Lets talk bards! What level is your bard? How is he built? What items does he use? Magic secrets and favorite spells?
Me:
Jareth, Half-Elf Lore Bard 16 Faction Agent Rank 4 Lords Alliance (7 secret missions, 9 at tier 4, 10 with a mentor)
Currently all bard with a black dragon mask and Bardic Instrument (Harp). Sitting at 21 AC (26 with Shield) with mage armor and mask and available shield spells. Love my Charm spells with disadvantage to saves. Also has various weapons he is holding on to. (Dagger of Venom, +1 Hand Crossbow, +2 Rapier). His plan is to get to 18 for Wish Spell (magic secrets) them his last two levels will be warlock to wield his staff of power bumping his AC to 23 (28 with Shield) at level 20 with an arsenal of spells!
I just started this character recently but she is already a favorite.
Caede Greenwood, Avariel Lore Bard 5 Member of the infamous group The Discrete Troop As a very young Avariel she was captured by a red dragon and held captive as his pet for many years. Until a brave human knight came and slayed the beast. The human adopted Caede as his very own having always wanted a child but his wife being unable to have children. When her human parents finally passed away from age Caede went off to travel the world using her singing voice to make her gold. But being an Avariel is dangerous as everyone wants your wings so she decided to join a group. Now Caede isn't the brightest so when she saw a flyer for the Discrete Troop she thought it said Discrete Troupe. And that is how she became the 4th and final member of the Discrete Troop. So far it is quite a hilarious and fun game.
I just started this character recently but she is already a favorite.
Caede Greenwood, Avariel Lore Bard 5 Member of the infamous group The Discrete Troop As a very young Avariel she was captured by a red dragon and held captive as his pet for many years. Until a brave human knight came and slayed the beast. The human adopted Caede as his very own having always wanted a child but his wife being unable to have children. When her human parents finally passed away from age Caede went off to travel the world using her singing voice to make her gold. But being an Avariel is dangerous as everyone wants your wings so she decided to join a group. Now Caede isn't the brightest so when she saw a flyer for the Discrete Troop she thought it said Discrete Troupe. And that is how she became the 4th and final member of the Discrete Troop. So far it is quite a hilarious and fun game.
I've built a bard that has an obsession with the fey
Professor Xavier Rift Human Cleric (Life) Level 1 / Bard (Lore) Level 10
Current magic items: +1 Mithril Splint / Robe of Eyes / Staff of Healing Companions: Griffin mount
My character started out as a Sage (Professor) Life Cleric (of Selune - Life, Knowledge, Moon) teaching about the fey. Afterward he proceeded down the bardic magic to seek more knowledge of the fey. He currently only has one feat: Inspiring Leader.
At the present, I recently found that there's hardly any role my character can't perform at least moderately well.
Healer: Between my 1 level of life cleric, Staff of Healing, Cure Wounds, Healing Word, and Aura of Vitality, I'm really proficient at healing. Also have Raise Dead.
Tank: I have a 20 AC, but I could buy a +1 Shield (currently Level 3 in faction). And my Inspiring Leader ability puts my hit points not far behind that of a Fighter's. Not to mention, my bard's spells can be pretty annoying.
Controller: I've taken quite a lot of nice control spells: Hypnotic Pattern, Confusion, Dissonant Whispers, Vicious Mockery, etc.
Skills: I'm proficient in 9 skills. (1 Human, 2 Background, 2 Cleric, 1 Multiclass Bard, 3 Bard at lvl 3). Between my expertise and Robe of Eyes my passive perception is a 25.
DPR: I've got Conjure Animals/Conjure Woodland Beings. If CA cast at 5th level, I could conjure 16 CR 1/4 animals or 4 CR 1 Dire Wolves. I've also got Destructive Wave.
Also, I'm considering multiclassing again into Warlock. It would fit with my obsession of the fey, choosing Archfey as my patron and getting a Sprite familiar with Pact of the Chain. The idea is picking up Eldritch Blast as a DPR cantrip and recurring spell slots, since most of my spells are 5th level or lower and I could top out at 5th level Warlock spells. I'm not really worried about losing higher level things and the fey theme is kinda running dry now.
I just hit level 11 and could still change Destructive Wave (5th level spell) to Fireball (3rd level spell). It would let me fire off more if that's the role I'm playing, but Destructive Wave is a smart burst and only hits enemies for Thunder + Radiant/Necrotic. But my number of 3rd level spells is already pretty high. What other options would you choose for my 10th level magic secrets? Note I can choose 6th level spells since I have a 6th level spell slot. Thoughts?
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Name: Roland Race: Human (variant) Class: Bard 5/Revised Ranger 7 Archetype: College of Valor/Hunter Conclave Background: Outlander/Folk Hero (custom hybrid) Feats: Defensive Duelist Mobility War Caster
Roland's story is a well-traveled Bard who aspired to become more then a Bard - a true, heroic figure, just like the ones in the stories he sung of. Upon meeting a group of knightly types he did just that, multiclassing as a Ranger who would focus on melee combat.
The concept of his mechanics has become to create a well-rounded, mobile, melee-focused jack-of-all-trades. The basic setup is a finesse sword in one hand, shield in the other and the War Caster Feat. Between his Fighting Style of Dueling, Hunter's Mark and then Colossus Slayer from Ranger's Hunter, he can dish out some respectable single-target damage whilst maintaining a high AC from light armour + Dexterity and the shield, and then the Defensive Duelist feat. On top of that, generally assuming Hunter's Mark is still on the target, he can throw out Healing Words or Bardic Inspiration on his Bonus Action. All his other spells typically fall into the utility category - Silence, Invisibility, Detect Magic, Dispel Magic, Feather Fall, Pass Without Trace, etc. Cure Wounds too, of course. Finally he has the Mobility feat which really helps him retain Revised Ranger's crazy movement/maneuverability whilst staying in melee - it lets him move away from an opponent without suffering an Attack of Opportunity if he's already attacked them, hit or miss - and with two attacks, that's usually enough. Plus Mobility stacks so well with Fleet of Foot from Revised Ranger he will get with my next level up - enabling Dash as a bonus action.
It sounds like I focus far more on the Ranger part of him, but outside of combat he's almost all Bard. Even in combat he's still throwing out some Valor-College Inspirations a lot - and emergancy healing. But outside combat? Whether it's talking, the creative use of his cantrips and utility spells, or another of the insane amount of varied skills he's proficient in, two boosted with Expertise, and the rest boosted by Jack of All Trades, there's not much he can't solve somehow.
He's the son of a politician who did not want to be forced into an arranged marriage, so he ran away from home. When he ran out of the money he took with him on his adventures he began to support himself with halfway decent tavern playing that evolved into pretty alright tavern playing. He uses a cittern that used to belong to his mother (who is still alive [!!!] and supported him following his dreams) and has currently found himself transporting a wagon of goods to Phandalin!
I don't know what I want him to become yet, but he's kind of the face of the group and thinks our halfling rogue is pretty freakin' cool, so he might multiclass.
Dex is the leader of the Righteous Talon adventuring group. We have no cleric, ranged players, or magic users. So Dex is all of that for the party. In a recent fight with a Pit Fiend his party of a Paladin, Monk, and Fighter were getting slaughtered, so Dex throwing Lightning Bolts at it, from the other side of the room, saved them all. Also after saving the king with a Dimension Door of course. His performances are the stuff of legend with his +14. Even though his skin is as black as night, his songs and charismatic smile light up any occasion.
I haven't had a chance to play them yet, but a character kicking around in my brain is the Kenku Bard who goes by Symphony. They were a common criminal in their youth, but turned around when they broke into a high-society gala and heard a beautiful symphony. They use their mimicry ability to "play" pieces they've heard before, often mixing them together on the fly to evoke new feelings, and often accept evocative performances as a form of payment for services rendered. Their ultimate goal is to find the fabled "Song of Creation" that supposedly sung the Weave into being, as he feels it can give his people back their voice and wings and creativity.
Now my Bard has a bit of a story behind him. As a result there have been multiple versions of him all in different campaigns including a few pathfinder games. I will give a brief overview of his past selves before breaking down his current incarnation.
Jester 1: Human Bard Lvl 5 (pathfinder) - A highly incompetent bard causing the party a lot of problems. In the end he was killed by a demon of Zon Kuthon who was after him thanks to a few of his many mistakes.
Jester 2: Human Bard Lvl ??? - After his death Jester made a deal with a different god to help her beat his own god at a game. With a few tricks and the help of the PC's he managed to trick her allowing his own god Cayden Caliean to win. As a reward he was given the power to reincarnate after his death in a new world and in a new version of himself (memories carry over, race and personality don't).
Jester 3: Dwarf Bard Lvl 7 (pathfinder) - Gaining the previous Jester's memories he set off on a great quest to have a lot of fun. He love annoying the fighter with lots of puns and taking a dumb in a nobles desk. After inventing Jazz (for the second time) on the bagpipes he had a great life. Though he was sadly killed by getting shanked in the back.
Now ladies and gentlemen onto the main show. Jester Mark 4. The current version of him.
Name: Jester
Race: Half-elf
Class: Bard Lvl 14 (Lore Bard)
Background: Hobo
Accomplishments:
Drinking Giant Moonshine and surviving (nat 20).
Insulting a head off a Hydra.
Getting left hanging by Saloon the god of moons for a giant god to Bigby's Hand high five.
Nearly losing his gentleman's appendage after taking a piss in a pool and being jumped by a acid slime.
Bio: Once a nice guy turned bitter once he gained his memories of his past lives. This Jester had suffered a hard life. He was a good performer but his music was nothing new. No one could beat him at mariachi music but it was still mariachi music. On gaining the past lives memories he became jealous at their fame. No matter how hard he tried anytime he tried to play jazz it came out as mariachi music. So he took to drink and trying many a get rich quick scheme. But thanks to not being the smartest guy this time (8 INT) it never went well for him. But he gained some renown. Though not for his music. But for having a liver of steel, never being scared to drink a unlabeled liquid and for the shear power of his insults which have slain many foes.......somehow.
This is my first D&D character, with our first D&D party. Everyone was new to D&D when we started, but I chose the class and race purposefully to be different from the characters I usually pick in games like Skyrim and whatnot. It's been really fun learning about D&D as a game, and learning about the characters. I wasn't sure how elaborate the story was supposed to be, and I wanted the DM to be able to fill in some gaps, so I wrote a bit. Since we've started, Rok has cast minor illusion on a Demigorgon the party was fleeing to create a mustache on it, inadvertently freed the demon trapped within him while simultaneously cursing several other parties, and acquired a hook horror hatchling that he is currently raising. Just about to round the corner to level 6, I'm still really enjoying the versatility of the bard class.
Name: Rok Race: Forest Gnome Class: Bard Level 5, College of Lore
Bio: Rok was born to a house of private and traditional forest gnomes 200 years ago. Adventurous and curious from listening to tales from older folk at the Bard College he was attending, Rok went on to create his own adventure as a younger gnome. Not but a day's travel out from his wooden home, Rok stumbled upon a warlock partaking in a ritual of sorts to claim power from an ancient nameless demon. Unnoticed, Rok attempted to sneak off and was largely successful. Without a moment's notice, a strange aura was rapidly ejected from the ritual, and a small part of the demon was forced into Rok's soul. Instantly, his brown hair and eyes were turned silver, and what seemed to be marks from a puzzle appeared on his arms and the backs of his hands. Upon returning home, Rok was rejected by the elders sensing he was tainted by a demon. Rok too could feel the demon tugging at his very existence. Lightly, but still there. Respecting the elders wishes and fearing for his loved ones, he left home on good and noble terms, vowing to return the gnome he had left as. As he left, a puzzle piece filled in black on his hand. Wandering the land and searching for answers to the puzzle marks, Rok only fraternized with the darkest of creatures, learning their languages and songs in hopes of finding some clues to the nameless demon that he owed his condition to. 130 years of wandering the world and studying at the Bard College has proven to wear on Rok, leaving him cold and isolated to the rest of the world, following only his whims as he has found few answers. Rok meets a group of travelers on their own adventure, and decided to join them after he notices a second puzzle piece blackens on his hand. Allies include the network of bards he has met over the years, and the practitioners of the bardic arts, he is associated strongly with the Bard College, and has a secret and mystic bond with an unknown demon.
Saelihn Simon Navi IV Half-Elf Noble Bard 6 Mystic 1 College of lore/ Order of the Avatar Bard I made for a different campaign that he is currently in, hes was made to be a scholar and now more recently sees himself as a Knight of sorts. Hes accidentally planeswalked a few times which leads to his placing in the current campaign. Hes a pretty high Damaging character but I mostly play him heavy support do to I fit the dynamic well enough due to our great party makeup, though have been retaking a damage role again due to now wearing half plate. Recently in his career he accidental with his group started a Coup in a kingdom and fed a 9 year to a table mimic (She was beyond saving! Terrible creature, she wanted to have one of our party members flayed!) sadly ive missed the last couple of gaes with my group though as ive been out of state the last 3 weeks. BUt yea, hes kinda head strong and gets the party into trouble if there is something to be learned about history, and whie he s a noble he holds no one to be under him, humble and kind... but still a noble and can come off as a dick very often. Also just because his stats are 18, 13, 13, 18, 9, 20 And hope to get him War-caster soon.
My bard is someone that I found to be pretty rare:
Name: Barbossa
Race: Half-Orc
Class: Bard level 6 Artificer 1
Background: Outlander
His backstory involves being a part of an orc tribe and while on a solo hunt hearing music for the first time and being so entranced by it that he ran away from the life he knew to study become a Bard. His primary source of music is his War Drum, and he studies in the college of lore. The reason I went with Lore for Barbossa is because he was so intrigued by magic growing up a part of a tribe that was all muscle he found magic to be far more interesting after he left. As he has grown and leveled up he began taking an interest in crafting magic items thus multi-classing into Artificer. The first magic item he created was a Thunder Sword, embedding it with the thunderwave and shatter spells. However, my favorite weapon he has created is the Bear Gun, using conjure animals he got at level six and his ability to craft guns he made a 5 barrel revolver that has a different bear sketched into it. As an action he can fire one of the barrels summoning that bear. Only one bear can be summoned at a time and once it is used you can't use it again until all are used. After they are all used it takes three days to recharge the gun with all 5 uses available again.
Class: Level 2 Bard (will join the College of Glamour)
Background: Entertainer
Presents as human but is an Aasimar with pink skin and a lightning bolt scar across is face. Keeping his angelic heritage hidden due to persecution he travels from town to town touring his songs and revealing his true self on stage.
I'm currently playing as a Monk in our campaign at the moment but I've been mulling around with an idea for a Bard that I've grown really attached to, maybe for my next campaign (or if my monk dies). This is like, my forth character idea so far since I started playing D&D but I really like how this character has fleshed out in my mind (I'm very roleplaying heavy).
Anyway, here's a little Introduction:
"Come one, come all, Come gather round, Wondrous entertainment, Here to be found, On this street, you'll see the show, Of The Great Magnifico! I'll sing a song, Or tell a tale, And in my words, If you find some joy, You might also, Spare a coin?"
Magnifico is a non-binary Tiefling street performer. Orphaned from a very young age, their only family is an enchanted patchwork doll in the form of a monkey whose name is Theodore and has been by their side for as long as either of them can remember. Magnifico (named by themselves obviously) is a highly charismatic, happy go lucky, kind of street urchin I suppose. They live off of the charity procured from playing music and telling tales of heroes and their adventure, on various street corners. They can be a little over bearing at times if you get close to them and have a habit of rubbing people up the wrong way.
While Magnifico has learned much about using their bardic talents to make their way on the streets, they shy away from the calling of being a great bard and going to a prestigious bard college. Having grown up with nobody but a patchwork teddy bear, no direction or parents, they have no knowledge of their background aside from the prejudice they have experienced for being a Tiefling and fear that this calling to greatness as a bard is truly a dark force pulling them towards their infernal heritage. Regardless, Magnifico loves to perform, and continues to do so.
Also, whether it is due to having lived rough on the streets, or born of some quirk of their personality, they have a penchant for fancy or interesting footwear. Their instrument of choice is a simple pan flute and Theodore has some accompanying cymbals.
Honest Bill, a Light foot Halfling Guild Merchant. "Honest Bill can get you what'cha need. Personality traits? Sure, Honest Bill's got 'em. You seem like a Chaotic Good sorta fella..."
He was raised in a small Halfling community by his merchant parents who owned the towns goods shoppe. Honest Bill decided one day to set out and see the world. With donations from the whole town, happy to see him on his way, Honest Bill set out into the world with his trusty Mule and his sturdy cart in search of adventure and riches.
Honest Bill is quick to climb atop any table, chair, box, or nearby companion to speak eye-to-eye with whomever he's talking to. He's also a bit of a Habitual Liar, swindling to get the best out of any deal and he changes his name with each town. (Honest Bill, Honest Will, Honest Don, Honest Jon, Honest Phil, etc..)
Honest Bill carries no weapons save for a set of Daggers for juggling (and occasionally throwing) but he' d much rather rely on his quick tongue to solve any problems. Minor Illusion and Vicious Mockery are his bread and butter. He's also quick to try and convince others to join his side in combat. "Are you sure you're on the right side? Help us out and you'll get a share. What kind of other skills do you have? Any plans for college?"
I'm currently playing in a regular AL group with a Yuan-Ti Pureblood Lore Bard, Eurixia Hss'tafi. She serves as the party's healer, because it fits her cover identity - she claims to be a priestess of Sune.
She hates most of the people she's adventuring with...
The elf wizard is too smart and too pretty. She's also a Mulmaster aristocrat, and a well regarded one, while Eurixia is a sort of disenfranchised noble back in Najara.
The dragonborn would be okay, as a type of Scaled One, except that he's crude and uncouth, and it often hampers her ability to accomplish the party goals in a subtle manner.
The human eldritch knight is just kind of a selfish jerk.
She's fond of the human paladin, but emotions and attachment are a weakness, so she hates him for making her feel like she does.
Lastly, she hates herself because her feelings for the human paladin make her weak.
That said... she treats them all well - they may be tools, but any good craftswoman takes care of her tools.
My old Bard from our previous game who is the father of my current character.
NAME Ash "Gai" Brightblade
RACE Human
LEVEL 17
Born of noble birth his homeland was seized and family killed after traveling the globe with new found friends , who once they found out of his title started to refer to him as " your highness" much to his annoyance. After battling the current king and a mindflayer they retook his homeland and renamed it Rhyboflaven where he is currently King. Giving his former party members places in his royal court, and marring an NPC that they ran across.
He wasn't a very good Combat character but his main strength was Performing songs to Inspire the party and Lying his ass off to sneak into places
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~Bard Talk~
Lets talk bards! What level is your bard? How is he built? What items does he use? Magic secrets and favorite spells?
Me:
Jareth, Half-Elf Lore Bard 16
Faction Agent
Rank 4 Lords Alliance (7 secret missions, 9 at tier 4, 10 with a mentor)
Currently all bard with a black dragon mask and Bardic Instrument (Harp). Sitting at 21 AC (26 with Shield) with mage armor and mask and available shield spells. Love my Charm spells with disadvantage to saves. Also has various weapons he is holding on to. (Dagger of Venom, +1 Hand Crossbow, +2 Rapier). His plan is to get to 18 for Wish Spell (magic secrets) them his last two levels will be warlock to wield his staff of power bumping his AC to 23 (28 with Shield) at level 20 with an arsenal of spells!
How about you?
~Josh~
I just started this character recently but she is already a favorite.
Caede Greenwood, Avariel Lore Bard 5
Member of the infamous group The Discrete Troop
As a very young Avariel she was captured by a red dragon and held captive as his pet for many years. Until a brave human knight came and slayed the beast. The human adopted Caede as his very own having always wanted a child but his wife being unable to have children. When her human parents finally passed away from age Caede went off to travel the world using her singing voice to make her gold. But being an Avariel is dangerous as everyone wants your wings so she decided to join a group. Now Caede isn't the brightest so when she saw a flyer for the Discrete Troop she thought it said Discrete Troupe. And that is how she became the 4th and final member of the Discrete Troop.
So far it is quite a hilarious and fun game.
~I am a Halfling Warrior at Heart~
~Tempus Fugit~
~Josh~
I've built a bard that has an obsession with the fey
Professor Xavier Rift
Human Cleric (Life) Level 1 / Bard (Lore) Level 10
Current magic items: +1 Mithril Splint / Robe of Eyes / Staff of Healing
Companions: Griffin mount
My character started out as a Sage (Professor) Life Cleric (of Selune - Life, Knowledge, Moon) teaching about the fey. Afterward he proceeded down the bardic magic to seek more knowledge of the fey. He currently only has one feat: Inspiring Leader.
At the present, I recently found that there's hardly any role my character can't perform at least moderately well.
Also, I'm considering multiclassing again into Warlock. It would fit with my obsession of the fey, choosing Archfey as my patron and getting a Sprite familiar with Pact of the Chain. The idea is picking up Eldritch Blast as a DPR cantrip and recurring spell slots, since most of my spells are 5th level or lower and I could top out at 5th level Warlock spells. I'm not really worried about losing higher level things and the fey theme is kinda running dry now.
I just hit level 11 and could still change Destructive Wave (5th level spell) to Fireball (3rd level spell). It would let me fire off more if that's the role I'm playing, but Destructive Wave is a smart burst and only hits enemies for Thunder + Radiant/Necrotic. But my number of 3rd level spells is already pretty high. What other options would you choose for my 10th level magic secrets? Note I can choose 6th level spells since I have a 6th level spell slot. Thoughts?
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Interesting concept, I like it
~Josh~
Name: Roland
Race: Human (variant)
Class: Bard 5/Revised Ranger 7
Archetype: College of Valor/Hunter Conclave
Background: Outlander/Folk Hero (custom hybrid)
Feats:
Defensive Duelist
Mobility
War Caster
Roland's story is a well-traveled Bard who aspired to become more then a Bard - a true, heroic figure, just like the ones in the stories he sung of. Upon meeting a group of knightly types he did just that, multiclassing as a Ranger who would focus on melee combat.
The concept of his mechanics has become to create a well-rounded, mobile, melee-focused jack-of-all-trades. The basic setup is a finesse sword in one hand, shield in the other and the War Caster Feat. Between his Fighting Style of Dueling, Hunter's Mark and then Colossus Slayer from Ranger's Hunter, he can dish out some respectable single-target damage whilst maintaining a high AC from light armour + Dexterity and the shield, and then the Defensive Duelist feat. On top of that, generally assuming Hunter's Mark is still on the target, he can throw out Healing Words or Bardic Inspiration on his Bonus Action. All his other spells typically fall into the utility category - Silence, Invisibility, Detect Magic, Dispel Magic, Feather Fall, Pass Without Trace, etc. Cure Wounds too, of course. Finally he has the Mobility feat which really helps him retain Revised Ranger's crazy movement/maneuverability whilst staying in melee - it lets him move away from an opponent without suffering an Attack of Opportunity if he's already attacked them, hit or miss - and with two attacks, that's usually enough. Plus Mobility stacks so well with Fleet of Foot from Revised Ranger he will get with my next level up - enabling Dash as a bonus action.
It sounds like I focus far more on the Ranger part of him, but outside of combat he's almost all Bard. Even in combat he's still throwing out some Valor-College Inspirations a lot - and emergancy healing. But outside combat? Whether it's talking, the creative use of his cantrips and utility spells, or another of the insane amount of varied skills he's proficient in, two boosted with Expertise, and the rest boosted by Jack of All Trades, there's not much he can't solve somehow.
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My homebrew: [Subclasses] [Races] [Feats] [Discussion Thread]
Unearthed Arcana Ranger?
~Josh~
Correct! The DM let me update to it recently from the original one. https://media.wizards.com/2016/dnd/downloads/UA_RevisedRanger.pdf
It feels very similar except much better - and interacts with Bard in the exact same way.
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My homebrew: [Subclasses] [Races] [Feats] [Discussion Thread]
Remy Duquesne, Tiefling Bard here!
He's the son of a politician who did not want to be forced into an arranged marriage, so he ran away from home. When he ran out of the money he took with him on his adventures he began to support himself with halfway decent tavern playing that evolved into pretty alright tavern playing. He uses a cittern that used to belong to his mother (who is still alive [!!!] and supported him following his dreams) and has currently found himself transporting a wagon of goods to Phandalin!
I don't know what I want him to become yet, but he's kind of the face of the group and thinks our halfling rogue is pretty freakin' cool, so he might multiclass.
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Varis "Dex" Nailo - Drow Bard (Lore) Lvl 9
Dex is the leader of the Righteous Talon adventuring group. We have no cleric, ranged players, or magic users. So Dex is all of that for the party. In a recent fight with a Pit Fiend his party of a Paladin, Monk, and Fighter were getting slaughtered, so Dex throwing Lightning Bolts at it, from the other side of the room, saved them all. Also after saving the king with a Dimension Door of course. His performances are the stuff of legend with his +14. Even though his skin is as black as night, his songs and charismatic smile light up any occasion.
I haven't had a chance to play them yet, but a character kicking around in my brain is the Kenku Bard who goes by Symphony. They were a common criminal in their youth, but turned around when they broke into a high-society gala and heard a beautiful symphony. They use their mimicry ability to "play" pieces they've heard before, often mixing them together on the fly to evoke new feelings, and often accept evocative performances as a form of payment for services rendered. Their ultimate goal is to find the fabled "Song of Creation" that supposedly sung the Weave into being, as he feels it can give his people back their voice and wings and creativity.
Now my Bard has a bit of a story behind him. As a result there have been multiple versions of him all in different campaigns including a few pathfinder games. I will give a brief overview of his past selves before breaking down his current incarnation.
Jester 1: Human Bard Lvl 5 (pathfinder) - A highly incompetent bard causing the party a lot of problems. In the end he was killed by a demon of Zon Kuthon who was after him thanks to a few of his many mistakes.
Jester 2: Human Bard Lvl ??? - After his death Jester made a deal with a different god to help her beat his own god at a game. With a few tricks and the help of the PC's he managed to trick her allowing his own god Cayden Caliean to win. As a reward he was given the power to reincarnate after his death in a new world and in a new version of himself (memories carry over, race and personality don't).
Jester 3: Dwarf Bard Lvl 7 (pathfinder) - Gaining the previous Jester's memories he set off on a great quest to have a lot of fun. He love annoying the fighter with lots of puns and taking a dumb in a nobles desk. After inventing Jazz (for the second time) on the bagpipes he had a great life. Though he was sadly killed by getting shanked in the back.
Now ladies and gentlemen onto the main show. Jester Mark 4. The current version of him.
Name: Jester
Race: Half-elf
Class: Bard Lvl 14 (Lore Bard)
Background: Hobo
Accomplishments:
Bio: Once a nice guy turned bitter once he gained his memories of his past lives. This Jester had suffered a hard life. He was a good performer but his music was nothing new. No one could beat him at mariachi music but it was still mariachi music. On gaining the past lives memories he became jealous at their fame. No matter how hard he tried anytime he tried to play jazz it came out as mariachi music. So he took to drink and trying many a get rich quick scheme. But thanks to not being the smartest guy this time (8 INT) it never went well for him. But he gained some renown. Though not for his music. But for having a liver of steel, never being scared to drink a unlabeled liquid and for the shear power of his insults which have slain many foes.......somehow.
"Toss a coin to your [Insert class here]"
This is my first D&D character, with our first D&D party. Everyone was new to D&D when we started, but I chose the class and race purposefully to be different from the characters I usually pick in games like Skyrim and whatnot. It's been really fun learning about D&D as a game, and learning about the characters. I wasn't sure how elaborate the story was supposed to be, and I wanted the DM to be able to fill in some gaps, so I wrote a bit. Since we've started, Rok has cast minor illusion on a Demigorgon the party was fleeing to create a mustache on it, inadvertently freed the demon trapped within him while simultaneously cursing several other parties, and acquired a hook horror hatchling that he is currently raising. Just about to round the corner to level 6, I'm still really enjoying the versatility of the bard class.
Name: Rok
Race: Forest Gnome
Class: Bard Level 5, College of Lore
Bio: Rok was born to a house of private and traditional forest gnomes 200 years ago. Adventurous and curious from listening to tales from older folk at the Bard College he was attending, Rok went on to create his own adventure as a younger gnome. Not but a day's travel out from his wooden home, Rok stumbled upon a warlock partaking in a ritual of sorts to claim power from an ancient nameless demon. Unnoticed, Rok attempted to sneak off and was largely successful. Without a moment's notice, a strange aura was rapidly ejected from the ritual, and a small part of the demon was forced into Rok's soul. Instantly, his brown hair and eyes were turned silver, and what seemed to be marks from a puzzle appeared on his arms and the backs of his hands. Upon returning home, Rok was rejected by the elders sensing he was tainted by a demon. Rok too could feel the demon tugging at his very existence. Lightly, but still there. Respecting the elders wishes and fearing for his loved ones, he left home on good and noble terms, vowing to return the gnome he had left as. As he left, a puzzle piece filled in black on his hand. Wandering the land and searching for answers to the puzzle marks, Rok only fraternized with the darkest of creatures, learning their languages and songs in hopes of finding some clues to the nameless demon that he owed his condition to. 130 years of wandering the world and studying at the Bard College has proven to wear on Rok, leaving him cold and isolated to the rest of the world, following only his whims as he has found few answers. Rok meets a group of travelers on their own adventure, and decided to join them after he notices a second puzzle piece blackens on his hand. Allies include the network of bards he has met over the years, and the practitioners of the bardic arts, he is associated strongly with the Bard College, and has a secret and mystic bond with an unknown demon.
I also illustrated my idea of what he looks like.
Saelihn Simon Navi IV
Half-Elf Noble
Bard 6 Mystic 1
College of lore/ Order of the Avatar
Bard I made for a different campaign that he is currently in, hes was made to be a scholar and now more recently sees himself as a Knight of sorts. Hes accidentally planeswalked a few times which leads to his placing in the current campaign. Hes a pretty high Damaging character but I mostly play him heavy support do to I fit the dynamic well enough due to our great party makeup, though have been retaking a damage role again due to now wearing half plate. Recently in his career he accidental with his group started a Coup in a kingdom and fed a 9 year to a table mimic (She was beyond saving! Terrible creature, she wanted to have one of our party members flayed!) sadly ive missed the last couple of gaes with my group though as ive been out of state the last 3 weeks. BUt yea, hes kinda head strong and gets the party into trouble if there is something to be learned about history, and whie he s a noble he holds no one to be under him, humble and kind... but still a noble and can come off as a dick very often.
Also just because his stats are 18, 13, 13, 18, 9, 20 And hope to get him War-caster soon.
My bard is someone that I found to be pretty rare:
Name: Barbossa
Race: Half-Orc
Class: Bard level 6 Artificer 1
Background: Outlander
His backstory involves being a part of an orc tribe and while on a solo hunt hearing music for the first time and being so entranced by it that he ran away from the life he knew to study become a Bard. His primary source of music is his War Drum, and he studies in the college of lore. The reason I went with Lore for Barbossa is because he was so intrigued by magic growing up a part of a tribe that was all muscle he found magic to be far more interesting after he left. As he has grown and leveled up he began taking an interest in crafting magic items thus multi-classing into Artificer. The first magic item he created was a Thunder Sword, embedding it with the thunderwave and shatter spells. However, my favorite weapon he has created is the Bear Gun, using conjure animals he got at level six and his ability to craft guns he made a 5 barrel revolver that has a different bear sketched into it. As an action he can fire one of the barrels summoning that bear. Only one bear can be summoned at a time and once it is used you can't use it again until all are used. After they are all used it takes three days to recharge the gun with all 5 uses available again.
Name: Thomas Newman (real name D'veed)
Race: Scourge Aasimar
Class: Level 2 Bard (will join the College of Glamour)
Background: Entertainer
Presents as human but is an Aasimar with pink skin and a lightning bolt scar across is face. Keeping his angelic heritage hidden due to persecution he travels from town to town touring his songs and revealing his true self on stage.
D'veed the Bard Lvl 2
DM
Standard Nerd
I'm currently playing as a Monk in our campaign at the moment but I've been mulling around with an idea for a Bard that I've grown really attached to, maybe for my next campaign (or if my monk dies). This is like, my forth character idea so far since I started playing D&D but I really like how this character has fleshed out in my mind (I'm very roleplaying heavy).
Anyway, here's a little Introduction:
"Come one, come all,
Come gather round,
Wondrous entertainment,
Here to be found,
On this street, you'll see the show,
Of The Great Magnifico!
I'll sing a song,
Or tell a tale,
And in my words,
If you find some joy,
You might also,
Spare a coin?"
Magnifico is a non-binary Tiefling street performer. Orphaned from a very young age, their only family is an enchanted patchwork doll in the form of a monkey whose name is Theodore and has been by their side for as long as either of them can remember. Magnifico (named by themselves obviously) is a highly charismatic, happy go lucky, kind of street urchin I suppose. They live off of the charity procured from playing music and telling tales of heroes and their adventure, on various street corners. They can be a little over bearing at times if you get close to them and have a habit of rubbing people up the wrong way.
While Magnifico has learned much about using their bardic talents to make their way on the streets, they shy away from the calling of being a great bard and going to a prestigious bard college. Having grown up with nobody but a patchwork teddy bear, no direction or parents, they have no knowledge of their background aside from the prejudice they have experienced for being a Tiefling and fear that this calling to greatness as a bard is truly a dark force pulling them towards their infernal heritage. Regardless, Magnifico loves to perform, and continues to do so.
Also, whether it is due to having lived rough on the streets, or born of some quirk of their personality, they have a penchant for fancy or interesting footwear. Their instrument of choice is a simple pan flute and Theodore has some accompanying cymbals.
Honest Bill, a Light foot Halfling Guild Merchant. "Honest Bill can get you what'cha need. Personality traits? Sure, Honest Bill's got 'em. You seem like a Chaotic Good sorta fella..."
He was raised in a small Halfling community by his merchant parents who owned the towns goods shoppe. Honest Bill decided one day to set out and see the world. With donations from the whole town, happy to see him on his way, Honest Bill set out into the world with his trusty Mule and his sturdy cart in search of adventure and riches.
Honest Bill is quick to climb atop any table, chair, box, or nearby companion to speak eye-to-eye with whomever he's talking to. He's also a bit of a Habitual Liar, swindling to get the best out of any deal and he changes his name with each town. (Honest Bill, Honest Will, Honest Don, Honest Jon, Honest Phil, etc..)
Honest Bill carries no weapons save for a set of Daggers for juggling (and occasionally throwing) but he' d much rather rely on his quick tongue to solve any problems. Minor Illusion and Vicious Mockery are his bread and butter. He's also quick to try and convince others to join his side in combat. "Are you sure you're on the right side? Help us out and you'll get a share. What kind of other skills do you have? Any plans for college?"
I'm currently playing in a regular AL group with a Yuan-Ti Pureblood Lore Bard, Eurixia Hss'tafi. She serves as the party's healer, because it fits her cover identity - she claims to be a priestess of Sune.
She hates most of the people she's adventuring with...
That said... she treats them all well - they may be tools, but any good craftswoman takes care of her tools.
My old Bard from our previous game who is the father of my current character.
NAME Ash "Gai" Brightblade
RACE Human
LEVEL 17
Born of noble birth his homeland was seized and family killed after traveling the globe with new found friends , who once they found out of his title started to refer to him as " your highness" much to his annoyance. After battling the current king and a mindflayer they retook his homeland and renamed it Rhyboflaven where he is currently King. Giving his former party members places in his royal court, and marring an NPC that they ran across.
He wasn't a very good Combat character but his main strength was Performing songs to Inspire the party and Lying his ass off to sneak into places