College of Necrodancy

A select few bards are able to craft and perform rhythms which stir the dead from their graves, and keep cadavers shuffling forward in an unending ballet. The undead under their command are instilled with an internal song which ushers them forward, and is mimicked in the rhythm of their marching. These bards, dubbing themselves Necrodancers, toe the line between macabre jokesters and cruel tyrants of the undead. Some pursue necromancy in order to create a grand performance which the unpredictable living cannot possible produce, while others are more interested in the destruction of life in favor of a shambling audiance captive to their will. It is for this reason that Necrodancers are few and far between, and often recieve a cold acknowledgement at best. Whatever side you fall on, the song with which you raise the dead is certain to plant hysteria and within the minds of the living...for better or for worse.

Beautiful Dissonance

3rd-level College of Necrodancy feature

Your song of undeath echoes in a way that pierces the soul, and rends the mind. You gain access to the Toll the Dead cantrip. It is a Bard cantrip for you, and does not count against the number of Bard cantrips you know.

Necromance Ballet

3rd-level College of Necrodancy feature

The powerful words you weave can be made to instill a dominion over the fallen. When a humanoid that you can see dies within 30 ft. of you, you may use a reaction to expend a use of your Bardic Inspiration. When you do, the creature is turned into a *zombie* under your command. The zombie rises with an amount of hitpoints equal to a roll of your Bardic Inspiration + your Charisma modifier (minimum of 1 hitpoint). The zombie shares your initiative, acting at the end of your turns.

You may use a bonus action to mentally command any number of your zombies risen in this way. Those not given a command only defend themselves from hostile creatures.

A zombie risen in this way crumbles after a number of hours equal to your proficiency bonus.

You're All the Same

6th-level College of Necrodancy feature

The mastery of undeath you wield becomes more focused, and the march of your thralls extends for as long as your will commands it. You gain access to the Animate Dead spell. It is a Bard spell for you and does not count against the number of spells you know.

Whenever you use a bardic inspiration to inspire one undead under your command, or when activating your Necromance Ballet feature, all undead under your command within 30 ft. of you that can hear you are granted inspiration as well.

Killer Moves

Having perfected your ballad of the undead, your thralls are now permanantly ridden with rhythm and dance. You may mentally command a number of undead under your command equal to your Charisma modifier on each of your turns without using a bonus action. Any remaining thralls must still be commanded to act.

In addition, on your turn you may command one undead under your command to crumble, no action required. When you do, you regain one use of your Bardic Inspiration.