College of Hearts

Somber yet moving performers, Bards of the College of Hearts use solemn music and performance to spur their comrades forth. They instill in their friends that, although sadness is inevitable, it gives us strength to continue on.

Songster of Sorrow

3rd-level College of Hearts feature

When you choose this subclass at third level, your voice becomes much more unique, with somber undertones driving its strength forth.

Your voice can now act as a spellcasting focus for your Bard spells, and all Bard class features requiring your target to see you now only require your target to hear you.

Moving Aria

3rd-level College of Hearts feature

Your song of sorrows spur your comrades into action, holding hope in their hearts that they shall not meet a fate like what your lyrics entail.

As a bonus action, you can expend one use of your Bardic Inspiration to grant yourself a wondrous appearance. When you do so, choose a number of creatures you can see and that can see you within 60 feet of you, up to a number equal to your Wisdom modifier (minimum of one). Each of them gains 5 temporary hit points. When a creature gains these temporary hit points, it can immediately use its reaction to move up to its speed, without provoking opportunity attacks.

The number of temporary hit points increases when you reach certain levels in this class, increasing to 8 at 5th level, 11 at 10th level, and 14 at 15th level.

Blessed Heart

3rd-level College of Hearts feature

Whenever you give a creature a Bardic Inspiration die, you can utter a note that resounds in the target creature's heart until the Bardic Inspiration die is lost. While this is in effect, the target feels deeply moved by your song.

When the creature uses the Bardic Inspiration die, the note provides an additional effect based on whether the die benefits an ability check, an attack roll, or a saving throw, as detailed below:

Ability Check. When the creature rolls the Bardic Inspiration die to add it to an ability check, the creature can roll the Bardic Inspiration die again and choose which roll to use, as the mote pops and emits colorful, harmless sparks for a moment.

Attack Roll. Immediately after the creature rolls the Bardic Inspiration die to add it to an attack roll against a target, the mote thunderously shatters. The target and each creature of your choice that you can see within 5 feet of it must succeed on a Constitution saving throw against your spell save DC or take thunder damage equal to the number rolled on the Bardic Inspiration die.

Saving Throw. Immediately after the creature rolls the Bardic Inspiration die and adds it to a saving throw, the mote vanishes with the sound of soft music, causing the creature to gain temporary hit points equal to the number rolled on the Bardic Inspiration die plus your Wisdom modifier (minimum of 1 temporary hit point).

Unwavering Voice

6th-level College of Hearts feature

Your poignant voice is so heart-rending that others feel driven to succeed. When a creature adds one of your Bardic Inspiration dice to its ability check, attack roll, or saving throw and the roll fails, the creature can keep the Bardic Inspiration die.

Heartbreak

14th-level College of Hearts feature

At 14th level, your melancholic air deters even the coldest foes from bringing you harm.

In addition, as a bonus action, you can assume a magically majestic presence for 1 minute or until you are incapacitated. For the duration, whenever any creature tries to attack you for the first time on a turn, the attacker must make a Charisma saving throw against your spell save DC. On a failed save, it can’t attack you on this turn, and it must choose a new target for its attack or the attack is wasted. On a successful save, it can attack you on this turn, but it has disadvantage on any saving throw it makes against your spells on your next turn.

Once you assume this majestic presence, you can’t do so again until you finish a short or long rest.