Bard Base
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Bard Base spell circle is unique in that the magic is actually manipulated through a bard's singing. Consequently, all bardic magic is sung as opposed to cast. Bardic vocals manifest as a hybrid of both mental and elemental spheres, which is also a unique blend. Spells in this circle consist of a variety of offensive, defensive, and utility purposes all designed around the needs of a bard. Bard Base casting strength and target defense relies on a character's Aura bonus.
Renewing Continuous Songs
Spellsongs do not simply consume mana once per initiation as most other spells. They cost the regular initial expenditure of mana, and then a renewal cost upon expiration in order to keep the magic going. The length of your renew cycle is given by the following formula:
- 120 seconds
- +4 per level 1-25
- +3 per level 26-50
- +2 per level 51-75
- +1 per level 76+
- +Logic Bonus
- +Influence Bonus * 3
- +Mental Lore, Telepathy Ranks * 2
- SING STATUS or SONG STATUS displays which songs are currently being sung, and an approximation of their remaining duration.
- RENEW ALL will renew all of the songs at once.
- RENEW {spell#|mnemonic} will renew an individual song.
- STOP SINGING to cease all spellsongs.
- STOP [SINGING] {spell#|mnemonic} to cease a specific song. (Use of "singing" is optional; "stop fortitude" suffices to cause Fortitude Song (1003) to be removed from the Bard's medley.)
Multi-Song Penalty
Singing more than one spellsong at a time results in an increased renewal cost. The increase is 12 per song beyond the first, modified by your Bard Base ranks, Discipline bonus and Logic bonus, to a minimum of zero.
Enhancements by Rank
- Bard Base Casting strength
- +1 CS for each rank up to and including the bard's level.
- +0.75 CS for ranks level+1 through level+20.
- +0.50 CS for ranks level+21 through level+60.
- +0.25 CS for ranks level+61 through level+100.
- +0.125 CS for ranks level+101 and greater.
- Holding Song (1001)
- Affects one additional target for every 7 ranks after the first.
- Song of Luck (1006)
- Additional ranks increase the chance for this song to aid the Bard (but not non-bard party members) at a rate of 1% for every three songs known. +1 to mana cost per four songs known after 1006. Renewal cost is half the mana cost.
- Kai's Triumph Song (1007)
- This song gives +1 AS for each song known after the seventh, until it reaches +20 AS when seventeen songs are known. Once nineteen songs are known, this song also affords the Bard's party increased health recovery; +1 to mana cost and renewal cost for each additional point of AS.
- Sonic Equipment songs (Sonic Shield Song (1009), Sonic Blade Song (1012), Sonic Armor Song (1014))
- Sonic equipment begins at a bonus of +10 (+15 for armor) and gains +1 for every two songs known, up to a maximum of +35 at 50 songs known (or 40 songs known for armor).
- Song of Valor (1010)
- +1 DS per two songs known after 1010; +1 mana cost for every 2 additional DS; +1 renewal cost for every 5 additional DS.
- Song of Unravelling (1013)
- Increased song knowledge increases the amount of mana drained by each use of this song.
- Song of Mirrors (1019)
- +1 Dodging rank per two songs (+1/2) known after 1019; +1 to mana cost per five songs known after 1019; +1 to renewal cost per ten songs known after 1019.
- Singing Sword (1025)
- Additional songs known add to the animated weapon's AS.