Basic Fantasy RPG Forums

Whatever happed to work on a Bard/Performer for BFRPG?!?!

Just wondering... because I do a rather nature/fey/cutsie sort of game for my kids and I think it would fit in well instead of actual Thief class (at least for the kid's game). If something has been developed (even incompletely) please share what you have. I may cobble together some of the offerings into something usable for my kids.

My personal ideas for the Bard is an essentially non-magical performer, but having some effects that might (at least mechanically) be like magic. Charm/Persuasion, a few abilities working like thief, ability to combo-class it with MU or even Cleric/Druid to approximate 1e/2e bards. This was all covered before in another thread (perhaps at DF).

Took me a little while to locate it but here is the thread from DF discussing the Bard. Loads of great ideas there, even a few write-ups of bards.

http://www.dragonsfoot.org/forums/viewt ... 42&t=40950

Everyone is so quiet this week. Anyone with any fresh Bard ideas to share?

My ideas for bards are weird... so I don't think you'd care for 'em.

I like the idea of magical music. Mostly support abilities. Inspiration for basic bonuses. Counter Song for dispelling magic. Songs for making allies move faster. Mass minor healing. Towards higher levels, the ability to cause the recently deceased to rise up temporarily and fight for the part. Songs that keep the dying from succumbing to their wounds so they can finish the fight.

Cool stuff like that.

MacLeod wrote:My ideas for bards are weird... so I don't think you'd care for 'em.

I like the idea of magical music. Mostly support abilities. Inspiration for basic bonuses. Counter Song for dispelling magic. Songs for making allies move faster. Mass minor healing. Towards higher levels, the ability to cause the recently deceased to rise up temporarily and fight for the part. Songs that keep the dying from succumbing to their wounds so they can finish the fight.

Cool stuff like that.

I don't find that weird. Many people who want their game to be high fantasy/magic would want it done that way...

... but, I tend to have fairly low/medium magic in my games, especially for low level characters (which is the norm for us). I like a non-magic skill centered (like other thieves) sort of Bard.

I play a game with very young players, so having a roguish sort of character would help the party, but I am trying to stay away from Thief as a larcenous sort of bad guy. The campaign is rather cutsie and elf/fey/faun/hobbit centered, save the princess sort of game. The kids just don't get the idea of adventurer who steals being 'part of the good guys'. The Assassin is no good, and the Jester is kinda odd as an adventurer. I think a Bard/Performer sort would fit the group better than anything else.

Including Bards in Combo-Class would be the way to add magic to them, whether combo'd with Druid, MU, or even Cleric or Illusionist. I have in mind to allow a few Bard Spells to be added to spell lists regardless of the combo class choice. These spells would not be available to single-classed spell casters - giving them a unique spin.