Is this a skill that defines the character? Is it something that you can imagine them without? Finn has finally become what he would acknowledge as a bard. He has mastered singing, the lute, and musical composition. He has also studied history and linguistics to help him write and learn music from other cultures. I am not planning to get him ethnomusicology as a skill because he's not that scholarly about it, but he knows his stuff. If he ever loses his singing voice, it will be a blow from which he likely never recovers.
How often do they use the skill? If it is something used infrequently, it is likely not a candidate for Grandmaster. Though I don't write him practicing every day, he does warm up his voice and practice things. He also takes good care of his voice, and knows enough about the anatomy to keep his instrument healthy. He no longer has to sing for his supper, but even as a prince's lover and a Silver Sentinel, he continues to perform.
What efforts has the character put into developing their own perspective and unique approach to using the skill? What is their trademark use of it? Whenever he meets a musician from another culture, he tries to learn from them. He has stretched what his voice can do, while also knowing his inherent strengths and weaknesses. He has taught voice (to Arry in Kalzasi), sharing what he has found helpful with someone else. He is also learning how to weave Mesmer into it as they do in Solunarium. Between this and his Emblem of Majesty, he is working toward rebuilding the Leh'anafel from ancient Sol'Valen.
Is this a skill that others immediately attribute to the character? If not, consider fostering a reputation involving its use. He has been a minstrel since I started playing him several years ago. People have been calling him bard since before he acknowledged himself as one. Even now that he is famous for being a prince's lover, he has performed for huge audiences in Solunarium, larger than ever before.
How have you used the skill in your writing to impact not just your own character but others? First meetings with new characters are often at his performances (the most recent being with Læbirius). He has written and performed music on commission for other voices (Arry), based on a Symphony-deep understanding of a person (Aoren), and given performances as sacrifices to Gods. His music is almost always how he impacts others.
How often do they use the skill? If it is something used infrequently, it is likely not a candidate for Grandmaster. Though I don't write him practicing every day, he does warm up his voice and practice things. He also takes good care of his voice, and knows enough about the anatomy to keep his instrument healthy. He no longer has to sing for his supper, but even as a prince's lover and a Silver Sentinel, he continues to perform.
What efforts has the character put into developing their own perspective and unique approach to using the skill? What is their trademark use of it? Whenever he meets a musician from another culture, he tries to learn from them. He has stretched what his voice can do, while also knowing his inherent strengths and weaknesses. He has taught voice (to Arry in Kalzasi), sharing what he has found helpful with someone else. He is also learning how to weave Mesmer into it as they do in Solunarium. Between this and his Emblem of Majesty, he is working toward rebuilding the Leh'anafel from ancient Sol'Valen.
Is this a skill that others immediately attribute to the character? If not, consider fostering a reputation involving its use. He has been a minstrel since I started playing him several years ago. People have been calling him bard since before he acknowledged himself as one. Even now that he is famous for being a prince's lover, he has performed for huge audiences in Solunarium, larger than ever before.
How have you used the skill in your writing to impact not just your own character but others? First meetings with new characters are often at his performances (the most recent being with Læbirius). He has written and performed music on commission for other voices (Arry), based on a Symphony-deep understanding of a person (Aoren), and given performances as sacrifices to Gods. His music is almost always how he impacts others.
