I like this response, nicely thought out. I'm not convinced, however...here's
why:
>As much as I would love a bind song, it would go against how every song works.
> Our songs are not permanent effects. They are not even long lasting. In
>general, the effects we create only last for a few seconds after we stop
>singing or playing our song. Binding is very different: it is a permanent
>change to the environment.
>The one exception to this is the charismatic catillion, which lasts until we
>zone...and that somehow makes sense. I picture myself going into town and
>singing to a merchant who loves the ballads of my adventures and tells all her
>friends about me. As soon as I leave town they forget all about Sarsa and
>listen to the next Bard who comes in.
I agree that all of our songs are temporary. But I would point out that all
spells in the game are temporary, with the exception of Bind. Magician summoned
items are no-rent, and all others are buffs, DD's, DoT's, Heals, etc. There are
no environment altering spells in the game that I know of except Bind. Perhaps
a case could be made for Mem Blur, but that's one spell out of 700.
In addition, I'd have to say that the Bard songs aren't a group of temporary
effects, but rather songs that mimic existing spells or spell effect combo's.
So, the fact that they are temporary is due to the fact that the spells they
mimic are temporary. After all, once a caster stops casting, he's done the same
thing we do when we stop singing...let the effect drop after a set, but finite
duration.
>If there was a bind song it could only keep us bound for as long as we sang
>it. Not practical. Even if we did get a permanent bind, could you imagine
>how loud the other melees would scream? If all 7 melee types died in Guk and
>died in Freeport at the same time and started running back, who would arrive
>first without outside aid? The bards of course! We already have the
>advantage over all other melee classes in this area.
Well, if we were a 'melee' class, which is the distinction I'm trying to work
out in my post, I'd agree. But seeing as how the other melee classes get 6 to 9
combat skills in addition to dodge, and we get 1, I can't see how we can be
lumped in. I guess in response to saying 'We don't get bind!', we can answer
"We don't get combat skills!"
Heck, if we had 6 or 7 combat skills like the other 3 hybrids, I'd agree that
Bind would be completely inappropriate. But really, it would be like saying,
Clerics can't have bind because the Rangers would be pissed! We're a breed
apart.
Thanks for the answer, even if I didn't agree :)
Golias, Sol Ro