Let’s say you have a DM who is open to trying different things with skills.
Performance skill allows you to manipulate people to gain things - a Kings favour, money, distraction, etc
What about using the Performance skill on your Patron? Perhaps it’s an elaborate ceremony that uses dance, singing or poetry (or sinister things for evil PC’s)
As a player, what would you like to gain from your Patron using Performance? One time use of a spell? Insight? Inspiration?
As a DM, what would you allow your players to be granted, if anything?
Do you think this is a reasonable use of the skill?
First off, I'd say persuasion and/or deception would be what you'd use to manipulate people, rather than performance.
But whichever skill you'd use, I'd say it has no impact. This is an otherworldly being who is capable of bestowing incredible powers upon otherwise regular people. Singing it a little song or reciting it a poem isn't going to get it to do anything more for you. At least, that would be my ruling as a DM.
At my table, were I the DM, I think the only Patron that might be interested in Performance would likely be the Archfey...
But you better believe that would be a loaded roll of the dice (not to mention require some solid RP). Perform well, and things are looking good for your character. Roll poorly, on the other hand? If there's one thing that the Fey are known for, it's their appreciation of the arts, and their intolerance for those who perform poorly. It's embarrasing, and everything that you do reflects on your patron in front of the court...
At my table, were I the DM, I think the only Patron that might be interested in Performance would likely be the Archfey...
But you better believe that would be a loaded roll of the dice (not to mention require some solid RP). Perform well, and things are looking good for your character. Roll poorly, on the other hand? If there's one thing that the Fey are known for, it's their appreciation of the arts, and their intolerance for those who perform poorly. It's embarrasing, and everything that you do reflects on your patron in front of the court...
Risk vs reward is always good. Suddenly your game has taken an unexpected turn for the better or worse. And by player choice.
Also, and this is just me, but Gods, demigods, celestials, fiends, etc, can have huge egos. I think art is a valid way to petition them.
Artist's were contacted by Cthulhu in dreams. Why not Performance being used to contact it?
I think Performance is a dramatically underused skill.
Asmodeus: ...And so then, the mortal pulls a rabbit out of his hat! Mammon: Wait, he did what!? Asmodeus: I know right!? It was a perfectly ordinary, empty top hat, when suddenly, *poof!* A rabbit! Mammon: Yo, how the heck do you think he get the rabbit in there? Asmodeus:No clue, man. Not even sure why he wanted my power, when he's able to do magic like that! Zariel: Hey, what are you guys talking about? Mammon: Yo, you gotta hear this!
In all seriousness though, you may be able to impress your Patron through a few parlor tricks, a bit of sleight-of-hand, and some good ol' fashioned Polka. However, for most people who are beseeching the power of their Patrons, they aren't doing so for the sole purpose of gaining the infernal power of juggling (unless they're from Rakdos or something). You want to know what can truly unlock the door to pervasive power beyond your wildest dreams though? Persuasion. Complement the Patron's choice in attire, engage them on their desires, weave in a few white lies of fealty (although nothing too untrue. Patrons often despise being deceived). Do all that, and your patron of choice will practically roll out the red carpet for you, when it comes to offering you access to his powers.
Of course, in order to keep those powers, you need one important skill that's not on the character sheet: The ability to listen to your Patron. Too often, people believe that they can just persuade their way into their Patron's heart forever. However, charming words eventually grow stale, when they're not paired with matching actions, and not every Patron functions the same way. Some will demand blood sacrifices and the like, but others may crave something more intimate and enticing. Still others simply want you to spread their good name to the masses, and even more others may desire for you to maintain balance in the realm. Either that, or tip balance towards one direction or another. If you treat all Patrons as being the same, you'll be in for quite a shock, when your Archfey Patron starts sternly inquiring about all the murder sprees you've gone on, and all the blood sacrifices you've performed, in their name. Finding out what your Patron desires, and fulfilling said needs, is the name of the game. And who knows? Maybe your Patron actually would enjoy an operatic performance or two. Persuasion is the best way to find out if that's true, however, as some Patrons may prefer the dulcet tones of Smooth Jazz.
Asmodeus: ...And so then, the mortal pulls a rabbit out of his hat! Mammon: Wait, he did what!? Asmodeus: I know right!? It was a perfectly ordinary, empty top hat, when suddenly, *poof!* A rabbit! Mammon: Yo, how the heck do you think he get the rabbit in there? Asmodeus:No clue, man. Not even sure why he wanted my power, when he's able to do magic like that! Zariel: Hey, what are you guys talking about? Mammon: Yo, you gotta hear this!
In all seriousness though, you may be able to impress your Patron through a few parlor tricks, a bit of sleight-of-hand, and some good ol' fashioned Polka. However, for most people who are beseeching the power of their Patrons, they aren't doing so for the sole purpose of gaining the infernal power of juggling (unless they're from Rakdos or something). You want to know what can truly unlock the door to pervasive power beyond your wildest dreams though? Persuasion. Complement the Patron's choice in attire, engage them on their desires, weave in a few white lies of fealty (although nothing too untrue. Patrons often despise being deceived). Do all that, and your patron of choice will practically roll out the red carpet for you, when it comes to offering you access to his powers.
Of course, in order to keep those powers, you need one important skill that's not on the character sheet: The ability to listen to your Patron. Too often, people believe that they can just persuade their way into their Patron's heart forever. However, charming words eventually grow stale, when they're not paired with matching actions, and not every Patron functions the same way. Some will demand blood sacrifices and the like, but others may crave something more intimate and enticing. Still others simply want you to spread their good name to the masses, and even more others may desire for you to maintain balance in the realm. Either that, or tip balance towards one direction or another. If you treat all Patrons as being the same, you'll be in for quite a shock, when your Archfey Patron starts sternly inquiring about all the murder sprees you've gone on, and all the blood sacrifices you've performed, in their name. Finding out what your Patron desires, and fulfilling said needs, is the name of the game. And who knows? Maybe your Patron actually would enjoy an operatic performance or two. Persuasion is the best way to find out if that's true, however, as some Patrons may prefer the dulcet tones of Smooth Jazz.
Asmodeus: His abilities are extraordinary.
Mammon: So what? Just eat him.
Asmodeus: You fool! Think of all the humanoids that will flock to see him. Adore him. Do anything to be near him.
Mammon: I don’t get it.
Asmodeus: His prose weaves through the air and soothes like a summer breeze. The dance pulls and moves like the moon does the oceans. That painting is an idol to be lusted, coveted, even killed for.
Zariel: I always wanted to learn to paint.
Mammon: Can I eat it?
Asmodeus: These works are done in MY name. At their core is MY seed and in time I will reap what has been sowed!
That's how I see it *potentially* being used. Or, he could stand outside a bar and busk. : )
Just trying to think out of the box.
Let’s say you have a DM who is open to trying different things with skills.
Performance skill allows you to manipulate people to gain things - a Kings favour, money, distraction, etc
What about using the Performance skill on your Patron? Perhaps it’s an elaborate ceremony that uses dance, singing or poetry (or sinister things for evil PC’s)
As a player, what would you like to gain from your Patron using Performance? One time use of a spell? Insight? Inspiration?
As a DM, what would you allow your players to be granted, if anything?
Do you think this is a reasonable use of the skill?
First off, I'd say persuasion and/or deception would be what you'd use to manipulate people, rather than performance.
But whichever skill you'd use, I'd say it has no impact. This is an otherworldly being who is capable of bestowing incredible powers upon otherwise regular people. Singing it a little song or reciting it a poem isn't going to get it to do anything more for you. At least, that would be my ruling as a DM.
At my table, were I the DM, I think the only Patron that might be interested in Performance would likely be the Archfey...
But you better believe that would be a loaded roll of the dice (not to mention require some solid RP). Perform well, and things are looking good for your character. Roll poorly, on the other hand? If there's one thing that the Fey are known for, it's their appreciation of the arts, and their intolerance for those who perform poorly. It's embarrasing, and everything that you do reflects on your patron in front of the court...
Risk vs reward is always good. Suddenly your game has taken an unexpected turn for the better or worse. And by player choice.
Also, and this is just me, but Gods, demigods, celestials, fiends, etc, can have huge egos. I think art is a valid way to petition them.
Artist's were contacted by Cthulhu in dreams. Why not Performance being used to contact it?
I think Performance is a dramatically underused skill.
Cheers.
Asmodeus: ...And so then, the mortal pulls a rabbit out of his hat!
Mammon: Wait, he did what!?
Asmodeus: I know right!? It was a perfectly ordinary, empty top hat, when suddenly, *poof!* A rabbit!
Mammon: Yo, how the heck do you think he get the rabbit in there?
Asmodeus: No clue, man. Not even sure why he wanted my power, when he's able to do magic like that!
Zariel: Hey, what are you guys talking about?
Mammon: Yo, you gotta hear this!
In all seriousness though, you may be able to impress your Patron through a few parlor tricks, a bit of sleight-of-hand, and some good ol' fashioned Polka. However, for most people who are beseeching the power of their Patrons, they aren't doing so for the sole purpose of gaining the infernal power of juggling (unless they're from Rakdos or something). You want to know what can truly unlock the door to pervasive power beyond your wildest dreams though? Persuasion. Complement the Patron's choice in attire, engage them on their desires, weave in a few white lies of fealty (although nothing too untrue. Patrons often despise being deceived). Do all that, and your patron of choice will practically roll out the red carpet for you, when it comes to offering you access to his powers.
Of course, in order to keep those powers, you need one important skill that's not on the character sheet: The ability to listen to your Patron. Too often, people believe that they can just persuade their way into their Patron's heart forever. However, charming words eventually grow stale, when they're not paired with matching actions, and not every Patron functions the same way. Some will demand blood sacrifices and the like, but others may crave something more intimate and enticing. Still others simply want you to spread their good name to the masses, and even more others may desire for you to maintain balance in the realm. Either that, or tip balance towards one direction or another. If you treat all Patrons as being the same, you'll be in for quite a shock, when your Archfey Patron starts sternly inquiring about all the murder sprees you've gone on, and all the blood sacrifices you've performed, in their name. Finding out what your Patron desires, and fulfilling said needs, is the name of the game. And who knows? Maybe your Patron actually would enjoy an operatic performance or two. Persuasion is the best way to find out if that's true, however, as some Patrons may prefer the dulcet tones of Smooth Jazz.
Asmodeus: His abilities are extraordinary.
Mammon: So what? Just eat him.
Asmodeus: You fool! Think of all the humanoids that will flock to see him. Adore him. Do anything to be near him.
Mammon: I don’t get it.
Asmodeus: His prose weaves through the air and soothes like a summer breeze. The dance pulls and moves like the moon does the oceans. That painting is an idol to be lusted, coveted, even killed for.
Zariel: I always wanted to learn to paint.
Mammon: Can I eat it?
Asmodeus: These works are done in MY name. At their core is MY seed and in time I will reap what has been sowed!
That's how I see it *potentially* being used. Or, he could stand outside a bar and busk. : )
To each their own.