For the past few weeks I've been trying to flesh out the concept mentioned a few posts back: active abilities divorced from stanza arrangement. So far everything is pretty wishy-washy, but I did find something I'd like to expand upon.

The basic premise builds on harmonization, keeping ties with the strong, vocal background (operaaa) of the guild that is sorely not represented in a single specialized skill. There would be a small sprinkling (I'm thinking three, maybe four if they're all relatively minor) of skills that will have varying effects based on the number of contributing voices, up to a maximum of three. For example!

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First Symphonist:
BUILD HARMONY - necessary to use the accompanying skills, this syntax would begin the process. If no other Symphonists choose to contribute, the skill's singular effect would activate.

Second Symphonist:
HARMONIZE WITH - Bam! The song now has the same basic effect, but to a slightly higher degree. If it were a passive healing song, just for an easy example (I know we already have this, calm down!), it would now heal more than before, or perhaps remove an affliction in addition to restoring health.

Third Symphonist:
HARMONIZE with AND - Exactly the same as before, but the effect will now have reached its maximum potential.

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Bards are at their best in groups, which is what I feel this should be tailored towards. I'm expecting drawbacks, and have looked into things such as having the individual bards' songs paused until the harmony is concluded, or preventing contributing bard movement while the effect is active. It's essentially a spec within a spec, which I wouldn't find too strange for an established bardic company like the Symphonium.

I've delved into trying to plan further specifics, (you know, the things that matter) such as the sort of skills that would be used and how they will come into play (ticking room effects, once-and-done effect, etc.). Unfortunately, I can't decide one way or another on anything. The outline of the mechanic itself is ALL that I find myself set on trying for. In short, I'm begging for handouts in the form of suggestions.

While the mechanic is solely derived from fluff, I would like for it to be presented as something useful that would add utility and worth to LoralAria, rather than just being something fun to toy with.

Whilst I like the suggestion here, (a lot) bards hardly need even more group synergy with each other. Unless the singular effects were nerfed considerably, I would find myself not in support of the proposed changes.

The most I could probably get behind would be for skills that got a -slight- buff when used with another Symphonist. Healing being buffed by 5-7% for example.

That's essentially the sort of thing I was hoping for - something very slight, but enough to keep it interesting AND worth using.