Elven Minstrel

Hit Die: d6
Requirements:
To qualify to become an Elven Minstrel, a character must fulfill all the following criteria.
Craft (Instrument): 5 Ranks
Perform: 10 Ranks
Spellcraft: 10 Ranks
Races: Elf or Half-elf
Spells: Must be able to cast arcane spells of 3rd level or higher
Special: Ability to use Bardic Knowledge and Bardic Song; Must possess a masterwork instrument

BAB Progression: Wizard
Good Saves: Will

Class Level Special Spells per Day/Spells Known
1st Bardic Abilities, Minstrel’s Charisma, Spell Singing (Focused), +1 level to existing class
2nd Spell Singing (Extended), +1 level to existing class
3rd Spell Singing (Enlarged), +1 level to existing class
4th Spell Singing (Empowered), +1 level to existing class
5th Spell Singing (Maximized), +1 level to existing class

Class Skills
The Elven Minstrel’s class skills (and the key ability for each skill) are Alchemy (Int), Concentration (Con), Craft (Int), Decipher Script (Int), Diplomacy (Cha), Knowledge (Arcana) (Int), Perform (Cha), Profession (Wis), Scry (Int), Spellcraft (Int), Use Magic Device (Cha). See Chapter 4: Skills in the Player’s Handbook for skill descriptions.

Skill Points at Each Level: 4 + Int modifier

Class Features
All of the following are class features for the Elven Minstrel.

Weapon and Armor Proficiency: The Elven Minstrel gains no additional weapon or armor proficiencies.

Spells per Day/Spells Known: Whenever an Elven Minstrel levels, the character gains new spells per day as if she had also gained a level in a spellcasting class she belonged to before adding the prestige class. She does not, however, gain any other benefit a character of that class would have gained except for an increased effective level of spellcasting. If a character had more then one spellcasting class before becoming an Elven Minstrel, she must decide to which class she adds the new level for purposes of determining spells per day and spells known.

Bardic Abilities: The Elven Minstrel may add her Elven Minstrel level to any existing bard levels when determining how many bardic songs she may do in a day and bardic knowledge checks.

Minstrel’s Charisma: The Elven Minstrel’s charisma affects not only the company she keeps and the beings she meets along the way, it seems affect her very being. Once per day per class level, she may add her charisma bonus (if positive) to any of her saves.

Spell Singing: Having mastered the art of performing with instruments and her developing use of spells, the Elven Minstrel becomes able to combine the two into a more powerful method of casting. Whenever she casts a spell, she may use a bardic song daily usage to add the ability given by the spell song style. When the Elven Minstrel levels, the new ability gained is not automatically added to the song. However, she may add it with another bardic song daily usage (Example: A 5th level Elven Minstrel may cast sleep with the focused, empowered and maximized styles for a cost of three daily uses of bardic song). The spell cast this way still counts against the amount of spells per day.

Not all instruments can be used for spell singing. First of all, if a spell requires a verbal component, the Elven Minstrel must sing the component. Which means only instruments that leave the Minstrel’s mouth free can be used (the Silent Spell feat can’t be used when using Spell Singing). Spells requiring somatic components are also affected. The instrument she is using must support numerous and complex hand movements and manipulations. This eliminates most percussion instruments. This is why Elven Minstrels usually carry stringed instruments (Lutes being the preferred instrument). Material components must be on the performer, and vanish when the spell is cast. Focus components are replaced by the Elven Minstrel’s instrument. All other components are unchanged.

Spells that normally emanate from the caster’s hands instead radiate from the spell singer’s instrument. All casting times, range, targets, areas, durations, saving throws and spell resistance go unchanged unless specified by the song style used. If the Elven Minstrel is muted, she cannot use any spell using verbal components. If she is deaf, she suffers a 20% chance to fail. If she does fail, the attempt still counts against her daily limit of bardic song usage and spells.

Focused: When using this ability, the spell cast has a +2 bonus to the Difficulty Class for all saving throws against it.

Extended: Beginning at 2nd level, when using this ability, the spell cast is affected is if using the Extend Spell feat.

Enlarged: At 3rd level, when using this ability, the spell cast is affected as if using the Enlarge Spell feat.

Empowered: At 4th level, when using this ability, the spell cast is affected as if using the Empower Spell feat.

Maximized: Finally, at 5th level, a spell cast this way is affected like the Maximize Spell feat.