From PDF Introduction A Web Enhancement for Song and Silence: A Guidebook to Bards and Rogues The judicious use of bardic abilities can help an adventuring group in a variety of ways. Bardic knowledge can provide background information for an area or a situation, offer clues to a mystery, serve as a vehicle for the Dungeon Master (DM) to introduce new concepts, and even help the canny DM determine what areas of the campaign world interest players most. Bardic music can bolster an adventuring party’s combat capabilities, counter spells, and pave the way for gathering information, conducting investigations, and a host of other noncombat situations. In addition, the bard’s normally high Charisma helps him make friends and gain new allies almost everywhere he goes. If your players aren’t accustomed to using bardic abilities to their fullest, it may help to send the characters on an adventure that offers several opportunities for using these talents. Here’s a short scenario that demonstrates how bardic abilities can enhance a group’s success. This DUNGEONS & DRAGONS web enhancement showcases bardic abilities (particularly bardic knowledge) and features a spymaster NPC, as well as several of the sample traps listed in Song and Silence: A Guidebook to Bards and Rogues. It is designed for four characters of 6th to 7th level. The party should include at least one bard.