A rhapsodist specializes in the use of poetic bardic performance. Armed with books carefully articulated of evocative verse, the rhapsodist eschews spontaneity for the planning and structure of poetry.
Spells
Unlike a normal bard, a rhapsodist must choose and prepare his spells ahead of time. To learn, prepare or cast a spell, the rhapsodist must have a Charisma score equal to at least 10 + the spell level. A rhapsodist gains the spells per day of a magus of his level.
A rhapsodist may know any number of spells. He must choose and prepare his spells ahead of time by getting 8 hours of sleep and spending 1 hour studying his Poetry Book. While studying, the rhapsodist decides which spells to prepare.
Starting Spells: A rhapsodist begins play with a poetry book containing all 0-level bard spells plus two 1st-level spells of his choice. The rhapsodist also selects a number of additional 1st-level spells equal to his Charisma modifier to add to the poetry book. At each new bard level, he gains two new spells of any spell level or levels that he can cast (based on his new bard level) for his poetry book. At any time, a rhapsodist can also add spells found in a spellbook or another Rhapsodist's Poetry Book to his own, as long as that spell is also on his spell list (see Magic).
Spells Gained at a New Level: Rhapsodists perform a certain amount of spell research between adventures. Each time a character attains a new rhapsodist level, he gains two spells of his choice to add to his poetry book. The two free spells must be of spell levels he can cast.
Bardic Performance
A rhapsodist gains the following types of bardic performance:
Touch the Soul (Su): A rhapsodist of 1st level or higher can use his performance to strengthen the words of his allies. The DC of language-dependent spells cast by allies who can see and hear him is increased by +1. The DC increases by an additional +1 at 10th and 20th level. This performance relies on audible components.
This replaces countersong and distraction
Denouement (Su): A rhapsodist of 6th level or higher can use this the cathartic effects of his work to leave his enemies with feelings of stunned amazement. If he is using his fascinate bardic performance, he can activate this performance as a full round action to leave all of those affected by his fascinate performance stunned for 1 round. This causes the performance to immediately end. A Will saving throw (DC 10 + 1/2 bard’s level + bard’s Cha modifier) negates the effect. This performance relies on audible components.
This replaces suggestion
Free Verse (Ex): A rhapsodist of 18th level or higher can begin a performance that allows him to break the strict rigidity of his prepared work. When begins this performance, he chooses a number of spells in his poetry book equal to his Charisma modifier. As long as he maintains this performance, he may cast these spells by sacrificing a prepared spell of the same level or higher.
This replaces mass suggestion
Magical Balladry (Su)
At 1st level, the rhapsodist gains Spellsong as a bonus feat. He gains a bonus on Perform checks made as part of this feat equal to 1/2 his bard level (minimum +1).
This replaces bardic knowledge
Unlike a normal bard, a rhapsodist must choose and prepare his spells ahead of time. To learn, prepare or cast a spell, the rhapsodist must have a Charisma score equal to at least 10 + the spell level. A rhapsodist gains the spells per day of a magus of his level.
A rhapsodist may know any number of spells. He must choose and prepare his spells ahead of time by getting 8 hours of sleep and spending 1 hour studying his Poetry Book. While studying, the rhapsodist decides which spells to prepare.
Starting Spells: A rhapsodist begins play with a poetry book containing all 0-level bard spells plus two 1st-level spells of his choice. The rhapsodist also selects a number of additional 1st-level spells equal to his Charisma modifier to add to the poetry book. At each new bard level, he gains two new spells of any spell level or levels that he can cast (based on his new bard level) for his poetry book. At any time, a rhapsodist can also add spells found in a spellbook or another Rhapsodist's Poetry Book to his own, as long as that spell is also on his spell list (see Magic).
Spells Gained at a New Level: Rhapsodists perform a certain amount of spell research between adventures. Each time a character attains a new rhapsodist level, he gains two spells of his choice to add to his poetry book. The two free spells must be of spell levels he can cast.
Bardic Performance
A rhapsodist gains the following types of bardic performance:
Touch the Soul (Su): A rhapsodist of 1st level or higher can use his performance to strengthen the words of his allies. The DC of language-dependent spells cast by allies who can see and hear him is increased by +1. The DC increases by an additional +1 at 10th and 20th level. This performance relies on audible components.
This replaces countersong and distraction
Denouement (Su): A rhapsodist of 6th level or higher can use this the cathartic effects of his work to leave his enemies with feelings of stunned amazement. If he is using his fascinate bardic performance, he can activate this performance as a full round action to leave all of those affected by his fascinate performance stunned for 1 round. This causes the performance to immediately end. A Will saving throw (DC 10 + 1/2 bard’s level + bard’s Cha modifier) negates the effect. This performance relies on audible components.
This replaces suggestion
Free Verse (Ex): A rhapsodist of 18th level or higher can begin a performance that allows him to break the strict rigidity of his prepared work. When begins this performance, he chooses a number of spells in his poetry book equal to his Charisma modifier. As long as he maintains this performance, he may cast these spells by sacrificing a prepared spell of the same level or higher.
This replaces mass suggestion
Magical Balladry (Su)
At 1st level, the rhapsodist gains Spellsong as a bonus feat. He gains a bonus on Perform checks made as part of this feat equal to 1/2 his bard level (minimum +1).
This replaces bardic knowledge