Welcome back, a lot has changed but not a ton has changed for bards. First thing I would do(if you can) is fix your stats and set them for max at level 100. If you enter the below stats for initial placement, you will have 100’s in everything but int, which will max at 90. You could also choose to set them for mid level 50-60 and this will ease some of the growing pains in the earlier levels.
str 62
con 82
dex 49
agl 68
dis 88
aur 49
log 88
int 68
wis 73
inf 33
Regarding training, my personal preference is utilizing UCS(Unarmed combat system) also know as UAC, which relies on the brawling weapon skill to perform attacks. I think bards excel at UCS but it can be more difficult due to initially lower DS vs sword/board.
Skills:
2x brawling
1 rank of TWC or .5x ranks for extra DS
27 armor ranks for brig or 6 for doubles(this will free up more TPs but is less sturdy than brig), eventually you will want to train up to augmented chain(50 ranks)
1x PF
1x dodge
1x HP
1x perception
Air lore to 30 ASAP for tonis
Climb/swim at 20 add more as needed
There is two options regarding spells, prioritize bard spells to get 1035 or prioritize 400s for 425/430. I chose getting 425 at level 25 and got 1035 at ~level 40. Either path is viable.
Once you hit 1035 and 430, I would add in 25 ranks of EMC and start prioritizing Manipulation lore to get 75 ranks at level 73.