College of Epic Poetry (Ravenloft PW)

Bards who study the College of Epic Poetry are devoted to the creation of a singular masterpiece in the tradition of the epic poets. All the greatest stories in history were originally captured and recreated for audiences as masterful works of poetry. These stories were passed down for centuries in an oral tradition, and eventually, they were recorded on papyrus scrolls and stored in great libraries.

Those who wish to record their own epic poems spend their early years studying philosophy, aesthetics, and music, so that they have the necessary language to capture the splendor of great deeds. However, an epic poet cannot spend all their life in the Academy. Eventually, they must seek out great conflicts, for great conflicts produce great heroes, and great heroes produce great deeds.

As such, you have prepared yourself for a life of turmoil, chasing after warriors who brave impossible odds. You have learned to transcribe events faithfully, even in the chaos of battle. You know that if your quill slips at a pivotal moment, the beauty of that instant may be forever lost to history.

Epic Verse

Starting at 3rd level, when you give someone Bardic Inspiration, you recite a portion of your epic poem, which improves the effect of the dice and apply a passive effect to the target, based on your Bard levels. 

Improved Rolls. Your Bardic Inspiration dice have a minimum result value based on your Bard level. Whenever someone rolls one of your Bardic Inspiration dice, if they roll less than the minimum value for your Bard level, then the result is equal to the minimum value as determined by Bard level.

(2 = Lv 3 || 3 = Lvl 8 || 4 = Lvl 13 || 5 = Lvl 15 || 6 = Lvl 17)

Epic Effects. Your Bardic Inspiration dice have additional effects based on your Bard levels. When you give someone Bardic Inspiration, choose one of the following effects that you have unlocked. They gain the benefit of this effect as long as they have your Bardic Inspiration die. The effect is lost after they roll the die. 

Lvl 5 - Epic Courage: You gain advantage on saving throws against effects that would frighten you.
Lvl 6 - Epic Foresight: You cannot be surprised, and your passive Perception increases by +5.
Lvl 10 - Epic Determination: You gain advantage on death saving throws.
Lvl 11 - Epic Reflexes: You gain advantage on saving throws against spells that affect multiple targets.
Lvl 17 - Epic Resistance: You gain resistance to one damage type (Bard’s choice).

Armored Poet

Starting at 6th level, you gain proficiency with medium armor, so that you can get close to the fighting while composing your poem. Additionally, if you are within 5 feet of an ally when they roll a Bardic Inspiration die and they trigger Epic Verses, then you regain one expended Bardic Inspiration die.

Protective Epithets

Starting at 14th level, the lyrical epithets that you've selected for your allies take on magical properties, protecting them from death. Whenever a character with your Bardic Inspiration die would be reduced to 0 hit points, they may choose to roll their Bardic Inspiration die and be reduced to that number of hit points instead. The Bardic Inspiration die is then lost.