What are the assorted instruments that bards can use?

Mandolin, Lyre, Viola, Violin

and lute

Thanks.

Can I assume, by the lack of response, that nobody knows, or that it is in fact such an insignificant boost that nobody bothers with it anymore?

I would assume it's about the same as other buffs, like empower rune or beastmastery influence skills. That is, the more you already have, the less valuable it is to get just one more (though you're one of few people who can actually even get that one!).

It seems to me that most influence boosts are extremely minimal in effect, and the idea is to combine as many of them as you can. I've noticed that going from 'standard bashing setup' to 'full begging/influence setup' allows me to influence most mobs using 1 less influence attack. Specifically, 4/4 uses of begging/supplication becomes 3/4 or 4/3 by: reducing prestige by removing jewelry and changing clothes, using Netzach for the Charisma bonus, applying sandalwood oil (makes begging more effective), chanting Anguti (increases influence potency). Additionally, there's other 'heart' mantras that get chanted for better ego regen, performance mode for better ego regen, ironwill for ego regen, all of these regen boosts having no real effect on influencing potency.

All of that means instead of 8 influence attacks, I instead have to make 7.

When I don't have many mobs to influence, I often don't bother. That's unfortunate, I think.

Anyone have a picture of Hajamin or at least a basic description of him?

He is a radiant immortal and is completely suffused with a brilliant golden light, making it appear as if His form is built up out of energy rather then matter. His skin is of a dark golden hue, a shining surface that appears to mirror what is going on inside Him, reflecting His moods and thoughts. His eyes are two spheres of brilliant golden light, shining with an intensity that leaves little doubt on who or what His gaze is resting. Two great silver wings unfurl from His back, proudly displayed behind him as signs of celestial heritage, combined with His tall figure, this makes for a truly proud and impressive form. He is wearing a brilliant circlet fashioned from Celestial Gold, immaculate white flowing celestial robes, a perfectly smooth ring made of Celestial Gold, an ornate silver breastplate gilded with Celestial Gold, and an ornate pendant of Celestial Gold, a pair of gilded silver celestial greaves.

The trick with measuring influence boosts is that, if you take 8 "hits" and then a boost gives you +5%, odds are you'll still take 8 "hits" because odds are your last hit was more than was needed to win. (No different from bashing boosts, really.) So sometimes one boost won't matter at all on a particular target but might matter on another (depending on how much wasted damage was in your last "hit"). So you can't really tell unless you try it on a variety of critters, including the one that takes the largest number of "hits" for you to beat, that you can reliably beat. Sometimes stacking another one makes no difference at all on some targets, but sometimes it'll tip you over that next rounding error bracket, too. In the old days, there was only one boost available (the artifact rune), but nowadays you can have a bluebell (if you can), a beast, dramatics, charismatic aura, and maybe others.

Charismaticaura shouldn't even be listed with the rest of those buffs.

I've been wondering about that one. The AB (at least according to the wiki) is:

By draining your mana to maintain an aura of such compelling charisma, you can emit an aura whereby you find yourself far more influential than normal, and your loyal allies will be less willing to turn against you.

Does that "and" mean it's another benefit, or is that the only benefit?

It definitely makes you more influential, I've screwed up influencing things a couple of times due to forgetting it that I have made fairly easily when I didn't forget it.

It's definitely another benefit. The reason why I said it shouldn't be listed with the others is because charismaticaura is actually decent while the others give so little a boost that they're generally insignificant.

I see. Thanks for clarifying; starting to aim for trans Influence again!

*facepalm* Who decided what stacks with what? I wear a cloak over my herald's tabard all the time IRL, it works fine. I haven't ever worn my cloak and coat together, though. I suppose I could, but it would be kind of bulky and annoying.

I have actually heard reports that a splendour's proofs aren't any more effective than those of a greatrobe's, there are just more of them. Although I think they are greater than those on coat/cloak, which is an advantage to splendours, as they get the more effective proofs on all four types rather than just two. I haven't tested, however: could someone else? There are plenty of pure Fire or Magic attacks that are perfect for this. Not to mention demigod zap.

Is there a way to change your display name?

Why didn't Estarra post the February Bardic and Artisanal winners on the main page?

Sharduk, no.

Shaddus, because you touch yourself at night.


And my question: is it a bug that rad rune will yank someone on a cross out of the room? Because I think it should be a bug. :|