Post/Author/DateTime	Post
DM_Greatness 07-29-06, 06:03 AM	This thread is about one DM (me) who would like to give a boost to one of his PC's. That PC is a bard, and I would like to see that boost come via the flavor of Bardic Music. I'm asking for helpful ideas from other DM's across the globe to help me expand on the following two concepts: #1 - Introduce the Bard PC to musical monsters, have fun & unique encounters, and allow the bard to copy some of the monster's musical effects. I would like to see non-standard fare encounters where my bard gets a chance to use the 'Countersong' ability. After the encounter, the bard PC might have a chance to learn that monster's musical form of attack I'm asking for help finding Musical Monsters (like the stayr and the harpy) from other sourcebooks. If you know of a monsters name and the source book they are in, please reply with that information in this thread. #2 - Introduce an expanded list of Bardic Music. There is so much potential here to really make the bard class exciting and fun. I'm disappointed that 3.5 didn't expand the list of Bardic Music. ATM, my Bard PC usually has Bardic Music left over at the end of the day. I would like to see that change. Here are some of my thoughts on expanding the bardic music list. Comments are invited: * Frighten * By using the Perform skill with a weapon, the bard can perform a very visual display of weapon spins, tricks, and prowess. This display of skill, while having no bearing in actual combat, gives the impression that the bard has mastered true weapon supremacy. Those that would oppose the bard must make a Will Save VS the Perform check or by shaken (fear effect out of the DMG = -2 to most checks except damage) * Astral Winds * After visiting the Astral Plane and listening to the soft sounds of the winds as they pass their breeze through the crystal fields that grow there, the bard can copy these soft sounds with a winded instrument. This music allows for clarity of thought, and allows allied characters to regain their Psionic Focus if they have it expended. * Angelic Chorus * From investing time with the church, learning the Celestral language, and assisting with their rites by providing chorus song, the Bard's inspiring music has granted her with the favor of the divine. By expending a Bardic Music, the Bard may heal her allies for an ammount equal to 1d4 + Charisma Modifier * Yell * Able to bring her powerful vocals into the fight, the Bard may explode out with a eruption of force and sound. By expending a Bardic Music as a swift action, the bard by inflict 1d4 + her charisma modifier to a target within short range. Of course, the bard cannot use any other spells or Bardic Music in that same round * Purge enchantment * As a full round action, the Bard can cycle through until she finds music that is in the same harmonics as an existing enchantment. Through the power of her music, she can then purge that enchantment. This would be treated just like a Dispel Magic, except that it could not be used to counterspell spells being cast, and the Bard would use her Perform check instead of the standard Dispel Magic roll. * Soldier's Cadence * Military style Cadence sung by the bard provides her allies with the desire to push on, regardless of pain and fatigue. With the same duration of the Inspire Courage ability, anyone under the effect of this Bardic Music my ignore the effects of pain and fatigue through the music's duration. Useful for forced marches and extended battles. * Deafing Blast * Using all the force she can muster, and by utiliting a wind instrument, the Bard may emit a cone shape blast of sound, causing all within the path to make a Fort save vs the Perform check or be struck deaf Any comments that you have on these are also welcome, as well as locations for already in print Bardic Music effects from other sourcebooks. Feel free to list any other nifty ideas you have for Bardic Music as well.
DM_Greatness 07-29-06, 07:00 AM	If this helps, here is the current style of my Campaign: - 25 pt buy - All human party - Core Rules + XPH only (with a blue moon spell or feat from other souces) - Low wealth, Low magic, bloody with a mind over sword style - 5th level party with a Bard 5, Cleric 5, Psychic Warrior 5 (Jedi style), and Barbarian 1/Ranger 4 - No prestige classes - Extra Music is not an allowed feat - Bard PC already makes good use of skills/spells/Alchemist Fire/Whip, enjoys playing the roll of the assister, and is likely to discover Firearms in future levels. Any boost of power that I would like to see to this PC would be through the Bardic Music ability
Lazzmaniandevil 07-29-06, 07:51 AM	Harpy's song Grig's fiddle Satyr's pipes Glaistig's song (MM3, effect similar to harpy) Knell beetle's bell chime (MM3, deals sonic damage) Night twist's song (MM3, crushing despair effect) Petal's songs (MM3, sleep and lullaby) Sussurus' drone song (MM3, rebuke undead) I didn't include screeches, howls and other "not-so-musical" effects... I think it could be a very cool concept for a bardic prestige class to be able to reproduce those musical effects...maybe also including the "not-so-musical" effects. Just imagine a very-high-level bard reproducing the wail of the banshee with his bardic music...
Lazzmaniandevil 07-29-06, 12:27 PM	I know you said no prestige class, but your concepts gave me an idea for a prestige class which I think could be good. If you want to take a look at it, just click here. (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?p=9710809#post9710809) It might give you some ideas that you could implement in your game. Anyway, since I sto.., :blush: :ahem: , I mean burrowed your concept, the least I can do is to tell you.... :D
DM_Greatness 07-30-06, 02:09 AM	That is a good start, Thanks Lazz! I know there are more creatures out there though with musical abilities. If I'm remembering correctly there should be a cricket type Deamon that plays demonic music by chirping its legs. I'm looking for the sourcebook now.
boozerker 07-30-06, 04:17 AM	Try The Enchiridion of Mystic Music from rpgnow.com, it'll probably give you lots of ideas and there's a 74 page free demo. And also very good is The Book of Eldritch Might II: Songs and Souls of Power from montecook.com website. It has a spellsongs concept for bards, and other great stuff.
Szat 07-30-06, 03:57 PM	It sounds like a nifty addition. However, it also sounds like it requires a lot of work to implement and has potential for open ended power. Rather than boosting the Bard's power, why not add the "sounds of other creatures" thing as fluff and give him the bonus uses of Bardic Music. The Soldier's Cadence and whatnot. There are some interesting mechanics here but it sounds like it would be better suited for a Prestige Class. Give it spellcasting progression and enlish the aide of the Bard's player to help you craft it. Just a thought.
DM_Greatness 08-02-06, 11:38 PM	Bumping my own thread Too bad that everyone on these forums are too gay, and too caught up in there catfolk divine souls, their katanas, their level 40 wizard/maids, and their level 24 frenzied berserkers running around the wilds with their +5 weapons to provide any feedback for the greatest and most noble classes of all the core rules: The low level human bard!
Rhuxley 08-03-06, 12:14 AM	i would apreciate if in the future you abstained from using homosexuality as a slur. thank you
DM_Greatness 08-03-06, 12:20 AM	i would apreciate if in the future you abstained from using homosexuality as a slur. thank you What? Gay = happy At least, that is what it meant last time I looked it up. Ever hear of the Flintstones, where they all have a gay ole time? And the Flintstones are a very strong heterosexual family that the mighty US nation grew up with. I fail to see your problem. Now don't you have some purple pants, or Will & Grace to watch on TIVO, or something? Oh, and thanks for reading my thread, and providing useful feedback.
Szat 08-03-06, 02:40 AM	Yeah except promoting valid response by verbally assaulting the members of these boards isn't exactly productive. And you definately didn't use the term to mean happy, it was used in a derogatory fashion...