I like the Bards a lot.
At first I thought they look quite useless. But then I learned they can:
-Cast Spell Songs
-Summon Horned Serpents
-(With a Green Gem) cast Panic
-Improve Morale by just being there
-Search for Nature Sites
-Gain Experience fast
-Switch to Research at peacetime
And, at 75 Gold, unlike the high end leaders, they are expendable.
