Bard Archetype and Pathfinder Chronicler

[sirbiliwack]

I have not been able to find a clear, let alone official, answer to this question anywhere.

I am making a Bard with the Archivist archetype and I intend to take the Pathfinder Chronicler Prestige Class. I assumed that the Pathfinder Chronicler's Bardic Performance ability would actually advance the Archivist's performance abilities. I am, however in need of an official answer of some sort.

So if I am a Bard/Archivist (5) and a Pathfinder Chronicler (3) that would, according to the description of the Pathfinder Chronicler, make my effective Bard level for performance a 6. Would I then gain the Lamentable Belaborment performance as if I were a level 6 Bard/ Archivist?

[Sir Ophiuchus]

Here's my interpretation, which I believe is correct.

Remember that Bardic Performance is the collective name for a whole set of abilities that unlock at various bard levels (or effective bard levels).

Taking Archivist just means that you get certain Bardic Performaces replaced with others. So, where you would get Suggestion, instead you get Lamentable Belaborment.

Pathfinder Chronicler advances your Bardic Performance effective level as you've described.

So:

As a Bard, you get Bardic Performance.
As a Bard (Archivist), your Bardic Performance abilities manifest slightly differently.
As a Pathfinder Chronicler, you continue down the Bardic Performance tree you had before.

The actual answer: Yes, you get Lamentable Belaborment.

Among other things, you can't be a Bard (Archivist) / Bard (regular). Being an Archivist does a replace on certain standard Bard abilities that kick in at various levels. All Pathfinder Chronicler does is get you to those effective Bard levels anyway - at no point does it change what those levels mean to your character.