Piano

Play It Again

"It's sad and it's sweet..."

— Old Gus

The piano is among the most complex and celebrated musical instruments ever devised. Through an intricate arrangement of keys, hammers, and tightly stretched strings, it allows a single performer to produce melodies, harmonies, and accompaniment simultaneously. Its extraordinary range and expressive capability have made it the preferred instrument of accomplished composers, concert musicians, and wealthy patrons throughout much of the civilized world.
Unlike more portable instruments carried by wandering bards, a piano is intended to remain in one place. Standard upright pianos are substantial pieces of furniture, requiring careful craftsmanship to build and regular maintenance to remain in tune. Their great weight makes transportation a significant undertaking, often requiring several laborers, specialized wagons, or magical assistance. For this reason, pianos are most commonly found in noble estates, bardic colleges, concert halls, temples, theaters, and prosperous inns where they may remain undisturbed for years at a time.
The quality of a piano varies enormously. A well-maintained concert instrument can produce remarkable clarity and dynamic range, responding to the lightest touch or the strongest strike with equal precision. Older tavern pianos often bear decades of hard use, with worn keys, chipped finishes, and strings that have drifted slightly from perfect pitch. Though less refined, these instruments are frequently beloved fixtures of local communities, accompanying everything from drinking songs and dances to weddings and holiday celebrations.
Because of the skill required to construct one, a piano is considered an uncommon luxury rather than an everyday possession. Master builders spend months crafting a single instrument, carefully shaping its wooden frame, fitting thousands of individual components, and tuning each string by hand. Wealthy collectors often commission elaborately carved cases featuring exotic woods, precious metals, ivory, or intricate inlays, transforming the instrument into both a musical masterpiece and a symbol of status.
Whether filling a grand concert hall with stirring sonatas or accompanying a lone singer in a crowded tavern, the piano possesses a richness of sound unlike any other instrument. Its voice is equally at home performing triumphant marches, delicate lullabies, solemn hymns, and lively dances, making it one of the most versatile instruments ever created.

Piano

Ability: Charisma

Utilize: Play a known tune (DC 10), or improvise a song (DC 15)

Item type: Musical Instrument

Rarity: Uncommon

Weight: 500 lb.

Base Price: 500 - 1,000 gp