Bardic music range

[thorimar]

I am DM for a group that has a Bard and they are preparing for a large scale battle using mass unit combat rules. The bard wants to make the best use of his bardic music to aid as many units as possible, including siege weapons, archers, some eventual melee combatants. Bardic music doesn't give a range and I can't find an alternate mechanic for ruling on this strategy. His musical instrument of choice is a drum, so it should carry pretty well. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thorimar

 

[Artoomis]

Use the "Listen" rules. The range is "To be affected, an ally must be able to hear the bard sing."

Listen:

People talking is DC0. A battle is DC-10. I would think a Brad's singing, which is designed to be heard, would be DC-5

DC is +1 Per 10 feet of distance

Let's assume the equivalent of take 10 along with a listen bonus of +5.

So that's a roll of 15.

DC 15 would be at 150 feet.

Take it from there - change any assumptions you like to create you own working rules.

 

[Darklone]

And remember that singing carries farther than simple noise.

 

[interwyrm]

He asked about a drum, not singing.

I don't think there are rules on distance, other than an alphorn carrying for 1d10 miles (song and silence).

I'd say with a drum, you could probably go +1 dc for 25 or 50 feet.


Practically... it's probably easier if bard music just covers the battle mat.

 

[Dross]

I wonder then if a "loudspeaker" would be a viable option to increase the range?

 

[frankthedm]

Would this be balanced?
Amplify
Evocation
Level: Brd 2, Clr 2, Sor/wizard 2
Components: S, M, DF
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: Long (400 ft. + 40 ft./level)
Area: 20-ft.-radius emanation centered on a creature, object, or point in space
Duration: 1 min./level (D)
Saving Throw: Will negates; see text or none (object)
Spell Resistance: Yes; see text or no (object)
Upon the casting of this spell, everything in the area become far louder. Whispers become as loud as a normal talking and conversations become shouting matches. All listen check DCs for sounds originating in the area are reduced by 15. Any sonic effect within the area loud enough to cause a creature harm, such as a spell with the Sonic descriptor has the additional effect of a thunderstone. This also expends the energy of the amplify spell.

Multiple Amplify effects don’t stack. Amplify counters and dispels Silence. Silence counters and dispels Amplify.

Material component: A thunderstone.

 

[Sejs]

Yeah I seem to recall there being some rather funny musing around the table of the party bard using an alphorn and just blasting Inspire Courage across mountain ranges.