Bard's Inspire Courage Time Limit

[random user]

We ran into a situation where essentially there was no reason for the bard to stop singing inspire courage, even after the battle (as another one was imminent).

I've looked through the PHB, and there doens't seem anything in place to prevent a bard from continuing the song indefinately (asuming he doesn't have to do something else or take damage etc) once he starts it.

Or am I missing something?

If not, does that mean a bard can start that song and then keep singing it for several hours (until he needs to drink or go to the bathroom or something)? What would be a reasonable amount of time the bard could sing the song for?

 

[Saeviomagy]

We ran into a situation where essentially there was no reason for the bard to stop singing inspire courage, even after the battle (as another one was imminent).

I've looked through the PHB, and there doens't seem anything in place to prevent a bard from continuing the song indefinately (asuming he doesn't have to do something else or take damage etc) once he starts it.

Or am I missing something?

If not, does that mean a bard can start that song and then keep singing it for several hours (until he needs to drink or go to the bathroom or something)? What would be a reasonable amount of time the bard could sing the song for?

As long as he wants to.

Note, however, that running around continuously singing is likely to attract a lot of attention - you're basically guaranteed to be surprised continuously by monsters.

 

[Crothian]

Are there rules for sustained activies in the DMG? I would at the very least rule 0 con checks if the bard was doing this for hours. That's hard to do.

 

[Thornir Alekeg]

I ran into this issue as well with my group. The party Bard just kept singing and singing to keep up the effect. At the time I just let it go, but I have since house ruled it so that the Bard must make perform checks of increasing difficulty as she keeps singing. DC 10 after 10 minutes, +1 DC for each successive 10 minutes of singing. It is still not very hard to do for her, but there is a chance for failure. I justify it on the idea of singing continuously without stopping of take a drink of water is very hard on the voice. I also restrict the Bard from any talking with the party as it is unreasonable to be able to weave normal conversation into an inspirational song.

 

[The Souljourner]

I think a bard should be able to hold a perfectly good conversation while singing... maybe require a perform check based on the difficulty of the idea he's trying to get across... but if anyone can hold a conversation while singing, it's the bard.

Cleric: Hey bard, how hurt are you?
Bard: (doing his best Michael Jackson) You know I'm bad, I'm bad....

I think if the player can think up lyrics to answer questions, he should be able to talk without even making a check Man... bards are so much fun.

-The Souljourner

 

[Vaxalon]

We ran into a situation where essentially there was no reason for the bard to stop singing inspire courage, even after the battle (as another one was imminent).
...
What would be a reasonable amount of time the bard could sing the song for?

I think the endurance rules would cover this quite nicely. Singing LOUD and MAGICALLY is as draining as running or fighting.