Unboring bards: more than playa characters
Bards have a reputation.
Now, there’s an understatement for you.
It makes them fun to play. If you want to play as the sort of character who creates new mixed-race NPCs in every port and village, the bard is the classic choice.
However…
I’ve talked before about how deliberately boring characters are fun to play. When everyone else is a party animal, you can enjoy yourself by taking it in the other direction.
Here’s how bards fit into that as easily as a gold coin into the rogue’s pocket.
Think about the world that most high-fantasy campaigns take place in. There’s no internet, no TV and no radio. There aren’t even newspapers. Why would there be, when so much of the population is illiterate?
If a monarch wants to tell people about new legislation or spread propaganda, they won’t buy adspace.
Any news that has to reach everyone must travel by word of mouth.
That’s where bards, minstrels, poets and orators come in. They’re skilled both at memorising words and sharing information in fun, memorable ways.
Compare that to… well, this. You’re reading this because a server somewhere stores this text, then delivered it to your device in a useful format.
In other words, the technology of the Internet “memorises” and “shares” information.
Remove the technology and you’re left with bards to fill that role.
So what sorts of jobs would people like this have?
· Administration – every ruler would want someone who can quickly recall relevant information.
· Lawyers – they’ll not only be great at swaying judges, they can easily memorise laws and precedent.
· Infotainment – if not everyone can read, then written documents (such as sacred texts and new laws) need to be read out to people. You’ve been in the audience when someone is reading from a piece of paper – it’s hardly memorable, right? Bards can add flair, drama and passion so that folks listen to and remember important information.
· Google – some bards will memorise facts, statistics and curious details about the world.
Aren’t jobs like this dull? Who would want to be an administrator when a bard could be a rock star?
Boring characters, played well, are a lot of fun. If you’ve never done it before, you might surprise yourself.
Also, the contrast between an epic fantasy adventure and the bureaucracy can make for some funny moments.
When everyone else is trying to outdo each other, the subdued bard reigns supreme.
So there are your options for thinking differently.
For more different ways to play and GM, check out Unboring Backstories and GM Virtues. They will enhance your skills and experience, no matter which side of the GM screen you sit behind.
You can find both of them here: