The official GemStone IV encyclopedia.
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.
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 renewal cost can vary based on the bard's level, Influence, Logic, and Bard Base ranks. Mental Lore, Telepathy increases the duration of spellsongs before renewal is required by 2 sec per rank.
- 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.)
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's party. +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.
External Links
Official Bard Base Spell Circle