Editing Gypsy (section)

===Gypsy-Bard Kit===
One of the more... embarrassing... [[kits]] to come out of AD&D, the Gypsy-Bard is presented as a nomadic entertainer with distinctly unconventional views on property - namely, they recognize property as belonging to someone only so long as it is held or being used, and don't recognize the concept of the land as "private property". No, seriously - take a look at this flavor text from [[The Complete Book of|The Complete Bard's Handbook]] and you can see the kind of bullshit this class was saddled with:

''I'm known as Madraime, and I'm a Gypsy lady. Oh, I'm not what most people would call a typical Gypsy. Within the society of gypsies, there are many different types of individuals. I am what is known as a Gypsy-bard, performing-Gypsy, or dancing-girl.''

''I travel with my father's caravan, performing for the locals of a region as we pass through. When I'm not singing and dancing for the outsiders, I often entertain those of my caravan in the evening hours. There is nothing as lovely as spending an evening among my own kind, dancing, singing, and enjoying the company of those who understand the world.''

''Like all Gypsies, I realize that humans, elves, dwarves, and others were meant to lead lives of inner discovery, peaceful joy, and association with nature. I know that many people distrust Gypsies, calling us thieves and worse. This occurs because we Gypsies are misunderstood. Our beliefs are so pure and so natural that they are hard for outsiders to understand.''

''For example, as a Gypsy, I understand that ownership of an item exists only so long as the item is not ignored or forgotten. If I lay down my magical dagger, walk away, and one of my brothers should find it, the dagger is then his. If I want it back I must trade him something in exchange.''

''How can anyone claim to own something that they aren't using or aren't holding? What gives a king the right to say that he owns the land of a country? The land was there before he or his family ever lived, and it will be there long after they are all dead. Likewise, how can a farmer claim that he owns the sheep that feed upon the land? These sheep exist because they eat the fruit of the land, and the land belongs to no one. The ways of outsiders are very odd indeed.''

''We Gypsies are a peaceful folk who wish only to travel upon the good earth, laugh, sing, and live the ways of life.''

Cringing yet? It gets worse; from that introductory flavor text, the kit description goes on to include the following statements to define the "philosophy of gypsy life":
* Gypsy-bards are free thinkers. For example, many do not marry, seeking companionship only for as long as both parties agree to the arrangement.
Gypsy-bards love nature.
* Many Gypsy-bards don't worship deities (although certain deities may look over them). Instead, they worship the concepts of nature, free will, and life.
* Gypsy-bards draw their energies from their free will, their brethren, and from their natural surroundings.
* A Gypsy-bard is loyal to and protects his friends, but friendship must be earned, and it is not gained easily.
* Possession and ownership are the same.
* Money is useless unless it brings you pleasure; trade is a better form of commerce.
* You should always dress and act naturally and comfortably.
* The rigid customs and beliefs of non- Gypsies are foolish and should be ignored.

...And they say [[The Complete Book of]] [[Elves]] was a mishap.

Mechanically, the gypsy-bard is a bardic kit that specializes in Dance, Musical Instruments and Song as its performance-mediums. It cannot be Lawful Neutral in alignment, and alongside [[human]]s, [[elves]] can take this version of the [[bard]] class, reaching up to 9th level in it. A gypsy-bard's secondary skills are: Forester, Gambler, Groom, Hunter, Jewelr, Teamster/Freighter, Trader/Barterer. It ''must'' take the dagger/knife as its first weapon proficiency, and its first sword proficiency must be either khopesh or scimitar. A gypsy-bard canot become proficient in the use of battle-axes, lances, polearms, tridents, two-handed swords, bastard swords, or warhammers. They can only wear leather, padded, studded leather, or elven chain mail for armor. Nonweapon proficiencies associated with the kit are: Dancing, Direction Sense, Languages (Modern-Gypsy), Musical Instrument (tambourine, violin, mandolin), Ancient History, Astrology, Cooking, Craft Instrument, Disguise, Fire-Building, Gaming, Herbalism, Hunting, Juggling, Singing, Spellcraft, Survival, Tracking, Ventriloquism, Weather Sense.

Special Benefits:
* Animal Rapport: A gypsy-bard automatically gains the proficiencies Animal Handling, Animal Lore, Animal Training, and Riding (Land-Based), with training and riding skills extending to any animal with which they become familiar. At 5th level, a gypsy-bard can cast Animal Friendship at will by speaking to animals in the secret gypsy language. At 10th level, they can cast Locate Animals or Plants at will. At 15th level, they can Speak With Animals at will.
* Allure of the Gypsies: If a gypsy-bard performs before a willingly participating audience (or 3+ gypsy-bards perform before any audience) for 1d10 turns, they can mimic the effect of one [[Enchanter|Enchantment]] spell that they have in their spell-book by rolling a successful "Chance to Learn Spell" check. The range, duration and other effects are based on the level of the performer "donating" the spell.
* Fortune Telling: If a 5th level or higher gypsy-bard has access to any [[Diviner|Divination]]-based magical item, or a [[Deck of Many Things]], they can use that item as a focus to perform an augury spell. This "scrying" can be done 1/day per five levels, allowing them to ask one yes/no question per five levels during that day. A gypsy-bard does not have to be able to actually use the "normal" effects of that magic item when using it as a focus, and using it as a focus doesn't trigger its normal powers, such as the effects of drawing a card from the Deck of Many Things.
* [[Psionics]]: All gypsy-bards should be Wild Talent psionicists, if your campaign uses those rules.

Special Hindrances: Gypsy-bards suffer a -25% penalty to their Climb Walls skill when climbing cliffs, building walls and cave walls - they're specialized in climbing trees.

Apart from these traits, gypsy-bards have the same requirements and class features as a standard [[bard]].

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