Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Count_Chumleigh 04-19-07, 06:53 PM	So my group, growing tired of typical adventuring parties—as if there were such a thing—has decided to start a new campaign with a twist: our characters will be a literal band of heroes, and will tour the countryside in search of gold, groupies, and grimoires. Thing is, I don’t want to be a bard. We’ve already got two of them—an evangelist of the Silver Flame and a self-loathing half-orc bassist—and both players are going to have to take extreme care not to step on each other’s toes. So would any of you care to brainstorm with me about non-bard character types that could be in a travelling band of heroes? Off the top of my head, I think only the Monk, Rogue, and Swashbuckler have Perform as a class skill absent a feat, although a Druid with the Greensinger Initiate (perform is a class skill, and other things I forget) feat would be awesome. Any other ideas? Heck, not all the characters even have to be performers: any good travelling band needs roadies, and we're bound to hire some security goons besides. Any further thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks in advance, --Count Chumleigh P.S. I feel I should also mention that this is a somewhat large group—about seven people in all—playing an Eberron game. Non-evil alignments are preferred, but we have a standing rule that, so long as your character is a team player and doesn’t require any books the DM has not had the chance to peruse a physical copy of, it’s allowed.
Maekrix_Waere 04-19-07, 06:57 PM	and doesn’t require any books the DM has not had the chance to peruse a physical copy of, it’s allowed. What Books?
Count_Chumleigh 04-19-07, 07:09 PM	What Books? Between all of us, just about everything published by WotC except for Cityscape, Dungeonscape, Draconomicon, and Races of the Wild.
SanderJK 04-19-07, 08:52 PM	There are some drums in the MIC that help with forced marching/hustling distances, one idea might be to be a be a monk that plays those with his fists, and be the drummer. It seems fitting enough.
Nephlite 04-19-07, 09:07 PM	Off the top of my head, I think only the Monk, Rogue, and Swashbuckler have Perform as a class skill absent a feat, although a Druid with the Greensinger Initiate (perform is a class skill, and other things I forget) feat would be awesome. Any other ideas? Heck, not all the characters even have to be performers: any good travelling band needs roadies, and we're bound to hire some security goons besides. Any further thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks in advance, --Count Chumleigh P.S. I feel I should also mention that this is a somewhat large group—about seven people in all—playing an Eberron game. Non-evil alignments are preferred, but we have a standing rule that, so long as your character is a team player and doesn’t require any books the DM has not had the chance to peruse a physical copy of, it’s allowed. Marshal (2-4 level) dip than Ranger with Natural bond into Beastmaster. Marshal improves the whole group. Animals can do tricks while the band plays for extra awesomeness. I chose Ranger over Druid because than you don't have to care about nature, animals, etc and still get your abilities.
Pangeon 04-19-07, 09:29 PM	Play the Rogue lead singer who steals the show. :rolleyes:
Count_Chumleigh 04-19-07, 09:33 PM	There are some drums in the MIC that help with forced marching/hustling distances, one idea might be to be a be a monk that plays those with his fists, and be the drummer. It seems fitting enough. That sounds excellent. And here I was thinking the drummer would have to be a Ranger of some fashion (for the hitting two things at once schtick, which clearly requires Two-Weapon Fighting or its non-union substitute). I'm seeing a a dwarf monk drummer named Ognir in my head right now, and I like what I see. (Easy :cookie: for whoever gets the reference.) On the other hand ... Marshal (2-4 level) dip than Ranger with Natural bond into Beastmaster. Marshal improves the whole group. Animals can do tricks while the band plays for extra awesomeness. I chose Ranger over Druid because than you don't have to care about nature, animals, etc and still get your abilities. That sounds like an excellent idea for a kick-ass band manager character. Ack! Decisions! Cheers, --Count Chumleigh
bobothechimp 04-19-07, 09:34 PM	Orc/Ogre/Giant with bludgeoning weapons and a large steel shield. Play a gong.
Clawhound 04-19-07, 09:43 PM	All you need is enough Perform (whatever) to play backup. Give the leaders a +2 to their Perform checks. You don't need to be particularly good. Once you can afford a skill item, use it to pop up your playing skill. All you need is reliable +9. You could also be their "roadie" or their "manager".
daggeroflath 04-20-07, 12:46 AM	It just so happens, against all probability, that our group did the same thing not too long ago. It was about 50 sessions in before a dying/transcending to a higher plane of existance character was replaced by a bard. Until then we were just a mix of normal characters with the perform skill. We had a warmage lead guitarist, a shadowdancer bass player, a paladin saxophonist, a halfling druid cello player, a psionicist pianist, a mystic theurge singer, a sublime chord singer (replacement), an oneiromancer drummer and a sorcerer elvish battle-flute player. Very awesome game and now that the drummer is back in the country we can start playing again :D :D !
Reversefigure4 04-20-07, 01:27 AM	Don't worry about who's got Perform as a class skill, get creative! Keep in mind that Tumble and Sleight of Hand could both be used for entertainment purposes, along with skills like Profession: Dancer. A Monk or Fighter could perform feats of strength. A Wizard is his own pyrotechniques show. Druids and Rangers have performing animals.
danielinthewolvesden 04-20-07, 02:46 AM	Dragon Shaman. The auras will help a lot. Firebreathing is always a crowd pleaser.
Galahdeon 04-20-07, 05:02 AM	Your touring right so why not bring your own ride and whats better use the ride skill to impress your audience not to mentinon is your mount looks good then it make you look better. Lancer or cavaleir type, why walk when you can ride. not to mention having a lance and impailing badies on it can be impresive and using the lance for tricks can also be good. just like medival times, maybe get some people to serve food while your working.
spectralphoenix 04-20-07, 07:40 AM	How about an illusionist (either literally or a non-specialist who just happens to use a lot of illusions?) You can provide all the special effects or put on your own shows. And isn't there a Craft(Visual Arts) skill that fits the bill? Either that or Spellcraft would probably work for a "perform" check when you're using illusion magic.
mcnoo 04-20-07, 11:55 AM	A soulknife with a homebrew feat letting you make instruments in the place of weaponry perhaps. Maybe a hippie druid playing the sitar. What about an enchanter who doesn't actually play anything, but makes you THINK he does.