Provocateur
of the Heart
Hello ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to Best in Class, where we present to you new class features and archetypes every week! This week is all about the heart, love, and romance here at Necromancers of the Northwest. When I think of romance in the world of Pathfinder, my mind immediately jumps to the charming bard, singing songs of undying and unrequited love. So, in order to celebrate Valentine’s Day, let’s kick off Romance Week with a new bard archetype, the provocateur of the heart.
New Bard Archetype
Provocateur of the Heart
Experienced in the ways of love and lust, provocateurs of the heart are virtually unmatched when it comes to inspiring obsession from a variety of targets. They are masters and mistresses of charming others to do their bidding.
Romantic Resolve (Ex): Beginning at 2nd level, the provocateur of the heart becomes resistant to effects that would alter his mind. He gains a +4 bonus on saving throws made to resist bardic performances, mind-affecting effects, and enchantments.
This ability replaces the well-versed class feature.
Versatile Allure (Ex): Beginning at 2nd level, a provocateur of the heart chooses one creature type from the list of creature types selectable for the ranger’s favored enemy class feature. Whenever the provocateur of the heart casts a spell or uses a bardic music ability where all of the creatures affected by the spell or ability are of the chosen creature type (and subtype, if appropriate), the saving throw DC of that spell or ability is increased by +2. At 6th level, and every 4 levels after, the provocateur of the heart can select an additional creature type that this ability applies to.
This replaces the versatile performance class feature.
Incite Groveling (Sp): Beginning at 3rd level, a provocateur of the heart can use his bardic performance to cause a foe to fall at his feet and beg for his attention. This is done through the recitation of song or poetry, and requires that the target can hear the provocateur of the heart, and understand the language that he is speaking. At 3rd level, only a single creature can be affected, but for every 3 levels attained beyond 3rd, the provocateur of the heart may target an additional creature with each use of this ability. Each target must be within 30 feet of both the provocateur of the heart and of each other target.
Each target must succeed on a Will save (DC 10 + 1/2 the provocateur of the heart’s bard level + the provocateur of the heart’s Charisma modifier) or immediately move towards the provocateur of the heart and vie for his favor. A target under the effect of this ability will take the shortest and safest route to the provocateur of the heart. Upon reaching him, the obsessed creature is considered fascinated, and she sheathes her weapons and kneels before him. Otherwise, the creature acts as normal for a fascinated creature. As soon as the provocateur of the heart stops performing, the effect ends and the creature is no longer fascinated. This is a mind-affecting enchantment (compulsion) effect.
This ability replaces the inspire competence class feature.
Fight for My Love (Sp): Beginning at 8th level, a provocateur of the heart can use his bardic performance to inspire competitiveness amongst his enemies, causing them to fight each other. As a standard action, the provocateur of the heart may attempt to use this ability on a single creature within 30 feet of him that is able to see and hear him. The target must succeed on a Will save (DC 10 + 1/2 the provocateur of the heart’s bard level + the provocateur of the heart’s Charisma bonus) or become hostile towards all creatures other than the provocateur of the heart, and, beginning on the affected creature’s next turn, attack the nearest creature (other than the provocateur of the heart) to the best of her ability. If the target kills a creature that she was friendly towards as a result of this ability, the effect ends immediately. Otherwise, the target continues to attack the nearest creature until the provocateur of the heart stops his bardic performance or the target ceases to be within 30 feet of the provocateur of the heart. This is a mind-affecting enchantment, compulsion, and emotion effect.
This ability replaces the dirge of doom class feature.
Lover’s Caress (Su): Beginning at 10th level, a provocateur of the heart can cause creatures to fall in love with him with merely a touch. As a standard action, he may make a melee touch attack. If the attack hits, the target must succeed on a Will save (DC 10 + 1/2 the provocateur of the heart’s bard level + the provocateur of the heart’s Charisma modifier) or fall temporarily in love with the provocateur of the heart, and do everything in her power to protect him. An affected creature obeys the provocateur of the heart’s commands to the best of her ability, and actively goes out of her way to protect the provocateur from danger, even without explicit orders to do so. If the provocateur of the heart takes a hostile action against the target, the effect ends immediately. Otherwise, it lasts for a number of minutes equal to the provocateur of the heart’s bard level.
The provocateur of the heart can use this ability once per day at 10th level. At 16th level, he can use it an additional time each day.
At 16th level, a creature affected by this ability also gains the benefits of the heroism spell for the duration of the ability. At 19th level, the creature instead gains the benefits of the greater heroism spell for the duration of the ability.
This ability replaces the jack of all trades class feature.
Provocative Dance (Sp): Beginning at 14th level, a provocateur of the heart can use his bardic performance to render enemies unaware of anything but himself. To be affected, an enemy must be able to see the provocateur of the heart perform and be within 30 feet. Each enemy within range must succeed on a Will save (DC 10 + 1/2 the provocateur of the heart’s bard level + the provocateur of the heart’s Charisma modifier) or become flat-footed for the purposes of all creatures except for the provocateur of the heart. Affected creatures remain flat-footed in this way until the provocateur of the heart ceases her performance, or until they are no longer able to see and hear the provocateur of the heart. Each time that the target takes damage while under the effects of this ability, he is entitled to a new Will save (same DC) to shake off the effect. A creature that successfully resists this ability (whether on their initial Will save or on a later one allowed due to taking damage) is immune to it for 24 hours. This is a mind-affecting effect that relies on visual and auditory components.
This ability replaces the frightening tune class feature.