The Smithwright

"Even the swing of their hammers is artistic"

Steel, fire, hammer: ring crackle, whiz. Sound, movement, and instrument come in many forms from the tambourine to the lute. The smithwright sees the forge as a drum of sorts. The ringing tones of steel and rhythmic pulsing of hammer and bellows set the tinny baseline of many chants penned by these Godsmen

The smithwright crafts metal as an art form. He rarely produces pieces with functional value that are unadorned. However, the beauty of their craft has been known to soften the hardest of hearts. Smithwrights use their performances in a manner similar to the Athar’s shouters: to promote the faction’s philosophy. Unlike them, the artistic nature draws a crowd to see the spectacle of the show, not the angered stares the shouters usually gain.

Spells: The smithwright continues to gain spells at the rate of his old class. If more than one spellcasting class is possessed you must choose which class is advanced.

Bardic Music: At 1st level, the smithwright gains the bardic music ability if he did not already have it from a previous class. All the bardic music effects (countersong, fascinate, inspire competence, inspire courage, inspire greatness, and suggestion) become available to him immediately, subject to their usual Perform skill requirements (see the Bard section in chapter 3 of the Player’s Handbook).

Virtuoso: Percussion: At 1st level, the smithwright gains a +2 bonus to any performance with one percussion instrument of his choice. That instrument in the hands of the smithwright can be played in such a way that few can ever rival. The smithwright gains a second percussion instrument at 7th level. If the instrument selected is not one the character already knows, one rank in Perform must be purchased.

Smithwright Adept: At 2nd level, the smithwright is considered an adept of the craft. This translates to a +3 that may be divided amongst any of his skills.

Virtuoso: Chant: 3rd level smithwrights learn how to use their voice to produce cadences and subtle melodies that seem to set the pace and ease the burden of anyone toiling with a rhythmic burden (marching, metalworking, etc.). The smithwright gains a +2 bonus to this form of performance. . If the instrument selected is not one the character already knows, one rank in Perform must be purchased.

Mesmerize (Ex): The work of a smithwright, whether it is in a performance or forging is so powerful that once per day, anyone looking or listening to the performance/metalworking must make a Will save against a DC equal to the appropriate skill roll (Craft, Perform, etc.) made by the smithwright +2. Those who fail are distracted by the object in question and suffer a -4 penalty to Listen and Spot checks. An additional use is gained every 10 levels thereafter.

Virtuoso: Forge: Whether it’s the bellows or the hammer on the anvil, the 5th level smithwright chooses a tool from the smithy to become a musical instrument. The character gains a +2 to Perform checks with this “instrument.” If the instrument selected is not one the character already knows, one rank in Perform must be purchased.

Smithwright Expert: At 6th level, the smithwright gains a bonus feat from the Godsmen list or one that improves his performance in metal working or the Performance skill. If the instrument selected is not one the character already knows, one rank in Perform must be purchased.

Hypnotize (Su): Similar in many regards to the hypnotism spell, 8th level smithwrights once per day may employ this spell-like ability but with a slight difference. The smithwright affects a number of Hit Dice equal to d4 per smithwright level. The range is also determined like the spell using all spellcasting levels of the smithwright. An additional use is gained every 10 levels thereafter.

Virtuoso: Storytelling: 9th level smithwrights have learned their craft of mixing music, metalworking, and story-like elements into their public performances. By the time they reach this level, only the craft of storytelling is lacking in the visual and musical experience they provide. At this level, the whole of the entrancing experience is complete. When telling a story, the smithwright gains a +2 to Perform checks. If the instrument selected is not one the character already knows, one rank in Perform must be purchased.

Master Smithwright: At 10th level, the smithwright gains mastery of a number of class skills equal to 3 + Int modifier. Even when stressed, the character may take 10 on skill checks when normally unable to do so.