Design Overview
Entry Last Update:
March 28, 2026
Source Doc:
work_in_progress/classes/bard/skills/play_instruments_system.md
Tier:
wip
Last Synced:
March 28, 2026
Summary: Play Instruments is a Bard performance skill using play <tune> with held/readied instruments.
Notes:
Performance quality scales with skill plus CHA/VOI/INT versus tune complexity.
Runtime cadence is a fixed 5s action delay per play cycle.
Repeated play can trigger minor instrument wear; proc chance decreases as skill rises.
Player Overview
Description: Play instruments is the skill of using a musical instrument.
Who Can Learn It: Anyone can learn play instruments.
What It is Supposed to Do: Make Music.
What it Does: Using an instrument, you play a 5 second piece of a song. .
Activation: Ready Instrument, then play (Play a short Drag-al drinking tune).
Usefulness (Low Levels): Causes disturbances when others are forced to hear you ruin tunes they used to like. Expect to damage your instrument frequently.
Usefulness (Mid Levels): Causes disturbances when others are forced to hear you ruin tunes they used to like. Expect to damage your instrument frequently.
Usefulness (High Levels): Level 20+, Your music is smooth enough to be enjoyable.
How to Practice: Play softly, preferably in private.
Tips: The Happy Bard in the artist district will repair instruments. Practicing there and in the bard's guild is always acceptable. Practicing in TSC seldom is.
Unconfirmed Rumors (May or May Not Be True): Some people prefer to leave the level at 1, never improving it, to show their character's lack of musical ability..
Notes:
PLAY INSTRUMENTS
The art of controlled noise!