Choice of Basic Emotion)
Range: Self
AoE: Radius (5)
Duration: Encounter
Save: Accuracy+Mind vs. Resistance(Mind): Negates
Tier 3 – Ballad of Emotion
Performer spends EP to instill any emotion, at any intensity, in all targets.
Cost: 14 EP
Casting Time: 2
Effect: Mental Effect: Cause Emotion (Performer’s Choice of Basic Emotion); Mental Effect: Affect Emotion (up to +2 grades)
Range: Self
AoE: Radius (5)
Duration: Encounter
Save: Accuracy+Mind vs. Resistance(Mind): Negates Affect Emotion, but not Cause Emotion
Tier 4 – Epic of Emotion
Performer spends EP to instill any emotion, at any intensity, in all targets. This effect is so strong, the targets remain affected even after leaving the Performance’s AoE.
Cost: 20 EP
Casting Time: 2
Effect: Mental Effect: Cause Emotion (Performer’s Choice of Basic Emotion); Mental Effect: Affect Emotion (up to +2 grades)
Range: Self
AoE: Radius (5)
Duration: Encounter; Persistent (effect remains when targets leave AoE)
Save: Accuracy+Mind vs. Resistance(Mind): Negates Affect Emotion, but not Cause Emotion
Tier 1 – Verse of Sleep
Performer spends EP to cause 1 target to fall completely asleep. They may be woken by any means that would normally cause someone to wake up.
Cost: 2 EP
Casting Time: 3
Effect: Non Damage Attack: Sleep (Normal)
Range: Short
AoE: 1 Target
Duration: Encounter
Save: Accuracy vs. Resistance(Mind): Negates
Tier 2 – Song of Sleep
Performer spends EP to cause up to 7 targets to fall completely asleep. They may be woken by any means that would normally cause someone to wake up.
Cost: 7 EP
Casting Time: 2
Effect: Non Damage Attack: Sleep (Normal)
Range: Short
AoE: 7 Targets
Duration: Encounter
Save: Accuracy vs. Resistance(Mind): Negates
Tier 3 – Ballad of Sleep
Performer spends EP to cause up to 7 targets to fall completely asleep. They may be woken by any means that would normally cause someone to wake up.
Cost: 14 EP
Casting Time: 2
Effect: Non Damage Attack: Sleep (Normal)
Range: Long
AoE: 7 Targets
Duration: Day
Save: Accuracy+Mind vs. Resistance(Mind): Negates
Tier 4 – Epic of Sleep
Performer spends EP to cause 1 target to fall completely asleep. Their sleep is so deep that no means of waking them, except for saving out of the effect or an appropriate Negate effect will work.
Cost: 20 EP
Casting Time: 2
Effect: Non Damage Attack: Sleep (Enchanted)
Range: Long
AoE: 1 target
Duration: Concentration
Save: Accuracy+Mind vs. Resistance(Mind): Negates
Tier 1 – Verse of Serenade
Performer spends EP to cause one target to utterly trust the performer.
Cost: 2 EP
Casting Time: 3
Effect: Mental Effect: Cause Emotion (Acceptance); Mental Effect: Affect Emotion (Increase one grade to Trust)
Range: Short
AoE: 1 Target
Duration: Encounter
Save: Accuracy vs. Resistance(Mind): Negates
Tier 2 – Song of Serenade
Performer spends EP to cause one target to utterly trust and admire the performer.
Cost: 7 EP
Casting Time: 2
Effect: Mental Effect: Cause Emotion (Acceptance); Mental Effect: Affect Emotion (Increase two grades to Admiration)
Range: Short
AoE: 1 Target
Duration: Encounter
Save: Accuracy+Mind vs. Resistance(Mind): Negates
Tier 3 – Ballad of Serenade
Performer spends EP to cause up to 3 targets to utterly trust and admire the performer.
Cost: 14 EP
Casting Time: 2
Effect: Mental Effect: Cause Emotion (Acceptance); Mental Effect: Affect Emotion (Increase two grades to Admiration)
Range: Medium
AoE: 3 Targets
Duration: Encounter
Save: Accuracy+Mind vs. Resistance(Mind): Negates Affect Emotion, but not Cause Emotion
Tier 4 – Epic of Serenade
Performer spends EP to cause up to 7 targets to utterly trust and admire the performer.
Cost: 20 EP
Casting Time: 2
Effect: Mental Effect: Cause Emotion (Acceptance); Mental Effect: Affect Emotion (Increase two grades to Admiration)
Range: Medium
AoE: 7 Targets
Duration: Day
Save: Accuracy+Mind vs. Resistance(Mind): Negates Affect Emotion, but not Cause Emotion
Tier 1 – Verse of Discord
Performer spends EP to grant a -5 penalty to Attack/Accuracy.
Cost: 2 EP
Casting Time: 2
Effect: Buff: Attack/Accuracy (-5)
Range: Short
AoE: 5 Targets
Duration: Encounter
Save: Accuracy+Mind vs. Resistance(Mind): Negates
Tier 2 – Song of Discord
Performer spends EP to grant a -1 penalty to weapon damage.
Cost: 7 EP
Casting Time: 2
Effect: Buff: Damage (-1)
Range: Short
AoE: 5 Targets
Duration: Encounter
Save: Accuracy+Mind vs. Resistance(Mind): Negates
Tier 3 – Ballad of Discord
Performer spends EP to grant a -5 penalty to Critical Success Threshold (minimum 1) and a +5 penalty to Critical Failure Threshold.
Cost: 14 EP
Casting Time: 2
Effect: Buff: Critical Success Threshold (-5, minimum 1); Buff: Critical Failure Threshold (+5)
Range: Short
AoE: 5 Targets
Duration: Encounter
Save: Accuracy+Mind vs. Resistance(Mind): Negates
Tier 4 – Epic of Discord
Performer spends EP to grant a -5 penalty to Attack/Accuracy, a -1 penalty to weapon damage, a -5 penalty to Critical Success Threshold (minimum 1), and a +5 penalty to Critical Failure Threshold.
Cost: 20 EP
Casting Time: 2
Effect: Buff: Attack/Accuracy (-5); Buff: Damage (-1); Buff: Critical Success Threshold (-5, minimum 1); Buff: Critical Failure Threshold (+5)
Range: Short
AoE: 5 Targets
Duration: Encounter
Save: Accuracy+Mind vs. Resistance(Mind): Negates
Tier 1 – Verse of Confusion
Performer spends EP to utterly confuse and disorient 1 target, preventing them from targeting others.
Cost: 2 EP
Casting Time: 3
Effect: Non Damage Attack: Target Negation
Range: Short
AoE: 1 Target
Duration: Encounter
Save: Accuracy vs. Resistance(Mind): Negates
Tier 2 – Song of Confusion
Performer spends EP to utterly confuse and disorient 3 targets, preventing them from targeting others.
Cost: 7 EP
Casting Time: 2
Effect: Non Damage Attack: Target Negation
Range: Medium
AoE: 3 Targets
Duration: Encounter
Save: Accuracy vs. Resistance(Mind): Negates
Tier 3 – Ballad of Confusion
Performer spends EP to utterly confuse and disorient 5 targets, preventing them from targeting others.
Cost: 14 EP
Casting Time: 1
Effect: Non Damage Attack: Target Negation
Range: Long
AoE: 5 Targets
Duration: Encounter
Save: Accuracy+Mind vs. Resistance(Mind): Negates
Tier 4 – Epic of Confusion
Performer spends EP to utterly confuse and disorient 5 targets, preventing them from targeting others.
Cost: 20 EP
Casting Time: 1
Effect: Non Damage Attack: Target Negation; Support: Target Redirection
Range: Long
AoE: 5 Targets
Duration: Encounter
Save: Accuracy+Mind vs. Resistance(Mind): Negates Target Redirection, but not Target Negation
Tier 1 – Catchy Performance
All targets within a 5-step radius of the Performer have a hard time ignoring the Performer’s Performances, and suffer a -5 penalty to Mind Saves vs. the Performance.
Cost: Permanent EP reduction of 1
Activation: None
Duration: Always On
Ability Check: Accuracy vs. Resistance(Mind): Negates
Tier 2 – Memorable Performance
All targets within a 5-step radius of the Performer have a hard time ignoring the Performer’s Performances, and suffer a -10 penalty to Mind Saves vs. the Performance. This supersedes Tier 1.
Cost: Permanent EP reduction of 5
Activation: None
Duration: Always On
Ability Check: Accuracy vs. Resistance(Mind): Negates
Tier 3 – Unforgettable Performance
All targets within a 5-step radius of the Performer have a hard time ignoring the Performer’s Performances, and suffer a -15 penalty to Mind Saves vs. the Performance. This supersedes Tier 2.
Cost: Permanent EP reduction of 10
Activation: None
Duration: Always On
Ability Check: Accuracy vs. Resistance(Mind): Negates
Tier 2 – Concert
The performer is trained to perform as part of a group. This ability requires a minimum of two performers working together, all of whom must pay the full EP cost. The combined performance is called a “Concert”, and is treated as one effect for all purposes.
First two Performers spend EP to extend the duration of the effects from a Performance until the next Sunrise. Each additional Performer (above the minimum of two) in the Concert may choose to extend the Range of the Performance by 1-step or add 1 additional Target to the Performance.
Cost: 7 EP + (Performance) EP
Activation: General Action
Duration: None, extends Performance duration to Day.
Ability Check: None