Outlaw
The outlaw bard (also called the brigand bard) is more inclined toward thieving than other bard characters. While most bards enjoy performance and artistry for their own sakes, outlaw bards need to feel the rush of excitement when burgling houses, and to “perform” for themselves. Some outlaws will even go so far as to leave cryptic clues as to their identity, playing a cat-and-mouse game with the law. Such games gain the outlaw infamy, but also place him at great risk - but risk and thrills are the things most desired by outlaws. The outlaw bards make full use of all their skills to “earn” money, while avoiding the law at the same time. They have more highly developed thieving skills than other bards, for they practice and use the dexterous arts more often, and the morsels of magical knowledge that they pick up can mean the difference between a successful heist and capture. These abilities, plus their support from the commoners (who have the most to gain from the generous exploits of some outlaws), can often give these bards an edge over their thief counterparts.
Role
Outlaws are sometimes burglars who work with thieves’ guilds for personal profit, or occasionally, are members in wilderness-based bandit gangs. Many more, however, are freelance thieves; they show loyalty to no one but themselves. Good-aligned outlaws are most likely to be from this group, whereas the evil outlaws rob the rich and poor alike, and keep all the money for themselves! Outlaws are usually tolerated by thieves’ guilds, even those that generally dislike bards, although they tend to treat outlaw bards as “second-rate.” Most powerful guilds are anxious to make a successful outlaw bard join their ranks, just to receive a cut of the profits. Outlaws, with the bards wanderlust, rarely feel comfortable in something as rigid and inflexible as a thieves’ guild, and the powerful guilds dislike the outlaw’s love of unnecessary risks and thrills.
Distinctive Appearance
None
Special Benefits
Outlaw bards rely more heavily upon their thieving talents to earn a living than typical bards. It is therefore in their best interest to concentrate as much as possible on learning new thief skills. When first created, the outlaw must choose which one of the thief skills that bards do not normally possess (from “Open locks,” “Find/remove traps,” “Hide in shadows” or “Move silently”) he will choose as a bonus (it begins with 10 points assigned to it). Once picked, this skill cannot be changed.
Outlaws get much more of an opportunity to practice their rogue talents than ordinary bards, and therefore advance more quickly in expertise. At first level, the outlaw receives 35 points (instead of 20) to distribute between his thief skills, and gains an extra 20 (instead of 15) every time he advances a level. All other rules regarding advancement apply normally.
Special Hindrances
Outlaw bards may only keep as much treasure and equipment as they can carry.
Specialty: Thievery, musical instruments, storytelling, and song.
Being more criminally aware than other bards, the outlaw is an expert at finding contacts among local thieves. Given an hour in a seedy tavern, and four or five gold pieces for drinks and bribes, an outlaw can find a contact - typically a thief of levels 1-4. This contact can lead the bard to other rogues, take him to the local thieves’ guild, exchange information about possible “jobs,” or even buy stolen goods to fence at a later date.
Using a combination of singing, instrument playing, storytelling, and bawdy jokes, the outlaw can entertain and influence the reactions of others. This ability functions as the Influence reactions of the True Bard.
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