Widseth's Mystical Lute

When used by bards, their bardsong grants each party member a total of +1 To Hit & +3 Damage (+2 To Hit & +4 Damage if the bard is 5th-level) to their melee and Ranged attacks. The bard may physically attack while playing this instrument and/or initiate one Free Action. Bards cannot make a Lore check while playing this instrument.

Since performing bardsong is a Standard Action (this instrument does not change that fact), the bard may not do any of the following while performing with this instrument unless it can be performed as a Free Action:

• activate a Special Ability
• activate a wand
• apply a salve
• apply an oil
• cast a scroll
• cast a spell
• drink a potion
• make a Lore check
• any Standard Action other than physically attack

I.e., the bard may perform bardsong, physically attack, and/or do one Free Action, but nothing else in any given round.

While playing this magical instrument, a bard can perform bardsong while simultaneously attacking with a physical weapon–either 1- or 2-handed. It does not allow a bard to attack as a Free Action, it allows the attack and bardsong to occur at the same time. It’s a subtle distinction, but an important one because it means a bard can perform bardsong, attack, and perform a Free Action in the same round. If this instrument converted an attack into a Free Action, the bard would not be able to perform another Free Action in the same round.

WML also allows a bard to wield an offhand item. An offhand-held item is something the bard could normally use in combat which is held in the offhand. In most cases it’s a shield, but it could also be a more esoteric offhand combat item such as (but not limited to) an Orb of Might or Brawler’s Mug (R). Bards choosing to engage in combat with a 2-handed ranged weapon may use an Archer’s Buckler as the offhand-held item when playing WML.
Rule of Thumb: If the bard can use the item(s) while engaged in combat without WML, the item(s) can be used while playing WML. Conversely, if the bard cannot use the item(s) while engaged in combat, neither can WML.

Note: Melee damage the bard inflicts while playing this lute does trigger Retribution Damage (assuming the target can inflict Retribution Damage) but Ranged damage does not.

Erratum: The original printing of this token was missing the black hand icons at the bottom. Like all bardsong instruments, it requires two hands to use.