So I quickly finished up my character. Fynkirk Greenhill is the little halfling's name. Arrived (didn't get lost!) on time. Met the guys (good group of guys by the way). And started playing. It should not have been an auspicious sign that someone made the reference "Hide behind the mound of dead bards," early on. ... *dun dun duuuuuun*

First encounter, the druid and I were alone and ran across two baddies. After a failed bluff attempt, combat ensued. The druid: wild shape into a bear. The halfling bard whipped out ... bardic performance. One was fascinated. Alright, the bard earns his keep. The rest of the party shows up, wonders where the druid is and why this bear that is only attacking those opposed to the group. No one asks my character so I didn't volunteer. It was much more fun to just watch what happens. The two baddies die quickly and now ones show up from two different directions. The bard casts charm person on the first one coming from one direction and I tell him to just not let anyone else in here. So the bard again controls the battlefield by keeping enemies at bay from one direction.

Again the bard casts hold person and hideous laughter. Despite not having access to 3rd level spells like the druid and cleric in the group, the bard holds its own. Later Fynkirk fires off an arrow. He would not have hit if it were not for the +2 from inspiring courage he was singing. So far the bard is performing exceptionally well.

We make our way downstairs where we're in a "lovely room of death" as ace ventura would put it. We open a door and spring a trap that releases poison gas into the air. Everyone saves, except the bard. Drat! Loses 3 wisdom. Ouch. He keeps failing his saves until losing all his wisdom. That's right, a 0 wisdom! Finally made the save to keep from going negatives. Mind you, full hit points, but out cold. Fortunately, I can get a lesser restoration, but for the next 24 hours, I'm going to be worthless. The group decides to do 1 more rooms, with me tied to the back of the bear (who is wearing a mask they found). The room is teaming with baddies, but a single fireball (and a whole mess of failed saves) take out all but two. The group finishes them off from there and call it a night.

Overall, the bard performed exceptionally well. Staying in the back helped significantly. The only thing I have that is within melee range to do is use a dagger and with a -2 strength penalty, I'm not going to rush in. He fell prey to a classic weakness of the class, but he will recover with the aid of the group. So far, the bard is a wonderful asset to a group and is alot of fun to play.

Dale McCoy is President of Jon Brazer Enterprises. Visit our website to find out about our upcoming Pathfinder Compatable product: Book of the Faithful: The Power of Prayer.

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