Flavour Vs Mechanics

[CormacDM]

So I came across the following scenario I would like folks opinions on...

So a PC who is a Bard and this bard is famed for their lute playing(character back story etc)...the bard uses their lute for Courageous Anthem.

The bard then switches to their crossbow to make an attack...

So the GM makes the Bard use the swap action.

To me it seems like the PC is being punished for playing their character correctly as opposed to taking a min/max style approach...

What do ye guys think? Would ye allow this swap as a free action, as the bard doesn't need an instrumemt for the spell, they could have sung or told a dirty Limerick

[Errenor]

No. If they want to use a lute, they use a lute and then need to hold it in 2 hands to use it. And then use Interact to swap with 2-handed crossbow.
Or they can sing or tell stories and not use a lute. And then use the lute in more relaxed situations than combat.

[Dr. Frank Funkelstein]

Choosing the "instrument" for performance can have mechanical implications, for example Virtuosic Performer needs a certain type of performance and there are certain traits connected to each.
Using a lute will be more impactful later (lvl 3+) when it is a virtuoso instrument.

I would suggest to not use the lute for the Corageous Anthem in this case and orate or sing it, problem solved.

You can use "flavour is free" only if it does not change mechanical aspects of the game.

[Easl]

PF2E clearly needs a lutebow. And a list of suggested cheesetactular one-liners when using it. ;) "I've got a song for ya." "You might find this next note a little sharp."

[SuperBidi]

I played a Skald with a guitaxe and I'd definitely allow a crosslute.

[CormacDM]

Easl wrote:

PF2E clearly needs a lutebow. And a list of suggested cheesetactular one-liners when using it. ;) "I've got a song for ya." "You might find this next note a little sharp."

The lute in question gave no mechanical benefit, it was effectively just flavour, agreed if there was any mechanical benefit to the lute I agree that the swap action needs to be used...

[Finoan]

I have no problem with a bit of disconnect between strict game mechanics and narrative description. I would agree that if the lute is giving no mechanical benefit then it mechanically is not being held or wielded and you don't need to use the Swap action to switch between the lute and the crossbow.

That does cause a bit of a narrative problem because Courageous Anthem has to be re-cast each round, not just sustained. That is a lot of swapping back and forth. But I still see no need to avoid handwaving that all away as narrative description rather than game mechanics.

Now, if the character has a Battle Lute or Entertainer's Lute, then that would need to be swapped out for the crossbow with the Swap action.

[WatersLethe]

I've worked with players to flavor them starting up the lute music with a quick strum and then relying on the magical power of their Courageous Anthem to keep it strumming while slung on their back.

I wouldn't let them gain mechanical benefits from a magical two-handed instrument unless they were actually using it two-handed.