Truly, the pen is mightier than the sword. Just think of how many people have been sent to their deaths at the stroke of a pen, how many marriages have crumbled because of a romantic poem, and how many plans have been ruined due to a clever lie. Those who pursue the subtle arts of bardic lore understand the true value of people, wielding inspiration like a blade and intrigue like a shield. With a pen in your hand, a sword on you belt, and a song (or perhaps a maiden) on your lips, how will you write your own legend?
Examples of BardicLore characters include: A witty jester entertains the king with his jokes, all while subtly influencing the wealthy elite A bright-eyed bard travels the land, learning new legends and singing songs of lost heroes With his rapier and his feathered cap, a dashing swashbuckler is a danger to seedy criminals and lovelorn maidens... but for very different reasons Bardic Lore Boost Morale (Bardic Lore | Combat) Effects
When you rest for the night, you can bolster each of your present allies to do something during the next day. Decide immediately what they're bolstered to do Descriptions
exaggerating the day's adventures cracking jokes playing tunes telling a story keeping spirits high Duel (Bardic Lore | Combat) Effects
You can challenge someone to a duel. Others can't interfere with your duel until one of you wins the duel Descriptions
telling them to prepare to die challenging them clashing swords and grinning at each other Feint (Bardic Lore | Combat) Effects
You can make someone hesitate, flinch, or suffer a moment of doubt Descriptions
surprising them with impressive swordplay insulting their mother upstaging them mocking them Flair for the Dramatic (Bardic Lore | Combat) Effects
Whenever things take a turn for the worse and you're in serious danger, you're bolstered Descriptions
spitting out blood and laughing showing your fighting spirit improvising a last-ditch effort Examples
Serious Danger
some of your allies have been defeated you're falling to your doom you're surrounded Inspire (Bardic Lore | Combat) Effects
You can bolster an ally to fight Descriptions
giving a riveting speech encouraging others performing singing a tune playing an instrument Raise Spirits (Bardic Lore | Combat) Effects
Alcoholic drinks heal you as if they're healing potions (refer to the Alchemy theme), except they give you the condition "Drunk" instead of "Hungry and Tired" Descriptions
drinking to dull the pain celebrating with a cold one chugging being a typical adventurer Examples
Drinks
a bottle of wine a massive stein of ale a flask of liquor a line of shots a few mixed drinks Steal the Spotlight (Bardic Lore | Combat) Effects
Collaborate on how you charge this trait. Spend the charge to steal the GM's Bad Tale and turn it into a Good Tale Descriptions
shouting over them ding something dramatic countering them in a spectacular display Examples
Charge
do something unnecessarily risky gain a crowd's attention steal all the credit gain a reputation Swashbuckler (Bardic Lore | Combat) Effects
Gain the defense "Swashbuckler ☐☐" Mark it when you suffer a Bad Tale while taking unnecessary risks Descriptions
flair and panache leaping head-first into danger your devil-may-care attitude laughing Examples
Unnecessary Risks
swinging over a lava pit fighting on a ledge insulting a deity trying to ride a dragon According to Legend (Bardic Lore | Exploration) Effects
When you start a quest or enter a new region, tell the GM that according to legend, something powerful exists in the area. The GM will give you a cryptic clue about where to find it. If you find the source of the clue, you locate the legendary power Descriptions
sharing a story you heard mentioning a rumor putting together clues from history books Examples
Clue
where two trees intertwine the deepest and darkest part of the cave surrounded by a thousand corpses Power lost treasure magic shrine portal to another world underground dungeon unhatched dragon eggs Comedy and Tragedy (Bardic Lore | Exploration) Effects
Show your gaming group a "Comedy and Tragedy" token. At any point, give it to the GM to tell a free Good Tale; take it from the GM to have the GM tell a free Bad Tale. Start each session with the token in your possession Descriptions
how your fortune turns an exciting plot twist a shift in tone poetic justice how fate intervenes Dramatic Entry (Bardic Lore | Exploration) Effects
When you make a dramatic, flashy, or dangerous entrance, you're bolstered to do anything. If a lot of people watched your entrance, you're bolstered again Descriptions
swinging in on a rope walking out of an explosion riding in on a unicorn kicking down the doors Jack-of-All-Trades (Bardic Lore | Exploration) Effects
You can gain any trait as a temporary trait (max 1). Collaborate on how that trait is flawed Descriptions
pulling an ace out of your sleeve getting beginner's luck improvising seeing your training pay off Examples
Flaws
it's imprecise and messy it's exhausting it's less potent you need a special tool it's loud and obvious Story Teller (Bardic Lore | Exploration) Effects
While investigating something, you can announce that you heard an interesting story about it. Everyone at the gaming table quickly decides how much time they want to devote to an interlude (refer to chapter 6). GM an interlude. Whatever happens in the interlude is what actually happened with whatever you were investigating Descriptions
telling a story around a campfire recalling a local legend telling your friends a tale at a tavern A Night to Forget (Bardic Lore | Interaction) Effects
Whenever you engage in drunken revelry, you can announce it's a night to forget. The GM tells you where you wake up and gives you 1 condition. Write on your character sheet that you have 1 fuzzy memory (max 5). Cross off a fuzzy memory to suddenly remember what you did that night, and how your actions that night somehow benefit your current situation Descriptions
buying drinks for everyone going bar hopping visiting the brothel throwing a wild party Examples
Benefits
you've been here before you seduced the evil villain there's a magic item in your pocket Cameo (Bardic Lore | Interaction) Effects
When you earn an NPC's respect and goodwill, write their name on your character sheet. Cross of their name to have them show up Descriptions
bumping into them randomly them saving you in the knick of time spotting them in a crowd Fame and Infamy (Bardic Lore | Interaction) Effects
Collaborate on a reputation for yourself (it doesn't have to be true). Whenever you like, others know your reputation, believe at least part of it, and act accordingly Descriptions
showing a signature scar or tattoo giving your full name saying "don't you know who i am?" Examples
Reputations
assassin who never fails magically cursed the land's greatest duelist a legend in the bedroom First Impressions (Bardic Lore | Interaction) Effects
When you first meet someone, the GM must answer 1 question about them Descriptions
reading their body language going with your instincts getting a general vibe noticing a detail Honeyed Words (Bardic Lore | Interaction) Effects
You are far more charming and convincing. You can sweet-talk others to do things that they would normally refuse. Collaborate on how your charm exceeds normal limitations Descriptions
giving an impassioned speech calling in a favor subtly manipulating someone being charming Rumors (Bardic Lore | Interaction) Effects
At any point, you can have the GM tell you 2 facts and 1 lie about whatever you're investigating Descriptions
overhearing gossip trading for information remembering rumors you heard while in town Small World (Bardic Lore | Interaction) Effects
You can recognize an NPC as an old acquaintance. Explain how you know each other and how they feel about you Descriptions
recognizing your old stomping grounds looking up an address hearing so-and-so is in town Examples
Old Acquaintance
drinking buddy cousin former adventuring partner old flame business partner Wingman (Bardic Lore | Interaction) Effects
When you enter someone's good graces, bolster an ally to socialize with that person Descriptions
chatting up your friend telling them what to say lightening the mood making introductions Villainous Monologue (Bardic Lore | Interaction) Effects
You can make someone start rambling about whatever's important to them until they reveal too much Descriptions
letting them think they've won buying them a drink shouting "you'll never get away with this!" 
