Bladesinger: Defender of the Elves

The Bladesinger
A 1-20th Level Core Class By Chris McCoy

The Bladesinger is the perfect elven blend of sorcery, swordplay, and bardic performance. The Bladesinger’s lithe movements in combat are deceptively slow and elegant, belying the true lethality of the maneuvers. A Bladesinger in combat is graceful and beautiful to behold and they hold an esteemed position in elven society. Through their complex blend of martial talent and magic, they protect elven society to their last breath. Bladesinging is rarely taught to outsiders and it is never taught to those without some sort of elven descent. Even if it were, the non elf would not be able to use the abilities of a bladesinger since bladesinging is tied heavily to the elvish way of life and the very souls of the People. Bladesingers are very dedicated to the path of the Bladesong and very few survive long enough to complete their training. Bladesingers are rare even in elven society yet nowadays the art of the Bladesong is making a comeback amongst the elves and young bladesingers-to-be flock to trainers, hoping to learn the art of the Bladesong. In these dark times, champions such as the Bladesingers are needed…


Class Information:

There are several restrictions that a bladesinger must adhere to or they risk losing all abilities as a Bladesinger:

Must be of elven descent. They must be at least 1/8th elven.

Can only use swords and daggers. They spend so much time devoting themselves to the arts of bladesinging they forsake the usage of bows and other weapons. If they ever use a weapon besides swords and daggers, they lose all class abilities and cannot regain them until they once again use only the allowed weapons.

May never wear medium or heavy armor. This armor is too restrictive and will hamper a Bladesinger’s ability.

Must swear to uphold the elvish way of life and held Tel’Quessir whenever they are in need.

Must maintain a non-lawful alignment. A Lawful alignment does not come naturally to an elf and thus is forbidden for the Bladesinger. If the Bladesinger ever becomes lawful, they lose all class abilities until they receive an atonement spell.

Upon reaching twenty level, the Bladesinger must seek out a student and teach them the ways of the Bladesinger. This student must follow the teacher’s every word and follow the same restrictions as the Bladesinger.



Abilities:

Charisma and Dexterity are important to the lightly armored bladesinger. Charisma also powers almost all of the Bladesinger’s abilities and is thus very needed for an effective Bladesinger. A Charisma of 14 or higher is needed to cast all of the Bladesinger’s spells.

Alignment: Any non-lawful.

Hit Dice: d6

Class Skills: As per Bard.
Skills At 1st Level: 4 + INT x 4
Skills Every Level After: 4 + INT

Class Features:

Weapon and Armor Proficiency:

A Bladesinger is proficient with all daggers and swords, including katanas, double bladed swords, and other sword type weapons. The Bladesinger is devoted to blades only and can never use a bow or other type of weapon. Bladesingers are proficient with light armor and bucklers.

1st Level:

Two Weapon Fighting: As per the feat of the same name.

Bladesong: Bladesong is the ability of the Bladesinger that sets them apart from other mages. By combining their swords with the power of channeling magic, the Bladesinger sings in a haunting Elvish song and manifests a certain ability. The Bladesong abilities are utilized a different number per days per ability. The DC for each is 10 + class level + CHA modifier.

"Song of Fascination": Fascinate 3/day + CHA bonus. (As per the spell).

Bladecasting: The blade dance is used as the somatic component for all spells the bladesinger casts that gained from his bladesinger levels.

2nd Level:

Quick Draw: As per the feat with the same name.

"Song of Determination" Take 10 on Concentration Checks. 3/day plus CHA bonus.

3rd Level:

Blade Defense: By spinning their blades in a defensive pattern, the Bladesinger gains an AC bonus while wielding both swords equal to their CHA bonus.

4th Level:

Aura of Courage: As per Paladin Ability.

"Song of Salvation": Inspire Courage and Grants CHA bonus to saves. 3/day + Cha bonus.

5th Level:

"Flurry of Blades": Haste 1/day

Evasion: As per the Rogue Ability.

6th Level:

Blade Dedication: Gain Weapon Focus and Weapon Specialization with one blade of choice.

Quicken Spell: As per the feat with the same name.

7th Level:

Improved TW Fighting: As per the feat with the same name.

"Song of Screeching Steel": Acts as Fear Spell 2/day + CHA bonus.

8th Level:

Movements of the Bladesinger: +5 Perform, Balance, Tumble, and Jump.

9th Level:

Improved Evasion: As per the Rogue Ability.

10th Level:

“Song of the Whirlwind”: Acts as wind wall spell and gains Whirlwind Feat 2/day plus CHA bonus.

11th Level:

Combat Expertise and Combat Reflexes Feats

13th Level:

Greater TW Fighting: As per the feat with the same name.

14th Level:

“Song of the Quickening”: Mass Haste on Allies (per spell) 2 a day.

15th level:

Greater Movements of the Bladesinger: Take 10 on Balance, Jump, Perform and Tumble Checks.

16th level:

“Song of the Shifting Blades”: Blink effect (as per spell) 2 day + CHA bonus.

Enchant Blade: At this level, the Bladesinger can add any +2 property (only one) to his weapon of choice. This effect is permanent and cannot be changed. This only affects the swords that the Bladesinger is wielding and the property is lost if the Bladesinger drops or otherwise loses his swords.

18th Level:

“Song of the Many Blades”: Extended, Maximized Blade Barrier (as per spell) 1/day.

19th level:

Joining of the Blade: Can never be disarmed or drop weapons unwillingly.

20th level:

Perfection of the Bladesong: Gain immunity to non-magical slashing or piercing weapons, gain DR 20/Bludgeoning, Gain automatic Quicken Spell. Can use all Bladesong abilities 1 extra time a day.


Spell Progression: Bladesingers gain spells based on Charisma and use the following charts for such. Spells known are Per day + 2. (I.E. 1 st level spells per day 2 + 2 = Spells known.)

1 2 3 4

1 0
2 1
3 1 0
4 1 1
5 2 1
6 2 1 0
7 2 2 1
8 3 2 1
9 3 2 1 0
10 3 3 2 1
11 4 3 2 1
12 4 3 2 1
13 4 4 3 2
14 5 4 3 2
15 5 4 3 2
16 5 5 4 3
17 6 5 4 3
18 6 5 4 3
19 6 6 5 4
20 7 6 5 4










Class Table:

BAB: As a fighter
Saves: Will and Reflex- Strong, Fortitude: Weak