I have already soaked up more hours in Skyrim than I care to mention, but my thoughts keep drifting back to the Bard's College. I'll admit I was extremely excited about this faction from the moment I learned it was in. The possibility that it could be a completely different type of questline, one that would draw the player into their character more, seemed like a great idea. Of all my Skyrim memories so far though I think the Bard's College was the biggest let down in terms of both quests and rewards.

Even if my character is a beast of a man who wields a massive warhammer and slays dragons there are still quests that could seem appropriate, or at the very least comically acceptable here. Quests searching for lost verses and whatnot are fine on occasion, but what about defending the college from an angry mob demanding we hand over some crappy bard (for action) or perform in a play similar to a quest from Morrowind's Tribunal expansion (for involvement).

Even if some or all of the quests are lighthearted it would've been nice to feel like I'd achieved something after finishing the questline, like I'd become a bard. The possible rewards for these type of quests could've been great! From unique loot offered by nobles for performing exceptionally well during a play, to simply being able to sing in taverns for some extra coin. I set myself up for the biggest letdown though, with one of the main powers the Dragonborn has being his voice I expected some sort of shout bonus from going through the college. Surly learning the art of song, which requires control over an individual's voice, could have some perks related to our dragon shouts. Reduced cooldowns, more powerful shouting, something?

Anyway these are just a few thoughts I wanted to share. Now I have to hunt down another dragon soul!

I didn't DARE to join the bards because I was afraid they'd force-increase my speechcraft and make my enemies stronger while I'm still weak, with slightly better sell and buy prices and a bit more health...

I've been wondering if Bards College was worth a look, but if it's really like any other faction then I don't even know why they bothered, the Play reading thing in Tribunal was very amusing.

There's like 2 quests, really upset about that :/

not being able to play music makes the bard's college worthless, redundant, and boring. bethesda should have took insparation from mabonagi on the subject of music. bards have to compose or buy (from other players) their own music scores, they get their choice of a crap load of insterments, at much later levels [this could maybe be the highest or second highest perk?] you get to calm animals and make them follow you while you play, and if you have a magic score [which you can make if you have the magical paper needed] you will have different effects added to you music [ controling an animal is the only one in mabonagi i think], bethesda could take insperation from this when they add the first expansion.