Master of the Spoken Word (3.5e Prestige Class)

Master of the Spoken Word

A master of the spoken word has realized the power that languages hold. He has devoted himself to the study of new languages, and often knows more than his fair share of either the Words of Creation and the Dark Speech. A master of the spoken word is often the leader of his group, or at least the spokesperson, because he uses language more skillfully than his comerades. Most often, masters of the spoken word attract others to them with the sheer power of their speech, and as such, usaully work well in groups rather than alone. Masters of the spoken word are usually bards, but sorcerers, wizards, and clerics often seek the extraordianry power over language masters of the spoken word are known for. Masters of the spoken word have no inherent inclination toward good or evil, but always value Law over Chaos. The value they put on order stems from their desire to perfect their speaking abilities in any language.

Prerequisites

Alignment: Any Lawful

Base Save Bonuses: Will +5

Feats: Iron Will, and either Dark Speech or Words of Creation

Skills: Bluff 3 Ranks, Speak Language 5 Ranks

Spells: Must be able to cast Tongues

Special: The character need not be literate, but must be able to cast at least two spells with the Sonic descriptor.

Table: The Master of the Spoken Word

Hit Die: d4

Level	Base Attack Bonus	Fort Save	Ref Save	Will Save	Special	Spells per Day/Spells Known
1st	0	0	0	+2	Compelling Voice +1	+1 level of existing class
2nd	+1	0	0	+3	Raven/Parrot Familiar	+1 level of existing class
3rd	+1	+1	+1	+3		+1 level of existing class
4th	+2	+1	+1	+4		+1 level of existing class
5th	+2	+1	+1	+4	Compelling Voice +2	+1 level of existing class
6th	+3	+2	+2	+5		+1 level of existing class
7th	+3	+2	+2	+5		+1 level of existing class
8th	+4	+2	+2	+6	Extralingual Capacity	+1 level of existing class
9th	+4	+3	+3	+6		+1 level of existing class
10th	+5	+3	+3	+7	Compelling Voice +3	+1 level of existing class
Class Skills (2 + Int modifier per level) The class skills for a master of the spoken word (and the key ability for each skill) are Bluff (Cha), Concentration (Con), Diplomacy (Cha), Gather Information (Cha), Listen (Wis), Perform (Oratory) (Cha), Sense Motive (Wis), Speak Language (None), and Spellcraft (Int).

Class Features

All the following are class features of the Master of the Spoken Word:

Compelling Voice (Ex): A master of the spoken word adds +1/class level to the save DC of any attempt to resist his voice, and +1/class level to the damage roll of any spell he casts with the Sonic descriptor or verbal components. For example, a Dread Word cast by a 5th-level Wizard/1st-level Master of the spoken word, the save increases by +1, and it deals 1d3+1 Constitution damage. Compelling Voice does not add additional damage to spells that deal no damage normally, even if another ability adds damage to the spell.

Additionally, if the character has access to the Leadership feat, this bonus is applied to his Leadership score to represent his augmented capability to persuade others. This bonus increases to +2/class level at 5th-level, and +3/class level at 10th-level. Count only master of the spoken word levels when calculating these numerical effects.

Raven/Parrot Familiar: At 2nd-level, a master of the spoken word who can cast arcane spells or has the Obtain Familiar feat gains either a Raven or a Parrot as a familiar (player's choice) whether he wants it or not. If the master of the spoken word already has a familiar, the new familiar takes its place and the old familiar flees the character immediately (in whatever manner is appropriate). Master of the spoken word counts as a familiar-granting class for purposes of familiar abilities. If the character already had one of these familiars, it learns an additional language.

Extralingual Capacity (Su): An 8th-level master of the spoken word learns new spoken languages after hearing only a few words (he must still study a language's writing to learn the written form, however). Furthermore, he may add his CHA modifier to the damage roll of any spell he casts with the Sonic descriptor or verbal components. This ability stacks with all other damge-augmenting abilities.

DM Notes

If your campaign does not include elements from the Book of Vile Darkness or the Book of Exalted Deeds, you may waive the feat requirement for Dark Speech or Words of Creation.

To clarify, a master of the spoken word with Extralingual Capacity must allot one rank in Speak Language to learn the writing system associated with the language (or, in the case of multiple languages sharing a written system, learn how the new languages use the alphabet). This requirement does not prevent a master of the spoken word from learning new languages as normal through this skill.

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