BARDESS, the Troubadour Pokégirl

BARDESS, the Troubadour Pokégirl
Type: Very Near Human
Element: Normal
Frequency: Rare
Diet: Human-type diet
Role: Morale boosters, Pokégirl Support
Libido: High
Strong Vs: Ghost, pokégirls weak to sonic techniques
Weak Vs: Fighting, Flying
Attacks: Sing, Dance, Cheer, Yell, Various Song Techniques (often named by the Pokégirl or her tamer), Duet, Chorus, Symphony, Harmony
Enhancements: Increased and Enhanced Lung Capacity, Perfect Recall, Song magic-casting
Evolves: None
Evolves From: Diva (Orgasm +Music)

The Diva was originally Sukebe's stopgap measure to try and bolster his forces as he and his team of Pokégirl DNA engineers created newer, meaner Pokégirls to combat the humans that were slowly closing in on them. The Bardess, on the other hand, has no roots from the Revenge War other than her previous evolution's. The first recorded instance of a Bardess' discovery was in 42 AS, when a Diva evolved during a taming session with her tamer's music player on high. It wasn't until 128 AS that the evolution method was recorded, however. The Bardess outwardly looks no different than she did when she was a Diva, save for a sudden growth spurt of around two to five inches. The true change, however, is that a Bardess' lungs is about 25% larger than a comparatively sized Pokégirl or human, and her body efficiently makes use of every bit of them to enable the breed's specialty.

Or specialties, rather. The Bardess is often categorized into two variations of the breed: the Musician, who utilizes instruments to craft her song magic. The other type of Bardess is the Minstrel, who prefer being able to vocalize and play at the same time to craft their song magic. Both find that their ability to cast song magic have increased by a tremendous amount and using the unique techniques described below, can accomplish musically and aurally what would otherwise require a grand symphony. Though the Bardess still has the basic ability to increase the powers of her harem sisters in battle and out through her song magic, or attack using various sung frequencies, they have become much more powerful in scope. Many of the songs sung or played (or both) can increase many of the abilities of her targeted harem sisters, while the opponent(s) cannot make similar use of the song magic's effects. Though research is ongoing due to this phenomenon, it has been suggested by magicians from Vale that it is a result of the magic of the songs more than anything, directed at the whims of the Bardess.

In a battle, the Bardess is little more than a target compared to numerous other Pokégirls, and the breed has been compared to the Ingenue when it comes to lack of fighting prowess. In a support role, where the Diva excelled, the Bardess is possibly the penultimate support Pokégirl. One of the rarest things to catch is a Bardess in the act of her singing, as unlike the Diva, this breed rarely sings unless required. This means battles and in practice would be the only times one might find a Bardess singing or playing her instruments, though they are reported to have a need to at least practice several times a week at least to 'keep their skills' well-honed. In a harem, the breed is considered excellent in providing entertainment and distraction for all types of Pokégirls, Pokégirls with a chaotic nature find this breed in particular perfect for finding their center amidst their warring natures. For others, they are infuriating, as the Bardess can be found being picked on by stronger, more physical types of Pokégirls that are proud of their own abilities without resorting to the 'tricks' that a Bardess provides during a battle. Bardess are not, however, considered to be good choices for any leadership positions due to their lack of interest of gaining power over her harem sisters. When taming, the Bardess is quite vocal, and many have been known to use their song magic to induce increased stamina, endurance, staying power, and interest in her tamer and harem sisters.

Feral Bardess are extraordinarily rare, and almost always are found as a result of a tamer getting killed by a feral in the wilderness, or some one just tossing one into the wilderness to try and fend for herself. They are nomadic, wandering a certain course through the various areas in an effort to stay alive. Without their intelligent state that comes from being domestic, a feral Bardess often uses her instrument(s) as a weapon to keep herself safe. Though they can sing, there is no harmony or reason to the songs sung, and as such the Bardess is unable to command her song magic while in a feral state. This breed is often coveted by any prospective tradesmen looking for a musical career in any league, and competitions between bands can sometimes result in the prize being a captured Bardess. Outside of harems and bands, however, they make for excellent pets and get along well with both children and Pokékits.