Bard Abilities	Bard Race	Oghma (Patron of Bards)	The Class	Bards
-	-	Majarra	-	-

As this character class subsumes the functions of two other classes, fighters and thieves, and tops them off with magical abilities,
it is often not allowed by DMs. Even though this presentation is greatly modified from the original bard character class,
it is offered as supplemental to the system, and your DM will be the final arbiter as to the inclusion of bards in your campaign.

BARD ABILITIES

Devis

A bard must have scores of 15 or better in the following abilities: STR, WIS, DEX and CHA.
Furthermore, a bard must have at least a 12 score in INT and a 10 in CON.

Q. Why must bards have scores of only
15 or better in STR, WIS,
DEX & CHA when a fighter
who changes to a thief must have a
min. DEX of 17 & a
min. STR of 15?
A. The obvious answer to this question
is that bards are not fighters who
change into thieves and then into
bards.  Bards are characters who
have spent a period of training under
the auspices of the fighter and thief
classes, and then enter into bardic
training under druidic tuition.  A
character wishing to be a thief proper
needs to be well suited to this
specialised class.  The abilities of
bards are wider ranging and require
overall competence rather than
specialised excellence.
    For the number crunchers amongst
you, the probability of a character
having abilities suitable for bardhood
is far less than the chance of
being able to move from fighter
to thief.
(Imagine #4)

BARD RACE

A bard must be human || half-elven.

THE CLASS

<this is from a 2nd Ed. article, thus the article is not here>
<the artwork itself is fine, even with the words!>
<that said, I'd prefer the original, before the words>

Bards begin play as fighters, and they must remain exclusively fighters
until they have achieved at least the 5th level of experience. Anytime thereafter,
and in any event prior to attaining the 8th level, they must change their class to that of thieves.
Again, sometime between 5th and 9th level of ability,
bards must leave off thieving and begin clerical studies as druids;
but at this time they are actually bards and under druidical tutelage.
Bards must fulfill the requirements in all the above classes before progressing to Bards Table I.
They must always remain neutral, but can be chaotic, evil, good or LN if they wish.

Q: Can a human bard switch to another
class?
A: No. A human fighter who wants to
branch out may become a dual-class
character as described in the rules (PHB,
pg. 33), OR a bard -- effectively a triple-class
character -- by following the progression
described in the PHB, Appendix II.
When the figher becomes a thief, the
procedure is the same as if he were just
becoming a dual-class fighter thief.
However, he has the final option of continuing
by entering a bard college after
enough experience as a thief; if he flunks
the exams (or whatever), he's stuck as a
thief who used ot be a fighter. Entering
college is the ONLY way he can add
another class (Bard), and upon doing so,
he's fully committed.
    This type of logic generates another
problem: how can a half-elf potential
bard become "dual class" in the first
place? Well, it works, so, looking at it this
way, potential bards are the only exception
to the dual-clas rules. But the half-elf
MUST continue all the way once this
has begun.
    While we're on the subject, have you
ever thought of developing Bard Colleges
with parallels to our real ones?
Classes, fraternities (and frat parties),
mascots, sports, the library, the absent-minded
professor, the campus itself . . .
why, there are whole scenarios here, just
waiting to be written.
(Polyhedron #3)

Bard's Tale II

Q: Can a prospective bard take thief-acrobat
training as long as he leaves
off being a thief when reaching 8th
level?

A: The thief-acrobat class is not an option
for prospective bards.
(136.50)

Question: Should a NG bard be allowed to back stab?

Answer: Yes.

Since bards have pre-
viously acquired thieving xperience,
they receive benefits on attacking from
the rear just as thieves do. A NG character would be allowed to
back stab under the conditions described
above for a CG character —
any time the attack is made against a
known enemy and not a helpless or
harmless victim.—J. Ward, W. Niebling
 

Q: When a potential Bard switches from
Fighter to Thief, does he still have the
weapons of, and attack as, a Fighter.
A: NO. The whole purpose of learning
the thiefly skills is to learn that there's
more to life than beating things up -- he's
got to learn humility, and learn to sneak
around. The character (and player)
should make a serious attempt to stay in
the background as a support person.
Saving throws and hit points will stay the
same, and those are based on the experience
of the character, but weapons
used, "to hit" scores, and so forth should
be run as a thief.
(Polyhedron #6)
 
 

                                                                                                    Druid Spells

XP	Exp. Level	6-Sided  Dice for  Accum. hp	Level Title	1	2	3	4	5	College	Addl.  Lang.  Known	Charm  Percentage	Legend  Lore and Item  Knowledge	THACO	Saves	Proficiencies
--	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	**	16.17.18.20.19	-
--	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	**	^	-
0 - 2,000	1	0 *	Rhymer	1	-	-	-	-	(Probationer)	0**	15%	0%	**	14.15.16.17.17	As other classes
2,001 - 4,000	2	1	Lyrist	2	-	-	-	-	Fochlucan	0	20%	5%	**	^
4,001 - 8,000	3	2	Sonnateer	3	-	-	-	-	Fochlucan	0	22%	7%	**	13.14.15.16.16	+ 1/1
8,001 - 16,000	4	3	Skald	3	1	-	-	-	Fochlucan	1	24%	10%	**	^
16,001 - 25,000	5	4	Racaraide <*>	3	2	-	-	-	Mac Fuirmidh	0	30%	13%	**	11.12.13.13.14	+ 2/2
25,001 - 40,000	6	5	Joungleur <*> <**>	3	3	-	-	-	Mac Fuirmidh	1	32%	16%	**	^
40,001 - 60,000	7	6	Troubadour	3	3	1	-	-	Mac Fuirmidh	1	34%	20%	**	10.11.12.12.13	+ 3/3
60,001 - 85,000	8	7	Minstrel	3	3	2	-	-	Doss	0	40%	25%	**	^
85,001 - 110,000	9	8	Muse	3	3	3	-	-	Doss	1	42%	30%	**	8.9.10.9.11	+ 4/4
110,001 - 150,000	10	9	Lorist	3	3	3	1	-	Doss	1	44%	35%	**	^
150,001 - 200,000	11	10	Bard	3	3	3	2	-	Canaith	0	50%	40%	**	7.8.9.8.10	+ 5/5
200,001 - 400,000	12	10+1	Master Bard	3	3	3	3	-	Canaith	1	53%	45%	**	^
400,001 - 600,000	13	10+2	M. Bard 13th	3	3	3	3	1	Canaith	1	56%	50%	**	5.6.7.5.8	+ 6/6
600,001 - 800,000	14	10+3	M. Bard 14th	3	3	3	3	2	Cli	0	60%	55%	**	^
800,001 - 1,000,000	15	10+4	M. Bard 15th	3	3	3	3	3	Cli	1	63%	60%	**	4.5.6.4.7	+ 7/7
1,000,001 - 1,200,000	16	10+5	M. Bard 16th	4	3	3	3	3	Cli	1	66%	65%	**	^
1,200,001 - 1,400,000	17	10+6	M. Bard 17th	4	4	3	3	3	Anstruth	0	70%	70%	**	3.4.5.4.6	+ 8/8
1,400,001 - 1,600,000	18	10+7	M. Bard 18th	4	4	4	3	3	Anstruth	1	73%	75%	**	^
1,600,001 - 1,800,000	19	10+8	M. Bard 19th	5	4	4	4	3	Anstruth	1	76%	80%	**	^	+ 9/9
1,800,001 - 2,000,000	20	10+9	M. Bard 20th	5	4	4	4	4	Ollamh	1	80%	85%	**	^
2,000,001 - 2,200,000	21	10+10	M. Bard 21st	5	5	4	4	4	Ollamh	1	84%	90%	**	^	+ 10/10
2,200,001 - 3,000,000	22	10+11	M. Bard 22nd	5	5	5	4	4	Ollamh	1	88%	95%	**	^
3,000,000 +	23	10+12	M. Bard 23rd	5	5	5	5	5	Magna Alumnae	1	95%	99%	**	^	+ 11/11

* See notes hereafter.

** Use THACO from the fighter class.

Q: What attack table does a bard use?

A: A bard fights at the highest level that he
attained as a fighter (see the PH,
page 118).
(136.50)

<>

Question: Do Bards get bonus spells for Wisdom?

Answer: Yes. — J. Ward, W. Niebling
* * *

SA: Bards do not get bonus spells for Wisdom.
(Note: This is a later answer, and probably the correct one).
 

<* These words are not in wiktionary>
<** Jongleur is the English spelling. This level title might be more appropriate for one of the entertainer sub-classes (D69.54), if they are used.>

<correct HD column in the original file>

Notes Regarding Bards Table I:

Experience Points are strictly those gained as a bard, all previously earned are not considered here.
Experience level is likewise that of the bard class only.
There is no level beyond the 23rd.
The bard gains druidic powers as a druid of the same level,
with the exception of druidic spells as explained below.

Q. When do bards gain druidic abilities?
A. Bards do not gain druid abilities. They
gain the ability to cast druidic spells,
but do not have the ability to identify
plants, pass through undergrowth,
charm woodland creatures <?> or change
form.  Bards are not druids, they are
merely undergoing training by
druids.
    Interestingly, the bard is only an
optional character in the AD&D
Game, and the designer, Gary Gygax,
has even admitted that the class is
grossly unbalanced.
    (Imagine #28)

Q: Page 118 <> of the PH
clearly states that "the bard gains
druidic powers as a druid of the
same level, with the exception of
druidic spells. . . ." What about the
new druidic hierophant powers
described in UA? As
the bard class stands now, bards
would get poison immunity, longevity,
health, and shape-shifting at
16th level. At higher levels they
would gain the ability to travel
planes and summon elementals.
This does not seem to go along with
the spirit of the rules, since it takes
less experience points for a bard to
progress from 15th to 16th level
than it does for a druid.

A: Bards are not druids; therefore, they
are not eligible for the hierophant disciplines.
Remember, a character can only
progress to Hierophant from the position
of Grand Druid, which is not a station that
should be open to bards, or to any charac-
ter except a full druid. Therefore, bards
may never gain hierophant powers.
(117.47)

Q: Which of the druidic special abilities
do bards gain?

A: According to the rules, all of them (see
the Players Handbook, page 118); once the <?>
character actually gains bard status, he is
treated as a druid of the same level. Bards
of the 3rd level can identify plants, animals,
and pure water and can pass
through undergrowth. Those of 7th level
are immune to charm spells cast by woodland
creatures and, technically, can change
forms. DMs who are interested in preserving
game balance, however, should consider
dropping the latter ability. The
damage-restoring property of the form
changing ability can be a real campaign
buster when applied to a bards already
high hit points. DMs concerned about
campaign balance may consider restricting
druidic special abilities for bards.
(136.50)

6-sided Dice for Accumulated HP shows an asterisk after the initial "0" to indicate that the bard has as many hit dice as he or she has previously earned as a fighter (plus the possible addition of those earned as a thief if that class level exceeds the class level of fighter). All bard HD (and additional HP) are additions to existing hit dice -- none are lost for becoming a bard.

Q: How many bonus HP would
a bard with an 18 CON get?

A: Only fighters and cavaliers can get more
than +2 points per die from constitution
bonuses. The character in your example
would get +4 to each die gained as a
fighter, but only +2 for any other hit dice
gained -- including the six-sided die gained
at each bard level. Be warned that, as
designed, high-level bards with high constitutions
have excessive numbers of hit
points, and DMs should consider this with
regards to restricting the class.
(136.50)

Number of Spells by Druid Spell level shows the number and level of druid (cleric) spells which the bard is able to use during one day.
The bard selects which spells he or she wishes to have for that day (praying to see if his god will grant them) and casts them exactly as a druid of that level would,
but never beyond the 12th level of druid ability until the 23rd level is reached.
23rd level bards cast their spells at 13th level druid ability.
Bards can read scrolls which contain druid spells.

Notes Regarding Bards Table II:

College is the important distinction to a bard, and he or she will not associate with a bard of a lesser college.
The exception to this rule are the Magna Alumnae who will happily aid (by advice and suggestion) any other bard of any level.

Additional Languages Known shows the number of new languages the character gains upon achieving each level.
Unlike other characters, the bard need not study to learn these new tongues -- this is subsumed as previous work.
The asterisk at 1st level is there to indicate that the character already knows certain languages from previous classes.

Charm Percentage is the chance the bard has of successfully casting a charm person (or charm monster) spell with his or her music.
This charming ability does not negate any immunities or the saving throw versus Magic.

Legend lore and Item Knowledge Percentage shows the chance that the bard has of knowing something about a legendary person, place or thing or of knowing what a particular magic item is. The latter ability is limited to weapons, armor, potions, scrolls, and those items of magical nature which the bard can employ or which bear magical inscriptions;
for all bards know runes, glyphs, characters, symbols, etc. Naturally, any knowledge gained by bards while in their former classes is also retained at all levels.

Bards Table III: Armor and Weapons Permitted

Armor	Shield	Weapons *	Oil	Poison
leather or magical chainmail  only	none	club, dagger,  dart, javelin,  sling, scimitar,  spear, staff,  sword **	yes	never  (except for neutral evil bards)

* includes any magical weapons of the named type

** bastard, broad, long, short

BARDS

A bard always engages in combat at the level he or she attained as a fighter.
A bard is able to function as a thief of the level previously attained.
All saving throws are made an the most favorable table, with the actual bard level considered as that of a druid.
He or she must always have a stringed instrument.

The bard's poetic ability raises the morale of associated creatures by 10%.
It likewise can inspire ferocity in attack, so hit probability die rolls are given a bonus of +1.
Both of these characteristics require 2 rounds of poetics to inspire the desired effect,
i.e. 2 rounds of poetics will raise morale and cause ferocity, but 1 round will do neither.
The effects last for 1 complete turn.
Note that while engaged in this activity, the bard can engage in melee combat but not in any singing or spell casting.

A bard's singing and playing negates the song effects of harpies and prevents similar attacks which rely upon song.
It will likewise still the noise of shriekers, far these creatures are soothed by the vibrations of the bard's instrument.

The singing and playing of the bard likewise has a chance of charming most creatures.
Creatures within 4" of the bard must be diced for if they are not already associated with the bard and those possibly affected
(See Table II) must save versus magic or be charmed and sit entranced while the bard sings.
Note that even those creatures not charmed will listen to the bard's singing and playing for 1 full round.
Charmed creatures are subject to suggestion (as if it were the spell of that name) from the bard,
and if the bard implants a suggestion in his singing,
the charmed creatures must save versus magic at -2 on their dice rolls or be subject to the full impact of the suggestion.
Those which save are totally free of the bard's musical charming, however.
The charming can be attempted on the same creature but once per day.
Loud noise or physical attack will immediately negate charming, but not suggestion.

Due to training, a bard has knowledge of many legendary and magical items after 1st level of experience,
and this knowledge increases as the bard progresses upwards in level. If some legendary knowledge is appropriate and the dice score indicates that the bard has knowledge in the area, then his or her ability will deliver information similar to the magic-user spell, legend lore (q.v.). Without actually touching an item, the bard also has a like chance of determining its magical properties and alignment. This latter ability is limited to:

    armor
    misc. weapons
    misc. magic items -- if usable bya druid, fighter or thief*
    potions
    rings
    rods et al. -- if usable by a druid, fighter or thief*
    scrolls
    swords

*unless inscribed with magical writing, in which case the bard can read what is written at the very least

Artifacts and relics are legendary in nature and not considered as miscellaneous magic items.

Except as previously noted, bards are able to use magic items which are permitted to druids, fighters and thieves.
Magical books/librams/tomes which pertain to druids, fighters, or thieves are also beneficial (or baneful) to bards,
and these items can raise fighting or thieving ability of a bard beyond the norm.
(If a writing is baneful, treat the bard as the least favorable of his three classes.)
Miscellaneous magic items of a musical nature are superior when employed by a bard:

Drums of Panic -- Saving throw is made at a -1 on the die
Horn of Blasting -- 50% greater damage
Lyre of Building -- Double effects
Pipes of the Sewer -- Double number of rates in one-half the usual time

Bards will never serve another as a henchman for longer than 1 to 4 months.
They are unable to employ henchmen other than druids, fighters or thieves of human, half-elven, or elven race.
It is possible for a bard to have 1 henchman upon attaining 5th level,
    2 henchmen can be maintained upon reaching 8th level,
    3 at 11th,
    4 at 14th,
    5 at 17th,
    6 at 20th
    and any number at 23rd.
This is subject to the bard's charisma rating, of course.
Only bards of 23rd level will settle down and construct a stronghold of any sort.

Note: If bards are permitted in your campaign, there is a possibility that your DM will also include certain magical items usable only by bards.

                                                                                                                                                                        Number of
                                                                                                                                                                        Spells by
                                                                                                                                                                        Druid Level

Experience Points	Experience Level	6-Sided Dice for  Accumulated Hit Points	Level Title	1	2	3	4	5
0 - 2,000	1	0*	Rhymer	1	-	-	-	-
2,001 - 4,000	2	1	Lyrist	2	-	-	-	-
4,001 - 8,000	3	2	Sonnateer	3	-	-	-	-
8,001 - 16,000	4	3	Skald	3	1	-	-	-
16,001 - 25,000	5	4	Racaraide <*>	3	2	-	-	-
25,001 - 40,000	6	5	Joungleur <*> <**>	3	3	-	-	-
40,001 - 60,000	7	6	Troubadour	3	3	1	-	-
60,001 - 85,000	8	7	Minstrel	3	3	2	-	-
85,001 - 110,000	9	8	Muse	3	3	3	-	-
110,001 - 150,000	10	9	Lorist	3	3	3	1	-
150,001 - 200,000	11	10	Bard	3	3	3	2	-
200,001 - 400,000	12	10+1	Master Bard	3	3	3	3	-
400,001 - 600,000	13	10+2	M. Bard 13th	3	3	3	3	1
600,001 - 800,000	14	10+3	M. Bard 14th	3	3	3	3	2
800,001 - 1,000,000	15	10+4	M. Bard 15th	3	3	3	3	3
1,000,001 - 1,200,000	16	10+5	M. Bard 16th	4	3	3	3	3
1,200,001 - 1,400,000	17	10+6	M. Bard 17th	4	4	3	3	3
1,400,001 - 1,600,000	18	10+7	M. Bard 18th	4	4	4	3	3
1,600,001 - 1,800,000	19	10+8	M. Bard 19th	5	4	4	4	3
1,800,001 - 2,000,000	20	10+9	M. Bard 20th	5	4	4	4	4
2,000,001 - 2,200,000	21	10+10	M. Bard 21st	5	5	4	4	4
2,200,001 - 3,000,000	22	10+11	M. Bard 22nd	5	5	5	4	4
3,000,000 +	23	10+12	M. Bard 23rd	5	5	5	5	5

 

Level of Experience	College	Additional Languages Known	Percentage Chance	Legend Lore and  Item Knowledge Percentage
1	(Probationer)	0*	15%	0%
2	Fochlucan	0	20%	5%
3	Fochlucan	0	22%	7%
4	Fochlucan	1	24%	10%
5	Mac-Fuirmidh	0	30%	13%
6	Mac-Fuirmidh	1	32%	16%
7	Mac-Fuirmidh	1	34%	20%
8	Doss	0	40%	25%
9	Doss	1	42%	30%
10	Doss	1	44%	35%
11	Canaith	0	50%	40%
12	Canaith	1	53%	45%
13	Canaith	1	56%	50%
14	Cli	0	60%	55%
15	Cli	1	63%	60%
16	Cli	1	66%	65%
17	Anstruth	0	70%	70%
18	Anstruth	1	73%	75%
19	Anstruth	1	76%	80%
20	Ollamh	1	80%	85%
21	Ollamh	1	84%	90%
22	Ollamh	1	88%	95%
23	Magna Alumnae	1	95%	99%

Question: Can a ranger or a paladin become a bard?
The PH makes it sound as if only true fighters can become bards.
Is it possible for a bard-to-be who is NE to become an assassin instead of a thief?

Answer: The answer to both questions is no. The bard description in
the PH makes this clear by using the words
“fighters” and “thieves” in italic type, for emphasis. A player
character who intends to become a bard is not allowed to have
the special skills and benefits of a fighter or thief sub-class
during the preliminary stages of the character’s development;
the special skills and benefits that the character receives when
achieving bard status are more than adequate to compensate
for this “disadvantage.”
    Also, consider that the decision to become a paladin, ranger
or assassin involves making a commitment in alignment that
might prove uncomfortable later in a would-be bard’s career.
This is especially true of a paladin, who would automatically
have to undergo an alignment change (and suffer all the ap-
propriate penalities for doing so) when switching to the thief
class.
 

Question: When bards start as fighters, are they limited in the armor they can wear?

Answer: No, because they’re not bards yet.
A would-be bard who is
currently a member of the fighter profession is treated exactly
like a fighter, and can use any armor or weapons while follow-
ing that profession. Of course, it’s good to apply some fore-
thought; if a fighter intends to eventually become a bard, he
should plan to direct his weapon-proficiency training toward
the weapons which a bard can use, and it would be a good idea
to find a suit of +1 chain mail during the fighter phase and tuck it
away in a safe place during the thief phase of the character’s
development.
 

Question: According to the PH, a bard is permitted to
wear magical chain mail and carry a bastard sword, but a thief
cannot use either. Can a bard employ these things while using
thieving abilities without penalty?

Answer: Yes — assuming, of course, that the bard has attained profi-
ciency with the sword. One of the significant benefits of becom-
ing a bard is the ability to use armor and weapons not normally
usable by a thief, and still be able to perform the various thiev-
ing abilities. All that’s necessary to properly play a bard with
respect to this is to interpret the PH literally: A
bard is able to use any of the armor and weapon types listed as
permitted to the class, and a bard is able to function as a thief of
the level which the character attained while pursuing that pro-
fession. Nothing in the description given in the PH puts any limitations or restrictions on either of these
characteristics. The bard is an exceptional character class, for
truly exceptional characters who are able to attain and accomp-
lish things which are beyond the ability of “normal” characters.
(Correction: Logically, the thieving skill penalties for wearing chain mail should apply).
 

Question: The PH says that bards-to-be must switch to
thieving before attaining 8th level as a fighter. A footnote on
page 181 of the DMG indicates that a bard could have 8th-level
fighting ability. Of course, this only makes a difference if one
opts for the special note regarding fighters’ progression on
page 74 of the DMG. Please clarify.

Answer: Okay, I’ll try. The PH does stipulate that bards
must stop gaining experience as fighters prior to attaining 8th
level. But it also says that bards are subject to the effects of
“magical books/librams/tomes which pertain to druids, fight-
ers or thieves,” and these magic items can raise the effective
fighting or thieving level of the bard beyond the usual limits.
Thus, a bard who has 7th-level fighting ability and comes under
the influence of the effects of a Manual of Puissant Skill at Arms will
operate at the 8th level of fighting ability for as long as the manual’s
benefits remain in effect.
    A bard is limited to “between the 5th and 9th level” in his
advancement as a thief, which the sage interprets to mean that
the bard-to-be must stop at the 6th, 7th or 8th level of thieving
ability —between, but not including, 5th and 9th. Yet the same
footnote on page 181 of the DMG allows for bards with 9th-level
thieving ability —and it is possible for a bard to obtain that
effective level of ability by settling down with
a Manual of  Stealthy Pilfering, providing he had 8th-level thieving
ability to begin with.
It’s also worth noting the table on page 181 of the DMG, to
which the troublesome footnote refers, is designed to generate
NPCs for an encounter and has no bearing on
the definition of a bard as a PC. If you don’t want
to assume a NPC bard with 8th-level fighting
ability has gained that ability magically, then you can assume it
is possible for a NPC bard to have powers and
abilities far beyond those of a normal (PC) bard.
For justification of this position, see the “Adjustments to Ability
Dice Rolls for NPCs” on page 100 of the DMG;
many of these bonuses apply only to NPCs, and the overall
effect is to make NPCs generally more formid-
able (in some respects) than a PC of the same
class and race. In some cases, this means NPCs can possess
ability scores higher than the maximum attainable by a PC.
By the same reasoning, a NPC bard
might have a higher fighting or thieving level than it is possible
for a PC to possess without magical assistance.
 

SA: Fighter bards-to-be lose any exceptional strength they have when they become thieves, and never regain it.
(Note: This technically contradicts a previous answer).
 

Question: What are the max. fighting and thieving levels of bards?

Answer: Unless something sneaky is hidden in these questions that
the sage isn’t picking up on, they are all clearly answered by the
description of the bard class in the PH:
The max. fighting level of a bard is 5th, 6th or 7th, depending on how far the character progressed in the fighter class before switching to thief.
The maximum thieving level of a bard is 6th, 7th or 8th level, depending on when the character chooses to leave the thief profession and enter the next stage of training as a bard.
 

Question: How do you determine druid level for spell-casting ability for a bard?
Does a bard of 7th level or higher possess the druidic ability of shape-shifting?

Answer: A bard is able to use druidic spells according to the chart
which is part of Bards Table I: One first-level druidic spell at first
level, two first-level spells at second level, and so on. It is also
clearly stated that a bard “gains druidic powers as a druid of the
same level,” with the exception of the spells usable per level.
These druidic powers include the identification, movement and
language skills which begin at 3rd level, plus the immunity to
certain forms of charms and the shape-shifting power which is
first acquired at 7th level.
 

Question: Is the original bard class, as printed in Best of The Dragon, or
the bard class from the PH, supposed to be used for a PC?
The earlier version of the bard indicates dwarves, halflings and elves can be bards,
while the PH says only humans and half-elves can be bards. In the
article from Best of The Dragon, bards have magic-user spells.
In the PH, they have druid spells. Which is right?

Answer: The original appearance of the article on bards was ‘way back
in the sixth issue of The Strategic Review, the predecessor of
DRAGON™ magazine, and was printed before the AD&D® rules came into existence.
As such, the original bard class could possibly be best employed
in a DUNGEONS & DRAGONS® campaign, because this is the
game for which it was developed. However, a bard player char-
acter which is going to be used in an AD&D™ campaign should
be built around the rules given in the PH, which
was published more than three years after the original appear-
ance of the bard article. To make the “new bard” fit into the rest
of the AD&D framework, many particulars in the original des-
cription of the class were altered. The result is a bard class that
is more “right” than the first presentation — at least for the
players who intend to use the character in AD&D adventuring.
 
 
 

Tim Kask played the first bard IIRR.
 

Quote:
Originally Posted by weasel fierce
In AD&D, I wonder about the bard's connection to druids. Where did the inspiration for this come from ?

Historically, bards were a class of druid.
We don't know much at all about what the druids did in their religious practices, but we know their organization into three branches--the priests, lawyers (ovates), and bards.
 

Quote:
Originally Posted by John Drake
And, forgive me for asking this question, as I'll bet it was asked previously, but why was the Bard class in AD&D presented in the appendix of the PHB as opposed to being presented with the rest of the classes? Too powerful perhaps?
That about does it for now, Gary. Thanks for your time, as always, greatly appreciated!

It was left in an appendix because it was optional and I felt it didn't fit the AD&D system and mechanics as well as it might with more work. It is a potent class, but cimbersome.

Cheers,
Gary

Quote:
Originally Posted by haakon1
Hi Gary -- I'm wondering about "old school" bards, the kind described in the Appendix of the AD&D PHB, where you had to progress through thief and fighter levels before beginning as a bard. Have you seen anyone develop a character in that fashion?

I always thought it would be interesting, but I never saw anyone do it.

Yes, one player for certain managed that progression in my campaign group. It was too slow a process in all, for the player was too long denied playing the sort of PC actually desired.

Cheers,
Gary
 

Quote:
Originally Posted by Sanguinemetaldawn
Colonel,

In the AD&D PH, you wrote the following regarding the Bard in the appendix:

"Even though this presentation is greatly modified from the original bard character class, it is offered as supplemental to the system, and your DM will be the final arbiter as to the inclusion of bards in your campaign."

This piqued my interest, so I have been trying to track down the original bard class to compare. I went first to OD&D (Men & Magic, Eldritch Wizardry, etc) and wasn't able to find it, and I don't know where to start looking next. Did I just miss it or something?

Thanks.

Whoa!

I have a fair to middling memory, but this is too great a demand on it.
going back 30 years for the basis of a character class is not possible, but...

Check The Strategic Review first and then earlly issues of The Dragon magazine, as it seems likely that is where the initial treatment of the Bard appeared. <Yes, that is correct.>

Any reader know the actual periodical name and date of issue for the article on the Bard as a character class? <>

Cheers,
Gary
 

Quote:
Originally Posted by Fifth Element
Col:

One of the level titles for a bard in AD&D is "racaraide". A google search only brings up references to AD&D bards. What was the source of this term, and what does it mean?

Tru searching in a thesaurus.

IIRR, a racaraide is a strolling entertainer, but after all these years I'll be blamed if I can recall.

Cheerio,
Gary
 

Quote:
Originally Posted by Fifth Element
Thanks, can't find it in online dictionaries. Guess I'll have to find a more obscure one...

Likely I found it in a Roget's Thesaurus and looked it up in my unexpurgated Funk & Wagnalls Dictionary.
Both books are around here somewhere, but in this clutter it would likely take an hour to fined each.

Gary