Brazen Deceiver

System: Pathfinder | SRD | Type: Subclass (Archetype) of Bard

Where other thieves use stealth or intimidation to achieve their goals, the brazen deceiver depends on lies. The Council of Thieves often sends brazen deceivers to acquire blackmail materials, arrange the release of incarcerated agents, or otherwise manipulate events in the Council’s favor. Brazen deceivers’ techniques come from a dark source. During the reformation of the Council, Sabriune and Aspexia acquired the shattered fragments of an ancient relic called the Totemrix, which belonged to the long-deceased demon lord of shadows, Vyriavaxus. This particularly intrigued Sabriune, for it was her demonic patron Nocticula who slew Vyriavaxus. Drawing upon Sabriune’s heretical faith, Aspexia’s psychometric mastery, and Westcrown’s lingering psychic trauma from an oppressive shadow curse that plagued its nights for many years, the Council leaders were able to coax remnants of power from the broken artifact. All brazen deceivers are imbued with a fragment of that power during their initiation—not enough to damn a soul or shift alignment, but just enough to give these bards access to the sinister energies they need to deceive.

Class Abilities

Deceptive Tale (Su) (addition)

A brazen deceiver learns the deceptive tale bardic performance, allowing him to weave magic into his lies and imbue the most fantastic claims with the appearance of truth. While the brazen deceiver maintains this performance, he takes half the normal penalty on Bluff checks for unlikely lies (rounding down to –2). At 5th level, this effect also applies to Bluff checks for far-fetched lies, and at 11th level, it applies to Bluff checks for impossible lies. Deceptive tale relies on audible components. This replaces the countersong and distraction bardic performances.

Shameless Scoundrel (Ex) (addition)

A brazen deceiver adds half his level (minimum +1) on Bluff, Disguise, and Stealth checks. This ability replaces bardic knowledge.

Blatant Subtlety (Ex) (addition)

At 2nd level, a brazen deceiver has mastered the art of using magic without being detected. The brazen deceiver gains Spellsong as a bonus feat. Observers do not automatically recognize his bardic performances as anything other than ordinary speech or performance. Those specifically looking for abnormal effects must succeed at a Sense Motive check (DC = 10 + half the brazen deceiver’s bard level + the brazen deceiver’s Charisma modifier) to detect his performances. This ability replaces well-versed.

Invoke Vyriavaxus (Ex) (addition)

Westcrown suffered under the shadow curse for many years, and a brazen deceiver has a tiny piece of that darkness lodged in his soul; as his skills increase, he learns to command this shadowy power. A brazen deceiver adds the following spells to his bard spells known at the listed class levels. At 2nd level, the brazen deceiver adds bleed and touch of fatigue to his 0-level bard spells known. At 6th level, the brazen deceiver adds darkness and darkvision to his 2nd-level bard spells known. At 10th level, he adds shadow conjuration and shadow step to his 4th-level bard spells known. At 14th level, he adds shadow evocation and shadow walk to his 5th-level bard spells known. At 18th level, he adds shadow conjuration, greater and greater shadow evocation to his 6th-level bard spells known. This ability replaces versatile performance.

Devil’s Tongue (Ex) (addition)

At 5th level, a brazen deceiver beguiles others with astonishing skill. This functions as the lore master ability, but its effects apply to Bluff checks instead of Knowledge skill checks. This ability replaces lore master.

Source: Adventurer's Guide pg. 50

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