Bard

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. The music of bards is an attempt to snatch and harness those echoes, subtly woven into their spells and powers.

The greatest strength of bards is their sheer versatility. Many bards prefer to stick to the sidelines in combat, using their magic to inspire their allies and hinder their foes from a distance. But bards are capable of defending themselves in melee if necessary, using their magic to bolster their swords and armor. Their spells lean toward charms and illusions rather than blatantly destructive spells. They have a wide-ranging knowledge of many subjects and a natural aptitude that lets them do almost anything well. Bards become masters of the talents they set their minds to perfecting, from musical performance to esoteric knowledge.

Only rarely do bards settle in one place for long, and their natural desire to travel—to find new tales to tell, new skills to learn, and new discoveries beyond the horizon—makes an adventuring career a natural calling. Every adventure is an opportunity to learn, practice a variety of skills, enter long-forgotten tombs, discover lost works of magic, decipher old tomes, travel to strange places, or encounter exotic creatures.

Subclasses

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Basics

Base Hit Points: 56
Hit Points per Advancement: 14
Actions: 1 Attack, 1 Bonus, 1 Reaction
Bardic Inspiration:
- Level 10: +4
- Level 12: +1 (+5)
Casting Attribute: Charisma
Starting Kit:
- Short Sword
- Shortbow
- Musical Instrument
- Leather Armor

Proficiencies

Armor: Light Armor
Weapons: Simple weapons
Saving Throws: Dexterity, Charisma
Skills: Performance, Persuasion
Proficiency Bonus:
- Level 8: +2
- Level 10: +1 (3)
- Level 12: +1 (4)

Bardic Inspiration

As a bonus action, stir your words and music to inspire a target of your choosing within a 6 tile range, granting them +2 to Melee and Ranged hit bonus for the remainder of the combat. These are returned after a short or long rest.

Bard College

You delve into the advanced techniques of a bard college of your choice: the College of Glamour, the College of Lore, the College of Valor, or the College of Whispers. These will be unlocked at Level 10 and reach their full potential at Level 12.

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.

Spell Slots

Level 8

1st: +4
2nd: +2

Level 10

2nd: +1
3rd: +3
4th: +2

Level 12

2nd: +1
4th: +1
5th: +2

Combat Spells

The following list of spells are directly tied to, and reflected within, our dice system. Cantrips can be used an indefinite amount of times, but the rest are tied to spell slots of their corresponding level, and as such, are limited in their usage. All spell slots are restored upon a long rest. Cantrips, along with 1st and 2nd level spells, are available to newly created characters (Level 8s). 3rd and 4th level spells are available to Level 10 characters. 5th level spells are available to Level 12 characters.

Disguise Self

Illusion

1 Action

V, S

You make yourself—including your clothing, armor, weapons, and other belongings on your person—look different for two hours or until you use another action to dismiss it. You can seem 1 foot taller or shorter and can appear thin, fat, or in between. You can’t change your body type so you must adopt a form that has the same basic arrangement of limbs. Any changes created by this spell are purely visual.

You cannot grow additional body parts with this spell, and if someone touches a part of your illusion that does not match with your physical being by shape or texture, they will immediately be aware that an illusion is at play. If someone for any reason whatsoever suspects you for being disguised, they may roll Investigation against your Spell Bonus + 8 as the DC to learn an illusion is in use. This spell will be automatically dispelled upon entering combat.

Acquired at 10th Level and you may not disguise as an Advanced Race or a different gender than your own.

Charm Person

Enchantment

1 Action

V, S

You attempt to charm a humanoid you can see within range. It must make a Wisdom Saving Throw (DC 8 + Spell Bonus). If it fails the saving throw, it is charmed by you for the remainder of combat or until a hostile action is taken against them by you or one of your allies. They may also repeat the saving throw at the end of each of their turns.

Dissonant Whispers

Enchantment

1 Action

You whisper a discordant melody that only one creature of your choice within range can hear, wracking it with terrible pain. The target must make a Wisdom Saving throw (DC 8 + Spell Bonus). On a failed save it takes 3d6 psychic damage and must use its reaction to move up to 2 tiles from you. On a successful save it takes half as much damage and doesn’t have to move away.

Vicious Mockery

Enchantment

1 Action

You unleash a string of insults laced within subtle enchantments at a creature you can see within range. If the target can hear you (though it need not understand you), it must succeed on a Wisdom Saving Throw (DC 8 + Spell Bonus) or take 2d4 psychic damage in addition to a -2 disadvantage to their next attack roll that turn.

Dispel Magic

Abjuration

1 Action

V, S

Choose one creature within range. Any magical effects on the target end.

Tidal Wave

Conjuration

1 Action

V, S

You conjure up a wave of water that crashes down on an area within range. The weave is 3 tiles wide, 1 tile high, and moves forward from you for 12 tiles. Each creature in the area must make a Dexterity Saving Throw (DC 8 + Spell Bonus). On a failure, a creature takes 4d8 bludgeoning damage and is knocked prone. On a success, a creature takes half as much damage and isn't knocked prone.

Acquired at Level 12

Mass Cure Wounds

Evocation

1 Action

V, S

A wave of healing energy washes out from a point of your choice within range. Choose up to six creatures in a 3 tile radius sphere. Each target regains hit points equal to 3d8 + Spell Bonus. Removes regular Wounded status.

This spell has no effect on Undead or Constructs.

Acquired at Level 12

Blindness

Necromancy

1 Action

You attempt to blind a foe. Choose one creature that you can see within range to make a Constitution Saving Throw (DC 8 + Spell Bonus). If it fails the target is blinded until the end of combat. At the end of each of its turns, the target can make a Constitution saving throw. On a success, the spell ends.

Flavor Spells

The following spells are included in the bard's repertoire, however; these spells cannot be used in combat and do not consume a spell slot. They cannot be used to gain advantage, access a base, or otherwise - they are only to enrich the narrative of your roleplay. For spells that involve affecting another person, they should be treated as social rolls. They are fully consent based and cannot be used to force an outcome in a roleplay scenario. Some are available to a newly created character (Level 8) and others are unlocked at Level 10.

Major Image

Illusion

1 Action

V, S

You create the image of an object, a creature, or some other visible phenomenon that is no larger than 20-foot cube in a 12 tile range. The image appears at a spot that you can see within range and lasts for the duration. It seems completely real, including sounds, smells, and temperature appropriate to the thing depicted. You can't create sufficient heat or cold to cause damage, a sound loud enough to deal thunder damage or deafen a creature, or a smell that might sicken a creature (like a troglodyte's stench).

As long as you are within range of the illusion, you can use your action to cause the image to move to any other spot within range. As the image changes location, you can alter its appearance so that its movements appear natural for the image. For example, if you create an image of a creature and move it, you can alter the image so that it appears to be walking. Similarly, you can cause the illusion to make different sounds at different times, even making it carry on a conversation, for example.

Physical interaction with the image reveals it to be an illusion, because things can pass through it. A creature that uses its action to examine the image can determine that it is an illusion with a successful Investigation check against your spell save DC. If a creature discerns the illusion for what it is, the creature can see through the image, and its other sensory qualities become faint to the creature.

Leomund's Tiny Hut

Evocation

1 Minute

V, S, M

A 1 tile immobile dome of force springs into existence around and above you and remains stationary for 8 hours. The spell ends if you leave its area.

Nine creatures of Medium size or smaller can fit inside the dome with you. The spell fails if its area ever includes a larger creature or more than nine creatures. The atmosphere inside the space is comfortable and dry, regardless of the weather outside.

Until the spell ends, you can command the interior to become dimly lit or dark. The dome is opaque from the outside, of any color you choose, but it is transparent from the inside.

Dancing Lights

Evocation
1 Action
V, S

You create up to four torch-sized lights within range, making them appear as torches, lanterns, or glowing orbs that hover in the air for the duration. You can also combine the four lights into one glowing vaguely humanoid form of Medium size. Whichever form you choose, each light sheds dim light in a 10-foot radius.

You can move the lights up to 60 feet to a new spot within range. A light must be within 20 feet of another light created by this spell, and a light winks out if it exceeds the spell's range.

Light

Evocation

1 Action

You touch one object that is no larger than 10 feet in any dimension. Until the spell ends, the object sheds bright light in a 20-foot radius and dim light for an additional 20 feet. The light can be colored as you like. Completely covering the object with something opaque blocks the light. The spell ends if you cast it again or dismiss it as an action.

If you target an object held or worn by a hostile creature, that creature must succeed on a Dexterity saving throw to avoid the spell.

Mage Hand

Conjuration

1 Action

V, S

A spectral, floating hand appears at a point you choose within range. The hand lasts for the duration or until you dismiss it as an action. The hand vanishes if it is ever more than 30 feet away from you or if you cast this spell again.

You can use your action to control the hand. You can use the hand to manipulate an object, open an unlocked door or container, stow or retrieve an item from an open container, or pour the contents out of a vial. You can move the hand up to 30 feet each time you use it.

The hand can't attack, activate magic items, or carry more than 10 pounds.

Mending

Transmutation

1 Action

V, S

This spell repairs a single break or tear in an object you touch, such as a broken chain link, two halves of a broken key, a torn cloak, or a leaking wineskin. As long as the break or tear is no larger than 1 foot in any dimension, you mend it, leaving no trace of the former damage.

This spell can physically repair a magic item or construct, but the spell can't restore magic to such an object.

Minor Illusion

Illusion
1 Action
S

You create a sound or an image of an object within range that lasts for the duration. The illusion also ends if you dismiss it as an action or cast this spell again.

If you create a sound, its volume can range from a whisper to a scream. It can be your voice, someone else's voice, a lion's roar, a beating of drums, or any other sound you choose. The sound continues unabated throughout the duration, or you can make discrete sounds at different times before the spell ends.

If you create an image of an object--such as a chair, muddy footprints, or a small chest--it must be no larger than a 5-foot cube. The image can't create sound, light, smell, or any other sensory effect. Physical interaction with the image reveals it to be an illusion, because things can pass through it.

If a creature uses its action to examine the sound or image, the creature can determine that it is an illusion with a successful Investigation check against your spell save DC. If a creature discerns the illusion for what it is, the illusion becomes faint to the creature.

Prestidigitation

Transmutation
1 Action
V, S

This spell is a minor magical trick that novice spellcasters use for practice. You create one of the following magical effects within range:

You create an instantaneous, harmless sensory effect, such as a shower of sparks, a puff of wind, faint musical notes, or an odd odor.
You instantaneously light or snuff out a candle, a torch, or a small campfire.
You instantaneously clean or soil an object no larger than 1 cubic foot.
You chill, warm, or flavor up to 1 cubic foot of nonliving material for 1 hour.
You make a color, a small mark, or a symbol appear on an object or a surface for 1 hour.
You create a nonmagical trinket or an illusory image that can fit in your hand and that lasts until the end of your next turn.

If you cast this spell multiple times, you can have up to three of its non-instantaneous effects active at a time, and you can dismiss such an effect as an action.

Illusory Script

Illusion
1 Minute
S

You write on parchment, paper, or some other suitable writing material and imbue it with a potent illusion that lasts for 10 days.

To you and any creatures you designate when you cast the spell, the writing appears normal, written in your hand, and conveys whatever meaning you intended when you wrote the text. To all others, the writing appears as if it were written in an unknown or magical script that is unintelligible. Alternatively, you can cause the writing to appear to be an entirely different message, written in a different hand and language, though the language must be one you know.

Should the spell be dispelled, the original script and the illusion both disappear.

A creature under the effect of Truesight can read the hidden message.

Silent Image

Illusion
1 Action
V, S

You create the image of an object, a creature, or some other visible phenomenon that is no larger than a 15-foot cube. The image appears at a spot within range and lasts for the duration. The image is purely visual; it isn't accompanied by sound, smell, or other sensory effects.

You can use your action to cause the image to move to any spot within range. As the image changes location, you can alter its appearance so that its movements appear natural for the image. For example, if you create an image of a creature and move it, you can alter the image so that it appears to be walking.

Unseen Servant

Conjuration

1 Action

V, S

This spell creates an invisible, mindless, shapeless, Medium force that performs simple tasks at your command until the spell ends. The servant springs into existence in an unoccupied space on the ground within range. It has AC 10, 1 hit point, and a Strength of 2, and it can't attack. If it drops to 0 hit points, the spell ends.

Once on each of your turns as a bonus action, you can mentally command the servant to move up to 2 tiles and interact with an object. The servant can perform simple tasks that a human servant could do, such as fetching things, cleaning, mending, folding clothes, lighting fires, serving food, and pouring wine. Once you give the command, the servant performs the task to the best of its ability until it completes the task, then waits for your next command.

If you command the servant to perform a task that would move it more than 6 tiles away from you, the spell ends.

Ritual Spells

Spells that require components to cast, or spells that have longer and broader effects than any of the aforementioned combat and flavor spells, are considered rituals. They do not consume spell slots. Most require DM oversight and such will be denoted in a ritual's description if it does. If it does not, it can be cast as any other spell is cast in our dice system, should you have the required components on hand.

This is an RPR Spell, and does not require a DM Ticket!

Detect Magic

Divination
1 Action
V, S, M

Class Required:

Artificer
Cleric
Bard
Druid
Paladin
Ranger
Sorcerer
Wizard

Components Required:

1x Unstable Essence
5x Arcane Residue

For the next 10 minutes, you sense the presence of magic within 3 tiles of you. You may use another action to determine the school of magic, if any.

The spell can penetrate most barriers, but is blocked by 1 foot of stone, 1 inch of common metal, a shin sheet of lead, or 3 feet of wood/dirt.

Teleportation Circle

Conjuration
1 Minute
V, M

Class Required:

Bard
Sorcerer
Wizard

Components Required:

20x Unstable Essence
50x Arcane Residue
400 Gold

As you cast the spell, you draw a 10-foot-diameter circle on the ground inscribed with sigils that link your location to a permanent teleportation circle connected to the network of other teleportation circles in the region. You may only have one of these per clan.

This grants the clan a clan warp that can be used to access other clan warps as well as the main warp network.

Additionally you may use this to create "wormhole" warps for your clan. Allowing transport within your base. These require approval and must make sense and encourage roleplay.

Scrying

Divination
10 Minutes
V, S, M

Class Required:

Bard
Warlock
Wizard

Components Required:

1x Crystal Ball
30x Arcane Residue
Item from Target of Scrying

You can see and hear a particular creature you choose that is on the same plane of existence as you. The target must make a DC 15 Wisdom saving throw, which is modified by how well you know the target and the sort of physical connection you have to it. If a target knows you're casting this spell, it can fail the saving throw voluntarily if it wants to be observed.

Knowledge

Secondhand (you have heard of the target): +5 Save Modifier

Firsthand (you have met the target): +0 Save Modifier

Familiar (you know the target well): -5 Save Modifier

Connection

Likeness or drawing/painting: -2 Save Modifier

Possession or garment: -4 Save Modifier

Body part, lock of hair, bit of nail, or the like: -10 Modifier

On a successful save, the target isn't affected, and you can't use this spell against it again for 24 hours.

On a failed save, the spell creates an invisible sensor within 10 feet of the target. You can see and hear through the sensor as if you were there. The sensor moves with the target, remaining within 10 feet of it for the duration. A creature that can see invisible objects sees the sensor as a luminous orb about the size of your fist.

Instead of targeting a creature, you can choose a location you have seen before as the target of this spell. When you do, the sensor appears at that location and doesn't move.

Water Breathing

Transmutation
1 Action
V, S, M

Class Required:

Artificer
Bard
Ranger
Wizard
Sorcerer

Components Required:

10x Feral Claws
6x Holy Water
30x Arcane Residue

This spell grants up to ten willing creatures you can see within range the ability to breathe underwater until the spell ends. Affected creatures also retain their normal mode of respiration.

The spell ends when PvP Intent is dropped.

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. Tutored by satyrs, eladrin, and other fey, these bards learn to use their magic to delight and captivate others.

The bards of this college are regarded with a mixture of awe and fear. Their performances are the stuff of legend. These bards are so eloquent that a speech or song that one of them performs can cause captors to release the bard unharmed and can lull a furious dragon into complacency. The same magic that allows them to quell beasts can also bend minds. 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.

Bonus Proficiencies

Skills: Deception

Mantle of Inspiration

As a bonus action, you may spend a single bardic inspiration to grant yourself a wondrous appearance. Up to 4 targets within a 6 tile range may be affected by your magnificence, giving them 11 temporary hit points and granting them the ability to move up to 2 tiles.

Enthralling Performance

You inspire wonder in your audience by performing. At the end of the performance, up to 4 targets in a 6 tile trance fight on your side up until any hostile action is taken against the now-enthralled targets or they succeed in a Wisdom Saving Throw in their turn. (8 + Spell Bonus vs WIS Save). This may only be performed once per day.

Mantle of Majesty

Requires Level 12

As a bonus action, you cloak yourself in fey magic that invokes a target within a 6 tile range with the desire to serve you. By asking them to move, or halt - they must succeed a Strength Saving Throw (DC 8 + Spell Bonus) or are compelled to consume their entire turn obeying your unfaltering command - and falling prone after it. This may only be performed once per day.

Magical Secrets

You have plundered magical secrets from a wide spectrum of disciplines. Adding the following spells to your subclass spell list:

Shillelagh, Tasha's Mind Whip.

When in possession of an Instrument of the Bards you gain access to an additional magical secret:

Banishment

Subclass Spells

Rituals

Faerie Fire

Evocation

1 Action

Each target within a 2 tile x 2 tile cube is outlined in blue, green, or violet light. Any creature in this area must make a Dexterity Saving Throw (DC 8 + Spell Bonus). On a failure the target is exposed for the duration of combat. Granting them -2 to AC. While a target is affected by the effects of this spell, they cannot benefit from Invisibility.

Calm Emotions

Enchantment

1 Action

V, S

You attempt to suppress the strong emotions in a group of people. Each humanoid in a 2 tile radius created at a spot you choose within range must make a Charisma Saving Throw. A creature may choose to fail this save if they wish. On a failure all charmed and frightened effects are ended. The target is also indifferent about any current hostilities that you choose. This effect ends if hostile action is taken against them, or their allies.

Tasha's Mind Whip

Enchantment

1 Action

You psychically lash out at one creature you can see within range. The target must make an Intelligence Saving Throw. On a failed save the target takes 3d6 psychic damage, and it can’t take a reaction until the end of its next turn. Moreover, on its next turn, it must choose whether it gets a move action, an action, or a bonus action; it only gets one of the three. On a successful save, the target takes half as much damage and suffers none of the spell’s other effects.

(8 + Spell Bonus vs INT Save)

Shillelagh

Transmutation

1 Bonus Action

V, S

Imbue your club or staff with nature's power. For the duration of combat you can use CHA for the attack and damage rolls of melee attacks using that weapon, and the weapon’s damage die becomes a d8.

Freedom of Movement

Abjuration

1 Action

V, S

Choose a willing creature that you can see within range, granting the target Freedom of Movement which will give the target a on use status to clear any restrained, or slowed effects. While the effect persists on the target they receive +2 to Dex Saving Throws until used.

Acquired at 12th Level

Dream

Illusion

1 Minute

V, S, M

Class Required:

Cleric: Twilight Domain
Druid: Circle of Dreams
Bard: College of Glamour
Warlock

Component Required:

Ground up Valor Bell (Flavor)
Ground up Brisk Leaf (Flavor)
Ground up Mother's Leaf (Flavor)

This spell shapes a creature's dreams. Choose a creature known to you as the target of this spell. The target must be on the same plane of existence as you. Creatures that don't sleep, such as elves, can't be contacted by this spell. You, or a willing creature you touch, enters a trance state, acting as a messenger. While in the trance, the messenger is aware of his or her surroundings, but can't take actions or move.

If the target is asleep, the messenger appears in the target's dreams and can converse with the target as long as it remains asleep, through the duration of the spell. The messenger can also shape the environment of the dream, creating landscapes, objects, and other images. The messenger can emerge from the trance at any time, ending the effect of the spell early. The target recalls the dream perfectly upon waking. If the target is awake when you cast the spell, the messenger knows it, and can either end the trance (and the spell) or wait for the target to fall asleep, at which point the messenger appears in the target's dreams.

You can make the messenger appear monstrous and terrifying to the target. If you do, the messenger can deliver a message of no more than ten words and then the target must make a Wisdom saving throw. On a failed save, echoes of the phantasmal monstrosity spawn a nightmare that lasts the duration of the target's sleep and prevents the target from gaining any benefit from that rest.

If you have a body part, lock of hair, clipping from a nail, or similar portion of the target's body, the target makes its saving throw with disadvantage.

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. Whether singing folk ballads in taverns or elaborate compositions in royal courts, these bards use their gifts to hold audiences spellbound. When the applause dies down, the audience members might find themselves questioning everything they held to be true, from their faith in the priesthood of the local temple to their loyalty to the king.

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. A noble who keeps such a bard as a herald or advisor knows that the bard would rather be honest than politic.

The college’s members gather in libraries and sometimes in actual colleges, complete with classrooms and dormitories, 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.

Bonus Proficiencies

Skills: History

Cutting Words

With a Bardic Inspiration point and at the cost of your potential reaction, you can use your wit to distract, confuse, and otherwise sap the confidence and competence of others. Choose a target within a 6 tile range. They must succeed a Wisdom Saving Throw (DC 8 + Spell Bonus) or receive a -2 to Attack Bonus and Spell Bonus until the end of their next turn. Note: This is to be done on your own turn!

Expertise

Requires Level 12

Skills: Arcana, History, Nature

Magical Secrets

You have plundered magical secrets from a wide spectrum of disciplines. Adding the following spells to your subclass spell list:

Frostbite, Magic Missile.

When in possession of an Instrument of the Bards you gain access to an additional magical secret:

Ice Storm

Additional Magical Secrets

You have learned even more magical secrets. Adding the following spells to your subclass spell list:

Acid Splash, Sacred Flame, Tasha's Caustic Brew, Misty Step, Lightning Bolt.

Subclass Spells

Cure Wounds

Evocation

1 Action

V, S

A creature you touch regains a number of hit points equal to 1d8 + Spell Bonus.

This has no effect on Undead or Constructs.

Faerie Fire

Evocation

1 Action

Acquired at 12th Level

Cure Wounds (2nd)

Evocation

1 Action

V, S

A creature you touch regains a number of hit points equal to 2d8 + Spell Bonus.

This has no effect on Undead or Constructs.

Lightning Arrow

Transmutation

1 Bonus Action

V, S

Use a bonus action to allow for the next attack to transform the weapon’s ammunition into a bolt of lightning. The target and another creature within 1 tile of it must make a Dexterity Saving throw or take 4d8 lightning damage on a fail or half as much on a success.

Acquired at 12th Level

Acid Splash

Conjuration

1 Action

V, S

You hurl a bubble of acid. Choose one or two creatures you can see within range. If you choose two, they must be within half a tile of each other. A target must succeed on a Dexterity Saving Throw or take 2d6 acid damage.

(8 + Proficiency Bonus + Spell Bonus vs DEX Saving Throw)

Rituals

Legend Lore

Divination
10 Minutes
V, S, M

Class Required:

Bard: College of Lore
Cleric
Wizard
Warlock: Pact of the Undying

Components Required:

10x Daisy
10x Briskleaf
10x Mother'sleaf
10x Giant's Root
10x Valorbell
25x Arcane Residue

Name or describe a person, place, or object. The spell brings to your mind a brief summary of the significant lore about the thing you named. The lore might consist of current tales, forgotten stories, or even secret lore that has never been widely known. If the thing you named isn't of legendary importance, you gain no information. The more information you already have about the thing, the more precise and detailed the information you receive is.