tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4143435314932633148.post2730594693904751658..comments2024-03-28T00:41:13.514-07:00Comments on B/X BLACKRAZOR: In Defense of BardsJBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03263662621289630246noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4143435314932633148.post-78097446782228543982010-01-01T13:10:49.501-08:002010-01-01T13:10:49.501-08:00Ian, I stand corrected, and thank you for pointing...Ian, I stand corrected, and thank you for pointing it out...it's been a loooong time since I read Mr. Alexander's excellent books, and all I remembered of Fflewddur was his use as comic relief...which to me seems the intent of the 2nd edition and later bards.<br /><br />The Celtic bard-warrior archetype is what I've always held to...it makes sense that Fflewddur would fit the mold. Sorry I bad-mouthed the Fflam!JBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08532311924539491087noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4143435314932633148.post-65916914163834855622010-01-01T01:19:32.708-08:002010-01-01T01:19:32.708-08:00Fflewddur Fflam of the Lloyd Alexander books was a...Fflewddur Fflam of the Lloyd Alexander books was a warrior first and foremost. He was as the front of every battle and praised for his skill with a sword. Never once did he take on a support role. In my mind, he is the essential bard character. Not the 3.5 or 2nd edition bard, the AD&D bard. Your mileage will vary, of course.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05494391031541363595noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4143435314932633148.post-13834006183603224542009-06-14T21:21:01.611-07:002009-06-14T21:21:01.611-07:00Hmm...if you try it, I'd like to hear how it t...Hmm...if you try it, I'd like to hear how it turns out. The thief-fighter switcheroo may be viable, though I'd be interested to see it in playtest.JBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08532311924539491087noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4143435314932633148.post-22247379581843761032009-06-12T13:02:09.528-07:002009-06-12T13:02:09.528-07:00Well, good on ya, and a very good way of looking a...Well, good on ya, and a very good way of looking at a bard. It's certainly more appealing than the feather-in-his-cap minstrel that make so many players 'roud the table groan. (In my experience, at least)<br /><br />In the end, my bard rewrite will probably remain on hiatus for awhile, because none of my players wanted to play a bard this time around. (Though I do have a fighter...maybe I could just use it as written should he survive to the appropriate level) I could also see allowing the old bard to go thief-fighter-druid as an optional route... same experiences, different order.DMWieghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03682249561077936507noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4143435314932633148.post-24111724212381525402009-06-11T23:33:21.180-07:002009-06-11T23:33:21.180-07:00You know, there's value to that...it's rea...You know, there's value to that...it's really simply two competing philosophies on how they see the bard. The bard that can be entered at 1st level is generally the "ne'er do well" who operates in support of the other party members, hopefully surviving to a higher level...so that he can continue to support the other high level party members?<br /><br />I mean, it's a valid way of looking at the character class, but I don't think it's particularly flattering. It ain't a role I'd want to play (kind of the Fflewddur Fflam of Lloyd Alexander's books.<br /><br />I simply prefer the experienced bard...the guy who sings 'cause he's already experienced war, anguish, heartbreak. The guy whose stolen and lost treasure. The guy that's more like Vainamoinen.<br /><br />The point of my post was "in defense of" my particular preference, though. I've read a lot of crap about the 1st edition Bard as originally conceived, and I just wanted to state my point o view. I liked the idea of giving them illusionist spells...but I always thought druids should have some illusionist magic, too. Much more "Arthurian" in flavor.<br /><br />: )JBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08532311924539491087noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4143435314932633148.post-77551259718778131682009-06-11T21:15:25.731-07:002009-06-11T21:15:25.731-07:00I'm re-working the bard class for my own AD&am...I'm re-working the bard class for my own AD&D 1 game. I want to take him back to his roots and give him druid spells (or a mix...<i>charm person</i> seems to be appropriate, for instance) and beef him up a little. I'm sort of taking a cue from the bard in Castles & Crusades, who has d10 hit points. <br /><br />My reasoning for this is that I prefer classes that can be entered at level 1. (To this end, I have expanded Unearthed Arcana's thief-acrobat into a full fledged, stand-alone character concept.) That is my only opposition to the old school bard. (For the record, I never liked Prestige Classes in 3.X, either) <br /><br />Just my two cents.DMWieghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03682249561077936507noreply@blogger.com