Kitharodian Academy PerformerKitharodian Academy Performer CR 2Source Inner Sea NPC Codex pg. 33
XP 600
Human bard 3
CN Medium humanoid (human)
Init +2; Senses Perception +5DefenseAC 17, touch 12, flat-footed 15 (+4 armor, +2 Dex, +1 shield)
hp 20 (3d8+3)
Fort +1, Ref +5, Will +4; +4 vs. bardic performance, language-dependent, and sonicOffenseSpeed 30 ft.
Melee mwk rapier +5 (1d6+1/18–20) or whip +4 (1d3+1 nonlethal)
Ranged shortbow +4 (1d6/×3)
Special Attacks bardic performance 11 rounds/day (countersong, distraction, fascinate, inspire competence +2, inspire courage +1)
Bard Spells Known (CL 3rd; concentration +6)
1st (4/day)—charm person (DC 14), cure light wounds, hypnotism (DC 14), sleep (DC 14)
0 (at will)—daze (DC 13), detect magic, ghost sound (DC 13), lullaby (DC 13), prestidigitation, read magicStatisticsStr 12, Dex 14, Con 10, Int 13, Wis 8, Cha 17
Base Atk +2; CMB +3; CMD 15
Feats Iron Will, Skill Focus (Perform [string]), Weapon Finesse
Skills Acrobatics +7, Bluff +14, Diplomacy +14, Disguise +8, Knowledge (history) +6, Knowledge (local) +6, Knowledge (nobility) +6, Perception +5, Perform (sing) +9, Perform (string) +14, Spellcraft +5, Stealth +7, Use Magic Device +9
Languages Common, Elven
SQ bardic knowledge +1, versatile performance (string)
Combat Gear scroll of disguise self, scroll of grease, wand of hideous laughter (48 charges); Other Gear mwk chain shirt, mwk buckler, mwk rapier, shortbow with 20 arrows, whip, entertainer’s outfit, mwk musical instrument (kithara), spell component pouch, 8 gp
The graduates of the Kitharodian Academy, Oppara’s famed bardic college, number among the Inner Sea region’s most talented performers. While members of Taldor’s secretive Lion Blades are drawn from the ranks of the college’s most gifted students, the vast majority of its graduates go on to promising careers in artistic performance—usually as kitharodes, virtuosos with the traditional Taldan lyre known as the kithara. Often skilled singers as well, kitharodes play the kithara as accompaniment to dances, epic recitations, odes, and songs, as well as the odd solo performance.
Regardless of their eventual vocation, Kitharodian Academy performers are trained in far more than just music and culture. During their time at the college, students are taught the fine arts of persuasion and deception, and they spend vast amounts of time studying history, languages, law, magical theory, religion, and science, to say nothing of more esoteric subjects. They are drilled in combat as well as magic, and learn to use their performances to sway the thoughts and attitudes of any audience. To successfully pass the rigorous final exams, a prospective graduate must demonstrate that her mind and body have both been honed to keen precision.
A Kitharodian Academy performer is a darling of Oppara’s social scene, and the most accomplished ones find themselves in great demand for the banquets, parties, and receptions hosted by Taldor’s aristocratic elite. Kitharodian Academy performers are also frequently skilled duelists, as competition for engagements, noble favors, and prestigious awards is fierce and sometimes violent. A graduate of the academy can easily become a popular celebrity, but fame and fortune are fickle and fleeting, never more so than in Oppara’s cutthroat high society—the toast of the town today can find herself penniless and forgotten tomorrow.
As a result, many Kitharodian Academy performers leave the capital, and some flee Taldor entirely, in search of friendlier audiences who will honestly appreciate them more for their art than for their social standing. Others forsake the performance halls of the cities for the open road, seeking fame of a different sort, drawn by the lure of a life filled with adventure.
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