Oh, boy, where to even start? There are so many mechanics that I feel weren't developed properly in Skyrim... First of all, the Bards College really disappointed me at first, then I realised that "rumor" quests you get at inns can be started by various other means... However, I decided Bethesda couldn't stop me, I want to play a Bard, even if I can't play the lute in-game! Next, I noticed that illusion is practically only used for super sneak builds, but I wanted a build that uses illusion mid-fight to stop enemies on their tracks instead of using it as just a diversion or means to become invisible. Finally, I wanted a build that felt like a true jack-of-all-trades, used no crafting and was centered on exploration, which led me to create:
THE WANDERING BARD
Lore: The Bard was born in Cyrodiil, his family lived in a cabin in the middle of the woods near Chorrol, where they kept to themselves and tried to stay away from the war. His father was a respected veteran wounded in battle, and every night, before dinner, they would both sit by the fire and the old soldier would tell tales of bravery, adventure, and sorrow to his son. The boy grew enamored with the idea of traveling and, perhaps, being able to share his own stories with all of his minor siblings, however, his parents insisted he was to stay at the cabin no matter what, "the outside is a dangerous place, please, stay here where you are safe" they would say to him.
One day, while exploring the cabin's attic, he found a crumpled piece of paper that contained an ancient poem; "The Voice of the Emperor" it was called. From that day on, that old sheet was his most valuable treasure, he would read it to himslef over and over until he was able to learn it by heart. On a faithful night, one of his younger sisters fell ill with a feever, his parents did all they could, but the girl would get no rest. The bard sat to her side for whole days telling jokes and his father's best stories, but the feever wouldn't fade, that was, until the bard said to his sister:
"I want to tell you a story, young one..."
"But I have heard them all, big brother, the jokes aren't funny anymore, and your talk of war scares me"
"This one is different; it is a sonet, just for you!"
The girl gasped, excited, as she urged her brother to sing for her. The boy recited "The Voice of the Emperor", and, when he finished, she went into a deep slumber, all of her body rested for the night, and in the morning, she was cured.
When the Bard realized what happened, he wasn't able to take it anymore; he wanted to roam the land and discover all the beautiful works of literature he could, write his own if he was able! And so, bidding farewell to a crying mother and a proud father, we took one of the soldier's old swords and traveled. And wherever he went, the taverns bursted in laughter after he told his jokes, in applause when he spoke of the dangers of the road, and in tears, when he told the stories of sorrow.
The road led him to Skyrim, where he was made prisoner on the border, and so, our story begins...
Race: Imperial (However, you can choose whatever and make your own backstory!).
Stats: 2:1:1
Stone: Lover, once your stats are high enough, go for the Attronach Stone.
Mayor Skills: Illusion, Restoration, One-Handed.
Minor Skills: Speach, Block, Sneak, Pickpocket.
Gear: Any set of clothes that looks good to you, Dawnbreaker.
Spells: Grand healing, pacify, rout, rally, frenzy, turn greater undead.
Shouts: Marked for death, become aetherial, throw voice, animal allegiance, disarm.
GAMEPLAY
The bard is a nimble fighter, he can go solo, or choose a companion for his travels, I particularly like Uthgerd the Unbroken, as she compensates for everything our build lacks and she fits our roleplay excelently. Your songs/poems consist of illusion spells (mystical songs) and restoration spells (prayers to the divines), you wield Dawnbreaker, as this build is naturally weak against dwemer and undead early on, and fire damage + the turn undead effect works wonders for us.
What i want you to do with this build is to forget about fast traveling and enjoy traveling through Skyrim, if you find wild beasts (damn bears), simply pacify them with an illusion spell and continue your way, if you reach bandits make them fight eachother and then finish them off, or let your follower do so. In fights, try not to focus only one oponent, rather, use "quick reflexes" and the nimble nature of a build with no armor to damage as many enemies as possible while staying out of harm, and use restoration to tend to any wounds you take in the process.
You have a lot of options each fight, so try to be as creative as possible, I'll leave some ideas in the "Special Moves" section, but ultimately, this is a build about being resourceful with all the tools at your disposition.
ROLEPLAYING
The bard will leave Helgen looking for a place to rest, after visiting Riverwood and finishing the two quests available there, he wil go to Whiterun, more specifically, the Bannered mare, where he will meet Uthgerd. I feel she fits perfectly in our story, as she is also anxious for adventure and challenges, and she has a dark past that we couldn't care less about, she will be our partner in crime, though I don't suggest marrying her, rather, having her as a friend throughout our adventures so that we can flirt with any ladies we encounter ;)
As I already said; forget about fast traveling, unless you find it extremely necessary, everytime you reach an inn, listen to all of the rumors you can, listen to some tunes with the local bard, pick a fight! My aim with this is to make taverns a fun space to be at, a source of quests, and not just the place you go to get the "well rested bonus", remember to buy some food (vegetable soup) for the road, and, of course, tons of mead (roleplay responsibly). The Bard is a wanderer, so try not to join factions, rather visit them for what they have to offer; the spells of the college of Winterhold, or some cool adventures with the companions.
Your approach should always be neutral, you are a moraly grey kind of guy, and try to have a relaxed, lighthearted attitude towards any situation you encounter.
Here are some great quests you should absolutely do, however, the best ones will be the ones you find along the road:
Main Quest: You couldn't be more eager to become the mythic Dragonborn and live the adventure that implies.
The Break of Dawn: Our only gear quest, the beacon to start the quest will appear randomly as we travel, so it fits perfectly.
Bards College: Duh.
Bard's Leap Summit: though not a quest by itself, it is a great moment to enjoy with this build.
A Night to Remember: ABSOLUTE MUST. This is one of the funniest quests in Skyrim and one of my personal favorites, and it fits the build amazingly.
Black Book: Untold Legend: (Thanks to Phil for reminding me of this one) Once we manage to travel to Solstheim, this quest will be our go-to one, we will. of course, choose Bardic Knoledge as a reward.
REPERTOIRE (SPECIAL MOVES)
Emperor's Cease Fire: (Emperor's Voice + Misdirection/Disarm), the Bard doesn't realy want to fight this time... So, calm all humanoid foes and take their weapons from them.
Tavern Brawl: (Emperor's Cease Fire + Marked for Death + Frenzy), after disaming hostiles, the Bard decides to play a bloody tune, transforming any dungeon or bandit camp into a tavern brawl, in which he participates himself! With the unfair advantage from Marked for Death, of course.
The Unbreakable: (Follower + Rally + Fear), an empowering tune boosts your ally's morale as their confidence alone frightens all enemies in sight.
None of my Business: (Throw voice + Frenzy + Become Aetherial), the Bard summons all enemies to a spot of his choosing, as they can't find them they become mad at each other and start fighting while the Bard simply enjoys the show from a first class seat.
The Victor's Duel: (Quick reflexes + Marked for Death), when a powerful enemy appears, the Bard will fight him honorably, crossing steel with them using his nimble fight style to win this duel to death.
That's it, guys! Hope you enjoy, and I am open to all suggestions you may have!
Oh, boy, where to even start? There are so many mechanics that I feel weren't developed properly in Skyrim... First of all, the Bards College really disappointed me at first, then I realised that "rumor" quests you get at inns can be started by various other means... However, I decided Bethesda couldn't stop me, I want to play a Bard, even if I can't play the lute in-game! Next, I noticed that illusion is practically only used for super sneak builds, but I wanted a build that uses illusion mid-fight to stop enemies on their tracks instead of using it as just a diversion or means to become invisible. Finally, I wanted a build that felt like a true jack-of-all-trades, used no crafting and was centered on exploration, which led me to create:
THE WANDERING BARD
Lore: The Bard was born in Cyrodiil, his family lived in a cabin in the middle of the woods near Chorrol, where they kept to themselves and tried to stay away from the war. His father was a respected veteran wounded in battle, and every night, before dinner, they would both sit by the fire and the old soldier would tell tales of bravery, adventure, and sorrow to his son. The boy grew enamored with the idea of traveling and, perhaps, being able to share his own stories with all of his minor siblings, however, his parents insisted he was to stay at the cabin no matter what, "the outside is a dangerous place, please, stay here where you are safe" they would say to him.
One day, while exploring the cabin's attic, he found a crumpled piece of paper that contained an ancient poem; "The Voice of the Emperor" it was called. From that day on, that old sheet was his most valuable treasure, he would read it to himslef over and over until he was able to learn it by heart. On a faithful night, one of his younger sisters fell ill with a feever, his parents did all they could, but the girl would get no rest. The bard sat to her side for whole days telling jokes and his father's best stories, but the feever wouldn't fade, that was, until the bard said to his sister:
"I want to tell you a story, young one..."
"But I have heard them all, big brother, the jokes aren't funny anymore, and your talk of war scares me"
"This one is different; it is a sonet, just for you!"
The girl gasped, excited, as she urged her brother to sing for her. The boy recited "The Voice of the Emperor", and, when he finished, she went into a deep slumber, all of her body rested for the night, and in the morning, she was cured.
When the Bard realized what happened, he wasn't able to take it anymore; he wanted to roam the land and discover all the beautiful works of literature he could, write his own if he was able! And so, bidding farewell to a crying mother and a proud father, we took one of the soldier's old swords and traveled. And wherever he went, the taverns bursted in laughter after he told his jokes, in applause when he spoke of the dangers of the road, and in tears, when he told the stories of sorrow.
The road led him to Skyrim, where he was made prisoner on the border, and so, our story begins...
Race: Imperial (However, you can choose whatever and make your own backstory!).
Stats: 2:1:1
Stone: Lover, once your stats are high enough, go for the Attronach Stone.
Mayor Skills: Illusion, Restoration, One-Handed.
Minor Skills: Speach, Block, Sneak, Pickpocket.
Gear: Any set of clothes that looks good to you, Dawnbreaker.
Spells: Grand healing, pacify, rout, rally, frenzy, turn greater undead.
Shouts: Marked for death, become aetherial, throw voice, animal allegiance, disarm.
GAMEPLAY
The bard is a nimble fighter, he can go solo, or choose a companion for his travels, I particularly like Uthgerd the Unbroken, as she compensates for everything our build lacks and she fits our roleplay excelently. Your songs/poems consist of illusion spells (mystical songs) and restoration spells (prayers to the divines), you wield Dawnbreaker, as this build is naturally weak against dwemer and undead early on, and fire damage + the turn undead effect works wonders for us.
What i want you to do with this build is to forget about fast traveling and enjoy traveling through Skyrim, if you find wild beasts (damn bears), simply pacify them with an illusion spell and continue your way, if you reach bandits make them fight eachother and then finish them off, or let your follower do so. In fights, try not to focus only one oponent, rather, use "quick reflexes" and the nimble nature of a build with no armor to damage as many enemies as possible while staying out of harm, and use restoration to tend to any wounds you take in the process.
You have a lot of options each fight, so try to be as creative as possible, I'll leave some ideas in the "Special Moves" section, but ultimately, this is a build about being resourceful with all the tools at your disposition.
ROLEPLAYING
The bard will leave Helgen looking for a place to rest, after visiting Riverwood and finishing the two quests available there, he wil go to Whiterun, more specifically, the Bannered mare, where he will meet Uthgerd. I feel she fits perfectly in our story, as she is also anxious for adventure and challenges, and she has a dark past that we couldn't care less about, she will be our partner in crime, though I don't suggest marrying her, rather, having her as a friend throughout our adventures so that we can flirt with any ladies we encounter ;)
As I already said; forget about fast traveling, unless you find it extremely necessary, everytime you reach an inn, listen to all of the rumors you can, listen to some tunes with the local bard, pick a fight! My aim with this is to make taverns a fun space to be at, a source of quests, and not just the place you go to get the "well rested bonus", remember to buy some food (vegetable soup) for the road, and, of course, tons of mead (roleplay responsibly). The Bard is a wanderer, so try not to join factions, rather visit them for what they have to offer; the spells of the college of Winterhold, or some cool adventures with the companions.
Your approach should always be neutral, you are a moraly grey kind of guy, and try to have a relaxed, lighthearted attitude towards any situation you encounter.
Here are some great quests you should absolutely do, however, the best ones will be the ones you find along the road:
Main Quest: You couldn't be more eager to become the mythic Dragonborn and live the adventure that implies.
The Break of Dawn: Our only gear quest, the beacon to start the quest will appear randomly as we travel, so it fits perfectly.
Bards College: Duh.
Bard's Leap Summit: though not a quest by itself, it is a great moment to enjoy with this build.
A Night to Remember: ABSOLUTE MUST. This is one of the funniest quests in Skyrim and one of my personal favorites, and it fits the build amazingly.
Black Book: Untold Legend: (Thanks to Phil for reminding me of this one) Once we manage to travel to Solstheim, this quest will be our go-to one, we will. of course, choose Bardic Knoledge as a reward.
REPERTOIRE (SPECIAL MOVES)
Emperor's Cease Fire: (Emperor's Voice + Misdirection/Disarm), the Bard doesn't realy want to fight this time... So, calm all humanoid foes and take their weapons from them.
Tavern Brawl: (Emperor's Cease Fire + Marked for Death + Frenzy), after disaming hostiles, the Bard decides to play a bloody tune, transforming any dungeon or bandit camp into a tavern brawl, in which he participates himself! With the unfair advantage from Marked for Death, of course.
The Unbreakable: (Follower + Rally + Fear), an empowering tune boosts your ally's morale as their confidence alone frightens all enemies in sight.
None of my Business: (Throw voice + Frenzy + Become Aetherial), the Bard summons all enemies to a spot of his choosing, as they can't find them they become mad at each other and start fighting while the Bard simply enjoys the show from a first class seat.
The Victor's Duel: (Quick reflexes + Marked for Death), when a powerful enemy appears, the Bard will fight him honorably, crossing steel with them using his nimble fight style to win this duel to death.
That's it, guys! Hope you enjoy, and I am open to all suggestions you may have!
