#BardWeek
Elven Spell Songs
Elven Spell songs are a mechanic from Burning Wheel and are there to represent the magic songs we see in works like the Lord of the Rings.
Here is my port of them into Dungeon World
Not all of them are useful, some are pretty powerful and i am not completely sure how “balanced” they are.
Enjoy:
When you are an Elven Bard
WONDROUS ELVEN VOICE
When you sing ancient elven songs as part of your Arcane Arts, add this option to your list
– Cause Wonderment
Wonderment is the feeling of awe and maybe insignificance that fills the heart of every non-elf hearing the elfs sing. When affected by wonderment the target can’t do anything but listen in awe, flee the voices or weep for this beauty. Any action that threatens the life of someone affected by wonderment brakes this spell.
Once you have taken Wondrous Elven Voice you may take these elven spell song moves instead of class moves
AIR OF GATES
When you sing the Air of Gates to a door or gate and ask “what lies beyond” roll+CHA.
On a hit the door or gate opens
On a 7-9 it will close after a short time again and won’t respond to your singing any longer.
ALARM
When you sing the song of watch to yourself to stay vigilant during the night, roll+CHA to take Watch.
ANTHEM OF COURAGE
When you sing the Anthem of courage before a battle, roll+CHA
On a 7- choose 3 elven allies, on a 10+ choose all your elven allies that hear your anthem.
They take +1 forward to deal with fear during to battle.
CHANT OF OFFERING
When you perform the Chant of offering while presenting your wares, roll+CHA
On a hit you attract potential buyers for all but the weirdest of goods. On a 10+ add your charisma to the profit you make.
DOOM OF STRENGHT
When you sing the grim song of the Doom of Strenght over a dying ally and name a task for them to accomplish right now roll+CHA.
On a hit they are infused with your magic and get up to fulfill the task. On a 10+ they can’t be killed again in the pursuit of this.
After the task is fulfilled the ally passes through the black gates of death and even divine magic can’t bring them back.
GIFT OF SPEED
When you sing the Gift of Speed to your elven steed, roll+CHA
On a 7-9 your horse gets +1 control forward. On a 10+ it gains +1 control ongoing as long as you sit in the saddle.
LAY OF THE HORSE
When you sing Lay of the Horse while in the saddle, you can use its cadence and verse to communicate with your horse and hear its thoughts. You may also sing its first verse to call your horse to your side.
LYRIC OF HEALING
When you recite the Lyric of healing over a wounded elf roll+CHA.
On a hit every healing done to your ally is maximised while you continue singing. On a 10+ they also heal 1d4 hitpoints.
RECITATION OF AGES
You can sing the Recitation of Ages to yourself to remember. Add “The Grant histories of the Elfs” to your Bardic Lore expertises.
RHYME OF TONGUES
When you perform the Rhyme of tongues with someone or something that you can’t communicate with roll+CHA
On a 7-9 choose 1, on a 10+ choose 2
– They can understand you
– You can understand them
SONG OF ARBORS
When you harmonize the Song of Arbors with the wind in the leaves of a natural forest, roll+CHA
On a hit you can communicate with the old trees nearby. On a 10+ they also have directly useful information for you.
SONG OF BONDING
When you intonate the Song of Bonding in a duet with a fellow elf you gain a Bond:
____ and i are bond forever by the Song of Bonding.
At anytime you can ask the GM
“Is my bonded partner in danger” and they will answer you truethfully.
SONG OF MERRIMENT
When you twitter the Song of merriment around a hearth or campfire, all dark thoughts, anger and worries are washed away and everyone experiences a moment of pure joy
SONG OF SILENCE
When you utter a single syllabel from the Song of Silence to someone, roll+CHA.
On a 7-9 your target can’t raise their voice to address you. On a 10+ they can no longer use their voice at all until you stop recitating the Song to yourself in silence.
SONG OF SWORDS
When you lift up your voice in the Song of Swords over your elven Blade, roll+CHA
On a 7-9 choose 1, on a 10+ choose 2
– Your blade gains an additional range category as long as you keep singing
– Your blade gains piercing 2 as long as you keep singing
– Your blade can harm incorporeal beings as long as you keep singing
– You can share your blessing with another elven blade
STRAIN OF FAR SIGHT
When the air is filled by the Strain of far sight song, roll+CHA.
On a hit your view expands and you can see as far as an eagle can. On a 10+ you can also ask one question from the discern realities list. When you stop singing the effect ends.
SUPPLICATION OF THE WIND
When you raise your voice to the gales in the Supplication of the Wind, roll+CHA
On a hit choose 1
– The wind strengthens into a storm
– Bring winds to doldrum
– Put winds into your sails in a direction of your choice
On a 7-9 the effect lasts only for a short while.
You may also sing this song and ask the winds how long a storm will endure, they will answer you.
THRENE OF THE CHAMELEON
When you whisper this song under your breath, roll+CHA
On a hit you are invisible to anyone not directly looking for you as long as you stand still.
On a 10+ you can still move around slowly without loosing this effect.
Remember that your song might still be heard.
WEATHERSONG
When you sing the Weathersong under the morning sky you may ask “What will the weather today bring”, the GM will answer you truthfully.
Awesome work!
Song of Swords is made of win. I really like Threne too, very well done. Burning Wheel has lots of great material that just screams to be ‘ported’ into DW.
thank you.
Song of the Sword is actually turned down from the BW version.
STRENGHT *strength