Everybody in your party gets special equipment. Why can't Haer'Dalis get any? I always shake my head when people complain that you need special equipment for certain NPCs. Everybody needs, or rather, wants special equipment.
There are several Bard tricks of the trade that you can use with Haer'Dalis. Haer'Dalis can have 6 attacks per round without the aid of Potions, Haste or Improved Haste. Haer'Dalis can take on Bodhi without using a Protection from Undead scroll. Haer's Dalis can sing his Bard song and fight at the same time. Haer'Dalis can clear out a Mind Flayer lair by himself without getting hit once. Haer'Dalis may not be an uber NPC, but he is far from weak if used properly.
