(The Nameless Bard)
Demipower of Arborea, CN
PORTFOLIO: The cycle of life (rot to rebirth), transformation of art, saurials
ALIASES: None
DOMAIN NAME: Olympus/Fermata
SUPERIOR: None
ALLIES: Tymora, Selûne
FOES: Moander (dead)
SYMBOL: A white harp on a gray circle
WOR. ALIGN.: NG, CG, N, CN
Finder Wyvernspur (FIND-er WIHV-urn-spur) recently ascended to godhood by slaying the evil god Moander on its home plane in the Abyss. Finder was a founding member of the Harpers in the Realms, but he was later judged to have betrayed the ideals of that secretive organization when his overweening pride resulted in the death of one apprentice and the suicide of another. Finder was imprisoned in the Citadel of White Exile until he was freed by the sell-sword Alias and her companions. Finder was later instrumental in the destruction of Moander and his minions, thereby freeing the saurials who had been enslaved by the Darkbringer in the Lost Vale. Finder bequeathed his Harper pin to Olive Ruskettle, the first true halfling bard (or so she claims). It was Olive, who loved Finder, and Alias, his daughter and creation, who were chiefly responsible for helping Finder begin the redemption of his soul.
Finder has a dual aspect as a divine being. Rot and corruption (a remainder of Moander's portfolio) represent Finder's excessive pride, arrogance, and vanity. Rebirth and renewal from rot and corruption symbolize Finder's transformation into hero, savior, and deity.
Finder is a new god and has yet to completely settle on a new home on the inner or outer planes. Though it is rumored he has been seen in Arborea in the company of Tymora and once in Ysgard entertaining Selûne, he seems inclined to settle in Arborea on Olympus in his own Realm, which he has tentatively named Fermata. Selûne, a patroness of both the Wyvernspur family and the Harpers, has long enjoyed Finder's music, especially those songs he has written in her honor. Tymora has been the bard's patroness in recent years, most notably in the creation of his daughter Alias and in appealing to Ao to allow Finder to absorb Moander's power in lieu of being destroyed by it. It is believed that Lady Luck aided Finder in part to seek revenge for Moander's corruption of Tyche centuries ago. Finder is not yet comfortable in the company of other gods, unnerved by finding himself a small fish in a big pond.
Under the prompting of his followers and friends, both mortal and immortal, Finder is slowly shifting toward responsible actions and good deeds. It is liable to be many generations, though, before he can shed the reputation he acquired in his lifetime as a selfish and vain man. Many in the Heartlands still invoke his name as a warning in such expressions as "an ego the size of Finder's" and "Finder's Pride." Although Finder was officially pardoned by a Harper tribunal, many bards still relate a tale of excessive pride known as "Finder's Fall." Finder works not only to spread his songs among bards of the Realms, but to encourage all artists and prod them to grow by changing, transforming, and recreating their medium. This is a radical departure for the being who once went to elaborate lengths to ensure the immutability of his own songs.
Finder Wyvernspur's Avatar (Bard 25, Mage 18, Priest 14)
Finder sends his avatar to the Realms in the guise of an ordinary bard dressed in simple but elegant traveling clothes and, occasionally, leather armor. Usually he appears just as he did in the last days of his mortal life—an attractive, robust, tall, dark-haired man of 60 years of age—but if a situation warrants it he can also appear younger or older. He prefers to travel incognito, so he also disguises his features and coloring when there is someone present who knew him as a mortal. He draws his spells from any school or sphere, but prefers to use enchantment/charm or illusion/phantasm magics or spells that draw upon a musical metaphor when possible.
AC -2; MV 15; HP 148; THAC0 8; #AT 1
Dmg 1d8+5 to 1d8+8 (Sword of Songs +4 to +7 [bastard sword, one-handed], +1 STR)
MR 60%; SZ M (6 feet) or L (10 feet)
STR 16, DEX 22, CON 18, INT 24, WIS 16, CHA 23
Spells P: 8/8/6/5/3/2/1, W: 5/5/5/5/5/4/3/2/1
Saves PPDM 5, RSW 4, PP 7, BW 9, Sp 5
Special Att/Def: While Finder fights bravely enough when there is a purpose to combat, there are very few situations which in his opinion warrant coming to blows. Ordinarily he just retreats by use of teleport without error or plane shift (two abilities he can use at will). Should he need to hold his ground to protect many followers or their lands, he uses all the means at his disposal to negotiate an amicable truce. These means include, but are not limited to, exerting his charisma, casting magical charms and suggestions and, should all else fail, inventive bluffs and deceits. Finder can continue to cast either a charm spell (of any sort) or a suggestion spell once a round even after he runs out of his normal number of spells (given above). Should hostilities persist he resorts to combat magic until enemies close on him. Then, depending on what the drama of the situation calls for, he either changes shape into some fearsome monster (a shapechange ability he can also use at will) or draws his sword.
Finder's Sword of Songs is a magical silver bastard sword that is a sword of dancing with all of the powers of a singing sword as well. (See The Magister or the ENCYCLOPEDIA MAGICAL volumes for the abilities of a singing sword.) It strikes as a sword of dancing +4 to +7 unless magically silenced, whereupon it is reduced to a sword of dancing +1 to +4. The Sword of Songs sings constantly when drawn and can sing any song Finder knows, upon Finder's command, in Finder's voice, even while it is in use. If Finder wishes, this penalizes an opponent's morale by -2. The sword conveys upon Finder, as part of its singing sword abilities, immunity to charm (all nondivine types), command, confusion, fear, friends, repulsion, scare, and suggestion, and allows only the rage result of emotion (directed at the caster of the emotion spell). It can use its song to still shriekers, negate the song effect of harpies, and entrance intelligent creatures of up to 2 Hit Dice (not including undead or creatures from other planes). If such creatures fail a saving throw vs. spell, they are subject to a suggestion from its wielder.
Once in a fray Finder is a determined and assured opponent. He is an inspiring leader, so any followers fighting beside him are automatically under the effects of a bless spell, and their morale is modified by a +3 bonus. Finder may often unnerve his enemies by carrying on spirited banter criticizing their abilities and motivations, especially during those rounds when his sword of dancing is fighting on its own. This banter forces Finder's opponents to make morale checks every round and can be combined with the penalty imposed by the Sword of Songs if it sings.
Other Manifestations
Finder occasionally manifests as a beacon of light indicating the direction to head when someone has lost something or someone near and dear to their herat. He sometimes manifests, visible only to a single being, as a radiant nimbus that appears around an object or being that will fulfill the viewer's deepest wish.
The Nameless Bard has appeared to Olive Ruskettle on at least three occasions as a daisy that goes through its entire life cycle in just a few minutes yet is incredibly beautiful throughout the entire process. Others who have been present during these displays have reported hearing the distant braying of an ass during these manifestations.
Finder sometimes works his will through the action of faerie dragons, firestars, parrots, various song birds, talking owls, and bhaerghalas. He indicates his favor with artistic works by the discovery of Laeral's tears (a type of gem) that appear to hold a representation of his symbol within them.
The Church
CLERGY: Clerics, specialty priests, bards, spellsingers
CLERGY'S ALIGN.: NG, CG, N, CN
TURN UNDEAD: C: Yes, if good, SP: Yes, B: No, Spell: No
CMND. UNDEAD: C: Yes, if neutral, SP: No, B: No, Spell: No
All clerics and specialty priests of Finder Wyvernspur receive religion (Faerûnian) as a bonus nonweapon proficiency.
Finder is still slowly establishing his power and as yet has few true worshipers in the Realms. His followers are currently limited to a few young bards and artists, particularly arrogant prodigies, as well as some of the saurials of the Lost Vale, a few music aficionados, and Olive Ruskettle, the halfling bard and Harper.
Finger often helps new talent find a good venue—a tavern willing to let a young bard perform, a shop to carry a struggling sculptor's work, a festhall needing a new dancer—then he leaves the artist to sink or swim. For most artists such opportunities are more than enough to earn their gratitude. Many younger bards and artists have begun to privately invoke Finder's name as they struggle to make a name for themselves in the Realms. This practice has been strongly discouraged by the clergies of Oghma, Milil, and Lathander, who see increasing worship of Finder as a threat to their gods' power. (It is unclear how these deities view Finder's ascension to godhood.)
Finder is also venerated among many saurials of the Lost Vale as their patron and protector and is respected by those among them who do not share the alignments of his worshipers. He does keep an eye on the Lost Vale, even when his daughter Alias is not residing within, in gratitude to her companion, the saurial Dragonbait, who has served as her protector since her birth.
People who knew Finder in mortal life, save for Olive and Alias, are generally amused by his having attained godhood, noting that when he was mortal Finder always acted as if he thought he were a god. Generally such people are friendly to Finderites, seeing them as entertaining and useful. Sworn enemies of the Harpers are liable to treat the bard's followers with hostility, as will ruling members of rigid societies who come into conflict with Finderites' dogma of change, individual freedom of expression, and personal choice.
Finder's actual clergy is currently limited to a saurial priestess in the Lost Vale and a rebellious young bard from Berdusk who is presently adventuring in the Heartlands. Finder's clergy is likely to expand rapidly during the next few decades, and be composed of approximately 44% specialty priests, 10% clerics, 44% bards, and a handful (about 2%) of spellsingers.
Some saurials believe that Finder is responsible for the beleaguered tribe being blessed with an unprecedented number of soul singers in the young generation—six saurials, and Alias a seventh. Saurial soul singers, being mystically linked to the spiritual health of the tribe, strengthen the tribe's understanding of itself and help warn of dangers threatening it. (Treat soul singers as a variant of the bard class with spiritual overtones to their abilities and a focus on spells from the school of divination.)
Finder's divinity is new enough that his followers have not yet settled on a standard type of temple, but common themes are likely to include large performance areas, good acoustics, and the capacity for dramatic worship services with musical accompaniment or interludes.
Dogma: Finder's followers have taken to heart the lessons it took Finder all his life to discover. Art that is forced to remain immutable is a sign of stagnation and spiritual rot. In order to thrive, people must be willing to change and transform their art so they can be renewed by it. Finderites also recognize the power of art ot influence people and politics. Although that should not be its sole use, if art can be used to keep people free and independent from social or political tyranny, it is most proper that it be used so. Finderites do not recognize a difference between secular and religious art—all art is pleasing to their god. Artistic expression should also be encouraged in all—children and adult, amateur and professional. While those persons who have learned and mastered disciplines of expression are much to be admired, Finderites also recognize the importance of natural talents.
Day-to-Day Activities: Finder's saurial priestess of the Lost Vale, named CopperBloom, divides her time between several duties. She trains young and interested saurials in music, most especially the tribe's soul singers. She composes her own music and verse and is considered accomplished in those fields by both saurials and humans. She is also charged with welcoming followers and curiousity seekers who have made the pilgrimage to the place where Finder Wyvernspur spent his last mortal days in the Realms. Embracing change, CopperBloom has learned to read, write, and understand the common tongue of the region, although she cannot speak it. She also shares responsibility for rearing her three hatchlings with her mate, the saurial paladin Dragonbait. Dragonbait, a paladin of Tyr, does not worship Finder himself, but respect's his mate's religion.
Finder's other clergy member, the young bard from Berdusk, goes by the title of the Rebel Bard, consciously mimicking Finder's previous alias. The son and grandson of well-known and respected bards, the Rebel Bard was steeped in bardic tradition from birth and studied at Berdusk's Twilight Hall. He was considered an arrogant, albeit brilliant, prodigy. Upon receiving his master's certificate, the Rebel Bard was invited by several renowned bards to remain at Twilight Hall to compose and teach, but the young man fled from the city like a horse from a burning barn. Frustrated by the constraints his teachers ad placed on musical composition and anxious to study more exotic forms of expression, the Rebel Bard took to the adventuring life. There are unconfirmed rumors that he fled under a shadow—a theft, a broken engagement, or an insult to a high-level priest—which is why he goes by an alias.
Finder took an interest in him soon after his precipitous departure, saving his life and befriending him. Thereafter the young man took up the task of teaching Finder's music and views to the world outside the Lost Vale. He is especially fond of encouraging young people in their art, but his habit of singing witty songs critical of powerful persons has made him a wanderer by necessity.
Aware of the power a higher profile will give their religion, both priestess and bard are eager to help arrange music and other entertainments at political ceremonies as well as those of other gods of neutral or good alignment. Clergy and followers of Finder are expected to create or perform in honor of their god. Donations of gold are not refused, but artistic endeavors are considered a much more proper form of tithe. Consequently, while the church is not wealthy, it can lay claim to a burgeoning amount of art, some of which, no doubt, will one day be considered priceless.
Holy Days/Important Ceremonies: Humans as well as saurials celebrate the 20th of Marpenoth (Leafall), the day Finder destroyed Moander's avatar in the Realms and then the evil god's true form in the Abyss. Saurials are most grateful for their emancipation from Moander's enslavement and stress this in their prayers. Humans, while recognizing Moander's death as a good thing, tend to think of this day in terms of it being the occasion when Finder realized even his own music could be improved by change. The day is celebrated with music, dancing, plays, and the unveiling of more static art forms. Some of Finder's songs are usually sung, often with varying arrangements.
Major Centers of Worship: Finderites of the Lost Vale (also known as Tarkhaldale) have claimed the Singing Cave as their temple. The caverns within have wonderful acoustics and the passages are lined with art pieces donated by followers. The Rebel Bard has done his part to see that several shrines are consecrated to Finder throughout the Western Heartlands. Some are open areas of great beauty or geographic anomolies perfect for performing. Others are small open-sided shelters featuring statuary or paintings for all comers to see. Sometimes visitors are invited to add or to change the work of art and the Rebel Bard has tended to stress interactive and participatory art that involves the audience.
Affiliated Orders: The Shrine Keepers are small pockets of followers who live near shrines established by the Rebel Bard. They tend the shrines, preparing them for performances, tidying them, and seeing that they are not defiled.
Some people consider the saurial soul singers an order of Finderites, but, while they are trained by his priestess, not all of them are followers of the Nameless Bard.
Priestly Vestments: Copperbloom and the Rebel Bard both dress as does Finder, in simple but elegant clothing, believing it is better not to distract the audience from their performances. Future clergy members, however, might have good reason to dress in more elaborate costume should their particular talents call for a showier look. The church has not established a standard holy symbol, but the symbol of Finder displayed in some fashion or carved into a piece of jewelry or a musical instrument is likely to become the holy symbol of the faith.
Adventuring Garb: On the road both the priestess and bard dress in practical, sturdy traveling clothes. CopperBloom does not wear armor, relying as do most saurials on the protection of her scales. The Rebel Bard wears leather armor. Priests of Finder do not like to sacrifice their grace and dexterity by wearing anything heavier than chain mail. They may go armed as they choose.
Specialty Priests (Finders)
REQUIREMENTS: Wisdom 11, Charisma 15
PRIME REQ.: Wisdom, Charisma
ALIGNMENT: CN, CG
WEAPONS: Any
ARMOR: All armor types up to and including chain mail; no shield
MAJOR SPHERES: All, charm, divination, elemental, travelers
MINOR SPHERES: Creation, healing
MAGICAL ITEMS: Same as clerics and bards (not including items restricted to wizards only)
REQ. PROFS: Artistic ability (any) or musical instrument (any)
BONUS PROFS: Direction sense, singing, musical instrument (harp)
All of these spells are both wizard and priest spells; they work identically for either class, with the exception of their casting times. The casting times for the wizard versions are noted in parentheses next to the priestly casting time.
3rd Level
Dispel Silence (Pr 3; Wiz 3; Abjuration, Alteration)
Sphere: Combat
Range: 0
Components: S, M
Duration: 1 round/level
Casting Time: 6 (3)
Area of Effect: 10-foot/level radius
Saving Throw: None
This spell is the priest version of the dispel silence spell presented in Pages from the Mages. This spell negates the effect of magical silence within the area of the dispel silence for the duration of the spell. Following the casting of dispel silence, all spellcasting, speaking, and actions can proceed normally.
For the duration of the spell, the area protected by dispel silence is proof against silence spells; they do not function within the area of the dispel silence. The area of effect is immobile, however, and does not move with the caster.
The material components of this spell are a pinch of powdered diamond worth at least 50 gp that is flung into the air and the holy symbol of the casting priest.
Ghost Pipes (Pr 3; Wiz 3; Alteration, Illusion/Phantasm)
Sphere: Charm
Range: Touch
Components: V, S
Duration: Permanent
Casting Time: 1 round (1 round)
Area of Effect: 10-foot/level radius
Saving Throw: None
When this spell is cast, the caster can cause any one nonmagical musical instrument to play itself. The instrument must be whole and in playing condition. It need not be an instrument that the caster can play, but she or he must be able to softly whistle or hum the desired tune. This tune can be no more than one minute long.
Upon releasing the instrument, it glows as if limned with faerie fire and levitates at the level it was released. The various parts of the instrument (keys, valves, strings, etc.) move under the control of the magic. Upon reaching the end of the song, the instrument repeats the tune over and over until stopped.
The ghost pipes stop playing when any living creature touches the instrument. The radiance fades and the instrument slowly settles to the ground.
This spell is the priest version of the ghost pipes spell presented in Pages from the Mages. This spell was originally created by Vangerdahast of Suzail, currently royal magician to King Azoun IV. It was made available through the Council of Mages. Royal scuttlebutt claims firmly that the august and puissant Vangerdahast is deeply embarrassed by this early attempt at spell research and would have banned it completely except that His Majesty enjoys the spell as a novelty. The throne room is often filled with an orchestra of levitating, glowly instruments. Finder Wyvernspur learned the spell some time ago and taught it to his bardic followers because of its occasional usefulness and to gently needle Vangerdahast. He has granted this parallel version to his priesthood.
5th Level
Melisander's Harp (Pr 5; Wiz 5; Alteration)
Sphere: Charm, Combat
Range: 10 feet/level
Components: V, S, M
Duration: 1 round/level
Casting Time: 8 (5)
Area of Effect: 60-foot radius
Saving Throw: Neg.
This spell creates the spectral, shadowy illusion floating in midair of a harp that plays by itself. The harp can appear anywhere the caster desires up to 10 feet per level distant. The caster has near total control over the initial position, movement, and playing of the harp. The powers of a harp cannot pass through magical barriers (such as a wall of force), and a spellcaster cannot cause the harp to come into being beyond or to move through such a barrier.
If the caster is within 10 feet per level of the harp, she or he can move it up to 10 feet per round as willed. This movement does not require the caster's constant attention, and the caster may take other actions while the harp plays.
The tune or tunes that the harp plays are the ones the caster listed in mind during the spellcasting, and the harp plays them in order at normal tempo, repeating them from the beginning of the list when it completes all tunes selected, until the spell's duration ends. The harp's playing can be turned on and off instantly and repeatedly by the silent will of the caster, and this does not affect spell duration. While the harp is playing, it has the following effects:
This spell is the priest version of the Melisander's harp spell presented in Pages from the Mages. The spell is named for its creator, the elf mage and Harper hero known to Realmslore as the Last Lonely Harper. Finder learned it and teaches it to his bardic followers, as well as granting its use to his church.
The material components of the spell are a silver harp string and at least three tears from an elf, a maiden who sings, a harpist (or other musician), or the caster. Tears from different individuals can be combined in the casting.
6th Level
Starharp (Pr 6; Wiz 6; Alteration, Necromancy)
Sphere: Healing, Protection
Range: 0
Components: V, S, M
Duration: 1 round/level
Casting Time: 9 (6)
Area of Effect: 2-foot/level diameter sphere
Saving Throw: None
Starharp creates a blue-white, glowing image of a harp floating in the air above the caster's head. The harp plays by itself, echoing and elaborating on whatever tune the caster sang or hummed during the casting, and emits little stars of twinkling radiance as it does so.
All creatures within a sphere 2 feet in diameter per level of the caster centered on the harp (an area of effect which moves with the caster) are instantly freed from any existing natural or magical pain, nausea, charm spells or effects, hold spells or effects, fear, stunning, and repulsion spell effects. These effects do not return after the starharp fades away. In addition, the caster may concentrate on any one being within a 2-foot-diamter sphere per level of himself or herself during spellcasting. That being is magically cured of 2d4 points of damage as soon as the starharp appears. If no being is chosen, this healing power is lost; it cannot be saved for later.
This spell cannot be disrupted by attacks against the caster or the harp image. Magical darkness of any sort cannot form or persist within the starharp's area of effect.
Once the spell is cast, the creator of a starharp is free to fight, sleep, cast spells, and engage in other activities without afecting the starharp. If the caster is slain, the starharp continues to function but turns blood-red in color, its tune becoming sad.
This spell is the priest version of the starharp spell presented in Halls of the High King. This powerful spell has been customarily known only to Harpers, in particular the traveling bards among them, but it is now known also to the clergy of Finder Wyvernspur.
The spell's material components are a tear from the caster and a tiny carved harp of wood, bone, or ivory.