Bards can't cast magic straight away. They learn how to cast spells when they get to level 2. This makes them balanced, compared to mages, because they start of at a disavantage, preventing them to become too powerful too quickly. But what's the logic of it from a role-playing point of view?
Bards spend their time before they start out into the world learning to master both their instrument and their voice for use in public performances; they learn some old tales to tell as well, I presume. They do this under the guidance of a teacher, at least in the case of mastering a musical instrument. And probable spending a lot of time reading books containing old sagas, legends and fairy-tales. But why don't they learn how to cast spells at that stage, before setting out into the world, surrounded by knowledge from books and a teacher - certainly in the case of <CHARNAME>?
Once the bard sets out into the world, getting attacked, finding companions and inspiring them defeating monsters, fulfilling some quests,he or she gets more experienced and learns to cast spells suddenly, while being on the road. It doesn't make sense to me: learning a new, very intricate skill like casting magic, not from your tutor before setting out into the world, but by being beset by monsters and danger?
Can anyone come up with a good explanation for this that makes sense from a role-play point of view?
Bards and magic - why do they pick it up on the road?
Débuté par
Son of Imoen
, juil. 06 2011 10:09
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#2
Posté 06 juillet 2011 - 10:56
Shadow_Leech07
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Bards should typically have high intelligence, this is why they have such great lore. They are not only musicians but also people who are well learned of the world not just about history or folklore but also of various other forms of knowledge which obviously include text on magic. Mages represent a much more disciplined practice, as they focus on one thing while bards multi-task.
#3
Posté 06 juillet 2011 - 11:38
Grond0
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I would think of it as bards having learnt a large store of theoretical information before starting adventuring, i.e. they would know how magic operates (and are thus able to use scrolls, wands etc). However, prior to going on the road they would not have had a practical need for the sorts of spells used by adventurers (magic missile etc) and would therefore not have acquired spell books with these in (unlike mages, who would have acquired these as part of their apprenticeship).
Once they begin adventuring their priorities obviously change and they start to acquire knowledge of how to cast in practice the sorts of spells now needed.
Once they begin adventuring their priorities obviously change and they start to acquire knowledge of how to cast in practice the sorts of spells now needed.
#4
Posté 06 juillet 2011 - 03:40
Seagloom
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"Unlike wizards, bards do not engage in the systematic study of magic or the pursuit of specific spells. In spite of this, most bards pick up some magical knowledge in the course of their travels." The Complete Bard's Handbook
I agree with what Shadow_Leech and Grond0 wrote. Likely a bard picks up odds and ends of arcane formulae, runes, and chants while poring over any number of tomes. At second level the bard's knowledge coalesces to the degree they can master a first level spell. Note their spell progression not only begins later than mages, but is also hampered by slower advancement and lower maximum casting ability.
This is especially like in the case of Charname, who grew up in an immense library, was tutored by sages, and had a mage for a guardian. Surely she must have picked up something about magic in all that time.
I agree with what Shadow_Leech and Grond0 wrote. Likely a bard picks up odds and ends of arcane formulae, runes, and chants while poring over any number of tomes. At second level the bard's knowledge coalesces to the degree they can master a first level spell. Note their spell progression not only begins later than mages, but is also hampered by slower advancement and lower maximum casting ability.
This is especially like in the case of Charname, who grew up in an immense library, was tutored by sages, and had a mage for a guardian. Surely she must have picked up something about magic in all that time.
#5
Posté 07 juillet 2011 - 06:04
Son of Imoen
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It's a satisfying explanation, especially Grond0's remark that despite having read about magical spells a bard does not study how to use them, but only starts to feel the need when actually adventuring, to make use of that knowledge. It convinced me to stick with a lvl 1 Bard instead of Shadowkeeping 1250 xp in, for the 'Myself trapped in Faerûn' challenge.
#6
Posté 11 juillet 2011 - 11:38
Windfoot
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Along with studying magic a Mage studies to increase his mental capabilities through memorization and vocal ability to be able to cast the difficult spelss. And after his initical training his focus is on magic but he still continues improving his memory and vocalizatoin.
A Bard, on the other hand, improves his memory by learning long and complex songs/tales and works hard to improve his voice. Then, when his is done with his initial training, he uses his superb memory and vocalization and applys those to the smartering of magic he learns along the road.
So it's a matter of focus. For a Bard learning magic is secondary to his memory/vocal abilites. And a Mage focuses on magic where the memory/vocal ability is secondary.
A Bard, on the other hand, improves his memory by learning long and complex songs/tales and works hard to improve his voice. Then, when his is done with his initial training, he uses his superb memory and vocalization and applys those to the smartering of magic he learns along the road.
So it's a matter of focus. For a Bard learning magic is secondary to his memory/vocal abilites. And a Mage focuses on magic where the memory/vocal ability is secondary.
