Drodonis's page

I was going through the bulk rules. Its an interesting approach, and if it works out I think I'd prefer it over having to add up all your pounds. That said, I wasn't quite sure on the wording in the descriptive entry for backpacks.

From the playtest document, pg. 184:
"A backpack can hold up to 4 Bulk worth of items. If you are carrying or stowing a backpack rather than wearing it on your back, it has light Bulk instead of negligible."

So, is that just where the 4 Bulk of items is carried, or is the backpack granting you an additional 4 Bulk capacity? I'm curious because I could see a backpack increasing your carrying capacity due to being on your back and distributing the weight like they do. Plus bulk considers size and shape and not just weight. I could see it being read either way, though.

I know, I'm super late to the party, and I doubt anyone will ever see this but I just found this and since I've been looking for the bard I have in mind for so long, I had to weigh in.

I was really excited by what you had going. I've always thought spells seemed redundant for a class focused on magical music, and bardic performance has always seemed to fall short of being able to stand on its own. I'm a bit confused by what you had going with songs and "auwen" there, but having songs' effects dependent on continuing to play seems perfect. Snake charmer's lose the control when they stop playing, after all.

Your second version seemed to lose some weight though, largely by putting time limits back in. You've got limiting factors already from the need for a skill check, and if you limit the power levels of songs to less than spells, you could easily allow unlimited use, as we already see with cantrips and with 3.5's warlock. I think bardic music should be focused on continuation and staying power, being effects over time in nature (buffs, debuffs, and charms largely).

I know I'm perhaps pointlessly resurrecting a long dead thread here, but I've been looking for this sort of thing for a while now but only jUST managed the right search!

Anyway a few things caught my attention about the blood touch ability. Biggest issue I'm having is the multiple limitations on its use. You have to physically touch the target (presumably a touch or melee attack), have limited uses, and also the target gets a saving throw to resist. Not only does it seems mechanically off for such a core ability, by my understanding of the fluff it doesn't make a lot of sense. If it were my class, I'd likely ditch the numbered uses.

Fluff is another concern. Is this supposed you be thought of as spiritual, manipulating the flow of ki or life force or something within the body? Or is this a form of combat physician, using pressure points and altering the blood flow and oxygen pathways? I think it would be the latter, reminiscent of Xena and her signature pressure point move, but with greater focus and scope.

If I'm right about the concept, then there should also probably be reasonable to put in something about discernable anatomy, perhaps specifying the use as precision damage or even a new distinction of it requires the target to have a functional circulatory system for the moves to work.

That's all I've got while half asleep. If you're still out there, there's my thoughts.