Quote Originally Posted by Pauper View Post
Sad nobody ever got a better ranger and bard done. They both"mean" the right additio to a party, but lack enough, to make them first choice ever.

Until one plays wilderness with barbarian, ranger and druid restriction or a city adventure with talk, seduction and lots of art (NOT just music). I never did.
There is an Artist class in Green Ronin's Medieval Players' Handbook that I think becomes a great little adventuring class with some bard levels. Just as the bard can create immediate effects with songs, the artist can create lasting effects with art. So imagine the castle of your PC ruler. As you enter the courtyard a great statue of a famous ancestor strikes you with a sense of awe and respect. Truly this is a great line of heroes.

In the great hall where the courtiers await the presence of the ruler, there is a great tapestry that explains why this dynasty is the rightful occupant of the iron throne. Its explained clearly in the images and those who see it understand and can explain the claim of this dynasty.

In the throne room itself, the throne is crafted with just majesty and beauty that its hard not to be overwhelmed with a sense of submission and obedience.

Its only natural that a regent would use art to surround himself in his home places with effects that improve his safety, majesty, and reputation. They may be priced just like magic items of equivalent effect, but are works of art in their own right and are natural in the home and castle of the ruler.

Using the artist rules, songs and poems could be created that had a specific effect so that bards, who are mechanically only excellent performers, could sing at court or recite a poem, tale, story, &c that inspires, awe, devotion, loyalty, obedience, or whatever emotion that the patron intends. After a person has come past statues, tapestries, paintings, stained glass images, and what have you, most people cannot speak their mind and address the ruler as they please. Instead, for the rest of the day they feel humbled by the greatness of the ruler and perhaps even feel they have shifted one step closer to being their friend. This effect lasts, depending on the art while in the presence of the art, or for some short period after viewing the art, so that this effect really only lasts while you are around the ruler.

The ambassador for Avanil comes to your ruler's court to threaten and intimidate the ruler, but when confronted by the glory of the achievements of the ruler and their ancestors, he cannot bring himself to do anything of the kind and rather obsequiously explains that his master is unjustifiably angry. The ambassador knows as he leaves that he did not perform his duty, but was awed by the spectacle and majesty of the court. Even the Prince probably knows of the art and its effect (since art is famous) and resolves to send a diplomat with a higher will save next time.