new class abilities for bard

[Andion Isurand]

when it comes to the increasing the potential of the Bard ( while leaving everything else as it is).............

I was thinking of building a "Call in Favor" or "Call on Fellows" bard ability that uses a check of some kind.... to determine effectiveness.

Maybe based off of a Gather Information skill check.

This check would also be effected by the wilderness/population facors used for Crossroad characteristics in FR's Magic of Faerûn, (I believe thats where it is).


Basically, if successful...

one of the Bard's good friends runs into the PC party....
or simply shows up as part of some secret plan....
(that everyone else in the party just happens to know nothing about)

and the friend(s) of the Bard, helps out the party for the duration of the encounter as NPC(s)

Sort of like en extraordinary "summon one of my Cohorts" abilities, that uses no magic, and has better chance, when compared to toher races, to bring someone who is of the same race as the Bard, to help the party out.

The person found/brought/encountered by this ability, must have an NPC additude of "Helpful"

The characteristics of the friend(s) would be determined by the DM, the strength of the check, and rolls based on chance.

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BAD GUY: Oh yeah, you and what army??

BARD HERO: Everyone else in this bar, except you and your ilk.

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Basically, it emphasises the Bard's strength of influence and the number of his freinds as a workable class ability.

However, this is all just an idea, so take it where you will.

 

[Crothian]

I could see it as a feat or series of feats that allow the Bard to have a chance of knowing people just about anywhere. Like the party arrives in the town of Thesden, a place they've never been. They are being hunted and on the run, and the Bard speaks up "We can hide at Jacob Towne's, and old friend I meet last time I was through here."

 

[Andion Isurand]

Why does it have to be based on feats at all?

I was thinking of a Bardic class ability that improves as your Bard levels increase.

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I was thinking of making it like a "Cleric's turn attempt",

except make it a "Bardic ally attempt",

......and make the check's strength determine the Hit Dice/Level of the supposed fellow(s) discovered/found/encountered...... as compared to your Bard class levels.....

......and modified by certain characteristics....

-2 = Player character class levels
-2 = Another race
-1 = Every size category larger or smaller than yours
-2 = Another creature type (those used for bane weapons)
-5 = Home plane different from your own
+2 = Same alignment as yours
-0 = Another Alignment (one step in any direction)
-4 = Another Alignment (two steps)
-8 = Another Alignment (three steps)

-1 = For every fellow of yours that has
died while doing you a favor (*cumulative)

Impossible = Another Alignment (four steps)
Impossible = Intelligence Score less than 3

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***The numbers above are only being used to represent the kind of idea that I am still pondering.***

From now on, I'm going to use the key word "fellow" to describe those NPCs "summoned" by this "Bardic Ally" ability.

All fellow(s) will stay for the duration of the encounter, but then they are treated as normal NPCs.

 

[Andion Isurand]

I remembered something.........

Porthos:

"This sash was given to me by the Queen of America."

"This was given to me by the Zarina ( <-- spelling? ) of Tokyo."

 

[Crothian]

I suggested a feat since it's an add one ability. So, you'd either have to make it cost something (like a feat) or take something away from the bard to give them this.

 

[Andion Isurand]

This was suggested as an alternative improvement for those who think the bard is too weak as is.

Sort of like a class 'varient' suggestion.

I just wanted to see if poeple would like to see the bard take a direction more like this one.

 

[Crothian]

Okay, well, I like the direction. Great idea and it really fits the class well.

 

[Felix]

Doesn't Wheel of Time have a similar mechanic to "Call in a Favor"? I think I read that aristocrats could use it, but it's been a while. You might want to look at that to get some more ideas for this. I like the idea.

I think the best way to Juice up the Bard a little is to add Bardic Music abilities after Inspire Greatness. I mean, come on, there's no improvement in a Bard's music from level 12 to level 20? Feh. When a bard has 23 ranks in Perform, he should be able to make people's heart stop by playing music, or deafen folks, or give allies temporary HP's. Something!