Maestro of the Arts (3.5e Prestige Class)

Maestro of the Arts

“	Performance is the key to any situation.	”
—Yuna, SRD:Human, Song Enchanter (3.5e Class), SAO

Maestro of the Arts is a title given to performers who wish to master their craft on an entirely new level. They are considered the pinnacle and master of performers, known throughout nearly all planes.

Becoming a Maestro of the Arts

Bards, Dancers, Song Enchanters, and other musical classes generally seek this form of musical and performing enlightenment because of the bonuses this title gives to them. By becoming a Maestro of the Arts, the musician and performer become even more proficient in their craft but with a cost. The cost is meant to counterbalance the interesting way a performer earns the title Maestro of the Arts.

Entry Requirements

Alignment:	Some form of Neutral or Good. Cannot be Chaotic, or Evil.
Race:	Any.
Skills:	Perform skill 10 ranks or higher.
Special:	Must have levels in a base class from a class which uses the performance skill as a requirement such as the SRD:Bard class, Dancer (3.5e Class) or other classes such as these.

Table: The Maestro of the Arts

Hit Die: d2

Level	Base Attack Bonus	Saving Throws			Special	Cost	Additional Spells per Day
		Fort	Ref	Will			0	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	5th	6th	7th	8th	9th
1st	+1	+0	+1	+2	Bonus Feat, Entitlement, Breath-Taking Performance, Legendary Musician	Entitlement Cost	1	1	1	1	1	1	—	—	—	—
2nd	+1	+0	+1	+3	Bonus Feat, Encore Performance, Greater Performance	Mesmerizing Cost	2	2	1	1	1	1	1	—	—	—
3rd	+2	+0	+2	+4	Bonus Feat, Harmonic Symphony, Inspiring Rendition	Symphonic Cost	2	2	2	2	1	1	1	1	—	—
4th	+2	+0	+2	+5	Bonus Feat, Gifted Prodigy, Master of Instruments	Orcestra Cost	2	2	2	2	2	1	1	1	1	—
5th	+3	+0	+3	+6	Bonus Feat, Divine Wavelength, Flawless Maestro	Maestro of the Arts	3	3	2	2	2	2	1	1	1	1
Class Skills (4 + Int modifier per level) Concentration (Con), Craft (Int), Diplomacy (Cha), Heal (Wis), Knowledge (Arcana) (Int), Knowledge (Local) (Int), Knowledge (Religion) (Int), Ride (Dex), Perform (Cha), Profession (Wis), Spellcraft (Int)

Class Features

Though performers are normally quite unique, by obtaining the title of Maestro of the Arts the performer gains small and large buffs to their base class which comes at a cost. All of the following are class features of the Maestro of the Arts.

Entitlement: The Maestro of the Arts is a unique prestige class in the sense that a performer can multi-classes into this class while simultaneously continuing to level their base class (essentially gaining free levels in this class - this does not increase the actual level of the character). Since this is a strange occurrence, please consult your DM and carefully read over this prestige class before adopting this prestige class. As long as the base performer meets all the requirements, they may adopt this class. When you gain a level in your base class, you also gain a level in this prestige class. An alternative to this progression is to gain levels in this prestige class until you reach max level. Once you have reached max level as a Maestro of the Arts, trade in your Maestro of the Arts levels to immediately gain a level in your base class for each level of Maestro of the Arts while retaining all bonuses gained from this class. The character level of the character does not change. Due to Entitlement, when the Maestro of the Arts levels up or gains a level, they add their normal HD + Con Mod from their base class and 1d2 from this prestige class. They do not add their Constitution modifier to the 1d2.

Additional Spells per Day: Regardless of the performer's base class, the performer gain bonus spells thanks to gaining this title. The Maestro of the Arts gains bonus spells they have access to as seen in above in the Table: The Maestro of the Arts. If the performer does not have access to spells, they instead gain a bonus to their attacks. The Maestro of the Arts gains a +2 to attack at 1st level, +4 at 2nd level, +6 at 3rd level, +8 at 4th level, and +10 at 5th level. This bonus applies to all attacks the performer might have.

Bonus Feats: Starting at 1st level by gaining the title, Maestro of the Arts, the performer gains a bonus feat every level.

Breath-Taking Performance (Ex): Starting at 1st level, the Maestro of the Arts, a master performer can greatly increase her performance. 3/day a Maestro can double her Perform skill check as a Free Action.

Legendary Musician (Ex): Starting at 1st level, the Maestro of the Arts gains a permanent +5 to their Perform skill check.

Entitlement Cost (Ex): Starting at 1st level, the Maestro of the Arts loses the ability to use several skills due to her enhancements towards her performances. The Maestro has the DM pick 5 skills they have. These skills cannot be used and if forcibly used, they are immediately treated as a natural 1 or automatic failure. The DM cannot pick the following skills: Concentration, Diplomacy, Perform, or the Spot skill.

Encore Performance (Ex): Starting at 2nd level after a long rest, the Maestro has learned to prolong her own performances to create a more immersive experience. The Maestro of the Arts can choose one of its base class abilities that has a specific number of usages per day. You can use that ability an additional time per day equal to the Maestro of the Arts' Charisma modifier. You can only use this ability once per long rest. You can not this ability on any Maestro of the Arts class ability.

Greater Performance (Ex): Starting at 2nd level, the Maestro can enhance her performances to a new degree. 3/day as a SRD:Standard Action the Maestro of the Arts can pick one ability from their base class and can double the bonus it would give to the performer or an ally.

Mesmerizing Cost (Ex): Starting at 2nd level, the Maestro of the Arts loses the ability to protect herself against body influencing spells as she is so focused on her performance. Once per long rest, if she is affected by a spell that would cause her to make a Fortitude Saving Throw, the Maestro automatically fails as if she rolled a natural 1.

Harmonic Symphony (Ex): Starting at 3rd level, the Maestro of the Arts can create a beautiful symphony of vocals and dance moves. The Maestro can target creatures in a 45ft radius around herself up to her Charisma Modifier. These creatures must make a Will Saving Throw (DC: 13 + Charisma Mod) or be awed by the power of the performer's voice/dance. If the creatures fail this saving throw, they receive 1d6/Charisma Modifier of Force damage as well as 1 Negative Level which lasts until they are magically healed. Any bonuses from that level are lost until the creature(s) regain that level. If the creature(s) succeed this saving throw, they instead only take half damage.

Inspiring Rendition (Ex): Starting at 3rd level, the Maestro of the Arts can inspire herself regardless of the situation. As a SRD:Swift Action the Maestro can create a truly exquisite piece of art in any form of a performance and inspire herself. The Maestro gains a d8 inspiration die which she may use on any attack, saving throw, ability, or skill check before or after the d20 is rolled. The Maestro can only use this ability 3/short rest.

Symphonic Cost (Ex): Starting at 3rd level, the Maestro of the Arts becomes stressed occasionally over the amount of work she must put into her performances. The Maestro of the Arts chooses one ability score and receives a -1 to that specific score permanently.

Gifted Prodigy (Ex): At 4th level, the Maestro of the Arts enchants her own performances with extraordinary power. 3/day, anytime the Maestro uses one of her base class abilities, as a Free Action, all allied creatures within a 30ft radius gain 50% more experience once an encounter ends, and +5 to attacks, +1 to AC, and +2 to all saves for 5 minutes.

Master of Instruments (Ex): Starting at 4th level, the Maestro of the Arts has become not only a performer but a teacher. With her vast knowledge, the Maestro of the Arts gains proficiency in all forms of instruments and dance techniques. Once per long rest as a Standard Action the Maestro can summon an array of varying spiritual instruments which will float around the Maestro (1 instrument of the Maestro's choosing equal to her Charisma Modifier). At the start of each round for rounds equal to the Maestro's Charisma Modifier, all enemy creatures within 5-ft of the Maestro take 1d4/Charisma Modifier damage as the instruments play addictive tunes of varying tones and sounds. The Maestro can only use this ability 1/day.

Orchestra Cost (Ex): At 4th level, the Maestro of the Arts becomes hindered by their vast knowledge of the musical arts. When the Maestro of Arts would use a 3rd level ability or higher they must make a Perform check, the DM will pick randomly when this ability activates, or if the DM feels this is too much trouble the player will roll percentile. If they roll a 10 or lower they will suffer the consequences. The Maestro must properly succeed on a perform check or they will become Helpless for the next minute or if they roll a 10 lower they also become Helpless.

Divine Wavelength (Ex): Beginning at 5th level, a Maestro of the Arts has become attuned to the wavelengths even the gods listen to in their solitude allowing you the ability to call on your deity to intervene on your behalf when your need is great. Imploring the deity's aid requires the Maestro's Standard Action. She describes the assistance she seeks, and then roll percentile dice. If the Maestro rolls a number equal to or lower than her effective character level, your deity intervenes. The DM chooses the nature of the intervention; the effect of any spell or domain spell would be appropriate. If her deity intervenes, she can't use this feature again for 7 days. Otherwise, the Maestro can use it again after you finish a long rest.

Flawless Maestro (Ex): Starting at 5th level, the Maestro of the Arts has become renown throughout the world for her performances. 1/day a Maestro of the Arts may pick one spell they have and apply up to 5 SRD:Metamagic Feats when casting it. The spell DC is considered the appropriate spell level after metamagic modifications. The casting time for this modified spell is rounds equal to the Maestro's Charisma Modifier regardless of metamagic feats. After using this ability the Maestro cannot cast spells for the next 5 rounds.

Maestro of the Arts (Ex): Becoming the Maestro of the Arts at 5th level is both a hindrance and a buff. You gain renown which inhibits your ability to act stealthily in a party as you attract large amounts of attention from many people, races, and creatures. Passively you emit an aura in a radius of 30-ft that attracts any living creature if they have a passion or liking for music or performances of any form. This aura acts like a SRD:Cleric's Aura ability except in the form of wave frequencies and tones.

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Ex-Maestro of the Arts

If the Maestro of the Arts becomes any form of Evil or Chaotic they lose all abilities and bonuses gained from this class as if they never had adopted this class. This is because Maestro's represent all the good in the world and thus cannot become evil.

Campaign Information

Playing a Maestro of the Arts

Combat: Maestro's are usually in the back providing buffs and bonuses to their allies.

Advancement: However, if a Maestro becomes threatened they have the right to defend themselves and unleash their true repertoire on the enemy taking the front line and providing quick spells or attacks.

Resources: Maestro's can speak the language of music and art and thus allow them to become a member of the Maestro. Since Maestros are so few and rare the fact that two or more Maestros have gathered is a monumental occasion.

Maestro of the Arts in the World

“

Music is more than an art, it is a beauty the world needs for peace.

”

Meant to offer unique assistance, the Maestro of the Arts is fairly strong and very capable of defending themselves.

NPC Reactions: NPCs generally respect and treat the Maestro of the Arts with awe and inspiring looks.

Maestro of the Arts Lore

Characters with ranks in Knowledge (Local) can research Maestro of the Arts to learn more about them. When a character makes a skill check, read or paraphrase the following, including information from lower DCs.

Knowledge (Local)

DC	Result
11	Mythical performers who know how to bend the very fabrics of space and time with their musical tunes.
16	Extremely powerful performers who are gifted in more than on musical or form or art.
21	A small organization that seeks to bring order throughout the world through performances.
26	Powerful magicians and performers who can enhance their abilities and spells to an entirely new level.

Maestro of the Arts in the Game

Maestro's are meant to offer assistance and powerful support for difficult missions and precarious situations.

Adaptation: Maestro's can fit in nearly any campaign with the base Bard or music class.

Sample Encounter: Your group of adventurers comes across a small gnome dressed in exquisite robes. He appears to have several instruments floating around him. He looks to the group and asks to be taken to the nearest town as he has lost his way if you accept you gain a powerful ally to assist you in further endeavors. If you refuse, prepare to face a difficult enemy.

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