College of Performance Mastery

At the end of the day, it really comes down to what you can do when the spotlight hits. 

Showtime!

Whenever a player casts a Bard Spell, they must perform that spell by making up a short song.  The performance should be relevant to either the situation at hand in the game, or to the desired affect of the spell.

• If the player refuses or fails to perform, then the spell's affects are negatively impacted (lower damage, duration etc.)
• If the player performs adequately, the spell works as expected
• If the player performs exceedingly well (rhymes, is extra funny, is clever etc.) then the spell receives a small bonus

The bonuses and penalties described above are all determined by the Dungeon Master

Cutting Words

Also at 3rd level, you learn how to use your wit to distract, confuse, and otherwise sap the confidence and competence of others. When a creature that you can see within 60 feet of you makes an attack roll, an ability check, or a damage roll, you can use your reaction to expend one of your uses of Bardic Inspiration, rolling a Bardic Inspiration die and subtracting the number rolled from the creature’s roll. You can choose to use this feature after the creature makes its roll, but before the DM determines whether the attack roll or ability check succeeds or fails, or before the creature deals its damage. The creature is immune if it can’t hear you or if it’s immune to being charmed.

Bonus Proficiencies

When you join the College of Performance Mastery at 3rd level, you gain proficiency with two skills of your choice.

Additional Magical Cantrip

At 6th level, you learn one cantrip of your choice from any class. A cantrip you choose must be a cantrip. The chosen cantrip counts as a bard spell for you but don’t count against the number of bard spells you know.

Peerless Skill

Starting at 14th level, when you make an ability check, you can expend one use of Bardic Inspiration. Roll a Bardic Inspiration die and add the number rolled to your ability check. You can choose to do so after you roll the die for the ability check, but before the DM tells you whether you succeed or fail.