Song Skill

[venger]

So summarizing I have received a wide span of suggestions regarding the use of SONG, From mechanics tweaking effects that might resemble spells and Virtues to using it solely as a function of role play.

It has given me much to think about. I like the thought of Song having an important role in the game since Arda was made from the Music of the Ainur.

However, I personally know of only a single instance where music had an effect on something though there may be others; THE HOBBIT- An Unexpected Party- Dwarvish music stirred Bilbo and woke a desire in him.

As they sang the hobbit felt the love of beautiful things made by hands and by cunning and by magic moving through him, a fierce and jealous love, the desire of the hearts of dwarves. Then something Tookish woke up inside him, and he wished to go and see the great mountains, and hear the pine-trees and the waterfalls, and explore the caves, and wear a sword instead of a walking-stick.

I haven't researched other sources than "The Hobbit". The example above would most likely fall into the role play category.

Too much mechanics tweaking is not desirable, mainly since I don't want to mimic or step on the effects of existing Virtues or those to possibly come in future TOR releases, thereby robbing an expensive trait that belongs to another character. That's been my main concern.

I like the idea about possibly refreshing Hope on certain occasions, as it would be characteristic of SONG to raise the Hopes of a Fellowship, and as a means to stir the heart of the listener.

Like in your case RichH, a player did it, wasn't expecting a reward, performed well, and received a little blessing. That's good stuff right there.

I will avoid making that a house rule that could be tried at any time though. The theme of ever-dwindling Hope built into the system as I have read elsewhere would be affected. And that would be ok for an LM who wished it to be that way.

Players would naturally use SONG when necessary and it would encourage excessive Hope expenditure if it could be renewed any time by spamming SONG rolls. Hope should remain a carefully managed precious resource to maintain the tone of TOR as written.

I can understand and appreciate the concerns of letting the SONG genie out of the bottle.

I appreciate all the feedback.
Have a great day!

[DavetheLost]

Song is a pure "genre emulation" skill for a Tolkien based RPG. After all his characters have a habit of bursting into song every half dozen pages or so.

[Robin Smallburrow]

1. Song - don't forget the song that Sam sings in the Tower of Cirith Ungol when he is in despair at being unable to find his Master Frodo as a classic example of the use of Song to bring Hope etc. Also, I include the telling of Tales generally under this skill.

2. Riddle - much of the above discussion is about Song, which although is a versatile skill is actually IMO not as important as this skill - ask yourself how many times in an adventure the PC's have to obtain information from some source, often unwillingly! Experienced PC's soon realise the value of this skill in being able to 'find out what is going on'. It is the TOR version of 'Gather Information' or similar skills.

Robin S.