in my next session, my players will support their bard on a bard contest in the city they are currently at. I am planning to make this a contest of three groups but at the moment I am not quite sure how this kind of contest could be held, so I wanted to ask if any of you did run such a contest or if someone has some ideas.
My idea was to make use of different skill checks during the contest, so for example if the melodies are on points and so on. For the NPCs, I will roll some dice before they get on stage to establish their performance.
It's hard to know how to do this without it being just straight up performance checks. I'd say that for each performance, they have to win 3 against the rivals, stacking the "wins" until they have out-performed them (while the NPCs stack 'Wins' as well). But there needs to be more than just basic skill checks.
I'd introduce some custom rules. For instance, let the player pick their three "power moves" or some such. They can employ those "power moves" when they need to - one gives a +5 bonus, one gives an opponent disadvantage etc. I'd put in some "events" such as a heckler starting in the audience after the first roll for performance 2. I'd put in one of the other bards trying to cheat somehow, perhaps using a recorded illusion sound. All manner of things are possible!
I think you either keep it short — opposed checks, maybe best of 3 or something — or you find a way to let the rest of the party participate (aka cheat or at least stack the deck).
If you do some kind of extended scene, it’s fun for the bard, but what does everyone else do for the half hour you’re resolving it?
So maybe the sorcerer casts suggestion on an influential audience member to get them to support the party, or the barbarian and fighter start cheering really wildly to get others to join in. The wizard throws in some dancing lights, or an invisible servant backing band. The cleric blesses the bard before the show, etc. Not that you should plan out what they’ll do. But allow the other party members something to do.
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Hey :)
in my next session, my players will support their bard on a bard contest in the city they are currently at. I am planning to make this a contest of three groups but at the moment I am not quite sure how this kind of contest could be held, so I wanted to ask if any of you did run such a contest or if someone has some ideas.
My idea was to make use of different skill checks during the contest, so for example if the melodies are on points and so on. For the NPCs, I will roll some dice before they get on stage to establish their performance.
Thank you in advance :)
It's hard to know how to do this without it being just straight up performance checks. I'd say that for each performance, they have to win 3 against the rivals, stacking the "wins" until they have out-performed them (while the NPCs stack 'Wins' as well). But there needs to be more than just basic skill checks.
I'd introduce some custom rules. For instance, let the player pick their three "power moves" or some such. They can employ those "power moves" when they need to - one gives a +5 bonus, one gives an opponent disadvantage etc. I'd put in some "events" such as a heckler starting in the audience after the first roll for performance 2. I'd put in one of the other bards trying to cheat somehow, perhaps using a recorded illusion sound. All manner of things are possible!
I think you either keep it short — opposed checks, maybe best of 3 or something — or you find a way to let the rest of the party participate (aka cheat or at least stack the deck).
If you do some kind of extended scene, it’s fun for the bard, but what does everyone else do for the half hour you’re resolving it?
So maybe the sorcerer casts suggestion on an influential audience member to get them to support the party, or the barbarian and fighter start cheering really wildly to get others to join in. The wizard throws in some dancing lights, or an invisible servant backing band. The cleric blesses the bard before the show, etc. Not that you should plan out what they’ll do. But allow the other party members something to do.