The Bard's life is not an easy one, so, to ensure the best possible chances for the potential Bard, before joining the Guild, one must possess at least the minimum following characteristics:

• Strength: 8 (instruments can get so heavy...)
  
• Reflexes: 6 (to dodge those tomatoes when you hit a bad note)
  
• Agility: 8 (nimble fingers play sweetly)
  
• Charisma: 6 (with which to charm the ladies)
  
• Wisdom: 7 (to know when you're outnumbered)
  
• Intelligence: 7 (to compose witty songs)
  
• Stamina: 8 (for those all-night drinking sessions)
  

If the minimum requirements are not met, the Guildmaster will happily offer to train the young person in the necessary attributes, to bring them up to standard, however, this is likely to cost more in terms of Time Development Points than simply going out and learning it on their own.

To advance within the Bard's Guilds, the Guildmasters have, in their infinite wisdom, seen fit to put forth goals for each Bard to achieve, before being allowed to gain each circle. Primarily, these requirements are in the form of minimums in certain areas of skill, which are listed below. They are broken up into the three main circle groups: The Young Bard circles, the Experienced Bard circles, and the Master Bard circles. The requirements are listed in the numbers of ranks needed to gain each Circle.

Young Bard (Circles 1-10)

Lore: Total of 24 ranks per circle
• 4 ranks of Stringed
  
• 4 ranks of Vocal
  
• 3.5 ranks of Music Lore
  
• 2.5 ranks of teaching
  
• 2 ranks of scholarship
  
• 1.5 ranks of Mechanical Lore

Magic: Total of 10 ranks per circle
• 1.7 ranks of Primary magic
  
• 1.7 ranks of Harness
  
• 1.7 ranks of Power percieve
  
• ?? ranks of Magical Devices (I know there is a requirement, but how much?)

Survival: No minimum total per circle (but we can assume 3.5)
• 0.5 ranks of climbing
  
• 1 rank of skinning
  
• 1 rank of first aid
  
• 1 rank of swimming

Weapons: 2.5 ranks in each of two weapons (no specific weapon requirements)
• 1.5 ranks of parry
  
• 1.5 ranks of evasion
  
• 1.3 ranks of multi-opponent
  
• 1.5 ranks of shield

Experienced Bard (11-30)

Lore: 24 total ranks per circle
• 4 ranks each in 2 instruments (includes vocal)
  
• 1.5 ranks of teaching

Weapons: 2.5 ranks in each of two weapons (no specific weapon requirements)

Master Bard (31-50)

Lore: 32 ranks per circle

Weapons: 3.5 ranks in each of two weapons (no specific weapon requirements)

Above 50th?