Endowed Orator (3.5e Prestige Class)
Endowed Orator
“ | Just words? What is in a word but the power to move a man's soul? I can think of no greater power. | ” |
—Dylan Cutler, half elf bard |
Kings, Generals, Warlords; all are more than masters of battle; they are masters of men because they command respect or fear simply by speaking. Orators are bards who recognize this fact and strive to master the spoken word, and through it, all who hear them.
Becoming an Endowed Orator
Leaders are not made they're born; as such, Bards don't so much choose to become Orators as they're simple born to it. Showing a natural talent for leadership from a very early age, Orators take to their destiny like slipping on a fit coat. Bards who chose this path find accumulation of wealth, military might, and political power easy to achieve, but the heavy is the crown. with such power comes a great burden & often make one a target for assassination, so a modicum of paranoia usually follows.
Alignment: | Any non-lawful. Orators are passionate in there convictions, this passion is channeled through there speeches. |
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Race: | Any. |
Skills: | Speech 9 ranks, Diplomacy 9 ranks, Sense motive 9 ranks. |
Feats: | Leadership |
Special: | Minimum 16 Charisma, Ability to perform bard songs. |
Level | Base Attack Bonus |
Saving Throws | Special | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Fort | Ref | Will | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1st | +1 | +0 | +2 | +2 | Gifted speaker, Long winded speaker, tongues | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2nd | +2 | +0 | +3 | +3 | Voice of inspiration | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
3rd | +3 | +1 | +3 | +3 | Silver tongue | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
4th | +3 | +1 | +4 | +4 | Voice of reason | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
5th | +4 | +1 | +4 | +4 | Double Talk, Pointed Words, Long Winded Speaker | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
6th | +5 | +2 | +5 | +5 | Voice Of The Master | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
7th | +6 | +2 | +5 | +5 | War Of Words | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
8th | +6 | +2 | +6 | +6 | Voice Of A Generation | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
9th | +7 | +3 | +6 | +6 | Subversive Speech | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
10th | +8 | +3 | +7 | +7 | Voice Of God, Long Winded Speaker | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Class FeaturesAll of the following are class features of the Endowed Orator. Level 1
Campaign InformationPlaying an Endowed OratorOrators are a roll play heavy class. They shine brightest at the negotiating table. This class is likely to amass it's true power politically rather than magically growing it's base of followers at frightening rate and inspiring loyalty to a near cult like level. Players who enjoy roll play over point and shoot combat will find the class especially enticing. As master manipulators they can be anything from traveling merchants fleecing anyone them meet to religious leaders converting followers to their cult. Some may chose to put down roots in a particular town & build their kingdom around it, but most often Orators go where there destiny takes them. Combat: Orators are not combat oriented in the traditional sense although when one does venture on to the battle field enemies tremble and allies rally behind them. They are commanders, combing the mass buffing ability of bards with the inspirational leadership of a paladin making any army they lead a formidable force. Advancement: This class tends to stay pure bard although there are a few that favor sorcerer as they will already have the exceptional charisma score needed to be a powerful caster. A rare few Clerics or paladins may chose to splash a level of bard to take this class as it does have an element of faith to it. Resources: Members of this class are quite solitary in regards to other orators. They rarely want to share the spotlight with anyone much less other orators. In the rare case when they do join forces such alliances are short lived as neither one is willing to concede authority to the other unless one is significantly more powerful than the other (4 or more levels in difference). Endowed Orator's in the WorldOrators are few and far between. Not everyone can ever achieve the inherent leaderships skills needed to be be one. Those that do manifest are commonly famous, becoming kings, warlords, or wealthy merchants. They are always eager to talk with you, especially when it comes to maters of business, politics, or religion & as masters of deception, they tend to be very acutely aware of when they are being taken for a ride.
Endowed Orator LoreLittle is known about orators outside the class but diligent research would reveal a few facts and tips. Characters with ranks in Knowledge History can research the orator to learn more about their renown. When a character makes a skill check, read or paraphrase the following, including information from lower DCs.
Endowed Orator's in the GameAdaptation: This class can easily be a PC if your game group is receptive to roll play but if your group would rather fight then talk, the orator would better serve as an antagonist. Sample Encounter: Leader of a cult, Usurper to the king, Benefactor of a guild or city, General of an army. Back to Main Page → 3.5e Homebrew → Classes → Prestige Classes |