![]()
About Auguste de BernardinThis lithe young man sports a mischievous smile and an unruly mop of red hair atop his head. His sharp features and piercing green eyes suggest a lively disposition and wry sense of humor. Auguste de Bernardin
AC 15 (Flat Footed 13, Touch 12)
Speed 30 ft, Initiative +2 HP 9 (Max 9) temp 0 BAB +0 Rapier +2 1d6-1 (18-20/x2)
Race and Class Abilities:
Adaptability (Skill Focus as bonus feat) Elven Immunities: Immune to magic sleep effects and +2 racial saving throw bonus against enchantment spells and effects. Low-Light Vision Heraldic Expertise (Ex): A court bard gains a bonus equal to half his bard level on Diplomacy, Knowledge (history), Knowledge (local), and Knowledge (nobility) checks (minimum +1). Once per day, the court bard can also reroll a check against one of these skills, though he must take the result of the second roll even if it is worse. He can reroll one additional time per day at 5th level and every five levels thereafter. This ability replaces bardic knowledge. Bardic Performance: 8 rounds per day (+2 per level beyond 1st) (Remaining: 8/8)
Countersong: At 1st level, a bard learns to counter magic effects that depend on sound (but not spells that have verbal components). Each round of the countersong he makes a Perform (keyboard, percussion, wind, string, or sing) skill check. Any creature within 30 feet of the bard (including the bard himself) that is affected by a sonic or language-dependent magical attack may use the bard's Perform check result in place of its saving throw if, after the saving throw is rolled, the Perform check result proves to be higher. If a creature within range of the countersong is already under the effect of a noninstantaneous sonic or language-dependent magical attack, it gains another saving throw against the effect each round it hears the countersong, but it must use the bard's Perform skill check result for the save. Countersong does not work on effects that don't allow saves. Countersong relies on audible components. Distraction: At 1st level, a bard can use his performance to counter magic effects that depend on sight. Each round of the distraction, he makes a Perform (act, comedy, dance, or oratory) skill check. Any creature within 30 feet of the bard (including the bard himself) that is affected by an illusion (pattern) or illusion (figment) magical attack may use the bard's Perform check result in place of its saving throw if, after the saving throw is rolled, the Perform skill check proves to be higher. If a creature within range of the distraction is already under the effect of a noninstantaneous illusion (pattern) or illusion (figment) magical attack, it gains another saving throw against the effect each round it sees the distraction, but it must use the bard's Perform skill check result for the save. Distraction does not work on effects that don't allow saves. Distraction relies on visual components. Fascinate: At 1st level, a bard can use his performance to cause one or more creatures to become fascinated with him. Each creature to be fascinated must be within 90 feet, able to see and hear the bard, and capable of paying attention to him. The bard must also be able to see the creatures affected. The distraction of a nearby combat or other dangers prevents this ability from working. For every three levels the bard has attained beyond 1st, he can target one additional creature with this ability.
Satire: A court bard can use performance to undermine the confidence of enemies who hear it, causing them to take a –1 penalty on attack and damage rolls (minimum 1) and a –1 penalty on saves against fear and charm effects as long as the bard continues performing. This penalty increases by –1 at 5th level and every six levels thereafter. Satire is a language-dependent, mind-affecting ability that uses audible components. This performance replaces inspire courage. Feats and Traits:
Weapon Finesse Skill Focus (Performance) (bonus feat) Traits:
Skills:
Acrobatics +1 Appraise +2 Bluff +8 [1 rank] (+2 to conceal identity) Climb -1 Diplomacy +9 [1 rank, heraldic expertise] Disguise +8 [1 rank] Escape Artist +5 [1 rank] Fly +1 Heal +0 Intimidate +4 Knowledge (Arcana) +6 [1 rank] Knowledge (History) +3 [heraldic expertise] Knowledge (Nobility) +7 [1 rank, heraldic expertise] Knowledge (Local) +7 [1 rank, heraldic expertise] Linguistics +6 [1 rank] (+2 to spot or produce forgeries) Perception +2 Perform (Oratory) +11 [1 rank, skill focus] Ride +1 Sense Motive +0 Stealth +1 Survival +0 Swim -2 Use Magic Device +8 [1 rank] Spells:
Per day - 1st: 1/2 Spells known: 0 - daze, detect magic, light, prestidigitation 1 - grease, sleep
Gear:
Studded leather armor Rapier Dagger Light Crossbow Bolts (29) Acid (2) Alchemist’s fire Entertainer’s outfit Scrivener’s kit: this soft leather case contains a vial for holding ink, an ink pen, spare pen nibs, a small container of pigment for making ink, a tiny knife for cutting quills into pens, a blotter, and a small ruler. Bard’s kit: This includes a backpack, a bedroll, a belt pouch, a common musical instrument, a flint and steel, ink, an inkpen, an iron pot, a journal, a mess kit, a mirror, rope, soap, torches (10), trail rations (5 days), and a waterskin. 586.5 gp Background
Only a few years ago, Auguste’s family fell into disrepute upon the accusations of Maxillar Pythareus. Rumors began to spread throughout Oppara that the de Bernardins escaped Galt only by making a deal with the Grey Gardeners and revealing the location of other Galtan nobles in hiding. Auguste’s parents deny these accusations forcefully, and proudly proclaim that they would never betray their countrymen. However, the rumors were sufficient to bring about the family’s disgrace, and they are no longer invited to participate in the events of noble society. The family’s fortunes have dwindled, and the charitable support of sympathetic patrons in Taldor has all but dried up. Auguste maintains an aloof and aristocratic demeanor, but the events of the last few years have left him bitter. He has developed a reputation of his own in Taldane society for his cutting wit and devastating prose. He has written a series of satirical essays on the foibles of Taldane politics that have turned him into something of an infamous figure within noble society – reviled by some but revered by others who appreciate his iconoclastic observations. |