I agree - Bards do NOT have to be the bringers of sweetness and light to
the world. The idea that Bards should provide their services for free
goes against my thoughts on why we are ALL trying to play Bards...we are
each free to do as we please! Some might want to charge an arm and leg
for their services (and sometimes that is a cheap price if a corpse is
in deadly territory!), some might wish to gain a reputation for being a
"nice" guy or gal and do it for free. Nothing should be set in stone...

In point of fact I charge higher level folks more than I do lower levels
- they have the means, they should know what they are getting into
better, and if they really need a guide to their corpse I am willing to
oblige...for a price. This doesn't make me greedy, if anything I think
higher level folk respect me more! You put forward that we do this
service for free, then all we are is another aspect of the game to be
used...like NPCs.

That's my plat and a half on the subject. I too am on Cazic-Thule, seen
you around Pistov! We should travel together sometime!

Shadren, a lowly Bard of the 8th circle
Owner of the Commonlands Plateu!