Post/Author/DateTime	Post
arrisnyte 04-24-06, 04:18 PM	Looking for a hand here. I have a player who wants to play a BArd in an upcoming game, but doesn't want to have Spellcasting (PArt of her backstory). I have no problem with allowing a VAriant, but what would be a suitable and fairthing to give her in return for the BArd's Spellcasting?
RaspK FOG 04-25-06, 02:46 AM	I could send you an email of the free setting download from Athas.org, since it seems it's down for some reason right now... The bard there is more of a smuggler/poison user, and the only alchemist in the setting: yup, the requirement there is not being a spellcaster but a bard instead!!
Seldriss 04-26-06, 01:32 PM	Well... I assume that if your player doesn't want to cast spells, she must have a good reason for that. Either a deliberate choice of the player (not to bother about magic) or a roleplaying/background reason. So that's what you have to consider. You should ask to your player why he/she made this decision. And what is the main concept of the character. According to that, you can develop a variant to fit the character. Courtisan Bard This version is a courtier, a gallant, a seducer, living among the nobility and rich people, using his charms and wits to benefit from their power and fortune. He receives a +2 bonus to Knowledge/Local and Knowledge/Nobility. Silvertongue : He can add his level as a modifier to his Diplomacy checks when in his court environment. Erudite Bard The character gets not only all knowledge skills as class-skills, but can use them with a base 10. For each bard level, the player chooses a knowledge skill and adds his/her level as a modifier, in the same way than Legend Lore). Merchant Bard This version is more oriented into city life, guild interactions, politics and business. The character receives a +2 bonus in Appraise, Diplomacy and Profession/Merchant. Business Empathy : He can add his level as a modifier to all business negociations (Diplomacy). Nature Bard Through a deep connection with nature, the Bard receives a +2 bonus to Knowledge/Nature and Survival. She also receives Anmal Empathy, as a Ranger. Spy Bard Using knowledge, stealth and skill, the shadowbard is an investigation specialist. He is a stealer of secrets, an invisible messenger. He receives 8 skill points per level, instead of 6. He can add his bard level to his Gather Information and Knowledge/Local checks. Skald Bard This version is dedicated to support his people and companions, through his inspiring tales, songs and warcries. The character receives +2 to Knowledge/Local and Knowledge/History. He can use his Music abilities once per day + his level + his Charisma modifier. If you consider this is not enough compensation for the lack of spells, you can give the character one extra feat per theorical spell he should attain. Of course, there are many other possibilities. If your player's bard doesn't fit any of the above, you can come up with something else (if i can help, let me know)... Good luck to both of you.
FlameLover 04-26-06, 10:56 PM	Just getting a bonus feat at levels 1, 4, 7, 10, 13, 16 and 19 would do. All of those levels except 1 are empty of new features so it'll make the class feel "smoother" in progression. 7 bonus feats for 7 levels of spell casting loss seems about equal to me. You could allow any feat to be chosen, or only those with the Bardic descriptor and some others you choose (such as Weapon Finesse, Negotiator, etc.)
EvilVegan 04-26-06, 11:27 PM	The feat idea isn't a bad one, but what about just playing a marshall? All of the buff, none of the fluff.