the importance of music and story-telling in a fantasy-setting.

the importance of music and story-telling in a fantasy-medival setting.

i am figuring that most medival settings were heavily dependant on music and story-telling as a form of entertainment (other than your usual hangings, executions etc). in a fantasy setting, it would be just as important.

now my question is, would most characters have at least some training in a performance type skill because of this? i mean, those long nights and time spent camping wasn't just spent doing training, mending, etc (and get your mind outta the gutter here.... ) and what would be the most common instrument carried, other than voice and two rocks to beat together for a beat?

I think most people would now songs and tales, just like today, most people know the hit of the moment.
I still wouldn't give most people today ranks in perform, and I wouldn't give characters extra ranks in it. They might be able to share a story, or sing at the camp fire, but they are not trained storytellers.
Then again, all my players can devote 4 free ranks into "background" skills, so they might have one or more ranks in perform nevertheless

ETA: I think one of the most common instrument would probably be a flute, a harmonica (if it exists in the world), and some small string instrument (you can sing as well as play when you have strings). Basically, things that are small and can be carried around without too much hassle.

hmm

that was my thinking as well. ty

Berandor said:

ETA: I think one of the most common instrument would probably be a flute, a harmonica (if it exists in the world), and some small string instrument (you can sing as well as play when you have strings). Basically, things that are small and can be carried around without too much hassle.

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The most common instrument in the world is the stick - followed closely by the drum (don't under esimate drums - they are very melodic when played right)

next in line imho - simple wind insrument (pennywhistle rather than flute)

I know for me, one of the reasons I've enjoy the Player's Guide for the core classes in the Scarred Lands, the bard section had a list of epics. These were very useful I felt AND added a lot of flavor to the world.

Tonguez said:

The most common instrument in the world is the stick - followed closely by the drum (don't under esimate drums - they are very melodic when played right)

next in line imho - simple wind insrument (pennywhistle rather than flute)

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Well, you are right about drums. And I meant "pennywhistle", but did not know the name, going by flute as that's what it is, sort of. German: Blockflöte.

i drew up a fighter who carried with him 4-6 small puppets. when left to entertain himself or with others he would use them against a fire to tell historical tales form the area and wildly embellished tales of his ancestors deeds.

alsih2o said:

i drew up a fighter who carried with him 4-6 small puppets. when left to entertain himself or with others he would use them against a fire to tell historical tales form the area and wildly embellished tales of his ancestors deeds.

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Something tells me said fighter got a few too many blows to the head eh?

kirinke said:

now my question is, would most characters have at least some training in a performance type skill because of this?

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I'd think not. After all, each of us could personally probably do a good job telling stories (based upon popular movies, if nothing else), and we could each take a stab at singing any number of popular songs from the radio. However, I doubt the majority of us are particularly skilled at playing a musical instrument, or would make it as a real performing storyteller.

It is important to note that you don't have to have skill points in a skill in order to undertake the task. A person with a passable memory and a decent charisma can tell a decent yarn. But only a bard bothers to take Performance (storytelling) and has studied timing, vocal intonation, and such to be able to rivet people in the seats.

Remember also that musical instruments were all hand-made in those days. Hand made delicate and exacting items are expensive. Expensive is not for the peasantry.

heh

well then, at least story-telling, maybe accompioned with drums or hand-carved instruments (usually carved by the player maybe?) would be good.

Also, adventurers are a good source of information for the local populance, cuz they're the one's that will typically go all over the place seeking treasure, monsters to slay etc. It's like, okay our supplies have become sporatic in the last few weeks, wuz up with that? the player who knows quite well there's a war going 100 miles a way can say, well the war up north a bit is probably disrupting the usual trade routes. so, tighten those belts fellas.