The bard has an audible Inspire Courage started, cancels it, has it linger via Lingering Performance.
An enemy then casts Silence on the area the bard is in.
Does the effect of the bardic performance continue or is it immediately drowned out by the silence spell? It seems that RAW is not very clear (I'd be happy to be correct), but would you say RAI the effect is still echoing from the bard, or is it just that the party members are still feeling inspired after the performance ends?
Would you consider "such as range or specific conditions" to include "the targets must be able to hear the bard for the performance to have any effect"?
Relevant rules texts:
If a bardic performance has audible components, the targets must be able to hear the bard for the performance to have any effect, and many such performances are language dependent (as noted in the description). A deaf bard has a 20% chance to fail when attempting to use a bardic performance with an audible component. If he fails this check, the attempt still counts against his daily limit. Deaf creatures are immune to bardic performances with audible components.
A 1st level bard can use his performance to inspire courage in his allies (including himself), bolstering them against fear and improving their combat abilities. To be affected, an ally must be able to perceive the bard’s performance. An affected ally receives a +1 morale bonus on saving throws against charm and fear effects and a +1 competence bonus on attack and weapon damage rolls. At 5th level, and every six bard levels thereafter, this bonus increases by +1, to a maximum of +4 at 17th level. Inspire courage is a mind-affecting ability. inspire courage can use audible or visual components. The bard must choose which component to use when starting his performance.
The bonuses and penalties from your bardic performance continue for 2 rounds after you cease performing. Any other requirement, such as range or specific conditions, must still be met for the effect to continue. If you begin a new bardic performance during this time, the effects of the previous performance immediately cease.
A silence spell doesn't end the performance, just occludes people from its effects. By the same extension, it should exclude any auditory performance's benefit from continuing during those two rounds.
If we were to use real world analogies, it's like the reverb you hear after a concert in a good hall (except now you don't need very custom tailored acoustics because you're magical) or a dancer still having a bit of dance-like movement even though they aren't following a particular stepped routine anymore.
I disagree entirely.
A silence spell would cause you to "cease the performance", which would start the 2-round timer for Lingering Performance. Other than that it wouldn't instantly stop it.
Flavour-wise, Inspire Courage is a Morale effect. The effects continue for 2 rounds because people continue to be moved by the music even after it's ceased.
It's also worth noting that not all performance would necessarily be affected, since not all of them have audible components. If we look at the performances gained at 1st level:
- Countersong uses only audible components, so it WOULD be affected by Silence.
- Distraction uses only visual components, so it would NOT be affected by silence.
- Fascinate uses audible AND visual components, so it WOULD be affected by Silence.
- Inspire Courage uses audible OR visual components, so it WOULD be affected by silence IF it uses audible components. Of course if it is affected by Silence the bard could simply start a new performance that relies on visual components on their next round, thus negating the effects of the Silence spell.
You can perform and no one be benefitting because it requires the ability to see and/or hear the performance (based on the type of performance) to receive the benefit. Nothing stops you from performing to no effect.
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Inspire courage can use audible or visual components. The bard must choose which component to use when starting his performance.
So Silence matters only if you are using audible components.
As I see it, if you are using audible components, Silence will block the performance from having effects, but Lingering performance will begin to affect the people as soon as the Silence is cast.
The performance has ended, but Lingering performance is like the aftereffect of listening to a lively song, for a small timeframe you are still elated by it.
That's still not how it would work.
The bonuses and penalties from your bardic performance continue for 2 rounds after you cease performing. Any other requirement, such as range or specific conditions, must still be met for the effect to continue....
If you can't hear the auditory performance, you get nothing.
It's all there, black and white, clear as crystal! You stole fizzy lifting drinks! You bumped into the ceiling which now has to be washed and sterilized, so you get nothing! You lose!
The bonuses are what continue, assuming you even get them, but as it even more clearly spells out, if specific conditions (e.g. being able to hear an auditory performance) is not met, the effect doesn't continue. Even if somehow the silence ended in the first round of the lingering and the second round would be unimpeded, you still don't get it on the second round because it's no longer continuing from the first round.
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If a bardic performance has audible components, the targets must be able to hear the bard for the performance to have any effect, and such performances are language dependent.
You are correct in saying that making the bard silent doesn't stop the performance, the bard should stop maintaining it from it to end, you are wrong in thinking that being able to hear the bard's performance is required for Lingering performance to work.
Exactly because the performance has ended, there is nothing that you need to hear. If your interpretation was right, Lingering performance would have no way to work, as you would be missing the "specific condition: hearing the performance".
Not that I really care too much one way or another, but I would think that the capacity for audible components to exist would count as a requirement... such as range or specific conditions, that must still be met for the effect to continue... in this particular case, we will say specific conditions must be met for a Bardic Performance using audible components (as the example).
Silence removes these specific conditions, and the effect ends without Lingering. Audible components, as a specific condition, cannot be met in an area of Silence... Lingering Performance cannot extend a Performance where the conditions for that Performance cannot be met.
My opinion on the matter, at least. And how I would run it at my tables.
If a bardic performance has audible components, the targets must be able to hear the bard for the performance to have any effect, and such performances are language dependent.You are correct in saying that making the bard silent doesn't stop the performance, the bard should stop maintaining it from it to end, you are wrong in thinking that being able to hear the bard's performance is required for Lingering performance to work.
Exactly because the performance has ended, there is nothing that you need to hear. If your interpretation was right, Lingering performance would have no way to work, as you would be missing the "specific condition: hearing the performance".
The feat literally says all normal limitations apply to the lingering effects. Being able to hear is a limitation, if you couldn't hear it if it were still being performed, it doesn't continue.
Just adding my two cents.
The effects of the song continue to linger, even if the ability providing those effects is muffled by Silence. The stipulation about range or specific conditions apply to the effect of the song, such as remaining within a certain range, not whether or not you can no longer hear it. Hearing is only required to BEGIN the effect and to SUSTAIN it (if it uses audible components), same goes for seeing with visual components. Lingering Performance allows the effect to (obviously) LINGER beyond the performance, exempting it from the normal rules (ie, specific trumps general rules)
Why? Because Lingering Performance would be effectively useless otherwise. And I don't make a habit of reading so carefully into the semantics of an ability to the point that it no longer functions based on how I perceive the argument. If an interpretation of an ability (and interaction with another) breaks it and creates several other cracks in the verisimilitude of the game system, that interpretation (in my opinion) is wrong.
Except that's still also not how it works. You don't begin lingering the effect as soon as you can't hear/see the performance: if one person is in a silence and can't hear the bardic performance, they don't keep getting it for 2 rounds while the rest of the party continues to receive the benefits unimpeded and normally, the person in the silence stop benefitting at all. Lingering performance work when the performer *stops* performing, not when anyone stops receiving the benefits, and if something would occlude someone from receiving the benefits normally, they don't gain any benefit during the lingering two rounds.
Also, Lingering Performance is in no way useless. It still doubles if not triples your effective performance rounds if you're willing to burn a move/swift action every few turns, and even if you're not, it still will save you a couple rounds every combat (which may only last a few rounds anyway). The "in an unexpected silence/darkness effect that turns off my performance" is way more niche than the standard and implied use of lingering performance.
^Literally what I said twice already.
I'd consider being able to perceive audible components from the bard a requirement by inspire courage, and one thus unfulfilled after they're silenced.
That's where we differ on interpretations. I see it as the character is already benefiting from performance, and with Silence, is no longer, so Lingering Performance allows the effects of the performance to linger for another two rounds. But, I tend to favor RAI over RAW when I see the two come into conflict, and where I can see an extremely strict interpretation of RAW causing issues down the line for other abilities. Play however you want.
It's really not even a conflict of RAI. The feat tells you it triggers when the performer stops performing, not based on when you stop receiving benefits.
The performer hasn't stopped performing because you're now in a silence spell. If they do stop performing maybe because the whole party is in a silence spell, the performance still doesn't work because its conditions aren't met.
I very much enjoy the discussion of Silencing a performing bard, all very insightful. Thank you for the responses!
I would agree that casting Silence on a performing bard should stop the effects all around, but I can see how some people might want to interpret that differently.
But some clarification that might have been missed in my original post:
The bard has consciously ended the performance, thus Lingering Performance is already 'active'.
The question is if casting Silence on the source of the Lingering Performance stops the effects of Lingering Performance (i.e. the lingering effects of the performance in the party members).
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Still would stop the lingering performance, as no one can hear the performance anymore and they thus don't meet the requirements to get its benefits.
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A side question:
If a friend enters in the area of the Lingering performance but wasn't previously affected by the bard performance, what happens?
If the argument, "what matters is fulfilling all the conditions of benefitting from a performance" holds, you should get the benefit, as it is something that emits from the bard.
Just to be clear, in this scenario, silence hasn't been cast.
A side question:
If a friend enters in the area of the Lingering performance but wasn't previously affected by the bard performance, what happens?
If the argument, "what matters is fulfilling all the conditions of benefitting from a performance" holds, you should get the benefit, as it is something that emits from the bard.
Just to be clear, in this scenario, silence hasn't been cast.
Lingering Performance affects the performer's performance, so they would still get it until the lingering runs out. But if it's an auditory performance, it's kind of hard to not be in earshot, and the only way I can think of it would be "they were in the silence before the performance even started and now they're out of the silence".
Lingering Performance affects the performer's performance, so they would still get it until the lingering runs out. But if it's an auditory performance, it's kind of hard to not be in earshot, and the only way I can think of it would be "they were in the silence before the performance even started and now they're out of the silence".
This is where I disagree. From my perspective (and as quoted by the feat description), the EFFECTS of the performance linger. Effects are already what are in place. No NEW effects occur. The existing ones merely linger. And, to be specific, 'effects' are the mechanical descriptions of what an ability does, not the methods of delivery (ie, audible noises or visual displays). They are not, specifically, the ringing note that some people imagine still thrumming in the air allowing the song to continue inspiring their allies (some items make use of such measures to extend or pay for performance rounds). The effects are specifically the morale or competence bonuses (or whatever other effect) the song provides to those effected by it.
In the instance of someone being in a silence spell, unable to hear the bard performing, then leaving the spell just after the bard ceases performing... they do NOT gain any benefit of the bard's performance because they were not able to be effects during the initiation or sustaining of said performance. There is nothing to 'linger' for them.
One thing to keep in mind is that Bardic Performances are supernatural and/or spell-like abilities. Logic and the physical rules of the universe do not always interact with them as we tend to think they do. The bard uses sound (and/or motions) to weave their magic into existence. Silence won't undo it but it will prevent further creation of that magic.
It doesn't matter what you think is the thing exactly is or isn't. It does what it says and when it quacks like a duck...
If you want to be really specific, the effects for inspire courage are "allies get X" That keeps going. The feat says nothing about having to already have been affected, it just says "The bonuses and penalties from your bardic performance continue for 2 rounds after you cease performing."
If the bonuses go to all allies, it doesn't matter if your ally previously benefitted or not, just that they can benefit right now.
It doesn't matter what you think is the thing exactly is or isn't. It does what it says and when it quacks like a duck...
That's the problem with most disagreements in general. One side tends to have less respect for the informed opinions of the other side. Play how you want. I've just give my opinion on the matter and a voice to those that share said opinion in the arena this discussion is taking place in.
It's not even a matter of opinion, the rule is clearly spelled out. You never once said "I just want to play it this way." You're stating it as if it is your interpretation of RAW.
It's not even a matter of opinion, the rule is clearly spelled out. You never once said "I just want to play it this way." You're stating it as if it is your interpretation of RAW.
Expect it is not clearly spelled out, or we wouldn't be arguing over what an effect is where the ability is concerned, or who that ability can/cannot effect when its initiating action is unable to target (effect) them, or what happens if someone moved back into 'range' after the sustaining action has already occurred.
We aren't arguing over what the ability says. We are discussing, and having a simple disagreement, on how that ability interacts in the greater sphere of the game world where it does not exist in a vacuum. In that regard, the GM is going to have the final call. Speaking as a seasoned GM, I've outlined how I suggest handling it based on my interpretation of the way the mechanics interact with the game world. You do not have to agree. We are not at the same table. At my table, I run the game from a "big picture" viewpoint. I give deference to the rules but reserve the right to overrule them when they (intentionally or accidentally) break something else. I am human. I make mistakes. So are the authors of the game system.
Is this one of those "if a tree falls in thr forest, but nobody is around to hear it" scenarios?
Lingering Performance literally does not care if anyone is benefitting from the Performance. Lingering Performance does not care if anyone is capable of benefitting from the Bard's Performance. Lingering Performance doesn't care if the Bard is alone Performing in the Void.
Is the Bard Performing? If yes... That means the Bard is capable of Performing... conditions have been met... the Bard isn't Stunned or Silenced.
Does the Bard stop Performing? If yes... That triggers Lingering Performance, so long as the conditions can still be met for the Bard to have continued to Perform... remember, Lingering Performance doesn't care if there is anyone around to receive the benefits... it cares if the Bard could meet the previous conditions that enabled the Bard to Perform.
If a Performing Bard [with Lingering Performance] is Silenced and then stops Performing... Lingering Performance does NOT trigger. The conditions that allowed the Bard to Perform can no longer be met. Same as if a Performing Bard is Stunned. Performance ends, its effects do not Linger... the conditions allowing a Bard to Perform cannot be met whilst Stunned.
Is this one of those "if a tree falls in thr forest, but nobody is around to hear it" scenarios?
I suppose it is all in how you look at the situation. If the 'effect' of the Bard's performance sound? Or is it the morale bonuses it provides? Depends on how you define 'effect'. If it is sound, then Silence shuts it down. If it is the morale bonuses, then Lingering Performance still allows those bonuses to persist even if/when the sounds stop.
I lean on the side of the audible part of the performance to be a component of the ability, just like a verbal component to a spell. It is only needed during the activation or sustaining of said ability, not the entire duration of effect. Just like a spell with a duration of 1 round per level (or more). Silence won't shut down the Rage spell, but will prevent the spell from being cast (or have a chance of failure).
Starting a bardic performance is a standard action, but it can be maintained each round as a free action. Changing a bardic performance from one effect to another requires the bard to stop the previous performance and start a new one as a standard action. A bardic performance cannot be disrupted, but it ends immediately if the bard is killed, paralyzed, stunned, knocked unconscious, or otherwise prevented from taking a free action to maintain it each round. A bard cannot have more than one bardic performance in effect at one time.
At 7th level, a bard can start a bardic performance as a move action instead of a standard action. At 13th level, a bard can start a bardic performance as a swift action.
Each bardic performance has audible components, visual components, or both.
If a bardic performance has audible components, the targets must be able to hear the bard for the performance to have any effect, and many such performances are language dependent (as noted in the description). A deaf bard has a 20% chance to fail when attempting to use a bardic performance with an audible component. If he fails this check, the attempt still counts against his daily limit. Deaf creatures are immune to bardic performances with audible components.
Silence
School illusion (glamer); Level antipaladin 2, bard 2, cleric/oracle 2, inquisitor 2, mesmerist 2, psychic 2; Subdomain solitude 2
CASTING
Casting Time 1 round
Components V, SEFFECT
Range long (400 ft. + 40 ft./level)
Area 20-ft.-radius emanation centered on a creature, object, or point in space
Duration 1 round/level (D)
Saving Throw Will negates; see text or none (object); Spell Resistance yes; see text or no (object)DESCRIPTION
Upon the casting of this spell, complete silence prevails in the affected area. All sound is stopped: Conversation is impossible, spells with verbal components cannot be cast, and no noise whatsoever issues from, enters, or passes through the area. The spell can be cast on a point in space, but the effect is stationary unless cast on a mobile object. The spell can be centered on a creature, and the effect then radiates from the creature and moves as it moves. An unwilling creature can attempt a Will save to negate the spell and can use Spell Resistance, if any. Items in a creature’s possession or magic items that emit sound receive the benefits of saves and Spell Resistance, but unattended objects and points in space do not. Creatures in an area of a silence spell are immune to sonic or language-based attacks, spells, and effects.
TLDR: The Lingering Performance is still active while in a Silence spell effect. Silence does not end a performance, it just stops you from hearing it.
If a Bard is performing an audible performance, and is hit with a Silence spell, the performance continues because "A bardic performance cannot be disrupted, but it ends immediately if the bard is killed, paralyzed, stunned, knocked unconscious, or otherwise prevented from taking a free action to maintain it each round." because silence does not interrupt it. Therefore, Lingering Performance doesn't activate because the performance hasn't ended. However, while the Bard is within the Silence effect, or if the Silence effect is BETWEEN the Bard and his allies, then the allies don't receive any benefit during this time, because noise cannot pass through the spell effect either.
If the Bard then ends his performance, Lingering Performance activates, but the Silence spell still prevents his allies from hearing it. If the Bard MOVES OUT of the Silence effect while Lingering Performance is still active, then his allies regain the bonuses, but only provided that his Line of Effect to the allies doesn't pass thru the Silence spell effect.
Does the effect of the bardic performance continue or is it immediately drowned out by the silence spell? It seems that RAW is not very clear (I'd be happy to be correct), but would you say RAI the effect is still echoing from the bard, or is it just that the party members are still feeling inspired after the performance ends?
If the Bard uses Inspire Courage, and then ends it, and Lingering Performance activates, and then enters a Silence effect, the Lingering Performance is not ended. Silence cannot end a performance. But, the Bard and his allies would not gain any benefit during this time. If the Bard exits the Silence effect while Lingering Performance is still active, then everyone within Line of Effect of the Bard will regain the benefits, provided that none of the allies have a Line of Effect that passes through the Silence spell.
Forget the allies... forget line of effect...
The Bard [with Lingering Performance] is Performing in the middle of a field, all alone, using only audible components.
Someone 400' away cast Silence... on the aforementioned Bard.
In my opinion, nothing happens. The Bard can continue to waste rounds of Performance, continuing a useless Performance... quietly making mouth movements that were once words.
If the Bard chooses to end the Performance whilst inside the area of Silence, Lingering Performance does not trigger. The previous conditions that allowed the Bard to Perform using only audible components are no longer met.
To me, it is literally that simple. Lingering Performance cares if the Bard could continue the Performance if they chose to, that's it.
Lingering Performance fluff text is "The effects of your bardic performance carry on, even after you have stopped performing". So I respectfully disagree. The silence doesn't end the Lingering Performance, nor inhibit the Lingering Performance from activating at the end of a Performance. You just wouldn't receive any benefit from it while within the Silence effect.
Alternatively, if you are the Bard and cannot get out of the silence effect, then you can simply end the Audible Inspire Courage as a Free Action, and then re-start a new Inspire Courage that is Visual-based.
Can we agree on some things to establish a baseline?
1. Can a Bard use rounds of Bardic Performance without anyone present receive the benefits of their Performance?
...A) If no, why not? Is there a target requirement for Bardic Performance?
...B) If yes, does this mean that having allies present is NOT a specific condition of a Bard's ability to Perform?
2. Can a Bard that already started their Performance outside an area of Silence continue to Perform with only audible components inside an area of Silence?
...A) If no, what happens? Does the area of Silence cause the Performance to be "disrupted"? Because we can't do that.
...B) If yes, is the Bard just wasting rounds of Performance quietly making mouth movements that were once words?
3. Can a Bard start a Performance using only audible components inside an area of Silence?
...A) If no, is it because specific conditions cannot be met?
...B) If yes, how? Please type your answer slowly, because I cannot read fast.
In my opinion, Lingering Performance works the same regardless of whether or not the Performing Bard has any allies in range to receive the benefits of their Performance. The position and condition of any possible allies to the Performing Bard are completely irrelevant as to whether or not Lingering Performance kicks in after the Bard stops performing.
Every single time a Bard [with Lingering Performance] stops Performing, but otherwise could have continued if they chose to, Lingering Performance kicks in. You chose to stop, but didn't have to? Here's two free rounds of Lingering effects. It doesn't matter if there is anyone there to receive those effects. It doesn't matter if half the crowd can receive the effects and half cannot. It doesn't matter if there ever was a crowd.
Could the Bard have continued to Perform if they had chosen not to stop Performing? That is literally all that matters for Lingering Performance. Why complicate it?
It is obviously talking about the conditions of the Bard Performing, not the conditions of the allies/whether or not they are capable of receiving the benefits of the Bard's Performance. How could one feat possibly take into account all the possible combinations of positioning, range, and the plethora of available conditions the character can experience as well as the conditions of the environment?
Or... OR... we could just look at the Bard with the feat. How much easier is that? And don't worry, I am not trying to sound condescending... this is just how my brain cycles. These are pretty much the same questions, in the same tones, that went through my head when I read the OP.
1) Yes, because they receive the benefits themselves and the effects do not check the performer if their effects are active they check any and all listeners if they qualify to receive the effects.
2) They can continue to perform, but if nobody can hear the performance, nobody qualifies to receive the effects of the ongoing performance.
3) Yes, because there are no conditions on starting a performance (beyond spending the action to do so), only conditions on receiving it's benefits.
Lingering performance only extends the effects 2 rounds after a performer ceases performing. It doesn't matter if they could or could not perform in the those rounds, only that no new performance is started for the lingering to take effect. It does still matter if an individual can perceive the performance for said individual to receive the effect, lingering or non-lingering. (No, the feat is not referring to the conditional of if the performer is performing: that is not a condition as per rules text, just a fact of the situation; it is referring to the specific requirements to benefit or be penalized by the performance, even mentioning things like range before the word "requirements" for something like a dirge of doom spell.)
It is all very basic once you realize how a bardic performance actually works. But apparently Deathless has a wrong idea of how the performance ability works.
I may not fully understand how Bardic Performance works, honestly. And Bard is my favorite class. Lol.
If Lingering Performance only cares about the conditions of the audience...
1. Does Lingering Performance allow a Bard's Performance to Linger if the Bard is Stunned or dead?
The answer to that will tell me everything I need to know.
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1. Can a Bard use rounds of Bardic Performance without anyone present receive the benefits of their Performance?
Yes, the bard may use his Bardic Performance if he is alone and no allies or enemies are present.
...A) If no, why not? Is there a target requirement for Bardic Performance?
No target requirement.
...B) If yes, does this mean that having allies present is NOT a specific condition of a Bard's ability to Perform?
Correct, he does not need allies present. Likewise, the bard doesn't need enemies present to perform a Dirge of Doom either.
2. Can a Bard that already started their Performance outside an area of Silence continue to Perform with only audible components inside an area of Silence?
Yes. He may continue to perform using audible-only components while in a silence effect. Silence cannot disrupt a performance. The bard could jump into the Silence effect, then jump out, and then jump back in, and jump back out, all while maintaining the performance. It's going to be a lot like that scene in Ace Ventura where Jim Carrey is screaming and opening/closing the sliding glass door tho.
...A) If no, what happens? Does the area of Silence cause the Performance to be "disrupted"? Because we can't do that.
"A bardic performance cannot be disrupted, but it ends immediately if the bard is killed, paralyzed, stunned, knocked unconscious, or otherwise prevented from taking a free action to maintain it each round."
...B) If yes, is the Bard just wasting rounds of Performance quietly making mouth movements that were once words?
Yes. The bard is essentially wasting his rounds of performance. But, Inspire Courage can be either Audible OR Visual, and the Bard chooses whether the performance will be audible or visual when he begins the performance. So if you're in a silence effect and can't get out, drop it as a free action, then restart it as a visual performance, then you're not wasting your rounds.
3. Can a Bard start a Performance using only audible components inside an area of Silence?
Yes. But queue the Ace Ventura scene again.
...A) If no, is it because specific conditions cannot be met?
You can start it, but no one gains any benefits, not even the bard. You're wasting your rounds of performance.
...B) If yes, how? Please type your answer slowly, because I cannot read fast.
Yes, you may start a performance, but you're wasting your rounds. There is no strategic benefit whatsoever to starting an audible-only performance while within a silence effect.
In my opinion, Lingering Performance works the same regardless of whether or not the Performing Bard has any allies in range to receive the benefits of their Performance. The position and condition of any possible allies to the Performing Bard are completely irrelevant as to whether or not Lingering Performance kicks in after the Bard stops performing.
I agree 100%.
Every single time a Bard [with Lingering Performance] stops Performing, but otherwise could have continued if they chose to, Lingering Performance kicks in. You chose to stop, but didn't have to? Here's two free rounds of Lingering effects. It doesn't matter if there is anyone there to receive those effects. It doesn't matter if half the crowd can receive the effects and half cannot. It doesn't matter if there ever was a crowd.
Also agreed.
Could the Bard have continued to Perform if they had chosen not to stop Performing? That is literally all that matters for Lingering Performance. Why complicate it?
Yes, the bard could've continued to perform if he wanted to. Think of Lingering Performance as an "magical echo" that lasts 2 rounds, but don't think of this "echo" as a sound-based "echo", because lingering performance affects visual-only performances too.
Lets consider a visual-only Inspire Courage while within a Deeper Darkness effect and everyone is treated as blind for this hypothetical example. The lingering performance activates as soon as the bard stops dancing, but no one can see the bard due to the deeper darkness effect, therefore no one receives any benefit (not even the bard). You'd have to move out of the deeper darkness to get the benefit. But the Deeper Darkness doesn't end the performance, nor does it prevent the lingering performance from activating either.
It is obviously talking about the conditions of the Bard Performing, not the conditions of the allies/whether or not they are capable of receiving the benefits of the Bard's Performance. How could one feat possibly take into account all the possible combinations of positioning, range, and the plethora of available conditions the character can experience as well as the conditions of the environment?
The conditions they're talking about are not about the allies/enemies present, but rather they're about "if the bard is killed, paralyzed, stunned, knocked unconscious, or otherwise prevented from taking a free action to maintain it each round", as well as the bard having a 20% chance of failure while deaf and a 50% chance of failure while blind to start or maintain performances with audible/visual components.
Or... OR... we could just look at the Bard with the feat. How much easier is that? And don't worry, I am not trying to sound condescending... this is just how my brain cycles. These are pretty much the same questions, in the same tones, that went through my head when I read the OP.
All good mang, I never thought you were being condescending :P
1. Does Lingering Performance allow a Bard's Performance to Linger if the Bard is Stunned or dead?
Negative, the lingering performance is contingent upon the "if the bard is killed, paralyzed, stunned, knocked unconscious, or otherwise prevented from taking a free action to maintain it each round". The lingering performance also goes away if the bard starts a new performance. The "magical echo" goes away immediately if any of these conditions are satisfied.