TOPIC: Widseth's Mystical Lute Question

not a matter of if I like the song or not....

besides someone has to get attacked first...spell caster are more dangerous then the meat shields...

so there you are, just wandering around some dark dank dungeon.  minding your own business, moping along, maybe scrounging for a little food, and severely bummed out because you never get to do anything fun.  then all of a sudden, this group of upstarts comes charging into your home.  most of them looking mean and armed to bear, a couple digging through their sacks for some item (probably so they can throw it at you), so you have to get yourself all worked up so you can chase these buggers off.  that is when you notice the strange one step out of the group in the bright clothing, dancing, prancing, and singing the worst song you have ever heard, all with a big ol' smile on his face, happy as can be.  and the worst part; he seems to be cheering up everyone in the room...except you!<br />who would you attack?

so there you are, just wandering around some dark dank dungeon.  minding your own business, moping along, maybe scrounging for a little food, and severely bummed out because you never get to do anything fun.  then all of a sudden, this group of upstarts comes charging into your home.  most of them looking mean and armed to bear, a couple digging through their sacks for some item (probably so they can throw it at you), so you have to get yourself all worked up so you can chase these buggers off.  that is when you notice the strange one step out of the group in the bright clothing, dancing, prancing, and singing the worst song you have ever heard, all with a big ol' smile on his face, happy as can be.  and the worst part; he seems to be cheering up everyone in the room...except you!<br />who would you attack?

<br /><br />Shh......LOL.....Your going to scare my Bard away from are Nightmare run.

<br />That's exactly why I want this clarified.  It would really seem that having to sing would defeat the whole purpose of the lute.  I also think the idea of having to sing drives a number of people away from playing what is developing into a rather powerful class.<br /><br />Kim<br />

<br />I believe the power of the lute is that you dont have to use both hands to use it and frees you up to do non-verbal actions (like swing a sword, use your shield or quaff a potion).  So I still see its key strength is allowing the bard to participate in combat other than just to "sing"

This bard will sing and fight and cast--in between verses.  Maybe because I take the bard class as serious fun, I begin preparing what to sing the day after my last TD run.  There will be two new songs this year that will make the charts--one will probably go Gold--Canticle for Nightshade.  I have the lute and it will be used, but so will my songs and sword and scrolls.<br /><br />Widseth

I would be disappointed if you did not sing.....

One of my great TD memories was on a run with a group of strangers - the bard had a lute and was in costume.  We started to fight a giant spider when he began singing "Particle Man," by TMBG!  =D<br />

Of all the annoying songs that can be sung over and over by our bard, the one that I actually enjoyed was a couple years ago when she sang the Henry the 8th song over and over again during combat.  <br /><br />In any case, I don't see a problem with forcing the bards to sing, even if it is a repetitive and annoying song.  It's part of the character.  At least with Widseths Lute, the bard can still participate in combat which is something our bard is really looking forward to this year.  She never cared what weapon she had before, now she does.

Hmmm... I could swear that we decided NOT to make people sing at the meeting...<br /><br />I didn't make people sing, but I asked them to let me hear something (reciting poetry, spouting out sports stats, whatever) so that I would remember they were performing, and would apply the appropriate bonus.<br /><br />If the guide states that it is not required of people to sing, I don't think the DMs should be allowed to decide otherwise, unless all parties are notified PRIOR to entering the dungeon.  Were they, coaches?

I know I was required to perform "something" as the group bard.  And now my rendition of "Kill the snake" in the medusa room branded me for life.

<br />There will be two new songs this year that will make the charts--one will probably go Gold--Canticle for Nightshade.<br />

<br /><br />Woohoo!!!