Are magic using minstrels required for fantasy Roleplaying?

[333 Dave]

Is the bard type magic using minstrel really important to the genre? Is the niche really large enough to warrent its inclusion? If you were making a world, would they play a large role in it?

 

[Azure Trance]

Their like sorcerorous rogues ... not required, but options are always nice

 

[Gilladian]

few players choose to be a bard, but they are excellent NPCs and I feel that they add a tremendous amount of texture to the world. I have different types of bard depending on the kingdom the PCs are visiting; rather like clerics vary from race to race or place to place, so do bards.

gilladian

 

[Tonguez]

Huh talk about great minds

Check out this thread on different Traditions within a singleclass.

Personally I think the Bard can be used as a good 'Pointman' type character whose words (a speech can be used instead of a song) stirs those who hear it into action.

The Bard as agitator leading the mob or as General inspiring his troops, and as per my thread - the Bard as 'Snitch' spy, rumour-monger and tactical advisor

 

[Terraism]

I'm an emphatic "yes!" I love music, and it's always struck me as the closest to magic that I'm every going to get. Means a lot to me, and... yeah, I don't know how to say it. Hopefully you get the idea.

 

[Sir Osis of Liver]

I break for Bards.

Seriously though they are a nice class for someone that wants to be able to do lots of stuff without multi-classing. Plus the musical/storyteller/poet aspect of the class helps it maintain a unique feal.

 

[drnuncheon]

Is the bard type magic using minstrel really important to the genre? Is the niche really large enough to warrent its inclusion?

I could probably name more spell-singing bards from fantasy literature than I could paladins or druids, so I'll say 'yes'.

J

 

[Apok]

Yes, from my perspective the concept of a sorcerous musician is essential to any good fantasy genre. Of course, I am also an afficionado of Celtic mythology so I am biased.

Sadly, I have never seen this role filled to my satisfaction. The D&D concept of a "Bard" just doesn't cut it. Monte's alt.Bard comes close, but it's still not perfect and has some issues (lack of spellsongs comes to mind immediately).

 

[megamania]

I went with option 4- The bard is about morale and emotions.

The bard should only gain access to spells that are based on morale. Either this, or reword spells to be morale based. I see Bards as being closer to clerics than mages. The bard incites emotions to better or worsen one's overall mental focus....not caste spells like magic missile.

Just my thought. I aviod playing one because of how I view them.

 

[Shadowdancer]

Bards are essential to any fantasy roleplaying setting. They might not be called that, but the class is still needed.