Odd 3rd party class build

[Ethereal Gears]

Hello, all!
So, for some strange reason or other (probably because I'm a big fan of non-caster classes) I've taken a shine to the rather curious collection of classes presented in Tripod Machine's "A Fistful of Denarii". Specifically, though, I've become enamored of one of their less martial classes, the Scholar. I'm wondering if any of you geniuses out there (not using the term ironically; I've seen some masterful building on these forums) could drum up a build using this class, preferably without multiclassing.

The facts: It's an adventure that starts at 5th level, any race is available except aasimar and tiefling, and the only real consideration is that the party will include a bard, albeit a rather combat-heavy one. I basically don't want to try to replicate abilities he already has overmuch. I am willing to dip in some other class if that's what it takes, but basically I'd like to play some kind of int-based guy who uses his knowledge and guile in lieu of physical prowess. It's a 20-point buy. Any help would be absurdly appreciated!

[Outlaw Corwin]

It's a prime "fill in the blank" class. You can skyrocket your armor class with one or two armor proficiencies and become a relatively low HP tank. An animal companion would make the pair of you an acceptable frontline. You can fill in a rogue if you choose trapfinding, a ranger if you need tracking, a cleric for turning undead. Since you get skill focus for free, look up a fun sorcerer bloodline with eldritch heritage.

I'd expect you won't excel in anything. But you can fill in niches better than most classes. Oh, and def have to be melee with that Smart Weapon option there.

[Wycen]

Interesting, though I don't think I'd call it a scholar.

Some of the scholar secrets are clearly better than others, while some are better than the abilities they are borrowed from like the rangers favored enemy. +3 for a scholar, versus +2 for a ranger, why?

At 5th level you get two scholar secrets and I would suggest smart weapon to use your high INT bonus for attacks and disruptive because it gives you a feat meant for 6th level fighters at 2nd or 4th level since the text doesn't say anything about meeting prereqs.

Or you might want to get proficiency in all martial weapons or in light armor, since I just noticed scholars don't have any armor proficiency. Or sneak attack if you know you'll have someone to provide you the flank.

[RJGrady]

The Scholar makes a fairly decent crossbow plinker; just combine Smart Weapon with feats like Focused Shot and Rapid Shot.

[Ethereal Gears]

Hey, thanks all for the great tips.

Hmm...crossbows might actually be the way to go. But in that case I'd probably be really tempted to just dip. 2 levels scholar, 2 levels master of many styles and then 1 level crossbowman could net BAB +3 at level 5, which is okay if not great, but I could also nab Kirin Style and Focused Shot and do Intx3 damage...