Psionic bard

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.games.frp.dnd (More info?)

I've been thinking about an Inspired (empty vessel, actually) bard
character for a theoretical Eberron game, but since Riedrans despise
magic, I got to thinking about adapting the bard to use psionics.

It shouldn't be too hard... as a start: psychic warrior power points and
powers known, chosen from a list made up of custom bard-like (influence,
information gathering and deception) list.

But a psionic bard is a pretty obvious idea and someone must've thought
of it already, so I'm wondering if someone has experiences, advice, or
perhaps a complete adapted balanced variant class to share...?


--
Jasin Zujovic
jzujovic@inet.hr

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.games.frp.dnd (More info?)

Jasin Zujovic <jzujovic@inet.hr> wrote:
> But a psionic bard is a pretty obvious idea and someone must've
> thought of it already ....

It's pretty obvious now that you mention it, but it never occurred to me
before that! Unfortunately, I don't know of any examples.

A Google search did turn up this interesting comment at the poorly-named
Silven Crossroads site: "The first class presented [in Monte Cook's
/Arcana Unearted/] is the Akashic, and might be described in D&D terms
as a psionic-bard-loremaster. With the ability to delve into past
psionically imprinted memories, and affect peoples minds, the Akashic
has numerous play options."

That doesn't actually sound like a psionic bard to me, but it does
suggest different design options: A "psionic bard" could be a
straightforward port of the standard class, but it could also put a
different spin on the class, specializing in lore-gathering, influence,
or inspiration instead of balancing all three.

Anyway, I did find the "thoughtsinger," a psionic bard designed by Keith
Baker: <http://www.bossythecow.com/TheThoughtsinger.pdf>. His website
states, "fundamentally it's a bard, and only the mechanics have
changed."
--
Bradd W. Szonye
http://www.szonye.com/bradd

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.games.frp.dnd (More info?)

In article <slrndh47uc.mao.bradd+news@szonye.com>, bradd+news@szonye.com
says...

> > But a psionic bard is a pretty obvious idea and someone must've
> > thought of it already ....
>
> It's pretty obvious now that you mention it, but it never occurred to me
> before that! Unfortunately, I don't know of any examples.
>
> A Google search did turn up this interesting comment at the poorly-named
> Silven Crossroads site: "The first class presented [in Monte Cook's
> /Arcana Unearted/] is the Akashic, and might be described in D&D terms
> as a psionic-bard-loremaster. With the ability to delve into past
> psionically imprinted memories, and affect peoples minds, the Akashic
> has numerous play options."
>
> That doesn't actually sound like a psionic bard to me,

I know about the akashic, and it feels like a sort of hivemindy PC-grade
expert to me: you get to pick from all sorts of different abilities, all
tied by the fact that they stem from your ability to tap into the
Akasha, which is something like the collective unconscious. I don't
really like the feel of it, especially for a setting that doesn't
already feature a collective unconscious thingy; without it, it feels
just like a handwave for "pick an ability, any ability".

> but it does
> suggest different design options: A "psionic bard" could be a
> straightforward port of the standard class, but it could also put a
> different spin on the class, specializing in lore-gathering, influence,
> or inspiration instead of balancing all three.

I was looking for a straight port, but if there are other (good)
variants someone's aware of, feel free to mention them.

> Anyway, I did find the "thoughtsinger," a psionic bard designed by Keith
> Baker: <http://www.bossythecow.com/TheThoughtsinger.pdf>. His website
> states, "fundamentally it's a bard, and only the mechanics have
> changed."

Hey, from the creator of Eberron himself! That's just about perfect,
thanks.

A kalashtar bard with Snowflake Wardance, Path of Shadows and Dancing
with Shadows is looking wicked cool right now... Too bad about Arcane
Strike, but I guess there's always Psionic Weapon and Deep Impact!


--
Jasin Zujovic
jzujovic@inet.hr

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.games.frp.dnd (More info?)

Bradd wrote:
>> Anyway, I did find the "thoughtsinger," a psionic bard designed by Keith
>> Baker: <http://www.bossythecow.com/TheThoughtsinger.pdf>. His website
>> states, "fundamentally it's a bard, and only the mechanics have
>> changed."

Jasin Zujovic wrote:
> Hey, from the creator of Eberron himself! That's just about perfect,
> thanks.

Convenient, eh? Glad to be of service.
--
Bradd W. Szonye
http://www.szonye.com/bradd