The Complete Bard

by Silver Dryad

Tools of the Trade

The best bard instrument is the one you started with. This instrument cannot be stolen even by death. Starting bard instruments are prized above all others, they work the same as one you can buy for 25 gold, but the life of a bard is not always easy. Shop vendors will not accidentally buy your starting equipment either, just do not set it on the open ground, because like all starting items, they decay quickly. The four types you can buy are Drum, Harp, Lute, and Tambourine. They can be bought from Carpenters, Tinkerers and sometimes Provisioners. You may also buy Standing Harps and tambourines with tassels from another player or vendor. To use any of the bard skills you will need one. Personally I like the tambourine for practicing, as it seems to annoy others less.

Musicianship

All Bards must have this skill, in fact I do not suggest taking up any of the other bard skills until you have become adept in playing instruments. All others skills check musicianship skill in addition to their own skill checks in determining success. The music of all instruments sounds better when your are successful too. To use the skill, simply play the instrument you started with. If you did not start with one, either buy one, or if you started in Yew go to the Winery and practice on the standing harp there. I have never seen anyone fail to produce good music on that magical harp. When practicing, make sure ye find a quiet place in town to practice away from people so as not to hurt their ears while ye are learning. There will be plenty of time later to show ye skill at the instrument.

Enticement

Enticement is the skill least used by bards, but it can be used to entice an animal or monster away from what it was doing. Once the creature comes over to you, you still have to deal with it. This skill can be useful when combined with animal taming or provocation. It can also be used to rescue fellow adventurers from some bad situations.

Peacemaking

This skill stops combat, all who hear the music stop combat, all attacks from creature or player must be declared again. With monsters this can be used to convince the monster to select a closer target. Many have tamed a beast only to find it go wild on them, peacekeeping can be used to still the rage of even a dragon. When used properly, it can duplicate the effects of enticement, and give you a chance to drink that much-needed potion, or apply that bandage in battle. No bard should be without this skill, and no adventuring party should be without a bard.

Provocation

This skill uses music to enrage a creature and direct its attacks where the bard wishes. A good skill suited for a solitary bard who would rather not fight the tough monster alone. If you really wish to control creatures, look into Animal Taming. This skill does work on creatures that can not be tamed though. With care its effects can be so subtle that people do not know it has been used.

Item Identification

This skill is added here, though not truly a bard skill. The bard travels a lot and comes in contact with many more people and items than most. When well done, a bard can spin a fireside tale about even the simplest of enchanted items. Lore about ancient magical items has long been the stock trade of a well-played bard. In an adventuring party, this skill can help get the bard accepted as an asset to the team. Ask any treasure hunter who he would team with, his answer would include a bard and even better one with item identification.

To View the Rest of The Handbooks Please Visit the West Yew University Tome[Atlantic].