Performance Checks
Performers roll to see how good their performance is. The end result will be affected by a variety of aspects of the character. Multiple people performing together average their performance rolls, which can cause a poor performance by one person to ruin a great performance by another person. However, it is also possible for multiple players to create a better performance if they harmonize well enough.
Performances can be oratory, poetry, acting, singing, playing an instrument, or other sorts of public performances.
The score is generated like this:
1. Roll a d20 if the character is just doing one thing. If the character is doing two things, such as singing and dancing, singing and playing an instrument, and so on, roll 2d12.
2. Bards add a d20 to the result.
3. For each applicable non-weapon proficiency point the character has, add a d6 to the result.
4. If the performer’s clothing, equipment, or the like is of poor quality, subtract a d6. If the clothing, equipment or the like is of good quality, add a d6. If the performer’s clothing, equipment or the like is of magical quality which contributes to the performance, add 2d6. If the performer’s clothing, equipment or the like is magical and of legendary quality, add 2d10 to the result.
5. Add the character’s dexterity to the result, if the performance could benefit from such. This will almost always apply.
6. If the character’s birth skill could somehow apply, add a d10.
7. Add one point for each point of charisma over 12.
8. Add one point for each point of comeliness over 12.
9. Roll a d10 for harmony with the other performers. The performer with the highest overall result adds that to the next highest overall result, and so on. This indicates that they are elevating them with their matching of the other character’s performance. The performer with the worst result does not get this roll.
Results of the performance
01-10 – Terrible. Most people walk away within minutes.
11-20 – Poor. About half the crowd will leave, the rest will stay for another performance, in the hope things might get better (or to jeer if they stay bad).
21-30 – Mediocre. About a quarter of the crowd will leave. A few might leave small pity tips.
31-40. Fair. A small percentage will leave, but most will stay, and a few will drop tips, though none will be large.
41-50. Good. Almost nobody will leave, and tips could be significant.
51-60. Very good. Everyone stays, and tips will be generous.
61-70. Superb. The applause brings in others, and tips will be very generous.
71-80. Astounding. Most people have never seen such a performance, and tales will be told about it for months. Tips will be high, such that many people will leave with empty pocket.
81-90. Legendary. The crowd will cheer, stories will be told for years about this performance. Tips will be amazing, and agents will approach the performers to try to secure them for larger venues.
91-100. Superhuman. The crowd will go wild, and stories will be passed on for generations. A wealthy person may try to hire the performer(s) for their household, or to have them travel and perform before the rich and powerful. Tips will be life changing.
101 and up – Blessed by the gods. Most mortals never see such a performance, or hear of one. Crowds will weep with joy, and you may literally attract the attention of some divine being, extraplanar creature, or spirit. This attention can be very good, or very bad. People will beg to become the students of the performers, spies may watch them, and royalty may summon you to their presence. You may be offered startling amounts of money to perform for enormous audiences, or small groups of very powerful beings.