A Bard that doesn't inspire courage

[SorO_Lost]

never heard of either one

Rivirine, or how ever it's spelled, is out of Stormwreck and it's one of the most powerful Special Materials in the game. It's water compressed between two walls of force and utterly immune to damage. A couple of Spells can break it, pretty much the same ones that specifically interact with Wall of Force, but it's immunity to damage make's it a great go to defensive upgrade.

And the DMGII introduced Signature Traits, they cost and do nothing mechanically. It's just added flavor fluff. Casting Grease on a Writhing Flaming Quarterstaff is a great way to intimidate people and it would probably land a hefty circumstantial bonus to Intimidate. 

[linklord231]

The Glamered armor special quality is cheap and can make you look half-naked even in full armor.

If you're going for a skillful enchantress, you might think about Beguiler into Prestige Bard or Unseen Seer. 

[awaken_D_M_golem]

real life Fluff of a semi-non-music "bard"
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capoeira
... more of a Bard + Monk for d&d purposes.

If you considered it to be Drumming only
then it fits with the 5e War Drums Bard idea.

Dizzy Gillespie used a walking stick that was
a cane with hundreds of beer bottle caps attached.
He'd walk around in tempo, tapping out rhythms.
(he was more a Bird lover, than a fighter)

[Argent Fatalis]

A bit late, but the "Lost Tradition" feat from the Bastards and Bloodlines book by Green Ronin can set your casting ability score to any of which you choose - even if it would not regularly be capable of casting spells, such as Strength or Dexterity. That said, Charisma from Wisdom based spellcasting is not asking too much if Dynamic Priest is out of the question; it is also a direct upgrade as well to that aforementioned feat.

[Solo]

Tap-dancing is very much audio. So yes, you could inspire with just dancing, if you define said dancing

Stop thinking so small.

Riverdance!

[ketaro]

Tap-dancing is very much audio. So yes, you could inspire with just dancing, if you define said dancing

Stop thinking so small.

Riverdance!

Ah, that so reminds me of the Lord of the Dance. That was the first kind of thing like that I ever saw and it's just so awesome :v

[Masakan]

For the record, the main reason i opted for inspire awe over courage is because of how well it synergies with enchantment spells
Think of it as a sort of softener that makes enchantment and illusion spells even more effective.