The Bard tends to be the red-headed step child in most CRPGs (and MMOs where they exist). Their skills are often support heavy, focusing on generic buffs, weak heals, and half-handed attacks that pale compared to other classes.
My theory is that we under-estimate Bards because we under-estimate the power of music in our lives, or maybe it’s too personal and any attempt to do something grand would come off as cliché, or trite. Either way limits the creative approach for a Bard’s skill, power, & capability.
So, I reimagined Bards as I would want to play them – meaning I would CHOOSE to play Bard over my typical classes: rogues, tanks, & rangers.
I started with music I listen to – not just to have in the background – but music I listen to that elicits an emotional reaction, what makes me feel sad or powerful, energetic or thoughtful, at peace or full-out blinding rage. Then I thought about actions associated with those emotions.
I was a competitive fencer for a number of years and would listen to black metal before every bout to get my adrenaline up. I fought harder, faster, and more focused. As a side note, I was also more dangerous, I quit after I broke someone’s hand during a match. So the obvious benefit are buffs & debuffs. A Bard can make himself and his allies stronger, quicker, more focused. They can also debuff instilling fear, causing confusion, or stunning someone silent.
But I wouldn't stop there... There is a literary device called ‘pathetic fallacy’ which basically allows a character emotions to manipulate nature, objects, or others. For example, I’m angry and can start fires (a dated reference to Drew Berrymore). So what if the music I create and play can move objects, can part water, can call lightning, heal a friend, raise the dead, manipulate energy, or stop time? This would push Bards toward some of the old pnp schools of magic: illusion, transmutation, alteration, telemancy, and psionics – all through the medium of music.
So to recap, my skills would revolve around a core sequence
- I play music,
- That music results in an emotional response,
- That response grants me power in the world around me (i.e. magic, skills, etc)
I haven’t thought through all 16 combinations. But I’ll just take one:
- Bard/Fighter (Tellsword) –
- Basic Idea: A telekinetic weaponmaster. The first note draws my sword, the second note strikes at the enemy, the third disarms my opponent turning his weapon against him. A combo creates a whirlwind of steel. The steel heats with energy, igniting. The tempo increases, the music transcending individual strikes and parries until it flows like water – a river of flowing death
- Theme: Psionics, Telekenetics
- Examples: Jet Li in One, Alucard in Castlevania, Magneto in the X-Men
What are your thoughts? What are some examples of a Bard you would find compelling?
