This is a site for discussing roleplaying games. Have fun doing so, but there is one major rule: do not discuss political issues that aren't directly and uniquely related to the subject of the thread and about gaming. While this site is dedicated to free speech, the following will not be tolerated: devolving a thread into unrelated political discussion, sockpuppeting (using multiple and/or bogus accounts), disrupting topics without contributing to them, and posting images that could get someone fired in the workplace (an external link is OK, but clearly mark it as Not Safe For Work, or NSFW). If you receive a warning, please take it seriously and either move on to another topic or steer the discussion back to its original RPG-related theme.

Bard class

Started by d20DM, May 04, 2025, 10:05:47 AM

Previous topic - Next topic
Print
Go Down Pages1
User actions

d20DM

May 04, 2025, 10:05:47 AM
I am in the final stages of a Renaissance styled setting, very early Renaissance, and had a player ask about a Bard class. I am using Baptism, L&D, and vol 1 and 3 of the Old school companion as my main books for class, skill, etc. I explained how in the low magic world a Bard like normal 5th wouldn't really fit and they made me so happy when they said they were looking for a more authentic one. That being said, I am at a loss of how to approach it. Should I just make it a diff type of Craftsman, as per the OSC vol 1, or is there one I could find elsewhere? I poked around a bit and wasn't impressed by what I found as most seemed locked into what was there in D&D and that's a no go. Any and all help/ideas much appreciated.

Socratic-DM

#1
May 04, 2025, 08:47:09 PM
I'm a big fan of the one in Basic Fantasy, because it's not very magical, you could almost roleplay it as little placebo effects they create with their music.

besides that they are just a little bit of a acrobat thief, so if you want something to fit into the late medieval / early Renaissance style. that's a decent option.

Also I think Baptism of Fire has a bard-ish class, the skomorokh, but they are fairly culturally specific to eastern europe and Poland.
"Every intrusion of the spirit that says, "I'm as good as you" into our personal and spiritual life is to be resisted just as jealously as every intrusion of bureaucracy or privilege into our politics."
- C.S Lewis.
Print
Go Up Pages1
User actions