If my Bard has the masterpiece Symphony of the Elysian Heart which allows freedom of movement, how exactly does it work?
Effect: The complex arpeggios in this piece follow each other so quickly that the music can sound jumbled and disjointed at first. As the piece progresses, however, distinct phrases emerge, creating a wild but harmonious piece that inspires feelings of unfettered freedom. You and up to one ally per bard level within 30 feet who can hear you can move and attack normally for the duration of your performance, even if under the influence of magic that usually impedes movement. This effect is identical to that of freedom of movement, except that this masterpiece does not allow subjects to move and attack normally while underwater unless these creatures would already be able to do so, and only lasts as long as you continue the performance.
Also, the way I get the masterpiece is from having Perform (keyboard) 7 ranks minimum.
Let's say we're in the middle of a fight and my buddy gets webbed. Better yet, say he and I get webbed. Does that mean I need to get to my keyboard to activate the freedom of movement effect? At 9th level is this a standard action or, like my Bardic performance only a move action?
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Also, the way I get the masterpiece is from having Perform (keyboard) 7 ranks minimum.
That is a prerequisite for the masterpiece, but you don't automatically get it if you have 7 ranks of Perform (keyboard). Rather, you need to take the masterpiece in place of a feat OR surrender one of your Bard 'known spell' slots (3rd level in this case).
I'm aware of the pre-req's and only cited them to emphasize the keyboard as the instrument in play to get the masterpiece going. The real question remains am I supposed to be playing a keyboard in the middle of combat with all those implications and burdens to get the freedom of movement effect.
Korlos thanks for that timeline. Seemingly if it only requires a move action having to play a symphony as move action(!) on my keyboard seems rather odd.
I'm still hoping that someone can make sense of the possible requirement of playing a keyboard for the masterpiece to work. There's some irony involved in freedom of movement resulting from that. I would think the fluff got the better of the mechanic in this instance.
Well, the entire performance - keyboard is going to be useful mostly for an NPC. I cannot think of a single keyboard instrument that a character could carry around.
But, as I understand it, you have to have the means to to perform the masterpiece, and in that case it means you need a keyboard. Can't perform the Dance of 23 Steps if you are unable to dance. Which makes the masterpiece pretty useless for most PCs. Although good for an NPC in a story bit where he is able to free the party from some form of binding to allow them to fight a Big Bad.
The Elysian masterpiece can also be done with a wind instrument. That is much more doable.
In fact, every masterpiece published so far that has "Keyboard" as an option also has something else as an alternative (and keyboard is the only instrument type that is difficult to make portable).
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I'm still hoping that someone can make sense of the possible requirement of playing a keyboard for the masterpiece to work. There's some irony involved in freedom of movement resulting from that. I would think the fluff got the better of the mechanic in this instance.
An accordion count as a keyboard?
There is a great piece from the Jethro Tull's playing together with a accordion player registered during a concert, I will see if I can find it. ;-)
An accordion count as a keyboard?
Yes it does count as a keyboard.
My bard used a melodica as his portable, one-handed keyboard instrument. He used Perform: Wind to take this masterpiece, though.
Note that "1 round" is longer than a full-round action ("1 full round") in spellcasting. We assumed it meant the same thing here: you can't do much of anything while maintaining the masterpiece. Still keeps the rest of the party from getting stuck, though.