Introducing: Bardom (A relatively new idea!)

Zarvaun

Wasn't sure where to post this, so it will be here for all to see until moved. Was hesitant to put this in "Add-ons and UI Mod's" Because I don't feel it quite belongs there.

Introducing:
Bardom
(No, not Boredom, we got enough of that in beta. [Kidding, of course.])

But first, a little back story.

Ever since Oblivion, I would spend several minutes staring at the lute, be it in a bard's hands at the local inn, or on the floor somewhere gathering dust. Then Skyrim came out, and after a bit of dragon-slaying, again I was brought back to the same question, "What if the player could grab a lute, flute, or harp and start playing it?" Shortly after, I finished most of the quests around the Bard's College, but I really never was satisfied. Sure, returning a lutes fun and all, but stealing one to tell your own tales at the local inn would be more so.

Which brings me to Bardom, here in the most online of Elder Scrolls.

Imagine if you will, the Imperial City.

As a single massive guild, known as Drunken Hallow, holds control over its entirety. As has happened many times before, a small army charges towards the seemingly most protected gate, hoping to take control over the city, but this time, instead of charging in, they stop, with enough distance between them and the city's walls for the Drunken Hallow to produce a much more massive and impressive army to defend the gate.

Both armies are ready for a massive battle, but the larger of the two knows they will crush the other, as they have done many times before. However, before the battle starts, a feint battle-cry is heard off in the distance. Just then a small party of players charges through a clearing, not holding weapons, but instead-

Drums!

As the party beats on their drums, an army of the dead rises from the ground, and the echo of thousands of battle-ready spirits combined with the war cry of the small army terrifies the larger army, who, together, run back to the city to find refuge from the coming attack.

This is a small taste of what power a bard, or group of bards could hold in a large scale battle, bolstering the team's confidence, while demoralizing the opposing force.

"Barding" would not be limited to large scale attacks, however. Players should be able to use a skill line of a type of instrument to summon spirits, occasionally resurrect players, temporarily immobilize enemies, or even (in extreme cases) smash the opponent with the curved edge of a lute.

[Imagine how proud Sven would feel knowing the history of the bards. Proud enough to play for 16 hours straight in Riverwood DAILY?]

As far as lore goes, Bards haven't had much time in the sun. (Might as well call them vampires)

Besides a few small guilds and groups (a big one being the Bard's College), there isn't much to go on as far as storyline, but then again, we know there is story to go off of, considering the presence of inn-bards in Oblivion as well as Skyrim. You could potentially have 'players become the bards and hand down the traditions to future generations which show up in the later series of games.'

Of course, this might need to be cleared with Bethesda. I dunno, I don't work for ZOS. (Man that'd be cool though)


Maybe I spend too much time in Cheesemonger's Hollow, but if I'm making any sense, here's a bit more of an explanation.

As far as I've thought about it, there should be one new skill line for music in general. Much like you can only use Dual Wield for Flurry, you should only be able to use an instrument for the skill line availability. Higher level players can take advantage of weapon swapping for full functionality. This would significantly add to combat processing without sacrificing playability. Skills that I have thought up myself, will be listed at the end of the post for ease.

As for leveling up the skill line, well, that was a difficult subject. As far as I can see it, players should ge small amounts of experience by acctually using the skills. However, players should occasionally be able to find "Scraps" of parchment, where musical notes have been scribbled down for later use and forgotten. (Possibly in bookcases) Players who "Play" (Use) these notes, will discover that the sequence of rythms played cause mesterious effects to occur, and combining different notes and pitches reveals more intresting occurances (Leveling the player in that skill line further.).


As far as cost, Instruments should be purchasable from a "Bard" (Bard, scribe, luteist, I don't know.) merchant, and should be fairly expensive, considering the professionalism that goes into making one. 1k-4k gold each. Specially designed instruments should be purchasable from the crown store as well. That said, there should also be certain places in the world where a random instrument will spawn every so often, that can be stolen by players. Yes, stolen, and launderable for half the value than normal. Also, the player should probably only be able to sell instruments for 1/6 to 1/10 the cost to keep the economy in check.

Now that we've discussed bringing Bardom into the game, we should discuss how one can actually play the instruments. And yes, this should be a thing, otherwise its just another useless skill line no one will use. In addition to using abilities with an instrument equipped and "unsheathed" players should be able to create their own music files much like the way LOTRO handles the music system. It doesn't have to be the same, but I feel that it gives a good reference point. Not only can players use abilities while in combat, but also, when players are out of combat, they should be able to get together (if they want) and share their collections of music with each other. This leisure playing of instruments could either have no effect other than sounding good, or give the surrounding area buffs and the such.

[It really should be as simple as creating a notepad document with numbers and letters, each character outputting a different note for that instrument, and dropping it into a folder. (maybe even use spaces as rests, idk?)]

This would add yet another fantastic game mechanic that I believe people would enjoy doing while in a leisure state, running around the crafting halls, or preparing for a group dungeon. One player going solo, or a group, synced with each other, each member with a different instrument that come together in an amazing quartet. [A sync feature isn't really necessary, but I believe players would enjoy being able to play a song together]


Now, ESO:TU is fairly new, and I don't expect this to be implemented immediately, or at all. However, I'm sure this can all be thrown into one big "Bardering Update" eventually, if enough people want to see this in game. That all said, if none of this is implemented, please, PLEASE incorporate some form of sync function and new music for the /lute, /flute, and /drum emotes.

Alright, I'll be stepping off my soap box now. Before I go however, below will be listed a list of active and passive skills, as well as a selection of ultimate abilities. Note that these can be changed, debated, or used in any manner anyone sees fit. Also, I don't expect anything to be implemented into the game in the exact manner I have specified here. The entire post is debatable, and was intended to get feedback from the other players, and maybe even ZOS.

Side note on the number of abilities, I don't expect them ALL or even one of them to make it into the game if an instrument system is made. I'm simply giving an idea of what can be done, without totally abusing the skill system.

Here goes nothing.

---

Green = Possible Skill
Orange = Probably won't be a skill
Red = Definitely wont be a skill

Active:

Melodic Blessing

Cast Time: 6 seconds
Range: 20m
Cost: 50 Stamina
Allies near you receive +5% run speed and +5% health regeneration for 30 seconds. (This effect does not stack)
-Chanted Blessing: Increases duration by 15 seconds
-Chromatic Blessing: Allies also receive a bonus +5% spell resistance for duration.

Ancient Grasp

Cast Time: 1 second
Range: 30m
Area: 5m
Duration:6 seconds
Cost: 35 Stamina
Spectral hands rise from the ground snaring targets in the area 60%.
-Ancient Call: Summons a spirit until unsummoned or killed that deals X cold damage
-Grave Betrayal: Forces a nearby dead body to fight for you for 30 seconds. (Acts as a companion of that level until killed or expired)

Life's Encore

Cast Time: Instant
Range:50m
Duration:Until Canceled (Movement or attacking will cause player to stop playing skill song)
While active, nearby allies receive 10% health regeneration.
-Death's Encore: While active, allies have a 10% chance to deal 50 additional damage.
-Life's Reveille: while active, allies have +10% armor.

Sheogorath's Harmony

Cast Time: 3 seconds
Range: 15m
Cost: 75 stamina
Target is set off balance for 4 seconds.
-Song of Madness: 5% chance to Wabajack target. (Excludes "bosses" and players)
-Insanity's Ballad
40% chance to set off balance for 10 seconds.
-CHEESE: 20% chance to encase target in cheese for 14 seconds. Target cannot deal damage or be attacked.

Passive:

Enharmonic Aura
While an instrument is equipped, +5% health
Battle Bard
+4% Stamina Regen in combat
Soulful Melody
When you are dealt damage by undead, 1% chance to apply Soul Trap for 10 Seconds.
Klangfarbenmelodic Mastery
Gain +5% additional damage while an instrument is equipped


Ultimate:

Pentatnical Surge

Cast Time: 3 seconds
Radius:8m
Cost:150 Ultimate
Deal 35 magic damage to nearby enemies.
Enemies have a 5% chance to be staggered.
-Pentatnical Tone:
50% chance on hit to heal nearby allies 5% your health total
-Vivacial Finale:
15% chance on hit to deal 100 additional magic damage.

Resonant Ember

Cast Time: 2 seconds
Radius: 10m
Cost:100 Ultimate
Enemies in area take 20 fire damage every second for 5 seconds. This effect can stack up to 5 times.
-Scorching Finale:
If targets die while effected, 5%chance to explode causing a copy of this effect.
-Sundering Note:
40% chance targets will take an additional 60 fire damage for 5 seconds.

Theme of Hircine

Cast Time:Instant
Duration:5 Seconds
Radius:50m
Cost:500 Ultimate
Call a stampede of hunters and hunted, staggering, knocking back, and dealing 50 magic damage per second to enemies in front of you.
-Hircine's Howl:
Affected enemies are also feared for 10 seconds.
-Packmaster's Hunt:
Affected enemies take an additional 50 poison damage.

If I've forgotten anything, this will be updated to reflect so.

Love it? Hate it? Want to suggest skills?
I want to hear your ideas! Post away!

Seraphyel

Great ideas, love it.

Gidorick

I really like the idea of treating instruments as weapons with skills and abilities. A support role that could hold its own. I like it. I also think each instrument could have different skill trees. Like 2 handed has a skill tree and bows have a skill tree. Percussion, Woodwinds, and Strings could all have their own skilltrees.

Now, how exactly would a player PLAY their instrument. If they whip out their instrument does it just automatically play or do they need to DO something for it to play? If it's treated like a weapon do where you could bash people over the head with it then the attach button would be bash and the block would be block, what button would be "play instrument?

Perhaps if the "Attack" button for an instrument played a song... and each instrument has their own default song but players can create or buy music and could place a "music" parchment in the off-hand, that is the music they play when they attack. Then the only physical "attack" available with an instrument would be the block-bash ability. Block... stop playing and hold up the instrument... BASH! lol

Oh and if they were ever to add song construction it would have to be an in game activity, because of console compatibility. So the external use of a text editor couldn't be the way to go. I say it be something as simple as having bards colleges that players go to where they are able to use a sort of crafting table to make music. Perhaps this could be expanded to where players have to increase their Bard abilities to be able to produce and play more and more complex pieces.

I never thought about music in this way before. I really like the idea and how it would be implemented. Well done @Zarvaun and welcome to the forums. Bring more ideas to the table when you have them. We done know if ZOS listens to or cares about our ideas but hopefully they do!

ashlee17

Sounds like fun @Zarvuan. Very creative and interesting I think Bardom would be a wonderful addition to Tamriel.

Zarvaun

Replies in less than 3 hours! Woo! Now then...


@Gidorick See... This is why i count on you people. I completely forgot about console gamers! I'm sorry!

I love your idea of having equipable "Sheet music" however, this would cause a few problems, which I will focus on, and how they can be solved. Also, having a bard's college and a sort of "Minigame" much like enchanting for bards would be a fantastic idea!

I'll be focusing on this topic for the duration of this post.

First of all, lets talk sheet music. I like this idea, however, if people are carrying around 50 pages of music in their inventory, I'm sure you can see how cluttering that could be. However, I suggest simply adding a new tab to the UI.

Now, Keep in mind, I'm no professional when it comes to image editing, buuuut...



Basically, I figure you can keep all the music you've made at the bard's college in one easy-to-manage tab. This way, theres no inventory clutter. You should be able to click one of these, and if you have the proper instrument equipped, you can play the song with ease!

Also, as you see, I've added a "Add to inventory" button. This way, you can add a music piece to your inventory that you can share to other players! Bam, multi-player barding! Those with a bit of talent can form full quartet pieces, and share them accordingly. (Using the inventory paper will add the song to your UI tab and allow you to play it as long as you have the instrument, and don't already know the piece. These pages can be destroyed as well.)

This solves many issues, and allows for a Workman's table in the theoretical bard hall, which I'll cover later. Got a movie to watch!

Debate my thoughts please!!!!

SanderBuraas

Something tells me you played as a Minstrel in LOTRO? Anyway, I would definitely love a instrument based weapon skill line. It could even become the stamina weapon line for heal and support, as magicka users have the restoration staff.

A skill line in the world tab would also be nice, with support, buff and debuff skills morphable for both stamina and magicka users.

Zarvaun

@Smepic Man hunter, actually. Well.. not Man Hunter, as in a hunter of men... Although i did that too...

I mean...

I was a man... That was a hunter.
Jesus, now i sound like a homophobic psychopath...

I did spend several cumulative hours playing music though. Hints my interest of the topic at hand.

I gotta stop listening to Sheogorath...

starbuck1771b14_ESO

Sounds like Lord of the Rings Online or Everquest 2 to me.

Gidorick

Zarvaun wrote: »

[snip]
Debate my thoughts please!!!!

If being a bard is going to be treated as a "weapon class", I really don't think it warrants a spot on the character menu. There is no bow selection, or staff selection on the character menu.

@starbuck1771b14_ESO I took a look at how Minstrals are handeled in LORTO and how the Dirge and Troubador classes are handled in EQ2 and there is definitely an influence here. So I decided to look more closely into bards in the Elder Scrolls to see if there is a precedent to have bards as a class all their own.

"Intelligent and personable, Bards prefer to accomplish tasks with their words first, and sword second. Bards are travelling storytellers, singers, dancers and all around performers. Bards are able to perform many tasks, including but not limited to weapons skills, picking locks and pockets, and magic. Extremely versatile, Bards typically carry a wide variety of weapons, and are capable of using many types of armors and shields. Bards are also extremely adept at delivering blows that render the highest level of damage to their opponents." SOURCE

"Bards have the gift of a silver tongue and work very well with people, but should not be underestimated as fighters for their blades are as sharp as their mind and tongue. They are also adept at the magical school of illusion magic and are capable alchemists." SOURCE

"The common bard seen entertaining in taverns is a wandering storyteller, a singer, a dancer, an all-around performer. Some who have mastered these diverse skills have taken to enterprises other than amusement. The bard may be considered a "jack of all trades," for, in addition to the traditional thiefly skills, bards are trained in social and magical skills. Agility and Intelligence are essential for all bards." SOURCE

So I guess I don't really see a precedence for bards being an entirely separate weapon class... it's more like a skill that could be learned. I'm thinking, taking all this into consideration.

1. Bard should be a Guild Skill
2. Should be introduced when we can visit the burgeoning Bard's College in Solitude
3. Shouldn't have explicitly offensive or defensive skills
4. Skills should be designed for out-of-combat passive player buffs

I think with these four guidelines the Bards can be represented properly in ESO.

I like the idea of being able to buy, craft and sell instruments. The knowledge to do so could be gained through the Bard's College. The instruments should still be able to be equipped as weapons and the "attack" could play the instrument, block would block with the instrument and bashing would do a little bit of damage. Players who choose to use Bard skills in battle CAN and it will be beneficial but it would be more something one of the players does for a moment to give their group a buff then they go back to their two blades or bow or whatever. It's a set of skills... not a class.

I still think player-generated music would be awesome, and again, the fighters guild and mages guild don't have their own selection in the character menu, so I think another solution should be sought. What solution? I'm not quite sure.

Zarvaun

@Gidorick I completely agree that this would be a skill set instead of a character class.

"...much like the way LOTRO handles the music system. It doesn't have to be the same, but I feel that it gives a good reference point." -Me

A new class would just overly complicate things IMO, seeing as how there would have to be three new skill lines in that case, and as you said, "the fighters guild and mages guild don't have their own selection in the character menu." So why should Bards? Its simply another Guild that supplies a different way of pursuing knowledge.

That's why I had been creating skills (and so few of them) for this topic. To pick and choose from.

bellanca6561n

Bard skills have been used as weapons in Ultima Online for many years. And folks have, of course, cited Lord of the Rings Online's wonderful music system suitable for everything from simple tunes to complete transcriptions of Vivaldi quartets played, and played well, on in-game instruments.

But there are no new ideas; there are simply interesting twists on old ones.

Such as splendidly conceived idea - thank you Zarvaun!

One of the most charming and inventive quests in the game now is Skald's Retreat where music defeats a Daedric spell

Zarvaun

As far as I'm concerned, there's two options if this were to be implemented for leisure play.

1. Have a music-building system implemented in-game
(Which would require a larger amount of data to be created by ZOS)

or

2. Have player-created files be convert-able into in-game objects and therefore trade-able.
(Which would limit music creation to PC users... Which I guess wouldn't be fair. That said, PC users could create the music and find a way to transfer these in-game objects to non-PC users, which again, causes some big problems.)

I'll be working on a system for the first option. Any ideas are appreciated, as this will take some time.
(As I have become busy recently)