College of the Aurora

"Aurora

Goddess sparkle

A mountain shade

Suggests your shape..."

- Björk Guðmundsdóttir, Master Bard

Deep in the remote areas of the arctic, there exists an obscure but powerful college of bards known as the "College of the Aurora". These bards have learned to harness the mystical properties of the aurora borealis. Manipulating the aurora as if it were a musical instrument, bards belonging to this college can create dazzling spells that protect, harm, heal, and delight.

Due in part to the sparse population of the far north, it should come as no surprise that bards from the College of the Aurora are valued and versatile members of their communities, often acting simultaneously as defenders, healers, lore keepers, and entertainers. Notable bards from this college include Aurora Aksnes, Sigur Rós, and Björk Guðmundsdóttir.

Music of the Aurora

When you join the College of the Aurora at 3rd level, your musical attunement with the Aurora has begun. You learn the Ray of Frost and Sacred Flame cantrips. They count as bard spells for you but don’t count against the number of bard spells you know. Charisma is your spellcasting ability for them.

Additionally, before casting one of these cantrips, you may expend one use of Bardic Inspiration. If you choose to do so, you may either cast the cantrip as a bonus action, or replace any d8 that would be rolled for damage with a d12.

Boreal Blessing

Also at 3rd level, you undergo physiological changes that aid your ability to interact with the Aurora. Once per long rest, you may gain advantage on a saving throw you make if it involves cold or radiant damage. Additionally, you gain 30 feet of darkvision, or if you already have darkvision, it is increased by 30 feet. Finally, the time it takes for you to complete a long rest is reduced by 2 hours.

Shimmering Transmutation

At 6th level, your musical attunement with the Aurora has significantly increased, altering the properties of your Bardic magic. All of your spells that would deal psychic damage now deal cold damage, and of all your spells that would deal thunder damage now deal radiant damage. Sources of cold damage are accompanied by a deep-red glow, while sources of radiant damage glow green with flecks of magenta.

When you cast a spell that deals cold damage, you may expend one use of Bardic Inspiration to target a willing creature within 60 feet (including yourself). That creature becomes enveloped in glowing energy, granting it the effects of the Shield of Faith spell for 10 minutes.

When you cast a spell that deals radiant damage, you may expend one use of Bardic Inspiration to target a willing creature within 60 feet (including yourself). That creature becomes enveloped in glowing energy, granting it the effects of the Divine Favor spell for 1 minute.

Symphony of the Blazing Skies

By 14th level, you have become an avatar of the Aurora, allowing you to harness its full energy in the form of a dazzling performance of sound and light. As an action, make a Charisma (Performance) check. Each creature in a 30-foot cube originating from you must make a wisdom-saving throw against your performance check. The creatures that fail their saving throws are compelled to watch your mesmerizing performance, resulting in them being either blinded or charmed by you (your choice) until the end of your next turn. You continue to shimmer with radiant energy for 10 minutes, causing your spells that deal cold or radiant damage gain additional damage equal to your charisma modifier.

Once you use this feature, you can't use it again until you finish a short or long rest.