Greetings-
Some months back, I posted about making a profession of bards who use Channeling instead of Mentalism (http://www.ironcrown.com/ICEforums/index.php?topic=17828.msg215634#msg215634). I've been play testing one in my campaign, and we've found a weakness. While they're supposed to be focused on battle, when they sing a song/spell, the concentration it requires shuts the player out of further play. Yes, the character still gets 50% activity, but that's not enough to allow a 1st-5th level character to do much after they take 3 rounds to cast a spell, then have to concentrate to keep it working.
To mitigate this I've drafted another spell. It sort of bends around existing mechanics, in a sort of rule-lawyer way, and I'm a bit concerned about play balance. I'm posting the description below, and welcome any feedback on dangers or flaws you see. I'm currently considering it a 1st level spell - that may seem too low, but consider all of the spell's limitations before you target that particular point. There are probably other class specific points that will come up, but I'd rather respond with them, than post a long summary of the class right here/now.
The spell is part of a list called "Hero's Songs," which allows the caster to enhance someone's OB, AT, or resistance to stun effects. A dzos is the battle spirit the bard gets its Channeling power from:
Echoing Dzos: This spell allows an active Hero’s Song spell to continue as though the bard were concentrating on it. The Song must have been sung (in concentration) at least as many rounds as the Song’s level, and it must have been in effect during the round before Echoing Dzos is cast. In the round this spell is cast, the bard must also successfully enter a frenzy. Thereafter, the Song will persist as long as the bard is frenzied and engaged in melee. (Moving to close with an identified target can qualify as engaged in melee.)