The Melodic chain armour will allow your character to still wear armour and cast spells. There are various gloves and girdles to increase your strength and I'd advise giving your guy/gal some proficiency with a katana and then equipping him/her with the
Dak'kon's Zerth Blade +2 (Katana) which although only a +2 weapon will give you additional 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th level spells.
P.S. I'm not really dissing Bards per se, I used one expecting him to be like a mage, I just didn't do my homework.
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It's bleedin dark down here, slippery too.
Man, that's a pisser.
