Bards of the College of the Valkyrie are chosen by celestial forces to walk the line between life and death. They are not mere performers or chroniclers. Rather, they are living omens, warrior-priests, and soul-guides. Their music doesn’t just inspire. It is a part of their very being. It summons the echoes of ancient battles, calls forth radiant fury, and weaves the destinies of those who fight beside them. These bards believe that every battle is a sacred ritual, every fallen warrior a soul to be honored. They are drawn to conflict not for glory, but to ensure that the worthy are remembered, the unjust are punished, and the threads of fate are never severed.

Unlike other bardic colleges, Valkyrie bards treat music as a ritualistic invocation. Their instruments might be carved from the bones of ancient beasts, etched with runes, or forged in celestial fire. Their songs are battle hymns, dirges, and calls to the afterlife. Each note they omit is a thread in the tapestry of fate. Their performances can stir courage in the hearts of mortals, blind enemies with divine light, or even summon the spirits of the fallen to guide their blades. 

Their performances can stir courage in the hearts of mortals, blind enemies with divine light, or even summon the spirits of the fallen to guide their blades. Central to their power is the concept of the Soulbound. This is a chosen ally whose fate is entwined with the Valkyrie’s. This bond is sacred, and the bard will go to any length to protect it. Whether it is teleporting into danger to shield them, or channeling radiant vengeance through their strikes, the Valkyrie bard becomes a celestial guardian, ensuring their chosen never fall alone.

Valkyrie's Hymn

You can invoke the power of the Valkyrie to guide fate and protect the chosen. When you use your Bardic Inspiration, you can choose one of the following effects to apply to the target:

• Battle Hymn: The target gains temporary hit points equal to your Bard level at the start of each of their turns while they are below half their hit point maximum.

• Shieldmaiden’s Grace: The target gains a +2 bonus to AC against the next attack made against them, and advantage on saving throws against being frightened or charmed until the end of their next turn.

• Fatebound Strike: The next time the target hits with a weapon attack, it deals additional radiant damage equal to your Bardic Inspiration die and blinds the target until the end of its next turn (Con save negates, DC = your spell save DC).

You can use Valkyrie’s Call a number of times equal to your Charisma modifier (minimum once), and regain all uses on a long rest.

Soulbound Oath

You can mark a creature as soulbound for 1 minute (bonus action, once per long rest). While soulbound:

• You can use your reaction to teleport to within 5 feet of the creature when it takes damage.

• If the creature drops to 0 hitpoints, you can expend a Bardic Inspiration to let them make a death saving throw immediately with advantage.

• Radiant Retribution: Once per turn, when the soulbound creature hits with a weapon attack, it deals bonus radiant damage equal to your Charisma modifier (minimum 1). This damage increases to twice your Charisma modifier if the target is below half its hit point maximum.

You also learn the cantrip Guidance, and it counts as a bard spell for you.

Celestial Embodiment

 You gain a flying speed equal to double your walking speed for 10 minutes (once per long rest, or by expending a Bardic Inspiration). While flying:

• You emit a radiant aura (10 ft radius). Allies in the aura gain advantage on saving throws against being frightened or charmed.

• When you deal damage with a spell or weapon, you can choose to deal radiant damage instead.