I'm trying to decide on what my Useful Item will be for my Undir shaman. At the moment he has ranks in perform, and I see him as being both a talented singer and musician. I have some ideas on where I want to take this, but I would be curious what others on the forums think. Thanks in advance for any ideas.

I'd recommend a percussion instrument or a wind, like a conch shell or something.

John

It might be fun to think outside the box a bit. Given they can found as far afield as North Africa and Iran, who's to say the Undir don't have a form of bagpipes? Granted the Codex version of the Undir bear a clear influence from Southeast Asia it doesn't mean we can't play around with it a bit. My initial idea was this guy's a sailor, been around a bit, so maybe sea chanties? Shaman as I recall (don't have the books in front of me) get perform (sing) as a skill, but I like the idea of having an instrument to accompany my singing. Another idea would be to base the character a bit off the way Will Scarlet was portrayed in the last Robin Hood movie (the one with Russell Crowe). I like the idea of singing bawdy songs at lower-class parties as opposed to upper class ones. They're more fun. Maybe a fiddle?

Kelb'Bakari has "Perform (Ribaldry)" as a skill

Keep in mind Sea Shanties were originally work songs, used to accompany repetitive and sometimes tedious work or chores.

No problem there, Wikipedia has a nice entry on sea chanties.

I rather like the idea of Perform (Ribaldry). Although I see my characters singing bawdy songs rather than telling outrageous stories....although I could see that happening too. Given that the Undir are a river/swamp type people as are my Cajun ancestors/relations maybe I can sneak some Cajun culture into the Undir backstory. Be interesting to see what Henry thinks. Perhaps Undir cuisine could be a variant on Cajun/Creole cooking. Just brainstorming here.

um, for sailors, the Hornpipe for the low income kinda guys, the concertina for the bit more income types, both work well into sea shanties.

the guitar is probably still a good choice for the undir, but they would probably use anything that's water resistant.

Yeah I've looked at the Hornpipe, the concertina is a fairly modern invention in the real world so I'm not sure about that one. As for the guitar (or lute for that matter), I'm not sure if this is the sound I'm looking for. But they are still possible. Also still thinking about the fiddle.

Keep in mind if you are looking for an environmentally appropriate instrument that wooden instruments are very susceptible to moisture.

John

Keep in mind as well that if you're going with a perform skill which doesn't rely on an instrument, there is no reason why your item would need to be an instrument. My priest will be getting a stole which gives a bonus to Perform: Oratory. As I see it, he's dressing for success. The more professional he looks, the more likely people are to take him seriously (hence the bonus).

Just a thought.