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New 4E Class: The Roadie

I was flipping through the PHB2 the other day and I suddenly realized, there’s no one to carry the bard’s equipment! What self-respecting rock star would schlep around their own inventory?! No one, that’s who! With that in mind, I give you the 4E Roadie (this is a work in progress).

ROADIE

“The hum of the mandolin.
The crash of the tambourine.
The bard needs a coffee.”

CLASS TRAITS

Role: Defender. You are used and abused but have the uncanny ability of stopping foes in their tracks.
Power Source: Martial. Your three hours of karate class make you a formidable opponent.
Key Abilities: Strength, Constitution, Charisma
Armor Proficiencies: Cloth, leather, chainmail
Weapon Proficiencies: Dagger, club, improvised melee weapons, unarmed attack
Implements: Alcohol, musical instruments
Bonus to Defense: +1 Fortitude, +1 Will
Hit Points at 1st Level: 15 + Constitution score
Hit Points per Level Gained: 8
Healing Surges per Day: 12 + Constitution modifier

Trained Skills: Endurance. From the class skills list below, choose two more trained skills at 1st level. Class Skills: Athletics (Str), Bluff (Cha), Intimidate (Cha), Streetwise (Cha)

Class Features: Armor of Funk, I’m with the band, Oh no you don’t, Rage of Denial

Roadies. What would the bards do without roadies? Nothing! That’s what they’d do. While the bard may be the frontman, the roadie works behind the scenes to make sure all bard performances go off without a hitch.

When the bard pulls out a lute to mock her opponent by quickly creating a bawdy limerick, who do you think makes sure the lute is tuned?

When the bard plays his harp in such a manner that women throw their undergarments at him, who do you think gathers them up?

When a crazed fan rushes the bard to either get an autograph or stab him, who do you think takes the nutjob down?

When a groupie wants to meet the bard, who do you think sacrifices themselves by making the groupie “go through me first?”

The roadie, that’s who. From tuning instruments to fetching refreshments, roadies do it all. Literally.

ROADIE CLASS FEATURES

Roadies have the following class features.

Armor of Funk

With all the preparation necessary to support the bard, the roadie rarely has time to bathe. For every one week that passes since the roadie’s last bath, you gain a +2 bonus to AC since no one really wants to be around you.

I’m With the Band

Roadies are adept at dealing with bard groupies. You gain the I’m with the band power.

Lone Bodyguard

Roadies can stop even the craziest of fans from reaching the bard. You gain the lone bodyguard power.

Rage of Denial

While roadie is a respectable job, there are those who don’t fully understand what it is you do. Any time someone refers to you as either a “lackey” or a “henchman,” you fly into a salivating rage. You gain a +2 to Strength, a +2 to Constitution, and a -2 to Charisma for a number of rounds equal to your Roadie class levels plus your new Charisma modifier.

Roadie Talent

Bards need, and deserve, to be pampered. Instruments need to be prepped, voices need to be cared for, ego need to be soothed, etc. Choose one of the following options.

Brewing Talent: Once per round, if the bard fails to damage an enemy, you can, as a free action, slide a number of squares necessary to stand next to the bard and sooth his fragile ego with a nice cup of tea.

Tuning Talent: Once per round, if the bard fails to damage an enemy when using an instrument, you can, as a free action, slide a number of squares necessary to stand next to the bard. You immediately start tuning the instrument while being verbally abused by the humiliated bard.

IMPLEMENTS

You are adept at using all musical instruments. In a matter of seconds, you can make even the most out-of-tune mandolin sing like a Deva. You are also a master of using alcohol to your advantage. Roadies who eventually becomes bards themselves, unlikely but not unheard of, continue to use the musical instruments they so willingly tuned and cared for.

CREATING A ROADIE

When creating a roadie, you must keep in mind the roadies age. Young roadies are typically wide-eyed and naïve, ready to tackle any obstacle the bard puts in their way. Jaded veterans, however, are typically just going through the motions as their spirit was broken a long time ago.

Naïve Roadie

Your heroes are bards. They have hundreds of adoring fans, live wild lifestyles, and you want to be one of them. Your highest ability should be Constitution, as you’ll be expected to take a lot of damage in the name of the bard. You’ll also need Strength to tote around all of the bard’s equipment. Charisma will help when dealing with fans.
Suggested Class Feature: Tuning Talent
Suggested Feat: Defensive Mobility
Suggested Skills: Athletics, Endurance, Intimidate

Jaded Veteran

Your heroes used to be bards. Once a naïve roadie, you have come to accept your fate in life. Charisma should be your highest ability, since you’re good at spotting any BS that comes your way. Your Constitution should be high because it will take every ounce of inner strength to continue through your existence. A high Strength will help but every day reminds you that you’re not as strong as you used to be.
Suggested Class Feature: Brewing Talent
Suggested Feat: Durable
Suggested Skills: Bluff, Endurance, Streetwise

ROADIE POWERS

Your powers are typically supportive in nature. Your entire worth is usually dependent upon the effectiveness of the bard.

Class Features

Each roadie has the powers I’m with the band and lone bodyguard.

I’m With the Band – Roadie Feature
You are adept at talking to fans of the bard in order to separate the “good ones” from the “bad ones”
Encounter • Implement
Minor Action
Close burst 1
Target: One creature
Attack: Charisma vs. Will
Effect: You gain a +5 bonus to the next Intimidate or Bluff check you make before the end of your next turn.

Lone Bodyguard – Roadie Feature
You are willing to sacrifice your body for the good of the bard
Encounter • Implement (Alcohol)
Minor Action
Melee implement
Target: One creature
Attack: Charisma vs. Will
Effect: You can slide a number of squares equal to your Charisma modifier and force the enemy to attack you instead of the bard.