Perform and Bardic Music

The concept of bardic music strikes me as odd sometimes. I can see how a warlike chant is applicable on the battlefield, but some things, like Inspire Competence, make me think of rediculous things like Elan singing "Eat, Eat, Eat the delicious sandwitch" (For those of you who don't get that, check out Order of the Stick.)

But in the end, it makes some sort of sense. Music has a profound impact on people, and can inspire them to do amazing things. Fantastic. Whatevah.

But here's my thing. What about perform types that aren't, well....music? Since the advent of 3.5, you don't simply gain a proficiency in a new type of perform for every rank you spend on it. So what about those bards who aren't musically gifted? Those who decide to persue perform Act, Comedy, or Dance? If it isn't rediculous enough to have someone sing a song to grant special sandwitch-eating abilities, imagine having the group bard with maxed ranks in Perform(Act). Players are inspired to mighty Courage by the intrepid act of....Mime! Oh, ye gads...he's climbing an invisible rope!! +2 to attack and damage everyone!

Don't get me wrong, I'm a huge fan of bards. But even with 15 ranks in Perform(Dance), the Shuffle off to Buffalo doesn't exactly get the battle rage brewing. Especially since one of the prerequisites of BM is that you have to be able to hear the bard.

What do you do? Do you ignore these types of Perform or do you allow bards with Perform(Comedy) to do stand-up in battle? Yes, I realize this is Bardic Music, sound is implied in the name. But if that's the case, why have non-musical perform types at all?

Xath said:

Do you ignore these types of Perform or do you allow bards with Perform(Comedy) to do stand-up in battle? Yes, I realize this is Bardic Music, sound is implied in the name. But if that's the case, why have non-musical perform types at all?

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We just stick with music.

I tend to agree. Perform is a nutty little skill as written.

Personally, I don't like the stereotype of bard as musician, but that's just because I've seen it too often.

I play a bard who is an author of pennydreadfuls and likes to tell stories. She is not musical in the least and her only perform skill is in storytelling. She is based on (the character of) Chaucer from A Knight's Tale and inspires her comrades by explaining in a loud voice how wonderful they are and telling their great deeds and skills. It sounds silly, but if you've seen the movie, it's actually pretty funny and cool.

I could see a bard with perform (comedy) maybe taunting his opponent; the effect is akin to putting his allies at ease and making the foes seem lowly, thus giving them the granted bonus.

Other type get a little more difficult, but not impossible to use:

Mime - annoy opponents so that they become reckless and distracted; seriously, though, the bard could mime the actions she wants the party to do well (strike a mighty blow with a sword, pick a lock successfully, etc.)
Actor - recite monologues from famous plays that are encouraging and inspiring
Poetry - recite epic poems about famous heroes, battles or the exploits of your friends; write and recite inspiring haiku on the fly
Dance - maybe this is something more like a martial arts kata than ballet or break dancing. The bard performs the kata and maybe she goes into a trance-like state that allows her consciousness to aid her allies and focus their attention. Or maybe the kata reminds the various members of the bard's party how to work together or coordinate their movements

These are two seperate things. Yes, Barid Music has to be singing or instrumental of some sort. I guess spoken word, poetry, or something else that is verbal could work. But perform comedy probably doesn't but that won't make it any less enjoyible fora bard. What there really should be is different forms of Bardic Music ability to apply to the different types of the perform skill. Just another way that Wizards has failed the bard.

I say all this having never played a bard only seeing bards in action

I think it may depend greatly on what you are trying to acheive and where you are trying to achieve it.

In the midst of battle, you want your allies able to concentrate on thier foes. Thus music. You can hear and be inspired, but you don't have to look away from a combatant as with someone dancing. Also, music is very adaptable to different feels again with only needing the person to hear it.

As with your comedic standup I think I just lump all vocals under perform 'music.' You are using words in both cases just one has a nifty tune aded in and anoth is just the tune and tone of the voice alone.

There is a reason warriors of old went into battle with a certain cry upon thier lips.

If you are trying to inspire someone to drink or eat more maybe a dance would work better don't see why not...? I'd think the vocals do lend more help in battles however then dance- again for the reason of distraction....

As for why have other types of perform for those who like to waste skill points for purely RP purposes.

Bardic Music can only be accomplished with some kind of vocal performance, so Perform (Dance) is ineffective, though Perform (Comedy) or Perform (Ballad) could be just fine. It's important to remember that Bardic Music is a magical effect. The music itself is not solely responsible for the effect, but rather is a channel for the bard's magical power.

I dig the story-telling bard. If I ever played, and assuming that, played a bard, that's how I would do it.

Don't you think Perform (Oratory) or Perform (Acting) are valid ways to bolster the troops? Couldn't Perform (Comedy) or Perform (Dance) be used to fascinate or suggestion an audiance? Is this any weirder than Perform (stringed instrument) enabling someone to pick a lock better? I invoke hong's rule. Don't overthink it.

A bard in my current group does a good job matching up the various Performs with the effect he is trying to achieve in a given situation. Inspire Courage is usually a song, but often a story. Fascinate is sometimes pratfalls and buffoonery, but it also may be a comedic tale. Since he spreads his skill points thinner by not simply focusing on Perform(Musical Instrument) I generally give him a (behind-the-DM-screen) break on "Bardic Music" dice rolls to reward his attempt to broaden his class.

His attempt to diversify came in handly when I gave him a finely crafted masterwork bardic instrument in one adventure, only to have an NPC steal it away from him the next session. Even without an instrument to play, he remained an effective bard.

There are two aspects to consider: 1. The roleplaying details, and 2. the game mechanics effect.

Most of the silly arguments trying to pigeonhole bardic abilities into a musical performance get stuck on the first aspect. But, really, is it all that important to imagine someone singing to cast what is effectively a spell? Traditionally, I guess, sure. (shrug) But that's completely unnecessary if you keep your mind open to the second aspect noted above. As long as the bard does *something* as a trigger, then who really cares if he can carry a tune?

Personally, I lean toward a juggling bard. He's gotta toss certain items in certain patterns to weave the appropriate effect. (Gives a nice angle to play off his knife-throwing combat skills, too.)