11-26-2022, 10:17 PM | #11 |
Join Date: Jan 2008
|
Re: Song of Command & instruments
Another potential synergy: Song of Command + Song of the Wild might allow you to mind-control animals, since "Victory means your victim obeys your verbal commands in any language he knows for as long as you play without interruption" and "You can make your song understood to animals, who may answer you back in song of their own". It would not be unreasonable for this to work.
On the other hand, it does step on the druid's toes a little bit, and a DM could argue that understanding the meaning of your song and understanding a language are not the same thing. Personally I think the overlap is not a problem (after all, Swashbuckler Rapier Wit overlaps a bit with Song of Humiliation too), and that understanding the bard's intent is the key factor, which Song of the Wild clearly allows you to do. As GM I would allow that combo. |
11-26-2022, 10:38 PM | #12 | |
Wielder of Smart Pants
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Ventura CA
|
Re: Song of Command & instruments
Quote:
|
|
11-27-2022, 08:40 AM | #13 | |
Join Date: Jan 2008
|
Re: Song of Command & instruments
Quote:
Bards really are primarily specialized as influencers, and the key to having fun as a bard is to figure out what you're going to do when you're facing Unfazeable monsters of IQ 5 or less, like puddings, whom you cannot influence mentally or socially. There's actually quite a lot of such monsters; but if you're perfectly happy with the idea of throwing alchemist's fire at them, shooting crossbow bolts, casting spells, using Tactics to boost allies, laying caltrops/setting up deadfall traps, or even just Doing Nothing (writing poetry?) while everyone else handles those monsters--if you're happy with your anti-pudding plan you'll be fine playing a bard. Last edited by sjmdw45; 11-27-2022 at 10:21 AM. |
|
11-27-2022, 12:28 PM | #14 |
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Saint Paul, MN
|
Re: Song of Command & instruments
In my experience, most players ultimately choose a bard because they want to play the idea of a bard, not because of the particular mechanics of the bard template in DFRPG. They want to play a flamboyant, social, slightly ridiculous character who totes their lute into the acid pits of zilthus so they can compose an epic poem about the enterprise.
|
11-27-2022, 02:29 PM | #15 | ||
Wielder of Smart Pants
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Ventura CA
|
Re: Song of Command & instruments
Quote:
Quote:
Last edited by sir_pudding; 11-27-2022 at 02:33 PM. |
||
11-27-2022, 06:51 PM | #16 | |
Join Date: Jul 2021
|
Re: Song of Command & instruments
Quote:
EDIT: Even if this isn't necessarily RAW, I like it. This will allow a Bard to communicate and control animals, though it takes time and effort. I'm also in favor of "multi-professions" so it would be good to have a Druid/Bard. I really think it would be cool to have Druid/Bard "pied-piper" Control swarms of rats or bats. Use Druid abilities to locate animals and use animal handling capabilties. Last edited by restlessgriffin; 12-03-2022 at 11:28 AM. |
|
12-03-2022, 11:21 AM | #17 |
Join Date: Jul 2021
|
Re: Song of Command & instruments
OK, I'll go with that as it's the only way to explain using Song of Command with an instrument such as a whistle, flute, or horn.
|
12-03-2022, 12:00 PM | #18 |
Join Date: Jan 2008
|
Re: Song of Command & instruments
I just want to note that even then, what Jag claims to be able to do is impossible: control people without speaking, only musical notes.
Last edited by sjmdw45; 12-03-2022 at 12:34 PM. |
12-04-2022, 07:28 AM | #19 | |
Join Date: Jul 2021
|
Re: Song of Command & instruments
Quote:
Admittedly anyone watching his "performance" and paying attention to the words is tipped off. Far from ideal. One thing I wonder, can Bards suffice only using song and no instrument? If so why bother with the instrument? Extra weight, bulk, and more points spent. Honestly, once I start really tinkering with the rules (for now I want to stick close to RAW), I thing the must speak command in language understood by listeners/target will be one of my first changes. Why bother with the instrument. I really ope we'll see power ups for Bard sometime down the road.. I'd love to see something like Song of Healing (to buff healing capabilities), Sonic Blast (usable only with wind instruments, dmg by sound ), etc. |
|
12-04-2022, 09:20 AM | #20 | |
Join Date: Jan 2008
|
Re: Song of Command & instruments
Quote:
instrument at skill 14+." Like you, I assume this is what Jag _actually_ does: sings AND plays. Note that a wizard with Charm-20 is even less conspicuous: no incantations, no gestures, no music, not necessarily even any verbal orders (e.g. could use flash cards to give orders more subtly, or rely on the default "protect me" proclivity). But yeah, Charm costs a lot of FP especially if maintained for more than a minute. Bard Song is clearly better in some ways. A bard would be a ton of fun as a secret agent on a James Bond-type solo adventure. |
|
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|