Bards of the College of Secrets are master infiltrators, spies, and manipulators. Their performances are not for the stage but for the secret dealings of the world—whispered negotiations, coded messages, and the subtle weaving of magic into deception. Whether working as agents of a kingdom, crime syndicate, or their own ambitions, these bards make enemies disappear and ensure that the right secrets stay hidden.

Master of Masquerade

Your training has given you access to espionage techniques.

• You gain proficiency in forgery kits and one additional language.
• You can craft fake documents or insignias over 10 minutes, requiring a successful Intelligence (Forgery Kit) check against DC 15.
• Your disguises are so convincing that creatures have disadvantage on Insight checks to see through them.

Hidden Voice

Your words carry subtle power, seeding thoughts in others’ minds.

• As an action, you can whisper coded or magical messages to a creature within 30 feet that only they can hear.
• When you use Bardic Inspiration, you can choose to sow doubt instead—causing the target to subtract the roll from an Insight, Investigation, or Perception check within the next minute.

Fatal Eloquence

You are just as dangerous in a fight as you are in conversation.

• When you hit a creature with a weapon attack, you can expend a Bardic Inspiration die to deal additional psychic damage equal to the roll and force them to make a Wisdom saving throw against your spell save DC. On a failure, they become frightened or charmed (your choice) until the start of your next turn.
• When you cast an enchantment spell on a creature, it does not immediately recognize that you influenced its mind unless it succeeds on an Insight check against your spell save DC after the spell ends.

Subtle Influence

Your influence over others extends through subtle control of their actions and intentions.

• Whispers of Control: When you succeed on a Charisma-based skill check (Deception, Persuasion, or Intimidation), you can use your reaction to plant a mental suggestion in the creature's mind (similar to the Suggestion spell but lasting only 1 minute). The creature will follow the suggestion as long as it doesn't directly harm them or contradict their nature.
• Unseen Hand: You can subtly manipulate objects or the environment, as if using Mage Hand (without the need for somatic components). You can use this ability to interfere with traps, set up distractions, or even shift small objects around unnoticed. This ability works within 30 feet and is subtle enough that creatures are unaware of the manipulation unless they succeed on a Perception check against your Charisma modifier. Summoning the hand is an action, but controlling the hand on subsequent turns is a bonus action