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Bard

Bard Level Progression Bard Spell Progession
level XP Title HD THAC0 D W P B S 1st 2nd 3rd 4th
1 0 Rhymer 1d6 19[0] 13 14 13 16 15 - - - -
2 2,000 Lyricist +1d6 19[0] 13 14 13 16 15 1 - - -
3 4,000 Sonnateer +1d6 19[0] 13 14 13 16 15 2 - - -
4 8,000 Skald +1d6 19[0] 13 14 13 16 15 3 - - -
5 16,000 Troubadour +1d6 17[+2] 12 13 11 14 13 3 1 - -
6 32,000 Ministrel +1d6 17[+2] 12 13 11 14 13 3 2 - -
7 64,000 Muse +1d6 17[+2] 12 13 11 14 13 3 3 - -
8 120,000 Lorist +1d6 17[+2] 12 13 11 14 13 3 3 1 -
9 240,000 Bard +1d6 14[+5] 10 11 9 12 10 3 3 2 -
10 360,000 Bard, 10th lvl +2 14[+5] 10 11 9 12 10 3 3 3 -
11 480,000 Bard, 11th lvl +2 14[+5] 10 11 9 12 10 3 3 3 1
12 600,000 Bard, 12th lvl +2 14[+5] 10 11 9 12 10 3 3 3 2
13 720,000 Bard, 13th lvl +2 12[+7] 8 9 7 10 8 3 3 3 3
14 840,000 Bard, 14th lvl +2 12[+7] 8 9 7 10 8 4 4 3 3

Bards are members of a sect of minstrels and warrior poets associated with the druids. Like druids, bards worship the force of nature and the myriad deities that personify it. Their strengths lie in their deep knowledge of myth and legend, the magic that they wield on behalf of their gods, and the enchanting power of their music.

Anti-Charm

While the bard plays music and sings, allies within 30’ are immune to song-based magical effects and the beguiling powers of sylvan creatures or fairies. Allies already under the effect of such magic may make another saving throw with a +4 bonus.

Combat

Bards can use leather armour or chainmail but do not have the training required to use plate mail or shields. They can use all missile weapons and all one-handed melee weapons.

Divine Magic

See Magic, p110 for full details on divine magic.

Deity disfavour Bards must be faithful to the tenets of their alignment and religion. Bards who fall from favour with their deity may incur penalties.

Spell casting Once a bard has proven their faith (from 2nd level), the character may pray to receive spells. The power and number of spells available to a bard are determined by experience level. The list of spells available to bards is found on p117 (bards have the same spell selection as druids).

Using magic items As spell casters, bards can use magic scrolls of spells on their spell list. They may also use any items that only druids can use.

Enchantment

By playing music and singing, the bard can fascinate subjects in a 30’ radius. This ability does not function in combat.

Number of subjects Up to 2HD of creatures per level of the bard are affected. The bard may choose to target a specific individual or a group (in which case, the affected individuals are determined randomly).

Types of subjects At 1st level, the bard can fascinate persons. At 4th level, animals may also be affected. At 7th level, monsters may be affected.

Effect Each subject must save versus spells or be fascinated, as follows:

▶ Rapt Fascinated subjects’ attention is fully bent on the bard’s performance, as long as it continues.

▶ Follow The bard may walk while playing. Fascinated subjects will follow.

▶ Interruptions If the performance is interrupted (e.g. by loud noise or violence), the fascination ends immediately. Charming Fascinated Subjects

If the bard performs for at least one turn and the performance ends without interruption, fascinated subjects may be placed under a deeper charm. Each subject must make another save versus spells (with a +2 bonus) or be charmed for one turn per level of the bard:

▶ Friendship Charmed subjects regard the bard as a trusted friend and ally and will come to the bard’s defence.

▶ Commands If they share a language, charmed subjects will obey the bard’s commands.

▶ Alignment Commands that contradict the charmed creature’s nature or alignment may be ignored.

▶ Suicidal commands Charmed subjects never obey suicidal or obviously harmful orders.

Languages

Bards learn new languages as they advance in level. At every even numbered level above 3rd (i.e. 4th, 6th, 8th, etc.), the player may choose an additional language. Bards may learn the secret tongue of druids in this way (see Druid, p40).

Lore

From 2nd level, a bard has a 2-in-6 chance of knowing lore pertaining to monsters, magic items, or heroes of folktale or legend. This ability may be used to identify the nature and powers of magic items.

After Reaching 11th Level

A bard can establish a manor. 2d6 apprentice bards of 1st level will come to study under the character.