Biwa Hoshi

Biwa Hoshi

Bards who join the College of the Biwa are inspired by the ancient Japanese biwa hōshi—itinerant storytellers who recounted epic tales of heroes, spirits, and war through poetic chants and haunting music. These bards weave words and song into a mesmerizing performance that connects the living with the past, evoking the spirit of forgotten legends. Their performances blend art and magic, shaping history with words as much as with melodies. Through the biwa (a Japanese lute) or other instruments, these bards summon mystical forces, charm spirits, and guide the emotions of those around them. The College of the Biwa emphasizes storytelling, memory, and spiritual insight. Bards of this tradition use their songs to inspire allies, demoralize enemies, and connect with the souls of the departed. As masters of history and legend, they become conduits of ancient knowledge, imbuing their words with the power of the tales they tell.

College of the Biwa Spell List

Bards of the College of the Biwa draw upon mystical forces tied to memory, spirits, and fate. You gain access to the following spells at the appropriate levels. These spells are considered bard spells for you, and you always have them prepared.

3rd Bane, Ceremony

5th Silence, Spiritual Weapon

9th Speak with Dead, Counterspell

13th Guardian of Faith, Divination

17th Legend Lore, Commune

Requiem of the Fallen

At 3rd level, you learn to channel magic through performances that honor the dead and embolden the living. When a creature within 60 feet of you that can hear your music is reduced to 0 hit points or dies, you can use your reaction to inspire your allies. All friendly creatures within 30 feet of you who can hear gain temporary hit points equal to your Bard level + Charisma modifier.

Additionally, enemies within 30 feet of the fallen creature must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw against your spell save DC or become frightened until the end of their next turn.

Voice of Spirits

Also at 3rd level, you can invoke the wisdom of spirits through your songs. As a bonus action, you can expend a use of Bardic Inspiration to call on the spirits of the past. Roll your Bardic Inspiration die and choose one of the following effects:

Echo of History. A spectral figure from legend appears, guiding one creature of your choice. The next time that creature makes an ability check, they can add the Bardic Inspiration die to the roll, even if they fail the initial attempt.

Wail of the Departed. Spirits let loose a mournful cry. Choose one enemy within 60 feet. That creature takes psychic damage equal to the roll of your Bardic Inspiration die and must make a Wisdom saving throw or have disadvantage on attack rolls until the start of your next turn.

Spectral Whisper. A spirit whispers insight to a creature you touch. For the next 10 minutes, they gain proficiency in a skill of your choice or expertise if they already had proficiency in that skill.

Harmonious Memory

At 6th level, your deep connection with ancient stories allows you to manipulate fate through the lessons of the past. Whenever a creature you can see within 30 feet of you makes an ability check, attack roll, or saving throw, you can use your reaction to grant them a reroll. They must take the second result. You can use this ability a number of times equal to your Charisma modifier (minimum 1), and you regain all uses after a long rest.

Additionally, you gain proficiency in History and Religion if you don’t already have it. If you are already proficient in these skills, your proficiency bonus is doubled when making checks with them.

Song of Forgotten Souls

At 14th level, your music becomes a bridge between the worlds of the living and the dead. When you play your instrument for 1 minute, you can summon the spirits of long-forgotten beings, creating an eerie chorus of spectral voices that guide and empower those who hear them. For the next 10 minutes, you and all allies within 30 feet of you gain the following benefits:

You have advantage on Wisdom (Insight), Intelligence (History), and Charisma (Performance) checks.

When you cast a spell that restores hit points or grants temporary hit points, the target regains additional hit points equal to your Charisma modifier.

When an ally within range is reduced to 0 hit points but not killed outright, they can drop to 1 hit point instead. Once a creature benefits from this effect, they cannot do so again until they finish a long rest.

Once you use Song of Forgotten Souls, you cannot do so again until you finish a long rest.