Bard Sage Abilities

Bard sage abilities outlines those sage abilities relating to the bard class. Each bard must select an artistic form, as this determines the field of knowledge they will pursue.

These greatly expands the concept of a bard as a "musician" to that of any sort of artist engaged in any creative venture. While it's understood that bards were medieval lyrical performers, the use of the term for D&D is a convenience, so that all the various concepts and directions described below can be ascribed to a single character class.

Scale of Knowledge

The below is given some sense through understanding that it's largely for the benefit of non-player characters. These descriptions provide a rich foundation for roleplaying, making interactions with bards, scholars, collectors and artists more immersive and nuanced. The excess detail gives DMs tools to flesh out guildmasters, artisans and academics, allowing them to be more than just background figures. Whether it's an art dealer running a high-stakes auction, a rogue using their black market connections to smuggle a stolen masterpiece or a professor of music debating the merits of opera with a noble patron, these studies help shape realistic social dynamics in the game.

Therefore, it isn't expected that we'll have players who will want to run most of these "character types" as their own, but rather that these studies will mainly appeal to those with a genuine enthusiasm for the subject matter. A player deeply invested in textiles, metalwork or gastronomy may find satisfaction in developing a character who embodies their real-world knowledge — but for most, these skills serve as background details rather than defining traits. Those who do pursue them will likely be drawn to the roleplaying opportunities they provide — whether as a master craftsman seeking royal patronage, a playwright navigating the politics of the stage or a scholar uncovering lost artistic traditions — rather than for any mechanical advantage in gameplay.

Acquiring Fields & Studies

Unlike other classes, bards have access to a wide range of knowledge, with sixteen distinct fields available to them. These are divided into two main groups. Artistic fields encompass the fourteen creative disciplines central to the bardic tradition, while general fields represent two institutional disciplines — one dedicated to the commerce of art, the other to its instruction.

Upon reaching 1st level, a bard selects one of these fields as their primary area of expertise and then chooses a study within that field.

As the bard gains experience, they acquire a new study within their existing fields every four levels after 1st — at 5th, 9th, 13th and so on.

Additionally, at 6th level and every five levels thereafter (11th, 17th, etc.), the bard may choose an entirely new field, whether artistic or general.

Because of the sheer breadth of bardic knowledge, bards do not receive knowledge points in every possible field. Instead, points are earned only in their chosen artistic field and in both of the general fields (Art World and Instruction). For example, a bard who selects Dance as their primary field will gain knowledge points in its four studies, along with points in Art World and Instruction — but they will not automatically gain knowledge in any other artistic discipline.

It is also possible for a bard to specialise in the Art World or Instruction as their primary field, but this comes with a tradeoff: they would not gain knowledge points in any artistic field at all.

Beyond their chosen field, bards are also assumed to "dabble" in various disciplines. This allows them to select three additional studies from outside their primary field. However, they may not choose more than one study per other field. These studies grant a smaller amount of knowledge per level, though the bard can later invest more into them by selecting the field in which they belong.

When a bard begins play, they are awarded 12 knowledge points in their chosen specialty study. For all other studies within that field, they roll 1d8-1, producing a result between 0 and 7. The bard then rolls 1d4-1 for their general studies and the three outside studies they dabble in.

Once a bard accumulates 10 knowledge points in a study, they become an amateur in that discipline. At 30 points, they advance to authority status. 60 points elevate them to expert, while 100 points grant them the title of sage.

Due to the physical demands of many artistic disciplines, minimum dexterity requirements apply to some fields. Circus requires 15 dexterity, while Dance and Puppetry require 14. Music has a minimum of 11, while Ceramics, Fine Art and Woodwork require 10. Acting has the lowest requirement at 8, while Architecture, Gastronomy, Leathercraft, Literature, Metalwork and Textiles require at least 6 dexterity.

Artistic Fields & Studies

Architecture

Architecture includes the planning, designing and constructing of buildings and other structures, for the purpose of housing, defense, beauty and other benefits. The field covers every aspect, including homes, fortifications, temples, decoration, materials and town planning.

Architectural Aesthetics: the determination of cultural considerations involving the building's significance, social purpose, beauty and empirical effect upon the viewer. This includes the analysis of how proportion, style and ornamentation influence both perception and function within different architectural traditions.

Construction: the physical process of building structures, integrating surveying, excavation, masonry, carpentry, financial considerations, contracting and ongoing productivity of labour. A deep understanding of engineering principles allows for the efficient use of materials and workforce, ensuring structural integrity and longevity.

Fortification: the art of creating durability on both a small and grand scale, to promote the protection of physical features, habitations, military operations and whole regions. This includes designing walls, gates, moats and strongholds that resist siege weaponry, tunneling and other methods of assault.

Use of Building Materials: a knowledge of woods, stone and earths, along with their manipulation into ceramics and cement, that enables greater strength and flexibility in architectural design. Skilled application of materials determines not only the durability of a structure but also its resistance to environmental factors such as moisture, erosion and fire.

Ceramics

Ceramics enables the creation of vessels, objects and figurines made of clay that's hardened or sintered in fire. Ceramics includes many possible options for the structure, artistry and beauty of earthenware, porcelain and stoneware, enabling even the investment of magic into these objects.

Clay Masonry: the making and design of structural construction, including bricks, pipes, floor and roof tiles, as well as the making of kilns and metal or glass-making crucibles. This knowledge ensures the proper firing, shaping and placement of materials, allowing for structures that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing.

Clay Materials: a thorough study of silicas, ferrites, kaolin and other earths, enabling the character to search for and composite rare mediums for handicrafts and artistic expression. Proper selection and refinement of these materials determine the strength, colour and texture of the final ceramic product.

Glaze: decoration and artistic expression produced before and after the firing process, to create objects of fine distinction. This includes the application of mineral-based pigments, the use of specialised firing techniques and an understanding of chemical interactions to achieve desired finishes.

Modelling: the making of base objects from raw materials, such as ceramics and glass, with associated forms being earthenware, stoneware, porcelain and the like. This includes hand-building techniques, wheel-throwing and sculpting methods that shape raw clay into both functional and ornamental forms.

Circus

Circus provides the skills and diverse entertainment styles associated with physical achievements of amazement, daring, humour and the trained performance of animals. This collection of skills is designed to be put on display for a stunned and amused audience, blending spectacle with storytelling to captivate the masses.

Acrobatics (sage study): including gymnastics and aerial acts, a mix of extraordinary human feats of balance, agility and coordination; in some forms, the practice of acrobatics shares artistic components with dance. Mastery of controlled movement allows performers to execute daring stunts such as high-wire walking, tumbling and vaulting, often pushing the limits of human capability.

Animal Performance (sage study): the display and control of a menagerie of creatures, including large cats, camels, elephants, horses, donkeys, birds, bears, monkeys, cats, dogs and more. Skilled trainers use voice, gesture and reward systems to elicit stunning tricks, while maintaining the illusion of harmony between human and beast.

Clowning (sage study): possessing the classical features of the harlequin and the court jester, the act of inspiring laughter and merriment through foolishness, physical prowess and surprise. Through slapstick, mimicry and exaggerated movement, performers manipulate audience expectation, drawing comedy from well-timed mishaps and clever absurdity.

Daredevil (sage study): the performing of dangerous stunts and tricks to elicit a moment of terror from an audience, followed by relief and stunned respect for the magnificence of the performer's bravery and skill. Acts may include fire-jumping, knife-throwing, tightrope walking over deadly heights or feats of extreme bodily endurance, where every performance carries real risk.

Dance

Dance is a performing art form consisting of purposefully selected sequences of human movement, with aesthetic and symbolic value, designed for observers of a particular culture. Whether expressive, ritualistic or purely entertaining, dance serves as a physical language, conveying meaning through motion and rhythm.

Accompaniment (sage study): a skill at producing rhythm and music through the use of the body (clapping, calling or otherwise fashioning a beat) or musical instruments. Dancers with this skill enhance their own performance or provide the necessary cadence for others, ensuring precise synchronisation between movement and sound.

Danse Noble (sage study): a theatrical dance performed in royal courts and temples, containing elements of folk dancing, beauty of movement, tableaux or grotesque, in highly stylised fashion. Typically associated with aristocracy and ritual, these dances accenturate posture, controlled gestures and elaborate storytelling through carefully choreographed sequences.

Folk Dance (sage study): providing emphasis on group participation and the use of music and rhythm to evoke an emotional response from a large, involved audience. Rooted in tradition and often tied to seasonal festivals, folk dances celebrate shared identity, fostering a connection between performers and spectators alike.

Social Dance (sage study): the performance of dances enjoyed at social gatherings, such as the ballo, carol, stampita or saltarello, offering a style of performance as well as an emotional connection between dancers or between a dancer and a non-dancer. These dances serve both as entertainment and as a means of courtship, diplomacy or competition, with etiquette and technique playing a vital role in execution.

Drama

Dramatics includes the manner in which a story is told through presentation by an actor or actress, adopting a character within a play. This involves a broad range of skills and studies, with aspects affected by classical and medieval works, the present post-Elizabethan and Jacobean forms, opera and masques. The field explores the emotional depth of performance, the techniques of staging and the methods by which storytelling can influence an audience.

Acting (sage study): the art of expressivity, speech, improvisation, memory, interpretation and physicality. A trained actor learns to embody a role fully, using movement and voice to project personality, intent and emotion with precision and depth.

Direction (sage study): the act of organising and running a production, with expertise in managing talent and the finances of a dramatic performance. A director interprets scripts, choreographs stage movements and ensures cohesion between actors, scenery and music to create a compelling and unified performance.

Playwriting (sage study): the creation of preordained dialogue and performance to be employed by actors; the creation of dramatic content. This study focuses on structure, pacing, character development and the use of language to craft compelling stories suited for performance.

Stage Design (sage study): the process of bringing together artistry and the visual appearance of drama, with lighting, costumes, scenery and general staging of a production. A well-crafted stage environment enhances the mood and realism of a play, immersing the audience in the world of the performance.

Fine Art

Fine Art includes specifically those arts designed to produce a visual impact without any intent to create works for practical use. Often seen as the highest degree to which the imagination of the artist influences all genres of art, fine art captures human expression, culture and philosophy through crafted imagery and form.

Drawing (sage study): the means of making an image using pencil, pen and ink, charcoal, pastels and a variety of applied techniques to capture visual appearance on a flat surface. Includes arts relating to draughting, perspective studies and anatomical precision, all of which form the foundation for painting, printmaking and illustration.

Painting (sage study): the practice of applying pigment suspended in a binding agent (paint) to a surface such as paper, canvas or a wall. This combines aspects of drawing with composition, colour theory and the expressive possibilities of texture and layering to create works of great depth and emotional resonance.

Printmaking (sage study): a means of reproducing images on paper through the use of woodcuts, line engravings, etching, lithography and silkscreening. Extensive experience in print layout and pamphleteering allows the artist to craft multiple copies of their work, facilitating mass production of visual storytelling and information.

Sculpture (sage study): the carving and shaping of three-dimensional figures in stone, metals, ceramics, wood and other materials. Sculpture is central to religious devotion, aesthetic beauty and the representation of human emotion, creating statues and reliefs that endure across generations.

Gastronomy

Gastronomy examines the relationship between food and culture, the art of preparing and serving rich or delicate food and the study of healthy eating. It encompasses both the science and artistry of cooking, incorporating regional traditions, ingredients and techniques that define cuisine across different societies.

Baking (sage study): the creation of flour-based food readied in an oven, including bread, cookies, cakes, pastries and pies, as well as the arts surrounding the preparation of coffee and tea, most commonly associated with cafes. Mastering the precise combination of ingredients, leavening and temperature control ensures consistency in texture and flavor, allowing for the production of both simple sustenance and extravagant delicacies.

Brewing & Distilling (sage study): mastery of the arts of fermentation and condensation of liquid mixtures for the purpose of creating alcoholic beverages for pleasure. This includes the selection of grains, fruits or other fermentable materials, as well as the refinement of aging and flavoring processes to produce wines, ales, spirits and liqueurs.

Cuisine (sage study): the mastery of principal meals in a kitchen, ordering and purchasing of inventory and the preparation, practice and preservation of food. Understanding cooking methods, seasoning and presentation ensures meals are both nourishing and appealing, making this skill invaluable in taverns, noble households and grand feasts.

Leather Work

Leather work describes the making of unusual organic products from plants and animals, reaching well beyond the tanning and processing of leather. The study also incorporates many odd skills related to candle-making,perfumes, honey, opium, caviar and more. It represents both a craft and an industry, with applications ranging from functional armour to luxury goods.

Animal Products (sage study): the transformation of animal parts and products into useful and commercial goods. This includes everything from rendering fats into soaps and oils to preparing hides, bones and sinew for various practical and artistic uses.

Hides & Skins (sage study): the treatment and process underlying the transformation of skins and hides into leather, including skinning, tanning, tawing and the making of parchment. Knowledge of these processes allows for the production of durable and supple leather, suited for a variety of purposes from clothing to bookbinding.

Leather Armour (sage study): the fashioning of leather as a protective covering used to prevent damage from being inflicted by attacks during combat, for both humanoids and animal mounts. The proper selection, cutting and layering of hides enhance the durability and flexibility of armour, balancing protection with mobility.

Leather Clothing (sage study): the making of leather garments and gear for both practicality and high fashion, as well as protection against the elements. This includes everything from rugged travel cloaks to finely tooled accessories worn by nobility and performers.

Leathercraft (sage study): the practice of making animal skins and hides into objects of many forms, including a mastery over the methods of production and the use of leather for protection, as well as its use as an adornment for aesthetic appeal, dyeing, painting, carving, stamping and molding. Skilled leatherworkers create intricate patterns, embossed designs and sturdy functional goods that are both beautiful and practical.

Literature

Literature masters storytelling for the purpose of providing intellectual or artistic merit, as a means to enlighten, communicate or serve as a source of knowledge and reference for a literate audience. It encompasses the study of written and spoken narratives, analysing themes, structures and the cultural impact of storytelling across different societies.

Oral Tradition (sage study): the practice of telling stories or explaining natural phenomena from memory, without the use of written materials, through the use of story vocabulary. This tradition preserves myths, legends and histories, passing them from one generation to the next through skilled recitation and performance.

Poetry (sage study): the mastery of aesthetic and rhythmic qualities of language to evoke meanings in addition to, or in place of, the prosaic meaning of things. Possesses both written and oral traditions. Poets weave imagery, structure and sound into compositions meant to stir emotion, inspire action or celebrate events, often using meter and rhyme as tools of expression.

Prose (sage study): broadly referring to any written narrative that expresses the natural flow of speech, for the purpose of offering a personal point of view or recording intelligent knowledge and thought. Prose includes chronicles, essays and fictional storytelling, forming the foundation for written communication in scholarly, religious and entertainment contexts.

Rhetoric (sage study): the art of persuasion, studying the methods by which writers and speakers seek to inform, persuade or motivate particular audiences in specific situations. A skilled rhetorician understands how language, logic and emotion can be combined to craft compelling arguments, whether in political discourse, legal advocacy or public performance.

Metalwork

Metalwork describes working with metals to create individual objects, assemblies or large-scale structures. The field is perhaps the least aesthetic and most practical of all bardic skills, but each study retains artistic elements within its scope. It requires an understanding of metallurgy, the manipulation of heat and the shaping of materials into both functional and decorative forms.

Delicate Metalwork (sage study): providing skill at making and repairing jewellery, engraving, stone-setting, precision tools and other metal forms requiring a fine and meticulous mastery. The ability to craft detailed filigree, etch intricate designs and set gemstones enhances both decorative and religious objects, making this a highly valued skill.

Metal Armour (sage study): the mastery of making personal metal armour from puddled metals for humanoids and animals, using a forge, hammer and anvil. Includes slight skills in woodworking for the creation of helmet interiors and shield frames. The knowledge of balancing weight, shaping plates and reinforcing weak points ensures that the armour remains both protective and maneuverable.

Metalsmithing (sage study): the process of smelting and working metal through the manipulation of heat and blacksmithing, making common everyday objects and tools in various metals. This includes horseshoes, hinges, cookware and other practical goods, ensuring that settlements remain supplied with essential crafted items.

Weaponwright (sage study): the mastery of creating weapons from puddled metals, making knives, swords, axes and other blades using a forge, hammer and anvil, with slight skills in woodworking for knife and sword handles and leatherworking for sheaths. This discipline requires knowledge of balance, weight distribution and forging techniques to create weapons that are both deadly and durable.

Music

Music involves the creation and performance of music within the cultural and social context, as an important part of many people's way of life, regardless of their particular skill. Whether used for entertainment, ceremony or communication, music conveys emotion, history and identity through rhythm, melody and harmony.

Folk Music (sage study): the traditions, customs and superstitions of the uncultured classes, or music for the people as a whole, defined by ethnic and historical identity. A form that is easily accessible to those who have little musical skill. Often accompanied by simple instruments or vocal harmonies, folk music preserves oral traditions, passing down stories and shared experiences through generations.

Martial Music (sage study): a form of music intended for military settings, with bugle calls, fanfares, drum cadences and compositions designed to be taught by ear, for the inspiration of pomp and warfare. The rhythmic precision of martial music serves to unify troops, regulate marching and heighten morale before battle.

Opera (sage study): a form of musical theatre in which the story is told entirely through music, with aspects supported by political, religious and moral themes. Opera combines instrumental composition, vocal performance and dramatic staging to create an immersive and often grandiose experience.

Religious Music (sage study): music performed or composed for religious use or through religious influence; describes music that is performed or composed for ritual, or to raise the religious consciousness to beautify the gods. This includes hymns, chants and processional compositions intended to elevate spiritual experience and reinforce communal devotion.

Puppetry

Puppetry depicts a form of theatre that involves the making and manipulation of puppets and other inanimate objects, to create a dramatic performance. A very ancient form of theatre, puppets are seen as objects in rituals and as symbolic artifices. Their use can range from comedic entertainment to profound storytelling, offering a means to animate myths and historical narratives.

Effigy (sage study): the practice of investing figures and objects with spiritual existence and divine substance, even bringing to life objects that are normally inanimate. Similar, but not the same as dweomercraft, it is related to the making of golems. Effigies may serve as sacred idols, symbolic representations of spirits or vessels for magical energy in rituals.

Puppeteering (sage study): the practice of making a puppet appear alive, through various applications of strings, hands, the control of the space in which the puppet appears, diversion and mastery of the puppet's movement. Skilled puppeteers can create the illusion of thought and emotion in their figures, using precise gestures and synchronisation to captivate an audience.

Puppet-making (sage study): the creation of objects that appear alive, typically resembling something humanoid, made of various materials and designed to be manipulated by a variety of means. This includes carving marionettes, constructing shadow puppets and designing mechanical automata that can perform specific actions or gestures.

Textiles

Textiles includes the use of plant or animal fibres to construct everyday and ornamental clothing or arts. Includes multiple techniques used to embellish or decorate textiles, including dyeing, printing, knitting, tailoring, hooking and more. Textile work is integral to culture, social status and trade, as fine fabrics are often valued as luxuries or symbols of identity.

Cloth & Materials (sage study): a thorough study of fibres and the cloth-making process, from cultivation and care of plants and animals through the fulling and weaving of the cloth itself. Understanding the strengths and properties of different fibres allows for the creation of durable, breathable and decorative fabrics suited for various climates and uses.

Clothing (sage study): the making of cloth garments and gear for both practicality and high fashion, as well as for protection against the elements and other dangers (including combat). This includes pattern-making, sewing and tailoring, ensuring that garments are well-fitted, functional and reflective of cultural and personal style.

Embroidery & Print (sage study): including skills at making tapestries, carpets, tablecloths and drapery, coverlets and more, to provide comfort, grace and magnificence to living spaces and surfaces. Embroidery and textile printing serve as both decorative and symbolic arts, incorporating elaborate designs, family crests and religious iconography.

Theatrical Costuming (sage study): a style of dress peculiar to the performance of theatre or opera, to contribute to the fullness of the artistic, visual world that is imaginatively created. Theatrical costume makers balance authenticity, movement and dramatic effect, ensuring that each piece enhances the performance's narrative and atmosphere.

Woodworking

Woodworking includes the activity and skill of making objects, furniture and large-scale structures out of wood. Includes the dyeing, staining and polishing of veneer and the use of resins as glues and ornamentation. The versatility of wood allows for practical construction, decorative carving and the development of intricate mechanical devices.

Engines (sage study): a skill in creating large machines, wind and water mills, rolling wagons, chariots, siege engines and religious apparati, for practical use, martial destruction and festive celebration. The study involves knowledge of structural stability, balance and mechanics to ensure efficient functionality and durability.

Joinery (sage study): the act of joining pieces of wood together to make complex items such as furniture, cabinets, timber framing and additional creations associated with carpentry. Joiners master the art of seamless construction, using interlocking joints and adhesives to create strong, enduring wooden structures.

Shipbuilding (sage study): the construction of ships and other floating vessels, often viewed as works of magnificence and art, for practical haulage and as weapons of war. This study involves the selection of timber, the crafting of watertight hulls and an understanding of hydrodynamics to ensure seaworthiness and efficiency.

Turning (sage study): the craft of using a lathe and chisel to carve or fashion wood into a variety of imaginative or useful objects, for both practical and aesthetic merit. The study includes the use of a cutting knife to create figurines and other sculptures from wood. Skilled turners can produce everything from delicate ornamentation to functional items such as bowls, spindles and tool handles.

General Fields & Studies

Art World

Art World describes the overarching network of persons producing, commissioning, presenting, preserving, promoting, criticising and selling art of every kind. Within are untold numbers of hidden or obscured subcultures, with their own art markets and design movements, each driven by overlapping motives and ideals. The field represents both the legitimate and illicit forces shaping artistic legacy, from royal patrons to underground collectors.

Auctionhouse: the institution that exists to buy and sell artistic works, appraise the value of works, recognise and expose forgeries, and provide a liaison between artists and the public. Mastery of this study allows one to navigate the delicate balance of prestige and commerce, ensuring art is placed in the hands of those who can appreciate — or profit from — it.

Black Market: the underground movement, forgery, illegal sale and fencing of stolen art, acting as a shadow house of sale for works that cannot be sold at auction due to their illegality. Understanding this field grants knowledge of hidden networks, counterfeit artistry and the ways in which stolen pieces are laundered into noble collections.

Patronage: the act of appealing to and receiving financial support and ongoing commissions from members of the elite, be they merchants, nobles, religious leaders or persons of questionable motives. Those skilled in patronage understand the intricate dance of influence, ensuring their works — and their livelihoods — are safeguarded by those with power.

Salon

Salon provides an institutional conference for the promotion of artworks of refined taste, where philosophy and artistic merit are debated, defined and established for the benefit and education of the elite. These gatherings shape the direction of artistic movements, granting prestige to those whose works are deemed worthy of acclaim.

College (sage study): an institution and source of support for artists of a particular form, established throughout the world as a means of teaching and receiving financial support for the democratic spread of artistic skills and philosophy. Artists trained in these environments gain access to structured mentorship, critical feedback and resources that elevate their craft.

Instruction (sage study): the collection of skills and management of art students and practitioners endlessly seeking to increase the measure of their skills through associations and mutual regard. Those trained in instruction develop methods to teach their discipline effectively, shaping future generations of artists and scholars.

Research (sage study): pursuing the creative and systematic approaches to understanding the art of others, allowing the reclaiming of culture, documentation, artistic works and lost treasures of the world. This study grants expertise in uncovering forgotten techniques, authenticating ancient masterpieces and deciphering the coded messages often hidden within artistic works.

See Bard