Skysung Bard

Skysung Bard

Concept:
On Aurelia, bards aren’t just entertainers. They are sky‑readers and memory‑keepers of cycles—they track moons, starfalls, auroral veils, and the history of fallen ages. A Skysung Bard treats stories as astronomical and magical instruments: a performance can tune itself to a moon’s current phase, call echoes of old Ages, or dampen the madness of Mana Storms.

Mechanically, this is a light reskin + add‑on to the Core Bard:

• Same: d8 HD, 3/4 BAB, good Reflex/Will, 6+Int skills, bard spell list, spontaneous arcane casting, Bardic Performance.
• Different:
• Gains Sky‑Lore instead of bardic knowledge.
• Gains a Lunar Attunement track that interacts with your 12 moons.
• New Bardic Performances keyed to auroral veils, Starfall Years, and Moons in ascendance.

You can either:

• Use this as the bard in Solinar, or
• Offer it as an alternate bard class alongside Core Bard.

Skysung Bard – Rules Module

Class Skills: As bard, plus Knowledge (geography) and Knowledge (planes) are always class skills.

Level 1 – Sky‑Lore (Ex) replaces Bardic Knowledge

A Skysung Bard adds ½ her bard level (minimum +1) on all Knowledge (history) and Knowledge (geography) checks, and on Knowledge (arcana, religion, or planes) checks when the question involves:

• The moons, Solinar, Duskar
• Auroral veils, Mana Storm Belts, Glass North, Ember Reaches, Gravitic Zones
• Starfall Years, the Weeping Gate, the Silent Void

This replaces bardic knowledge.

Level 1 – Lunar Attunement (Su) new class feature

At 1st level, the Skysung Bard chooses one primary moon (e.g., Saela, Noctis, Velis, etc.). This reflects the moon under which she was born or to which her art is dedicated.

• Once per day as a swift action, she may enter attunement to her primary moon for a number of rounds equal to 1/2 her bard level + her Cha modifier.
• While attuned, she gains a small passive bonus and a boost to certain bardic performances (see examples below).
• She gains an additional secondary moon attunement at 5th and 11th level. She can only be attuned to one moon at a time, but can choose which one when she activates the ability.

You can define exact mechanics per moon; here’s a ready‑to‑use set for three bard‑friendly moons:

• Saela (Art, Beauty, Passion)
• Passive: +1 (scaling to +2 at 10th, +3 at 18th) competence bonus on Perform checks and Diplomacy.
• While attuned, her Inspire Courage bonus increases by +1 (max +4 total) for the duration.
• Noctis (Dreams, Illusion, Inspiration)
• Passive: +1 (scaling as above) competence bonus on Bluff, Disguise, and Sense Motive.
• While attuned, any figment or glamer spell she casts with a duration longer than instantaneous lasts 50% longer (round up), and she gains a +1 DC to illusions.
• Velis (Travel, Luck, Trade)
• Passive: +1 (scaling) competence bonus on Acrobatics and Perception, and on initiative checks.
• While attuned, allies within 30 ft affected by her bardic performance gain a +5 ft enhancement bonus to speed, and +1 on Reflex saves vs. traps.

You can easily add others (Saela, Eryth, etc.) for divine‑leaning or martial bards.

Scaling: At 7th level and every 6 levels thereafter (13th, 19th), the Skysung Bard may use Lunar Attunement one additional time per day.

New Bardic Performances (Examples)

These are options Skysung Bards can choose in addition to normal bard performances. They cost performance rounds as normal.

Auroral Hymn (Su) – 3rd level

When under visible auroral veils or during a Solar Pulse Event, the bard can start an Auroral Hymn as a standard action.

• Allies within 30 ft gain energy resistance 5 vs. electricity and cold and a +1 morale bonus on saving throws against spells with the light or electricity descriptor.
• At 11th level, resistance improves to 10 and the bonus to +2.
• This performance only functions outdoors under visible auroras or during a Solar Pulse Event (you can broaden this to “strong geomantic disturbance” if needed).

Starfall Canticle (Su) – 7th level

During a Starfall Year (or when meteors are visibly falling), the bard may perform this canticle.

• Allies in 30 ft gain a +2 insight bonus on attack rolls and saving throws against extraplanar creatures and on opposed checks vs. such creatures.
• As a swift action while maintaining the performance, she can grant one ally a single reroll on a failed save vs. a spell or SLA from an extraplanar creature; the ally must take the second result.

That’s enough to make the base class feel “of Solinar” without bloating the chassis. Now let’s layer archetypes on top.

2. Archetype: Moon‑Chronicler

Bards of Lunara, Sereth, Aurethiel, and the calendar‑temples—they are walking almanacs, historians, and omen‑singers.

Theme:

• Track lunar cycles, feast days, eclipses.
• Mechanically, lean into support, divination, and anti‑confusion/fear.

Replacements/Modifications

1st – Lore of the Cycle (Ex) modifies Sky‑Lore

When making Knowledge (history, religion, or arcana) checks related to moons, divine currents, or prophetic events, the Moon‑Chronicler adds an additional +1 on top of Sky‑Lore; this bonus increases by +1 at 5th level and every 5 levels thereafter (max +5 at 20th).

2nd – Omen Chant (Su) replaces Well‑Versed

The Moon‑Chronicler is trained to steady hearts when eclipses and portents unsettle the populace.

• Allies within 30 ft gain a +2 bonus on saving throws against fear and confusion while they can hear her bardic performance.
• This bonus increases to +4 at 11th level.

This replaces well‑versed.

5th – Feast Day Preparation (Su) replaces Lore Master 1/day

Once per day, when the Moon‑Chronicler spends at least 1 hour in ritual song or storytelling the evening before a significant lunar event (full primary moon, triple conjunction, eclipse, etc.), she may designate a number of allies equal to her Cha modifier.

For the next 24 hours, each designated ally gains one of the following benefits, chosen individually:

• Moon’s Foresight: +1 insight bonus on initiative and Reflex saves.
• Moon’s Mercy: +1 sacred (or profane, for shadow‑aligned bards) bonus on Fortitude saves and Heal checks.
• Moon’s Clarity: +1 insight bonus on Will saves and Knowledge checks.

At 11th level, these bonuses increase to +2.

This replaces the 1/day use of lore master; she still gains the 2/day use at 11th as normal.

10th – Eclipse Verse (Su) replaces Jack of All Trades

During a lunar eclipse or when the primary moon of a divine caster is in eclipse/dead arc, the Moon‑Chronicler can perform an Eclipse Verse as a bardic performance.

• As long as she maintains it, divine spellcasters within 60 ft (including herself if she multiclasses) treat their effective caster level as +1 for domain powers and cure/inflict spells, and they gain +2 on concentration checks to cast in difficult conditions.
• Enemies with divine casting in the area must succeed at a Will save (DC 10 + 1/2 bard level + Cha) at the start of their turn or cast any divine spell at –2 caster level that round.

This makes eclipses tactically interesting instead of purely narrative.

3. Archetype: Storm‑Cantor

Bards of the Mana Storm Belts and Auroral Veils—sky‑sailors’ chanters, storm‑priests of Eryth and Velis, lightning‑rail troubadours.

Theme:

• Lean into elemental (air, electricity, sonic) magic, mobility, and aura‑based buffs in storms.

Replacements/Modifications

1st – Storm‑Touched (Ex) replaces Countersong

The Storm‑Cantor gains electricity resistance 5 and a +2 bonus on saving throws against sonic and electricity effects.

At 9th level, this resistance increases to 10 and the save bonus to +4.

This replaces countersong.

3rd – Gale Rhythm (Su) replaces Inspire Competence at 3rd

While in strong wind, heavy weather, or a Mana Storm Belt, the Storm‑Cantor can start a Gale Rhythm performance.

• Allies within 30 ft gain +2 competence bonus on Acrobatics, Climb, Fly, and Profession (sailor) checks, and a +2 competence bonus on Reflex saves vs. environmental hazards (storms, falling debris, ship collisions, etc.).
• This bonus increases by +1 at 7th level and every 4 levels thereafter (max +5 at 19th).

In calm conditions, Gale Rhythm functions as normal inspire competence.

6th – Thunderous Chorus (Su) replaces Suggestion

While maintaining any bardic performance that grants a morale or competence bonus, the Storm‑Cantor may, as a standard action, unleash a burst of thunder.

• Creatures of her choice within 30 ft take 1d6 sonic damage + 1d6 per 3 bard levels beyond 6th (max 5d6 at 18th) and must succeed at a Fortitude save (DC 10 + 1/2 bard level + Cha) or be deafened for 1d4 rounds.
• This is a sonic effect and counts as a bardic performance; it does not expend additional performance rounds beyond the ongoing performance.

Replaces suggestion.

12th – Storm Path (Su) replaces Soothing Performance

Once per day as a full‑round action while maintaining a bardic performance, the Storm‑Cantor may call the wind to carry her and her allies.

• She and up to one willing ally per 3 bard levels within 30 ft gain a fly speed equal to twice their base land speed with good maneuverability for 1 minute per bard level.
• This ability only functions outdoors and fails if there is no appreciable atmosphere (e.g., deep underground, in sealed caverns) unless a Mana Storm or auroral veil is present.

Replaces soothing performance.

4. Archetype: Void Cantor (Eldritch Bard of the Silent Void)

These are the soft‑spoken hymnists of Mor’Kas, Duskar, and Xyra, whose songs carry notes that don’t quite belong to this world. On the surface, they might perform somber elegies; underneath, they unravel.

Theme:

• More debuff/control, some sanity/madness flavor, strong tie to Silent Void phenomena.
• Mechanically: trades some support for mind‑affecting and entropy‑flavored powers.

Alignment Note

Most Void Cantors are neutral evil, chaotic neutral, or neutral, but you don’t have to restrict it unless you want these to be purely antagonistic NPCs.

Replacements/Modifications

1st – Whisper of the Void (Su) replaces Inspire Courage at 1st

Instead of bolstering courage, the Void Cantor’s primary performance erodes resolve.

• As a standard action, she can start a performance that forces enemies within 30 ft who can hear her to attempt a Will save (DC 10 + 1/2 bard level + Cha).
• Those who fail take a –1 penalty on attack rolls, saving throws, and skill checks as long as they remain within 30 ft and she maintains the performance.
• This penalty increases to –2 at 5th level, –3 at 11th, and –4 at 17th (mirroring inspire courage progression, but inverted).

This counts as a mind‑affecting, fear, and language‑dependent effect unless she takes a later feature to alter that.

She does not gain inspire courage; Whisper of the Void occupies that slot.

2nd – Void‑Tainted Magic (Su) modifies Bard Spellcasting

When casting enchantment, illusion, or necromancy spells, the Void Cantor treats her caster level as +1 higher. However, any creature that fails a saving throw against one of these spells takes a –2 penalty on saves against further mind‑affecting effects from the Void Cantor for 24 hours (stacking with itself up to –4).

This replaces well‑versed.

3rd – Silent Chorus (Su) replaces Inspire Competence

The Void Cantor can dampen thought and sound.

• Allies within 30 ft gain a +2 competence bonus on Stealth checks and +2 on saving throws vs. divination spells and effects while she maintains this performance.
• At 7th level and every 4 levels thereafter, this bonus increases by +1 (max +5 at 19th).

Replaces inspire competence.

6th – Eyes into the Dark (Su) replaces Suggestion

Once per day at 6th level, plus one additional time per day at 12th and 18th, the Void Cantor can, as a standard action while maintaining a bardic performance, open a sliver of the Silent Void into a creature’s mind.

• One creature within 60 ft that can hear her must succeed at a Will save (DC 10 + 1/2 bard level + Cha) or be affected as confusion for 1 round per 2 bard levels.
• This is a mind‑affecting compulsion.

Replaces suggestion.

10th – Void Resonance (Su) replaces Jack of All Trades

When in or near Silent Void phenomena (Nereth’s region, a Weeping Gate flare, certain cult sites, etc.), the Void Cantor’s powers surge:

• Her bardic performance DCs gain a +2 untyped bonus.
• She gains DR 5/— against non‑mythic damage.
• Once per day while in such an area, she can cast dimension door as a spell‑like ability (CL = bard level).

Outside such areas, she gains a permanent +2 bonus on saving throws vs. confusion, insanity, and fear and on Perception checks to notice planar disturbances.

Bright Triad

Lunara – Law, Oaths, Community

Passive – Keeper of Order (Ex)
You gain a +1 competence bonus on Sense Motive and Diplomacy checks when dealing with authorities, clergy, or any creature bound by oaths or contracts.
This bonus increases to +2 at 10th level, +3 at 18th.

Attuned Performance – Harmonious Discipline (Su)
While attuned to Lunara and maintaining any bardic performance that grants a morale or competence bonus:

• Allies affected by the performance gain a +1 morale bonus on Will saves vs. charm and compulsion effects.
• If you are using inspire courage, allies also gain +1 AC vs. attacks of opportunity triggered by movement.

At 15th level, the Will save bonus improves to +2.

Sereth – Knowledge, Craft, Stars

Passive – Scholar of the Firmament (Ex)
You gain a +1 competence bonus on Knowledge (arcana) and Knowledge (history) checks, and you may make these checks untrained.
Bonus rises to +2 at 10th, +3 at 18th.

Attuned Performance – Star‑Measured Verse (Su)
While attuned to Sereth and maintaining a bardic performance:

• Allies affected by the performance gain a +2 insight bonus on skill checks involving planning, navigation, or puzzle‑solving (GM adjudicates: typically Knowledge, Survival for overland navigation, Disable Device, Linguistics to decipher, etc.).
• Once per attunement, as a swift action, you can allow one ally who can hear you to reroll a failed Knowledge check made in the last round; they must take the second result.

Aurethiel – Healing, Mercy, Harvest

Passive – Gentle Hand (Ex)
You gain a +1 competence bonus on Heal and Profession (herbalist/farmer) checks.
At 10th level, this becomes +2 and you treat Heal as a class skill (if it wasn’t already).

Attuned Performance – Harvest Hymn (Su)
While attuned to Aurethiel and using inspire courage or inspire greatness:

• Allies affected by the performance gain fast healing 1 if they are at ½ hit points or fewer.
• At 11th level, this increases to fast healing 2 under the same condition.

This fast healing cannot raise a creature above half its maximum hit points.

Shadow Triad

Umbriel – Secrets, Death, Memory

Passive – Keeper of Names (Ex)
You gain a +1 competence bonus on Knowledge (religion) and Linguistics checks, and a +2 bonus on saving throws vs. death effects.
At 10th level, the save bonus becomes +4.

Attuned Performance – Requiem of Remembered Souls (Su)
While attuned to Umbriel and performing:

• Allies affected by your performance gain a +2 morale bonus on saving throws vs. fear and death effects.
• Against mindless undead, your inspire courage also imposes a –1 penalty on their attack rolls if they can hear your performance (Will negates; DC = 10 + ½ bard level + Cha). Affected undead must re‑save each round they remain in range.

Noctis – Dreams, Illusion, Madness, Inspiration

Passive – Dream‑Touched (Ex)
You gain a +1 competence bonus on Bluff, Disguise, and Sense Motive checks.
At 10th level this becomes +2, and you gain a +1 bonus on Will saves vs. confusion and insanity.

Attuned Performance – Phantasmal Chorus (Su)
While attuned to Noctis:

• Any illusion (figment or glamer) spell you cast with a duration longer than instantaneous lasts 50% longer (round up).
• The DCs of your bardic performances that cause fascination, sleep, or confusion increase by +1.

At 15th level, this DC bonus becomes +2.

Thren – Vengeance, Oaths Broken

Passive – Grudge‑Singer (Ex)
You gain a +1 competence bonus on Intimidate and Sense Motive checks made to identify lies or betrayal.
At 10th level, this bonus becomes +2, and you gain a +2 bonus on saving throws vs. fear.

Attuned Performance – Dirge of Payback (Su)
While attuned to Thren and using inspire courage or inspire heroics:

• When an ally affected by your performance is hit in melee, they gain a +1 morale bonus on their next attack roll against that attacker before the end of their next turn.
• At 11th level, once per round as an immediate action, you may allow one ally affected by your performance to make a single melee attack at their highest bonus against a foe that has just critically hit or reduced an ally to 0 or fewer hit points (this attack happens after the triggering attack is resolved).

Far Triad

Eryth – War, Courage, Storms

Passive – Battle‑Chanter (Ex)
You gain a +1 competence bonus on Intimidate and Perform (oratory or percussion) checks, and a +1 bonus on initiative.
At 10th level, these bonuses become +2.

Attuned Performance – Storm‑March (Su)
While attuned to Eryth and using inspire courage:

• Allies affected gain a +5 ft enhancement bonus to all movement speeds and a +1 morale bonus on Fortitude saves vs. fatigue, exhaustion, and environmental heat or cold.
• At 15th level, the speed bonus becomes +10 ft.

Velis – Travel, Luck, Trade

Passive – Roadwise (Ex)
You gain a +1 competence bonus on Acrobatics, Perception, and Profession (sailor/driver) checks.
At 10th level, this increases to +2, and you gain +1 on Reflex saves vs. traps.

Attuned Performance – Caravan Cadence (Su)
While attuned to Velis and maintaining a performance:

• Allies affected gain a +1 luck bonus on Reflex saves and AC vs. attacks of opportunity.
• Once per attunement as a swift action, you may let one ally who can hear you reroll a failed Reflex save vs. a trap or hazard; they must take the second result.

At 15th level, the luck bonus increases to +2.

Saela – Art, Beauty, Passion

Passive – Muse‑Bound (Ex)
You gain a +2 competence bonus on Perform checks and a +1 bonus on Diplomacy checks.
At 10th level, the Diplomacy bonus becomes +2.

Attuned Performance – Rapture of Saela (Su)
While attuned to Saela and using any performance that can fascinate or inspire courage:

• The DC of your fascinate and suggestion bardic performances increases by +1.
• Allies affected by your performance gain a +1 morale bonus on saving throws vs. charm effects and +2 on Perform checks made during the performance (e.g., if they aid you or join in).

At 15th level, the DC bonus becomes +2.

Hidden Triad

These are rarer, often secret, and might be restricted to specific cults or GM approval.

Mor’Kas – Entropy, Decay, Endings

Passive – Entropic Insight (Ex)
You gain a +2 bonus on saving throws vs. disease, poison, and effects that cause ability damage or drain, and a +1 competence bonus on Knowledge (planes) checks about the Silent Void, Broken Crown, or Duskar.

Attuned Performance – Unraveling Chord (Su)
While attuned to Mor’Kas and using Whisper of the Void or any performance that penalizes enemies:

• Enemies who fail their save against your performance take an additional –1 penalty on damage rolls and concentration checks.
• At 11th level, once per round as a free action when a creature fails a save vs. your performance, you may also impose 1 point of Strength or Dexterity damage (your choice). This is a death, negative energy, or entropy effect (pick flavor for your rules).

Ilyon – Time, Fate, Recursion

Passive – Thread‑Watcher (Ex)
You gain a +1 competence bonus on Sense Motive and Perception, and +2 on initiative checks.
At 10th level, your initiative bonus becomes +4.

Attuned Performance – Echoing Measure (Su)
While attuned to Ilyon and performing:

• Once per attunement, as an immediate action, you may allow an ally who can hear you to reroll a failed attack roll, saving throw, or skill check. They must accept the second result.
• At 15th level, you may use this twice per attunement, but no more than once per round.

Xyra – Forbidden Keys, Transgression, Outer Realms

Passive – Key‑Bearer (Ex)
You gain a +1 competence bonus on Disable Device and Use Magic Device checks, and a +2 bonus on saving throws vs. compulsion effects that would prevent you from speaking or casting.

At 10th level, the skill bonus becomes +2, and you may take 10 on Use Magic Device checks to activate scrolls and wands, even under stress.

Attuned Performance – Song of Unlocked Ways (Su)
While attuned to Xyra and maintaining a performance:

• Allies affected gain a +2 competence bonus on saving throws vs. effects that impede movement or teleportation (entangle, slow, dimensional anchor, etc.; GM adjudication).
• Once per attunement, as a standard action, you may end your performance to grant yourself and up to one ally per 3 bard levels within 30 ft the effects of dimension door (as the spell, CL = bard level). You must end the performance to use this, and it expends 2 rounds of bardic performance in addition to the round used.

This is your “key‑to‑other‑places” moon.