Bard

General

The Bard in EFU: City of Rings is many things. A tale spinner, a singer, a master of lore, an inspiring presence to allies and filling enemies with dread. Bards can be adept at a surprising number of roles that their namesake would not suggest. Some bards choose to focus on a more martial role - using their songs, magic and ability to use a wide array of trinkets, scrolls or wands to make up for the lack of might that a Fighter or Barbarian might have. Other bards choose to focus on politics, subterfuge, adventuring or even darker paths. There is little a Bard can't do with at least a bit of skill.

Alignment: Any non-Lawful

Hit Points: 6 + CON per level

Proficiencies: Armor (Light, Medium), Shields, Weapon (Simple)

Skill Points: 4 + INT modifier per level (4+int modifier)*4 at 1st level

Save Progression: Fort Low, Will High, Ref High

Attack Bonus: +3/4 levels

Spellcasting: Arcane (spell failure from armor is a factor), charisma-based (a base charisma score of 10 + the spell's level is required to cast a spell, bonus spells are based on modified charisma, and the charisma modifier affects spell DCs), and spontaneous cast (no spell preparation required). Bards begin the game knowing four cantrips.

Custom Bard Songs

In addition to the default Bard Song and the Cursed Song feat variant - Bards can discover and learn new server specific songs. These songs have completely custom effects that can only be discovered through experimentation, you won't find them documented on the wiki or forums.

Songsheets and Songbooks

Bards in EFU: City of Rings gain access to the above mentioned Custom Bard Songs through song sheets and songbooks. See below for details:

• In order to access the custom Bard songs available in EFU:R a Songbook item is required - you will receive one when you activate a perk or buy one from a store.
• You can add a song to your songbook either by using a songsheet on your songbook or absorbing another songbook into yours (either by being gifted a songbook or stealing one from another Bard).
• To absorb a songbook into yours use it like you would a songsheet and target the songbook you want to absorbs the songs into.
• There are two varieties of custom Bard songs in EFU. The variety that are beneficial to your allies and the cursed variety which affect enemies via damage, negative effects or even damage.
• You can scribe cursed songs to your songbook without the Cursed Song feat but you will not be able to use them.
• There are two types of songs you can have active at any given moment in EFU. First, the Cursed Song feat (which requires you to take the feat to use) and only affects hostile targets. Second, any other custom bard song of which there are two types of - inspiring which typically affects allies positively or cursed which typically affects hostile targets negatively (and requires the Cursed Song feat to use but not to scribe into your songbook).
• For every 3 points of the Bard's total Perform skill Bard songs will last 1 extra round. Additionally, every character level over 5 grants another round of duration.

Cut Purse

Rogues and Bards receive a Cut Purse player tool accessible through the Crafting Menu which allows you to cut another player's purse to steal a small amount of gold from them - often without them getting any IC or OOC indication of who did it depending on how you perform the theft, how well your skill checks are and various other factors. Please remember that PVP rules apply to this tool!

You can use Cut Purse more often than Pick Pocket (the 30-minute delay only applies to the target you robbed previously).

• Size of the purse matters – for someone with five gold coins, losing even one is a major setback and very easy to discern. Get up in the thousands and you may not notice the few gold coins slipping away.
• Even if you are successful - the target will (after a certain delay) receive a message saying that their purse is missing.
• If you fail your PC will be dropped out of stealth and an emote forced on your PC indicating that he attempted so.
• Pickpocket skill will help ensure the target does not actually see the attempted theft.
• Bluff skill will allow you to act casually so that they do not know it was you.
• Stealth and or invisibility will increase your chances of success by making it harder to spot the attempt.

Multiclassing

Bards can multiclass freely but if they do the effects of their perk as detailed below are disabled. Whatever song you gained remains in your songbook, however. They may still take levels in prestige classes without losing their perk.

Perks

These perks are available ONLY to pure bards.

Blade

You are a master artisan with your weapon, as much a performer as a warrior. You made your trade at festivals and carnivals as a sword swallower and knife juggler. You jump and spin with your weapon in an impressive and intimidating display, or in a slow and graceful dance. If there is a showy way to wield, throw, or display a weapon, nobody knows it better than you. - Perk: Cleave feat.

Cantor

(Good only)

Once you led the gospel at your deity's church or temple, singing harmony to soothe and inspire the following. Now at the end of all days you are a shining light in a world cast to darkness, bringing hope and praise in the name of a deity that may be dead. - Perk: Bless is bestowed the bard on singing.

Dwarven Barreller

(Dwarf only)

You enjoy the finer things in life. A hearty laugh, a goblin to clobber, and a barrel of dwarven ale. The most whimsical of dwarves, you are still stout and dependable and your brothers are always glad to have you along to brighten the dark tunnels of the mines. - Perk: Heavy Armor Proficiency.

Gypsy

You are of the Gur, the Bedine, or perhaps the Argenti. To live is to take what you can and run with it, stand tall when you must, or flee to survive. You have learned the stories and songs of your people and family, walked the long path and lived a life of free soul - and whether it was questionable or honorable in the eyes of others, you are free to do what you like. - Perk: +10% Movement Speed.

Jack of All Trades

The True Bard, versatile but a master of no craft. You can wield all weapons, wear most armor, cast spells, and employ the thief's arsenal of skills. You are an entertainer, a storyteller, a singer, a lore keeper and when the mood strikes, you are not one to be held back. - Perk: Weapon Proficiency: Martial.

Jester

You are the fool, the clown, the buffoon. Everything is a joke, including yourself! You are the comedian who raises morale, entertain, and crafts scapegoats for the world's problems. Mirth and merriment are your bread and butter and you like it slathered on thick. - Perk: Receive a throwable object each reset.

Loremaster

Ancient scrolls and dusty tomes are old friends to the ones who seek the most secret and hidden lore. While your oration and tone may be as dry as what you pursue, the knowledge found inspire further progress. - Perk: Gain XP for translating ancient texts.

Minstrel

You are a musician, a master of the lute, flute, horn, or even cowbell. Making your living supplying festivity at ins and for crowds, there is nothing more joyous than the music you've written to inspire others. Your value as an entertainer is known and appreciated by all. - Perk: Free resting at inns.

Orator

Few are those born with such vocal force that rivets attention with every word. The power to turn a crowd to one's own agenda is comparable to the highest spells and most deadly weapons, a power you are well on your way to master. - Perk: Re-roll failed bluff and persuade checks.

Piper

Exposed to destitution at a young age, for years your only friends were the rats salvaging the garbage alongside you. Their squeaks and scratching turned to melody in your ears and soon you joined the orchestra, quickly becoming the conductor playing the pipe. Animals have ever since found harmony in your songs but it is the friends who started it all who have come with you all the way. - Perk: Animals don't attack you.

Skald

Honored and respected, you are the warrior-bard. You travel and fight alongside your fellows, seeking adventure and acclaim and then immortalizing them and yourself through songs and poetry. Woe be to the one who maligns you for they will find themselves slandered as villains for the world to know. - Perk: 5% Immunity to slashing and cold damage.

Spellsinger

Some bards sacrifice their spellcasting flexibility for sturdier armors. Spellsingers have learnt to make use of leather without incurring penalties, and have an easier time casting spells in the heavier variants if they are daring enough. - Perk: -15% Arcane Spell Failure on armor.

Spirit Chanter

(Evil only)

From an early age you've always felt that you were never quite alone. Restless voices whispered to you in tranquil moments, their grief beckoning your inquiry. Now you sing for spirits only you see, voice tingling with the undertones of the incorporeal. - Perk: 2/- Negative Energy DR.

Troubadour

You are the romantic poet, the chivalrous writer. Nobody espouses the ideals of pure heart and true love as you. Even in these darks days, there is love to be found, and you will find it. You will nurture and protect it and bring it back into the world through poetry and song. - Perk: 4gp wage while within an inn.

Custom Spells

We have introduced a number of new spells which are available for bards. A complete list of all custom spells can be found here.