Bards and Magic
Bard Spell Progression
| Level | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 2 | 1 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 3 | 2 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 4 | 2 | 1 | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 5 | 3 | 1 | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 6 | 3 | 2 | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 7 | 3 | 2 | 1 | -- | -- | -- |
| 8 | 3 | 3 | 1 | -- | -- | -- |
| 9 | 3 | 3 | 2 | -- | -- | -- |
| 10 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | -- | -- |
| 11 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1 | -- | -- |
| 12 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | -- | -- |
| 13 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | -- |
| 14 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1 | -- |
| 15 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | -- |
| 16 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| 17 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1 |
| 18 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2 |
| 19 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 2 |
| 20 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 |
In addition to their many special abilities, bards dabble in wizardry, and their spells tend to be gained by serendipity and happenstance. They gain no spells until 2nd level and they progress through the spell levels slower than true wizards. However, they are very adept learners, so their casting level is equal to their experience level. Thus, although a bard gains his first spell at 2nd level, he casts that spell as a 2nd-level spellcaster. For example, if the 2nd-level bard memorized affect normal fires, it would last for four rounds when cast (two rounds/level).
In no case can a bard choose to specialize in a school of magic. Beginning bards do not have a selection of spells. A 2nd-level bard begins with one to four spells, chosen either randomly or by the DM. (An Intelligence check must still be made to see if the bard can learn a given spell.) The bard is not guaranteed to know read magic, as this is not needed to read the writings in a spell book. The bard can add new spells to his spell book as he finds them, but he does not automatically gain additional spells as he advances in level. All spells beyond those he starts with must be found during the course of adventuring.
Besides just dabbling in wizardry, 10th-level bards have the powerful ability to use any written magical item, whether it is a scroll, book, map, or other written form. This skill is not limited by normal class restrictions. Thus, bards can use clerical scrolls, wizard scrolls, and even magical books restricted to other classes.
Since all bards are dabblers and not devotees of the magical arts, their understanding of written magic is imperfect. There is a 15% chance that they use the work incorrectly. The consequences of incorrect use is up to the DM, but they are almost certain to be unpleasant. (It is common for a bard's allies to flee in panic when he begins to read such items.)
Spell Books
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. However, understanding the meaning of a spell is a difficult task. Spell books are not filled with lines of neatly written text. Instead, they contain arcane formulae, strange symbols, notes, comments, odd runes, etc. Understanding them is difficult, as spells aren't "read" like normal writing; they are "solved" like complex mathematical equations, and impressed upon the mind by an act of will.
Only those able to cast spells can attempt to unlock their secrets and tap the energies needed to cast them. The only way to do this is for the spellcaster to successfully roll under his "chance to learn spells" score, which is a function of Intelligence. Once understood, no further attempts to solve a given spell need to be made as long as the spell book is available for study. Note that a spellcaster cannot understand a spell of a level higher than he can currently cast.
Bard Verbal Components Substitutes
*The bard must select only one of these options. This choice is binding and cannot be altered
at a later time.
| Kit | Musical Substitute |
|---|---|
| True Bard | Singing or Instrumental* |
| Blade | Poetry |
| Charlatan | Singing |
| Gallant | Poetry |
| Gypsy | Instrumental |
| Herald | Instrumental |
| Jester | Poetry, Singing, or Instrumental* |
| Jongleur | Poetry |
| Loremaster | Instrumental |
| Meistersinger | Instrumental |
| Riddlemaster | Poetry |
| Skald | Singing |
| Thespian | Singing |
Demi-Bards Verbal Component Substitutes
*The bard must select only one of these options. This choice is binding and cannot be altered at a later time.
**Minstrels are a special case. Refer to their kit description.
| Kit | Musical Substitute |
|---|---|
| Chanter | Chanting |
| Minstrel | Special** |
| Professor | Whistling or Instrumental* |
| Whistler | Whistling |
Musical Components
Most bards are almost magically skilled at some form of musical expression. If you are seeking a way to more closely incorporate this talent with a bard's magical abilities, you may want to consider the option of using music as the verbal component to spells. Then, instead of speaking arcane words to invoke a spell, the bard sings a song, recites poetry, or plays a tune.
Of course, as with all optional rules, you must first obtain your Dungeon Master's approval. If this option is taken, a bard can perform some form of music in place of a spell's verbal component. However, once this option is agreed upon for your bard, he can no longer speak words to cast spells requiring verbal components. He must always resort to music. Only one of the three musical mediums (singing, poetry, or instrumental) works for any particular bard (until 10th level). Demi-bards have different options available to them. The musical options for bards and demi-bards are given in Verbal Components Substitutes table.[Complete Bard's Handbook]
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