The Bards can either be very outgoing people (often have the story-telling or musical abilities) or very rude (often the absorbed artist, they don't realize they're rude). Their clothing often makes some sort of statement about themselves and is relatively distinctive.

The Bard culture sprang up when thousands of members of a generation developed significant artistic talents and began to wander from city to city exploring the artistic world. They became performers, singing for a meal or being hired to paint a mural for a city.

The Bards are a class unto themselves, not extremely powerful but definitely interesting if played right. Some people who study psychic phenomena have said that they are simply a sub-catagory of Naturals and to an extent they're right. But the Bards don't care what they are, they're too busy enjoying their work.

Bard P.C.C. Abilities and Bonuses:
1. Psionic Powers: In addition to their special abilities (see below) all Bards can choose six powers from the lesser psionic catagories and two from the Super catagory.

2. ISP: ME attribute plus 1D6x10. Add 2D6 per level of experience.

3. Special Abilities: Bards often channel their powers into 1D4+2 different mediums which they come to excel at. Each Bard has a favorite form however. Choose a favorite medium. This gets a bonus of +35%. The character's second favorite medium gets +30%, third gets +25%, fourth gets +20%, fifth gets +15%, and sixth gets +10%. These bonuses apply to all skills given by the specialties.

Different Mediums Include:

Musical Instrument: Any ONE instrument is played exceptionally well. Gets Play Musical Instrument.

Musical Composition: Can write songs very well and often rather quickly. Gets Musical Composition (25%+5% per level).

Poetry: Can write exceptional poetry in nearly any form from haiku to iambic pentameter. Gets Writing: Poetry.

Prose - Short Stories: Can write short stories in a few days that are of a superior quality. Gets Writing: Short Stories.

Prose - Novels: Can write novels in mere weeks (1D4+5) that are of a superior quality. Gets Writing: Novels.

Prose - Non-fiction: The Bard is very good at writing articles, reports, etc. Gets Writing: Non-Fiction.

Story-telling: A good story-teller can hold an audience rapt for hours at a time. This includes telling a story around a campfire in addition to in front of a group of people. Stories can be made up on the spot. Gets Storytelling (25%+5% per level).

Photography: The Bard is conversant with many different techniques relating to photography and can use most cameras easily and with little instruction. Gets Photography.

Dancing: The psychic energies of the individual have been focused into the art of dancing. The Bard has often studies 1D4 different styles of dancing (tap, ballet, ballroom, etc) and can learn new ones quickly. Gets Dancing.

Singing: The Bard has developed a beautiful voice and can often sing at least two different ranges (soprano, alto, tenor, bass, baritone, etc). Gets Sing.

Painting: The Bard often has a distinct style but is conversant in the use of all types of paints and techniques. Gets Art: Painting.

Drawing: Includes the use of pencils, pens, charcoal, etc. Gets Art: Drawing.

Sculpting: The Bard can create lifelike statues from a variety of materials. Gets Art: Sculpting.

Computer Graphics: The Bard has a superb understanding of the principles behind creating computer graphics and is familiar with a wide variety of programs for creating such graphics. Gets Computer Operations and Art.

Tumbler: A superb gymnast who has focused on their tumbling skills to the point where it's an art form. Gets Gymnastics or tumbling.

Martial Artist: Has studied martial arts extensively to the point that it's an art form. Gets 1 martial art form from Ninjas & Superspies or Mystic China. Counts as two mediums and in addition costs 2 secondary skills.

4. Bonuses: All Bards get +3 to save vs. Dream Manipulation / Combat and +1 to save vs. possession and insanity.

 

Alignment: Any

Attribute Requirements: IQ and ME of 13 or higher

PCC Skills:

Native Language and Literacy: 98%

Basic Mathematics: +30%

Streetwise: +10%

Pilot: Select 1

Domestic: Choose 2

Technical: Choose 2 Lores

WP: Select 2

Hand to Hand: Expert

Hand to hand: expert can be changed to martial arts at the cost of 1 other skill.

 

Other Skills: Select 5 other skills.

Communications: Any

Domestic: Any (+5%)

Electrical: None

Espionage: Any except sniper and tracking

Mechanical: Automotive only

Medical: First Aid and Holistic Medicine only

Military: None

Physical: Any (+5% when applicable)

Pilot: Boat, Motorcycle or Truck only

Pilot Related Skills: Navigation only

Rogue: Any

Science: Any

Technical: Any

WP: Any

Wilderness: Any

 

Secondary Skills: The character also gets to choose 3 secondary skills at level one. In addition, the character can select 1 skill at levels 3, 6, 9, 12 and 15.

 

Equipment: Varies with background. Often has supplies suitable for their specialties (instruments, art supplies, camera, etc). May have an old car or motorcycle.

 

Money: 1D10x100 dollars in cash in addition to 1D6x1000 in various possessions.

Bard Experience Table:

1:  0000   - 2500
2:  2501   - 5000
3:  5001   - 10000
4:  10001  - 20000
5:  20001  - 30000
6:  30001  - 50000
7:  50001  - 80000
8:  80001  - 120000
9:  120001 - 170000
10: 170001 - 225000
11: 225001 - 275000
12: 275001 - 350000
13: 350001 - 420000
14: 420001 - 520000
15: 520001 - 700000