Bard

Bard Type Elemental/Mental Semi Spell Circles Minor Elemental, Bard Base Prime Requisites Influence, Aura Mana Statistics Influence, Aura

Physical Skills Skill Cost Ranks Two Weapon Combat 3/2 2 Armor Use 5/0 2 Shield Use 5/0 2 Combat Maneuvers 8/4 2 Edged Weapons 3/1 2 Blunt Weapons 4/1 2 Two-Handed Weapons 7/2 2 Ranged Weapons 4/2 2 Thrown Weapons 3/1 2 Polearm Weapons 6/1 2 Brawling 3/1 2 Ambush 4/4 1 Multi Opponent Combat 7/3 1 Physical Fitness 4/0 2 Dodging 6/6 2

Magical Skills Skill Cost Ranks Arcane Symbols 0/4 2 Magic Item Use 0/4 2 Spell Aiming 3/10 1 Harness Power 0/5 2 Elemental Mana Control 0/6 1 Mental Mana Control 0/6 1 Spirit Mana Control 0/12 1 Spell Research 0/17 2 Elemental Lore 0/8 1 Spiritual Lore 0/20 1 Sorcerous Lore 0/18 1 Mental Lore 0/8 1

General Skills Skill Cost Ranks Survival 2/2 2 Disarming Traps 2/3 2 Picking Locks 2/1 2 Stalking and Hiding 3/2 2 Perception 0/3 2 Climbing 3/0 2 Swimming 3/0 2 First Aid 2/1 2 Trading 0/2 2 Pickpocketing 2/1 2

Bards are semi-spell users who combine skill at arms with elemental magic. Their song spells allow them to enhance not only their own skills in combat, but those of all in their party. Bards are also masters of lore, adept at revealing the secrets of magic items. Nearly as versatile as Rangers, Bards are somewhat more adept at using magical devices, but less so at physical skills, such as combat or maneuvering. Heavy armor will restrict their spellcasting abilities.

Professional Highlights

Spellsongs

Main article: Bard Base

To sing a spellsong the bard must first PREPARE the song using either the spellsong number or the mnemonic. Next, the bard SINGs the song either at himself or a target.

Example:

PREP 1001 or PREP HOLDSONG
SING or SING <target>

Spellsongs depend primarily on the bard's Influence and Aura.

Loresinging

Main article: Loresinging

LORESING <lyrics>

While holding an item in your right hand, sing a song whose lyrics inquire about the nature of the object. Use a semicolon (;) to separate lines.

For example:

loresing Sparkling stone I found this night;Tell me why you shine so bright?;Do you by chance possess a spell,;Or sharpen weapons very well?;Are you worth much if I sell,;Or should I throw you in the well?

If you are skilled enough and use the appropriate keywords, something of the item's nature will be revealed to you.

Musical Instruments

Main article: Instrument learning

All professions can PLAY musical instruments, but only bards are capable of mastering the art.

Combat Maneuvers List

Bards also have the ability to train in the following combat maneuvers. None of which are exclusive to the bard profession.

• Charge
• Cheapshots
• Combat Focus
• Combat Mastery
• Combat Movement
• Cunning Defense
• Dirtkick
• Disarm Weapon
• Feint
• Garrote
• Hamstring
• Multi-Fire
• Precision
• Shield Bash
• Side by Side (prereq: Combat Movement at rank 2)
• Spin Attack
• Subdual Strike
• Sweep
• Trip
• Unarmed Specialist

Bard Statistic Growth Rates

For more information see the page on statistic growth rates.

Bard Stat Growth Rates

Profession	Strength	Constitution	Dexterity	Agility	Discipline	Aura	Logic	Intuition	Wisdom	Influence
Bard	25	20	25	20	15	25	10	15	20	30

Note: The table above is the baseline statistic growth rates. These values are actually modified for every race in GemStone IV, including humans.

Resources

• A beginner's guide to playing a bard (work-in-progress)
• SONG (verb)
• Guides by Whirlin: Two Hander, One Hander, Archer, Pure, Two Weapon Bard Guide
• Loresinging and Purifying Gems Guide

Officials Folders

• Officials main folder
• Announcements
• Developer's Corner
• Banter
• Magic, Spells, and Spellsongs
• Guild Discussions
• So You Want to be a Bard?
• Roleplaying a Bard
• Hunting Strategies
• Instruments
• Loresinging

Bard Profession
Spell Circles:	Bard Base Minor Elemental
Professional Highlights:	Sonic Weapons, Shields, & Armor Purifying Gems Loresinging Bardic Luck Talismans
Popular Archetypes:	Spellblade Lancer Sonic Disruptor ("Pure Bard")