The Magic of Bards in Anglesey
Background:
Bards existed before the Empire, during the Empire, and after the Empire. While the Empire controlled, suppressed, or even stamped out (in the case of Smith-Enchanters) native Anglesey magic; Bards were largely unaffected. This 'immunity' was due to a few factors: 1. Bards (no magic) and High Bards (magic) were impossible for the Empire to differentiate between. Bardic magic is so different from magic-user magic that the Empire's mages could not even perceive it. 2. Bards are very good at surviving and adapting. 3. Except for a few outspoken and indiscreet individuals, the majority of bards learned discretion and always kept their audience (and whom their audience might talk to) in mind. So, only a small number were executed. 4. The bards faded into the background. They claimed other trades, performed part-time, and made sure they were not seen as a threat while still keeping the pre-Empire culture quietly alive. Fortunately, the arrogant occupiers thought they were beneath notice.
Bards were also key to coordinating the revolt and there are many bard folk heroes....
Present day: Bards are carefully watched to ensure they do not utilize mind control spells (a legacy of fear left over from the days of the Empire). However, priests and magic users have trouble discerning where emotional entrancement in the music ends and magical entrancement begins.... Bards have their own code in this regard and it does not interfere with the intent of Anglesey's law, the 'letter of the law' might be a little more awkward for the bards... Bards have no problem using a bit of magic to enhance the experience/feelings for someone; having to force someone or to force a change in their feelings would be regarded as not only immoral but unprofessional as well (you should be a talented enough musician without magic to make a sad person happier....).
Bard Magic:
With the above background information, it is now easier to understand the principles of Bardic magic.
1. It is different from other forms of magic. Bards cannot receive spells from the Gods nor can they cast spells learned from magic user scrolls.
2. Bardic magic is an outgrowth of their talents and the two are tied together. High Bards come from the most talented bards as they discover that their music, for instance, is truly magical. Experience and talent does the rest.
3. Bards persuade the elements of magic to 'perform' with them. The High Bard Owen Dearnwood described it as, "Inviting the magic to come out and dance." Bards must perform in some fashion to utilize the magic.
4. Spells are not only natural outgrowths of the bard's talents (e.g. a musician who manipulates sound by using magic); but it is also easier if the bard can persuade the magic to be part of the experience as a partner (by using appropriate music/performance for the situation: sympathetic music for healing, a lullaby to cause sleep, a mocking tune to cause discomfort or embarrassment to an enemy....). The High Bard Gavin the Lithe explained it as, "The Gods tell the magic what to do. The magic users force the magic what to do. If you were the Magic, wouldn't you be heartily sick of it! We invite the magic along to be our partner. I know the Learned say magic is a force and it has no soul nor personality. But, I know, that it seems to me that if I invite it to help me play a trick on an enemy or to help me heal a dear friend or to be part of a performance; that it seems to enjoy being asked and part of something where it gets to decide, have a power of its own, and to be its own person!"
5. Bards need to persuade the magic to be ready, stay ready, and to help them. A bard's performance skill and how the magic is used will sometimes affect the potency of the spell.... See specific spell effects for details....
However, before examining the specific spell effects (links below), it is vital for you to examine how these spell effects manifest themselves and how the Bard prepares. Follow this link (Bard Spell Effects) to understand both the benefits and limitations of Bard Spell Effects.
Bard Cantrip Effects Bard 1st Level Spell Effects Bard 2nd Level Spell Effects Bard 3rd Level Spell Effects
Bards existed before the Empire, during the Empire, and after the Empire. While the Empire controlled, suppressed, or even stamped out (in the case of Smith-Enchanters) native Anglesey magic; Bards were largely unaffected. This 'immunity' was due to a few factors: 1. Bards (no magic) and High Bards (magic) were impossible for the Empire to differentiate between. Bardic magic is so different from magic-user magic that the Empire's mages could not even perceive it. 2. Bards are very good at surviving and adapting. 3. Except for a few outspoken and indiscreet individuals, the majority of bards learned discretion and always kept their audience (and whom their audience might talk to) in mind. So, only a small number were executed. 4. The bards faded into the background. They claimed other trades, performed part-time, and made sure they were not seen as a threat while still keeping the pre-Empire culture quietly alive. Fortunately, the arrogant occupiers thought they were beneath notice.
Bards were also key to coordinating the revolt and there are many bard folk heroes....
Present day: Bards are carefully watched to ensure they do not utilize mind control spells (a legacy of fear left over from the days of the Empire). However, priests and magic users have trouble discerning where emotional entrancement in the music ends and magical entrancement begins.... Bards have their own code in this regard and it does not interfere with the intent of Anglesey's law, the 'letter of the law' might be a little more awkward for the bards... Bards have no problem using a bit of magic to enhance the experience/feelings for someone; having to force someone or to force a change in their feelings would be regarded as not only immoral but unprofessional as well (you should be a talented enough musician without magic to make a sad person happier....).
Bard Magic:
With the above background information, it is now easier to understand the principles of Bardic magic.
1. It is different from other forms of magic. Bards cannot receive spells from the Gods nor can they cast spells learned from magic user scrolls.
2. Bardic magic is an outgrowth of their talents and the two are tied together. High Bards come from the most talented bards as they discover that their music, for instance, is truly magical. Experience and talent does the rest.
3. Bards persuade the elements of magic to 'perform' with them. The High Bard Owen Dearnwood described it as, "Inviting the magic to come out and dance." Bards must perform in some fashion to utilize the magic.
4. Spells are not only natural outgrowths of the bard's talents (e.g. a musician who manipulates sound by using magic); but it is also easier if the bard can persuade the magic to be part of the experience as a partner (by using appropriate music/performance for the situation: sympathetic music for healing, a lullaby to cause sleep, a mocking tune to cause discomfort or embarrassment to an enemy....). The High Bard Gavin the Lithe explained it as, "The Gods tell the magic what to do. The magic users force the magic what to do. If you were the Magic, wouldn't you be heartily sick of it! We invite the magic along to be our partner. I know the Learned say magic is a force and it has no soul nor personality. But, I know, that it seems to me that if I invite it to help me play a trick on an enemy or to help me heal a dear friend or to be part of a performance; that it seems to enjoy being asked and part of something where it gets to decide, have a power of its own, and to be its own person!"
5. Bards need to persuade the magic to be ready, stay ready, and to help them. A bard's performance skill and how the magic is used will sometimes affect the potency of the spell.... See specific spell effects for details....
However, before examining the specific spell effects (links below), it is vital for you to examine how these spell effects manifest themselves and how the Bard prepares. Follow this link (Bard Spell Effects) to understand both the benefits and limitations of Bard Spell Effects.
Bard Cantrip Effects Bard 1st Level Spell Effects Bard 2nd Level Spell Effects Bard 3rd Level Spell Effects