Merfolk Bard? Does it sound better than it plays? Advice?

[RandomNigel]

A very small party and I are about to start a home-brew setting campaign fairly soon and unfortunately they are often quite busy to go over my character to direct me in any good direction. I wonder if the character I have begun to create is solid enough for a long campaign.

A Merfolk Bard with the Magician archetype and Secret Magic Racial trait. This is my first character I plan on making frequent money outside of dungeon crawling. I have not received a response if we are going to be able to craft custom items, but some character influenced skills thought of were; Perform (Sing), Perform (Dance/Oratory), Profession (Fortune Teller), Craft (Tattoo), Craft (Wondrous Item), Craft (Lucky Charms). No, not the cereal. As a possible flavor, I thought going in hand with being a Fortune Teller I could craft objects and wares told to grant good luck (Luck bonuses) like "Lucky Rabbits Foot" to boost land speed or Dex, or an "Ancient Talisman" to use against Evil aligned creatures who try to strike fear into you. Maybe I could Bluff check to sell someone a rigged or phony item sometimes. Highly Divination driven, with plans to take the Tattooed Mystic and Harrower Prestige Classes. With the Tattooed Mystic Class I plan on getting a Sea Krait familiar with the Valet archetype to get in and get out delivering touch spells on my behalf. A problem I come across is that I'm not allowed to ask circumstantial questions until the party actually meets. So although the justification of no masterwork "Sing" tool is because it's hands free, what about outside of battle? Possibly craft a "Golden Voice", "Soothing Honey", or even "Songbird Tattoo"? Would a Sea Krait function as an aquatic animal for purposes of "Speak with Animals?" It says to use Viper's stats. Many questions like these. XD

[Drahliana Moonrunner]

It plays great in an underwater campaign...otherwise you're worse than the pre-revised version of Aquaman.

[RandomNigel]

I had discussed with a table member about my... movement detriment. I get Fins to Feet 1/day, and expeditious retreat (although I don't know if it proves more useful). So this character agreed to be my escort and try to directly protect me from physical attacks while I just Hydraulic Push non-stop. Acting as both a escort, a translator (because my character refuses to speak in common), and sometimes a mode of transport. I'm sure the land speed isn't that hard to get around. My goal was to sit sidelines anyways. Is there any way to maybe increase my Fins to Feet at later levels? Or justify a semi-aquatic mount like I don't know, Walrus? Would I have to make higher Ride checks at the expense of not having legs? This Race is difficult because they have been interpreted in different ways and there's technicalities like "If I turn into a human (via spell) am I to assume I'm naked and would have to prepare clothing and spend an action to dress in that regard? Aside from that it seems like a very flavorful and fun character for the RP.

[Drahliana Moonrunner]

RandomNigel wrote:

I had discussed with a table member about my... movement detriment. I get Fins to Feet 1/day, and expeditious retreat (although I don't know if it proves more useful). So this character agreed to be my escort and try to directly protect me from physical attacks while I just Hydraulic Push non-stop. Acting as both a escort, a translator (because my character refuses to speak in common), and sometimes a mode of transport. I'm sure the land speed isn't that hard to get around. My goal was to sit sidelines anyways. Is there any way to maybe increase my Fins to Feet at later levels? Or justify a semi-aquatic mount like I don't know, Walrus? Would I have to make higher Ride checks at the expense of not having legs? This Race is difficult because they have been interpreted in different ways and there's technicalities like "If I turn into a human (via spell) am I to assume I'm naked and would have to prepare clothing and spend an action to dress in that regard? Aside from that it seems like a very flavorful and fun character for the RP.

What makes it "flavorful and fun"? Do you want fins that badly? Or just some aquatic features? Or are you pushing this for some numerical advantage? There must be something in the numbers, because you're far from the first person to try to push a landbound merfolk bard.

[RandomNigel]

I had played Oracle before and felt it was a MUCH better character than witch I played (Our GM let me play as a Faun) but still. I feel that drawback, that curse made the character so much more alive and fun to play. Yes -4 penalty to attack rolls hurts, but I was able to create a beautifully woven backstory and justify an adventure far better than a witch (and she had a good backstory too). Being a character not akin to a region gives you more explaining to do, which helps me flesh out a character more. I think this question was directed more to if the Bard class conflicted with any of the archetypes or Prestige classes chosen. More information on the impossible Inscribe Tattoo feat. I have been drawn to the unique races who are almost fairy like. It helps establish my role as a party member, usually being loyal to the group but not exactly kindred. Maybe I attempt to give my characters more obstacles to overcome XD I don't know.