(11-22-2015, 11:01 PM)2L84U Wrote: It would seem that the songs of eld have their own words, verses, and refrains. So you would need to have a soul crystal. Does this mean that abilities such as voice of valor would need a soul crystal as well? It isn't explained if the other bards have one or not.
Purely theoretical, a bard who already possessed the knowledge of past songs - using Jehantel as an example - could teach anyone the verses, chords, etc. However, Jehantel also makes a point at the start of each Bard Quest to say something along the lines of this:
Jehantel Wrote:In facing this foe in mortal combat and understanding what drives it, the Soul of the Bard will surely find new expression through you.
Now this talk of "expression" is a reference back to this earlier quote on the Soul of the Bard:
Jehantel Wrote:The Soul of the Bard harbors memories of the past - verses and refrains sung by the bards of old. As you gain in worldly experience, more of these memories will find expression through your being, imbuing your songs with powers untold.
To me, it sounds like these songs can be taught to anyone through word of mouth, but that each bard who possesses a soulstone will understand them differently and in so doing, sing them slightly differently, giving them newfound power. Without the soulstone, your bard songs may just be that - songs sung by an old bard, containing just the power of the old bard?
Which leads into...
(11-23-2015, 12:48 AM)2L84U Wrote: Do the Bard songs involve aether at all?
This I don't know, because I haven't seen a definitive yes or no stated in the lore when I was sorting through BRD quest text.
The fact that bard songs drain mana while their effect is active can be used as evidence to support aether consumption to give songs power. Alternatively, lore text states that raw emotion and empathy are the most effective drives behind the songs. Is one way right or are both valid? I don't know, and I honestly don't think anyone has the grounds to judge you either way if you were to just RP it as whichever method you prefer.
