Devout Thespian (Bard/Cleric)

Actor, dancer, singer, storyteller, and musician–these are all common aspects of bards, the wondrous performers and ramblers of the open road. But on occasion, something deep within these free-willed wanderers tugs on their souls, and they begin searching for something more–something greater than themselves. It is these pious seekers of truth that petition local temples or solitary priests to teach the ways of deity and the divine. The devout thespian seeks to obtain greater influence, whether for him or for his newly found devotion, and to spread the faith through his actions and performances; whether such actions beneficial or disparaging, it up to the devout thespian to decide, according to the dictates of his own soul. (Original Concept by Elghinn Lightbringer)

Primary Class: Bard.

Secondary Class: Cleric.

Alignment: Any.

Hit Dice: d8.

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

Weapon and Armor Proficiency: The devout thespian is proficient with all simple weapons, plus the longsword, rapier, sap, short sword, shortbow, and whip. The devout thespian is also proficient with light armor and shields (except tower shields). A devout thespian 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 devout thespian wearing medium or heavy armor incurs a chance of arcane spell failure if the spell in question has a somatic component. A multiclass devout thespian still incurs the normal arcane spell failure chance for arcane spells received from other classes.

Spellcasting: The devout thespian casts arcane spells drawn from the bard spell list, and adds the following spells to his spell list at the indicated levels: 2nd level–aid, death knell, restoration (lesser); 3rd level–contagion, remove disease; 4th level–enervation, neutralize poison, poison, restoration; 5th level–breath of life. A devout thespian otherwise learns and casts spells as a bard equal to his devout thespian level. A devout thespian receives bonus spells per day if he has a high Charisma score.

Bardic Knowledge (Ex): This is exactly like the bard ability of the same name, except that the devout thespian also adds 1/2 his devout thespian level (minimum 1) to all Heal skill checks and may make all Heal checks untrained.

Bardic Performance: This is exactly the bard ability of the same name, except that he can only use the Perform (oratory) or Perform (sing) skills to create his magical effects. He can use this ability for a number of rounds per day equal to 4 + his Charisma modifier, plus an additional 2 rounds per day every level beyond 2nd. Each round, the devout thespian can produce any one of the types of bardic performance that he has mastered, as indicated by his level. This ability replaces bravery.

Channeling Melody (Su): At 1st level, a devout thespian can release a wave of energy by channeling the power of his faith through his performance. This energy can be used to cause or heal damage, depending on the alignment of the devout thespian. This ability functions as the cleric’s channel energy ability (see Channel Energy in the Core Rulebook), but the devout thespian can deal or heal 1d6 points of damage at 3rd level, and an additional 1d6 points of damage every four level thereafter to a maximum of 5d6 at 19th level.

A good devout thespian (or a neutral devout thespian who worships a good deity) channels positive energy, while an evil devout thespian (or a neutral devout thespian who worships an evil deity) channels negative energy when using this ability. A neutral devout thespian of a neutral deity (or one who is not devoted to a particular deity) must choose whether he channels positive or negative energy. Once this choice is made, it cannot be reversed. This decision also determines whether the devout thespian can cast spontaneous cure or inflict spells (see spontaneous casting), and additional performances he gains at higher levels. This performance requires 1 round to perform. Channeling melody relies on audible components in order to function. This ability replaces inspire courage, inspire competence, frightful tune, and inspire heroics.

Pacify (Su): At 1st level, a devout thespian can use his performance to create an effect equivalent to calm emotions (as the spell). Each creature to be pacified must be within 30 feet, able to see and hear the devout thespian, and capable of paying attention to him. The devout thespian must also be able to see the creatures affected. For every three levels a devout thespian has attained beyond 1st, he can target one additional creature with this ability.

Each creature within range receives a Will save (DC 10 + 1/2 the devout thespian’s level + the devout thespian’s Cha modifier) to negate the effect. If a creature’s saving throw succeeds, the devout thespian cannot attempt to pacify that creature again for 24 hours. If its saving throw fails, the creature is calmed and observes the performance for as long as the devout thespian continues to maintain it. Pacify is an enchantment (compulsion), emotion, mind-affecting ability. Pacify relies on audible and visual components in order to function. This ability replaces fascinate.

Tend (Su): At 1st level, a devout thespian can use his performance to soothe the wounded and prevent them from dying. The devout thespian targets a single living creature. If that creature has –1 or fewer hit points, it is automatically stabilized and does not lose any further hit points. If the creature later takes damage, it continues dying normally. Alternatively, if the creature has 1 or more hit points, the target gains a number of temporary hit points equal to the devout thespian’s Charisma modifier.

Each creatures to be tended must be within 30 feet, and able to hear the devout thespian. An unconscious creature is considered to hear the devout thespian subconsciously. For every four levels a devout thespian has attained beyond 1st, he can target one additional creature with this ability, up to a maximum of five creatures at 17th level. This performance requires 1 round to perform. Tend relies on audible components in order to function. This ability replaces distraction.

Infectious Lay/Remedial Refrain (Su): At 6th level, a devout thespian that has chosen to channel negative energy gains the infectious lay performance and can use it to create an effect equivalent to contagion (as the spell), using the devout thespian’s level as the caster level. Using this ability requires 1 round to perform, but expends 2 rounds of his performance. Infectious lay relies on audible components in order to function

Alternatively, a devout thespian that has chosen to channel positive energy gains the remedial refrain performance and can use it to create an effect equivalent to remove disease (as the spell), using the devout thespian’s level as the caster level. Using this ability requires 2 rounds to perform. Remedial refrain relies on audible components in order to function. This ability replaces suggestion.

Dirge of Doom/Hymn of Resolve (Su): At 8th level, a devout thespian that has chosen to channel negative energy gains the bard’s dirge of doom performance.

Alternatively, a devout thespian that has chosen to channel positive energy gains the hymn of resolve performance and can use it to foster a sense of courage and bravery in his allies, removing the shaken condition. To be affected, an ally must be within 30 feet and able to see and hear the devout thespian’s performance. The effect persists for as long as the ally is within 30 feet and the bard continues the performance. If the devout thespian uses 3 continuous rounds of this performance, the shaken condition is removed permanently. Hymn of resolve relies on audible and visual components. This ability either functions as or replaces dirge of doom.

Painful Lament/Soothing Performance (Su): At 12th level, a devout thespian that has chosen to channel negative energy gains the painful lament performance and can use it to create an effect equivalent to mass inflict serious wounds, using the devout thespian’s level as the caster level. In addition, this performance bestows either the fatigued, sickened, and shaken condition upon all those affected, as chosen by the devout thespian. Using this ability requires 1 round to perform, but expends 4 rounds of his performance, and the targets must be able to see and hear the devout thespian throughout the performance. Painful Lament relies on audible and visual components.

Alternatively, a devout thespian that has chosen to channel positive energy gains the bard’s soothing performance ability. This ability either functions as or replaces soothing performance.

Dreadful Suffering/Miraculous Healing (Su): At 16th level, a devout thespian that has chosen to channel negative energy gains the dreadful suffering performance and can use it to severely injure a creature. This performance functions like harm (as the spell), using 1/2 the devout thespian’s level as his caster level. A creature that succeeds on a Will save (DC 10 + 1/2 the devout thespian’s level + the devout thespian’s Charisma modifier) takes only half damage. This performance cannot reduce the target's hit points to less than 1. If used on an undead creature, this performance acts like heal. Using this ability requires 1 round to perform, but expends 5 rounds of his performance.

Alternatively, a devout a devout thespian that has chosen to channel positive energy gains the miraculous healing performance and can use it to wipe away a creature’s injuries and afflictions. This performance functions like heal (as the spell), using 1/2 the devout thespian’s level as the caster level. This ability requires 5 rounds to perform.

Regardless of which form of this ability the devout thespian uses, he must have at least 5 rounds of performance to use this ability. The devout thespian can use this ability a number of times per day equal to his Charisma modifier. This ability replaces mass suggestion.

Song of Life and Death (Su): At 20th level, a devout thespian that has chosen to channel positive energy can use his performance to restore life to a deceased creature that has been dead for no longer than 1 day per devout thespian level. When using this performance, the devout thespian’s body glows with heavenly light, and he must touch the target throughout the performance. At the end of performance, the target is subject to raise dead (as the spell). Using this ability requires 6 continuous rounds of performance.

Alternatively, a devout thespian that has chosen to channel negative energy can use his performance to slay any one living creature. When using this performance, the devout thespian seethes with eerie dark fire and must succeed on a ranged touch attack to touch the target. The target takes 12d6 points of damage + 1 point per devout thespian level and receives a Fortitude save (DC 10 + 1/2 the devout thespian’s level + the devout thespian’s Charisma modifier). If the target's Fortitude saving throw succeeds, it instead takes 3d6 points of damage + 1 point per devout thespian level. The subject might die from the damage even if it succeeds on its saving throw. Using this ability requires 1 round to perform.

Regardless of which form of this ability the devout thespian uses, it expends all his remaining rounds of performance. The devout thespian must have at least 6 rounds of performance to use this ability. The devout thespian can use this performance once per day. This ability replaces deadly performance.

Spontaneous Performance: At 4th level, the devout thespian gains the cleric’s spontaneous casting ability, except that the devout thespian can channel stored spell energy into any performance he has mastered. The devout thespian can “lose” any prepared spell in order to gain extra rounds of performance equal to its spell level. The devout thespian can use this ability once per day at 4th level, and an additional time per day every five levels thereafter. This ability replaces inspire competence.

Lore Master (Ex): This is exactly like the bard ability of the same name, except that the devout thespian adds Heal to the list of skills this ability can affect.

Table: Devout Thespian

Table: Devout Thespian Spells Known