Should I bring my mandolin to a session when I play a bard? Or

This is frankly the kind of question you would be better off asking the group, and probably only after getting to know everyone. Personally, I'd say unless you're REALLY good at it and can play softly/subtly I'd just ask you leave the instrument at home. Listening to someone plucking random cords for several hours is pretty obnoxious and distracting.

>>54282429
I would love it personally, but I'm a sucker for traditional instruments anyway. If your group is fun then they should be fine with it.

>>54282429
depends on the setting honestly

>>54282438
Yeah, you're probably right there, I suppose it depends on the group more than anything

>>54282429
I played a bard and brought my lute to sessions. Just use it tastefully.
It became such a good addition that in a scene where I was entrancing a crowd to draw attention the DM had me freestyle a quick verse and was going to give me a bonus based on my actual performance.

>Not good at freestyling
>They fucking hung me

>>54282429
Have done this with a group who was cool with it. Am not very good so wasn't playing much at all except for sprinkling it in here and there. Just don't be obnoxious and it should work out fine

Actually playing - even softly, even as background - during play is grounds for summary execution. Playing around and showing off for everyone before, after, and during breaks is great. Go for it.

But if you're planning to "play as a bard" by "playing as a bard" then I've seen that before and I hate it.

Dude in my old group used to bring his violin and play stuff from the Oblivion score. We all loved it, but ymmv.