It’s been a while since I had to bring out an archetype discussion but today is a decent time to continue.
Today we’re going to be talking about one of the most versatile characters in Dungeons & Dragons: Bards. Bards are extremely valuable to the party in D&D, both in combat and out. They are particularly useful for the Dungeon Master, but I did always think this and we’ll look at that a bit later.
In combat, Bards are what is known as a support character. They help buff or improve the effectiveness of the other party members through such things as the inspiration skill/spell and they can do some healing spells. They also serve the role of longer range dps, especially at higher levels. They are a surprisingly effect magic class based on music.
Where the Bard can really shine is out of combat. Bards can be the stereotypical smooth operators of love and influence. They can be the most persuasive diplomats ever. The high Charisma that they get most of their abilities from makes them moderately irritating as they have a knack for talking themselves out of bad situations. This also gives them the necessary abilities they need to get great deals on lodging, food, and equipment while making strong allies.
As a means of guiding the story, Bards are unbelievably handy. This is from their spell of “Bardic Knowledge”. Bardic Knowledge allows for the Bard as a performer and as a magic user to be able to know (depending on the roll) information about the area they are heading to. This can range from general knowledge like that had by travelers that pass through regularly, local knowledge, and even to the point of highly secret knowledge like that of the local crime syndicates.
When I first encountered Bardic Knowledge as a DM, I was not happy. I had made all these plans and backstories that would only be found out by the investigation of the party. Little hints and conclusions that could be drawn from the story telling they were about to experience. Then in comes our Bard and rolls high on bardic knowledge and I have to hand over a lot of the information that I had prepared for them to find out. Then the Bard, our other DM of the party so far, tells me that Bardic Knowledge is actually really handy for the DM because then the Bard can be used in the party to help shape the story and guide the party to encounters and the goal that the DM wants.
This means the Bard is the connection between players and DM, a bridge between the two sides. They literally become the ambassadors that their Charisma class is in game. But how does this apply to business and life?
Every team needs its people person. You need a smooth, shmoozing individual that can talk to everyone and make them feel welcome and at home. Sometimes variations of people like this are endlessly chipper, and just raise the spirits of everyone they come around. These real life Bardic individuals are a necessary part of a team dynamic. They’re the jokers and pranksters that make a tough job bearable by the humor and conversation they bring. The lighten overly heavy moods.
They might get in trouble, they might get everyone in trouble, but the Bards of the world are the salesmen and women who know how to talk to the customer and treat them like they are their oldest friend and make them feel like it as well.
They are necessary to the balance of business. There’s the individuals that know how to do the job but they’re total grumps and no one wants to talk to them. If that causes the job to be lost you need someone people can talk to to be the face of the business. Now there are some people who can do both the work and the negotiations where an overly friendly individual is not appropriate or welcome.
Most of the time though a group will need their Bard, especially if they are very good at getting the best deal for the party while strengthening relationships outside of the group. They’ll also help with those inside the group as well.
Think about it.
Sincerely,
The Irreverent Gentleman
gentlemansuniversityofmanliness 