Archivist
“All of the secret lore of the world, and it is up to me alone to bear the burden.”
-Imperial Archivist Raane Beladia, the Herald of Daaria
Lore : The Archivists are a secretive order who study ancient and forbidden magics – the magics of the Unseelie who fled long ago. This is not looked upon kindly by the Chantry, who believe that they should control all magic by divine right. The Archivists generally do not associate with the Academy of Sokomo; they instead study on their own, and gather at their own secret Temple in Narugami Province. The Archivists know the truth: The chantry-approved runes are but a taste of what is possible.
Requirements: Knowledge (History) 5 ranks, Knowledge (Nature) 4 ranks, Perform (any) 5 ranks. Must be initiated by an Archivist or trained by a Fey. Cannot be Lawful.
Hit Dice: d8
Class Skills : The Archivist's class skills are Acrobatics (Dex), Appraise (Int), Bluff (Cha), Climb (Str), Craft (Int), Diplomacy(Cha), Disguise (Cha),Escape Artist (Dex), Intimidate (Cha), Knowledge(all)(Int), Linguistics (Int), Perception(Wis), Perform (Cha), Profession (Wis), Sense Motive (Wis), Sleight of Hand (Dex), Spellcraft (Int), Stealth (Dex), and Use Magic Device (Cha).
Skill Ranks per Level: 6 + Int Modifier
Weapon and Armour Proficiency: An Archivist is proficient with all simple weapons, plus the longsword, rapier,sap, shortsword, shortbow, and whip. They are also proficient with light armour and shields (except tower shields).
Class Features : All of the following are class features of the Archivist prestige class.
Spellcasting: At first level, Archivists gain the ability to cast Spellsongs. These function much in the same way as Runecasting, but require a Perform check instead of a Spellcraft check. The Archivist must be able to speak to use Perform (Sing), move freely to use Perform (Dance), etc. Archivists do not need Runestones – they shape magic with their performances. At first level, Bards automatically know three Runes, at least one of which must be a special Faerie Songrune. The Archivist's Casting Attribute is Charisma. All Archivist Spellcasting is considered Arcane magic.
Chi Points: An Archivist must spend an hour practising each day to order their thoughts and prepare their mystical energies, during which they must pass three Perform checks of DC 5, 10 and 15. At the end of this practising period, they reset their Chi points to the value shown for their level on the table. They receive bonus chi points equal to their Intelligence Modifier multiplied by their Class Level.
Bardic Performance: An archivist is trained to use the Perform skill to create magical effects on those around them, including himself if desired. They can use this ability for a number of rounds per day equal to 4 + their Charisma modifier. At each level after 1st an archivist can use bardic performance for 2 additional rounds per day. Each round, the archivist can produce any one of the types of bardic performance that he has mastered, as indicated by their level.
Starting a bardic performance is a standard action, but it can be maintained each round as a free action. Changing a bardic performance from one effect to another requires the archivist to stop the previous performance and start a new one as a standard action. A bardic performance cannot be disrupted, but it ends immediately if the archivist is killed, paralysed,stunned, knocked unconscious, or otherwise prevented from taking a free action to maintain it each round. An archivist cannot have more than one bardic performance in effect at one time.
At 5th level, an archivist can start a bardic performance as a move action instead of a standard action. At 11th level, an archivist can start a bardic performance as a swift action.
Each bardic performance has audible components, visual components, or both.
If a bardic performance has audible components, the targets must be able to hear the archivist for the performance to have any effect, and many such performances are language dependent (as noted in the description). A deaf archivist has a 20% change to fail when attempting to use a bardic performance with an audible component. If he fails this check, the attempt still counts against their daily limit. Deaf creatures are immune to bardic performances with audible components.
If a bardic performance has a visual component, the targets must have line of sight to the archivist for the performance to have any effect. A blind archivist has a 50% chance to fail when attempting to use a bardic performance with a visual component. If he fails this check, the attempt still counts against their daily limit. Blind creatures are immune to bardic performances with visual components.
List of Bardic Performances:
Versatile Performance (Ex): At 2nd level, an archivist can choose one type of Perform skill. They can use their bonus in that skill in place of their bonus in associated skills. When substituting in this way, the archivist uses their total Perform skill bonus, including class skill bonus, in place of its associated skill's bonus, whether or not he has ranks in that skill or if it is a class skill. At 6th level, and every 4 levels thereafter, the archivist can select an additional type of Perform to substitute.
The types of Perform and their associated skills are: Act (Bluff, Disguise), Comedy (Bluff, Intimidate), Dance (Acrobatics,Fly), Keyboard Instruments (Diplomacy, Intimidate), Oratory (Diplomacy, Sense Motive), Percussion (Handle Animal, Intimidate), Sing (Bluff, Sense Motive), String (Bluff, Diplomacy), and Wind (Diplomacy, Handle Animal).
Well-Versed (Ex): At 2nd level, the archivist becomes resistant to the bardic performance of others, and to sonic effects in general. The archivist gains a +4 bonus on saving throws made against bardic performance, sonic, and language-dependent effects.
Lore Master (Ex): At 3rd level, the archivist becomes a master of lore and can take 10 on any Knowledge skill check that they have ranks in. An archivist can choose not to take 10 and can instead roll normally. In addition, once per day, the archivist can take 20 on any Knowledge skill check as a standard action. They can use this ability one additional time per day for every six levels they possess beyond 3rd, to a maximum of three times per day at 15th level.
Faerie Runes 1: At 4th level, an archivist learns three more runes, at least one of which must be a Faerie Runesong.
Unseelie Whispers (Ex): At 7th level, the archivist can use any skill, even if the skill normally requires them to be trained. At 10th level, the archivist considers all skills to be class skills. At 14th level, the archivist can take 10 on any skill check, even if it is not normally allowed.
Faerie Runes 2: At 7th level, the archivist gains access to Tier two runes, and learns three more runes, at least one of which must be a Faerie Runesong.
Whisper to the Void: At 9th level, the archivist may use the Void rune as a Range rune in any casting.
Faerie Runes 3: At 10th level, the archivist learns three more runes, at least one of which must be a Faerie Runesong.
Faerie Runes 4: At 13th level, the archivist learns two Tier three Faerie Runesongs.
List of Faerie Runesongs :
Faerie Runesongs are used in Faerie Magic in the place of Core Runes. They are the spoken form of the essence of faerie itself and have powers that the runes derived from them can only imagine. Though the Runesongs presented here are powerful, compared to the true power of the Fey they are but cantrips.
Tier One Runesongs :
Influence: The subject becomes one step friendlier as if the Diplomacy skill had been used on it, unless they can pass a Will save. This effect is permanent, although the subject is still subject to the usual methods of attitude alteration.
Message: The subject hears one sentence-long thought from the caster.
Sleep: The subject must pass a Will save or fall asleep where they stand, becoming Helpless until woken.
Entangle: The runesong creates a rope which immediately binds the subject unless they pass a successful Reflex save. Escaping once bound requires an Escape Artist check against DC 20. The rope exists only as long as the runesong is Maintained.
Restore: The subjects are healed for 5 HP per round while the Runesong is maintained.
Isolate: The subject becomes Deaf and Blind unless they pass a will save.
Tier Two Runesongs :
Forget: The subject forgets one fact or incident, chosen by the archivist, unless they pass a will save.
Shroud: Lights in the affected area do not shine while affected, although they are not extinguished.
Witness: The subjects treat all illumination levels, including 'absolute darkness' as if they were Daylight.
Curse: The subject suffers a -1 penalty to all tests per power point. This effect lasts as long as the Runesong is maintained.
Tier Three Runesongs :
Compel: The subject falls under the archivist's command as long as the runesong is maintained, unless they pass a Will save. The archivist may give one command to the subject as part of maintaining the runesong.
Create: The caster creates up to 5 lbs per power point of pure materials.
Conceal: The subjects become invisible for as long as the runesong is maintained.
Dream: The sleeping subjects dreams appear as you desire.
Sensation: The subject is gripped with such sensations – the caster chooses pleasure or pain - that they are overwhelmed. They are stunned while the spell is maintained.
“All of the secret lore of the world, and it is up to me alone to bear the burden.”
-Imperial Archivist Raane Beladia, the Herald of Daaria
Lore : The Archivists are a secretive order who study ancient and forbidden magics – the magics of the Unseelie who fled long ago. This is not looked upon kindly by the Chantry, who believe that they should control all magic by divine right. The Archivists generally do not associate with the Academy of Sokomo; they instead study on their own, and gather at their own secret Temple in Narugami Province. The Archivists know the truth: The chantry-approved runes are but a taste of what is possible.
Requirements: Knowledge (History) 5 ranks, Knowledge (Nature) 4 ranks, Perform (any) 5 ranks. Must be initiated by an Archivist or trained by a Fey. Cannot be Lawful.
Hit Dice: d8
Class Skills : The Archivist's class skills are Acrobatics (Dex), Appraise (Int), Bluff (Cha), Climb (Str), Craft (Int), Diplomacy(Cha), Disguise (Cha),Escape Artist (Dex), Intimidate (Cha), Knowledge(all)(Int), Linguistics (Int), Perception(Wis), Perform (Cha), Profession (Wis), Sense Motive (Wis), Sleight of Hand (Dex), Spellcraft (Int), Stealth (Dex), and Use Magic Device (Cha).
Skill Ranks per Level: 6 + Int Modifier
Weapon and Armour Proficiency: An Archivist is proficient with all simple weapons, plus the longsword, rapier,sap, shortsword, shortbow, and whip. They are also proficient with light armour and shields (except tower shields).
Class Features : All of the following are class features of the Archivist prestige class.
Spellcasting: At first level, Archivists gain the ability to cast Spellsongs. These function much in the same way as Runecasting, but require a Perform check instead of a Spellcraft check. The Archivist must be able to speak to use Perform (Sing), move freely to use Perform (Dance), etc. Archivists do not need Runestones – they shape magic with their performances. At first level, Bards automatically know three Runes, at least one of which must be a special Faerie Songrune. The Archivist's Casting Attribute is Charisma. All Archivist Spellcasting is considered Arcane magic.
Chi Points: An Archivist must spend an hour practising each day to order their thoughts and prepare their mystical energies, during which they must pass three Perform checks of DC 5, 10 and 15. At the end of this practising period, they reset their Chi points to the value shown for their level on the table. They receive bonus chi points equal to their Intelligence Modifier multiplied by their Class Level.
Bardic Performance: An archivist is trained to use the Perform skill to create magical effects on those around them, including himself if desired. They can use this ability for a number of rounds per day equal to 4 + their Charisma modifier. At each level after 1st an archivist can use bardic performance for 2 additional rounds per day. Each round, the archivist can produce any one of the types of bardic performance that he has mastered, as indicated by their level.
Starting a bardic performance is a standard action, but it can be maintained each round as a free action. Changing a bardic performance from one effect to another requires the archivist to stop the previous performance and start a new one as a standard action. A bardic performance cannot be disrupted, but it ends immediately if the archivist is killed, paralysed,stunned, knocked unconscious, or otherwise prevented from taking a free action to maintain it each round. An archivist cannot have more than one bardic performance in effect at one time.
At 5th level, an archivist can start a bardic performance as a move action instead of a standard action. At 11th level, an archivist can start a bardic performance as a swift action.
Each bardic performance has audible components, visual components, or both.
If a bardic performance has audible components, the targets must be able to hear the archivist for the performance to have any effect, and many such performances are language dependent (as noted in the description). A deaf archivist has a 20% change to fail when attempting to use a bardic performance with an audible component. If he fails this check, the attempt still counts against their daily limit. Deaf creatures are immune to bardic performances with audible components.
If a bardic performance has a visual component, the targets must have line of sight to the archivist for the performance to have any effect. A blind archivist has a 50% chance to fail when attempting to use a bardic performance with a visual component. If he fails this check, the attempt still counts against their daily limit. Blind creatures are immune to bardic performances with visual components.
List of Bardic Performances:
- Countersong (Su): At 1st level, an archivist learns to counter magic effects that depend on sound. Each round of the countersong they make a Perform(keyboard, percussion, wind, string, or sing) skill check. Any creature within 30 feet of the archivist (including the archivist himself) that is affected by a sonic or language-dependent magical attack may use the archivist's Perform check result in place of its saving throw if, after the saving throw is rolled, the Perform check result proves to be higher. If a creature within range of the countersong is already under the effect of a non-instantaneous sonic or language-dependent magical attack, it gains another saving throw against the effect each round it hears the countersong, but it must use the archivist's Perform skill check result for the save. Countersong does not work on effects that don't allow saves. Countersong relies on audible components.
- Distraction (Su): At 1st level, an archivist can use their performance to counter magic effects that depend on sight. Each round of the Distraction, he makes a Perform (act, comedy, dance, or oratory) skill check. Any creature within 30 feet of the archivist (including the archivist himself) that is affected by a Phantasm magical attack may use the archivist’s Perform check result in place of its saving throw if, after the saving throw is rolled, the Perform check result proves to be higher. If a creature within range of the Distraction is already under the effect of a non-instantaneous phantasm magical attack, it gains another saving throw against the effect each round it sees the Distraction, but it must use the archivist’s Perform check result for the save. Distraction does not work on effects that don’t allow saves. Distraction relies on visual components.
- Fascinate (Su): At 1st level, an archivist can use their performance to cause one or more creatures to become fascinated with them. Each creature to be fascinated must be within 90 feet, able to see and hear the archivist, and capable of paying attention to them. The archivist must also be able to see the creatures affected. The Distraction of a nearby combat or other dangers prevents the ability from working. For every three levels an archivist has attained beyond 1st, they can target one additional creature with this ability. Each creature within range receives a Will save (DC 10 + 1/2 the archivist’s level + the archivist’s Cha modifier) to negate the effect. If a creature’s saving throw succeeds, the archivist cannot attempt to fascinate that creature again for 24 hours. If its saving throw fails, the creature sits quietly and observes the performance for as long as the archivist continues to maintain it. While fascinated, a target takes a –4 penalty on skill checks made as reactions, such as Perception checks Any potential threat to the target allows the target to make a new saving throw against the effect. Any obvious threat, such as someone drawing a weapon, casting a spell, or aiming a weapon at the target, automatically breaks the effect. Fascinate is a mind-affecting ability. Fascinate relies on audible and visual components in order to function.
- Inspire Courage (Su): A 1st level archivist can use their performance to inspire courage in their allies (including themselves), bolstering them against fear and improving their combat abilities. To be affected, an ally must be able to perceive the archivist’s performance. An affected ally receives a +1 morale bonus on saving throws against charm and fear effects and a +1 competence bonus on attack and weapon damage rolls. At 3rd level, and every six archivist levels thereafter, this bonus increases by +1, to a maximum of +3 at 15th level. Inspire courage is a mind-affecting ability. Inspire courage can use audible or visual components. The archivist must choose which component to use when starting their performance.
- Inspire Competence (Su): An archivist of 3rd level or higher can use their performance to help an ally succeed at a task. The ally must be within 30 feet and able to see and hear the archivist. The ally gets a +2 competence bonus on skill checks with a particular skill as long as they continue to hear the archivist’s performance. This bonus increases by +1 for every four levels the archivist has attained beyond 3rd (+3 at 7th, +4 at 11th, +5 at 15th).Certain uses of this ability are infeasible, such as Stealth, and may be disallowed at the GM's discretion. An archivist can't inspire competence in himself. inspire competence relies on audible components.
- Suggestion (Sp): An archivist of 4th level or higher can use their performance to make a suggestion to a creature that they have already fascinated (see above). The suggestion must seem reasonable and be expressed in under two sentences. Using this ability does not disrupt the fascinate effect, but it does require a standard action to activate (in addition to the free action to continue the fascinate effect). An archivist can use this ability more than once against an individual creature during an individual performance. A Will saving throw (DC 10 + 1/2 archivist’s level + archivist’s Cha modifier) negates the effect. This ability affects only a single creature (but see mass suggestion, below). Suggestion is a mind-affecting, language-dependent ability and relies on audible components.
- Dirge of Doom (Su): An archivist of 6th level or higher can use their performance to foster a sense of growing dread in their enemies, causing them to become shaken. To be affected, an enemy must be within 30 feet and able to see and hear the archivist's performance. The effect persists for as long as the enemy is within 30 feet and the archivist continues the performance. Dirge of doom is a mind-affecting fear effect, and it relies on audible and visual components.
- Inspire Greatness (Su): An archivist of 7th level or higher can use their performance to inspire greatness in themselves or a single willing ally within 30 feet, granting extra fighting capability. For every two levels an archivist attains beyond 7th, they can target one additional ally while using this performance (up to a maximum of five at 15th level). To inspire greatness, all of the targets must be able to see and hear the archivist. A creature inspired with greatness gains 2 bonus Hit Dice (d10s), the commensurate number of temporary hit points (apply the target’s Constitution modifier, if any, to these bonus Hit Dice), a +2 competence bonus on attack rolls, and a +1competence bonus on Fortitude saves. The bonus Hit Dice count as regular Hit Dice for determining the effect of spells that are Hit Dice dependent. Inspire greatness is a mind-affecting ability and it relies on audible and visual components.
- Soothing Performance (Su): An archivist of 10th level or higher can use their performance to create an effect which removes the fatigued, sickened, and shaken conditions from all those affected. Using this ability requires 3 continuous performance, and the targets must be able to see and hear the archivist throughout the performance. Soothing performance relies on audible and visual components.
- Faerie Reel (Sp): An archivist of 11th level or higher can use their performance to cause their enemies to begin to dance uncontrollably, although with great skill and attractiveness (using the archivist's perform skill should they be called upon to make a Perform check). The effect makes it impossible for the subject to do anything other than caper and prance in place. The effect imposes a -4 penalty to Armour Class and a -10 penalty on Reflex saves, and it negates any Armour Class bonus granted by a shield the target holds. The dancing subject provokes attacks of opportunity each round on its turn To be affected, an enemy must be able to hear the archivist perform and be within 30 feet. Each enemy within range receives a Will save (DC 10 + 1/2 the archivist’s level + the archivist’s Cha modifier) to negate the effect. If the save succeeds, the creature is immune to this ability for 24 hours. Faerie Reel relies on audible components, and lasts as long as the archivist performs.
- Inspire Heroics (Su): An archivist of 12th level or higher can inspire tremendous heroism in themselves or a single ally within 30 feet. For every two archivist levels the character attains beyond 12th, they can inspire heroics in one additional creature. To inspire heroics, all of the targets must be able to see and hear the archivist. Inspired creatures gain a +4 morale bonus on saving throws and a +4 dodge bonus to AC. The effect lasts for as long as the targets are able to witness the performance. Inspire heroics is a mind-affecting ability that relies on audible and visual components.
- Mass Suggestion (Sp): This ability functions just like suggestion, but allows an archivist of 13th level or higher to make a suggestion simultaneously to any number of creatures that they have already fascinated. Mass suggestion is a mind-affecting, language dependent ability that relies on audible components.
- Deadly Performance (Su): An archivist of 15th level or higher can use their performance to cause one enemy to die from joy or sorrow. To be affected, the target must be able to see and hear the archivist perform for 1 full round and be within 30 feet. The target receives a Will save (DC 10 + 1/2 the archivist’s level + the archivist’s Cha modifier) to negate the effect. If a creature’s saving throw succeeds, the target is staggered for 1d4 rounds, and the archivist cannot use deadly performance on that creature again for 24 hours. If a creature's saving throw fails, it dies. Deadly performance is a mind-effecting death effect that relies on audible and visual components.
Versatile Performance (Ex): At 2nd level, an archivist can choose one type of Perform skill. They can use their bonus in that skill in place of their bonus in associated skills. When substituting in this way, the archivist uses their total Perform skill bonus, including class skill bonus, in place of its associated skill's bonus, whether or not he has ranks in that skill or if it is a class skill. At 6th level, and every 4 levels thereafter, the archivist can select an additional type of Perform to substitute.
The types of Perform and their associated skills are: Act (Bluff, Disguise), Comedy (Bluff, Intimidate), Dance (Acrobatics,Fly), Keyboard Instruments (Diplomacy, Intimidate), Oratory (Diplomacy, Sense Motive), Percussion (Handle Animal, Intimidate), Sing (Bluff, Sense Motive), String (Bluff, Diplomacy), and Wind (Diplomacy, Handle Animal).
Well-Versed (Ex): At 2nd level, the archivist becomes resistant to the bardic performance of others, and to sonic effects in general. The archivist gains a +4 bonus on saving throws made against bardic performance, sonic, and language-dependent effects.
Lore Master (Ex): At 3rd level, the archivist becomes a master of lore and can take 10 on any Knowledge skill check that they have ranks in. An archivist can choose not to take 10 and can instead roll normally. In addition, once per day, the archivist can take 20 on any Knowledge skill check as a standard action. They can use this ability one additional time per day for every six levels they possess beyond 3rd, to a maximum of three times per day at 15th level.
Faerie Runes 1: At 4th level, an archivist learns three more runes, at least one of which must be a Faerie Runesong.
Unseelie Whispers (Ex): At 7th level, the archivist can use any skill, even if the skill normally requires them to be trained. At 10th level, the archivist considers all skills to be class skills. At 14th level, the archivist can take 10 on any skill check, even if it is not normally allowed.
Faerie Runes 2: At 7th level, the archivist gains access to Tier two runes, and learns three more runes, at least one of which must be a Faerie Runesong.
Whisper to the Void: At 9th level, the archivist may use the Void rune as a Range rune in any casting.
Faerie Runes 3: At 10th level, the archivist learns three more runes, at least one of which must be a Faerie Runesong.
Faerie Runes 4: At 13th level, the archivist learns two Tier three Faerie Runesongs.
List of Faerie Runesongs :
Faerie Runesongs are used in Faerie Magic in the place of Core Runes. They are the spoken form of the essence of faerie itself and have powers that the runes derived from them can only imagine. Though the Runesongs presented here are powerful, compared to the true power of the Fey they are but cantrips.
Tier One Runesongs :
Influence: The subject becomes one step friendlier as if the Diplomacy skill had been used on it, unless they can pass a Will save. This effect is permanent, although the subject is still subject to the usual methods of attitude alteration.
Message: The subject hears one sentence-long thought from the caster.
Sleep: The subject must pass a Will save or fall asleep where they stand, becoming Helpless until woken.
Entangle: The runesong creates a rope which immediately binds the subject unless they pass a successful Reflex save. Escaping once bound requires an Escape Artist check against DC 20. The rope exists only as long as the runesong is Maintained.
Restore: The subjects are healed for 5 HP per round while the Runesong is maintained.
Isolate: The subject becomes Deaf and Blind unless they pass a will save.
Tier Two Runesongs :
Forget: The subject forgets one fact or incident, chosen by the archivist, unless they pass a will save.
Shroud: Lights in the affected area do not shine while affected, although they are not extinguished.
Witness: The subjects treat all illumination levels, including 'absolute darkness' as if they were Daylight.
Curse: The subject suffers a -1 penalty to all tests per power point. This effect lasts as long as the Runesong is maintained.
Tier Three Runesongs :
Compel: The subject falls under the archivist's command as long as the runesong is maintained, unless they pass a Will save. The archivist may give one command to the subject as part of maintaining the runesong.
Create: The caster creates up to 5 lbs per power point of pure materials.
Conceal: The subjects become invisible for as long as the runesong is maintained.
Dream: The sleeping subjects dreams appear as you desire.
Sensation: The subject is gripped with such sensations – the caster chooses pleasure or pain - that they are overwhelmed. They are stunned while the spell is maintained.
Level
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 |
Base Attack Bonus
+0 +1 +1 +2 +2 +3 +3 +4 +4 +5 +5 +6 +6 +7 +7 |
Fort Save
+0 +0 +1 +1 +1 +2 +2 +2 +3 +3 +3 +4 +4 +4 +5 |
Ref Save
+0 +0 +1 +1 +1 +2 +2 +2 +3 +3 +3 +4 +4 +4 +5 |
Will Save
+2 +3 +3 +4 +4 +5 +5 +6 +6 +7 +7 +8 +8 +9 +9 |
Base CP
6 9 13 18 24 31 39 48 58 69 82 95 119 134 150 |
Abilities
Bardic Music, Countersong, Fascinate, Distract, Inspire Courage, Spellcasting Well-Versed, Versatile Performance Inspire Competence, Lore Master Suggestion, Faerie Runes 1 Dirge of Doom Unseelie Whispers, Faerie Runes 2 Inspire Greatness Whisper to the Void Soothing Performance, Faerie Runes 3 Faerie Reel Inspire Heroics Mass Suggestion, Faerie Runes 4 Faerie Runes 3 Deadly Performance |