LokiDR said:
The abilities are different. Different books, different authors, different names, different classes.
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No, actually it has the same name, & same effect as the bardic ability (read it again). You really should back your argument up with some type of facts. Yes it is in a different book, by a different author & it is a different class, but they all work off the same core rules.
LokiDR said:
As such, the ability is not subject to restrictions that may be placed on bardic song.
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"...may be placed..." As a DM I might say that fighters can cast spells as a wizard, but that doesn't make it an official rule.
LokiDR said:
Speaking a command word does not require a concentration skill check ever. Yet the Sage ruled you could not activate command word items while in rage. The case is not as simple as you would like to make it.
Activating a magical item is not the issue here, a magical item is not a super natural ability. I'm not even going to get in to the whole sage aspect.
The case is just as simple as I would like to make it.
The Written Facts as per official/published Wizards of the coast materials in support of using Inspire courage while in a rage:
1 - Inspire courage is a super natural ability
2 - Supernatural abilities do not require concentration
3 - There is written precedent that you can sing wile in a rage, proving that it requires neither patience nor concentration to do. Admittedly it may not be good singing, but then it doesn't need to be. (yes this maybe void depending on the DM but there is written proof that it is possible - Battle Rager PrC)
4 - You can speak while you are in a rage (it requires neither patience nor concentration to do)
5 - Supernatural abilities require no command based activation system (you are either doing them or you are not)
6 - Inspire courage needs only prerequisites to be obtained & function, there is no skill check involved. (it requires neither patience nor concentration to do)
7 - Once obtained (prerequisites having been met) to function properly Inspire courage requires only that which has been proven in writing, the ability to at minimum (in this case) vocalize in some form that the recipients of the benefits can hear (sing, chant, poetry... ect ect ect).
8 - Inspire courage states while you use it you "can fight" meaning you can take any Melee & ranged attacks you would normally get (ie; the basic hack & slash).
9 - If the super natural ability Inspire courage took patience or concentration to do, you would not be able to partake in your normal Melee & ranged attacks (see point 10)
10 - Concentration based skills, spells & abilities (with possible exceptions, none that I can think of off the top of my head) all require a standard action for each round of combat in order to be maintained.
I did not list the "Warlord" PrC as a source of facts for "Can use the ability" side of the argument because they are opinion based points, regardless of precedent & you would discount them.
The Written Facts as per official/published Wizards of the coast materials in opposition to using Inspire courage while in a rage:
1 - The Warlord PrC is in a different book, by different authors & it is a different class from bard & barbarian.