Specialty
Dance/Instruments/Singing.
Qualifications
Standard ability scores.
Gypsy-bards cannot be lawful neutral. Elves
can become Gypsy-bards.
Introduction
I'm known as Madraime, and
I'm a Gypsy lady. Oh, I'm not what most people would call a typical Gypsy. Within the society of gypsies, there are many different
types of individuals. I am what is known as a
Gypsy-bard, performing-Gypsy, or dancing-girl.
I travel with my father's caravan, performing for the locals of a region as we pass
through. When I'm not singing and dancing
for the outsiders, I often entertain those of my
caravan in the evening hours. There is nothing
as lovely as spending an evening among my
own kind, dancing, singing, and enjoying the
company of those who understand the world.
Like all Gypsies, I realize that humans,
elves, dwarves, and others were meant to lead
lives of inner discovery, peaceful joy, and association with nature. I know that many people distrust Gypsies, calling us thieves and
worse. This occurs because we Gypsies are
misunderstood. Our beliefs are so pure and so
natural that they are hard for outsiders to
understand.
For example, as a Gypsy, I understand that
ownership of an item exists only so long as the
item is not ignored or forgotten. If I lay down
my magical dagger, walk away, and one of my
brothers should find it, the dagger is then his.
If I want it back I must trade him something in
exchange.
How can anyone claim to own something
that they aren't using or aren't holding? What
gives a king the right to say that he owns the
land of a country? The land was there before
he or his family ever lived, and it will be there
long after they are all dead. Likewise, how can
a farmer claim that he owns the sheep that
feed upon the land? These sheep exist because
they eat the fruit of the land, and the land belongs to no one. The ways of outsiders are
very odd indeed.
We Gypsies are a peaceful folk who wish
only to travel upon the good earth, laugh,
sing, and live the ways of life.
Description
: This kit defines the role of the
bard in Gypsy life. Gypsies can be treated as a
coherent society or as any group with a no-
madic lifestyle.
Gypsies are often called "forest nomads."
They travel the lands in caravans comprising
carts, wagons, horses, and the Gypsy folk.
These people are well known for their strange
Gypsy music and dances. Some caravans survive by entertaining the communities they encounter. Not all gypsies are bards; the
Gypsy-bard is only one type of character that
fills the ranks of a Gypsy band.
Gypsy ways are strange to others and poorly understood by most. They do not recognize
the existence of private property. The fruits of
the land belong to all. If there is not enough to
go around, it is easy enough to pack the wagons and move along. Likewise, Gypsies use
only what they need and do not seek wealth
or possessions for their own sake, or for the
influence or power that they bring. They do
not have a king or queen, although sometimes
they will lay claim to these titles to gain advantage in bartering (when outsiders believe
this, the Gypsies take it as proof of their gullibility and stupidity).
Gypsy-bards have an entire collection of
unconventional concepts that make up their
philosophy of life:
- Gypsy-bards are free thinkers. For example, many do not marry, seeking companionship only for as long as both parties agree to
the arrangement.
- Gypsy-bards love nature.
- Many Gypsy-bards don't worship deities
(although certain deities may look over
them). Instead, they worship the concepts of
nature, free will, and life.
- Gypsy-bards draw their energies from
their free will, their brethren, and from their
natural surroundings.
- A Gypsy-bard is loyal to and protects his
friends, but friendship must be earned, and it
is not gained easily.
- Possession and ownership are the same.
- Money is useless unless it brings you
pleasure; trade is a better form of commerce.
- You should always dress and act natu-
rally and comfortably.
- The rigid customs and beliefs of non-
Gypsies are foolish and should be ignored.
Only a fellow Gypsy truly understands the
Gypsy way of life. Others wrongly classify
Gypsies as thieves, beggars, carnival people,
nomads, or any number of other erroneous
names. If a label must be used, the most accurate is "free-men."
Role
Gypsy-bards wander the land, experiencing life as they go. They travel until they
find something of interest: a beautiful glade,
an interesting village, an audience to sing and
dance before, or someone who wants to trade
with them. Then they establish a temporary
camp and remain until their need to see more
of the world overpowers their desire to stay.
An adventuring Gypsy-bard may be on a
personal quest to locate some special animal
or flower for the "Gypsy queen," or he could
simply be out to experience the great wonders
that appear along the adventuring path. In
any event, a Gypsy-bard always has a purpose and philosophy to his adventuring, even
if it is "to wander for the sake of wandering."
Weapon Proficiencies
Gypsy-bards must
take either dagger or knife, and their first
sword (if any is ever taken) must be either the
khopesh or scimitar. Gypsy-bards cannot become proficient in the following weapons:
battle axe, lance (any), polearm (any), trident, two-handed sword, bastard sword, or
warhammer. All other weapons are available
to them.
Nonweapon Proficiencies
Bonuses
Dancing, Direction Sense, Languages (modern — Gypsy), Musical Instrument (tambourine,
violin, mandolin)
Suggested
Ancient History, Astrology, Cooking, Craft Instrument,
Disguise, Fire-Building, Gaming, Herbalism,
Hunting, Juggling, Singing, Spellcraft, Survival, Tracking, Ventriloquism, Weather
Sense.
Armor/Equipment
Gypsy-bards can wear
only leather, padded, studded leather, hide, or
elven chain mail. The other types are too
noisy, bulky, and are considered to be impure
and unnatural.
Both male and female Gypsy-bards love to
wear gaudy jewelry. Their garments are typi-
cally loose-fitting and comfortable.
Special Benefits
Animal Rapport
Gypsy-bards are nearly
druidical in their ability to associate with animals. They automatically gain the proficiencies of animal handling, animal lore, animal
training, and riding (land-based). Furthermore, their training and riding skills extend to
any animal with which they become familiar.
At 5th, 10th and 15th levels, Gypsy-bards
gain the ability to cause certain spell-like effects, each once per day. At 5th level, they are
able to cause the effects of animal friendship
by speaking kindly in the secret language of
their own (Gypsy dialect). At 10th level, they
can concentrate and gain the benefits of a locate animals or plants spell. Finally, at 15th
level, they gain the speak with animals ability.
Allure of the Gypsies
Certain Gypsy songs
and dances are very alluring and can have
powerful influences over those who willingly
listen or take part. For such performances to
function, a group of at least three Gypsy-bards must be perforrning together, or the audience must be willingly participating.
These performances take at least 1d10
turns. The effect of such performances can be
identical to any one spell of the enchantment/
charm school (as determined by the dance).
However, at least one of the main performers
must be high enough level to cast the spell. It
is not required that the performer have the
spell memorized, but he must have personal
knowledge of it (in his spell books; roll a successful "chance to learn spell" check). The
spell range, duration, and other effects that
vary by caster level are determined by the eligible performer's level, as if he actually cast
the desired spell.
Fortune Telling
By using any magical item
suited for scrying or divining the future, such
as a crystal ball or medallion of ESP, a Gypsy-bard can gain the benefits of an
Augury spell.
Each day, the Gypsy-bard can ask one question per five levels of experience (rounded up).
Note that Gypsy-bards can even tell fortunes
by using magical scrying items that are not
otherwise usable by them. For example, crystal balls are usable only by wizards, and not
even a Gypsy-bard can gain the typical benefits of the ball. However, by looking into one
and concentrating, a Gypsy-bard can ask one
augury-style yes/no question per five levels,
during that day.
Besides items suited for scrying and divining the future, Gypsy-bards are able to perform the same feat with a deck of many
things. Additionally, when a deck of many
things is used by the Gypsy-bard for this purpose, the cards turned never affect him for
good or bad. Drawing the void or the donjon
card will not cause the deck to vanish. However, the deck still functions normally when
used for purposes other than the augury.
Psionics
An unusually large number of
Gypsy-bards are psionic. If the optional psionics rules are used, all player character
Gypsy-bards should be wild talent psionics.
Psionic talents are determined by whatever
method the DM prefers.
Special Hindrances
A Gypsy-bard's climb
walls ability works best when climbing trees.
They are not skilled at climbing cliffs, building walls, or cave walls; they suffer a 25%
penalty when scaling these surfaces.
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