Introduction:
Whether scholar, skald, or scoundrel, a bard weaves magic through words and music to inspire allies, demoralize foes, manipulate minds, create illusions, and even heal wounds. The bard is a master of song, speech, and the magic they contain. Interested players can find the details for the Bard at the following link;
Bard
Subclasses:
The following subclasses are available to Bards;
- College of Glamour: Bards of this college have mastered their craft in the vibrant realm of the Feywild or under the tutelage of someone who dwelled there. These Bards are most likely trained by a sole mentor but may also be trained as part of an academy or spy network. Sometimes Glamour Bards can be found amongst a noble's personal retinue.
- College of Lore: Bards that know something about most things, collecting bits of knowledge from sources as diverse as scholarly tomes and peasant tales. These are the most bookish Bards and they often study at formal academies or as part of entertainment troupes.
- College of Swords: Bards of this college are called blades, and they entertain through daring feats of weapon prowess. Blades perform stunts such as sword swallowing, knife throwing and juggling, and mock combats. They are often trained in troupe of entertainers or in gladitorial arenas.
- College of Valor: Bards that are daring skaalds whose tales keep alive the memory of the great heroes of the past, and thereby inspire a new generation of heroes. These Bards are most likely to study under a single mentor or be trained in military service.
- College of Whispers: These bards use their knowledge and magic to uncover secrets and turn them against others through extortion and threats. They are often trained in spy networks, thieves guilds, and military academies
The following subclasses are examples of Bard Colleges that can be unlocked through gameplay:
- College of Cantors: From Valda's Spire of Secrets.
- College of Creation:
- College of Eloquence:
- College of Four Suits: Bards that see games of chance as challenging questions of fate and predetermination. They use a series of card tricks to manifest their magics. These Bards often learn from a single master but are sometimes taught in Thieves Guilds or as part of a troupe. From Griffon's Saddlebag.
- College of Keys: Bards that believe that performance can manipulate anything, be it person, magic, or machine. These Bards often learn their magic from Thieves Guilds and spy networks. From Xanathar's Lost Notes.
Bards in Thinia:
Like Wizards, Bards are defined by their training. The academy, troupe, company, guild, or mentor that a Bard learns from will often define their path, the magic they employ, and the means by which they manifest that magic. Bards occupy all levels of society. Some Bards direct spy networks for nations, serve as inspiring commanders, entertain people in traveling companies, and navigate the criminal underworld. A Bard will rarely be addressed by that title. Instead they often carry more specific titles like Skaald, Troubadour, Blade, Spy, Actor, Musician, Jester, Cantor, and so on. Bard is more a general term for those who manifest magic through perfromance. Some known Bard affiliated groups are detailed below;
- Dregora: A massive library and research academy in Penglai. Dregora is known for training anyone interested in the Arcane Arts. The Bards that learn at this academy often become Lore Bards, collecting stories from different lands and spreading knowledge amongst the people.
- The Heralds: A group based in the Ornean League that specializes in the gathering and disemination of both information and misinformation. Both Whispers and Glamour Bards find lucrative employment within the Heralds.
- Ludus Magnus: A renowned gladitorial school based in the Capsan city of Ostiam. Blade Bards are taught at the Ludus to weave magic into their blade work in order to maximize entertainment and flair.
- Mirage: An academy in the Abbas Waste founded by a famous illusionist. The academy trains its students in all manner of deception and illusion. The Bards that study at Mirage follow the College of Whispers and hone their abilities to decieve others.
- The Singers: A group of Skaalds from Lokkheimer. These Valor Bards exchange stories of heroes and villains that they use to inspire common people and ensure the lasting memory of great heroes. Some Valor Bards even manage to find themselves in their own songs and poems.
Players who choose to play a Bard should consider where the studied their craft. Some Bards are self-taught but even the most talented Bard is limited without the guidance of a teacher. A Bard truly dedicates themselves to a College after they have already begun to establish their reputation. Their background may have led them toward one path but their adventures may inspire them to follow another.
