Help making a cool bard! [Archive] - Wizards Community

Help making a cool bard! [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Mr_MojoRisin
12-02-03, 12:11 PM I'm new, so be gentle.

I want to make a human bard, so he's always gonna be having musical instruments on him, he shouldnt need a particular one right? I can pick just about any? I'm thinking a guitar slung over his back, light sword at his side, and like a harmonica or ocarina or something in a pouch across his chest.

I don't know anything about my DMs story, so what should I do about creating a character's past? Where does what I make cross over into what he's working on? I guess I'm going to have to speak with him on that one, but what would be a cool past for him? I think hes going to be early 30's perhaps, maybe late 20's.

If you can think of Bard's you've played in the past and have used cooler instruments or had interesting personalities, speak up. Thanks!
Kalanth
12-02-03, 12:19 PM It may sound a bit strange, but if you go guitar, check with the DM to make sure it was inveted. I think a great bard character is to modle something after the Mariachy (sp) from the Once Apon a Time in Mexico series (the rest of the names slip my mind). That is a great example of a bard that really can kick butt.

As with the weapon, I would do something different than the longsword (to traditional). You are going bard, so go a bit more creative with the weapon. Maybe a Flachion, or a Halbred. Just something that would fit the personality of your character.
Mr_MojoRisin
12-02-03, 12:24 PM I'll ask him, I don't mean like a full blown guitar as in Desperado or Once upon a time, example could be the bard character in the players handbook, his is sort of oaky-windy made from an old tree, the strings arent very even, that sort of thing. I don't want a longsword for that reason, its too normal. I think a falchion or rapier would be perfect.

Any advice on stats or skills?
Ithilorien
12-02-03, 12:38 PM Bards need charisma, intelligence, and dexterity most although negative modifiers for strength and constitution are bad. Wisdom is your only real dump stat.

Late 20s/mid 30s is a bit old for a starting character in D&D, usually a human adventurer will be 16-22 at first level.

As for the instrument I believe a lute or mandolin is what you want, they're the most guitar-like of medieval instruments.

As for the backstory, my DM (and I think most) always gives the players free reign over their own character's story, then weaves it into the campaign as much as they see fit. Your DM may have a different approach, though, so it's best to ask first.
Mr_MojoRisin
12-02-03, 12:44 PM Ok, I'll make him younger, not 16 though, 16 year olds are annoying, 22 sounds fine. I want him to be a good fighter but not so much that i completely ignore being a bard (otherwise id just be a fighter...)
Kalanth
12-02-03, 12:50 PM Make sure you have at least a 12 in strength then. This will allow you to make up for the 0 BAB at first level then. If you really want to be a good fighter, however, I suggest a high dex and weapon finese. This fits a Bard a lot more than strength and such. What about the personality? How is this character going to be portrayed?
Mr_MojoRisin
12-02-03, 01:05 PM That bit takes a great deal of time. Its easy enough to decide "Alright, he will be a decent fighter and a poet at the same time" Those are important. So I have to craft a character that fits that criteria.

To avoid cliche' I must move past the Mariachi character (Once upon a time in Mexico) even though thats the template. I need something new to bring to the table. Perhaps I should tell you about the party.

We're all basically new to the game, well, we've been playing for about a year, but some of you guys have been rolling dice before I was born (in 85). We arent going to be slaying dragons any time soon or taking over the world, so Im going to make an average character, a bard. The party is really small, just two PCs, one DM. This is the DMs first campaign (I usually am our DM, but when our other PC decided to call it quits we are trying something new).

I don't know what my friend will play as, I havent told him what I'm going to do either, this is all just starting so we have some time to work these problems out.

You know what would be kind of cool actually? If I convinced the DM to let the two of us play as an apprentice/master pair. One of us plays the master, he will be several levels higher than the apprentice, and the two go around doing stuff to better themselves as Bards. Would another class work better for this? It reminds me of Jedi training...
Serene Selene
12-02-03, 01:31 PM If you can think of Bard's you've played in the past and have used cooler instruments or had interesting personalities, speak up. Thanks!

I've been thinking of creating a bard who reads poetry and makes speeches instead of diddling away on a harp for her bardic music/spells.
Kalanth
12-02-03, 02:35 PM Originally posted by Serene Selene
I've been thinking of creating a bard who reads poetry and makes speeches instead of diddling away on a harp for her bardic music/spells.

In my last campaign that I ran, one of the players had a bard that told jokes and heckled people, thats how he cast his spells as well. Very interesting concept, and fun to be around.
TheMightyMcClaw
12-02-03, 10:56 PM One concept I came across, if you want to make a slightly different bard....
Rather than playing a wandering ministrel type, try an old sea dog. Bardic knowledge is the perfect skill to represent the amount of miscelaneous lore sailors pick up, and bards, I believe, are the only class that gets speak language as a class skill. For perform, rather than playing an instrument, take Storytelling. What old sailor doesn't know a few captivating yarns?
Spells could work as old nautical superstitions, and shouldn't be the main focus of the character. Take good physical stats, and less than the usually high charisma.
It could be fun, as a change of pace.
Morka
12-04-03, 10:33 AM Originally posted by Mr_MojoRisin

You know what would be kind of cool actually? If I convinced the DM to let the two of us play as an apprentice/master pair. One of us plays the master, he will be several levels higher than the apprentice, and the two go around doing stuff to better themselves as Bards. Would another class work better for this? It reminds me of Jedi training...

I suggest you to be 2 apprentice PCs, while the DM create an NPC mentor for both. Because if you have a PC level 8 and another one level 2, fights shall be either too easy for the lvl 8, or too hard for the lvl 2. This NPC could be a high level character, with many knowledges, but with some physical handicap, so he can just yell at you: "Strike harder! Be more fluid!"

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Mr_MojoRisin 12-02-03, 12:11 PM	I'm new, so be gentle. I want to make a human bard, so he's always gonna be having musical instruments on him, he shouldnt need a particular one right? I can pick just about any? I'm thinking a guitar slung over his back, light sword at his side, and like a harmonica or ocarina or something in a pouch across his chest. I don't know anything about my DMs story, so what should I do about creating a character's past? Where does what I make cross over into what he's working on? I guess I'm going to have to speak with him on that one, but what would be a cool past for him? I think hes going to be early 30's perhaps, maybe late 20's. If you can think of Bard's you've played in the past and have used cooler instruments or had interesting personalities, speak up. Thanks!
Kalanth 12-02-03, 12:19 PM	It may sound a bit strange, but if you go guitar, check with the DM to make sure it was inveted. I think a great bard character is to modle something after the Mariachy (sp) from the Once Apon a Time in Mexico series (the rest of the names slip my mind). That is a great example of a bard that really can kick butt. As with the weapon, I would do something different than the longsword (to traditional). You are going bard, so go a bit more creative with the weapon. Maybe a Flachion, or a Halbred. Just something that would fit the personality of your character.
Mr_MojoRisin 12-02-03, 12:24 PM	I'll ask him, I don't mean like a full blown guitar as in Desperado or Once upon a time, example could be the bard character in the players handbook, his is sort of oaky-windy made from an old tree, the strings arent very even, that sort of thing. I don't want a longsword for that reason, its too normal. I think a falchion or rapier would be perfect. Any advice on stats or skills?
Ithilorien 12-02-03, 12:38 PM	Bards need charisma, intelligence, and dexterity most although negative modifiers for strength and constitution are bad. Wisdom is your only real dump stat. Late 20s/mid 30s is a bit old for a starting character in D&D, usually a human adventurer will be 16-22 at first level. As for the instrument I believe a lute or mandolin is what you want, they're the most guitar-like of medieval instruments. As for the backstory, my DM (and I think most) always gives the players free reign over their own character's story, then weaves it into the campaign as much as they see fit. Your DM may have a different approach, though, so it's best to ask first.
Mr_MojoRisin 12-02-03, 12:44 PM	Ok, I'll make him younger, not 16 though, 16 year olds are annoying, 22 sounds fine. I want him to be a good fighter but not so much that i completely ignore being a bard (otherwise id just be a fighter...)
Kalanth 12-02-03, 12:50 PM	Make sure you have at least a 12 in strength then. This will allow you to make up for the 0 BAB at first level then. If you really want to be a good fighter, however, I suggest a high dex and weapon finese. This fits a Bard a lot more than strength and such. What about the personality? How is this character going to be portrayed?
Mr_MojoRisin 12-02-03, 01:05 PM	That bit takes a great deal of time. Its easy enough to decide "Alright, he will be a decent fighter and a poet at the same time" Those are important. So I have to craft a character that fits that criteria. To avoid cliche' I must move past the Mariachi character (Once upon a time in Mexico) even though thats the template. I need something new to bring to the table. Perhaps I should tell you about the party. We're all basically new to the game, well, we've been playing for about a year, but some of you guys have been rolling dice before I was born (in 85). We arent going to be slaying dragons any time soon or taking over the world, so Im going to make an average character, a bard. The party is really small, just two PCs, one DM. This is the DMs first campaign (I usually am our DM, but when our other PC decided to call it quits we are trying something new). I don't know what my friend will play as, I havent told him what I'm going to do either, this is all just starting so we have some time to work these problems out. You know what would be kind of cool actually? If I convinced the DM to let the two of us play as an apprentice/master pair. One of us plays the master, he will be several levels higher than the apprentice, and the two go around doing stuff to better themselves as Bards. Would another class work better for this? It reminds me of Jedi training...
Serene Selene 12-02-03, 01:31 PM	If you can think of Bard's you've played in the past and have used cooler instruments or had interesting personalities, speak up. Thanks! I've been thinking of creating a bard who reads poetry and makes speeches instead of diddling away on a harp for her bardic music/spells.
Kalanth 12-02-03, 02:35 PM	Originally posted by Serene Selene I've been thinking of creating a bard who reads poetry and makes speeches instead of diddling away on a harp for her bardic music/spells. In my last campaign that I ran, one of the players had a bard that told jokes and heckled people, thats how he cast his spells as well. Very interesting concept, and fun to be around.
TheMightyMcClaw 12-02-03, 10:56 PM	One concept I came across, if you want to make a slightly different bard.... Rather than playing a wandering ministrel type, try an old sea dog. Bardic knowledge is the perfect skill to represent the amount of miscelaneous lore sailors pick up, and bards, I believe, are the only class that gets speak language as a class skill. For perform, rather than playing an instrument, take Storytelling. What old sailor doesn't know a few captivating yarns? Spells could work as old nautical superstitions, and shouldn't be the main focus of the character. Take good physical stats, and less than the usually high charisma. It could be fun, as a change of pace.
Morka 12-04-03, 10:33 AM	Originally posted by Mr_MojoRisin You know what would be kind of cool actually? If I convinced the DM to let the two of us play as an apprentice/master pair. One of us plays the master, he will be several levels higher than the apprentice, and the two go around doing stuff to better themselves as Bards. Would another class work better for this? It reminds me of Jedi training... I suggest you to be 2 apprentice PCs, while the DM create an NPC mentor for both. Because if you have a PC level 8 and another one level 2, fights shall be either too easy for the lvl 8, or too hard for the lvl 2. This NPC could be a high level character, with many knowledges, but with some physical handicap, so he can just yell at you: "Strike harder! Be more fluid!"