College of Dance

Bards of The College of Dance are the epitome of grace, with a physical and social poise that can invigorate their allies and draw the eye of whoever they desire. They can enrapture a room without a single word, and spin through fights with their partners like dervishes, one with the tumult.

Found in the halls of nobility as beautiful entertainers and secret bodyguards, among bands of elite warriors and adventurers searching for lost things, or working their way into the inner circles of friends and foes alike, Dancers thrive on being underestimated. They often take pride in their ability to simultaneously be the most and least noticeable person in a situation, a paradox of flamboyance and subtlety. Dancers know the importance of where people look and what they notice. Many dancers augment their performances with weapons as equal parts props and offense, sometimes with one in each hand. Their weapons and clothing are often embellished with strips of bright fabric, jingling rings and bells of polished metal made to draw the eye to where the performer desires.

The members of these Colleges are rare, and often far-flung from one another in a manner bordering on territorial. More than mere entertainers, Bards of the College of Dance prefer to be the only of their caliber in their social circles: true competition for attention undermines their very way of life. 

Dancer’s Grace

When you join the College of Dance at 3rd level, your swaying movement is as good as armor for keeping you away from danger. When not wearing armor or wielding a shield, your AC is 13 + your Dexterity modifier.

Somatic Footwork

Also at 3rd level, you learn that magical gestures need not be performed so traditionally. When casting spells, you can perform the somatic components to spells even if your hands are occupied, so long as you are not prone or restrained. Additionally, you gain proficiency in whips and scimitars.

Bardic Inspiration - Dance Partner

Finally, when you join the College of Dance at 3rd level, you unlock the true secret of linking your motions to another’s. During your turn, you may expend a use of Bardic Inspiration and choose a willing creature that you can see within 30 feet, this creature becomes your Dance Partner. Any spell effects that target you (including spells with a range of self) while this feature is active may also target your chosen Dance Partner if you so choose, affecting you both equally.

Additionally, when you or your Dance Partner moves on their turn, the other may use their reaction to move up to their speed to a space within 5ft of their Dance Partner without provoking attacks of opportunity.

Your dance lasts for 1 minute, and ends early if you end your turn in a position where you cannot see your Dance Partner or you are restrained, blinded or incapaitated. If a creature is no longer your partner, they stop gaining any benefits from spells cast on you if those spells require concentration.

You may only have one Dance Partner at a time, must spend another use of your Bardic Inspiration to change your Dance Partner to a different creature.

Distracting Movement

Starting at 6th level, your motions are extremely disruptive to your enemies and entrancing to all others. Whenever you take the Dash or Disengage action during combat, all hostile creatures within your melee reach that can see you have disadvantage to attack creatures other than you until the beginning of your next turn.

Outside of combat, if you spend at least a minute performing, every creature that can see you within 30 feet has disadvantage on Wisdom checks for as long as you continue performing.

Reflexive Improvisation

At 14th level, you are always ready to react to your allies’ motion or draw them into yours. You may use your Bardic Inspiration when you roll initiative, either as the base feature or to choose a Dance Partner.