COLLEGE OF THE QUILL BARDIC COLLEGE OPTION In the right hands, a quill is both an instrument and ‘weapon without peer. It can found empires, bring wars to close, and draft narratives that will be told and retold for centuries to come. This isa truth recognized by the bards of the College of the Quill: the authors, poets, ts and playwrights who know that before the ‘works can be recited, they must first be writen. their societies’ pantheon of legendary composers, these wordsmiths devote their lives to penning their own fictions. Theirs are the ss that make even the minstrels weep; the comedies that gladden widows and orphans in ‘mourning; the epics that sow wanderlust amongst uncountable audiences. Acqiiting such literary flair demands years of study and practice, and asa result, these bards are often susceptible to arrogance or elitism. Nonetheless, many of, this school stil try to impart their skills to amateur story-tellers, if only to leverage positive exposure for their creation: To those who enter this College, the fastest path to renown lies in perfecting a single Opus. This is a process that may take months, years or even decades, Each clement of its construction requires careful consideration, and will influence both its form and effect onothers. VENERABLE WORDSMITH ‘When you join this Bardic College at 3rd level, you gain proficiency with Calligrapher's Supplies, and begin writing an Opus. You can choose your Opus’ form and appearance, but its content will be shaped by your selections in this, subclass. It might be an opera inspired by your own adventures, a tragic play about a prince's quest for revenge, an epic regaling the journey of a ring-bearing, halfling, or the comedic tale of an insane, chivalry: obsessed noble. It may be written in an expensive leather-backed tome, on a length of fine parchment that ccan be wound tightly into a scroll, or simply across an assortment of tattered papers botind by a single string. ‘You can use your Opus asa spellcasting focus for your bard spells, and make Performance checks by reading, or having others read, from its pages. Due to your status as a composer, you have advantage on such checks when your audiences are noble or educated, or when they are predisposed to your narrative's design (e.g. drunken dwarves if your main character is a dwarvish larrikin). At certain levels in this subclass, you add some key elements to your Opus. However, you will be assumed to dedicate a portion of each short or long rest to writing its majority. Ifyour Opus is lost or destroyed, for a cost equal to 5 times your bard level in gold pieces, you can replace it over the course of along rest. You can make a copy of your existing Opus over the course of a short rest for that same cost. This cost represents the writing materials, and implements required by you to compose.Your Story’s HEART At the heart of every great story lies a compelling. protagonist. When you begin writing at 3rd level, select ‘one of the following archetypes for your work's central character, whose traits can inspire your comrades. Lovable Miscreant. Your protagonist's crafty behavior can incite your allies to be more resourceful. When an ally rolis your Bardic Inspiration die, they can treat a roll Iower than your Charisma modifier as equal to your Charisma modifies Tragic Hero. Your protagonist's fatal myopia can spur an lly to be responsive to danger. As a reaction to the Start of combat, you can expend a use of your Bardic Inspiration to select one creature within 60 feet of you. That ereature gains an initiative bonus equal to twice your Charisma modifier (minimum of 2), as well as a Bandic Inspiration die if they dida't have one already. Intrepid Adventurer. Your protagonist's valo combat can heighten your allies’ moxie. As a reaction to being hit by a damaging effect, an ally can roll your Bardic Inspiration die to reduce their damage taken by the number rolled + your Charisma modifier (minimum of I). ‘SPELLBINDING CLIMAX At 6th level, you compose your work's key moment of tension, which you may recite to others. Select one of the following archetypal climaxes for your Opus, each of which has a particular effect when you begin to recite it ‘as a bonus action, ‘Such recitations can last for up to 1 minute, require your concentration as if you were concentrating on a ‘spell, and only affect creatures within 60 feet of you that ‘can hear and understand your words. You may stil cast spells with a verbal component during your recital Reversal of Fortune. Your narratives villains are ‘thwarted at their moment of vietory, which can give pause (0 your enemies. Your recital imposes disadvantage on hostile attack rolls against allies with fewer hit points than an amount equal to your bard level + your Charisma modifier (minimum of 1). Further, your recital causes hostile creatures to have disadvantage on their ability checks and saving throws against being, jntened, grappled, or knocked prone. Catastrophe. Your protagonist suffers a heart- breaking loss, which can prostrate others with grief. ‘When you begin reciting, you can force a creature (0 ‘make a Wisdom saving throw against your spell save DC. Ona failed save, it falls prone and cannot take actions or reactions until the start of your next turn. A creature can reattempt this saving throw whenever it takes damage, ending the effect on a success. Each turn while reciting, yyou can repeat this bonus action against a creature of ‘your choice. Test of Courage. You story's hero braves a harrowing ordeal, which can energize your allies in combat. While you recite, your allies have advantage on death saving throws, ignore the effects of dificult terrain, and gain temporary hit points equal to your bard level at the end of each of your turns. You cannot grant these temporary hit points to more than five creatures each round. Once you have used this feature, you must finish a long rest before you can do so again. COMPLETED MASTERWORK Upon reaching 14th level, you complete your Opus with a thematic flourish of your choice. Select one of the following archetypes for your work's conclusion, whose significance alters your very approach to the world at large. Poetic Justice. Your work's idealistic conclusion seeds you with a desire to humiliate the wicked. ‘Whenever a hostile creature fails an attack roll or saving throw, you can cast vicious mockery against them as a reaction, even ifyou don't know that spell. Ifthe creature fails ts saving throw, i takes additional psychic damage equal to half your bard level (rounded up), or half as much additional damage ifit succeeds, Hopelessness. Your finale's unparalleled bleakness, brightens your experience of lesser misfortunes. Whenever you roll a 9 or less on the 20 when making an attack rol, abilty check, or saving throw, you can use ‘your reaction to turn that roll into a 10 and regain an expended use of your Bardic Inspiration. ‘Triumphalism. Your protagonist’ triumphant journey inspires you to take fate into your own hands. When you are forced to make a Wisdom, Constitution, Strength, or Intelligence saving throw, you can use your reaction to make a Charisma or Dexterity saving throw in its place. ‘You must do this before you roll for the saving throw. ‘You can use this feature a number of times equal to your Charisma modifier (minimum of once), and regain any expended uses after finishing a long rest. pau ei Crepits: Created and designed by /u/Jackbad Uaek for short) using ‘Adobe Photoshop CC 2018. Photoshop resources by /u/the_singular_anyone (aka Walrock Homebrew) and fonts by /u/Solbera freely avalable via r/UncarthedArcana’ Brewers Supplies Artworks (in order of appearance) by Michael Grabowski and ‘Amy Hamilton, incorporated under fir use “This document is unofficial Fan Content permitted under Wizards’ Fan Content policy. Wizards ofthe Coast LLC. “Special thanks to the Discard of Many Things for their help with revisions ofthis subclass! —_ v1.2