He made a perform check of 40?

[Ravilah]

Okay, I'm DM for a level 8 group whose monk has a bard cohort. Last night, they entered a huge city, and wanted to see if they could perform at one of the nicer inns (the monk has been using his Tumble check rather than a perform check, aided by his bard). Since he Tumbles to good music, I make the bard roll a perform check and if its good I give the monk a +2 to his entertaining Tumble. The bard also "happens" to be singing a song that inspires competence, and just before going on stage, his sorcerer friend gives him Cat's Grace, his cleric friend gives him Guidance. There may be more buffs I forgot. He has full ranks in Tumble, and them promptly rolls a natural 20. He tells me that his check adds up to a 40. I'm not sure about this but I let it go. (Didn't question his numbers, and its not a terrible issue because the game is really laid back.)
Is this really possible at level 8, and if so why don't all bards and entertainers do this every time? The rule books somehow suggested to me that a roll of 30 on something was seriously impressive, but what do you do with a 40? Does Olidimarra show up to take note? (I would rule that it would take more than one such performance). Anyway, what do you think?

 

[Thanee]

If you really want to, it's probably possible with Take 10 at that level.

I would just see it as a very good performance. The audiance is pleased, maybe willing to spend a few coins more, maybe they'll tell their friends or ask for autographs , but at some point, it doesn't really matter anymore by how much you beat the DC.

About the buffs, I wouldn't allow short duration buffs like Guidance, even if you only make a single check, it represents a longer time period, not just a minute or so, normally. The buff should at least persist for the whole duration of the performance IMHO.

Bye
Thanee

 

[erian_7]

Hmm, let's see, assuming a 20 Dex (natural 16, 20 after the +4 ability Enhancement bonus from Cat's Grace) +5, +2 Competence bonus from Inspire Competence, +1 Competence bonus from Guidance (overlapped by the Inspire Competence bonus, so no effect), 11 ranks in Tumble, +2 from the Bard's performance. That's a total of 20 (since the Inspire Competence overlaps Guidance). Through in 5 ranks of Jump for another easy +2...

So yeah, with natural 20, beating a DC 40 on a Tumble check at 8th level is no problem at all. I think all entertainers would do this every time if they have access to magic, but they'd usually roll a 10 or 11, not a 20. This character would regularly "earn 3d6 gp/day" in a prosperous city and, "n time...may draw attention from distant potential patrons, or even from extraplanar beings" since he makes a DC 30 check on average all the time. Of course, performing in front of the same audience constantly could begin to raise the DC of the check (DM's option).

 

[reanjr]

Okay, I'm DM for a level 8 group whose monk has a bard cohort. Last night, they entered a huge city, and wanted to see if they could perform at one of the nicer inns (the monk has been using his Tumble check rather than a perform check, aided by his bard). Since he Tumbles to good music, I make the bard roll a perform check and if its good I give the monk a +2 to his entertaining Tumble. The bard also "happens" to be singing a song that inspires competence, and just before going on stage, his sorcerer friend gives him Cat's Grace, his cleric friend gives him Guidance. There may be more buffs I forgot. He has full ranks in Tumble, and them promptly rolls a natural 20. He tells me that his check adds up to a 40. I'm not sure about this but I let it go. (Didn't question his numbers, and its not a terrible issue because the game is really laid back.)
Is this really possible at level 8, and if so why don't all bards and entertainers do this every time? The rule books somehow suggested to me that a roll of 30 on something was seriously impressive, but what do you do with a 40? Does Olidimarra show up to take note? (I would rule that it would take more than one such performance). Anyway, what do you think?

At a 40, I'd say the onlookers would still talk about occasionally years later. There may be copycat performances as well.

 

[Ferret]

Did he/you describe what happened?

I'd imagine it'd be like break dancing, standing on one hand, backflips and stuff!

 

[two]

Any reason to not allow a performer to Take 20?

I don't see one right off the bat. Plenty of time, no danger at hand, etc.

 

[dcollins]

Any reason to not allow a performer to Take 20?

I don't see one right off the bat. Plenty of time, no danger at hand, etc.

Those criteria would argue for allowing Take 10. However, the issue with Take 20 is that it takes 20 times as long... if a normal performance is an hour (or a few), then you'd need an audience willing to sit around for a whole day until he finally "gets it right".

 

[Altamont Ravenard]

Any reason to not allow a performer to Take 20?

I don't see one right off the bat. Plenty of time, no danger at hand, etc.

One problem: Taking 20 assumes you roll a 1, then a 2, then a 3, then a 4, etc.

So your performance is really long and it's really crappy (depending on your skill mods, of course) at first.

AR

 

[Jeff Wilder]

The only problem I see is allowing Tumble to substitute for Perform (acrobatics) or whatever.

Perform represents showmanship as much as it does the ability to pluck the right strings or do a back round-off or whatever. That's why Perform is based on Charisma, after all. A superb tumbler doesn't necessarily have that showmanship.

Would y'all allow a fighter's attack modifier to substitute for Perform, if he describes it as doing arms drills (similar to the infantry lines the Marine Corps trains to -- wait for it -- perform)? If so, you're devaluing the Perform skill, IMO, and over-valuing others.

I'd allow an appropriate skill to provide a synergy bonus to the Perform skill, but that's it. If you don't know how to grab and hold the attention of an audience, your skill isn't going to impress them.

 

[reanjr]

Any reason to not allow a performer to Take 20?

I don't see one right off the bat. Plenty of time, no danger at hand, etc.

Because there's no set goal. It's a continuous action. Playing longer and hitting it just right for a short period (as taking 20 is done) isn't going to make the whole performance better. The crappy 1 you rolled (as taking 20 simulates at some point) is going to bring the whole piece down.