Completing the Complete Bard

Add fops and brigands to your campaign's bardic repertoire

by Jon Winter

 The Complete Bard's Handbook dramatically expanded the horizons of the
bard class, describing many new kits, proficiencies, magical items,
spells, rules for nonhuman demi-bards and more. This article adds
further to the bard's repertoire of possibilities.
 Each Dungeon Master should read through this article and decide if
either of the kits below are appropriate for her campaign. The format of
each kit is identicle to that found in the Complete Bard's Handbook.
 Note: All kit ability requirements are in addition to the standard
requirements for bards÷Dexterity 12, Intelligence 13, and Charisma 15.
 * Indicates a proficiency from the Complete Thief's Handbook (pages
16-21).
 ** Indicates a proficiency from the Complete Bard's Handbook (pages
64-66).

Dandy
 Specialty: Any artform needed to flirt shamelessly with young,
attractive, and rich members of the opposite sex; especialy poetry,
music (instruments or song), and dance. Practical jokes and tricks are
also high on the list of the dandy's favorite pastimes.
 Qualifications: No additional ability requirements. Dandies tend to be
innocent (but not necessarily naive), and are therefore best suited to
being of a good or neutral alignment. Dandies may be human, half-elf, or
halflings.
 Introduction: "What-ho Officer! Cool night to be out, isn't it. My
name? Oh, I'm Kelar Bladesemmer. You probably know my father, Taeros.
Yes? Oh, jolly good!
 "I suppose you'd like to know why I was just climbing out of that
window. No, no, good heavens, I'm not a thief or anything shocking like
that. There's a perfectly simple explanation. You see, my aunt, well,
she's only really a half-aunt but that doesn't matter, anyway, my aunt
says I mustn't go out after sundown while my parents are away÷in
Baldur's Gate, you know. Of course, she's not usually such a frightful
old dragon, but I suppose she's just cross that I broke her vase. It was
an ugly thing, really, but she's so sentimental about her china,
although I probably shouldn't have dropped it, it's just that I was
surprised you see, when she yelled at me last night . . .
 "Anyway, she locked me in my room and said I couldn't go to the party.
I ask you, it's just not on, is it? She said I'd been to too many
parties this week. Since when was three too many? So I had to climb out
of the window and down the roses. I won't do that again in a hurry÷I've
torn my darned chemise, pardon my language. So if you'd just excuse me,
officer, I'll just be alone to the party. Must dash. I'll be seeing you
around then, officer."
 Description: Every medieval city has it's powerful or noble families
that hold great sway over the guilds or even the rulers. Children of
such families learn the skills of reading and writing, politics and
diplomacy, ancient languages, and heraldry. Many are destined to enter
the nobility, and others will become prominent council members or guild
leaders. However, there are always the disappointments...
 The dandy is one of these. The dandy is likely to be a younger child;
one who does not appreciate the nuances of the ancient languages, or is
bored stiff by politics. Whatever the reason, the dandy rebels against
the dull, over-serious life of his parents, becoming a fun-loving,
childish prankster. Only tolerated by parents, the dandy lives life to
the full, continually landing in all kinds of trouble as practical jokes
and innocent schemes (usually concerning attractive members of the
opposite sex) backfire.
 Dandies dress in fancy, brightly colored clothing (usually made of
expensive silks). The typical dandy can often be found hanging around
sophisticated wine bars in rich areas of cities (taverns are far too
crude and rough) and is very rarely seen "doing a proper day's work."
Dandies hate getting their hands dirty! They are often frowned upon for
their arrogance and laziness, for some dandies treat the lower classes
like second-rate citizens. Even so, it is hard to dislike a dandy, for
the eternal optimism and wisecracking remarks are endearing, if perhaps
a little annoying.
 Dandies remain blissfully ignorant of the real world around them,
living inside the protected shell of nobility. They have little concept
of poverty or real danger, for these are things which they have never
been exposed. Magic is treated as an amusing toy, fun to dabble in and
good for playing tricks, but not taken seriously enough to be studied in
great depth. Similarly, music and acting are enjoyed and performed by
dandies, but not with such zeal as with other bards. Dandies love to
show off by playing more and more outrageous jokes on friends and
aqaintances.
 Note: Characters with this kit will have views on life similar to
warrior and thief swashbucklers, although the dandy bard is even more
foppish than the swashbuckler. The dandy spends less time stealing and
fighting, and more time just having fun although if this can be
accomplished by stealing and fighting, then so be it!)
 Role: Fulfilling absolutely no useful role in society whatsoever, some
dandies show contempt for the lowly working classes, as "anyone who
works for a living must be common." Most dandies must therefore have
very rich÷and tolerant÷parents, or have otherwise aquired a vast amount
of wealth to fritter away.
 Even a dandy will eventually become bored of the city life, for it's
thrills seem stale compared with those bragged of by adventurers. For
this reason, many dandies eventually decide to leave the comfort of
their homes and venture outside the city walls (many for the first time)
to experience the ultimate thrill of adventure.
 This kit works best in city-oriented campaigns, although an interesting
role-playing theme could be the dandy's discovery of possible
exploitation of peasants by the nobility (and subsequent feelings of
guilt), if he spends much time among country folk. A different campaign
might revolve around the adventures experienced by a group of young,
rich, decadent city nobles. Classes chosen could include warrior and
thief swashbucklers, a dandy bard, a young priest struggling to keep his
religious vows, etc.
 Secondary Skills: Gambler may be chosen, but dandies usually have none.

 Weapon proficiencies: Trained in the weapons of the aristocracy from a
young age, dandies must choose their initial weapons from: bows, (short
or cross, but not long), polearms, short sword, dagger, stilletto,
main-gauche, rapier, and sabre. Other weapons may be learned later if
the dandy has access to training.
 Nonweapon proficiencies: Bonus: Dancing, Etiquette, Singing.
Recommended: Acting**, Artistic ability, Fast-talking*, Gaming,
Heraldry, Languages (ancient or modern), Local history, Musical
instrument, Poetry**, Riding (land-based), Tumbling.
 Equipment: Dandies, unused to heavy exertion, only can wear leather,
padded, or studded leather (under their fancy, voluminous clothes), and
do not know how to use shields properly. To ensure they only wear
quality garments, dandies must spend at least twice the price on all
clothes listed in the PHB and the Arms and Equipment Guide, and must
always pay more for equipment and armor (about 25-50% more).
 Special benefits: Weapon of choice: Young nobles are trained to use
certain weapons from about the age of seven for self-defence, pleasure,
and exercise. Favored weapons for this training (the "aristocratic"
weapons from the Renaissance years) are the stiletto, main-gauche,
rapier, and sabre. Because they undergo intense and continuos training
in these weapons (whether they like it or not), dandies may specialize
in just one of these. They gain a +1 bonus on attack rolls and a +1
bonus on damage rolls.
 Bottomless coffers: The noble families of large cities are all
incredibly rich compared with the "common folk." In theory, dandies
should be able to live in luxury without working, provided for by their
parents. They start out with 5d6«10 gp from their family's ample
coffers.
 Furthermore, the DM may allow the dandy to "borrow" money from his
parents to fund his extravagant lifestyle occasionally, albeit at levels
that are not high enough to unbalance the campaign. Many noble families
are none too pleased by the foppish behavior of their children, and
dandies could be disinherited, or lose their financial aid, by their kin
if they overly abuse their privileges.
 Wit and charm: Dandies are naturally outgoing, friendly figures. This
causes others, especially members of the opposite sex, to be drawn to
them. Their natural charm wit, and innocence will enhance the reactions
of those who already feel positive toward the dandy, increasing them by
one place if the dandy makes a successful Charisma check with a +2
bonus. However, on a roll of 20 or more, the dandy has offended
someone÷maybe as the butt of a joke÷whose reaction is shifted two places
worse. Those how are already feeling negative toward the dandy begin to
view him as a useless, idle layabout. This is especially true in the
case of downtrodden, hard-working peasants, who resent the dandy's
patronizingly superior tone of voice. Optionally, the DM could have
players tell a joke when using this skill, and assign an additional +3
bonus or -3 penalty if the joke is good or bad, appropriate or
unsuitable.
 Dandy's luck: The wild and unlikely schemes hatched by dandies seem to
have an uncanny knack of working. When everything seems to be terrible,
the dandy is usually able to concoct a plan that could work . . .
perhaps . . . a bit. The DM must adjudicate this skill on a case-by-case
basis.
 Special hindrances: Dandy's luck: The dandy's luck is wildly
unpredictable, and can bring negative effects as well as positive. This
usually occurs when everything seems to be running smoothly, and can
throw a real wrench in the works. Again, this must be used creativly by
the DM to add color and intrigue to campaign÷rules cannot be given to
cover every possibility.
 Note: For two excellent examples of dandy characters, please refer to
Danilo Thann in the Forgotten Realms¨ novels Elfshadow by Elaine
Cunningham (although he's a wizard, his personality is perfect), and to
Giogi Wyvernspur in The Wyvern's Spur by Kate Novak and Jeff Grubb.

Outlaw
 Specialty: Thievery, musical instruments, storytelling, and song.
 Qualifications: To survive in the cut-throat criminal underworld,
outlaw bards must be physically fitter than other bards; they must
therefore have a minimum Strength and Dexterity of 12 and 14
respecitvely. Outlaws are criminals, and therefore are not suited to
lawful alignments. Humans, elves, half-elves, and gnomes may be outlaws.
Halflings may become outlaws, but are able to advance to twelfth level
only. As with all halflings, they cannot cast magical spells, but do get
special resistance to spells they "know" (see the CBH page 53 for rules
on halflings resisting magic).
 Introduction: "Well met. I am Melendrian, although more know me as The
Red Cape. I operate in Suzail, Cormyr. Some call me a thief, but I pefer
to think of myself as a redistributor of wealth, and corrector of social
unfairness. I also get a tremendous thrill when I pull off a major haul!
I relieve the wealthy of their valuables, and donate much of my income
to charities and churches. Although many realize where this portion of
their income is coming from, they do not worry themselves over how it is
obtained. Why should some suffer in poverty when others have so much,
and do nothing useful for it? That is why I steal.
 "In this respect, I think of myself as doing good for the community,
but unfortunately, others do not share my view. I blame those rogues who
keep all their earnings for themselves÷pirates and bandits especially.
They abuse their talents for greed, and give me a bad name. I can do
nothing to prevent them, however, for they outnumber me fifty to one.
 "Anyway, I can't stop here. That fellow across the street is looking at
me suspiciously. I've got another job to pull before dawn, and I'm in no
mood to be followed tonight. Fare you well."
 Description: The outlaw bard (also called the brigand bard) is more
inclined toward thieving than other bard characters. While most bards
enjoy performance and artistry for their own sakes, outlaw bards need to
feel the rush of excitement when burgling houses, and to "perform" for
themselves. Some outlaws will even go so far as to leave cryptic clues
as to their identity, playing a cat-and-mouse game with the law. Such
games gain the outlaw infamy, but also place him at great risk÷but risk
and thrills are the things most desired by outlaws.
 The outlaw bards make full use of all their skills to "earn" money,
while avoiding the law at the same time. They have more highly developed
thieving skills than other bards, for they practice and use the
dexterous arts more often, and the morsels of magical knowledge that
they pick up can mean the difference between a successful heist and
capture. These abilities, plus their support from the commoners (who
have the most to gain from the generous exploits of some outlaws), can
often give these bards an edge over their thief counterparts.
 Role: Oulaws are sometimes burglers who work with thieves' guilds for
personal profit, or occasionally, are members in wilderness-based bandit
gangs. Many more, however, are freelance thieves; they show loyalty to
no one but themselves. Good-aligned outlaws are most likely to be from
this group; like Melendrian in the example above, they "rob the rich to
give to the poor," whereas the evil outlaws rob the rich and poor alike,
and keep all the money for themselves!
 Outlaws are usually tolerated by thieves' guilds, even those that
generally dislike bards, although they tend to treat outlaw bards as
"second-rate." Most powerful guilds are anxious to make a successful
outlaw bard join their ranks, just to receive a cut of the profits.
Outlaws, with the bard's wanderlust, rarely feel comfortable in
something as rigid and inflexible as a thieves' guild, and the powerful
guilds dislike the outlaw's love of unnecessary risks and thrills.
 Secondary Skills: Gambler, or other appropriate to the character's
background.
 Weapon proficiencies: Outlaws may use any weapon.
 Nonweapon proficiencies: Bonus: Disguise, Fast-talking*, Information
gathering*. Recommended: Appraising, Begging*, Forgery, Jumping, Local
history, Looting*, Observation*, Rope use, Set snares, Tightrope
walking, Trailing*.
 Equipment: Many outlaws carry a set of thief's picks, and other gear
usually only possessed by thieves. Because their activities require
agility and fast movements, outlaws dislike wearing bulky armor, as do
thieves. Studded leather armor is the heaviest an outlaw may wear.
 Special benefits: Roguish repertoire: Outlaw bards rely more heavily
upon their thieving talents to earn a living than typical bards. It is
therefore in their best interest to concentrate as much as possible on
learning new thief skills. When first created, the outlaw must choose
which one of the thief skills that bards do not normally possess (from
"Open locks," "Find/remove traps," "Hide in shadows" or "Move silently")
he will choose as a bonus (it begins with 10 points assigned to it).
Once picked, this skill cannot be changed.
 Increased practice: Outlaws get much more of an opportunity to practice
their rogue talents than ordinary bards, and therefore advance more
quickly in experience. At first level, the outlaw receives 35 points
(instead of 20) to distribute between his thief skills, and gains an
extra 20 (instead of 15) every time he advances a level. All other rules
regarding advancement apply normally.
 Underworld contacts: Being more criminally aware than other bards, the
outlaw is an expert at finding contacts among local thieves. Given an
hour in a seedy tavern, and four or five gold pieces for drinks and
bribes, an outlaw can find a contact÷typically a thief of levels 1-4.
This contact can lead the bard to other rogues, take him to the local
thieves' guild, exchange information about possible "jobs," or even buy
stolen goods to fence at a later date.
 Entertaining: Using a combination of singing, instrument playing,
storytelling, and bawdy jokes, the outlaw can entertain and influence
the reactions of others. This ability functions as the Influence
reactions of the true bard (CBH page 16).
 Special hindrances: Outlaw bards may only keep as much treasure and
equipment as they can carry.



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