The Song Of Life And The Dance Of Death

From Atlantic Roleplay Wiki

Title: The Song of Life and the Dance of Death

Author: Roop Dirump, bard

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I. Introduction

For every 20 warrior/mages, you will find 1 bard, perhaps less than that. An unpopular profession, indeed, for it takes much dedication in return for much grief. As of now, a bard cannot truly affect a companion directly, only beasts, NPC's and monsters. And a bard is oft loathed, indeed, oft hunted by fellow characters.

Why? There are several fallacies:

1. That a bard playing music will increase the skills of those around him. This may be true, but only if the other person is standing close and facing the bard. Even then, a neophyte bard cannot affect the skills of others much.

2. That music somehow mysteriously makes monsters more powerful. Completely false.

3. That bards are quite simply annoying. Here, I may have to agree!!!

Practice thine songs as you travel from place to place... this is fine! But think of yourself standing in a bank, strumming a lute out of tune.

This... can be very irritating. If you must practice, find a tavern or music conservatory! Oft not traveled, and no one can argue music being played there! Be courteous with thine fellow adventurer's ears.

Play often, everywhere you go, but do not torment any one person for too long.

II. Your Stats

As you grow in power, you will find your dexterity and intelligence soar! Eventually, these statistics will lower your strength. I recommend supplementing your bardic art with a skill or two which raises strength.

Carpentry/ lumberjacking, perhaps mining. You shall not need, say, fishing, because your dexterity will be super-high as it is.

You shall be a natural for magery, consider that art well. Swords and melee weapons are possible for a bard, but keep your strength high! It will be a constant battle.

III. Your 1st Lute

Whatever instruments you had in your pack when you first appeared, these are your most valuable!

Why? There is a special quality to them. When you die, that instrument(s) will stay with you, not lay on your corpse. Any new instrument you may buy will NOT have this quality. Guard that lute well! Keep whatever other instrument you began with in the bank-box!

It is very convenient to resurrect, and hurry back to your corpse, able to peacemake the entire way!

IV. Other Instruments

These may be bought from a tinker shop: Lute, Drum, Lap Harp, Tambourine. In addition, you may find a fancy tambourine with a red ribbon.

Also, there is the extremely rare Standing Harp, which has the most beautiful tonal quality of all.

V. Musicianship

This is your single most important skill. Whether you attempt to peacemake, entice or provoke, before you may succeed or fail at any of those, you must first successfully play.

Musicianship is checked automatically every time you use a bardic skill. Indeed, you may succeed at playing, but fail at peacemaking. No other profession must have a skill checked for failure twice!

VI. Peacemaking

This is the skill that should bring you to Grandmaster status. Practice it often.

This skill will save thine friend's lives, and yours too!