ROGUE - BARD Meistersinger Kit Description: Meistersingers wander the wilderness, seeking out those who will listen to their songs. Unlike other Bards, however, a Meistersinger rarely relies upon or performs for a humanoid audience. Instead, they tailor their music to the tunes of nature. Their audiences are the birds, the bees, and the behemoths of the wild. Meistersingers have wandered the wilderness for ages; many say they represent lost children who were reared by dryads, nymphs, sprites, and other spirits of the wilds, or perhaps were given into the care of Druids or nature priests. Over the years, these wandering lyrists of the wilds have evolved into a definable class of character with a deep and enduring concern for nature and natural beauty. Their particular outlook upon the wilderness and those who dwell therein depends a great deal on their alignment, but in all cases they are the mortal enemies of profiteering or exploitative hunters, trappers, fishermen, or others who abuse the privilege of nature's bounty. They do not object to hunting or making use of nature's resources when they are needed for survival, but they object to waste and exploitation and will fight with their last breath to preserve the beauty and sanctity of nature. Requirements: As a standard Bard, save that only humans, elves, half-elves, gnomes, and halflings can become Meistersingers. Weapons & Armor: As a standard Bard, but Meistersingers seek balance in the weapons they use. Thus, they must choose weapon proficiencies in the following order: melee, missile (only), hurled (and can be used in missile or melee). Once a weapon proficiency of each type has been learned, the cycle repeats itself as the Meistersinger gains new weapon proficiencies. Thief Abilities: Climb Walls, Detect Noise, Escape Bonds, Move Silently, Hide in Shadows Special Benefits: Meistersingers are very much in tune with the rhythms and harmonies of nature and their art reflects this, allowing them the following abilities: Animal Rapport: Meistersingers are very in tune with the natural world in general and with animals in particular, gaining a +1 bonus to their Animal Lore proficiency for every three levels of experience (rounding up). When dealing with trained or non-hostile animals, an successful Animal Lore proficiency check allows a Meistersinger to befriend them and can easily discern the qualities of an animal (e.g., spotting the strongest or fastest horse in a corral). When dealing with a wild animal or an animal trained to attack, they can use their Leadership & Influence ability to calm or even befriend them (see below). In addition, a Meistersinger of 5th level or above gains the ability to evoke certain magical effects, which may be performed once per day for every five levels of experience (rounding down) as if cast by a priest of equal level: animal friendship, locate animals, or speak with animals. In addition to this general knowledge of and skill with animals, Meistersingers can sing and play a 'song of companionship' once at each level of experience. They must be in a wilderness area at least one day's travel from the nearest settlement, and the song functions exactly as the find familiar spell, save that it requires no material components. In addition, a Meistersinger is not limited to having only a single familiar, and he or she can use this ability as often as desired (theoretically having several familiars simultaneously). If one of a Meistersinger's familiars is ever killed, he or she suffers the penalties listed for that spell, but he or she can call for another when he or she gains a new level of experience. DM's Note: In looking for alternative possible familiars, a DM might wish to consult the Complete Druid's Handbook or Complete Ranger's Handbook, which contain some information on animal companions of different types. There have also been numerous articles in Dragon magazine over the years detailing possible alternative familiars, though in no case should magical creatures such as imps, quasits, and pseudodragons be included. Finally, a Meistersinger gains the ability to polymorph self once per day at 5th level, though only into the form of an animal that he or she has had as a familiar (either currently or in the past). At 10th level or above, a Meistersinger can instead polymorph into a giant-sized version of one of his or her familiars. Leadership & Influence: As a standard Bard, but a Meistersinger's abilities can be used with animals and even sentient plant creatures, and in fact they work at double normal effect when used with faerie creatures (e.g., pixies, sprites, dryads) or with natural animals. Any natural animals with whom a Meistersinger obtains a Friendly reaction through his or her music will happily follow along after the Meistersinger for as long as he or she continues to play, and they will not attack unless directly threatened. Performance Magic: As a standard Bard, but rather than learning wizard spells a Meistersinger gains the ability to use priest spells of the Animal, Charm, Music, Nature, Plant, Travelers, and Weather spheres by calling upon the spirits and patron deities of nature through their singing and playing. These spells must be taught to the Meistersinger by a priest able to cast them, and they are learned in the same way that other Bards learn wizard spells: i.e., half the normal Chance to Know based on their Intelligence score, with a maximum number of spells per level equal to half the number normally allowed by their Intelligence (rounding up in both cases). They use the same spell progression table as Bards, with no bonus spells due to high ability scores, and their spells take effect as if cast by a priest of half their true level (rounding down). Song of Sanctuary: All Meistersingers have the ability to sing and play a magical tune that creates an aura of goodwill and peace around them that extends 1' per level of experience in all directions. Any attacking creature must save vs. paralyzation with a -1 penalty for every three levels of experience (rounding up) or be forced to ignore the Meistersinger and anyone else within the sphere of effect for as long as he or she continues to sing and play. The effect of the Song of Sanctuary is ended immediately if the Meistersinger attempts to move out of the area (which is stationary) or if any creature within the area takes any offensive action. A Meistersinger must make successful Singing and Musical Instrument proficiency checks in order to perform a Song of Sanctuary, and this ability cannot be used more than once per day. Special Hindrances: Meistersingers tend to shy away from civilization and keep to themselves, wandering in the wilderness. They will never attract followers or henchmen of any kind (though they often keep animal companions), nor do they every build strongholds or establish long-term permanent residences (though they may build one or more small cottages or huts in which to stay as they wander throughout lands they frequent). They are uninterested in the affairs and self- important ideas of civilized society and do not receive the Rumor & Legend or Language Lore abilities of other Bards. They also have no special interest in or facility with Entertainment, even though they are actually quite talented performers. Bonus Proficiencies: Animal Lore, Musical Instrument, Singing, Survival (any one) Preferred Proficiencies: Agriculture, Animal Training, Carpentry, Craft Instrument, Dancing, Direction Sense, Distance Sense, Ecology, Fire-building, Fishing, Healing, Herbalism, Hunting, Monster Lore, Mountaineering, Riding (any), Rope Use, Set Snares, Survival, Swimming, Tracking, Weather Sense ***DISCLAIMER*** As with all postings by me of classes or races, it should be noted that portions of the information contained herein were inspired by or derived from information in published works of TSR, Inc., and may contain references to those works, quotations or passages of text (especially in the area of 'Character Description', where applicable sections from TSR works were often carried over more or less intact into my campaign world), or particular powers or abilities invented by TSR staff writers. No relationship with TSR, Inc., is to be implied by this use, nor is any attempt being made to solicit profit or remuneration of any kind. I have read the TSR Online Policy document, and have tried to accommodate the stipulations contained therein. In instances where I have lifted an essentially complete class or race without significant alteration, I have not included these in my postings but instead have inserted a reference to the appropriate D&D sourcebook for those curious in including it in their campaign. Only variations that include a significant component of original work, alteration, or reformulation (including the compositing elements from various TSR sources into new combinations) of have been included in this set of postings. Jason Eric Nelson < tjaden@u.washington.edu >