ADVANCED DUNGEONS & DRAGONS®
2nd Edition Player's Handbook Rules Supplement
The Complete Bard's Handbook
by Blake Mobley
Table of Contents
Introduction
Optional Rules
The Other Complete Books
How to Use This Handbook
Chapter One:
Character Creation
Qualifications
Core Abilities
Generating Ability Scores
Chapter Two:
Bard Kits
Kit Subsections
List of Kits
True Bard
Blade
Charlatan
Gallant
Gypsy-bard
Herald
Jester
Jongleur
Loremaster
Meistersinger
Riddlemaster
Skald
Thespian
Creating New Kits
Acquiring, Dropping, and Changing Kits
Chapter Three:
Demi-, Multi-, and Dual-Classed Bards
Demihumans as Bards
Demihuman Kits
Dwarven Chanter
Elven Minstrel
Gnome Professor
Halfling Whistler
Multi-Classed Bards
Dual-Classed Bards
Chapter Four:
Proficiencies
New Proficiencies
Compiled Proficiencies
Chapter Five:
Bard Abilities
Pick Pockets
Detect Noise
Climb Walls
Reading, Writing, and Speaking
Chapter Six:
Magic
Spell Books
Musical Components
New Spells
Alter Instrument
Sound Bubble
Silence 15' Radius
Improved Magic Mouth
Instant Audience
Wall of Sound
Conjure Cabinet
Magical Items
New Magical Items
Old Magical Items
New Twists on Old Items
Chapter Seven: Music
Throughout History
Instruments
Musical Proficiency
Cost and Weight
Glossary of Musical Instruments
Glossary of Sound
Fundamentals of Music
Common Musical Terms
Musical Items
Types of Songs
Sample Songs
Chapter Eight:
Role-Playing Bards
A Bard's Mind Isn't Barred
Experience
Reputation
Following a Performer
Local Reputation
Benefits of a Good Reputation
The Performer
The Effect on Role-Playing
Defining Your Bard's Personality
Performances
Chapter Nine:
Comrades
Bard Colleges
Common Events
Patrons
Initial Patrons
Gaining and Losing Patrons
Followers
Appendix: Original AD&D® Game
Tables
1: THE COMPLETE PHBR LINE
2: CLASS QUALIFICATIONS
3: ARMOR ALLOWED
4: EXPERIENCE LEVELS
5: LEVEL IMPROVEMENTS
6 SPELL PROGRESSION
7: BASE THIEF ABILITIES
8: BARD AVERAGE THIEF SKILLS
9: THIEF SKILL ADJUSTMENTS
10: ILLEGAL ARMOR ADJUSTMENT
11: PREGENERATED ABILITY SCORES
12: LEGEND LORE RESULTS
13: DEMI-BARDS
14: NONWEAPON PROFICIENCIES
15: DETECT NOISE MODIFIERS
16: CLIMBING MODIFIERS
17: BARD CLIMBING RATES
18: VERBAL COMPONENT
19: ERAS
20: MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS
21: BARD EXPERIENCE
22: COMPLETE BARD EXPERIENCE
23: INITIAL REPUTATION
24: REPUTATION LADDER
25: REPUTATION MODIFIERS
26: FAME AND INFAMY
27: PRECEDING REPUTATION
28: BARD TRAITS
29: HOURLY STREET-SIDE INCOME
30: BOOKED INCOME
31: CARNIVAL SHARES
32: NIGHTLY ATTENDANCE PER PERFORMER
33: NUMBER OF PATRONS
34: TYPE OF PATRON
35: FOLLOWERS BY KIT