Bard
Charismatic wanderer, artist, and diplomat
You are a bard, a charismatic wanderer; part artist, diplomat, and warrior, as skilled with blades as you are with ballads. You might be a fearsome skald, a celebrated performer, or a master of whispers. In your travels you draw knowledge from all corners, forging alliances and extracting secrets from those who should know better.
A bard’s influence fortifies the company, strengthening bonds and the common will to prevail. With the right words and deeds, the bard elevates the party beyond the sum of its parts.
Class at a glance
| Weapons | All |
|---|---|
| Armour | Light, Medium Armour, and Shields |
| Starting gear | Spear (1d6+1), Chain shirt (+3 AC), Instrument (if desired) |
Class skills
Starting skills: Persuasion, Deception, General Lore
| Roll (d10) | Skill |
|---|---|
| 1 | Apothecary |
| 2 | Arcane Lore |
| 3 | Athletics |
| 4 | Detection |
| 5 | Divine Lore |
| 6 | Gather Info |
| 7 | Leadership |
| 8 | Stealth |
| 9 | Watercraft |
| 10 | Traps & Locks |
Class progression
Level 1
Silver Tongued
At 1st level you have the gift of the gab, and are skilled in the art of soliciting rumours, gossip, and other intel. Gain advantage when using the Gather Information skill, when performing to entertain or inspire, and when using either the Persuasion or Deception skill (choose one).
Inspire Greatness
At 1st level, your unifying presence builds trust within the party and inspires its companions to moments of greatness. You begin an adventure with one use of this ability per level. You may use Inspire Greatness at any time (no action) provided an ally is within Far range, and able to see or hear you. When you inspire an ally, grant them one of the following effects. Expended uses may be regained by taking Short or Long Rests.
- Apply a bonus equal to your Cha modifier on any single roll (excluding Trauma rolls). You may use this ability after seeing the result of the roll. You may use this ability on your own rolls if you can see or hear an ally within Far range. The GM may limit the kinds of rolls this ability applies to and/or if it stacks with other modifiers p.64.
- If an ally has suffered an adverse magical effect for at least one round, they may attempt a second Luck save to end it. If successful, the PC’s Luck score is reduced by two points instead of one. This ability is not applicable to instant durations or permanent effects, and may not be activated more than once per round or effect.
- If an ally is reduced to zero hp, that ally gains an immediate melee or ranged attack against their opponent. The ally is reduced to zero hp regardless of the outcome of their attack (any hits occur simultaneously, which may lead to both combatants being incapacitated).
Level 2
New Skill
Gain a new skill. See Class skills.
Bardic Knowledge
By 2nd level, your studies have earned you an ear for languages and a broad knowledge of cultures. You may make a Charisma check to understand a few key words of a language you don’t formally know (and/or perhaps speak a couple of stilted words; GM’s call). Additionally, you roll against Cha (not Int) when recalling lore about history, culture, legends, and etiquette.
Level 3
Unique Feature
Unique Feature. No further rule text is supplied in this export.
Level 4
+1 AC
+1 AC.
Level 5
New Skill
Gain a new skill. See Class skills.
Rallying Shout
At 5th level, you employ a mix of unconventional fighting techniques, developed through study and adventure, expanding your crit range to 19-20. Additionally, if an ally within Far range that can see or hear you misses with an attack, you may spend a Reroll to allow them to reroll their attack. You may also use this ability on your own failed attacks, provided you can see or hear an ally within Far range. This ability may only be used once per round.
Level 6
Unique Feature
Unique Feature. No further rule text is supplied in this export.
Level 7
Warlord
At 7th level, when an ally within Close range that can see or hear you fumbles their attack roll, they automatically reroll their attack (no Reroll cost). You also reroll your own fumbled attacks, provided you can see or hear an ally within Close range.
Level 8
+1 AC
+1 AC.
New Skill
Gain a new skill. See Class skills.
Level 9
Unique Feature
Unique Feature. No further rule text is supplied in this export.