Singer of Concordance

4th (6/day)—dimension door, tail sweep* 3rd (7/day)—dispel magic, fly, haste 2nd (7/day)—cat’s grace, mirror image, web, wings of cover* 1st (8/day)—mage armor†, magic missile, shield, tail of opportunity*, true strike 0 (6/day)—acid splash, arcane mark, detect magic, flare, mage hand, light, message, read magic, open/close †Already cast *New spell described in Chapter 7 Spell-Like Abilities (CL 1st): 1/day—dancing lights, ghost sound (DC 16), prestidigitation, speak with animals (burrowing mammal only, duration 1 minute) Abilities Str 10, Dex 16, Con 12, Int 14, Wis 12, Cha 20 Feats Craft Wand, Draconic Heritage (bronze), Great

Fortitude, Draconic Toughness, Draconic ResistanceB ,

Draconic SkinB Skills Bluff +13, Concentration +9, Gather Information +10, Intimidate +7, Knowledge (arcana) +10, Listen +9,

Spellcraft +10, Spot +11 Possessions combat gear plus ring of protection +1, +1 shock dagger, gloves of Dexterity +2, cloak of Charisma +2, hat of disguise Breath Weapon (Su) 60-ft. line, 1/round, 2d6 electricity per level of spell lost, Reflex (DC 15 + level of spell lost) half Hook uses sneaky moves to get what she wants, often attacking party after weakened by encounters

“The love of Io nourishes all his children.” —Adetherin Forzenda, Singer of Concordance

The Singers of Concordance are a small order of wandering draconic spiritual guides who begin as servitors of Io, the Ninefold Dragon, creator of all dragonkind. Their mission is to bring peace and comfort to Io’s scattered children, especially the often isolated halfdragons and draconic creatures. They are more than simple preachers and healers, however—they have been entrusted by the father of dragons with the task of protecting the Spheres of Concordance that he created to ease his children’s pain.

BECOMING A SINGER OF CONCORDANCE

Almost all members of this class are dragon-descended (half-dragons and draconic creatures), whose life apart from “normal” society prepares them to undertake their wandering ministry. The ability to cast divine magic is a requirement of the class, and its dedication to Io means that most entrants are clerics who worship that draconic deity. True dragons with the ability to cast divine spells as arcane spells could enter the class, but not many do. Sometimes a newly christened Singer has a varied background with a mix of experience, of which divine spellcasting forms only a part.

Entry Requirements

Subtype: Dragonblood.

Spellcasting: Ability to cast 3rd-level divine spells.

Skills: Knowledge (religion) 8 ranks.

Deity: Io.

CLASS FEATURES

The higher you rise in this class, the closer becomes your connection to the great spheres created by Io. Spellcasting: At each level, you gain new spells per day and an increase in caster level (and spells known, if applicable) as if you had also gained a level in a spellcasting class to which you belonged before adding the prestige class level. You do not, however, gain any other benefi t a character of that class would have gained. If you had more than one spellcasting class before becoming a Singer of Concordance, you must decide to which class to add each level for the purpose of determining spells per day, caster level, and spells known.

Aspect of Peace (Su): Upon entering this class, you attune yourself to the great Song of Io and to one Sphere of Concordance that is sustained by Io’s song. In so doing, you draw that sphere’s aspect of peace spiritually closer to you and the reality you inhabit. This effect is always active while you are conscious (and the effect moves with you), but not if you are unconscious or dead. It grants you immunity to the fi rst compulsion effect (magical or otherwise) that would otherwise affect you each day, and for the remainder of the day grants you a +4 morale bonus on saving throws to resist further compulsion

Table 5–6: The Singer of Concordance Hit Die: d6 Base Attack Fort Ref Will

Level Bonus Save Save Save Special Spellcasting

1st +0 +0 +2 +2 Aspect of peace +1 level of existing spellcasting class 2nd +1 +0 +3 +3 Bonus domain +1 level of existing spellcasting class 3rd +1 +1 +3 +3 Aspect of refuge +1 level of existing spellcasting class 4th +2 +1 +4 +4 — +1 level of existing spellcasting class 5th +2 +1 +4 +4 Aspect of exclusion 1/day +1 level of existing spellcasting class 6th +3 +2 +5 +5 Aspect of healing +1 level of existing spellcasting class 7th +3 +2 +5 +5 — +1 level of existing spellcasting class 8th +4 +2 +6 +6 Aspect of exclusion 2/day +1 level of existing spellcasting class 9th +4 +3 +6 +6 Aspect of safety 1/day +1 level of existing spellcasting class 10th +5 +3 +7 +7 Sphere of Concordance +1 level of existing spellcasting class

Class Skills (4 + Int modifier per level): Concentration, Diplomacy, Heal, Knowledge (arcana), Knowledge (the planes),

Knowledge (religion), Profession (any), Sense Motive, Spellcraft, Survival CLASSES PRESTIGE CHAPTER 5

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PRESTIGE CLASSES effects. Each ally within 10 feet of you at any time during the day feels a refl ection of the Sphere of Concordance’s aspect of peace and gains a +4 morale bonus on saving throws against compulsion effects. As you gain levels as a Singer of Concordance, you gain the ability to call up additional aspects of a Sphere of Concordance. As this occurs, you can enjoy multiple aspects operating simultaneously, without confl ict. In fact, the more aspects called into existence, the closer you draw to your chosen Sphere of Concordance .

Bonus Domain: At 2nd level, you gain access to an additional cleric domain from the following list of domains: Dragon*, Healing, Knowledge, Magic, Strength, Travel, or Wealth. You gain the granted power associated with the domain you choose, and you can select the spells in that domain as your daily domain spells. *Domain described in Draconomicon, page 107.

Aspect of Refuge (Su): At 3rd level, you increase your attunement to your sphere, allowing you to call upon its aspect of refuge. You can call up this effect as a standard action, and dismiss it as a swift action (see page 122) or as a free action made in conjunction with attacking any other creature (automatic dismissal), or by moving more than 20 feet from where you first called up the aspect of refuge. All creatures within 20 feet of you that attempt to strike or otherwise target any other creature, even with a spell, must attempt a Will save (DC 10 + 1/2 your character level + your Wis modifi er). If the save succeeds, the creature can attack normally and is not affected. If the save fails, the creature can’t follow through with the attack. That part of its action is lost, and it can’t directly attack another creature while it remains within the refuge. Creatures that do not attempt to target another creature with an attack or other effect remain unaffected. The refuge does not prevent creatures within 20 feet of you from being attacked or affected by area or effect spells, or from other attacks launched from farther away. You can use nonattack spells or otherwise act within the refuge without dismissing it. For instance, you could heal wounds, cast a bless spell, perform an augury, or summon creatures.

Aspect of Exclusion (Sp): At 5th level, you further increase your attunement to your sphere, allowing you to call upon its aspect of exclusion once per day for a period of up to 1 round per caster level. You can call up this effect as a standard action, and dismiss it as a swift action or by moving more than 10 feet from where you fi rst called up the aspect of exclusion. The aspect of exclusion appears as an immobile, faintly shimmering sphere that surrounds you and all creatures within 10 feet of you. This aspect prevents all spell effects of 4th level or lower from entering the sphere. This effect is otherwise identical to globe of invulnerability (and is considered a 6th-level spell effect). After reaching 8th level, you can use this ability twice per day.

Aspect of Healing (Su): At 6th level, you become able to call upon your sphere’s aspect of healing. This aspect is always active while you are conscious (and the effect moves with you), but not if you are unconscious or dead. Any healing performed within 10 feet of you (and any healing you initiate) cures an additional 1d8 points.

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SPHERES OF CONCORDANCE

The great dragon deity Io created these retreats among the planes so that his children could find rest, with the Singers of Concordance as their guides. When a character enters the Singer of Concordance class and chooses a Sphere of Concordance from which to draw off aspects, that Sphere becomes linked to him. Other entrants into the class thereafter choose other spheres. A Sphere of Concordance is a demiplane, roughly 500 feet across, with the following traits. • Normal gravity. • Minor positive-dominant. • Divinely morphic. Io or his emissaries can prevent the entrance of nondraconic creatures, or expel any creatures that commit violence within the demiplane. • Mildly neutral-aligned. • Enhanced Magic. Spells and spell-like abilities that use positive energy, including cure spells, and spells from the Community*, Creation*, Healing, and Protection domains, are empowered (as if the Empower Spell feat had been applied to them, but the spells don’t require higher-level slots). Spells and spell-like abilities that are already empowered are unaffected by this benefit. *Domains described in Complete Divine, pages 137–138. • Impeded Magic. Spells and spell-like abilities that use negative energy, including inflict spells, and spells from the Death,

Destruction, and Madness* domains are impeded. *Domain described in Complete Divine, page 139. • Creatures within a Sphere of Concordance are always subject to the aspects of peace, refuge, healing, exclusion, and safety, as defined and described in the Singer of Concordance prestige class entry.

The environment within a Sphere of Concordance is pleasant, with mild temperatures and a normal atmosphere. The sphere is filled with beautiful images, precious works of art, glittering gold, and shining gems for the enjoyment and appreciation of its draconic sojourners. Because the demiplane is positive-dominant, the colors, scents, and other sensations provoked by these features are greatly heightened. However, they are bonded with the demiplane: Any attempt to remove riches from this place causes the material to revert to the raw essence of creation, vanishing instantly. (The essence returns to the demiplane and is then reshaped.) Being a demiplane, a Sphere of Concordance is not easily accessible with plane shift or other means of planar travel. Attempts to reach a sphere without guidance or prior knowledge (or the Singer of Concordance 10th-level class feature) result in the traveler arriving on a random Outer Plane. Creatures that enter a Sphere of Concordance that is already linked to another Singer of Concordance are considered undesignated (unless they have been previously designated by the other Singer), and thus are adversely affected by the sphere’s aspect of safety.

Undead within 10 feet of you that are dealt damage by a cure spell take an additional 1d8 points of damage.

Aspect of Safety (Su): At 9th level, you can call upon your sphere’s aspect of safety once per day for a period of up to 1 minute per caster level. You can call up the effect as a standard action, and dismiss it as a swift action or by moving more than 10 feet from where you fi rst called up the aspect of safety. The area within the 10-foot-radius sphere surrounding you is impervious to planar travel of any sort, except if such travel is initiated by you. The effect also deals 6d6 points of damage to creatures that attempt to enter it other than those you designate. A Will save (DC 10 + 1/2 your character level + your Wis modifi er) halves the damage dealt. An undesignated creature within the sphere takes no further damage beyond the initial 6d6 points, unless it exits and then attempts to reenter.

Sphere of Concordance (Sp): At 10th level, you perfect your unison with the great Song. You gain the ability to transport you and up to eight willing companions to and from a particular Sphere of Concordance at will. This effect is considered a 7th-level spell effect. See the sidebar for a description of the environment found within a Sphere of Concordance.

PLAYING A SINGER OF CONCORDANCE

A Singer of Concordance is an individual at once alone and interconnected with the world. As you travel and minister to the dragon-descended, you might serve as a wandering mendicant, head up a caravan or a traveling encampment, or adventure side by side with trusted companions (who might themselves have have descended from dragons).

Combat

As a Singer of Concordance, you are not a violent individual. Sometimes, however, combat is necessary to preserve your own life or that of your companions.

Yours is not a front-line role, but rather one of support and rescue. At lower levels, your abilities keep your allies calm in stressful situations and protect them against attacks. Since your spellcasting ability continues to advance, you eventually gain access to higher-level divine spells—including those that can hinder or harm opponents. As you advance in level, you are able to extend more potent defenses around your allies. At the pinnacle of your power, you can make it nearly impossible for enemies to hurt your companions, or you can protect them utterly by transporting them to safety within a Sphere of Concordance.

Advancement The worship of Io is not very formalized. Some dragons might have a simple shrine to the Ninefold Dragon in their lairs, usually in the form of a polished metal disk affi xed to a wall. Among kobolds, Io’s shrines are more standardized but are usually in the middle of a wild space. Clerics of the Concordant Dragon enter his worship through long journeys of self-discovery; often these are internal journeys of the soul. The path to joining the Singers of Concordance always begins with seeking out (or, rarely, being approached by) a Singer and agreeing to perform services on behalf of the organization. Such missions usually involve assisting another Singer in fulfilling one of Io’s assignments, such as “calm the fury of the red dragon in the Crags.” While the Singer focuses on more difficult aspects of the task, the acolyte might help protect the common folk in the region or carry word of the holy mission to others who can assist. If you perform such duties satisfactorily, after a time you are inducted into the society in a ceremony that involves several days of invocations to Io and lengthy rituals, culminating in a journey with another Singer to a special Sphere of Concordance in which the Song of Io resounds eternally. When you hear the great Song of Io reverberating within Adetherin Forzenda, the sphere, you know you are in contact with a Singer of Concordance the very thoughts of your creator—and you are forever changed. After you return from the sphere, you remain aware of the Song as a distant echo in your mind.

SINGERS OF CONCORDANCE IN THE WORLD

If you are a half-dragon or a draconic creature, it is likely that your early life was unhappy and fi lled with loneliness. The need to belong and to fi nd meaning in existence drove you to Io’s worship, and now that you have experienced the utter joy of the Song, you desire nothing so much as to bring that joy to your aching kindred. Not many true dragons follow this path. On rare occasions, a dragon of one of the more sociable varieties (such as the silver dragon or the song dragon) might decide to bring word of Io’s joy to others, but among other varieties a Singer is almost never found.

CLASSES PRESTIGE CHAPTER 5

Illus. by E. Fiegenschuh

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PRESTIGE CLASSES Most dragons simply have no need or desire to bring knowledge of Io to others. This class is usually a career path chosen by dragons of young adult to mature adult age, since a wyrm tends to be sluggish and less willing to leave its lair. Among the lesser kin of dragonkind, especially kobolds, Singers demonstrate the sense of belonging that comes from knowing one’s true heritage. A kobold adept leading a mining party, for example, might become a Singer to bring Io’s peace to all the miners in the colony, or even to unite scattered colonies through the great Song. This class is well suited to divine spellcasters, but it is also a good fit for characters with the ability to cast divine magic as arcane spells. Bards and even true dragons can thrive in this class, especially as their healing and support abilities grow. It’s also an excellent pretext for adventuring, since you live to bring the knowledge of the Song to all of Io’s creations. You might travel with a group of dragon-descended characters to minister to their souls as they seek their fortunes, or explore the marvels of the world while making its inhabitants happier.

Organization

The Singers of Concordance comprise a very loose organization. Only a small number of Singers exist, and very few of these have attained the pinnacle of their profession.

Singers are widely scattered and do not often come into contact with one another, though sometimes an emergency requires them to gather. To combat the isolation that could result from such a far-fl ung group, they engage in regular updates to keep all the Singers informed of the status of the others, as well as their success in bringing the news of the Song. In order to become a Singer of Concordance, a character must have proved himself capable through earlier service. Because of this, each singer is granted wide leeway in how to handle a situation. In the matter of admitting others to a Sphere of Concordance, however, not much variance is tolerated. These demiplanes are intended primarily for the children of Io. Although an emergency situation might require that those of nondragon ancestry enter one, the circumstances would have to be dire indeed. The spheres are divinely morphic, and if Io judges a singer has used this ability too recklessly, he can hedge out those companions of a Singer who do not have draconic heritage. The first such use generally passes without comment, but repeatedly revealing the spheres to the nonblooded can result in the Singer being barred from the bliss of the Song.

NPC Reactions

Singers of Concordance bear a sort of isolated fame. To members of the general population, a Singer is little more than another wanderer. They have never heard of

Io and have no wish to comfort or console dragonkind, and so they greet all Singers with a starting attitude of indifferent. To those among their ministry, however, the Singers are both beloved and reviled, depending on an individual dragon’s taste for spiritual comfort. Among dragons and the dragon-descended, starting attitudes vary from friendly to unfriendly, but are only rarely indifferent. No dragon or dragon-descended character who believes in Io will act in a hostile manner toward a Singer, no matter how unwelcome the individual may be, out of respect for the Ninefold Dragon. The enemies of dragons are hostile to Singers of Concordance, and some even take pleasure in the misery they cause by killing a Singer. Beings who covet and envy the delights of a Sphere of Concordance are a great danger to Singers. They might either kill a priest out of spite, or capture and torment one in hopes of forcing him to take them to a sphere. No Singer has thus far consented to do so, becoming instead a martyr for Io if he or she dies during the ordeal.

SINGER OF CONCORDANCE LORE

Characters with the bardic knowledhe ability or ranks in Knowledge (arcana) can research dragonheart mages to learn more about them. When a character makes a bardic knowledge check or a skill check, read or paraphrase the following, including the information from lower DCs. Dragons and dragon-descended have a +4 racial bonus on this check.

DC 10: Io created all dragons and their kin. His priests travel the world ministering to the children of Io and bringing them inner peace.

DC 15: A small group of Io’s clergy, called the Singers of Concordance, have secret knowledge that lets them perform wondrous acts of healing and protection.

DC 20: Io is said to have created marvelous retreats for heartsore and injured dragons, fi lled with every kind of beauty and wealth. The Singers of Concordance are in tune with these locations and draw on their powers to assist all dragonkind.

DC 30: Long ago, Io defeated Roknar, who coveted the riches within a Sphere of Concordance. Now these demiplanes of healing and rest are hidden from the knowledge of all but a few trusted priests, the Singers of Concordance. A DC 20 Gather Information check allows a character to arrange a meeting with a Singer. Dragons and dragondescended have a +4 racial bonus on this check.

SINGERS OF CONCORDANCE IN THE GAME

Player character Singers are a great asset to any adventuring party, thanks to their superior defensive and healing skills. They also help to smooth the path diplomatically when encountering dragons or members of draconic races, who universally receive these wandering priests with respect. Characters who prefer roles involving social interaction, diplomacy, and party support are well suited to the class. Having a shrine to Io in the region where the party adventures, one that is known and accessible to the dragon-descended characters, helps encourage clerics of the Ninefold Dragon and sets up the opportunity to enter the organization.