Among the common folk, bards are a welcome distraction from the drudgery and toil of their day-to-day lives.  The ability to read and write are illegal for most folk.  The oral storytelling of the bard helps maintain a sense of shared language, history and culture.  Bards carry news and rumors from distant cities.  Thus the bard is entertainer, educator and messenger combined.

Among the nobility of the cities, bards are tools. They are commonly hired by one house of nobles and sent to another as a gift. The bards are sent to entertain, and usually to perform some other subtle task (such as robbery, assassination, espionage, etc.), as well. It is considered rude to turn down the gift of a bard or bard company. However, when presented with a troop of bards from one's worst enemy, sometimes they are turned away. To get around this, the hiring party sometimes disguises their approach by using a third party to send the bards. It can turn into a very complicated collage of intrigue and deceit.

Turning from political histories to folklore, who has not heard a bard's sonorous voice sing the marvels of the world before ours? The lyrics speak of a land of plenty, with grass on every hill and water in every draw. Fields of barley and whey stretched for miles, and there were so many sheep that the herds could not be counted. Proud forests of oak and maple covered the wild lands, and men were the masters of the beasts.

These ballads sing the praises of warriors who fought not for food or entertainment, but for honor, glory, and lady love. The kings in these songs were noble warriors who fought terrible beasts and waged righteous wars in defense of their subjects.

Most Athasians regard these tales as fanciful flights, mere diversions from the toil and misery that is their life. As far as the individual songs are concerned, their attitude is no doubt correct, for every singer exaggerates the story to heighten the drama. In sum, however, there may be a kernel of truth to the ancient lyrics and ballads.

Level 3: Bonus Proficiencies

Gain proficiency with Sleight of Hand and the Poisoner's Kit.

The Athasian Bard is able to read and write all languages that they know.

Level 3: Curtain Call

At 3rd level, after making a successful attack against an opponent which they have Advantage against, the Athasian Bard may spend a Bardic Inspiration die to add that die's damage to the attack.  This die is doubled in the case of a critical hit as normal.

At 5th level, two Bardic Inspiration dice may be added to damage.

At 10th level, three Bardic Inspiration dice may be added to damage.

At 15th level, any number of Bardic Inspiration dice may be added to damage.

Level 6: Killing Them Softly

At 6th level, for a number of times equal to their Proficiency Bonus,  the Athasian Bard can cast a spell ignoring any somatic or verbal components.  This ability is refreshed after a Long Rest.

In addition, the Athasian Bard gains Advantage on Sleight of Hand checks to conceal the use of material components or a spell focus.

Level 14: Target Audience

At 14th level, the Athasian Bard may spend 1 minute, or more, performing for their intended target.  Once the performance is complete, until the beginning of the Athasian Bard's next Long Rest, the intended target has Disadvantage on saving throws vs the Athasian Bard's Phantasmal Killer spells.  The Athasian Bard may not perform for a different intended target until they complete a Long Rest.

At 17th level, the Athasian Bard can cast Power Word Kill once, targeting their intended target, without having to expend a spell slot.  This ability refreshes after a Long Rest.