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Table of Contents
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Introduction
What is the historical role of the Bard? Well, a bard, impassioned poet of lyrical or epic verse, the keeper of the stories, has gone by many names. Bards were originally Celtic composers of eulogy and satire; for the word bard came to mean a tribal poet-singer, one gifted in composing and reciting verses of their heroes and the deeds that made them so. In our world of Shilla a Bard is a thief who surrenders, albeit temporarily, their shield spot to hold an instrument, which he uses to play a song that has spell-like powers. This buff then appears above the Life bar in the main window.
Location
The Bards is a specialty guild of the Thieves Guild and is located in the SE section of goblin village. In the Music Shop, located 2 U, 2 SE, SW of the Bottom Level stairs is where you will purchase your first instrument. It is in the Song Training Center, located 2 U, 2 E, S, SE of the Bottom Level stairs, where you increase the level of all your song, increasing both their benefits and fatigue cost.
Songs
Your first song, and the rest of your repertoire, is gained through completing quest. You have to have an instrument equipped, go to the Food + Spells menu in the sidebar, then scroll down to find the drop down menu of what songs you have trained to at least level 1. It is still possible to lose your untrained scroll by dying. Proceeding with all do haste to the Song Training Center and increasing it by at least on level is advisable. Playing another song cancels the buff of the first, because Bards are not suppose to be mages with a stack of spell buffs. The length the buff depends on the instrument you use to play it, not the level the song has been to which trained. The buff disappears once you leave the area. Replaying a song resets the buff timer, but does not stack like mage spells do. (psst… you're not suppose to be a mage remember?)
The basics about each of the songs can be found in the table below, followed by a more detailed description and where I have found the song useful.
Song List Table
| Song | Effects | Level 500(MAX) Effects | Stamina Cost at Max Lvl (500) | Exp to Train 500th Lvl | Chr need for Max Lvl (500) |
| Guiding Light Song | This song will enable the party to see in darkness | Same as base level… | 500 | 846,310 | 1000 |
| Traveller's Tune | This song will let you gain stamina while moving | You gain 5% per step. Others get less - depending on your proficiency | 2000 | 169,138,140 | 4000 |
| Ballad of Nimble | Song adds dexterity to all characters in room | Adds 5,000 Dex | 5,000 | 355,022,630 | 12,500 |
| Rhyme of the Green Tortoise | The song puts an armor around the party shielding % damage | reducing damage in battle by 12.5% | 6000 | 84,530,854 | 10000 |
| Vikie's Symphony | This song will provide all the lacking Intelligence to the party | Adds 2500 intelligence | 5000 | 169,061,708 | 7500 |
| Animal Voices | Lowers area restrictions | It will be 50% easier for you | 1500 | 211,327,135 | 5000 |
| Melody of Bargaining | Makes things cheaper in shops | You save 25% | 1000 | 31,699,071 | 2000 |
Song Description
Guiding Light Song
Just as the name implies the buff produces light for those areas in Shilla that require it. Unfortunately, by the time you are able to join the Bard Specialty guild and acquire this song, the first of these areas will have already passed. I can imagine this being helpful in a group setting or for quick trips in dark areas, but those situations have not yet occurred.
Traveller' Tune
This song gains your character stamina each time you move. I haven't trained mine up yet to know for sure, but theoretically at 5% a Bard could indefinitely train without worrying about pulling a Julian. Would be useful for training in areas where you didn't need your Dex increase from Nimble.
Melody of Bargaining
Probably one of the most useful songs with its ability to lower shop costs, especially since it stacks with your charisma discount. Many items do have minimum prices so don't be surprised when it doesn't seem to have an effect. I haven't researched if there is any shops where it won't work yet.
Animal Voices
Taken at face value it wouldn't seem that this song would be of much value since the requirement for getting into areas are not an obstacle. The positive aspect of this tune is that works on any area requirement, not just the intelligence ones. There are several areas, such as the Hexagon, and the Elite areas on Level 7 and 9 of the Volcano where this songs buff might be a key past stat requirements that start hitting 4500. I'll put more information in this section as I come across it.
Ballad of the Nimble
By leaps and bounds the best song you will have with its increase in Dex. Each song level is 10 more Dex, which also means 10 more life. The danger lies in that it can be used to train beyond where you can survive a hit, or to survive a hit from a boss/elite creature that you normally kill you. Do what you need to do to avoid the buff running out.
Rhyme of the Green Tortoise
12.5% damage reduction is significant, but not worth the risk of death if you use it to "lower" the max hit from a boss/elite creature. I also don't care how much damage I take from a creature as long as it doesn't kill me. After that its just a matter of eating food. Probably the only "skippable" song.
Vikie's Symphony
Vikie most be someone smart in Lord Buggy's past or present because this is definitely a way to increase your Int. If you got it earlier you could use it in lieu of training intelligence to get into areas, but that is not the case for its one of the last songs you add to your repertoire. I haven't even gotten mine yet, but I can see it being used, like Animal Voices, to get past high Int restricted areas.
The Instruments
You start out buying your first instrument, the Fearless Flute, as your entry into the specialty guild quest. Future instruments are also gained through quests located in the Halfling Shire after reaching 3500 charisma. To equip your instrument and gain the ability to play songs go to the armor tab of your character. Instruments are technically "shields". Once you have started a song you can swap back in a shield and the song buff will continue to be effective.
General information of the current set of instruments is found in the table below.
Instrument Table
| Instrument | Defense | Weight | Enchantments | Value |
| Fearless Flute | 0 | 0.5 | MakesMusic: +12 PlaysLoud: +1 | 1,000,000 |
| Elven Lyre | 1 | 2 | MakesMusic: +36 PlaysLoud: +0 | 500,000,000 |
| Orc Battle Drums | 1 | 3 | MakesMusic: +10 PlaysLoud: +2 | 800,000,000 |
| Bard Guitar | 1 | 1 | MakesMusic: +45 PlaysLoud: +1 | 1,400,000,000 |
| Horn of Good Spirits | 1 | 2 | MakesMusic: +15 PlaysLoud: +3 | 1,400,000,000 |
Base Instrument Description
These are the instruments the bard either gets from purchasing, or from completing one of two quest lines.
Fearless Flute
As mentioned above, the Fearless Flute is your first instrument and at any kind of charisma level shouldn't cost you very much. It is purchased in the Elven Village's Music Shop (Level 2, SEx2, NE). Buffs from songs played with the Fearless Flute last for 12 minutes for you, and one minute for anyone in the same area as you.
Elven Lyre
The Elven Lyre is one of two choice of instruments available through completion of the series of quests originating at the Bard's specialty guild location. See Quests below for more details. Once you have gotten the Quest item "Order: Elven Lyre" it remains with you even upon death. Returning to the assistant at the Gnome Village is all you need to do to gain another instrument. Songs played on the Elven Lyre last for 36 minutes for you, but no one else in the area is affected. The instrument also adds 1 point to your armor total when equipped.
Orc Battle Drums
The Orc Battle Drums are your other instrument choice from completing the series of quests originating at the Bard's specialty guild location. See Quests below for more details. Once you have gotten the Quest item "Order: Orc Battle Drums" it remains with you even upon death. Returning to the assistant at the Gnome Village is all you need to do to gain another instrument. Songs played on the Orc Battle Drum last for 10 minutes for you and 2 minutes for anyone in your same area. The instrument also adds 1 point to your armor total when equipped.
Bard Guitar
Bard Guitar is one of the two instrument choices from completing the series of quests originating in the Halfling Shire. I have not reached the requirements for those quests, so more information will appear when I do. The instrument also adds 1 point to your armor total when equipped.
Horn of Good Spirits
The Horn of Good Spirits is one of the two instrument choices from completing the series of quests originating in the Halfling Shire. I have not reached the requirements for those quests, so more information will appear when I do. The instrument also adds 1 point to your armor total when equipped.
Forged Instruments
In July 2024 six forgeable instruments were released.
Forged Instrument Table
I'll fill in Abilities as I forge the instruments.
| Name | Instrument | Gem | Weapon | Dust | Food | ~Forge Location | Atributes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Happy Harp | Bard Guitar | Red Crystal | Wand of the Damp Dungeon +MU | Fire Cracker | Golden Showers | Draconian Forge | PlayMusic +50 PlayLoud +2 |
| Piccolo Trumpet | Horn of Good Spirits | Black Crystal | 967 | Smoke Bomb | Timtam Cookie | Draconian Forge | ??? |
| Banjo | Happy Harp | Aqua Crystal | Wand of Damp Dungeon +MU +WA | Aqua Firework | Flotsam | Old Town Forge | PlayMusic +75 PlayLoud +3 |
| Saxophone | Piccolo Trumpet | Aqua Crystal | 1070 | Aqua Firework | Red Bull | Old Town Forge | ??? |
| Baggins Bagpipes | Banjo | Dark Trinket | 1262 | Wet Stone | Draconian Dark Ale Soup | New Shilla Forge | ??? |
| Baggins Bagpipes | Saxophone | Dark Trinket | 1085 | Dirty Stone | Halfling Weed Pie | New Shilla Forge | ??? |
Smoke Bombs and Aqua Fireworks can be found by using the woodcutting skill on Magic Tree in Gnome Village.
Red Crystals can be mined in the Ogre Cave Mine
Black and Aqua Crystals can be mined in the Mine at the end of the Underground River in the Ocean
Wet and Dirty Stones are dropped by Mimni in Dino Valley.
Dark Trinkets can be found randomly while mining in the Lower Volcano, DOLS, or by Trading Trophies in Shillatown after completing Danger Zone mini games.
Golden Showers are dropped by Seraph Angel in the Sky Castle.
Timtam Cookies are a hidden treasure in the Desert.
Flotsam is dropped by the Rogue Wave in the Open Sea.
Red Bull is dropped by the Magic Bird or Avian Guard in the Avian Hideout of the Promised Islands
Draconian Dark Ale Soup and Halfling Weed Pie are created by having a Kitchen in your residence and using the Cooking and Baking skills on those foods respectively.
Bard Quests
Unlike other specialty guilds, the bard doesn't gain bonuses from completion of quests. In fact, with each additional rank gained within the guild there is often a penalty to either charisma, weapon accuracy or weapon fatigue usage for not using a "Bard" weapon. This is double painful because no such weapons exist.
Below you will find Becca's work on the quests. I might clean up the table eventually, but for now I'll just put a more detailed description of each quest below her extensive work.
Bard Quests Table
| Quest Number | Name(Requirements to Complete) | Reward |
| #1 Part#1 | Show an instrument to the clerk | Guiding Light Song scroll |
| #1 Part#2 | Look below shilla town (Play the song in the Sewer) | Bards Guild Rank 1 |
| #2 | Playing the Guiding Light song 42 times | Bards Guild Rank 2 |
| #3 Part#1 | Visit the gnome village in the dark forest | none |
| #3 Part#2 | Gnimwolin needs a new saw(its in Dwarven Stronghold Jewelry Shop) | Choice of Orc Drums or Elven Lyre and Bards Guild Rank 3 |
| #4 Part#1 | Bard Song Quest: Traveller's Tune: Collect 9 green pixie dust for the pixie in Elven Village | 3 Green Pixie Dust, 2 White Pixie Dust, 1 Red Pixie Dust |
| #4 Part#2 | Bard Song Quest: Traveller's Tune | 1 Scroll(Traveller's tune) and +1 Guild Rank |
| #5 Part #1 | Bard Song Quest: Melody of Bargaining(the voices in my head tell me Dwarven area but i don't remember for sure) | none |
| #5 Part#2 | Bard Song Quest: Melody of Bargaining | 1 Scroll(melody of bargaining) and +1 Guild Rank |
| #6 Part#1 | Bard Song Quest: Animal Voices(mountain top tele then down one) | none |
| #6 Part#2 | Bard Song Quest: Animal Voices | 1 Scroll(Animal Voices) and +1 Guild Rank |
| #7 Part#1 | Bard Instrument Quest: (Center of Halfling Village)Bring 100 elven wine | none |
| #7 Part#2 | Bard Instrument Quest: Halfling Village I think we also need some peeza(100) | none |
| #7 Part#3 | Bard Instrument Quest: Halfling Village I think we also need some fire water(idk how many because i had 36 on me and it said complete) | none |
| #7 Part#4 | Bard Instrument Quest: Halfling Village I think we also need some elixirs(10) | none |
| #7 Part#4.5 | Bard Instrument Quest: Halfling Village I think we also need some gold cigars(10) | none |
| #7 Part#5 | Bard Instrument Quest: Halfling Village I think we also need some dragon ribs(100) | none |
| #7 Part#6 | Bard Instrument Quest: Halfling Village I think we also need some battered brie(50) | none |
| #7 Part#7 | Bard Instrument Quest: Halfling Village And how about some Yggdrasil Leaf(5) | none |
| #7 Part#8 | Bard Instrument Quest: Halfling Village Rhino horns would be nice(100) | none |
| #7 Part#9 | Bard Instrument Quest: Halfling Village What instrument do you play? | Enables one of two feast quests depending on instrument shown |
| #7 Part#10 | Bard Instrument Quest: Halfling Village The Feast (Take place of Rhino Rider Bard) | 1 Bard Guitar or 1 Horn of Good Spirits and +1 Guild Rank |
| #8 Part#1 | Bard Song Quest: Rhyme of the green Turtoise: Gnome Village Thou art to find Impenetrable Holy Pearl Boots | none |
| #8 Part#2 | Bard Song Quest: Rhyme of the green Turtoise: Gnome Village Next you should be looking for a Saintly Unicorn Mane Velveteen Scarf | none |
| #8 Part#3 | Bard Song Quest: Rhyme of the green Turtoise: Gnome Village I also need my Shadow Serpentscale Escutcheon back | 1 Scroll(Rhyme of the green Turtoise) and +1 Guild Rank |
| #9 Part#1 | Bard Song Quest: Ballad of Nimble:Starts in Upper Floor of the Sand Mansion Find lost notes(Shilla Bay Tavern) | none |
| #9 Part#2 | Bard Song Quest: Ballad of Nimble:Starts in Clouds Find lost notes(Lich in Necropolis) | none |
| #9 Part#3 | Bard Song Quest: Ballad of Nimble:Starts in Upper Floor of the Sand Mansion Find lost notes(Dungeon of Lost Souls) | none |
| #9 Part#4 | Bard Song Quest: Ballad of Nimble:Starts in Upper Floor of the Sand Mansion Show 3 sheets of music | 1 Scroll(Ballad of Nimble) and +1 Guild Rank |
| #10 Part#1 | Bard Song Quest: Vikie's Symphony:Starts in Clouds Find lost notes(Shilla Bay Tavern) | none |
| #10 Part#2 | Bard Song Quest: Vikie's Symphony:Starts in Clouds Find lost notes(Lich in Necropolis) | none |
| #10 Part#3 | Bard Song Quest: Vikie's Symphony:Starts in Upper Floor of the Sand Mansion Find lost notes(Dungeon of Lost Souls) | none |
| #10 Part#4 | Bard Song Quest: Vikie's Symphony: Starts in Clouds Show sheet music | 1 Scroll(Vikie's Symphony) and +1 Guild Rank |
Entry Bard Quests Description
I have put the quests in the best order to do them. This may differ from what you see above in the table, for when Becca used her high ws character as a Bard she was not hampered by obstacles like getting into areas or gaining massive amounts of experience to level up her songs.
Entry Quest (Bards Guild Quest 1) - Part 1
I was a bit disappointed that you didn't have to go to a tavern to like in the old Bard's Tale computer game to complete your first quest, but oh well. You do have to have completed the two quest entry quests for the Thieves Guild, just to join the Bard specialty guild. The Bard's Guild Clerk then asks you to bring back an instrument, so go to the Music Shop around the corner and buy a Fearless Flute. When you return they'll give you a Guiding Light Song scroll as your reward, so don't buy one while you are there.
Entry Quest (Bards Guild Quest 1) - Part 2
The clerk then sends you to practice your new instrument so you can play it without thinking. What you really need to do is train it a few levels on your new song then wander through the Sewers until you find the spot with the blue link. Return to the clerk after you have done so. You don't even have to actually play the song, but can if you want. Your reward is another rank in the guild and the penalty associated with it.
Intermediate Bard Quest Descriptions
Bard Guild Quest 2
This quest requires completion of Bards Guild Quest, Parts 1 and 2, and Thieves Guild Quest 2 (1K Fatigue quest). The clerk then sends you to practice the guided light song, 42 times to be exact. I stepped out into the specialty guild's entrance to do mine practice, but you can choose anywhere you like. Return to the clerk when you are done and your reward is another guild rank and the penalty associated with it.
Bard Guild Quest 3 - Part 1
This quest requires completion of Bard Guild Quest 2 and Thieves Guild Quest 3 (2K Fatigue quest). The clerk send you to gain entry into the Gnome Village. It used to have a Chr requirement of 750, but has since been lowered to 350. So work on getting your Chr to that level and then go explore the Village. Full exploration is not needed, just stepping in and out is all that is required. Don't attack the Gnome Devourer, or Mr. Piggy as I like to call him. He will indeed devourer you. Return to the clerk to complete the quest. No reward for this one, but no penalty either.
Bard Guild Quest - Part 2
This quest requires completion of Bard Guild Quest 3 - Part 1. The clerk will then send you back to the Gnome Village to meet Gnimwolin who makes instruments for the elves and orcs. He's NE, then N of the entrance, but not the most helpful of folks. The only information he gives is he's in needs a new saw and that he's angry. To complete this quest go to the Jewelry Shop (2E, 2S, W, of the entrance) in the Dwarven Stronghold. Click the link you find there, then return to Gnimwolin. He will then give you a choice of what instrument, either the Elven Lyre or the Orc Battle Drum. I chose the Elven Lyre since any type of group work among characters in the game is still in its infancy. Gnimwolin will then give you the quest item for the instrument you chose and direct you to one of his assistants. If you chose the Drum, go S, then SE to pick it up by clicking the link. If you chose the Lyre, go S, E, then SE to pick it up. Because the order is a quest item it does not disappear when you die. You can return to the assistants anytime for a new instrument. Completing this quest also enables all of the badge, song and instrument quests.
Song and Instrument Bard Quest Descriptions
Bard Song Quest for Traveller's Tune
This is the first of the song quest that you should undertake, and requires completion of the Bard Guild Quest - Part 2. Go all the way to the top of the Elven Village, U, U, U, 2N, to be exact from the Bottom Level Stair location. You'll meet a singing pixie here who wants 9 Green Pixie Dust. Go collect them from the Green Slime in the Cemetery. Return to the Pixie and she'll trade you for 3 Green Pixie Dust, 2 White Pixie Dust, 1 Red Pixie Dust, and a promise to teach you the song if you can get some Sheet Music. DON'T run off and forge something with the White Pixie Dust! You will need it soon for another quest. Pause here in this quest and do the next three quest (The Lost Fishing Lure).
Once you have your Sheet Music in hand from Meriah from the quests below, return to the Pixie who will write down the song in pixie dust. DO go to the Song Training Center and train your Traveller's Tune up to at least 1 level to keep it from disappearing if you die. You'll also receive a guild rank and the penalty associated with it.
The Lost Fishing Lure (Bard Badge Quest) - Part 1
This quest requires completion of the Bard Guild Quest - Part 2. Go U, U, U, NE from the Bottom Level stairs to meet the elf girl Meriah. She'll tell you a story about her, her brother, and going fishing. I guess she lost her brother's fishing lure. Teleport to the Lake Gala entrance and then go 2N to "find it", though the spot won't have anything to click or indicate you did so. Return to Meriah for Part 2.
The Lost Fishing Lure (Bard Badge Quest) - Part 2
This quest requires completion of The Lost Fishing Lure (Bard Badge Quest) - Part 1. Meriah then tells you that you have found part of the lure but its broken. Return to Lake Gala and go 2N to meet up with her brother, Alrind, who is fishing. Give him the White Pixie Dust you saved from starting the Traveller's Tune quest and he'll fix the lure. Return to Meriah.
The Lost Fishing Lure (Bard Badge Quest) - Part 3
This quest requires completion of The Lost Fishing Lure (Bard Badge Quest) - Part 2. Meriah then pouts about her brother not taking her fishing, then admits she wasn't really into it anyway. She says she'll teach you a song for "Many Jewelry". What she really means is she'll give you your first piece of Sheet Music in exchange for some Sparkling Silver. I had 25 on me, which is the amount you need. If you find yourself without them go to the Deep Dark Forest and get some. When you do provide the Sparkling Silver she gives you the pieces of Sheet Music. Take it to the nearby Pixie for your Traveller's Tune song scroll and a guild rank.
Bard Song Quest for Melody of Bargaining - Part 1
This quest requires completion of Bard Guild Quest - Part 2 and should be done after getting the Sheet Music from Meriah at the completion of The Lost Lure quests. Go to 4E, 2S of the entrance to the Dwarven Stronghold to find a whistling dwarf. He tells you he always whistles this tune while he shops and will teach it to you for a White Pearl. Those are found in the dwarven mines located in the Stronghold. It may be unlikely you've done any mining at this point, so use the How-To below to get your mining skill if you need to, go find a White Pearl, and return to the dwarf to complete the quest.
Mining How-To
You'll need to buy the Mining skill scroll from the Skill Shop (4E, N, E, N from the Dwarven Stronghold entrance), return to the Shillatown and then go to the Skills Trainer (6E, N, from the Fountain) to train the Mining Skill to 20. Logout out of your character, then back in, to get your new skill level to appear, then head back to the Dwarven Stronghold. You'll need a Mining Pickaxe from the Weapon Shop (4E, 3S of the entrance), so buy one and equip it as a weapon. Next, go to any of the mining spots in the eastern part of the Dwarven Stronghold, select the mining skill and click do some work until your proficiency level go up a couple times. Lastly go east then down to bottom of the mining area. There is a spot down there that mentions "7th Sense". It is here that mining will result in you finding White Pearls. Don't forget to reequip your weapon before fighting anything.
Bard Song Quest for Melody of Bargaining - Part 2
This quest requires completion of Bard Song Quest for Melody of Bargaining - Part 2. Go to 4E, 2S of the entrance to the Dwarven Stronghold to find a whistling dwarf. He tells you he needs some sheet music to write the song upon. Luckily, the Pixie didn't actually use up the Sheet Music for the Traveller's Tune, so click on the link to get your song scroll for Melody of Bargaining and a guild rank. DO go to the Song Training Center and train your Melody of Bargaining up to at least 1 level to keep it from disappearing if you die.
Bard Song Quest for Animal Voices
This quest requires completion of Bard Guild Quest - Part 2 and should be done after getting the Sheet Music from Meriah at the completion of The Lost Lure quests. Go S of the Mountain Top teleport location (Mountain 17 in the dropdown menu). Here you will find a Hermit sitting on a rock. He'll teach you a song for some Peeza. If you don't happen to have any on you, the Drunken Monk in the Vast Valley drops them. One is enough to satisfy him, and since the whistling dwarf and/or the Pixie haven't used up your Sheet Music, click on the link to get the song scroll for Animal Voices and a guild rank. DO go to the Song Training Center and train your Animal Voices up to at least 1 level to keep it from disappearing if you die.
Bard Song Quest for Ballad of the Nimble - Part 1
Here is where the song quests start becoming more difficult and you might not be able to complete all the parts right away. This quest requires completion of Bard Guild Quest - Part 2 and should be done after getting the Sheet Music from Meriah at the completion of The Lost Lure quests. There is an NPC in the Sand Mansion that you have to locate. He is in the inner part of the area, and specifically the east section of the Upper Floor. He'll tell you that he's missing some notes for his song. Head to the Seaman's Tavern on the Shillatown docks and click the link at the bottom of the page. Then return to the NPC in the Sand Mansion to complete this part of the quest.
Bard Song Quest for Ballad of the Nimble - Part 2
This quest requires completion of Bard Song Quest for Ballad of the Nimble - Part 1. The NPC in the Sand Mansion then sends you off for some more lost notes. These are located in Necropolis. So either wait until you have died or equip an Invisibility Ring. Once in Necropolis, click the portal links until the Lich who sells spells appears. The notes will be at the bottom of the page, so you'll have to scroll down to see them. Return to the NPC in the Sand Mansion to complete the this part of the quest.
Bard Song Quest for Ballad of the Nimble - Part 3
This quest requires completion of Bard Song Quest for Ballad of the Nimble - Part 2. The NPC in the Sand Mansion then sends you off for some more lost notes. These are located in the lowest level of the Dungeon of the Lost Souls. Work your way down the eight levels of twists and turns until you see the missing notes link at the bottom of the screen. You might have to scroll down to see it. Return to the NPC with the notes and an additional 2 Music Sheets (See how to get them in the next section below) to get your song scroll for Ballad of the Nimble and a guild rank. DO go to the Song Training Center and train your Ballad of Nimble up to at least 1 level to keep it from disappearing if you die.
Bard Song Quest for Rhyme of the Green Tortoise - Part 1
Probably the most difficult song to obtain, while having the least useful buff. Until Bards have a way of negating the penalties associated with guild ranks, or a system in place to negate these penalties, my suggestion is to skip getting this song. With that said, here is how you complete the song quest.
This quest requires completion of Bard Guild Quest - Part 2 and should be done after getting the Sheet Music from Meriah at the completion of The Lost Lure quests. The NPC you're looking for this time is in the NE section of the Gnome Village. He wants a pair of Impenetrable Holy Pearl Boots which are dropped by a Noble or better Holy Knight in the Hexagon. Make sure you have lots of food and work your way to this creature in that crazy area. Once you do get a pair to drop, stay until you have a found a Saintly Unicorn Mane Velveteen Scarf from the Noble or better Imprisoned Unicorn and a Shadow Serpentscale Escutcheon from a Noble or better Quetzalcoati. Only when you have all three should you return to the NPC.
Bard Song Quest for Rhyme of the Green Tortoise - Part 2
This quest requires completion of the Bard Song Quest for Rhyme of the Green Tortoise - Part 1. The NPC will want the Saintly Unicorn Mane Velveteen Scarf. Hopefully you stayed in the Hexagon long enough to find one so that you can simply click the link and move on to Part 3. If not, back the Hexagon you go.
Bard Song Quest for Rhyme of the Green Tortoise - Part 3
This quest requires completion of the Bard Song Quest for Rhyme of the Green Tortoise - Part 2. The NPC will want the Shadow Serpentscale Escutcheon. Hopefully you stayed in the Hexagon long enough to find one so that you can simply click the link and move on to Part 3. If not, back the Hexagon you go. Once you have give him this last piece of armor he'll give you the song scroll for Rhyme of the Green Tortoise, you feel a little cheated from the amount of work you've done for him, and even more so if the guild slaps you with yet another penalty for gaining a guild rank. But as always, DO go to the Song Training Center and train the Rhyme of the Green Tortoise up to at least 1 level to keep it from disappearing if you die.
Bard Song quest for Vikie's Symphony - Part 1
Again you might not be able to complete all the parts of these quests right away, and yes they are the same as for the Ballad of Nimble. This quest requires completion of Bard Guild Quest - Part 2 and should be done after getting the Sheet Music from Meriah at the completion of The Lost Lure quests. There is an NPC W, 2N, E, NE, N, E, from the entrance to the Clouds who wants to teach you a song. Make sure you can fly before clicking that link after defeating the Hydra! He'll want you to retrieve dropped notes. Again go to the Seaman's Tavern on the docks of Shillatown and click on the blue link to retrieve them. Return to the NPC to complete the quest.
Bard Song Quest for Vikie's Symphony - Part 2
This quest requires completion of Bard Song Quest for Vikie's Symphony - Part 1. The NPC in the Clouds then sends you off for some more lost notes. These are located in Necropolis. So either wait until you have died or equip an Invisibility Ring. Once in Necropolis, click the portal links until the Lich who sells spells appears. The notes will be at the bottom of the page, so you'll have to scroll down to see them. Return to the NPC in the Sand Mansion to complete the this part of the quest.
Bard Song Quest for Vikie's Symphony - Part 3
This quest requires completion of Bard Song Vikie's Symphony - Part 2. The NPC in the Clouds then sends you off for some more lost notes. These are located in the lowest level of the Dungeon of the Lost Souls. Work your way down the eight levels of twists and turns until you see the missing notes link at the bottom of the screen. You might have to scroll down to see it. Return to the NPC with the notes and an additional 2 Music Sheets (See how to get them in the next section below) to get your song scroll for Ballad of the Nimble and a guild rank. DO go to the Song Training Center and train your Vikie's Symphony up to at least 1 level to keep it from disappearing if you die.
Other Bard Related Information
Allowed Weapons and Armor
Since there is no official Bard weapons you are limited to the Dagger and Ranged Groups allowed by the Thieves Guild without losing their bonuses as well. This also limits your armor choice to the Thieves group or Guildless. Remember that you don't have to keep your instrument equipped to continue getting a song buff. Once you have played the song, swap out your instrument for a shield of some type.
Rank Bonuses or Penalties
Being a Bard is a double edged sword of sorts. Because there isn't any Bard weapons you get a penalty if you equip anything. But not equipping anything means you also don't get your Thieves Guild Bonuses as well. Not all Guild Ranks give you a penalty, just most of them.
| Rank | Penalty |
| 1 | 50 Charisma |
| 2 | ? |
| 3 | +3% to Weapon Critical Hit |
| 4 | red|-3% to Weapon Accuracy## |
| 5 | -3% to Weapon Accuracy |
| 6 | -3% to Weapon Fatigue Usage |
| 7 | -1% to Weapon Accuracy |
| 8 | Nothing |
| 9 | +3% to Weapon Accuracy |
| 10 | +3% to Weapon Critical Hit |
| 11 | red|-1% to Weapon Accuracy## |
| 12 | -1% to Weapon Accuracy |
| 13 | Nothing |
This table still needs to be double checked, but a bard character at max level in both Thieves and Bard has +12.7% to Weapon Accuracy, +6% to Weapon Critical Hits, and -3% to Weapon Fatigue Usage.
Finding Additional Music Sheets
You gain one sheet of music from the Lost Lure Quest detailed above. Additional music Sheets are located as infrequent drops from either the Fairy Warrior in the Maze or from the Seraph Angel in the Sky Castle
Helping Others
Coming soon - Not enough research done yet. Basically others gain a small fraction of the buff from the song you play if your instrument has the "PlayLoud" option. This doesn't affect the amount of buff you receive, its not a shared thing, but other unknown factors area at work.
Philosophy and Future
I've enjoyed playing a Bard so far, and recommend the specialty class as something different from just grinding it out as a fighter or thief. The songs do add enough benefits to overcome the loss of being a part of another specialty guild. The penalties associated from gain rank as a member of the Bard Specialty guild is a bummer. I'll be working on suggestions that will help decrease/eliminate the aspect. I will also be working on suggestions for new songs, strengthening the current ones, or both. I would also like to see more instruments and the ability to strengthen the ones a character currently possesses. Historically, Bards were welcomed everywhere and enjoyed a sort of protection because of it. I think this aspect can be accomplished in Shilla as well.
The giving others buffs from of playing songs, or using the PlayLoud aspect of an instrument, isn't there yet. Several roadblocks exist for it to be an workable aspect of the game. First, Shilla wasn't created to be a group game and the player base isn't large enough. Second, the buff duration for others only last at most 3 minutes. This might be good for such songs as Animal Voices, but for songs like Guiding Light, not so much. Third, the effect for others is not enough to make even a moderate impact on game play. This is just a first look perspective, and I need to do a lot more research to have a more concrete opinion.
