Background: Gambler (Never Tell Me the Odds fits into his downtime as well as overall soldier of fortune vibe)
Current Campaign: Urth PbP
Note: this PC is based as "the younger" version of a frequent NPC I use, whose sort my games' minor Gandalf. He tends to be an intermediary on behalf of "the right side" or at least "the right thing to do" in my campaigns, sometimes representing parties' patrons, sometimes a resource of information or mateirals, go-to guy for exposition etc.
Quick concept: think Jesse Ventura's character in Predator survived and became Jesse Ventura's character in The Running Man
Tommary's Rogue experience stems from time in a military unit that was less standing battles and more "get there fast, strike quick, leave quicker." Think spell-less Ranger. His Barding comes from his time running and performing in a "totally real" underground combat/dueling circuit where he'd often play the heel, but wasn't above hustles where he'd build hype among the betting audience for him and then, in a "totally real" fashion, throw fights with a high purse betting on him, having bet against himself through proxies. This con, as well as the general illegality of dueling and betting on bloodsports in his city, and the fact that sometimes the hustle just doesn't pay off gives him a reason to get out of town for adventuring every now and then.
How does a character largely inspired by professional wrestling get around to Barding? If you don't see it and are actually asking the question, it's hype. If you never smelled what the Rock was Cooking back in the days when Dwayne Johnson was acting in nothing but a black speedo you might not get it. His athletic feats and bearing and all around swagger with a "and so can you! knowing is half the battle! Yo Joe" vibe are what inspires. But he's versatile, besides the rock star pump he can also do a more measured vulnerable Coach Taylor thing too. His songs of rest are more a mix of Coach Taylor and locker room recap.* I was a bit tickled when I was reading either the Alien RPG core book or the Colonial Marines supplement that gave marines a "banter" talent (where stress ... and important game challenging factor ... can be reduced through banter). That's totally Sazarac.
He's also seen way too much television, film and comics (the game world has these vaults, with their own history beyond their contents, like when the Vault of the Fox was consumed by the Vault of the Mouse, it doesn't make sense but it happened). His cultural appreciation is far from perfect though. A gelatinous cube is exactly the opposite texture of a Jolly Rancher, but that's what he calls gelatinous cubes. Someone may try to set him otherwise if fine art ever really matters in game, but in his head canon the statue The Thinker was carved out of rough hewing wind wielded by the kaiju Rodan.
He's fun. And he's going to bring down that mountain, once he finds the exhaust port.
*I still say Randy "Macho Man" Savage was the visual template for the iconic sun goggles look of TSR Yazirian race in Star Frontiers, now in 5e UA as Hadozee. Oooyeah.
EDIT: On the mechanics side of things, I had a hard think when he got to level nine whether to do the 3R/6B (second attack and 3rd level spells) or 4R/5B (ASI to either beef his magic's base ability or make him more lethal and harder to hit by pumping DEX to 20 ... the trials of a MAD build are real). Party consensus was for the additional attack and boosted magic.
Drift Half Elf 11 Bard, College of Lore, 1 Sorcerer (Divine Soul)
Drift is part of a band of mercenaries who recently ended the curse of the Rime in Icewind Dale, and have just now set out on the second half of their careers, putting together the Rod of Seven Parts. Drift is a former Zhentarim spy who faked his death to safely leave the Black Network and eventually found himself laying low in Icewind Dale, where he met his companions and set out to free Icewind Dale from Auril's Curse. During his adventures, a daughter he did not know he had found him in Icewind Dale and joined their band. He's doing what he can to make up for all the lost time. In the doome city of Ythryn, a long dormant Celestial part of his heritage manifested, just before they found themselves battling the Frostmaiden and her allies.
He currently carries Iriolarthas' Staff, and winds up wearing many hats in the party since we're mostly close-combat fighter types (no cleric or full Wizard in the party, so I have a lot to do).
“Mayest call me Äïkaterina. This is my story, such as it is. I don't usually tell people; the asking is impolite, yet I'll make this exception. Because you asked. So nicely. Just don't laugh, or say anything. I'm putting myself on the line. I don't know if I can trust you. And trust is so important to me. So if you break my trust, we're done. Finished. Through. Just like so many others you'll have dragged my honor through the mud, and I can't stand to lose much more after all that's been taken from me already.
“I was born into a broken family. My father, the lord, had his lady, and his bit on the side, and his way with the serving women. That's what Mother said, the few times I spoke to her. There was never a question about my pedigree, but I was the exception. My brothers might all have been bastards. And you can be certain that tales were told about me, even though Father paid to have a priest present at my birth. Not long after, one of the maids took poison. My mother disavowed my father. She went to live at the winter residence, and so far as I know she has not seen him since. Daddy took to drinking. I was eight when he left me with an aunt for a night on the town that stretched into two weeks.
“I don't know what would have become of me if Grandma hadn't come to get me. It was she who raised me. She taught me right from wrong, and all the graces someone of my station should have, and she taught me how to lie to the clerics when my talent for arcane magic manifested. There were always clerics in Vasselheim, and they didn't take kindly to the things I knew. They called it a sin, but I think they were too stupid to learn the words and gestures, so they chose to look down on the whole endeavor. I have fond memories of Grandma's manor. She was strict with me, and with everyone, but there was a beautiful order to everything that happened in her house. A place for everyone and everyone in their place.
“My place was school. I liked it well enough. There's nothing so rewarding as solving a hard problem with one's wits. And nothing so frustrating as a problem with a simple solution which won't be solved.
“Grandma died when I was nineteen. She died because Father wouldn't pay for a cleric to heal her. She died with help at her bedside—help denied her by the greed of the woman who would not cast the spell which would have saved her. She died because Sarenrae is partial to those she deems worthy, and those she deems worthy did not think my grandmother so. I blame them. And Her.
“I learned something that day. You can't count on anyone. Everyone disappoints you in the end. But there were other things which I didn't yet know. I spent the next three years traveling, learning what I could about the gods who had let die the only person who had ever looked out for me. I found out many secrets, and the shape of the world became clear to me.
“Tell me dear, can you imagine a world without suffering? 'Tis a simple question, with a simple answer. If you are like me, or like any of the journeymen and wayfarers I met in my travels the answer is, 'yes, but of course.' Why then is it that we live in a world with so much pain? The answer is so obvious few can see it. This world was made in the image of the gods, and so it is to them we must look for the origin of suffering. This idea was made all the more clear to me when my inquiries revealed the only being in recent memory to have attempted apotheosis to have been Vecna, the lich. He sought the power of those who dwell beyond the Heavenly Gate, for they are like he is. Tormentors, cackling over the pain they inflict on their inferiors.
“When I learned this truth I thought of despair. How can one hope in a world where beings, hereafter nameless, seek to control every aspect of existence in order to enforce their will? I might have stayed lost the way my father did. I might have hid the way my mother did. But my grandmother's lessons were harder. It is from her tutelage that I take my cue. A problem so big must be understood, and when that understanding is clear, a way will arise. Then I will face my accusers.
“I seek the key which will open the Heavenly Gate. I will not fail in this errand. And when I have completed it, I will cross over to the place where the things which call themselves gods dwell, and Iwill make them pay for what they've done. When I have finished they will no longer hold the tyranny of Heaven, and then the world may find a path to the beauty contained in each person's heart. A beauty denied no longer.”
Made and playing my first bard, he’ll my first caster class, jeez my 2nd character at !!
Lytt Undafuut - Lightfoot halfling
planning on taking Lore as specialty but somewhere in our campaign, take a couple levels of warlock 2 probably.
Lytt has grown up loving everything music, especially the bagpipes! But he’s had a reoccurring, vivid dream of war in a land he doesn’t know and strange feeling of being pulled towards it and the overwhelming feeling that he can help stop it! So he’s out to find this place in his dreams.
Plan to play him as a jovial helpful lovable little guy. So lots of party support. The warlock patron will be the Celestial that’s been giving him these visions.
Welp, I've got 2 of em - one who's established and 1 who'll be upcoming
Bubbling Brook of the Whispering Woods - Tabaxi Lore Bard lvl 15, Anthropologist
Brook, as he prefers to go by, grew up with a love of the stories that Shade, the tribe's Storyteller, spun - how imaginative, insightful, basically how great he was at weaving things together. He noticed the little kit's attention, and offered to teach her the ways of the Storyteller to take over from him, as he was getting old. Brook happily accepted the apprenticeship, and is now venturing into the world to collect new stories to bring back to the kits at home, and to learn about different peoples and cultures along the way.
Reen/Alaureen (or quite a list of alternate names) - Changeling Bard lvl 1, to be of Eloquence, Faction Agent
(may end up taking an Aberrant Mind dip due to Changelings having a psionic affinity in this world, not sure yet)
Full backstory is a WIP, but the bare bones is they live in a kingdom made up of primarily the "monstrous Races" (including some homebrews like Harpies), and they are a member of the secret organisation run by one of the 3 rulers of the kingdom to ensure it remains stable, mainly from interference by the neighbouring kingdom from which we seceded (or, at least, I think I'm interpreting what my DM sent me correctly)
This is one I have created as a possible replacement for my recently deceased character in our campaign.
Anerin ap Tewdr,
Variant Human, level 5 College of Valor
Entertainer background
The rain poured as Anerin looked back at the Village where he grew up.
Now that his Ma' and Da' had passed away at an early age, he had nothing holding him there, and the wanderlust was upon him, urging him to leave the comfort of home and hearth for so long.
His parent's passing so soon was a blow to his heart, and he felt the pang of their loss keenly, however he knew that they had passed on all that they could to him about the bardic traditions.
With his Da's bagpipes in his hands, he knew he could draw upon those memories to keep him going on his travels...
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Odo Proudfoot - Lvl 10 Halfling Monk - Princes of the Apocalypse (Campaign Finished)
Feats: Actor, Defensive Duelist (picked up after nearly dying at the hands of an evil Alchemist and his skeleton henchmen)
"Hello friends, allow me to introduce myself. I am Xavier Windswallow, Thunderbard, perhaps you've heard of me? No? Well, let me tell you a story. Nobody stays mad at me for long...except King Cragnoor of Murkford - where I did my initial bardic apprenticeship. I was a big hit in the taverns of lower Murkford. But the King, an exceedingly harsh and humorless sort, was less than enamored to hear that he was the butt of several of my jokes (which he never would have known if not for the fact that I upset a particularly drunk, dumb, cruel and ugly member of his royal guard....******* Todd...but I digress...) Apparently, 2 years is too soon to joke about him slaughtering his siblings at the Harvest Day feast. Cragnoor ordered my head and my body divorced from one another, my body burned and my head placed on a pike near the castle drawbridge. I'm told that he even had a plaque placed at the base of that particular pike that reads "Xavier Windswallow: Not so funny now are you?" which, I'm told, still stands to this day. Fortunately for both my head and my body, I escaped - a feat that has become the stuff of legend throughout Murkford. It involved perfect timing, a fair maiden, a bit of magic, a blond wig, a fresh apple pie and a herd of goats - with a detour to give that ******* Todd exactly what he deserved - but that's a story for another time..."
Xavier isn't looking for fortune but instead is motivated by fame - or at least notoriety. When he became a bard he thought he wanted to observe and tell the epic tales of others, but he has come to realize that what he REALLY wants is to tell the stories of HIS OWN exploits, and ultimately, to have OTHER bards tell the stories of his exploits. The more he adventures, the more he has embraced the idea that epic stories favor the bold. As a fledgling bard he was focused on spells and skills to enhance his performances, but as he continues to boldly (or recklessly depending on your viewpoint) put himself in harm's way, he has come to realize the benefit of spells with a bit more offensive "kick". After some research, Xavier was amused by the similarities between the "Thunderclap" cantrip, and the spells "Thunderwave" and "Shatter". He proceeded to learn all 3 and started introducing himself as Xavier Windswallow, Thunderbard - mostly because he finds it amusing. That's the same reason he holds on to the Hideous Laughter spell - he thinks that using it on obnoxious hecklers during a performance, or obnoxious people in general is pretty darn funny.
"...at worst if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat."
Anwal is his name. He’s a Fallen Aasimar who’s of the College of Valor, multiclassed to be a samurai fighter as well. He’s level 10 with the levels being 6 in bard, 4 in fighter. However, they are subject to change because it’s a week until I play him and I’m uncertain what I want the level distribution to be (my last character died so I’m rejoining with a new one and the DM said to start at level 10). I made a thread to ask about it and give the background for why this specifically (it’s kind of interesting). In terms of a backstory, I’m in the process of making one. Not entirely sure what I’d want either (never played a bard or a fighter, so I don’t know what to do 😅). I’d take recommendations for both backstory and level distribution!
I'm making a "fashion bard" based on Edna Mode from the Incredibles (personality-wise). Her vicious mockery is stuff like "you are indeed a brave warrior... for leaving the house dressed like that..."
She Was cast out of her village for being "Tainted with Dark Magic" But taken in by another bard, an Elf Named Aries Nailo. Her AC is 13, with leather armor. From her Mentor, she was given Hellfire's dance, a Plus 1 Magical Rapier. Her main Goal is to spread joy and laughter through Music ( although, Dealing out a Good Ass Kicking or 2 and Getting gold ain't to bad).
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“If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat." -Sun Tzu
One of my all time most broken builds, I give you the Bardalidan.
Only needing 3 levels of bard, I prefer a minimum of 5 however, my bard has lived through much.
1. Paladin doesn't matter. I play an Oath of Conquest for extra offense, but it's not necessary. The important bit is running a College of Swords bard, and here's why.
On my turn, I can spend a Bardic Inspiration to give myself an extra 1d8 AC. As a Paladin, I currently run a Legendary Plate, have a basic shield, and have a ring of defense. (Total AC without Bardic Inspiration: 24) I also have two fighting styles, one from each class. I took defensive, gaining another 1 AC as long as I've got armor, and Duelist, gaining a little more damage for my one handed fighting.
I also have a Legendary sword, the Defender's Rapier, which I can turn my attack bonus, which is a 14, I can add to my AC, making it now 39. On top of this, I also have the Defensive Duelist feat, which allows me to use my reaction to add another 6 to my AC. With a maximum Bardic Inspiration roll of 8, my AC makes it's final stand at a healthy 44 AC. That's also without casting Shield of Faith, which would bring my AC to 46.
This is one of the tankiest character's I've ever constructed, and it is a joy having my DM struggle to fight it. The only weakness it has is that it isn't super good against saves, but as a Paladin it grants a +4 to all saving throws, so that usually isn't a huge problem in the long run.
“If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat." -Sun Tzu
That is a crazy armor class but it seems to rely a lot on magic armor.
I have played a satyr eloquence bard named Bairo Trotwander. He was a charlatan and had incredibly high deception so he could convince anyone of anything, and he had super low wisdom, so he couldn't tell what anything was. Maybe that can of lard really was beard cream, he didn't know, but he would sell it to you anyways. If you wanted a magical wart remover, that can of lard might be that too. He sold people what they wanted. It also helped having prestidigitation. He once bought a bunch of cheap wine, then sold it to a tavern keeper and improved its taste with prestidigitation when he drank it so the tavern keeper thought it was fine wine and bought it with for a high price. He made a lot of money.
Arden Cleft. Neutral Good, Level 2, Half-Elf, bard.As for gender, yes. I suck at remembering the gender of my characters so their gender is just- yes.
Their mother passed away shortly after their birth, so they were raised by their father (also a bard.) They have a crap ton of anxiety but are amazing at masking it. They have a lot of built-up anger as well so I love having them cast vicious mockery and just insult the crap outta people.
One of my all time most broken builds, I give you the Bardalidan.
Only needing 3 levels of bard, I prefer a minimum of 5 however, my bard has lived through much.
1. Paladin doesn't matter. I play an Oath of Conquest for extra offense, but it's not necessary. The important bit is running a College of Swords bard, and here's why.
On my turn, I can spend a Bardic Inspiration to give myself an extra 1d8 AC. As a Paladin, I currently run a Legendary Plate, have a basic shield, and have a ring of defense. (Total AC without Bardic Inspiration: 24) I also have two fighting styles, one from each class. I took defensive, gaining another 1 AC as long as I've got armor, and Duelist, gaining a little more damage for my one handed fighting.
I also have a Legendary sword, the Defender's Rapier, which I can turn my attack bonus, which is a 14, I can add to my AC, making it now 39. On top of this, I also have the Defensive Duelist feat, which allows me to use my reaction to add another 6 to my AC. With a maximum Bardic Inspiration roll of 8, my AC makes it's final stand at a healthy 44 AC. That's also without casting Shield of Faith, which would bring my AC to 46.
This is one of the tankiest character's I've ever constructed, and it is a joy having my DM struggle to fight it. The only weakness it has is that it isn't super good against saves, but as a Paladin it grants a +4 to all saving throws, so that usually isn't a huge problem in the long run.
That's so OP it would take the fun out of playing. Except for this scenario:
"As you approach the kingdom of Murkford you are unaware that 5 years ago the prophecy foretold your arrival. Since that time the King, an extremely paranoid and unforgiving sort, has been preparing. He has created a battalion of spellcasters 1000 strong, who now appear along the battlements that surround the kingdom. A figure who is clearly the leader yells out a command you can't make out, and the last thing you see before your soul leaves your body are 3000 glowing darts of magical force heading directly for you. You take 6205 points of force damage.
"...at worst if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat."
The unfairness of magic missile when used in huge quantities be like
The unfairness of having Legendary Plate mail, a legendary sword and an AC of 46.
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"...at worst if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat."
Sure, but even then it severely limits the options of who and what actually has any chance to do any damage and as the original poster says: "...as a Paladin it grants a +4 to all saving throws, so that usually isn't a huge problem in the long run." My point is that a 46 AC is pretty OP so the DM has to find ways to nullify that AC. Another option would be upcsast Heat Metal - deals damage and gives the target disadvantage.
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"...at worst if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat."
One of my all time most broken builds, I give you the Bardalidan.
Only needing 3 levels of bard, I prefer a minimum of 5 however, my bard has lived through much.
1. Paladin doesn't matter. I play an Oath of Conquest for extra offense, but it's not necessary. The important bit is running a College of Swords bard, and here's why.
On my turn, I can spend a Bardic Inspiration to give myself an extra 1d8 AC - valid, twice per short rest when you're a 5 bard. As a Paladin, I currently run a Legendary Plate, have a basic shield, and have a ring of defense. (Total AC without Bardic Inspiration: 24) - valid, and ok. I also have two fighting styles, one from each class. I took defensive, gaining another 1 AC as long as I've got armor - valid, and Duelist, gaining a little more damage for my one handed fighting. - valid
I also have a Legendary sword, the Defender's Rapier, which I can turn my attack bonus, which is a 14, I can add to my AC, making it now 39 - invalid, you can only use the defender to change the sword's bonus to attack and damage rolls to AC, not your own attack bonus. This is a max of 3. On top of this, I also have the Defensive Duelist feat, which allows me to use my reaction to add another 6 to my AC - ok. With a maximum Bardic Inspiration roll of 8 - very funny, go with the average of 4, my AC makes it's final stand at a healthy 44 AC - 32. That's also without casting Shield of Faith, which would bring my AC to 46 - 34.
This is one of the tankiest character's I've ever constructed, and it is a joy having my DM struggle to fight it. The only weakness it has is that it isn't super good against saves, but as a Paladin it grants a +4 to all saving throws, so that usually isn't a huge problem in the long run.
Okay, actually, it's AC 34 because the DM gave you, what, 5 magic items, two of them legendary.
Tommary Sazarac
Human
3 Rogue Scout
6 Bard College of Swords
Background: Gambler (Never Tell Me the Odds fits into his downtime as well as overall soldier of fortune vibe)
Current Campaign: Urth PbP
Note: this PC is based as "the younger" version of a frequent NPC I use, whose sort my games' minor Gandalf. He tends to be an intermediary on behalf of "the right side" or at least "the right thing to do" in my campaigns, sometimes representing parties' patrons, sometimes a resource of information or mateirals, go-to guy for exposition etc.
Quick concept: think Jesse Ventura's character in Predator survived and became Jesse Ventura's character in The Running Man
Tommary's Rogue experience stems from time in a military unit that was less standing battles and more "get there fast, strike quick, leave quicker." Think spell-less Ranger. His Barding comes from his time running and performing in a "totally real" underground combat/dueling circuit where he'd often play the heel, but wasn't above hustles where he'd build hype among the betting audience for him and then, in a "totally real" fashion, throw fights with a high purse betting on him, having bet against himself through proxies. This con, as well as the general illegality of dueling and betting on bloodsports in his city, and the fact that sometimes the hustle just doesn't pay off gives him a reason to get out of town for adventuring every now and then.
How does a character largely inspired by professional wrestling get around to Barding? If you don't see it and are actually asking the question, it's hype. If you never smelled what the Rock was Cooking back in the days when Dwayne Johnson was acting in nothing but a black speedo you might not get it. His athletic feats and bearing and all around swagger with a "and so can you! knowing is half the battle! Yo Joe" vibe are what inspires. But he's versatile, besides the rock star pump he can also do a more measured vulnerable Coach Taylor thing too. His songs of rest are more a mix of Coach Taylor and locker room recap.* I was a bit tickled when I was reading either the Alien RPG core book or the Colonial Marines supplement that gave marines a "banter" talent (where stress ... and important game challenging factor ... can be reduced through banter). That's totally Sazarac.
He's also seen way too much television, film and comics (the game world has these vaults, with their own history beyond their contents, like when the Vault of the Fox was consumed by the Vault of the Mouse, it doesn't make sense but it happened). His cultural appreciation is far from perfect though. A gelatinous cube is exactly the opposite texture of a Jolly Rancher, but that's what he calls gelatinous cubes. Someone may try to set him otherwise if fine art ever really matters in game, but in his head canon the statue The Thinker was carved out of rough hewing wind wielded by the kaiju Rodan.
He's fun. And he's going to bring down that mountain, once he finds the exhaust port.
*I still say Randy "Macho Man" Savage was the visual template for the iconic sun goggles look of TSR Yazirian race in Star Frontiers, now in 5e UA as Hadozee. Oooyeah.
EDIT: On the mechanics side of things, I had a hard think when he got to level nine whether to do the 3R/6B (second attack and 3rd level spells) or 4R/5B (ASI to either beef his magic's base ability or make him more lethal and harder to hit by pumping DEX to 20 ... the trials of a MAD build are real). Party consensus was for the additional attack and boosted magic.
Jander Sunstar is the thinking person's Drizzt, fight me.
Drift
Half Elf
11 Bard, College of Lore, 1 Sorcerer (Divine Soul)
Drift is part of a band of mercenaries who recently ended the curse of the Rime in Icewind Dale, and have just now set out on the second half of their careers, putting together the Rod of Seven Parts. Drift is a former Zhentarim spy who faked his death to safely leave the Black Network and eventually found himself laying low in Icewind Dale, where he met his companions and set out to free Icewind Dale from Auril's Curse. During his adventures, a daughter he did not know he had found him in Icewind Dale and joined their band. He's doing what he can to make up for all the lost time. In the doome city of Ythryn, a long dormant Celestial part of his heritage manifested, just before they found themselves battling the Frostmaiden and her allies.
He currently carries Iriolarthas' Staff, and winds up wearing many hats in the party since we're mostly close-combat fighter types (no cleric or full Wizard in the party, so I have a lot to do).
“Mayest call me Äïkaterina. This is my story, such as it is. I don't usually tell people; the asking is impolite, yet I'll make this exception. Because you asked. So nicely. Just don't laugh, or say anything. I'm putting myself on the line. I don't know if I can trust you. And trust is so important to me. So if you break my trust, we're done. Finished. Through. Just like so many others you'll have dragged my honor through the mud, and I can't stand to lose much more after all that's been taken from me already.
“I was born into a broken family. My father, the lord, had his lady, and his bit on the side, and his way with the serving women. That's what Mother said, the few times I spoke to her. There was never a question about my pedigree, but I was the exception. My brothers might all have been bastards. And you can be certain that tales were told about me, even though Father paid to have a priest present at my birth. Not long after, one of the maids took poison. My mother disavowed my father. She went to live at the winter residence, and so far as I know she has not seen him since. Daddy took to drinking. I was eight when he left me with an aunt for a night on the town that stretched into two weeks.
“I don't know what would have become of me if Grandma hadn't come to get me. It was she who raised me. She taught me right from wrong, and all the graces someone of my station should have, and she taught me how to lie to the clerics when my talent for arcane magic manifested. There were always clerics in Vasselheim, and they didn't take kindly to the things I knew. They called it a sin, but I think they were too stupid to learn the words and gestures, so they chose to look down on the whole endeavor. I have fond memories of Grandma's manor. She was strict with me, and with everyone, but there was a beautiful order to everything that happened in her house. A place for everyone and everyone in their place.
“My place was school. I liked it well enough. There's nothing so rewarding as solving a hard problem with one's wits. And nothing so frustrating as a problem with a simple solution which won't be solved.
“Grandma died when I was nineteen. She died because Father wouldn't pay for a cleric to heal her. She died with help at her bedside—help denied her by the greed of the woman who would not cast the spell which would have saved her. She died because Sarenrae is partial to those she deems worthy, and those she deems worthy did not think my grandmother so. I blame them. And Her.
“I learned something that day. You can't count on anyone. Everyone disappoints you in the end. But there were other things which I didn't yet know. I spent the next three years traveling, learning what I could about the gods who had let die the only person who had ever looked out for me. I found out many secrets, and the shape of the world became clear to me.
“Tell me dear, can you imagine a world without suffering? 'Tis a simple question, with a simple answer. If you are like me, or like any of the journeymen and wayfarers I met in my travels the answer is, 'yes, but of course.' Why then is it that we live in a world with so much pain? The answer is so obvious few can see it. This world was made in the image of the gods, and so it is to them we must look for the origin of suffering. This idea was made all the more clear to me when my inquiries revealed the only being in recent memory to have attempted apotheosis to have been Vecna, the lich. He sought the power of those who dwell beyond the Heavenly Gate, for they are like he is. Tormentors, cackling over the pain they inflict on their inferiors.
“When I learned this truth I thought of despair. How can one hope in a world where beings, hereafter nameless, seek to control every aspect of existence in order to enforce their will? I might have stayed lost the way my father did. I might have hid the way my mother did. But my grandmother's lessons were harder. It is from her tutelage that I take my cue. A problem so big must be understood, and when that understanding is clear, a way will arise. Then I will face my accusers.
“I seek the key which will open the Heavenly Gate. I will not fail in this errand. And when I have completed it, I will cross over to the place where the things which call themselves gods dwell, and I will make them pay for what they've done. When I have finished they will no longer hold the tyranny of Heaven, and then the world may find a path to the beauty contained in each person's heart. A beauty denied no longer.”
Made and playing my first bard, he’ll my first caster class, jeez my 2nd character at !!
Lytt Undafuut - Lightfoot halfling
planning on taking Lore as specialty but somewhere in our campaign, take a couple levels of warlock 2 probably.
Lytt has grown up loving everything music, especially the bagpipes! But he’s had a reoccurring, vivid dream of war in a land he doesn’t know and strange feeling of being pulled towards it and the overwhelming feeling that he can help stop it! So he’s out to find this place in his dreams.
Plan to play him as a jovial helpful lovable little guy. So lots of party support. The warlock patron will be the Celestial that’s been giving him these visions.
Welp, I've got 2 of em - one who's established and 1 who'll be upcoming
Bubbling Brook of the Whispering Woods - Tabaxi Lore Bard lvl 15, Anthropologist
Brook, as he prefers to go by, grew up with a love of the stories that Shade, the tribe's Storyteller, spun - how imaginative, insightful, basically how great he was at weaving things together. He noticed the little kit's attention, and offered to teach her the ways of the Storyteller to take over from him, as he was getting old. Brook happily accepted the apprenticeship, and is now venturing into the world to collect new stories to bring back to the kits at home, and to learn about different peoples and cultures along the way.
Reen/Alaureen (or quite a list of alternate names) - Changeling Bard lvl 1, to be of Eloquence, Faction Agent
(may end up taking an Aberrant Mind dip due to Changelings having a psionic affinity in this world, not sure yet)
Full backstory is a WIP, but the bare bones is they live in a kingdom made up of primarily the "monstrous Races" (including some homebrews like Harpies), and they are a member of the secret organisation run by one of the 3 rulers of the kingdom to ensure it remains stable, mainly from interference by the neighbouring kingdom from which we seceded (or, at least, I think I'm interpreting what my DM sent me correctly)
This is one I have created as a possible replacement for my recently deceased character in our campaign.
Anerin ap Tewdr,
Variant Human, level 5 College of Valor
Entertainer background
The rain poured as Anerin looked back at the Village where he grew up.
Now that his Ma' and Da' had passed away at an early age, he had nothing holding him there, and the wanderlust was upon him, urging him to leave the comfort of home and hearth for so long.
His parent's passing so soon was a blow to his heart, and he felt the pang of their loss keenly, however he knew that they had passed on all that they could to him about the bardic traditions.
With his Da's bagpipes in his hands, he knew he could draw upon those memories to keep him going on his travels...
Odo Proudfoot - Lvl 10 Halfling Monk - Princes of the Apocalypse (Campaign Finished)
Orryn Pebblefoot - Lvl 5 Rock Gnome Wizard (Deceased) - Waterdeep: Dragon Heist (Deceased)
Anerin Ap Tewdr - Lvl 5 Human (Variant) Bard (College of Valor) - Waterdeep: Dragon Heist
Name: Xavier Windswallow
Half Elf, Level 5 (College of Lore)
Entertainer routines: Actor, Storyteller, Instrumentalist
Feats: Actor, Defensive Duelist (picked up after nearly dying at the hands of an evil Alchemist and his skeleton henchmen)
"Hello friends, allow me to introduce myself. I am Xavier Windswallow, Thunderbard, perhaps you've heard of me? No? Well, let me tell you a story. Nobody stays mad at me for long...except King Cragnoor of Murkford - where I did my initial bardic apprenticeship. I was a big hit in the taverns of lower Murkford. But the King, an exceedingly harsh and humorless sort, was less than enamored to hear that he was the butt of several of my jokes (which he never would have known if not for the fact that I upset a particularly drunk, dumb, cruel and ugly member of his royal guard....******* Todd...but I digress...) Apparently, 2 years is too soon to joke about him slaughtering his siblings at the Harvest Day feast. Cragnoor ordered my head and my body divorced from one another, my body burned and my head placed on a pike near the castle drawbridge. I'm told that he even had a plaque placed at the base of that particular pike that reads "Xavier Windswallow: Not so funny now are you?" which, I'm told, still stands to this day. Fortunately for both my head and my body, I escaped - a feat that has become the stuff of legend throughout Murkford. It involved perfect timing, a fair maiden, a bit of magic, a blond wig, a fresh apple pie and a herd of goats - with a detour to give that ******* Todd exactly what he deserved - but that's a story for another time..."
Xavier isn't looking for fortune but instead is motivated by fame - or at least notoriety. When he became a bard he thought he wanted to observe and tell the epic tales of others, but he has come to realize that what he REALLY wants is to tell the stories of HIS OWN exploits, and ultimately, to have OTHER bards tell the stories of his exploits. The more he adventures, the more he has embraced the idea that epic stories favor the bold. As a fledgling bard he was focused on spells and skills to enhance his performances, but as he continues to boldly (or recklessly depending on your viewpoint) put himself in harm's way, he has come to realize the benefit of spells with a bit more offensive "kick". After some research, Xavier was amused by the similarities between the "Thunderclap" cantrip, and the spells "Thunderwave" and "Shatter". He proceeded to learn all 3 and started introducing himself as Xavier Windswallow, Thunderbard - mostly because he finds it amusing. That's the same reason he holds on to the Hideous Laughter spell - he thinks that using it on obnoxious hecklers during a performance, or obnoxious people in general is pretty darn funny.
"...at worst if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat."
Here’s mine!
Anwal is his name. He’s a Fallen Aasimar who’s of the College of Valor, multiclassed to be a samurai fighter as well. He’s level 10 with the levels being 6 in bard, 4 in fighter. However, they are subject to change because it’s a week until I play him and I’m uncertain what I want the level distribution to be (my last character died so I’m rejoining with a new one and the DM said to start at level 10). I made a thread to ask about it and give the background for why this specifically (it’s kind of interesting).
In terms of a backstory, I’m in the process of making one. Not entirely sure what I’d want either (never played a bard or a fighter, so I don’t know what to do 😅). I’d take recommendations for both backstory and level distribution!
I'm making a "fashion bard" based on Edna Mode from the Incredibles (personality-wise). Her vicious mockery is stuff like "you are indeed a brave warrior... for leaving the house dressed like that..."
Sure
Jackie Nailo, Tiefling, Lore Bard 5
No Correlation to Any faction
She Was cast out of her village for being "Tainted with Dark Magic" But taken in by another bard, an Elf Named Aries Nailo. Her AC is 13, with leather armor. From her Mentor, she was given Hellfire's dance, a Plus 1 Magical Rapier. Her main Goal is to spread joy and laughter through Music ( although, Dealing out a Good Ass Kicking or 2 and Getting gold ain't to bad).
“If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat." -Sun Tzu
One of my all time most broken builds, I give you the Bardalidan.
Only needing 3 levels of bard, I prefer a minimum of 5 however, my bard has lived through much.
1. Paladin doesn't matter. I play an Oath of Conquest for extra offense, but it's not necessary. The important bit is running a College of Swords bard, and here's why.
On my turn, I can spend a Bardic Inspiration to give myself an extra 1d8 AC. As a Paladin, I currently run a Legendary Plate, have a basic shield, and have a ring of defense. (Total AC without Bardic Inspiration: 24) I also have two fighting styles, one from each class. I took defensive, gaining another 1 AC as long as I've got armor, and Duelist, gaining a little more damage for my one handed fighting.
I also have a Legendary sword, the Defender's Rapier, which I can turn my attack bonus, which is a 14, I can add to my AC, making it now 39. On top of this, I also have the Defensive Duelist feat, which allows me to use my reaction to add another 6 to my AC. With a maximum Bardic Inspiration roll of 8, my AC makes it's final stand at a healthy 44 AC. That's also without casting Shield of Faith, which would bring my AC to 46.
This is one of the tankiest character's I've ever constructed, and it is a joy having my DM struggle to fight it. The only weakness it has is that it isn't super good against saves, but as a Paladin it grants a +4 to all saving throws, so that usually isn't a huge problem in the long run.
JESUS H. CHRIST ON A BICYCLE!
“If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat." -Sun Tzu
That is a crazy armor class but it seems to rely a lot on magic armor.
I have played a satyr eloquence bard named Bairo Trotwander. He was a charlatan and had incredibly high deception so he could convince anyone of anything, and he had super low wisdom, so he couldn't tell what anything was. Maybe that can of lard really was beard cream, he didn't know, but he would sell it to you anyways. If you wanted a magical wart remover, that can of lard might be that too. He sold people what they wanted. It also helped having prestidigitation. He once bought a bunch of cheap wine, then sold it to a tavern keeper and improved its taste with prestidigitation when he drank it so the tavern keeper thought it was fine wine and bought it with for a high price. He made a lot of money.
Always two maybe three
I am a beginner so forgive me if this is- bad-
Arden Cleft. Neutral Good, Level 2, Half-Elf, bard. As for gender, yes. I suck at remembering the gender of my characters so their gender is just- yes.
Their mother passed away shortly after their birth, so they were raised by their father (also a bard.) They have a crap ton of anxiety but are amazing at masking it. They have a lot of built-up anger as well so I love having them cast vicious mockery and just insult the crap outta people.
That's so OP it would take the fun out of playing. Except for this scenario:
"As you approach the kingdom of Murkford you are unaware that 5 years ago the prophecy foretold your arrival. Since that time the King, an extremely paranoid and unforgiving sort, has been preparing. He has created a battalion of spellcasters 1000 strong, who now appear along the battlements that surround the kingdom. A figure who is clearly the leader yells out a command you can't make out, and the last thing you see before your soul leaves your body are 3000 glowing darts of magical force heading directly for you. You take 6205 points of force damage.
"...at worst if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat."
The unfairness of magic missile when used in huge quantities be like
DMing:
The Cataclysm Stadium
Rise of the White Mask
Optimization Guides:
Literally Too Angry to Die - A Guide to Optimizing a Barbarian.
The unfairness of having Legendary Plate mail, a legendary sword and an AC of 46.
"...at worst if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat."
Excuse me, but have you ever heard of effects that induce saving throws?
DMing:
The Cataclysm Stadium
Rise of the White Mask
Optimization Guides:
Literally Too Angry to Die - A Guide to Optimizing a Barbarian.
Sure, but even then it severely limits the options of who and what actually has any chance to do any damage and as the original poster says: "...as a Paladin it grants a +4 to all saving throws, so that usually isn't a huge problem in the long run." My point is that a 46 AC is pretty OP so the DM has to find ways to nullify that AC. Another option would be upcsast Heat Metal - deals damage and gives the target disadvantage.
"...at worst if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat."
Hey, hold up. This whole AC thing is invalid!
Okay, actually, it's AC 34 because the DM gave you, what, 5 magic items, two of them legendary.
DMing:
The Cataclysm Stadium
Rise of the White Mask
Optimization Guides:
Literally Too Angry to Die - A Guide to Optimizing a Barbarian.