Bardic Music Ability Questions

[Aithne]

Hello,

What action is the bardic music ability? Is it a standard action?

Also, how loud is the bardic music ability? What would be the starting listen DC for someone to hear it? Could it be something like DC -5 + distance modifiers?

Aithne

 

[Murrdox]

Hmmmm....

Bardic Music doesn't require ANY action aside from pulling out your instrument, if you're using one.

You just start singing, playing, or whatever. Consider it a free action. You can fight, and do anything aside from activating certain magic items and casting spells while using Bardic music... so it is one of those skills that you can do WHILE doing other actions.

For example, a Jump check doesn't require an additional action... it counts as part of your move action.

As far as the DC for hearing the bard... somewhere in the DMG there is a nifty table for listen DCs for certain events. I'd use that.

 

[Nephet]

Some are supernatural (don't provoke AoO) and some are spell-like (do provoke AoO) - but like all supernatural and spell-like abilities they all require a standard action to activate.

Once activated most of them do not require anything more than concentration (singing) to maintain.