From publisher blurb:
I am pleased to announce the release of my fifth rules supplement, “THE SKALD”, a new player character class inspired by the bards of classic gaming! While the bard class enjoys massive popularity in the modern game, where bards and their antics are practically synonymous with 5e, the Old School bard class had no such renaissance. I aim to change that with the introduction of my own version of the bard for OSR rulesets, based on the Old Norse storytellers known as skalds.
While these raconteurs remain loyal to their time-honoured jack of all trades origins, I’ve opened up the class with a broader selection of skills and abilities over prior iterations of this entertainer-adventurer. This version of the bard class is essentially a more robust, single class equivalent of the renowned multi-classed fighter/spell slinger/rogue, which so many veteran players enjoyed in the classic game. My skald class combines the fighting talents of a warrior, the subterfuge skills of a thief, and access to druidic and illusionist magic. To this impressive repertoire of skills, they add their own unique set of dramatic and musical talents, making them quite formidable!
By my troth, I believe the skald class, as I have laid it out herein, is immensely enjoyable to play, has great survivability and provides huge player character utility for both the individual player and for the party as a whole. So, strap on that sword, grab your lute and let’s hit the road; it’s time for adventure!
BACK COVER COPY: Your party is down at the docks, searching for the captain of a pirate ship, posing as a merchant. You’ve been hired to apprehend and question him, and put an end to his operation. However, as you approach The Last Swim, the seedy pub he’s rumored to frequent, you question your decision to take on this quest. As you step beneath the inn’s sign, featuring a sailor being thrown overboard while tied to an anchor, you are nearly bowled over by a battered and bloody man being thrown out the door. Stepping over this unfortunate, you enter the a dimly lit pub, which smells of body odour and stale beer. The places goes deathly quiet, as all eyes turn to you. The momentary silence is broken by the sound of swords and daggers being drawn, and the distinctive ratcheting clank of a crossbow being readied. You look at each other and gulp; you may not get out of here alive! However, before any bloodshed can occur, your companion Lurwin the skald strides confidently forth and begins singing a raucous, bawdy sea shanty, accompanying himself on the concertina. The rough and ready patrons seem stunned, but within a couple moments they have joined in on the chorus, and are laughing and cheering Lurwin on. Cor, it’s good to have a skald with you!