Bards are an important character class. They can make the difference between party success and party failure… but do they need to have some skinny character prancing around with a lute? No, they don’t.
Here’s some ideas for a non-musical bard!
Orators
Your bard could be a storyteller, diplomat, motivational speaker, poet, philosopher, puppeteer, political advisor, playwright, comedian, town crier, or civil rights activist,
Dancers
Why not create a bard who is a jester, fire dancer, haka leader or a oriental ribbon dancer.
Circus performers
A bard inspired by the circus might be a trapeze artist, juggler, mime, acrobat, fire eater, puppet master or even a clown.
Gladiators
Bards could be more physical too. Why not consider being a wrestler, sports coach, weightlifter or a stunt man/woman.
Gamblers
Your character might mix their skills of persuasion, motivation and talented hands by being a con artist, card shark or a croupier.
Historians
Bards are often known for their knowledge of people. Why not play a bard archaeologist, librarian or anthropologist.
Specialists
For even more left-field suggestions, why not create a bard who is a dog or horse whisper, band manager, dominatrix, traveling messenger or even a chef.
I bet there are many more possibilities for non-musical bards so please share your own ideas in the comments below.
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Image credit: Livia Prima. Creative Commons.
Or maybe a bard actor…