I’m in the middle of DM’ing a campaign right now, but eventually I plan on bringing an old character-concept back when I decide to roll a player character again.
The character was an Eladrin bard, one who fell down the Infinite Stairway from Arboria and landed smack in the middle of Waterdeep, which shattered them into the various personalities the Eladrin race is known for.
The original character had been a Glamour Bard, and it was a neat concept...their “majestic” appearance slowly becoming who they used to be before they “fell”.
But some serious content has come out since then: Tasha’s Cauldron provided some new ways to play a Bard...some great new spells, new subclasses, and new feats...so now I’m wondering which to pick from.
One part of me is interested in a “College of Swords” Bard...Tasha’s Cauldron provides the “Fighting Initiate” feat; so the Bard can learn a second fighting style to compliment their various personality types. My stats I rolled were pretty good; so I can boost Strength & Dexterity to use nearly any weapon with impunity...and I find the notion of a beefy Summer Eladrin brandishing a warhammer with the “Crusher” feat to be appealing..****y for them to switch to a hyperactive Spring Eladrin with dual scimitars.
On the flip side, the “College of Eloquence” has a lot going for it...though my interest in the subclass would chiefly be the “Unsettling Words” the Eladrin could mutter in their various personalities.
I’d like to hear people’s opinions / concepts on what kind of Bard subclass could make for an interesting Eladrin character.
If you’d like, you can include multi-classing tips, too.
I personally favor the eloquence bard for the eladrin (I'm playing around with one of my own) for kinda the reason you gave. For the verbal components of spells each season will go under a different pattern. Spring distracts, Summer goes metaphorically for the throat, fall tries to convince them to give up, and winter just says something depressing. This kinid of thing also works well for College of Swords as well (with different kinds of styles and weapons). While Spring dashes in and out with their dual scimitars, Summer takes their war hammer and doesn't let up. I envision Fall with a longbow or a longsword/rapier (up to you) and staying steady with whatever they do. Winter, with their pale glaive, is a calm presence on the battlefield. Deliberate.
My characterization for Eladrin (because they are so much fun) is usually more the same character, but each season emphasizes some of the traits. So instead of each season being their own unique personality, it is more what your character would lean towards. Maybe think about what allignments each season leans a bit towards. Does your spring like to be more generous while your winter is more withdrawn? Is summer hot headed while Fall tries to keep the peace (at least in the party)? Come up with parts of your character that could be varied while being cohesive, and play around with what goes to which season.
As for multiclassing... two things come to mind for me
1. An interesting idea (although complex) would be to check with your DM if you can have each season multiclass into something else. This, of course, should be something you and your DM both look at because I dont have a clue as to how balanced it is. If it seems like it might work, I'd play with Spring as a ranger, Summer as a fighter, Fall as a sorcerer (depending on levels id say thematically go wild magic), and Winter as a barbarian (Think Yasha from CR for rage - "cold, detached rage")
OR
2. Cleric/Paladin - If you think your character believes having a God on their side can help them find their original form.
This is probably more confusing than useful, but hopefully it helps!
Firstly: I love the color schemes you added for each personality. Visually pleasing. ; )
Your assessment of the Eloquence "verbal" styles is exactly what I would expect...ranging from aggressive to diplomatic.
I'm really "into" the idea that each season has their own weapon style...which would likely require a higher Strength score, at the cost of "Archery"...so the "College of Swords" just makes sense.
Applying this whole stylistic approach, however...Glamour Bard's can have their "otherworldly presence" manifest in a similar way...a swirling gust of autumn leaves for the Fall type...swirling, snowy winds for the Winter...a blinding, striking burst for Summer...or cherry-blossoms for Spring.
Side note: I re-read the Autumn Eladrin's "Misty Step"...it's pretty superb for a Glamour Bard: because the targets can't make a subsequent save...if they fail the saving throw, they're "charmed" for a whole minute!
As long as the party holds their fire...the Glamour Bard can instantly "Command" them with their Mantle of Majesty.
Multiclassing has some juicy possibilities for emphasizing these seasonal styles...a dip into "Storm" Sorcerer would give a useful ability to flicker out of harms way, which is a cool visual effect for Spring or Fall...
...whereas a Warlock multiclass gains some appropriate spells..."Hellish Rebuke" for a wrathful Summer type..."Armor of Agathys" for Winter (good scaling)..."Cause Fear" for Winter, too...
It's nice that there isn't a bad option; there are just so many good options!
I don't know a lot about eladrin but I will pipe in based on my current character.
I play a swords bard who has multiclassed into sorcerer and fighter. Prof in con saves is fantastic.
My character has dragon scales from draconic bloodline....maybe you can change the colours each season. At level 1 they don't do anything anyway.
Unarmored ac of 13 + dex can be fun if you picture an unarmored fighter.
I use duel wielder feat with defense fighting style and a ring of protection for some good ac. Becomes great and almost umhittable with shield and flourish.
Fighter gives a fighting style which I took defense. You could start fighter and get con saves. Then go to sword bard 6 and get 3 fighting styles.
I don't know a lot about eladrin but I will pipe in based on my current character.
I play a swords bard who has multiclassed into sorcerer and fighter. Prof in con saves is fantastic.
My character has dragon scales from draconic bloodline....maybe you can change the colours each season. At level 1 they don't do anything anyway.
Unarmored ac of 13 + dex can be fun if you picture an unarmored fighter.
I use duel wielder feat with defense fighting style and a ring of protection for some good ac. Becomes great and almost umhittable with shield and flourish.
Fighter gives a fighting style which I took defense. You could start fighter and get con saves. Then go to sword bard 6 and get 3 fighting styles.
Two weapon fighting
Great Weapon Fighting
And archery sound great
You make the Fighter seem enticing. : )
I could reasonably see starting in Fighter for the Constitution saving throw proficiency; and the extra Fighting Style has a ton of flexibility for this sort of Eladrin character...especially Archery or Great Weapon Fighting.
I lean a bit towards the latter...something about an Eladrin Bard smacking an enemy hard with a warhammer is just too funny.
In a similar vein, I look at Paladins...they don’t get that nifty Constitution saving throw proficiency; but they do get a Fighting Style & smites.
Where do you get greater steed for bard? I've only ever seen it for Paladins.
Not trying to be nitpicky but it sounds really cool and I'd love to use it
EDIT: I forgot magical secrets
It’s a great choice. ; )
I usually always take “Find Greater Steed”, “Bigby’s Hand”, “Destructive Wave”, or “Steel Wind Strike”...sometimes the Bard just wants to kick some butt.
I’m in the middle of DM’ing a campaign right now, but eventually I plan on bringing an old character-concept back when I decide to roll a player character again.
The character was an Eladrin bard, one who fell down the Infinite Stairway from Arboria and landed smack in the middle of Waterdeep, which shattered them into the various personalities the Eladrin race is known for.
The original character had been a Glamour Bard, and it was a neat concept...their “majestic” appearance slowly becoming who they used to be before they “fell”.
But some serious content has come out since then: Tasha’s Cauldron provided some new ways to play a Bard...some great new spells, new subclasses, and new feats...so now I’m wondering which to pick from.
One part of me is interested in a “College of Swords” Bard...Tasha’s Cauldron provides the “Fighting Initiate” feat; so the Bard can learn a second fighting style to compliment their various personality types. Speaking of college, my hobbies don't always go hand in hand with my studies. I spend a lot of time preparing for my studies. However, it's easier and simpler to use worms like https://paperap.com/free-papers/the-canterbury-tales/ to occupy your time and improve your grades. I think it can be very useful for students. My stats I rolled were pretty good; so I can boost Strength & Dexterity to use nearly any weapon with impunity...and I find the notion of a beefy Summer Eladrin brandishing a warhammer with the “Crusher” feat to be appealing..****y for them to switch to a hyperactive Spring Eladrin with dual scimitars.
On the flip side, the “College of Eloquence” has a lot going for it...though my interest in the subclass would chiefly be the “Unsettling Words” the Eladrin could mutter in their various personalities.
I’d like to hear people’s opinions / concepts on what kind of Bard subclass could make for an interesting Eladrin character.
If you’d like, you can include multi-classing tips, too.
I’m in the middle of DM’ing a campaign right now, but eventually I plan on bringing an old character-concept back when I decide to roll a player character again.
The character was an Eladrin bard, one who fell down the Infinite Stairway from Arboria and landed smack in the middle of Waterdeep, which shattered them into the various personalities the Eladrin race is known for.
The original character had been a Glamour Bard, and it was a neat concept...their “majestic” appearance slowly becoming who they used to be before they “fell”.
But some serious content has come out since then: Tasha’s Cauldron provided some new ways to play a Bard...some great new spells, new subclasses, and new feats...so now I’m wondering which to pick from.
One part of me is interested in a “College of Swords” Bard...Tasha’s Cauldron provides the “Fighting Initiate” feat; so the Bard can learn a second fighting style to compliment their various personality types. My stats I rolled were pretty good; so I can boost Strength & Dexterity to use nearly any weapon with impunity...and I find the notion of a beefy Summer Eladrin brandishing a warhammer with the “Crusher” feat to be appealing..****y for them to switch to a hyperactive Spring Eladrin with dual scimitars.
On the flip side, the “College of Eloquence” has a lot going for it...though my interest in the subclass would chiefly be the “Unsettling Words” the Eladrin could mutter in their various personalities.
I’d like to hear people’s opinions / concepts on what kind of Bard subclass could make for an interesting Eladrin character.
If you’d like, you can include multi-classing tips, too.
I personally favor the eloquence bard for the eladrin (I'm playing around with one of my own) for kinda the reason you gave. For the verbal components of spells each season will go under a different pattern. Spring distracts, Summer goes metaphorically for the throat, fall tries to convince them to give up, and winter just says something depressing. This kinid of thing also works well for College of Swords as well (with different kinds of styles and weapons). While Spring dashes in and out with their dual scimitars, Summer takes their war hammer and doesn't let up. I envision Fall with a longbow or a longsword/rapier (up to you) and staying steady with whatever they do. Winter, with their pale glaive, is a calm presence on the battlefield. Deliberate.
My characterization for Eladrin (because they are so much fun) is usually more the same character, but each season emphasizes some of the traits. So instead of each season being their own unique personality, it is more what your character would lean towards. Maybe think about what allignments each season leans a bit towards. Does your spring like to be more generous while your winter is more withdrawn? Is summer hot headed while Fall tries to keep the peace (at least in the party)? Come up with parts of your character that could be varied while being cohesive, and play around with what goes to which season.
As for multiclassing... two things come to mind for me
1. An interesting idea (although complex) would be to check with your DM if you can have each season multiclass into something else. This, of course, should be something you and your DM both look at because I dont have a clue as to how balanced it is. If it seems like it might work, I'd play with Spring as a ranger, Summer as a fighter, Fall as a sorcerer (depending on levels id say thematically go wild magic), and Winter as a barbarian (Think Yasha from CR for rage - "cold, detached rage")
OR
2. Cleric/Paladin - If you think your character believes having a God on their side can help them find their original form.
This is probably more confusing than useful, but hopefully it helps!
Firstly: I love the color schemes you added for each personality. Visually pleasing. ; )
Your assessment of the Eloquence "verbal" styles is exactly what I would expect...ranging from aggressive to diplomatic.
I'm really "into" the idea that each season has their own weapon style...which would likely require a higher Strength score, at the cost of "Archery"...so the "College of Swords" just makes sense.
Applying this whole stylistic approach, however...Glamour Bard's can have their "otherworldly presence" manifest in a similar way...a swirling gust of autumn leaves for the Fall type...swirling, snowy winds for the Winter...a blinding, striking burst for Summer...or cherry-blossoms for Spring.
Side note: I re-read the Autumn Eladrin's "Misty Step"...it's pretty superb for a Glamour Bard: because the targets can't make a subsequent save...if they fail the saving throw, they're "charmed" for a whole minute!
As long as the party holds their fire...the Glamour Bard can instantly "Command" them with their Mantle of Majesty.
Multiclassing has some juicy possibilities for emphasizing these seasonal styles...a dip into "Storm" Sorcerer would give a useful ability to flicker out of harms way, which is a cool visual effect for Spring or Fall...
...whereas a Warlock multiclass gains some appropriate spells..."Hellish Rebuke" for a wrathful Summer type..."Armor of Agathys" for Winter (good scaling)..."Cause Fear" for Winter, too...
It's nice that there isn't a bad option; there are just so many good options!
I don't know a lot about eladrin but I will pipe in based on my current character.
I play a swords bard who has multiclassed into sorcerer and fighter. Prof in con saves is fantastic.
My character has dragon scales from draconic bloodline....maybe you can change the colours each season. At level 1 they don't do anything anyway.
Unarmored ac of 13 + dex can be fun if you picture an unarmored fighter.
I use duel wielder feat with defense fighting style and a ring of protection for some good ac. Becomes great and almost umhittable with shield and flourish.
Fighter gives a fighting style which I took defense. You could start fighter and get con saves. Then go to sword bard 6 and get 3 fighting styles.
Two weapon fighting
Great Weapon Fighting
And archery sound great
You make the Fighter seem enticing. : )
I could reasonably see starting in Fighter for the Constitution saving throw proficiency; and the extra Fighting Style has a ton of flexibility for this sort of Eladrin character...especially Archery or Great Weapon Fighting.
I lean a bit towards the latter...something about an Eladrin Bard smacking an enemy hard with a warhammer is just too funny.
In a similar vein, I look at Paladins...they don’t get that nifty Constitution saving throw proficiency; but they do get a Fighting Style & smites.
Interesting choices.
Another pro of bard is find greater steed.
Each mount can be easily geared towards a certain season. Dire wolf in winter sounds fun.
Easily the coolest mount.
Where do you get greater steed for bard? I've only ever seen it for Paladins.
Not trying to be nitpicky but it sounds really cool and I'd love to use it
EDIT: I forgot magical secrets
It’s a great choice. ; )
I usually always take “Find Greater Steed”, “Bigby’s Hand”, “Destructive Wave”, or “Steel Wind Strike”...sometimes the Bard just wants to kick some butt.
Thank you for tread!