Where a character is so inclined, they can try to perform and earn a living for themselves in between adventures. This will usually be in the form of a musical performance, but characters can use their imagination and undertake a multitude of activities to put on a show!
With DTDM agreement, Bardic Performance can be done anywhere there's a suitable population or temporary gathering to provide an audience and a source of payment – usually a tavern or dedicated performance venue.
To earn a living, the character will need to spend a Light DTA slot in the venue, carrying out performances over multiple nights. Characters will also need to have proficiency and access to something to perform with, as well as talk their way into being allowed to perform at their chosen venue. A Narrative justification and the DTDMs approval is needed for that.
Once ready Characters will need to make a Charisma (Performance) Check. The DC for this check, which is rolled by DTDMs, will reflect how well-received they are by the audience at the chosen venue as detailed in the Bardic Venues table. If successful, the character will earn enough money from the venue to cover their Lifestyle Expenses for the week up to the same Lifestyle cost as allowed by the venue.
Characters carrying out this DTA with a trained pet might gain extra benefits. See the commands descriptions in the Pet Training section for details.
Optionally, characters may decide to perform as part of a band. To do this, there must be a minimum of two characters in the band, all participating characters will need to spend 1 Light DTA slot and be available at the same venue. Each character will then make a Charisma (Performance) Check against the same DC. Playing as a band means you succeed together, or fail together! If half or more of the band members pass the check, each member earns their living expenses. If more than half fail the check, none of the members earns their living expenses.
A Band of Two
A band of two members will require both members of the band to pass the Charisma (Performance) DTA Check to be successful.
Venue | Audience DC | Location | Maximum Lifestyle Covered | Earnings |
Red House | 2d10+3 | Daring Heights | Squalid | 5gp |
Hung Rabbit | 2d10+5 | Daring Heights | Poor | 8gp |
Cavernous Seashank | 2d10+5 | Port Ffirst | Poor | 8gp |
The Cat and Badger | 2d10+5 | New Hillborrow | Poor | 8gp |
M'sh'ls | 2d10+5 | Kundar | Poor | 8gp |
Three Headed Dragon | 2d10+7 | Daring Heights | Modest | 11gp |
The Great Hall | 2d10+7 | Fort Ettin | Modest | 11gp |
Four Fair Winds | 2d10+9 | Daring Heights | Comfortable | 14gp |
The Thirsty Dragon | 2d10+9 | Port Ffirst | Comfortable | 14gp |
Hearth and Road | 2d10+9 | New Hillborrow | Comfortable | 14gp |
Gilded Mirror | 2d10+11 | Daring Heights | Wealthy | 17gp |
Flourished Hook | 2d10+11 | Port Ffirst | Wealthy | 17gp |
Characters can repeat this activity again on the same DT week, undertaking extra performances either to make up for the success of the first attempt, or to earn some extra spending money on top of their living expenses.
Characters wishing to do this may simply repeat the activity, following the usual rules making a new check against a new DC. If they are successful for the second time in the same DT week, characters earn gold as detailed in the Bardic Venues table.
The life of a performer can be a tough one. Whether you are struggling to find or gig or fending off adoring fans, one thing is clear: it is not all smooth songs and smoother lines to sway the crowds. Each time you perform, there is a chance something could go wrong. For every Bardic Performance DTA carried out, there is a 10% chance for complication.
d6 | Complication |
1 | One of your song choices upsets a patron who starts a fight. You get out without injury but earned yourself a name as a trouble maker. You will need to talk your way back into performing again (DC = 2d10 + 5) |
2 | You get a little too enthusiastic during the last performance and accidentally break a few things around the tavern. Before you can perform again, you will need to pay 5d10 gp for repairs |
3 | Someone has been impersonating you and taking the credit for your work, and your earnings! Any earnings you had this week have been lost. |
4 | You have been upstaged! The act before you completely steals the show leaving your performance somewhat forgettable at best. Your performance check for this performance suffers a −3 modifier. |
5 | Your fan base has become somewhat of a nuisance. The tavern you performed in has decided enough is enough and has barred you from performing here again until they can behave themselves. You will not be allowed to perform at this tavern again for 1d4 weeks. |
6 | Scandal! Whatever you did in that last performance has ruffled some feathers and now you have made a name for yourself in town. No one in town is willing to have you perform again until they are sure there won't be another incident like last time! You will not be able to perform in this town again for 1d4 DT weeks. |