Singing, Slashing & Slinging his way (1-40) PvM or PvP, Sling Blade is an epic fighting bard.


THE SLING BLADE (Song Version)
By Deborah Tyr

Sling Blade is a maestro, a musician and composer, who went off to knight school to learn the art of combat. While attending knight college, Sling Blade never forgot his first love, however, that of the musical arts. In between sharpening his blade and practicing his song, our fighting maestro happened across an ancient book one day, while in the library. He had been seeking more information about the basics of jousting, to prepare for an upcoming test while the other knights simply worked out in the court yard; but this book, this ancient dust-covered book, caught our maestro’s attention. Judging by the dust that had gathered on it, and by its tattered and torn appearance, this book had without question been tossed aside and ignored as if it contained no useful knowledge; unforgotten and shelved, it had been neglected for the better part of a century. Perhaps it was his artistic senses, his well tuned eye or musical intuition that led our maestro to pick up the book; or maybe it was something else. Whatever the reason for his fascination, Sling Blade could not help but pick it up.

Blowing it clear of dust and opening its cover, Sling realized, in an instant, that in his hands were all the military pearls of wisdom that any knight, or great military general for that matter, could ever hope to come across in a life time; there, in its worn and yellowed pages, having stood the tests of time and reduced to writing, was to be found everything that could ever be dreamed of by the greatest of generals, in war time, and in peace; this book, this ancient and until now forgotten little book, contained the greatest tactical military truths of all time. Appropriately, it was entitled: “The Art of War.”

Written by Sun Tzu, a 5th century master-warrior tactician, Sling Blade immediately set about to read it, carefully, slowly and studiously, he read each passage in the book, again and again, and from cover to cover. In so doing, our maestro learned that what is essential in war is victory, not prolonged operations, and that victory requires not combat per se but, rather, respect, versatility and preparedness. He also realized that, although he was by all accounts a good knight, well on the path to becoming a highly trained warrior, that it was not such skills alone that were responsible for his success in battle; rather, it was his musical compositions and singing performance. Each time he had sung for an audience, he knew that he had moved them, that he had touched their hearts and their minds with his song; a gifted musician he was, who had always been able to make a lasting impression on his audience. As a crier on the battlefield, too, when he sang his war song before engaging the enemy with his sword, he knew that his music had a similar and lasting effect in combat, in the same way that he had always managed to move an entire auditorium: and so, he sang. He sang his beautiful bard song: inspiring himself and his allies in battle while, at the same time, striking pandemonium and fear into the hearts and minds of his enemies.

On coming to this realization, he intuitively understood Sun Tzu’s teachings; he understood that the best offense is defense, which requires versatility and constant vigilance; he understood the need to respect, and to understand the enemy; and he understood that perhaps which was even more important. This being: whatever may come in battle, it was paramount to remain adaptable, as this is what it means to be prepared. Sling Blade realized that, as a musician, he had always understood the Art of War. And on that day, he realized that he no longer needed to remain in knight school, but could instead return to his first love, that of the musical arts, with which he could perfect the Art of War.

AUTHOR's NOTE: Sling Blade is the fourth and final character in the fighting bard series. Based on the tale of King Arthur and Celtic lore, the characters in this series are in answer to the following question: when a musician goes to knight school, which is more powerful, the song or the sword? With this character, the Sling Blade, we focus on the song. Yet we do so without entirely neglecting our combat prowess, so far as he has decent, buffable combat AB (augmented by IKD and called shot, and which AB he can also self-buff to cap). With good buffable AC, decent saves, decent HPs, a nice assortment of defense-focused skills, and the ability to dish out some decent combat damage, Sling can hold his own in melee combat, without being forced to rely on spells, which makes him an adaptable ‘Fighting Bard’ within the theme of this series. That having been said, his real talent is of course the bardic/arcane theme, including his high bard song, which is a lasting song; combined with UMD versatility and his ability to sling different damage types, Sling Blade makes for a fun-filled character, able to fly solo or as a member of a party, and adaptable to most any environment.

Without further adieu, meet Sling Blade: the Fighting Bard with the Sweet and Lasting Song in our series. As always, I welcome all your great comments, ideas, and suggestions

SLING BLADE (Fighting Bard – SONG version)
Champion of Torm(15), Bard(21), Fighter(4),
Race: Human / Alignment: Neutral Good Preferred

FINAL STATS:
STR: 16 (30)
DEX: 10
CON: 14
WIS: 8
INT: 14
CHA: 14 (16)

Hitpoints: 436 (+26 Singing, or: 462)



Saving Throws:
Fort: 31, +2 Song
Will : 26 (28 Owl’s), +3 Song
Reflex: 30 (32 Cat’s), +2 Song
Saving Throw bonuses: Spells: +4 (+5 Singing)

Other Enhancements:
Resistance: +1 All Saves
Protection: +2 All Saves and Immunity to Mind-Effects
Divine Wrath: +7 All Saves (5 Rounds w. Eagle’s Splendor)

COMBAT VITALS:
BAB: 27, AB: +41 (NO Buffs)
+2 Bull’s Strength
+5 Greater Magic Weapon
--
Effective AB: +48

Other Enhancements
+2 Bard Song
+2 War Cry
+5 Curse Song (raises AB by lowering enemies’ AC)
+7 Divine Wrath
--
Total AB: +64
Note: Smite Evil Attack, +5 AB Bonus (w. Eagle’s Splendor), or: AB +69

Capped Combat AB:
+66, +5 Curse Song (as explained above)
--
Total: +71, Plus Smite AB Bonus (+9 capped, or AB +80)


* COMBAT DAMAGE (Mundane Longsword)
1-8 +16 (17-20/x2 crit.) (15-20/x2 w. Keen Edge)
+2 Bull’s Strength
+5 Greater Magic Weapon
+3 Bard Song
+2 War Cry
+7 Divine Wrath
--
Haste: extra attack=double damage (or 2x(36-43 combat): 72-86 total (x2/crit.)
--
Smite Attack: 36-43 combat damage, +15 bonus damage (x2/crit.)


DEFENSE VITALS:
AC: 20 (naked) / 28 (mundane plate only) / 31 (mundane plate & shield only)
+4 Mage Armor
+4 Haste
+5 Bard Song
--
Total AC: 44 (Self-Buffed)

Other Enhancements:
+2 Cat’s Grace
+2 Protection
+2 Curse Song (reduces enemy AB, which in turn raises your AC)
Note: in addition, may cast ethereal visage, improved invisibility and, additionally, has access to UMD/scrolls for even more protection. See: spell casting, below.



Spell Casting:
Bard(6), SR 21 + 1d20
Cantrips: All
Level 1: 5 Spells (Balagarn’s Horn, Grease, Amplify, + 2 More)
Level 2: 5 Spells (Bard Buff’s – i.e., Bull’s, Eagle’s, Cat’s, etc. and/or Darkness, Ultravision)
Level 3: 5 Spells (GMW, Keen, Haste, Wound Whispers, + 1 of: Confusion, Fear, Slow, Curse)
Level 4: 4 Spells (War Cry, Improved Invisibility, Cure Critical Wounds, plus 1 more)
Level 5: 4 Spells (Mind Fog, Greater Dispelling, Ethereal Visage, Healing Circle)
Level 6: 4 Spells (Ice Storm, Dirge, Energy Buffer, plus one more)

Note (1): Still Spell, Extend Spell, and Maximize Spell feats are all included; in addition, your Sling Blade is skilled in the use of magical devices (UMD), and enjoys all those Bard Toys!!

NOTE (2): These spells are recommended, yet may not be suited to your particular needs or playing style. For an overview of the spells available to your Sling Blade, and to personally customize your own spell book, Click Here

MUSICAL INFO:

• Lasting Bard Song:
+2 AB, +3 Damage, +Saves (+2 Fort; +3 Will; +2 Reflex), +5 AC, +7 (+9) Skills, +26 (30) HPs (temporary), song buffed self and all allies in area of effect (30’ area)
• Lasting Curse Song: Opposite effect to all enemies in the area of effect (30’ area)



FINAL SKILLS (257):
Concentration 32(34)
Discipline 43(53)
Listen 40(39), (+20 w. Amplify, or: 59)
Perform 43(46) (48 w. Eagle’s Splendor)
Spellcraft 18(20)
Tumble 40(40)
UMD 38(41)

* Bard Song adds +7 to All Skills. Curse Song reduces the skills of your enemies by -7 (note: w. Eagle’s and singing, curse song will reduce enemy skills by -9); as such, the combined effect of your singing/cursing essentially buffs your skills as if you’d taken epic skill focus feats, making it very difficult for enemies to knock you, taunt you, or sneak up on you: Enjoy!


WHAT FOLLOWS is the EPIC PATH of the SLING BLADE (Fighting Bard, Song Version):

01: Fighter(1): toughness, weapon focus: longsword*, knockdown
02: Fighter(2): called shot
03: Fighter(3): blind fight
04: Fighter(4): STR+1, weapon specialization: longsword*, (STR=17)
05: Bard(1)
06: Bard(2): lingering song
07: Bard(3)
08: Bard(4): STR+1, (STR=18)
09: Bard(5): curse song
10: Champion of Torm(1)
11: Champion of Torm(2): improved knockdown
12: Bard(6): STR+1, still spell, (STR=19)
13: Champion of Torm(3): {Smite Evil}
14: Champion of Torm(4): improved critical: longsword*
15: Bard(7): extend spell
16: Bard(8): STR+1, (STR=20)
17: Bard(9)
18: Bard(10): maximize spell
19: Bard(11)
20: Bard(12): STR+1, (STR=21)
21: Champion of Torm(5): Great Strength I, (STR=22)
22: Champion of Torm(6): epic weapon focus: longsword*
23: Bard(13)
24: Champion of Torm(7): CHA+1, Great Strength II, (STR=23), (CHA=15)
25: Bard(14)
26: Bard(15)
27: Champion of Torm(8): great charisma I, epic weapon specialization: longsword*, (CHA=16)
28: Champion of Torm(9): STR+1, (STR=24)
29: Champion of Torm(10): armor skin
30: Bard(16): Great Strength III, (STR=25)
31: Champion of Torm(11)
32: Bard(17): STR+1, (STR=26)
33: Bard(18): Great Strength IV, (STR=27)
34: Bard(19)
35: Champion of Torm(12)
36: Bard(20): STR+1, lasting inspiration, (STR=28)
37: Champion of Torm(13)
38: Champion of Torm(14): epic prowess
39: Champion of Torm(15): Great Strength V, (STR=29)
40: Bard(21): STR+1, (STR=30)


Skills Progression :

01: Concentration(1), Discipline(4), Save(15),
02: Concentration(1), Discipline(1), Save(18),
03: Concentration(1), Discipline(1), Save(21),
04: Concentration(1), Discipline(1), Save(24),
05: Concentration(1), Discipline(1), Perform(8), Spellcraft(5), Tumble(8), UMD(8),
06: Concentration(1), Discipline(1), Listen(1), Perform(1), Spellcraft(1), Tumble(1), UMD(1),
07: Concentration(1), Discipline(1), Listen(1), Perform(1), Spellcraft(1), Tumble(1), UMD(1),
08: Concentration(1), Discipline(1), Listen(1), Perform(1), Spellcraft(1), Tumble(1), UMD(1),
09: Concentration(1), Discipline(1), Listen(1), Perform(1), Spellcraft(1), Tumble(1), UMD(1),
10: Discipline(1), Save(4),
11: Discipline(1), Save(8),
12: Concentration(1), Discipline(1), Listen(4), Perform(3), Tumble(3), UMD(3),
13: Discipline(1), Save(4),
14: Discipline(1), Save(8),
15: Concentration(1), Discipline(1), Listen(4), Perform(3), Tumble(3), UMD(3),
16: Concentration(2), Discipline(1), Listen(1), Perform(1), Tumble(1), UMD(1),
17: Concentration(2), Discipline(1), Listen(1), Perform(1), Tumble(1), UMD(1),
18: Concentration(2), Discipline(1), Listen(1), Perform(1), Tumble(1), UMD(1),
19: Concentration(2), Discipline(1), Listen(1), Perform(1), Tumble(1), UMD(1),
20: Concentration(2), Discipline(1), Listen(1), Perform(1), Tumble(1), UMD(1),
21: Discipline(1), Save(4),
22: Discipline(1), Save(8),
23: Concentration(2), Discipline(1), Listen(3), Perform(3), Tumble(3), UMD(3),
24: Discipline(1), Save(4),
25: Concentration(1), Discipline(1), Listen(3), Perform(2), Tumble(2), UMD(2),
26: Concentration(1), Discipline(1), Listen(2), Perform(1), Tumble(1), UMD(1),
27: Discipline(1), Save(4),
28: Discipline(1), Save(8),
29: Discipline(1), Save(12),
30: Concentration(1), Discipline(1), Listen(4), Perform(4), Tumble(4), UMD(4), Save(1),
31: Discipline(1), Save(5),
32: Concentration(1), Discipline(1), Listen(2), Perform(2), Tumble(2), UMD(2), Save(2),
33: Concentration(1), Discipline(1), Listen(1), Perform(1), Spellcraft(3), Tumble(1), UMD(1),
34: Concentration(1), Discipline(1), Listen(1), Perform(1), Spellcraft(1), Tumble(1), UMD(1),
35: Discipline(1), Spellcraft(1), Save(2),
36: Concentration(1), Listen(3), Perform(2), Spellcraft(1), Tumble(2),
37: Spellcraft(1), Save(3),
38: Save(8),
39: Spellcraft(1), Save(11),
40: Concentration(2), Discipline(5), Listen(4), Perform(4), Spellcraft(1), Tumble(1), UMD(1).

Edited By TyrTemplar on 07/23/06 08:21

Cool, I like it. I'd drop Maximize Spell for something - anything - else, though It's hardly useful. Empower Spell is a choice, although I'd go for something other then a third metamagic, I mean you're not a caster
_________________
"With Europe liberated, the people of the world turned their attention to that old devil, the United States of America [...] We taught that monster of old the true meaning of freedom."
Star Wreck Finn: thanks! Yeah, he's pretty cool me thinks, too; must thank Nimueh for 'pushing' me on this, if you will, to make a fighting laster (I loaded him in accordance with Tzu's philosophy, with you to thank for inspiring me on the rogue/listen twist: thanks

As to maximize: my thought on that was, hey, since we got a couple (okay, not a ton, but a couple of nice damage spells, like Bard Ice: area of effect spell in which all enemies take 3d6 points of bludgeoning damage +9d6 points of cold damage (or, 72 damage, no save, and its empowered), thinkin' it'd be a real pain for, well, everyone really, but especially those caster types, no?

True, we’re not a sorc/wiz, but still . . . as to what to take in lieu of it; hmmm, empower’s an interesting option (would give us the extra point, thus a +3 instead of the +2 boosts to i.e., bard buffs, yes?) – that'd be nice, so too would be save boost feats. Since he has divine wrath and UMD though, skill focus (ie perform or disc. or listen ie., Tzu-ist thinkin’) probably the better option, if don't want maximize (thanks, Finn!).

One of the nice things about using COT instead of WM here (note: the three other knights in the series all use WM) is that we get nice feat selections, and reason why I switched over to COT on this one (but, note to Nimueh, as we discussed in the Song Blade build, WM is still a nice choice for a laster, though, notwithstanding, I agree, since either combo gets ya a laster w. decent, buffable combat AB that when all buffed and adjusted, works out to AB +80 - Cool!

Quote: Posted 07/23/06 16:09:22 (GMT) -- Nimueh_Leafbow
…It's true that buff-dependant AB is less reliable than unbuffed AB (as compared i.e., to the Song Blade, with his natural, unbuffed stats), but I think such effects are minimized when your buffs/debuffs last 15 minutes and you can use them 20 times/day. And even if it is a problem...is the loss of (a couple or so unbuffed) AB really enough to keep (a high, lasting bard) build from being a Fighting Bard?

…Sling Blade, by the way, it's an admirable alternative (to a WM combo)...and I'd still call it a Fighting Bard .

Thanks, Nim! (Oh, I admits: those fighting bards, just so much to sing about

~ Tyr

Note: to see the Song Blade, in which there are also convenient links to the two dev.critter sword variants (thus, all his companions in the fighting bard series), please: Click Here

Edited By TyrTemplar on 07/24/06 19:42

edit: OOPS, on his spell stuff, in the comment above, should read he has extend spell, not empowered (though, as Finn points out, empower's an option; however, and knowing him, if we drop max., I'm thinkin' skill focus (listen, disc., or perform) could work out nicely (or, if you've something else in mind, by all means...); thanks, guys (as always, appreciate those comments! ~ Tyr

Edited By TyrTemplar on 07/24/06 20:21