So I’m playing a lvl 4 bard and I have a +9 bonus on both persuasion and representation. Whenever I roll over 20 (like a 26 or something) the action that results is often pretty light. My dm says there’s a max outcome on when I roll, but still, I feel like having 27 in representation (especially if you count that I actually played a solo on my irl instrument and it was lit af) and getting 20 copper is pretty low. I know the game is up to my dm, but it stills annoys me a bit, are they right?
So I’m playing a lvl 4 bard and I have a +9 bonus on both persuasion and representation. Whenever I roll over 20 (like a 26 or something) the action that results is often pretty light. My dm says there’s a max outcome on when I roll, but still, I feel like having 27 in representation (especially if you count that I actually played a solo on my irl instrument and it was lit af) and getting 20 copper is pretty low. I know the game is up to my dm, but it stills annoys me a bit, are they right?
Um... What is representation? It's not a skill in 5e. Anyways, how much money you should make depends on the situation. What tavern you're playing at, how wealthy the custodians are, and how willing they are to play money all factor into how much copper, silver, or gold, you might make. Generally, I'd say a 26 or so should grant a bit more money than 20 copper pieces. But again, it depends on the tavern and situation.
If you feel the DM isn't giving you enough money for your performances, then talk to them about it. However, DM's have to do so much work and manage so much stuff, and there are so many more important things in the game, that if your DM feels that they are giving out an appropriate amount of money, this is not the hill to die on. Ultimately, it may be annoying, and if it really matters to you, then you can have a gentle and polite discussion with the DM. But do keep in mind that they are the DM, and they generally have reasons for what they do. This is not a major problem with your game, it's just something minor that's bugging you. So again, do remember that this is not a very important thing in the game, and it's not much of a big deal. If your DM says no, and that they are doling out money for your performances appropriately, I don't think you should keep pressing them on something so small.
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BoringBard's long and tedious posts somehow manage to enrapture audiences. How? Because he used Charm Person, the #1 bard spell!
He/him pronouns. Call me Bard. PROUD NERD!
Ever wanted to talk about your parties' worst mistakes? Do so HERE. What's your favorite class, why? Share & explainHERE.
If you feel the DM isn't giving you enough money for your performances, then talk to them about it. However, DM's have to do so much work and manage so much stuff, and there are so many more important things in the game, that if your DM feels that they are giving out an appropriate amount of money, this is not the hill to die on. Ultimately, it may be annoying, and if it really matters to you, then you can have a gentle and polite discussion with the DM. But do keep in mind that they are the DM, and they generally have reasons for what they do. This is not a major problem with your game, it's just something minor that's bugging you. So again, do remember that this is not a very important thing in the game, and it's not much of a big deal. If your DM says no, and that they are doling out money for your performances appropriately, I don't think you should keep pressing them on something so small.
Agreed. As a DM myself I know how many different things you’ve got to think about, and players normally focus on the smallest things, which just adds to how much I’ve got to do
The effects depends on the situation. What where you trying to achieve with that performance?
Something you can do is communicate the reason for your performance or social interaction. This way he can warn you if its realistic and you know what to expect.
For example, if you said something crazy like i want to play the lute to see if the owner will be so impressed that he will trust us immediately. I would probably say something like "you will not gain his trust, but you can roll to see if you get complimetary rooms in exchange for performing for his customers later". This way you have clear expectations. And if you roll a nat20 i might lower DC for any social interactions that may require a roll.
Communicate with your DM so they can manage expectations before you roll.
So I’m playing a lvl 4 bard and I have a +9 bonus on both persuasion and representation. Whenever I roll over 20 (like a 26 or something) the action that results is often pretty light. My dm says there’s a max outcome on when I roll, but still, I feel like having 27 in representation (especially if you count that I actually played a solo on my irl instrument and it was lit af) and getting 20 copper is pretty low. I know the game is up to my dm, but it stills annoys me a bit, are they right?
The DM decides when you can make a roll and what the possible range of outcomes of the roll is, but he should generally have described the situation clearly enough that you'd realize that the likely possible reward is very low.
So I’m playing a lvl 4 bard and I have a +9 bonus on both persuasion and representation. Whenever I roll over 20 (like a 26 or something) the action that results is often pretty light. My dm says there’s a max outcome on when I roll, but still, I feel like having 27 in representation (especially if you count that I actually played a solo on my irl instrument and it was lit af) and getting 20 copper is pretty low. I know the game is up to my dm, but it stills annoys me a bit, are they right?
The DM can, and sometimes will, rate success on a scale. However, if you were to rip into a blistering face-melter in a venue that didn't particularly appreciate that genre of music, you could have rolled a 35, and the crowd is still gonna be *crickets*. Your roll only represents your performance, not the observer's reaction to it. In some instances, the interaction outcome that you are hoping for is unachievable, even if you roll a 'Nat 20'. DM might have thrown a bone about crowd receptiveness or even about economic status of the venue itself.
Being able to perform the act IRL might gain some points, or maybe advantage on the roll, but might not guarantee a success in-game.
In the end, this is strictly DM territory. You have the ability, which I encourage you to excersise, to talk with them about to gain their insight as to what happened and why the outcome didn't match your expectation.
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“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime.” - Mark Twain - Innocents Abroad
if it’s a non-combat skill check it’s tough to say how it should play out. As a DM I like to set a DC for a ‘pass’ result with bonuses given for every 5 the PC beats it by.
I do think 20cp is a bit cheap though given how frequently that type of coin is used (I mean, equipment & services are all listed in gp unless it’s a wooden stick…). Despite that, most games are about adventuring and not about performing at taverns.
Definitely talk to your DM about it though, maybe it was just a missed opportunity to give you a plot hook. What if one of the patrons really liked your performance and decided to give you a secret about a nearby dungeon! As a DM I struggle with bards doing performances in taverns etc… it’s fun from the player side as you get to have a moment, but what does it accomplish as far as driving an adventure?
Props for irl music skills, at my table you’d be getting boon’s and added use of inspiration constantly :D
Sounds to me like a game balance issue. Your DM doesn't want you to be able to basically print money through your performances, but they do make sure you get enough to cover maybe staying a night at the inn and a meal or so. That seems pretty fair. After all, as an adventurer, your main income should come from the adventuring.
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So I’m playing a lvl 4 bard and I have a +9 bonus on both persuasion and representation. Whenever I roll over 20 (like a 26 or something) the action that results is often pretty light. My dm says there’s a max outcome on when I roll, but still, I feel like having 27 in representation (especially if you count that I actually played a solo on my irl instrument and it was lit af) and getting 20 copper is pretty low. I know the game is up to my dm, but it stills annoys me a bit, are they right?
Um... What is representation? It's not a skill in 5e. Anyways, how much money you should make depends on the situation. What tavern you're playing at, how wealthy the custodians are, and how willing they are to play money all factor into how much copper, silver, or gold, you might make. Generally, I'd say a 26 or so should grant a bit more money than 20 copper pieces. But again, it depends on the tavern and situation.
If you feel the DM isn't giving you enough money for your performances, then talk to them about it. However, DM's have to do so much work and manage so much stuff, and there are so many more important things in the game, that if your DM feels that they are giving out an appropriate amount of money, this is not the hill to die on. Ultimately, it may be annoying, and if it really matters to you, then you can have a gentle and polite discussion with the DM. But do keep in mind that they are the DM, and they generally have reasons for what they do. This is not a major problem with your game, it's just something minor that's bugging you. So again, do remember that this is not a very important thing in the game, and it's not much of a big deal. If your DM says no, and that they are doling out money for your performances appropriately, I don't think you should keep pressing them on something so small.
BoringBard's long and tedious posts somehow manage to enrapture audiences. How? Because he used Charm Person, the #1 bard spell!
He/him pronouns. Call me Bard. PROUD NERD!
Ever wanted to talk about your parties' worst mistakes? Do so HERE. What's your favorite class, why? Share & explain
HERE.If you feel the DM isn't giving you enough money for your performances, then talk to them about it. However, DM's have to do so much work and manage so much stuff, and there are so many more important things in the game, that if your DM feels that they are giving out an appropriate amount of money, this is not the hill to die on. Ultimately, it may be annoying, and if it really matters to you, then you can have a gentle and polite discussion with the DM. But do keep in mind that they are the DM, and they generally have reasons for what they do. This is not a major problem with your game, it's just something minor that's bugging you. So again, do remember that this is not a very important thing in the game, and it's not much of a big deal. If your DM says no, and that they are doling out money for your performances appropriately, I don't think you should keep pressing them on something so small.
Agreed. As a DM myself I know how many different things you’ve got to think about, and players normally focus on the smallest things, which just adds to how much I’ve got to do
The effects depends on the situation. What where you trying to achieve with that performance?
Something you can do is communicate the reason for your performance or social interaction. This way he can warn you if its realistic and you know what to expect.
For example, if you said something crazy like i want to play the lute to see if the owner will be so impressed that he will trust us immediately. I would probably say something like "you will not gain his trust, but you can roll to see if you get complimetary rooms in exchange for performing for his customers later". This way you have clear expectations. And if you roll a nat20 i might lower DC for any social interactions that may require a roll.
Communicate with your DM so they can manage expectations before you roll.
The DM decides when you can make a roll and what the possible range of outcomes of the roll is, but he should generally have described the situation clearly enough that you'd realize that the likely possible reward is very low.
The DM can, and sometimes will, rate success on a scale. However, if you were to rip into a blistering face-melter in a venue that didn't particularly appreciate that genre of music, you could have rolled a 35, and the crowd is still gonna be *crickets*. Your roll only represents your performance, not the observer's reaction to it. In some instances, the interaction outcome that you are hoping for is unachievable, even if you roll a 'Nat 20'. DM might have thrown a bone about crowd receptiveness or even about economic status of the venue itself.
Being able to perform the act IRL might gain some points, or maybe advantage on the roll, but might not guarantee a success in-game.
In the end, this is strictly DM territory. You have the ability, which I encourage you to excersise, to talk with them about to gain their insight as to what happened and why the outcome didn't match your expectation.
“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime.” - Mark Twain - Innocents Abroad
if it’s a non-combat skill check it’s tough to say how it should play out. As a DM I like to set a DC for a ‘pass’ result with bonuses given for every 5 the PC beats it by.
I do think 20cp is a bit cheap though given how frequently that type of coin is used (I mean, equipment & services are all listed in gp unless it’s a wooden stick…). Despite that, most games are about adventuring and not about performing at taverns.
Definitely talk to your DM about it though, maybe it was just a missed opportunity to give you a plot hook. What if one of the patrons really liked your performance and decided to give you a secret about a nearby dungeon! As a DM I struggle with bards doing performances in taverns etc… it’s fun from the player side as you get to have a moment, but what does it accomplish as far as driving an adventure?
Props for irl music skills, at my table you’d be getting boon’s and added use of inspiration constantly :D
Sounds to me like a game balance issue. Your DM doesn't want you to be able to basically print money through your performances, but they do make sure you get enough to cover maybe staying a night at the inn and a meal or so. That seems pretty fair. After all, as an adventurer, your main income should come from the adventuring.