College of Readings

Two strangers sit on pillows across from each other in a darkened tent lit by several candles and subdued with incense. One is a middle-aged human man with tanned skin, wearing the clothing of a farmer, and the other is an aged half-elf woman with wrinkled skin yet sparkling eyes, wearing an elaborate, multicolored and patched robe with a hood over her face.

The bangles on the woman's wrists jingle as she carefully places elaborately decorated cards in a solar pattern on the table between them. To the man, the worn, gilded scribblings on the cards have little meaning. The woman, however, sees something very different. In her eyes, the cards speak volumes, foretelling things that were, things that are, and things that will be.

Not all Bards learn to play the strings of a lute. Some learn to play the strings of fate itself. Their craft is equal parts divination magic and intimate performance. These are the true fortune-tellers, oracles, and soothsayers who glean truths that transcend time from the tools of their trade and their heightened insight. With this knowledge, it is possible for them to even influence the outcome of events.

The Art of Readings

When you join this college at 3rd level, you have mastered the use of Tarot cards. If you own a set of Tarot cards which you have not purchased yourself, you may use these cards as a spellcasting focus for your Bard spells.

In addition, you learn and can cast *Augury*, but only as a ritual. It counts as a Bard spell and it does not count against the number of Bard spells you know. Casting *Augury* more than once per day does not subject you to the cumulative chance for a random reading.

In addition, any Bard abilities that require you to perform, sing, or play an instrument, may instead be done using Tarot cards.

Mastery of the Minor Arcana

Also at 3rd level, you have peered into the mysteries of the Minor Arcana, allowing you to use your readings to inspire your compatriots. When a creature uses a Bardic Inspiration die granted by you, roll a d4, representing a suit of your Tarot deck. If the use of the Bardic Inspiration die matches the result of the die roll, add your proficiency bonus to the die roll.

1. Wands (magic spell attack rolls or saving throws against spells)
2. Pentacles (CHA, INT, DEX ability checks or saving throws)
3. Cups (WIS, CON, STR ability checks or saving throws)
4. Swords (weapon attack rolls or saving throws against an attack roll)

This effect may be simulated using the Minor Arcana cards of a Tarot deck.

Mastery of the Major Arcana

At 6th level, you have gained a deep understanding of the Major Arcana, granting you the ability to peer into the near future using your tarot cards. When you finish a long rest, roll a number of d24s equal to your proficiency modifier and record the numbers rolled minus one. When a roll is made by you or a creature you can see you can use the foretelling roll to produce the following effect:

0. The Fool: an INT saving throw is made with disadvantage
1. The Magician: an INT (Arcana) check is made with advantage
2. The High Priestess: an INT (Religion) check is made with advantage
3. The Empress: a CHA (Persuasion) check is made with advantage
4. The Emperor: a CHA (Intimidation) check is made with advantage
5. The Hierophant: a WIS (Insight) check is made with advantage
6. The Lovers: a CHA saving throw is made with disadvantage
7. The Chariot: a WIS (Animal Handling) check is made with advantage
8. Strength: a STR (Athletics) check is made with advantage
9. The Hermit: an INT (History) check is made with advantage
10. Wheel of Fortune: a DEX (Sleight of Hand) check is made with advantage
11. Justice: an INT (Investigation) check is made with advantage
12. The Hanged Man: a WIS (Medicine) check is made with advantage
13. Death: a CON saving throw is made with disadvantage
14. Temperance: a WIS (Survival) check is made with advantage
15. The Devil: a CHA (Deception) check is made with advantage
16. The Tower: a DEX (Acrobatics) check is made with advantage
17. The Star: A CHA (Performance) check is made with advantage
18. The Moon: a DEX (Stealth) check is made with advantage
19. The Sun: a WIS (Perception) check is made with advantage
20. Judgement: a WIS saving throw is made with disadvantage
21. The World: an INT (Nature) check is made with advantage
22. The Well: a STR saving throw is made with disadvantage
23. The Artist: a DEX saving throw is made with disadvantage

Each foretelling roll can be used only once. When you finish a long rest, you lose any unused foretelling rolls.

This effect may be simulated using the Major Arcana cards of a Tarot deck.

Magical Secrets of Divination

Also at 6th level, your readings of the Arcana allow you to read and manipulate the weaves of fate. You learn two Divination Spells of your choice from any class. A spell you choose must be of a level you can cast, as shown on the Bard table, or a cantrip.

The chosen Spells count as Bard Spells for you but don’t count against the number of Bard Spells you know.

Oracle Unbound

Starting at 14th level, visions of the immediate future flash in through your mind just moments before they happen, giving you a chance to circumvent fate. As a Reaction, you may grant a creature other than you a Bardic Inspiration die after they have made a saving throw, ability check, or attack roll, but before the result has been determined.

In addition, when a creature rolls a 1 on a Bardic Inspiration die granted by you, they can reroll the die and must use the new result.