GLOGtober Day 5: The Skald

the instrument isn't actually all that important

Magic music is a cool concept. That said, casting spells with a musical instrument is just wizardry with extra steps. Here’s a low-magic romantic fantasy bard.

THE SKALD

Starting Equipment: a warm cloak, well-worn boots, a golden armband (pawn for 3 years of a peasant’s savings), and a voice that cuts thru clamor and din.
Starting Skill: Poetry and (d3) Music; Sailing; Foreign Tongues
A: Saga, Flyting
B: Tall Tales

C: Fight or Flyte

D: Tongue of 9 Realms

A: Saga
You keep a meticulously embellished account of your/your adventuring party’s deeds. At any point, you may recount a deed from your saga to give your party an edge in any lesser feat that echoes the first. (For example, if you slew the mighty King Roc with an arrow through the wing, dispatching his minions the same way will be easier.) You must recount loudly.

Once per day, if you recount in song, or meter, or with multiple kennings, and the feat succeeds, everyone restores some HP. (note to self: put a number here later)

A: Flyting
When two parties come to an impasse, they may engage in verbal combat, or flyting. Damage is dealt to one’s HP as normal, and those reduced to 0 HP are cowed. Anyone fighting for their lives is immune to skaldic combat.

Damage is proportional to the sharpness of one’s tongue and the force of one’s argument. Start at d4 and increase die size for each of the following, up to d12:

• Rhyming and/or strict meter
• One or more kennings
• A truthful accusation
• A painful accusation; one which preys on their insecurities

The same insult told twice is blunted, and deals no damage. Keep things sharp by varying your kennings.

These same rules apply for everyone in the skald’s party, or in a party with no skalds, if you want. However, those without great skill in poetry or insults start from d2, up to d10.

B: Tall Tales
If you tell a tall tale, people will believe it and pass it around. Your tales are attributed directly to you. Those you slander will hear of it, and may pay you a visit if thoroughly incensed.

If a tale you’ve told is proven false, save vs. a tarnished reputation. Once tarnished, those who know of you will still pass around your tales, but will not believe a single word without clear proof.

C: Fight or Flyte
When you start a flyte, your opponent cannot start a fight until they return your insult. They can still retaliate if one of your allies start a fight. If you retort swiftly and viciously, you can go back and forth up to three times like this.

D: Tongue of 9 Realms
Your insults (and only your insults) cross any and all language barriers. Likewise, you can roughly translate most insults directed at you or your party.