College of Lore

Bards belonging to the esteemed College of Lore are the consummate seekers of knowledge, their insatiable curiosity leading them to explore the multifaceted tapestry of the world's wisdom. They possess a remarkable talent for gathering fragments of enlightenment from an astonishing array of sources, ranging from the dusty, scholarly tomes of secluded libraries to the whispered, age-old tales spun by peasants gathered around a warm tavern hearth. These bards are the embodiment of versatility, employing their encyclopedic wisdom in myriad ways, from crooning rousing folk ballads in the heart of bustling taverns to articulating intricate spell formulae for the erudite wizards of royal courts. Whether navigating the wilderness with an expansive understanding of the druidic arts or delving into the nuances of political intrigue, lore bards wield their boundless knowledge as a guiding light in every facet of their lives.
For a lore bard, being the indispensable resource is second nature. Their profound breadth of insight ensures that when someone seeks guidance or expertise, a lore bard can almost certainly provide assistance, regardless of the subject at hand. These inquisitive bards are eternal questioners, unwilling to accept anything at face value. From scrutinizing the fervent faith espoused by the local temple's priesthood to probing the depths of loyalty that a populace bears for their king, lore bards harbor a skepticism that pierces through the veil of appearances.
The loyalty that binds these bards is not rooted in fealty to a monarch or unwavering devotion to the tenets of a deity, although many do honor the gods as fountains of information. Instead, it is their unrelenting dedication to uncovering the mysteries of history and magic that forms the core of their allegiance. In the courts of nobles who enlist lore bards as heralds or advisors, the noble rulers are acutely aware that these bards prioritize honesty over politeness, offering unvarnished truths rather than indulging in empty courtesies.
The College of Lore serves as a beacon for kindred spirits, drawing together bards who share their passion for the relentless pursuit of enlightenment. These like-minded scholars often congregate in libraries, seeking solace amid towering bookshelves and dusty manuscripts, where they can exchange the lore they have uncovered. Sometimes, these bards establish true colleges, complete with meticulously organized classrooms and comfortable dormitories, fostering an environment where intellectual exchange flourishes. Yet, the lore bards' presence is not confined solely to hallowed halls of learning; they also frequent festivals and state affairs, using these public gatherings as opportunities to expose corruption, unravel layers of deceit, and puncture the self-importance of figures of authority. In a world where knowledge is power, lore bards wield their insight as a formidable force, illuminating the path to greater understanding for all who are willing to listen.

Bonus Proficiencies

3rd-Level Bard (Lore) Feature
You gain proficiency with three skills of your choice.

Cutting Words

3rd-Level Bard (Lore) Feature
You learn how to use your wit to distract, confuse, and otherwise sap the confidence and competence of others. When a creature that you can see within 60 feet of you makes an attack roll, an ability check, or a damage roll, you can use your reaction to expend one of your uses of Bardic Inspiration, rolling a Bardic Inspiration die and subtracting the number rolled from the creature's roll. You can choose to use this feature after the creature makes its roll, but before the DM determines whether the attack roll or ability check succeeds or fails, or before the creature deals its damage. The creature is immune if it can't hear you or if it's immune to being charmed.

Magical Secrets

6th-Level Bard (Lore) Feature
You learn two arcane spells of your choice from any class. A spell you choose must be of a level you can cast, as shown on the Bard table, or a cantrip. The chosen spells count as bard spells for you but don't count against the number of bard spells you know. You gain one additional spell in this way when you reach 8th, 11th, 14th, and 17th level. You gain one more at 20th level if you have the Focus of Unyielding Power from your Perfected Focus class feature.

Peerless Skill

14th-Level Bard (Lore) Feature
When you make an ability check, you can expend one use of Bardic Inspiration. Roll a Bardic Inspiration die and add the number rolled to your ability check. You can choose to do so after you roll the die for the ability check, but before the DM tells you whether you succeed or fail. If you still fail the ability check, you regain the use of Bardic Inspiration.