Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Fraser1986 03-21-05, 11:39 AM	I'm currently thinking of playing a fighter bard who recites poetry and gives inspirational speaches instead of playing instruments. Since he doesnt need an instrument, can he recite his poetry while fighting?
Helmed Horror 03-21-05, 11:41 AM	hmmm I'm not sure if this is against the CoC or anything... If he is religous, Psalms from the bible work as good guidelines...just change them around to fit ur needs.
Thoronmir 03-21-05, 12:07 PM	I'm currently thinking of playing a fighter bard who recites poetry and gives inspirational speaches instead of playing instruments. Since he doesnt need an instrument, can he recite his poetry while fighting?If memory serves, there’s nothing in the RAW that requires that a Bard Concentrate in order to maintain his Inspire Courage ability. So, we’ve always ruled that, as long as his hands are free (i.e., he relies on Singing or Oratory/Poetry), a Bard can inspire his comrades while he fights. As was discussed in another thread, the “St. Crispin’s Day” speech from Henry V is a staple of such Bards (“… we few, we happy few. We band of brothers …”). I’ve also relied on Rudyard Kipling (he’s got plenty of good works about combat).
CzarGarrett 03-21-05, 12:49 PM	I think the Perform skill cannot be used in combat per se. Otherwise, who would ever use an instrument for Perform skills if you could just sing in battle? Plus, its often difficult to hear someone singing with a bit of noise in the background- imagine how hard it would be when there's swords hitting shields, flames from fireballs exploding, and screams from people/creatures as their intestines come spilling out.
Donraj 03-21-05, 01:20 PM	Plus, its often difficult to hear someone singing with a bit of noise in the background- imagine how hard it would be when there's swords hitting shields, flames from fireballs exploding, and screams from people/creatures as their intestines come spilling out. Couldn't the same be said of harps or any other musical instrument short of a drum? I think the Perform skill cannot be used in combat per se. Otherwise, who would ever use an instrument for Perform skills if you could just sing in battle? Would creating a custom feat to allow that balance it out?
Fraser1986 03-21-05, 01:47 PM	One disadvantage of singing/chanting etc is that there's no possibility of a masterwork bonus. That might balance it out a little. Another thing i was considering, are there any feats that allow you to cast spells in armour?
TinManFan 03-21-05, 02:13 PM	Well, bard has light armor w/o spellcasting penalties. Look in Complete Arcane for "Armored Spellcaster". It's a feat that allows you to up to the next level of armor w/o penalties to spellcasting. It does not, however, give you the proficiency in the armor, need a 2nd feat for that. As for singing/poetics. Yeah, you can use them. Heck, normal bards can, they just can't cast any spells w/ verbal componants (Which is their entire list BTW) while signing. Under the description of Bardic Music, it says they can't activate magic items by spell completion (Scrolls) or activate w/ command words (Wands/staves). So, you can fa la la la la all you want while swinging a sword. Thus why bards should get Perform: Instrument (to take advantages of Bonus + items) and Perform: Poetics.