I think the obvious choice would be a wizard, but anything works. I had another stupid idea, have a Wizard that pretended his magic was nothing but parlor tricks. By day he is a simple "con man" of illusion, by whenever he party decides to go on a quest, he is a normal wizard, and can play off any magic he uses as a "simple trick".
I wanted to avoid just using Prestidigitation, as anyone trained in spellcraft has a decent chance of seeing what is going on. Skills obviously go into the basics for a stage magician; Bluff, Sleight of Hand, Perform Comedy(maybe), Escape Artists.
Is there anything else that can be used to simulate magic (tricks or real) without just using Still/Silent spell, or any magic/alchemic items to help? A hidden alchemist fire can be an easy substitute for a "fireball" with a decent bluff/sleight of hand check (get the audience looking somewhere else and slip the flask out) but a wand of fireball is rather obvious. A Still/Silent fireball is still going to be able to be spellcrafted.
If you get to lvl 10ish, you'll have access to Hallucinatory Terrain and even better, Mirage Arcana. Those will be much harder for a common street crowd to spellcraft. Of course you can work in Major/Minor images as well. Heightened Charm Person/Hypnotism for some more shenanigans that also can't be spellcrafted easily. Ventriloquism as well. If you get an improved familiar who is invisible, they could UMD or cast spells for you when you really want to put the shine on your performance, like placing yourself into an anti-magic field and having weird effects happening all over stage ;)
I think Still Spell and Silent Spell are absolute "must haves" for this idea as well.
My bard using the spellsong feat accomplishes what you’re looking for. I’ve gone to great lengths to conceal his abilities. He uses no instruments, choosing instead perform oratory and comedy for versatile performances. He inspires courage using the message cantrip and defaults to always concealing his spellcasting with Spellsong feat. Few people’s perception or sense motive rivals his perform for the opposed check, and most who do lack the spellcraft to identify what he’s casting (clerics mostly being the ones with high scores in those three skills). He also took an archetype that traded away bardic knowledge and has no ranks in any knowledge skills (we have a wizard who’s niche is knowing things, and I didn’t want to overstep him). As such, it’s hard for almost anyone outside the party to get a read on what class he is and what his abilities really are. My favorite phrase among party members for him is, “I’m not that kind of bard”. As I don’t sing, play instruments, noticeably cast spells, of have any knowledges. He’s a spoiled noble’s son with an uncanny ability to make friends and talk down enemies. It’s been tons of fun from an RP perspective.
Side note, Spellsong is better than still and silent in my opinion for what it lets you do with cantrips (without increasing the caster level so they remain at will so long as you have performance to spend).
You can easily reflavor the basic build to be street performer.
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There is a bard archetype called Magician. You can check it out here.
You are basically a bard that actually makes other spellcasters better and get a bunch of spellcaster focused stuff.
Of note is the level 10/16 ability:
Wand Mastery (Ex): At 10th level, when a magician uses a wand containing a spell on his spell list, he uses his Charisma bonus to set the wand’s save DC. At 16th level, when using such a wand, he uses his caster level in place of the wand’s caster level. This ability replaces jack of all trades.
As an Occultist, your magic doesn't so much come from you, as it does from your implements. So it's somewhat valid for the Occultist to say something along the lines of "I have no magical power whatsoever."
Silksworn takes things up a notch, by giving you access to more implements (which means more spells known), more spells per day, and Silksworn Deception.
Silksworn Deception (Su): At 12th level, a silksworn can hide his speech and gestures within his extravagant clothing. Whenever the silksworn casts a spell, he can attempt a Bluff check opposed by Sense Motive checks from those observing him. Those who fail are unaware of his spellcasting, unless an effect obviously originates from the silksworn.
This ability replaces binding circles.
Plus, if you choose an illusion implement, you can grab Magic Aura and similar spells to hide your magical auras.
pretty much any type of Bard that has the Spellsong feat can do this. Since it lets them obscure spellcasting via their bardic performance.
Well, I guess this pushes me more and more into a Bard for my next character. Kinda sad it will be short lived with E2 around the corner.
Any general advice for a Magician Bard?
Never played one so don’t have much to offer. One trick I know is to take heirloom weapon for an exotic weapon you’d like so you’re proficient in it. At level 5 you make it your bonded item so you can enchant it up and never need to take the exotic weapon proficient feat.
The archetype says you can't take a familiar or weapon as your arcane bond.
A bard is nice for a street performer, but a magician? Go for a Mesmerist.
They are literally based off stage magicians and hypnotists, their abilities lend themselves PERFECTLY to appearing to be simple parlor tricks.
To boot they don't use any somatic components so no penalty for that either when using Conceal Spell.