Why Are Bards...Bards?

[mmadsen]

The bard class is one of the few classes that many of us ignore, in part because the archetype isn't that compelling: magical musician has its place, I guess, but I don't really want to play one.

But what stands out to me is how well the bard class represents so many other concepts that have nothing to do with being a minstrel -- if you just assume "oratory" in place of "bardic music". For instance, the bard class fits the priest archetype much better than the cleric. A holy man is supposed to be wise and inspirational -- just what a bard's good at.

Also, just about anyone important in Tolkien's work stands out for his knowledge of lore and his ability to inspire men (and elves, dwarves, and hobbits): Aragorn, Gandalf, Elrond, etc.

Agree? Disagree? Any other archetypes I'm missing?

 

[Dr. Strangemonkey]

Just the very basic social skill user archetype.

Or mix between skill user and magic user archetypes.

 

[JimAde]

Politicians. The great ones (whether they are actual office-holders or not) have that ability to inspire. An Aristocrat with a couple levels in Bard would be great.

 

[mmadsen]

A follow-up question: Would you play in a "low magic" campaign where bards were the only spellcasters? Aragorn could be a (non-spellcasting variant) Ranger with a few Bard levels (to represent his kingly lineage), Saruman would obviously be a high-level Bard, etc.

 

[JimAde]

Sure! That fits especially well with some myth cycles. The heroes are often described using "songs of power" and so on. I believe Celtic and Finnish hero cycles are especially strong in that flavor.

 

[Jdvn1]

Just the very basic social skill user archetype.

Or mix between skill user and magic user archetypes.

I think Spellthieves are better at that.

 

[BSF]

Well, I kind of like the Bard class.

You touch on one of the key points though. Exactly why does a Bard have to be musical? Really, a Bard doesn't have to be. Perform (Oratory) is a legitimate Perform type. The problem of filling the role of "Priest" or "Army Leader" is more in line with preconceived bias.

Many people believe that the best swordsman in the land should be the natural leader. The highest level Cleric should be the high priest of a religion. The Paladin with the most smites should be the leader of the holy order. And so on. This can be countered by campaign design.

In my campaign, I have clerics and I have priests. A priest can be any character. I have inroduced the PCs to a priest that is built from the Expert NPC class. The PCs have also met Clerics that were not priests. I define priest more as a role tied to a church. Not all clerics want to be tied down and "tend to the flock". Nor do all clerics want to proselytize on the road. They might want to be a spellcasting holy warrior directly confronting the enemies of their god.

My point is to demonstrate, using NPCs, that some roles can be filled by using different classes. I think I will need to look at the inspirational army leader wearing a chain shirt and wielding a long sword that is also knowledgable on strategy and tactics soon. He will still be good at fighting, just not as good as the combat classes.

 

[BigFreekinGoblinoid]

Artists make art, singers sing, writers write, Barbarians barb, that's just what they do! It's not a choice, it's a compulsion!

Here's the real question: If I were a bard, I don't think I'd want to leave my comfy tavern where wenches are a plenty, and people shower me with coins to enter some dark hole in the ground!

 

[Slobber Monster]

I think the Bard is an excellent way to create nobles. An NPC ruler in my campaign:

The King:
Str 10, Dex 10, Con 8, Int 14, Wis 16, Cha 16; Bard 3; HD (3d6)-3; HP 7;
Skills: Bluff +11, Diplomacy +11, Intimidate +5, Knowledge(History) +5, Knowledge(Local) +8, Knowledge(Religion) +5, Kowledge(Nobility) +8, Performance(Oratory) +9, Profession(King) +8, Sense Motive +11; Feats: Iron Will, Negotiator, Persuasive; Spells: Cause Fear, Cure Light Wounds, Remove Fear

 

[Hand of Evil]

Bards are the newsmen of their time, they are out to capture a story and relay it to the public, they use voice and music. Bards can be seen as travelling lawyers or judges, assigned the role because of their lore, using their skill to handle sticky issues and keep the peace.