Bard

Bard

250 points
You’re a magical minstrel who dabbles in a little of every-
thing: the roguish pursuits of the thief (p. 12), the swordplay of
the swashbuckler (p. 11), and the spellcraft of the wizard
(p. 13). You rarely need to be so crudely direct, though – the
power of Bard-Song (p. 21) lets you neutralize many oppo-
nents without resorting to violence or tiring spells. Exceptional
social gifts round out your repertoire, helping the party score
superior deals when buying or selling in town.
Attributes: ST 11 [10]; DX 12 [40]; IQ 14 [80]; HT 11 [10].
Secondary Characteristics: Damage 1d-1/1d+1; BL 24 lbs.; HP
11 [0]; Will 14 [0]; Per 14 [0]; FP 11 [0]; Basic Speed 6.00 [5];
Basic Move 6 [0].
Advantages: Bardic Talent 2 [16]; Charisma 1 [5]; Musical
Ability 2 [10]; and Voice [10]. • 25 points in Bard-Song abil-
ities (p. 21); put leftovers into special skills and spells. • A
further 25 points chosen from among additional Bard-Song
abilities or DX +1 [20], IQ +1 [20], FP +1 to +8 [3/level],
Basic Speed +1 [20], Acute Hearing [2/level], Appearance
(Attractive, Handsome, or Very Handsome) [4, 12, or 16],
Bardic Talent 3 or 4 [8 or 16], Charisma 2-6 [5/level],
Cultural Adaptability [10], Eidetic Memory [5] or
Photographic Memory [10], Honest Face [1], Language
Talent [10], Languages (any) [2-6/language], Luck [15],
Musical Ability 3 or 4 [5 or 10], No Hangover [1],
Penetrating Voice [1], Signature Gear [Varies], Smooth
Operator 1 [15], Social Chameleon [5], Wealth (Comfortable
or Wealthy) [10 or 20], or Wild Talent 1 [20].
Disadvantages: -15 points chosen from among Chummy [-5] or
Gregarious
[-10],
Compulsive
Carousing
[-5*],
Lecherousness [-15*], Sense of Duty (Adventuring compan-
ions) [-5], or Xenophilia [-10*]. • Another -15 points chosen
from among Curious [-5], Impulsiveness [-10],
Overconfidence [-5], or Trickster [-15]. • A further -20
points chosen from either of the two previous lists or Code
of Honor (Gentleman’s) [-10], Compulsive Lying [-15*],
Odious Personal Habit (Continuous singing or strumming)
[-5], or Post-Combat Shakes [-5*].
Primary Skills: Acting (A) IQ [2]-14; Diplomacy (H) IQ [1]-14†;
Fast-Talk (A) IQ+1 [1]-15†; Musical Instrument (any) (H) IQ
[2]-15‡; Performance (A) IQ+1 [1]-15†; Public Speaking
(A) IQ+2 [1]-16†§; and Singing (E) HT+4 [1]-15†‡. • One
of Rapier, Saber, Shortsword, or Smallsword, all (A) DX+2
[8]-14. • One of Shield (Buckler) (E) DX+2 [4]-14; Cloak or
Main-Gauche, both (A) DX+1 [4]-13; or raise main sword
skill to DX+2 [12]-15. • One of Thrown Weapon (Knife) (E)
DX+1 [2]-13; or Bow or Throwing, both (A) DX [2]-12.
Secondary Skills: Fast-Draw (any) (E) DX [1]-12; Stealth (A)
DX [2]-12; Current Affairs (any) and Savoir-Faire (High
Society), both (E) IQ [1]-14; Interrogation, Merchant,
Propaganda, and Streetwise, all (A) IQ-1 [1]-13; Musical
Composition (H) IQ [1]-14‡; Carousing (E) HT [1]-11;
Intimidation (A) Will-1 [1]-13; and Detect Lies (H) Per-2
[1]-12.
Background Skills: Heraldry and Poetry, both (A) IQ-1 [1]-
13. • Six of Climbing or Dancing, both (A) DX-1 [1]-11;
Acrobatics or Sleight of Hand, both (H) DX-2 [1]-10; First
Aid or Gesture, both (E) IQ [1]-14; Connoisseur (any),
Disguise, Teaching, or Writing, all (A) IQ-1 [1]-13; Mimicry
(Speech) or Ventriloquism, both (H) IQ-2 [1]-12; Hiking (A)
HT-1 [1]-10; Sex Appeal (A) HT+1 [1]-12†; Scrounging (E)
Per [1]-14; or Observation (A) Per-1 [1]-13.
Special Skills and Spells: Spend 20 points on Hypnotism (H)
IQ-2 [1]-12; Musical Influence (VH) IQ-1 [1]-13‡; Persuade
(H) Will-2 [1]-12; Suggest or Sway Emotions, both (H) Will-
2 [1]-12 (require Persuade); Captivate (H) Will-2 [1]-12
(requires Suggest); or wizardly spells (p. 20) from the
Communication and Empathy and/or Mind Control col-
leges, which will be either (H) IQ [1]-14 or (VH) IQ-1 [1]-13
with the +2 for Bardic Talent.
* Multiplied for self-control number; see p. B120.
† Includes +2 for Voice.
‡ Includes +2 for Musical Ability.
§ Includes +1 for Charisma.
Customization Notes
A bard doesn’t start out an expert at anything, and can be
challenging to play until he has earned some points to spend
on his favorite tricks. Thus, bards are best for players who
don’t mind supporting the party with a little song, a little spell-
casting, and a little swordplay. It helps to decide early on
whether to focus on Bard-Song (Rapier Wit and Terror work
well in combat), spells (also combat-effective, and benefit from
higher IQ or Bardic Talent), or out-of-combat effectiveness
(e.g., high Charisma aids reactions, and enables the
Enthrallment skills to sway platoons of neutrals to the bard’s
cause; see p. B191).
Since a bard needs a costly blade and a musical instrument
– the latter often bought as an expensive power item (p. 28) –
it’s wise to sacrifice some of the 5 points from quirks for cash.
Given the diversity of Bard-Song abilities, instruments, and
spells, bards don’t especially need those points to further dis-
tinguish themselves from their peers.