Mimicry Feat

[Ancient Pariah]

I have done a little research on mimicry and the only reference that I have found is related to the WOTC site that references a named dragon. Under the description it lists an ability of sound mimicry with no other DC or stats. Has someone else created, developed or stated out this type of feat? Should it even be a feat? Would a skill be more appropriate?

For my own development I have formulated the following: Mimicry
DC 10 can imitate natural sounds: bird-song, dogs barking, etc
DC 15 imitate voices
DC 20 can enunciate unnatural sounds
DC 25 ability of ventriloquism
DC 30 allow multiple projection of otherworldly sounds

I considered this would be appropriate for wilderness and urban settings. After watching Police Academy 6? this struck me as a useful skill or feat. Any commentary or advice in helping me develop this would be appreciated!

 

[Wippit Guud]

IMC, Mimicry is a type of Perform.

It's a shame when my bard converts to 3.5 in 2 weeks, I lose it. Stupid only-having-one-perform-type rule... (no more fire eating or sword swallowing, either...)

 

[Ancient Pariah]

Wipput Guud, thanks for the feedback. I felt constrained by the bard only perform skill. Overall I was looking for a rules set that would potentially apply to any class without falling into a generalized category based on one characteristic. Potentially I could see this as a skill for a ranger or rogue who utilized this to distract someone or influence someone as they try to emulate as a imposter.

For the bard class, I felt the new rule on perform is limiting and restricting. Coming from a family who is skilled in theatre arts, musicians, singers, and band leaders my real world equivalent just did not mesh with the representations of perform skill sets. If I was to develop a skill set for instruments or singing, etc., it would require a further breakdown on levels of skill and the equivalent of titles.

You could rate a skill level as Apprentice DC 10, Journeyman DC20, Master DC 30, Star DC40. Thereby acknowledging ability in skill sets and realizing someone's skill level at the same time.

On another note I have noticed that not every performer is charismatic whether with a instrument, acting or singing. Their skill levels in their ability allow them to overcome their shyness and a lack of charisma. It is not driven by their charisma stats, but in their trust in their own training and experience. Also a alternative stat would apply as wisdom or intelligence. I will have to try this and see how it works.

Of course this is my interpretation, others may have a different opinion, and thankfully they do. It would be a lackluster world if we all had the same opinion.

 

[WonkaMania]

IMC, Mimicry is a type of Perform.

It's a shame when my bard converts to 3.5 in 2 weeks, I lose it. Stupid only-having-one-perform-type rule... (no more fire eating or sword swallowing, either...)

To the original question, I think that perhaps you could allow the Bluff skill to cover mimicry? Of all the skills that is there, I think that would perhaps fit the best? Well, that or like Wippit said, perform. I think it could be both?

And as for what you had said Wippit: It's my understanding that 3.5 was suppossed to make 3.0 BETTER, not WORSE. In the certain instance that you are saying, it certainly makes it WORSE! Why not keep it the old way? Or if you aren't the DM, talk it over with him/her? It just doesn't make sense to me that UPGRADING means getting worse. ::shakes head::


~ramblings of Wonka

 

[Lord Pendragon]

Wipput Guud, thanks for the feedback. I felt constrained by the bard only perform skill. Overall I was looking for a rules set that would potentially apply to any class without falling into a generalized category based on one characteristic. Potentially I could see this as a skill for a ranger or rogue who utilized this to distract someone or influence someone as they try to emulate as a imposter.

Perform is hardly bard-only. Rogues have Perform as a class skill as well.

 

[Ancient Pariah]

Excellent responses one and all, thank you. So the consensus is to apply existing rules either perform or bluff. I'm o'k with that.

For my campaign I will probably use it as it stands with the concept that it will default to either skill, performance or bluff, and apply a modifying attribute of cha, wis, or int. I am adjustable.

Lord Pendragon, I realize that perform applies to other classes. It just seems to be limited to high charisma characters or those who benefit from large skill point benefits. I do like bards by the way, but I feel other classes should be allowed to have the opportunity to master a instrument if they want. I can see a Barbarian without a lot of skill points wanting to bang a drum like a kyoto drum player, but being limited to a Charisma benefit of low value. The image just sticks in my head like a rousing martial beat. The war drums beat and the horde gathers. Boom, boom, boom. The limitations just don't make sense for me, so I will adjust them for my campaign to be based on experience with an instrument that is not restricted by one characteristic. Thank you for your astute opinion, it is always appreciated.

I guess no one else came across this in the dragon description on the WOTC board? It makes me wonder if this was part of the original rules and they reduced or eliminated it for simplicity. I just hate it when rules are partially explained and players want a determination on how it works.

 

[Lord Pendragon]

Lord Pendragon, I realize that perform applies to other classes. It just seems to be limited to high charisma characters or those who benefit from large skill point benefits. I do like bards by the way, but I feel other classes should be allowed to have the opportunity to master a instrument if they want.

Well, they certainly can. In a previous campaign I played in, I had a 12th-level rogue who was an actress and dancer. Some serious perform there. Sure, her Perform wasn't as high as a bard's might be, but then, a bard can't sneak attack.

I can see a Barbarian without a lot of skill points wanting to bang a drum like a kyoto drum player, but being limited to a Charisma benefit of low value.

Thing is, this makes perfect sense to me. Having watched many a live Taiko drum performance while I lived in Japan, I'd say it takes a LOT of charisma to be a good drummer. There's so much more to it than just banging on a big instrument. So if the barb puts in the skill points, he'll get better, but he should hardly have the same presence while playing it that a charismatic rogue or sorcerer would, who invested the same skill points.

The image just sticks in my head like a rousing martial beat. The war drums beat and the horde gathers. Boom, boom, boom. The limitations just don't make sense for me,

If you mean, "I don't see why performers need to be charismatic" then I guess we just don't see eye to eye. To me charisma is fundamental to performance of any kind. If you are talking of some other kind of limitation, then please elucidate.

so I will adjust them for my campaign to be based on experience with an instrument that is not restricted by one characteristic.

Of course you'll do what you want in your campaign.

Out of curiosity, what makes Perform different from any other skill (all of which are based on a single characteristic) that makes it nonsensical?

 

[Terraism]

If you mean, "I don't see why performers need to be charismatic" then I guess we just don't see eye to eye. To me charisma is fundamental to performance of any kind.

I'm with you here. I finally made it to my first concert this last weekend (Simon & Garfunkel, for the curious,) and the charisma of the musicians made the show. I've even got a direct comparison for you - early on, Paul Simon was obviously in something of a funk, and though he was definitely technically correct, the overall performance suffered for it. When he brightened up, the entire thing got better. That's an example of Charisma applying to performance if ever there was one.

 

[Wippit Guud]

Perform isn't necessarioly the only multi-stat skill... hard to see an orc barbarian intimidate with charisma, but if he picks you up with one hand and slams you against a wall, that's pretty intimidating, just use stength as the modifier


Course, there's also some performs that should get bonuses based on negative charisma..... bagpipes and mime come to mind.

 

[Bauglir]

Perform isn't necessarioly the only multi-stat skill... hard to see an orc barbarian intimidate with charisma, but if he picks you up with one hand and slams you against a wall, that's pretty intimidating, just use stength as the modifier

No No No Bad Bad Bad!

Intimidation is about persuading the target that you have the will to cause them harm (think of the will speech from "The Usual Suspects") should they not capitulate, rather than the capacity. Also there are many ways to cause someone harm that have nothing whatsoever to do with muscles. (Think of a frail old str 6 wizard pinning someone to a wall using Telekinesis for example)