Dragon heralds are messengers and evangelists of true dragonkind. They carry the word of their dragon patrons far and wide, whether that’s a message of peace or a declaration of war.
The dragon herald is an archetype of the bard class, available only to gria bards.
Archetype Main Ability Scores:
The dragon herald mainly focuses on STR/DEX for martial combat and CHA for their class features.
Archetype Feature Replacements:
1st – Countersong, Fascinate, Musical Power. 2nd – Well-Versed, Versatile Performance. 3rd – Inspire Competence. 6th – Suggestion. 10th – Song Talent. 12th – Soothing Performance.
Dragon Patron (Ex)
A dragon herald must choose a particular true dragon species whose glory to extol. In most cases, this is a dragon with whom the herald is familiar, but it could be a dragon deity, a long-dead dragon hero, or even an entire dragon lineage. The energy type associated with her dragon patron determines the energy type used by several of her abilities. She must also designate a sacred space relevant to her dragon choice—usually the lair of a patron dragon or a shrine or holy place associated with a dragon type.
Coat of Arms (Ex)
A dragon herald gains energy resistance equal to her bard level against the energy type associated with her dragon patron. This resistance does not stack with any magical or temporary resistances.
This ability replaces musical power.
Bardic Performance
A dragon herald gains the following types of bardic performance:
Diplomatic Immunity (Su): A dragon herald can use bardic performance to generate a sanctuary effect upon herself. Any opponent attempting to directly attack the dragon herald, even with a targeted spell, must attempt a Will save (DC 10 + half of the bard’s level + her Charisma modifier). If the save succeeds, the opponent can attack normally and is unaffected by that casting of the spell. If the save fails, the opponent can’t follow through with the attack, that part of its action is lost, and it can’t directly attack the dragon herald for the duration of this performance. Those not attempting to attack the subject remain unaffected. This performance does not prevent the dragon herald from being attacked or affected by area of effect spells. The dragon herald cannot attack without breaking the performance but may use non-attack songs or otherwise act. Most use this to deliver the word of their patron or to safely complete Diplomacy or Intimidate checks in the presence of hostile foes. The effect persists for as long as the dragon herald performs and for 1 round after.
This performance replaces countersong and fascinate.
Diplomatic Protection (Su): At 3rd level, the dragon herald can use bardic performance to wrap a single ally in the colors and scales of her patron. The dragon herald must be able to see her ally, and that ally must be able to perceive her performance. While the herald performs, the target gains resistance equal to twice the bard’s level to the energy type associated with the dragon herald’s patron, and an enhancement bonus to natural armor equal to 1/2 the bard’s level.
This performance replaces inspire competence.
Rebuke Foes (Su): At 6th level, the dragon herald gains the ability to rain down her patron’s wrath on her enemies, dealing energy damage of the appropriate type equal to twice her bard level (Reflex save for half). She can target one enemy within 50 feet for every 4 bard levels she has. This effect occurs once per round for as long as she continues her performance.
This performance replaces suggestion.
Retreat to Lair (Sp): At 12th level, the dragon herald can spend 5 daily uses of performance as a full-round action to teleport herself, or a willing target touched, to her sacred place.
This performance replaces soothing performance.
Dragon Voice (Ex)
A dragon herald gains a bonus equal to half her bard level (minimum 1) on Intimidate and Diplomacy checks.
This ability replaces well-versed.
Master of Persuasion (Ex)
At 2nd level, the dragon herald becomes so sure in her craft that she can take 10 on any Diplomacy or Intimidate check, even when rushed or threatened. Once per day, she may attempt either a Diplomacy or Intimidate check as a full-round action, instead of spending a full minute. She can use this ability one additional time per day per three bard levels thereafter.
This ability replaces versatile performance.
Extol Glory (Su)
At 10th level, the dragon herald gains the ability to spread her patron’s glory to all intelligent creatures. When she speaks Draconic, any creature with 7 Intelligence or less that hears her and knows the language can understand her words and any creature with 8 Intelligence or higher can understand her without knowing the language. This ability does not allow the dragon herald to understand languages with which she is not familiar.
This ability replaces a song talent gained at 10th level.
