Bards are the most charismatic people in all the realms. Members of this class are masters of captivation and specialize in a variety of performance types, including singing, playing musical instruments, weaving tales, or telling jokes. Whether performing for an audience or speaking to an individual, bards thrive in social situations. Members of this profession bond and train at schools or guilds, but a current of egotism runs through those of the bardic persuasion. While they may be the most likely class to bring people together, a bard of ill temper can just as easily tear a party apart.

Hope Features

Make a scene: Spend 3 Hope to temporarily Distract a target within Close range, giving them a -2 penalty to their Difficulty.

Class Features

Rally: Once per session, describe how you rally the party and give yourself and each of your allies a Rally Die. At level 1, your Rally Die is a d6. A PC can spend their Rally Die to roll it, adding the result to their action roll, reaction roll, damage roll, or to clear a number of Stress equal to the result. At the end of each session, clear all unspent Rally Dice. At level 5, your Rally Die increases to a d8.

Subclasses

Play the Troubadour if you want to play music to bolster your allies.

Spellcast: Presence

Foundation Features

Gifted Performer: You can play three different types of songs, once each per long rest; describe how you perform for others to gain the listed benefit: • Relaxing Song: You and all allies within Close range clear a Hit Point. • Epic Song: Make a target within Close range temporarily Vulnerable. • Heartbreaking Song: You and all allies within Close range gain a Hope.

Specialization Features

Maestro: Your rallying songs steel the courage of those who listen. When you give a Rally Die to an ally, they can gain a Hope or clear a Stress.

Mastery Features

Virtuoso: You are among the greatest of your craft and your skill is boundless. You can perform each of your “Gifted Performer” feature’s songs twice per long rest.