Bard

The Way of the Bard

The Bards of Britain entertain the people with their wonderful ballads and tales of heroic deeds, while they further themselves in the virtue of Compassion. Bards not only chronicle the deeds of valor, but perform them as well. The weapon of choice for a Bard is the sling, but they may use a crossbow at times. All armour save that of Leather is shunned by these minstrels, for they find metal harsh and too noisy for their sensitive ears. The Bard also dabbles in magic and makes a fine companion on a long journey.

Bards are often caught cheering up the dreary lives of poor and sick. They are also usually very knowledgeable about the current events of the world because they travel all around it. Their profession requires that they be skilled in almost every different trade imaginable including, but not demanding: singing, playing musical instruments, fighting, and even casting spells.

Note: The armour and weapon restrictions are by now mostly of philosophical nature. During the Gargoyle war, the drawbacks of this narrow-minded thinking became clear, and the Bards of Britannia have opened themselves to all kinds of weapons and armour.

Examples

 * Two of the most famous bards in Britannia are Iolo Fitzowen, and his wife Gwenno Fitzowen. They have also written the famous song "Stones".
 * Mandrake is also a famous bard (he even has his own humorous virtue system).
 * De Maria is a Bard of respectable skill.

Lore
''Poet and minstrel, tinkerer and athlete, user of magic and noble adventurer. These all describe the multi-talented bard. Though not as physically imposing as the fighter, the bard is usually more dexterous and agile, being both quick of mind and of foot. Sure hands and nimble fingers serve the bard well as he untangles knotty puzzles and picks "unpickable" locks.'' Often an accomplished archer, the bard is also acquainted with the ways of magic, making him a most versatile gladiator on the field of battle. He often chooses to apply his combative skills from the rear of the melee where he can let his arrows and fiery magic missiles fly toward beleaguered targets in the front. Whether in the heat of battle or in the quagmire of a wizard's mischievous riddle, the well-rounded bard is an indispensable ally in the adventurer's quest.

- from "Compendium", Ultima VI

Trivia

 * Richard Garriott has stated in an interview that he initially wanted Ultima IV to have a thief, but that profession is in conflict with the virtuous theme of the game. He said that a bard is the closest thing, and if he had something better, he'd have used it.