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This is a class for a campaign here on Gamebanshee I plan on using for my Mephling character. The current version of the class is thus far "Acceptable" to the DM but feedback is always welcome and appreciated.



The Demon Muse (A prestige class based off of Seeker of the Song, Page 57 of Complete Arcane, this is basically a more Conjuration/enchantment version of the PrC instead of evocation, more about dominating, summoning, and controlling as opposed to direct damage).


Hit Dice: D6

Requirements:
Skills: Knowledge Arcana 13 Ranks, Perform (any one) 13 Ranks
Feats: Skill Focus Perform (any one), Leadership, Dark Speech (Fiendish Codex 1, Page 85)
Special: Bardic Music Ability
Special: Must have coerced a demon or fiend to do one's bidding through non-magical means, either through Diplomacy, bribery, blackmail, or pure domination. That demon or fiend will become your cohort. (DM's discretion over what a "Fiend" is)

Class Skills

The Demon Muse’s class skills (and the key ability for each skill) are Bluff (Cha), Concentration (Con), Craft (Int), Decipher Script (Int), Diplomacy (Cha), Disguise (Cha), Escape Artist (Dex), Gather Information (Cha), Hide (Dex), Knowledge (Arcana) (Int), Knowledge (The Planes) (Int), Listen (Wis), Move Silently (Dex), Perform (Cha), Profession (Wis), Sense Motive (Wis), Sleight of Hand (Dex), Speak Language (None), Spellcraft (Int), and Use Magic Device (Cha).

Skill Points
6 + Int modifier.

Lvl-BAB-For-Ref-Wil--------------Special---------------------------Muse Abilities----
1----0---0---0---2---Demonic Bolstering (+2 AC), Demon Music---Ballad of the damned
2----1---0---0---3------------Combine Music--------------------Demonstrength Hymn
3----2---1---1---3---------------------------------------------The Putrid Anthem
4----3---1---1---4------Demonic Bolstering (+2 Saves)----------Ballad of Demogorgon
5----3---1---1---4-------------Subvocalize---------------------Song of the Undying
6----4---2---2---5---------------------------------------------Hymn of Mental Domination
7----5---2---2---5--Demonic Bolstering (DR 5/Cold Iron & Good)-The Punishing Song
8----6---2---2---6---------------------------------------------Hymn of Physical Domination
9----6---3---3---6---------------------------------------------March of the Abyssal Army
10---7---3---3---7--Demonic Bolstering (Fire Immunity)---------Hymn of Total Domination


Demonic Bolstering-

A demon muse is so in tune with the power of demonic music that she gains special insight, physical fortitude and resistance to magical while in the throes

of her song. A Muse gains a +2 insight bonus to armor class whenever she uses her bardic music ability, Demon music, or similar ability.
At 4th level and higher, she also gains a +2 to saving throws when using Bardic, Demon or other music abilities.
At 7th level and higher, she also gains Damage reduction when using Bardic, Demon or other music abilities.
At 10th level and higher, she also gains fire immunity when using Bardic, Demon or other music abilities.
The duration of these bonuses are 1 round per Demon Muse level or however long she continues to play the song (whichever is greater)


Demon Music-

A Demon Muse can use music or poetics to produce magical effects. Demon music follows the same rules as bardic music. Each use of the demon music costs one daily use of bardic music to activate. Demon muse levels stack with bard levels for the purposes of determining how many daily uses of bardic music and demon music the character has.
Some demon music effects include a secondary effect called a refrain. In any round when a demon muse concentrates on a demon song effect and expends another use of bardic music, she can activate the refrain associated with that demon song effect. Using a refrain is a swift action that does not provoke attacks of opportunity. The original effects of the song do not end; the seeker can maintain the song and activate the refrain simultaneously.
Some demon music songs are quite powerful, and regardless of how many ranks the Demon Muse has in Perform, may require the demon muse to make a perform check called a Dark Muse check, for using such Dark abilities. If they succeed in the check, the song and its effects go on normally. If they fail, the song is lost and they may take a penalty as described in the song itself. If there is no section for a Dark Muse check, there is no check needed to be made. A dark muse check is required for each use of the song, even if continuing the song to use the Refrain ability (thus if you use Ballad of the damned for two rounds in a row, you must make two Dark Muse Checks). Unless otherwise noted, the saving throw for all Demon Music is 10 + Charisma + Demon Muse Level.
The effective CL for any spell effect in Demon Music is your caster level + your demon muse level (thus if you are a 10th level bard, 5th level demon muse, your CL is 15 for the purposes of spells in Demon Music only).

Ballad of the Damned:

A Demon Muse with 14 ranks or more in Perform can summon an illusion of the damned to strike true fear, hysteria and terror into the hearts of her enemies.

Every enemy within a 20ft radius must make a will save (disbelief) or become panicked so long as you play this song + 2 rounds after, as the spell fear. If they fail the save by five or more, they are also confused for 1 round. Unlike fear, if they succeed on the will save, they are not shaken as this is a visual illusion, not a mind affecting effect.

Refrain: Expending another use of Bardic music and continuing this song negates the clause for confusion "if you fail by five or more" and instead causes confusion and fear simultaneously, regardless of the roll.

Dark Muse Check: DC 25.
Failure- Everyone within hearing range is effected, not just your enemies.

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Demonstrength Hymn:

A Demon Muse with 15 ranks or more in Perform can bolster her allies with her Demonic Bolstering as well as herself. The duration for the allies' bolstering is half that of her own (rounded down)

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The Putrid Anthem:

To call upon Juiblex, the putrid one, is a dangerous stunt as her smell alone to mere mortals can dissolve their flesh. A Demon Muse with 16 or more ranks in Perform can create a bubble of this putrid odour that functions as a Cloudkill spell. In addition to the normal effects of cloudkill, anyone caught within the radius of the cloudkill is sickened (no save). The cloudkill remains as long as you play the song plus 3 rounds afterwords.

Refrain: Expending another use of Bardic music and continuing this song allows the cloudkill to also deal 2D6 Acid Damage (fortitude negates) each round a creature is inside.

Dark Muse Check: DC 25
Failure: The cloudkill is controlled by a minion of Juiblex instead of you, and attacks whoever it wants to, even if that means you or your allies. If you fail the check by five or more, not only is it controlled by a minion of juiblex, but it is considered to be Widened.

Ballad of Demogorgon:

The true power over demons, Demogorgon, to invoke him is to invoke certain death. But you, you are the type of creature with power to amuse him. A demon muse with 17 or more ranks in perform can gain the aid of Demogorgon in one of three ways.

Answer Me Fiend of Fiends!: You ask a question to Demogorgon. This can be any question, and it will be answered. You have a 70% chance of getting the right answer, and if you fail, there's a 50% chance you get a lie and 50% chance you simply get nothing. If you get a lie, it is impossible to tell if it is a lie or the truth. You can't outwit a demon king.

Empower Me with your massive strength!: You are under the effects of Tensers Transformation for up to 10 rounds, it can be dismissed at any time. For each round you remain under it's effects, you have a 10% chance of gaining a permanent negative level.

Watch My Sacrifice!: You sacrifice someone in the name of Demogorgon. Instead of knowledge religion, you use knowledge arcana for your roll in sacrificing (page 27 in the book of vile darkness). There is a 20% chance he will watch you, 50% if you happened to have found and now own a book of vile darkness. If you succeed and he watches you, you gain a +10 bonus to your result when determining the rewards you reap.


Dark Muse check: DC 30 (40 for Watch my Sacrifice)
Failure: Demogorgon pities you, exclaiming that such power does not deserve to be in the hands of the weak. You Gain 1D6 permanent negative levels and one random magic item you possess dissolves into dust, being permanently destroyed (artifacts excluded).

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Song of the Undying:

A Demon Muse with 18 or more ranks in Perform can bolster himself and his friends with longevity. Any ally in range of hearing gains 1D10 +1/Demon Muse level in temporary hit points and are under the effects of the feat "Die Hard."

Refrain: Expending another use of bardic music and continuing this song allows you to further strengthen your allies lives. If an ally should die, they are temporarily ressurected. This lasts a number of rounds equal to the Demon Muse's level. They are brought to maximum hit points and are able to continue fighting for just a little while longer. After the spell ends, they die in the manner they died, as normal. This song must be played at least one round before a character dies to have any effect, if they die during the round you play this, it does not affect them.

Dark Muse Check: DC 30
Failure: The song becomes a Song of dying, dealing 1 constitution damage per two levels of Demon muse for each ally. This Damage disappears after 24 hours.

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Hymn of Mental Domination:

As a Demon muse, you must assert your dominance and control over all living creatures, demon or not. A demon muse with 19 or more ranks in Perform can implant an idea in the mind of any sentient creature, and the idea compells them to follow through with any resulting action. This is otherwise as the "Suggestion" spell but is a permanent idea and is only limited to 25 words or less. Furthermore, if used on an evil demon or fiend, you gain a +3 to the DC of the will save. If you used on a good person, the DC is -3. If used on a good outsider, the DC is -6.

Dark Muse check: DC 30
Failure: The creature you use this ability on senses what you have just done and is immediately enraged by it. They are under the effects of a Rage spell, and immediately attack you and only you until either you or it is dead. Calm emotions will subside the rage effects but they will still continue to attack you furiously.

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The Punishing Song:

Every demon is chaotic and disobedient at times, so to show them your dominance, you created this song to teach creatures you use it on obedience. a Demon muse with 20 or more ranks in Perform can perform the following-

Allies: If you use this song on your allies, they have a weird newfound sense of pain. Sadism and masochism, for every 10 points of damage they deal or take (must be consecutive damage, 5 here and 5 there does not count), they gain a +1 insight bonus to attack and damage, to a maximum of +10. This lasts for as long as you play the song plus 5 rounds thereafter.

Refrain: You summon a sliver of chains from the ground to attack and destroy your enemy. You created the effects of a "Wall of blades" but it circles around one creature instead of a large wall. It lasts for one round and otherwise it's effects are as your caster level.

Dark Muse Check: DC 35
Failure: You are instead affected by both effects, tortured by your own song. If you survive, you may enjoy the fruits of your sadism and masochism effect, but then...you probably won't survive.

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Hymn of Physical Domination:

An implanted idea is nice and effective at times, but true domination will not just convince but force a creature to obey you, even if that means you are the puppeteer and it stands readily by on your marrionette. A demon muse with 21 ranks or more in perform can dominate an individual to be physically compelled to do whatever it is you desire. This effect is as the Hymn of Mental Domination, but if you succeed on the suggestion, they are also under the effects of a Geas/Quest spell in the event they try to resist even after failing their will save.

Dark Muse Check: DC 40
Failure: The creature you use this ability on senses what you have just done and is immediately enraged by it. They are under the effects of a Rage spell, and immediately attack you and only you until either you or it is dead. Calm emotions will not subside the rage effects as before.

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March of the Abyssal Army:

Demon leaders can summon their followers to them at any time. A Demon Muse with 22 ranks or more in Perform can summon demons to their aid as well. You gain the Summon Demon special ability that the Marilith possesses and can summon 4D10 Dretches or 1D4 Vrocks instantly.

Refrain: You instantly summon another 2D8 Dretches or 3D8 Manes (Fiendish Codex).

Dark Muse Check: DC 40
Failure: You summon the demons and they act under your command, but the theft of the demon ability to summon their minions by a non-demon was noticed. The next time you use this ability, not only do you summon the demons themselves, but the Marilith general with it. She controls her minions, and attacks whoever she deems necessary, be it your enemies, your allies, or you.

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Hymn of Total Domination:

This is the true ability of a Demon Muse, you are not a leader, you are a controller. You must assert your control by gaining demon followers. A Demon Muse with 23 Ranks or more in Perform can completely dominate anyone of their choosing as the Dominate Monster spell. They are dominated for one year instead of 1 day per level, and you may only use this ability once per year regardless of whether your minion is dead or alive. If you use this ability on an Evil Demon or Fiend, there is no saving throw for this domination. Spell resistance may still apply though. If the target has equal or more hit dice than you, you must succeed on an opposed charisma check to dominate it's mind. Good aligned characters gain a +5 to their saves against this ability, and a +3 to their charisma role if they have equal or higher hit dice. Good outsiders are immune to this ability.

Refrain: If the target succeeds against a will save (and you consequently fail to dominate him/her), make a Perform check DC 40. If you succeed, you may use this ability again when you choose to instead of having to wait a year. This does not apply if they fail their saving throw and simply die or the effect is dispelled, nor may you use this if you are dominated by failing your Dark Muse Check (unless your dominator chooses to allow you to use it).

Dark Muse Check: DC 50
Failure: You are instead dominated for 1 year by the target you chose, No Save.


Combine Music- A Demon Muse of 2nd level or higher can choose to combine one bardic music effect into any Demon Music song of her choosing or two bardic music effects together. If one or both require a concentration check to maintain, they concentration is combined together as one check as a standard action. This uses two daily uses of Bardic Music, 3 if you combine a Bardic Music ability and a Demon Music ability.

Subvocalize-
A demon muse can begin a new bardic music or demon muse song as a swift action. A demon muse can only use this ability only if he already has one (and only one) bardic music or demon music ability active. A Demon Muse can use this in conjunction with Combine Music to add a third song to the active songs, but this can only be a bardic music song, not a demon music song. This ability is useable once per day.

You have missed the skilllist and skillpoints per level. (Or I am missing them.) Something very close to the Bard's list and 6 points/lvl seem fair.

I'd also add one Song that does straight damage, for those times you really don't know what else doing. It happens.
I'd also consider adding some ability or custom feat that allows you to convert spell slots in more music uses/more potent version. Your 10 levels of Bard casting (except for Haste and Blur maybe) might get less usefull as you progress otherwise.
Also, be wary of "Answer me, Fiend of Fiends!" It's a 70% chance to get a straight up answer, and it can be very specific if your pose the right question, especially if you ask it of a Baatezu, since they can't tell a straight lie. That could interfere with alot of the story. I would just change it to Augury: safer and less potentially intruding.
Another suggestion: how about a reverse version of Inspire Courage? Your enemies get -x to hit & damage? Fits the control and domination theme.

For the rest, it is good. Lots of original abilities, and contrary to most PrCs, the lion's share is relevant. (I.e. no + 0.336686 on STR based checks in Chess games).

Heh...wow...yeah I totally forgot about skills


Well...yeah it'd pretty much be like bards, probably with Knowledge Arcana and Planes only though, as opposed to any.


As for a straight damage spell, I have two in there. The Putrid Anthem and The Punishing Song. They may not be as practical as a straight damage but then...as stated, this is a conjuration and enchantment version of the Seeker of the Song, as opposed to straight evocation.

Lastly...erm...Baatezu are devils, not demons. Tanar'ri, Loumara, and Obyrith are Demons.

Though, I've never seen or read anything about how a Baatezu cannot lie, and considering the Osyluth, Cornugon, Gelugon, and Pit Fiend all have high ranks in bluff, I really doubt they can't lie.


Oh and-

the lion's share is relevant. (I.e. no + 0.336686 on STR based checks in Chess games).

I have absolutely no clue what that means.

The PrC states "Fiends", which include Baatezu. They're the embodiment of Lawful and Evil, so they can't tell a straight up lie. The ranks in Bluff denote the ability to disguise and conceal the truth, without lieing.
I would really rephrase that ability "Answer me, Fiend of Fiends", since as written, there's alot of room for abuse and brokeness.

The thing about STR checks is a joke, since 70+% of PrCs out there give you virtually useless abilities. I was pointing out that you came up with a good set of abilities without making anything too specific.

Again, I really need to see exact text where it says a Baatezu cannot lie, this is something I have never seen.


And furthermore, I'm using fiends in an abstract sense to mean the truly wicked and evil, not a species or type of creature. A tiefling could be a fiend but so could a plain old CE Human sorcerer.

Furthermore, Fiendish creatures are NOT devils. If we were going for a literal rule sense, Fiends are their own types and devils are their own types. They are not related.

No, not all Fiends are Devils, [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiend_%28Dungeons_%26_Dragons%29"]but Devils certainly are Fiends.[/url] (For what that link is worth.) "Fiend" isn't a distinct type at all.
The fluff surrounding Devils is rife with examples of them never lieing. But I'm not going down the alignment-debate route.
The PrC is written for a particular campaign, and as long as you and your DM agree about what each kind of fiend does and does not do, there shouldn't be any problem at all. Enough ranks in Knowledge (The Planes) ensure that your character has sufficient knowledge about them.

As for the mechanics: I stress once again to review that question-ability.

The damage dealing abilities have two flaws:
Punishing Song is dependant upon your allies being capable of doing enough damage in the first place.
Putrid Song has trouble dealing with enemies immune to poison, or immune to ability damage. Both aren't that rare. 2d6 Acid damage isn't that much at the level you get the ability, and is virtually negated by anything with Resistance to Acid 5 and more. (Average of 2d6 = 7) and a Fort save isn't that hard to make.
I would base it on the Seeker of the Song's ability that does Sonic damage based on the Perform check, with a failed check inflicting the damage on yourself. (Cool idea, btw, of the failed checks.)
I know you want a Conjuration and Enchantment based PrC, but Conjuration has some damage dealing spells too, like the Orb spells.

Right but this is a bard class and remember, bards are mainly supporting roles, not attacking ones.

Look, I get your point with the question ability but your whole logic surrounding that is that is irrelevant mainly because it is a direct question not to Demons, but to one specific demon, Demogorgon, who can lie. As for alignments preventing devils from lying, keep in mind one thing. There is a major difference between choosing not to lie for having a greater sense of honor and integrity, and the inability to lie. Devils yes, many of them, especially the lords, I imagine would choose to tell the truth and keep their word for promises and stuff like that, this I agree with.

But the outright inability to lie, to say a devil simply cannot look at a red pen and tell me its a blue pen (Yes, I know, lame Liar Liar reference ), I'm sorry but this is just not true.


Lemme give you an example of why the question isn't broken.


Lets say I get everything in my favor, I ask a question and Demogorgon is going to tell me a truthful answer.

Lets say my question is "Who was the person who attacked X city that we now need to hunt down."

Demogorgon could tell me the name, or if the DM is feeling like being a bit of a prick and he is more than welcome to, Demogorgon could also just say "Someone very powerful who will probably kill you." As I said, I may get a truthful answer, but a -helpful- answer is a different story.

EDIT: I stopped bothering about it. Feel free to delete this post.

Ok...lemme put this another way.


If a 5th level cleric spell, Commune, allows a cleric to ask a god multiple yes or no questions and get straight, truthful answers without fail, why is asking a god a single complex question with 70% accuracy somehow broken, -especially- considering the risks you would take just using that song to begin with.

You have a chance of pissing Demogorgon off and gaining 1D6 negative levels and losing a random magic item just from asking a question, so...why does it need to be the less powerful "augury" than what it is right now?