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They say you die twice, when you do die, and when someone mentions your name for the last time. Storytellers recount tales of heroes long past, and in doing so bring them to life. Novice storytellers tell tales of young adventurers fighting rats in a basement, while veterans will account grand epics of noble heroes slaying gods and demons. These metaphorical reincarnations are more than just fiction, however, as the storyteller’s tales affect both the world and the minds of those around them, continuing the story long after its conclusion. Storytellers are captivating and often find themselves lost in their own stories, and the versatile nature of their talents allows them to do more than just restrict themselves to magic, broadsword, or scholar. To a storyteller, every individual is a unique character but only the most notable live on forever. Every moment is an opportunity to write a new story and find the beauty in another.

The storyteller is an archetype of the bard class.

Archetype Main Ability Scores:
The storyteller mainly focuses on STR/DEX for martial combat and CHA for their class features.

Archetype Feature Replacements:
1stBardic Performance. 2ndSong Talent, Versatile Performance. 3rdInspire Competence. 6thSuggestion. 8thDirge of Doom, Song Talent. 9thInspire Greatness. 10thSong Talent. 12thAdvanced Song Talent, Soothing Performance. 14thFrightening Tune15thInspire Heroics. 18thFuneral Ballad. 20thDeadly Performance.

Epics (Su)

As the storyteller tells tall tales of terrific triumphs and terrible totalitarians, he does more than just tell a story. The storyteller embodies his words with his own magical essence to pull others into his story. As he speaks, his voice carries tremendous power, and the characters become more than just tall tales, stepping forward to a new rebirth, continuing the stories of conquerors long forgotten. These characters are referred to as “epics”.

At 1st level, the storyteller knows 1 epic to share at will, and knows additional epics at 9th and 17th level. For a number of minutes per day equal to 3 + his Charisma modifier, and another minute at 3rd and every two bard levels thereafter, he may embody the epic he speaks of to become them completely. Embodying an epic uses 1 minute of the daily allotted minutes, whether or not the storyteller embodies for less than a full minute.

These epics are separate entirely to the player’s character, and uses the Iconic Heroes’ stat blocks. The iconic hero’s Hit Dice, saving throws, skills, feats, and abilities are tied to the storyteller’s bard level and increase as he gains levels except at 3rd level and every four bard levels thereafter, it does not gain a level, effectively capping out at 15th level. At 5th level of the iconic hero’s class, and every 5 levels thereafter, the iconic hero upgrades its equipment and items according to the iconic hero. All equipment and items summoned with the iconic hero disappear if dropped or otherwise removed and reappear on the iconic hero unless the item is used (such as a potion). Skills and feats follow a predetermined path according to the iconic’s effective level. Any equipment given to the iconic hero will arrive with the iconic hero when the storyteller becomes the epic. Becoming an epic is a full-round action that provokes attacks of opportunity. Ending the story requires a satisfying conclusion, requiring another full-round action.

At 7th level, embodying or ending an epic may be done as a standard action.

At 14th level, embodying or ending an epic may be done as a move action.

These epics are separate entirely to the player’s character, do not share any attributes with him, and must be made on a separate character sheet. Each epic has the same character level as the storyteller has class levels. When embodying an epic, the epic appears with the equipment per their character sheet. The storyteller may retain equipment when embodying or ending an epic as long as there are available slots or free hands. Equipment not retained is melded into the storyteller or epic and cease to function whilst melded. Whilst embodying an epic the storyteller loses all features dependent on class or race with the exception of the Epics feature. If the epic dies, the storyteller dies as well. You can train abilities for your epics while not embodying said epic, such as for learning spells or retraining.

A storyteller does not need to “prepare” these epics ahead of time, but instead knows their story word for word, ready to share at will.

This ability replaces bardic performance and all bardic performances that would be gained from leveling.

Fascinating Tale (Su)

At 2nd level, the storyteller learns to captivate his audience further, allowing him to use the Perform (oratory) skill to cause one or more creatures to be fascinated with him. This acts as the fascinate bardic performance ability, except the save DC is 10 + half the bard’s level + his Charisma modifier, and it lasts 1 round per level. The storyteller may use this ability once per day plus once for every four bard levels thereafter.

This ability replaces versatile performance.

Bedtime Story (Sp)

At 2nd level, the storyteller learns to embody his voice with a soothing and calming tone, allowing him to use his Perform (oratory) skill to cause his audience to fall asleep. This acts as the sleep spell, except the save DC is 10 + half the bard’s level + his Charisma modifier, and lasts half a minute per level. The storyteller may use this ability once per day plus once for every four bard levels thereafter.

This ability replaces a song talent gained at 2nd level.

Greater Bedtime Story (Sp)

At 8th level, the storyteller enhances the calming, soothing nature of his voice to allow much more strong-willed creatures to fall into a deep slumber. Using his Perform (oratory) skill, this acts as the sleepja spell, except the save DC is 10 + half the bard’s level + his Charisma modifier, and lasts half a minute per level. The storyteller may use this ability once per day plus once for every five bard levels thereafter.

This ability replaces a song talent gained at 8th level.

Noble Trait/Minor Flaw (Su)

At 12th level, the storyteller learns to enhance his epic’s character traits. Every character needs traits to be more than two-dimensional, and noble traits and minor flaws allows the storyteller to enhance epics based on what quality he wants them to be used for. Noble traits are admirable qualities that add bonuses to a character, but to take one, a character must also have a minor flaw, which add limitations to a character’s ability. These may not be values already associated with a character based on their class/race. These must added with GM decision, examples as follow (positive/negative)-

  • Moneywise/Greedy: This epic has spent a long-life handling money and as such is experienced in budgeting, balancing, and investing wisely. Whenever at least 1,000 gold is gained, gain 5% more. But a long life of chasing money has led to an obsession, and whenever gold is possible to be gained, the epic must succeed at a DC 20 Will save or he obsesses over the gold. Failing the save means storyteller must remain as the epic until his obsession ends or when he reaches a 1 minute limit.
  • Confident/Prideful: This epic has been praised his entire life, and as such has confidence levels unheard of. Charisma increases by 2, as well as another +1 to Charisma skill checks, but confidence may lead to pride, and this epic believes he is the world. Thinking himself to be the best, upon being told “no” in some manner, receiving aid from another, or failing a check (or any situation that may damage his pride), he must make a DC 20 Will save to overcome his pride. What happens upon failure varies from situation to situation, with the storyteller remaining as the epic until the epic calms or when he reaches a 1 minute time limit.
  • Calculating/Cold: This epic is especially smart and tactical, observing keenly and assessing the situation quickly. He receives a +3 bonus to Perception checks and a +3 bonus on attack and weapon damage rolls for his first attack of each turn, however, this calculatory mindset exists outside of the combat, as well. The epic treats every moment with a cold unfriendliness, and gets a -2 penalty to Charisma and Charisma checks.

This ability replaces an advanced song talent gained at 12th level.