Conducting (sage study)

Provides skill in directing the efforts and managing bards, so that ensemble pieces of art of many different varieties may be created. Skill in conducting does not require any specific degree of personal artistic ability, but it does allow the character to make use of the abilities of others, to coordinate them, to enable them to work together and collaborate, even though they may not have any knowledge themselves of conducting.

For those who may have access to a college (see Audition), a conductor provides the opportunity to work with others and take part in ensemble activities, such as group performances or collaborative design, which they may not otherwise have the opportunity to enjoy.

While it is unlikely that characters in a campaign will take advantage of this, there is the possibility that a player will choose to retire or temporarily suspend a character's participation in adventuring (in favor of a henchman) for a purpose that suits them. On the whole, however, I stress that this is likely something that will only be taken advantage of by non-player characters under the player's bard.

If a bard chooses to create art of an ensemble form, they must either obtain knowledge as a conductor or obtain a conductor to produce a given performance or create a monolithic design such as a cathedral.

Conductors who have specifically chosen this study as their primary begin as a member of a specific Fochlucan College [placeholder], which the player may choose. To become a conductor at a higher college (requiring authority, expert or sage skill).

Amateur

• Hear Audition: the power to decide if an individual should or should not be a member of the conductor's college. Limited to conductors who have chosen conducting as a primary study.
• Rehearsal I: enables the presentation of an ensemble performance; provides an ability for two to three bards to perform together without requiring the conductor's presence.

Authority

• Concertmaster: ability to raise the quality of an ensemble performance to a higher degree.

See Bard Sage Abilities