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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Hella_Tellah" data-source="post: 4065176" data-attributes="member: 52669">I don't know exactly what mechanics I want implemented to make it happen, but I know what I want the bard to do in my game.  The bard:<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Learns new songs from sheet music, from other bards he meets in taverns, and from improvisation.  His songs should be rather flexible, so it's more akin to Ars Magicka's on-the-fly casting system.  The bard combines, say, three elements together to make an appropriate effect for the particular problem.  I'd like the form [Genre] of [Effect] in [Key].  [Genre] describes the silo of the effect, [Effect] is a specific subset, and [Key] determines its power level.  Examples: Dirge of Tears in A# minor clouds enemies' eyes with tears, giving them a -1 to ranged attacks.  Rondo of Exultation in G major grants all allies a +3 bonus to hit against bloodied foes.  One day I will house rule up an entire subsystem based on this.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Chronicles the party's adventures, and spreads word of their deeds.  This grants the party a bonus to Charisma-based checks in that area for a number of days equal to the bard's level.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Inspires the party when the chips are down.  Not particularly when the chips are a balanced encounter for the party's level, but when the fan is already stinky and splattered, the bard brings everyone around.  Sounds like a Leader to me.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Shmoozes his way into the noble court.  He can disguise the party, he can smooth-talk his way past the guards, he can win the princess' heart to get close to the king, and he can do it all with a dashing, pencil-thin mustache.  Last part not optional.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Beguiles, misdirects, dodges and darts about the battlefield.  He feints, he ripostes, he parries.  He buckles his swash.  He uses a rapier, shortbow, or light pistol.  He does not use a whip, for the love of Pelor.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Recharges per-day abilities by going to the tavern, taking in a play, or generally going out on the town.  Not by sleeping.  There's an indie game, The Shadows of Yesterday, that uses this mechanic, and the bard needs it.  More than any other character, the bard is an extension of civilization, and this would make that distinction clear.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Knows all the legends and tales of the land.  If you want to know how to kill a dragon, you don't ask the party wizard, you seek out the tales told in alehouses by ribald bards.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Barely has a penny to his name at any given time.  Oh, he's got a warehouse full of magical trinkets, sure--but he still has to sing for his supper.</li> </ul>I defy you to do that with a multi-class rogue/wizard/warlord/fighter/swordmage/frabbledybloo.  And if the 4e bard doesn't do that, I'll make a new one that does.</blockquote>

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