Fantasy Core RPG: The Bard

FANTASY CORE RPG
(c) Jerry Harris, 2012
Published here as Open Game Content.
Fantasy Core PDF 
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The Bard

Level	Base Attack Bonus	Fort Save	Ref Save	Will Save
1st	+1	+0	+2	+2
2nd	+2	+0	+3	+3
3rd	+2	+1	+3	+3
4th	+3	+1	+4	+4
5th	+3	+1	+4	+4
6th	+4	+2	+5	+5
7th	+4	+2	+5	+5
8th	+5	+2	+6	+6
9th	+5	+3	+6	+6
10th	+6	+3	+7	+7

Description: Wit, song, and satire are the tools of the travelling minstrels.  Those wanting fame for their deeds spread abroad, would do well to entreat a Bard with their tales, a meal, and some coin.  Their tales of the world and legends could also be quite valuable. 

Hit Die: d6.

Prime Abilities: Cha, Dex, Int, Wis

Subprime Ability: Con, Str

Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Bards are proficient with dagger (melee and thrown), club, and rapier.  They do not wear armor, but favor flashy, expensive clothing.

Standard Starting Gear: 1d10 GP, hip flask, 1 useful item, lute, flute, 2 daggers.

Bardic Music: Bards are known for their musical ability and will have some proficiency in any instrument (or can pick it up quickly).  Usually they will have a lute and a small flute (cf. a recorder or a tin whistle) with them.  Of course, they’ve got their voice with them as well.  1 + (Cha + Wis)/2 + ½ Level to use.

● Healing (DC 12): May be used to add ½ level to others’ Healing or Stabilizing attempts, while at rest.

● Soothing (DC is 10 + HD): May be used to calm animals and the insane.  This cannot be used in combat.

● Countersong (DC is 10 + HD): May counteract the effect any sort of musical attack.  Bards themselves are always fully immune.

Bardic Performance

1 + (Cha + Wis)/2 + ½ Level to use, DC 12 Social/DC 18 Hostile Crowd.

Performance is what the Bard is all about.  Here is where the Bard may sway the crowd by lampooning a target with satire, promoting a cause or person, or just generally putting people in a good mood (and distracted).  They may also accompany another speaker attempting to rally a crowd.  With a good performance, add +4 to someone else’s attempt to influence the audience or a specific person.  Assume at least 1 turn for any performance. 

Performance pricing is whimsical depending on the level of the Bard and who they're performing for, but generally Level x 10.  The best Bards would obviously be in the employ of the wealthy or royalty, and on some permanent retainer.  They tend to make this money disappear quickly due to their spendthrift lifestyle, so they’re always looking for their next gig or a rich patron.

Bardic Knowledge: Bards get around and hear lots of stories and rumors.  Int Bonus + ½ level, DC 12 minor factoid, DC 18 very specific.  This skill is good for general area rumors, trivia, personalities, and gossip, not anything scholarly.  Please don't roll if the knowledge is somehow important to the story.  If nothing else, Bards will know who to go to to get special information. 

Bard Skills: The Bard adds 1 + ½ level + ability bonuses to attempts.  In general, figure DC 12 for difficult tasks or against someone of equal or less HD; DC 18 for very hard tasks or higher HD.  

● (Dex + Int + Wis)/3: Stealth (Hiding, sneaking), Escape Artist

● (Dex + Str)/2: Acrobatics (Balancing, jumping), Climb

● (Cha + Wis)/2: Charm, Negotiate, Intimidate (Psychologically), Disguise

Bardic Magic: A Bard’s charm may indeed be supernaturally based.  Some Bards have some natural minor magic abilities.  Not wanting to be under the thumb of the Wizard Council, such Bards keep their abilities a secret. 

● They may know 0 and 1^st level spells equal to their Int Bonus (up to 4 each).  They will not be able to acquire more spells.  They would likely know spells such as Ghost Sounds and Lights, Detect Magic, Sleep (combined with a performance), Disguise Self, and such.  Nothing splashy or obvious. 

● Spellcheck: Int bonus + ½ level vs. DC 12 + Spell Level. (Cantrips are DC 10.)  With 2 cumulative failures in a turn/encounter, all magic use is suspended pending 1 turn of rest.

Notes

Mistreatment of a Bard or any whom he knows or anyone he sees too full of

themselves, will feel his barbs and gain an unwanted reputation wherever they go.  Glories will be repeated into many ears.  Infamy passes through many more via Bardic songs, even outside of the mortal world.  They are well known and connected.  They are loved by their friends and hated by their enemies (which is why they are somewhat handy with a sword).  Bards will have many of both.  They can yield many dividends as allies, or they can be deadly, almost unhurtable foes (killing a popular Bard will get you lynched quickly).  

(This would be an interesting Character class in a social setting, but probably not one you’d want to take into a dungeon, not that a Bard would be caught dead in such an unfashionable place.  They could be great fun as an NPC, especially played as a capacious prick, whom the group is forced to deal with.  Not always an enemy, but certainly not a trustworthy friend.)