Just for fun - A Bard-Bear-ian

[Greenfield]

Drums are odd, and dangerous in the hands of a Bard.

The D&D 3.5 rules don't give a hard number when it comes to range/area or number affected by Bard songs like Inspire Courage. It's based on the DM's opinion of how far away people can hear the music.

Big drums can be heard miles away. Is that "Epic" enough?

Also, as a side note, the bagpipes were the only musical instrument ever classified as a weapon of war. I'm not kidding. Scottish troops, when captured by the Germans during the 2nd world war, weren't allowed bagpipes in camp because of the way the Scots used them to, well, "Inspire Courage" in battle.

As for bears in the military... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wojtek_(bear)

Short form: A bear was enlisted as a private, promoted to corporal and served with distinction in the battle of Monte Casino. He wasn't frightened by the sounds of battle, and could carry more artillery shells to the gun emplacements than any two men. (Probably had something to do with that 27 strength score.) And oh yeah, he helped capture some spies who disturbed him while he was taking a shower. (I'm not kidding).

C'mon, admit it, a bear is the ultimate all-terrain vehicle.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

If you toss it hard enough the second floor will be the first floor's vaulted ceiling.

Hmmm...if you get a wand of Item and reduce a whole bunch of cabers...

B-B-Ian “My favorite game is pick up sticks- let’s play!”

 

[Particle_Man]

How much bard do you need? Charisma isn't needed for the inspire courage ability 1x/day at 1st level, and you can put ranks into perform (singing) or (perform (dancing) if you are traditional) while mauling people with natural attacks, and just forget about the spells. In other combats, you can rage. You can also wear barding (I recommend light barding so as not to restrict your movement rate). For a little extra cheese, get Leadership and a cohort that gets Mounted Combat and a high ride skill to protect you from one attack/round when the cohort rides you into combat. Bonus points if the cohort is a druid that can buff you.

I was trying to see if you could get to Shadowdancer (given perform (dance)) but am not sure. But a bear that strikes out of the shadows like a ninja would be amusing.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

To be fair(bear), he’s aiming for Bard/Barbarian, not ninja.

 

[Greenfield]

The idea came from my wife, as I think I mentioned, and she's not a RPer. The fact that concept isn't ideal or even workable never entered into the conversation.

So how much Bard do I need to fulfill the otherwise unworkable concept?

If "Workable" is the goal, then "as little as possible" is the answer. Bards don't even get spells until 2nd level, so Bard level dips count as little more than additional ECL for a Bear/Barbarian.

I have to wonder though, can a Bear become infected with Lycanthropy and become a were-Human?

 

[Grogg of the North]

Bards get two cantrips per day at first level. Though their spell progression is wacky.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

The idea came from my wife, as I think I mentioned, and she's not a RPer. The fact that concept isn't ideal or even workable never entered into the conversation.

So how much Bard do I need to fulfill the otherwise unworkable concept?

If "Workable" is the goal, then "as little as possible" is the answer. Bards don't even get spells until 2nd level, so Bard level dips count as little more than additional ECL for a Bear/Barbarian.

I have to wonder though, can a Bear become infected with Lycanthropy and become a were-Human?

The game has had things like jackalweres and hengeyokai, so why not?

OTOH, see also Ewoks and Hokas.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

To unpack that a bit...

Depending on who is running the game, you may be able to do a bit more. Ewoks and Hokas are about Halfling sized, and have a generally teddy-bear like appearance. All you’d need to do is ask permission to “reskin” *ahem* Halflings.

 

[Greenfield]

The real question, in my mind, is how do you fuel a nine foot tall, 27 Strength raging Barbarian on nothing but pic-a-nic baskets?