Bard
Description
Words and music are not just vibrations of air, but vocalizations with power all their own. The bard is a Master of song, speech, and the magic they contain. Bards say that the multiverse was spoken into existence, that the words of the gods gave it shape, and that echoes of these primordial Words of Creation still resound throughout the cosmos. Bards become Masters of the talents they set their minds to perfecting. A bard’s life is spent wandering across the land gathering lore, telling stories, and living on the gratitude of audiences, much like any other entertainer. But a depth of knowledge, a level of musical skill, and a touch of magic set bards apart from their fellows. Discovering the magic hidden in music requires hard study and some measure of natural Talent that most troubadours and jongleurs lack.- Every creature has a starting amount of Spell Points (SP) equal to 4.
- Each attribute point spent during character creation towards a caster's Spellcasting Attribute increases their Spell Points (SP) by another 4.
- Choose between 5 subclasses, each one detailing a different mastery.
- Any race and any land can have one of these wandering minstrels, ever seeking to inspire, inquire, and inundate.
- Bards do not normally settle in one place for too long, prone to wandering the lands in search of stories, both fictional and non. They seek to search for their own causes, and in the glow of taverns, sing what they have witnessed.
Subclasses
College of Lore
Bards of the College of Lore know something about most things, collecting bits of knowledge from sources as diverse as scholarly tomes and peasant tales. The loyalty of these bards lies in the pursuit of beauty and truth, not in fealty to a monarch or following the tenets of a deity. The college’s Members gather in libraries and sometimes in actual colleges, to share their lore with one another. They also meet at festivals or affairs of state, where they can expose corruption, unravel lies, and poke fun at self-important figures of authority.Perks
Spell List
Rituals
Novice
Find Familiar
Adept
Locate Animals or Plants
Locate Object
Speak With Dead
Expert
Scrying
Zone of Truth
Find Familiar
Adept
Locate Animals or Plants
Locate Object
Speak With Dead
Expert
Scrying
Zone of Truth
Novice
Library of Lore
Gain +1 to all knowledge skills +8 spell points.
Cutting Words
You learn how to use your wit to distract, confuse, and otherwise sap the confidence and competence of others.
As a bonus action, you can expend one use of your Bardic Inspiration to afflict an opponent. They suffer -2 to attack and -1 to all saving throws for 2 rounds.
As a bonus action, you can expend one use of your Bardic Inspiration to afflict an opponent. They suffer -2 to attack and -1 to all saving throws for 2 rounds.
Adept
Magical Secrets
Your knowledge of storytelling and magic give you boons above others. Gain +3 uses to Bardic Inspiration and +8 spell points.
Peerless Skill
As a reaction and at the cost of 1 bardic inspiration point, you are inspired and add a +2 to all saves and +1 to your Spellcasting DC for 1 round.
Outside of Combat you can use peerless skill to temporarily gain +2 to skill rolls at the cost of 1 Bardic Inspiration when used. Usable twice per short rest.
Outside of Combat you can use peerless skill to temporarily gain +2 to skill rolls at the cost of 1 Bardic Inspiration when used. Usable twice per short rest.
Expert
Spell Power & Ritual Specialization
Gain +1 Spell DC and gain +1 to the DC of ritual spells, and advantage on skill rolls and spellcasting checks which take place as part of a ritual.
Ritual Lore
Eviscerating Words
Your sharp tongue manifests your wit into not only emotional wounds, but physical. As an action and the cost of 2 Bardic Inspiration points, select a target within 6 tiles to roll a CHA save. On a failed save they take 2d8 Psychic damage and are dazed for 2 turns. On a successful save they take half damage. Usable once per short rest.
Master
Lore Master
Peerless Skill and Eviscerating Words gain a second charge. You also permanently gain +1 INT, and +2 additional uses of Bardic Inspiration.
College of Glamour
The bards of this college are regarded with a mixture of awe and fear. The College of Glamour is the home of bards who mastered their craft in the vibrant realm of the Feywild or under the tutelage of someone who dwelled there. Villainous bards of this college can leech off a community for weeks, misusing their magic to turn their hosts into thralls. Heroic bards of this college instead use this power to gladden the downtrodden and Undermine oppressors.Perks
Spell List
Novice
Sleep
Lesser Restoration
Faerie Fire
Adept
Thunder Step
Crown of Madness
Mind Spike
Mass Cure Wounds
Expert
Color Spray
Eyebite
Heal
Master
Weird
Greater Heal
Power Word: Pain
Sleep
Lesser Restoration
Faerie Fire
Adept
Thunder Step
Crown of Madness
Mind Spike
Mass Cure Wounds
Expert
Color Spray
Eyebite
Heal
Master
Weird
Greater Heal
Power Word: Pain
Rituals
Novice
Charismatic Caster
Gain +1 to CHA and WIS saves, and an additional +3 spell points.
Mantle of Inspiration
As a bonus action and expenditure of one Bardic Inspiration point, you give yourself a wondrous appearance and choose up to three targets within 6 tiles.
Each of them heals 5+Spellcasting modifier hit points, gains +1 DT and do not provoke attacks of opportunity for 1 round. This ability is vulnerable to Sentinel.
Each of them heals 5+Spellcasting modifier hit points, gains +1 DT and do not provoke attacks of opportunity for 1 round. This ability is vulnerable to Sentinel.
Adept
Mantle of Majesty
Your fey charm passively enhances your voice and disposition among others granting you a permanent +2 Persuade, +2 Deception, and +2 Intimidate (Charisma).
Enthralling Performance
As an action, spend 1 Bardic Inspiration Point and choose up to 3 creatures within 8 tiles who are able to see and hear you. Each target must succeed a WIS saving throw against your spellsave DC or become charmed for 2 turns.
When used outside of combat, the target rolls against your spell save DC. This performance must be fully emoted. If a target succeeds its saving throw, they have no knowledge that you tried to charm them.
When used outside of combat, the target rolls against your spell save DC. This performance must be fully emoted. If a target succeeds its saving throw, they have no knowledge that you tried to charm them.
Expert
Spell Power
Gain +1 Spell DC
Unbreakable Majesty
Your appearance gains otherworldly traits that makes you look indescribably beautiful and fierce.
As an action and at the cost of 2 Bardic Inspiration Points, you gain +2 AC for 3 turns. While this ability is active, as a reaction you may force an attacker to make a WIS save against your spellcasting. On a failed save, they take 1d8+Spellcasting Modifier psychic damage and are charmed for 2 turns (unless immune), while reflecting that strength back to the caster and healing them for 1d8+Spellcasting Modifier. This may be used once per short rest.
As an action and at the cost of 2 Bardic Inspiration Points, you gain +2 AC for 3 turns. While this ability is active, as a reaction you may force an attacker to make a WIS save against your spellcasting. On a failed save, they take 1d8+Spellcasting Modifier psychic damage and are charmed for 2 turns (unless immune), while reflecting that strength back to the caster and healing them for 1d8+Spellcasting Modifier. This may be used once per short rest.
Master
Vision of Glamour
Gain +1 Bardic Inspiration and one additional use of Unbreakable Magesty.
College of Spirits
Bards of the College of Spirits seek tales with inherent power-be they legends, histories, or fictions-and bring their subjects to life. Using occult trappings, these bards conjure spiritual embodiments of powerful forces to change the world once more. Such spirits are capricious, though, and what a bard summons isn't always entirely under their control.Perks
Spell List
Novice
Guidance
Aid
Shield
Toll the Dead
Adept
Mass Healing Word
Freedom of Movement
Misty Step
Mind Spike
Expert
Heal
Master
Greater Heal
Circle of Power
Guidance
Aid
Shield
Toll the Dead
Adept
Mass Healing Word
Freedom of Movement
Misty Step
Mind Spike
Expert
Heal
Master
Greater Heal
Circle of Power
Rituals
Fluff
Novice
Guiding Whispers
You gain +2 Perception and +2 Knowledge: Religion.
Tales from Beyond I
Tale of the Renowned Duelist
As a Bonus Action, 1 Bardic Inspiration: Select up to 2 targets within 8 tiles. They each gain True damage equal to your Mastery on their next successful weapon or unarmed attack.
Tale of Beloved Friends
As a Bonus Action, 1 Bardic Inspiration: Select up to 2 targets within 6 tiles. They each gain 2d4+your Mastery hitpoints and are cleansed of any Poisoned, Paralyzed or Frightened effects. This tale benefits from Beacon of Hope.
Tale of the Traveler
As a Bonus Action, 1 Bardic Inspiration: Select 1 target within 10 tiles. They may immediately spend their Reaction to teleport to within 1 tile of any ally within 6 tiles of them. This ability can be used on yourself and has a one turn cooldown.
As a Bonus Action, 1 Bardic Inspiration: Select up to 2 targets within 8 tiles. They each gain True damage equal to your Mastery on their next successful weapon or unarmed attack.
Tale of Beloved Friends
As a Bonus Action, 1 Bardic Inspiration: Select up to 2 targets within 6 tiles. They each gain 2d4+your Mastery hitpoints and are cleansed of any Poisoned, Paralyzed or Frightened effects. This tale benefits from Beacon of Hope.
Tale of the Traveler
As a Bonus Action, 1 Bardic Inspiration: Select 1 target within 10 tiles. They may immediately spend their Reaction to teleport to within 1 tile of any ally within 6 tiles of them. This ability can be used on yourself and has a one turn cooldown.
Adept
Spirit Session
You can select one of the following spells:
- Beacon of Hope
- Blight
- Gift of Alacrity
- Guiding Bolt
- Hunter’s Mark
- Inflict Wounds
- Ray of Enfeeblement
- Ray of Sickness
- Sapping Sting
Tales from Beyond II
Tale of the Dragon
As a Bonus Action, 1 Bardic Inspiration: Select up to 2 targets within 6 tiles. They are each forced to make a DEX saving throw. On a failed save, they each take 2d4+Mastery Fire damage immediately and an additional 1d6 Fire damage per turn for 3 turns. Half damage and no damage over time on a successful save.
Tale of the Brute
Bonus Action, 1 Bardic Inspiration: Select up to 2 targets within 3 tiles. They are each forced to make a STR saving throw. On a failed save, they each take 2d4+Mastery Bludgeoning damage, are moved in 1 tile of the caster's choosing, and are knocked prone. Half damage, 1 tile movement and no prone effect on a successful save.
Tale of the Beguiler
As a Bonus Action, select 1 target within 8 tiles and expend 1 Bardic Inspiration. Force them to make 2 WIS saving throws. On the first failed save, they take 2d4+Mastery Psychic damage. On the second failed save, they suffer -2 Attack for 1 turn. No damage or Attack reduction on a successful save.
As a Bonus Action, 1 Bardic Inspiration: Select up to 2 targets within 6 tiles. They are each forced to make a DEX saving throw. On a failed save, they each take 2d4+Mastery Fire damage immediately and an additional 1d6 Fire damage per turn for 3 turns. Half damage and no damage over time on a successful save.
Tale of the Brute
Bonus Action, 1 Bardic Inspiration: Select up to 2 targets within 3 tiles. They are each forced to make a STR saving throw. On a failed save, they each take 2d4+Mastery Bludgeoning damage, are moved in 1 tile of the caster's choosing, and are knocked prone. Half damage, 1 tile movement and no prone effect on a successful save.
Tale of the Beguiler
As a Bonus Action, select 1 target within 8 tiles and expend 1 Bardic Inspiration. Force them to make 2 WIS saving throws. On the first failed save, they take 2d4+Mastery Psychic damage. On the second failed save, they suffer -2 Attack for 1 turn. No damage or Attack reduction on a successful save.
Expert
Spell Power
Gain +1 Spell DC
Spiritual Focus
As an Action, select up to 4 targets within 4 tiles. You immediately regain Bardic Inspiration equal to your Mastery level and each of your targets heal for 3xMastery hitpoints. This ability can be used once per rest.
Master
Mystical Connection
All of your healing and damaging Tales are now 3d4+Mastery.
College of Valor
Bards of the College of Valor are daring skalds whose tales keep alive the memory of the great heroes of the past, and thereby inspire a new generation of heroes. These bards gather in mead halls or around great bonfires to sing the deeds of the mighty, both Past and Present. They Travel the land to witness great events firsthand and to ensure that the memory of those events doesn’t pass from the world.Perks
Spell List
Novice
Aid
Flame Weapon
Catapult
Shield
Adept
Freedom of Movement
Shadow Blade
Ice Storm
Expert
Sunbeam
Chain Lightning
Steel Wind Strike
Master
Power Word: Stun
Mordenkainen's Sword
Aid
Flame Weapon
Catapult
Shield
Adept
Freedom of Movement
Shadow Blade
Ice Storm
Expert
Sunbeam
Chain Lightning
Steel Wind Strike
Master
Power Word: Stun
Mordenkainen's Sword
Rituals
Novice
Battle Performance
You gain proficiency with medium armor and shields, and gain an additional fighting style.
Combat Inspiration
As a bonus action, expend one use of your bardic inspiration to apply Combat Inspiration to a creature within 4 tiles, granting +2 attack and +3 true damage until the end of the target's turn. Combat Inspiration can be used on yourself.
Adept
Hit Bonus
Gain +1 to attack
Free Extra Attack
You gain the ability to make a weapon attack as a Free Action.
Expert
Blade Flourish
You learn to conduct impressive displays of martial prowess and speed. If you succeed in hitting a target with a martial attack, you may spend a bardic inspiration point to use one of the following flourishes as a reaction:
Defensive Flourish
You can expend one use of your Bardic Inspiration to flourish your weapon, preparing to parry oncoming attacks. Gain +2 AC and +1 to your DEX saving throw until the end of your next turn.
Thrusting Flourish
You can expend one use of your Bardic Inspiration to throw your target off balance, pushing them one tile away.
Mobile Flourish
You can expend one use of your Bardic Inspiration to flourish your weapon, inspiring your allies into battle. Grant one ally +1 Movement.
You may only cast one per turn.
Defensive Flourish
You can expend one use of your Bardic Inspiration to flourish your weapon, preparing to parry oncoming attacks. Gain +2 AC and +1 to your DEX saving throw until the end of your next turn.
Thrusting Flourish
You can expend one use of your Bardic Inspiration to throw your target off balance, pushing them one tile away.
Mobile Flourish
You can expend one use of your Bardic Inspiration to flourish your weapon, inspiring your allies into battle. Grant one ally +1 Movement.
You may only cast one per turn.
Master
Battle Bard
Gain a permanent +1 to hit.
College of Whispers
Most folk are happy to welcome a bard into their midst. Bards of the College of Whispers use this to their advantage. They appear to be like any other bard, sharing news, singing songs, and telling tales to the audiences they gather. In truth, the College of Whispers teaches its students that they are wolves among sheep. These bards use their knowledge and magic to uncover secrets and turn them against others through extortion and threats.Many other bards hate the College of Whispers, viewing it as a parasite that uses the bards’ reputation to acquire wealth and power. For this reason, these bards rarely reveal their true nature unless they must. They typically claim to follow some other college or keep their true nature secret to better infiltrate and exploit royal courts and other settings of power.
Perks
Spell List
Novice
Ray of Enfeeblement
Ray of Sickness
Shadow Blade
Adept
Evard's Black Tentacles
Tasha’s Mind Whip
Cone of Cold
Magic Weapon
Expert
Eyebite
Master
Psychic Scream
Ray of Enfeeblement
Ray of Sickness
Shadow Blade
Adept
Evard's Black Tentacles
Tasha’s Mind Whip
Cone of Cold
Magic Weapon
Expert
Eyebite
Master
Psychic Scream
Rituals
Novice
Insult to Injury
+1 to hit and +2 psychic damage to all weapon attacks
Psychic Blades
After successfully landing a weapon attack, Words of Terror, or damaging Cantrip on a target, as a Free Action spend 1 Bardic Inspiration to deal 3d4+Charisma Psychic damage. This spell can be triggered by an Attack of Opportunity.
This spell is player faith to trigger, abuse of its function will result in a strike.
This spell is player faith to trigger, abuse of its function will result in a strike.
Adept
Vicious Shadow
+1 to hit, +2 to Stealth and your choice of dueling, two-weapon, or archery fighting styles.
Words of Terror
You are able to seed paranoia in the minds of your targets. As a Bonus Action, use a Bardic Inspiration point to whisper in the ear of a target within two tiles of you and force them to make a WIS save against your Spell DC. On a failed save the target is Frightened for two rounds and the target takes 2d4+Mastery psychic damage. On a successful save, the target takes half damage.
This ability pierces through Fear immunity.
This ability pierces through Fear immunity.
Expert
Mantle of Shadows
You are shrouded in shadow and may move unseen throughout the battlefield. Spend 1 Bardic Inspiration to gain +2 Movement until the end of your turn. Additionally, you are considered to be out of Line of Sight until the end of your next turn and may not take hostile actions for the duration of this effect, but may heal and buff yourself and allies. Usable a number of times equal to your Mastery level per rest.
This ability is not true invisibility, and the bard may be followed while shrouded.
This ability does not trigger Attacks of Opportunity, including those from the Mage Slayer and Sentinel feats, and can be used a number of times equal to your Mastery level.
Mantle of Whispers
After any target within 5 tiles of you has been reduced to 0 hitpoints, spend 1 Bardic Inspiration to render yourself out of line of sight for 2 turns, gaining +2 Movement for the duration of the effect. When attacking out of this cloaking effect, you must use the End Cloaked ability to cancel the effect
This ability does not trigger Attacks of Opportunity, including those from the Mage Slayer and Sentinel feats, has a 1 turn cooldown, and can be used a number of times equal to your Mastery level, sharing charges with Mantle of Shadows.
This ability can be used outside of turn order and using it on a target that is not at 0 hitpoints is a strikable offense.
This ability does not trigger Attacks of Opportunity, including those from the Mage Slayer and Sentinel feats, has a 1 turn cooldown, and can be used a number of times equal to your Mastery level, sharing charges with Mantle of Shadows.
This ability can be used outside of turn order and using it on a target that is not at 0 hitpoints is a strikable offense.
Master
Shadow Lore
+1 to hit, Words of Terror increases to 3d4+Mastery and frightened for 3 turns.
Combative Perks
Novice
Spellcasting
You have learned to untangle and reshape the fabric of reality in harmony with your wishes and music. Your spells are part of your vast repertoire, magic that you can tune to different situations.
Bardic Inspiration
You have a resource of Bardic Inspiration points which can be used to inspire allies or unsettle enemies. Bards start with 3 Bardic Inspiration points at Novice.
Spellcasting Ability
Charisma is your Spellcasting modifier for your Bard Spells, since your magic comes from the heart and soul you pour into the Performance of your music or oration.
Spell save DC = 10 + your Charisma modifier
Bardic Inspiration
You have a resource of Bardic Inspiration points which can be used to inspire allies or unsettle enemies. Bards start with 3 Bardic Inspiration points at Novice.
Spellcasting Ability
Charisma is your Spellcasting modifier for your Bard Spells, since your magic comes from the heart and soul you pour into the Performance of your music or oration.
Spell save DC = 10 + your Charisma modifier
Bardic Inspiration
You can inspire others through stirring words or music. A creature within 4 tiles of you who can hear you, gains a bardic inspiration dice, which lasts for an hour, to spend.
While a creature is under the effect of Bardic Insipiration, they may at any time outside of turn order, expend their Bardic Inspiration die and gain one of the two following effects until the end of their turn.
In combat, casting Bardic Inspiration on a target requires a Bonus Action, and consumes a point of Bardic Inspiration.
While a creature is under the effect of Bardic Insipiration, they may at any time outside of turn order, expend their Bardic Inspiration die and gain one of the two following effects until the end of their turn.
- Gain +2 to all saving throws for a round
- Gain +2 to their Attack stat for a round
In combat, casting Bardic Inspiration on a target requires a Bonus Action, and consumes a point of Bardic Inspiration.
Hit Dice
You gain +6 HP when you first become a Bard. On each new mastery level, you gain an additional +6 to your Hit Points.
Well Traveled
You may select one additional language. This may not be an exotic language.
Adept
Spell Points I
+4 Spell Points
Expertise
Choose two of your known skills. You gain a +2 to both of them. You must have already have spent points in these skills.
Song of Rest
With a bonus action, you can use soothing music or oration to help revitalize your wounded allies. Heal up to 3 targets within 2 tiles for 1d6+Mastery hit points twice per short rest.
Bardic Inspiration II
Gain +3 Bardic Inspiration dice.
Expert
Spell Points II
+4 Spell Points
Suggestion
Gain +2 to the persuasion skill.
Countercharm
As a Bonus Action you can start a performance to ward against the charms of others. During that time, you and up to 3 targets within 4 tiles of you have +2 Wisdom saving throws for 3 turns and removes the "Dominated", “Charmed”, or “Frightened” condition. This uses one point of Bardic Inspiration.
Upcasting
As a free action and for 1 SP, you are able to Upcast Damaging Cantrips, Novice, and Adept level spells for 40% spell potency.
Bardic Inspiration III
Gain +3 Bardic Inspiration dice.
Master
Spell Points III
+8 Spell Points
Bardic Versatility
Your versatile nature allows you to change focus in your magic. You may add to your spell list one novice or adept level spell, and one cantrip from any other class.
Superior Inspiration
Gain +1 Bardic Inspiration dice
Non-Combative Perks
Armor Proficiency
You can use light armor.