How we're gunna' do it!

[Aerin, the half-elf priestess]

I love Eric's new post about characters. I want everyone to make new dream characters and I will tell you what TIER Masteries I think fit well with your character.

For Eric's lute and harp player, I suggest starting with Chosen Weapon I (Lute), Accuracy I, and Blocking I. This will allow Eric to attack twice per round with his Lute or once per round with his harp/bow. He will also have a very good attack roll with both weapons and be able to block one physical attack per round.

[mahahus]

Thanks, Michael! I can't wait to make Derkeethus now! I have a question though, does my lute count as a blunt weapon, and in that way allow him to have special masteries for blunt weapons?

[Aerin, the half-elf priestess]

The Lute would count as a one-handed and/or two-handed blunt weapon that uses strength to wield. The Harp would count as a shortbow. Your character would probably have about 16 str, 16 dex, 14 charisma, 14 con, 12 Int, 10 Wis.

The stats above would help you create a fine character capable of playing bardic music, fighting, and surviving with ease. Since you are playing a bard-like character, you may want more Intelligence for skill points. So you may want to start with 14 Int and 8 Wis.

As for a future transformation mastery, Racial Paragon would be awesome because it adds bonuses to everything, which is usually what bard-like characters want. They tend to be the Jack-of-All-Trades.