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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Xetheral" data-source="post: 7192006" data-attributes="member: 6802765">Non-silly Bard concepts:<ol> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">Unseelie Bard (Lore). When spellcasting uses whispered (but somehow, still clearly audible) poetry in an alien meter, with an unsettlingly-wrong rhyme scheme, heavy with dark allusion and subtle-yet-grotesque metaphor. Bardic Inspiration is short, disturbing, cryptic phrases that nonetheless provide insight into a problem. Cutting Words is an arched eyebrow and a disdainful, dismissive sound. Rarely smiles, except right before she's about to do something truly awful to someone nearby</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">The Orator (Valor). Doesn't use music at all, but is instead more like a politician or a great general. Pontificates for spellcasting, gives surprisingly-effective pep talks for Bardic Inspiration, and shouts orders for Combat Inspiration. Thinks entertainment is a waste of time.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">Galadriel.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">The Tragic Bard (either). Lost everyone and everything sometime in the past. Composes songs as a way of immortalizing the lost, and will do the same for newly-fallen companions and respected vanquished foes.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">The Mathematician (Lore). Studies musical forms for insights into universal truths. Spellcasting consists of very carefully-calculated pitches and rhythms. Bardic Inspiration consists of useful advice. Cutting words is pointing out the enemy's mistakes. Overly critical and socially insensitive. Uninterested in performing for others.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">The Fochlucan (Lore). Druid/Bard multiclass. Spellcasting is traditional music of an ancient, primal style. Bardic Inspiration is the wisdom of the elders. Cutting words is a well-timed, starting roar from a Wildshape form, or a subtle dominance display in either form.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">The Skilled Amateur (Valor). Doesn't identity as a Bard at all, but knows how to play an instrument around the campfire at night, and has gotten pretty good. Fluff the primary archetype as an entirely different class. Spellcasting can just be usually-rhythmic normal verbal components. Other abilities can be fluffed to fit the primary archetype (e.g. mundane leadership, minor enchantments, imparted wisdom).</li> </ol></blockquote>

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