As someone who very much enjoys playing the piano, I have often wished to be able to play a bard who uses a piano as their focus. However, there are some clear problems with this: A piano would be very bulky, heavy, difficult to maintain, and (realistically) very easy to target. With that in mind, I've created this cantrip:
A spectral, floating keyboard resembling a piano keyboard appears directly in front of you, which you can play as if it were a harpsichord or pianoforte. The keyboard is intangible and can only be played by you. It curves slightly, so that all of the keys may be playable. The keyboard can be used as a spellcasting focus for your bard spells. You are considered proficient with the keyboard while you have it summoned.
The keyboard moves with you so that its center is always just above your waist.
The keyboard disappears if you are incapacitated, if the keyboard is submerged in water, or if you cast this spell again.
* - a small piece of ivory
Note: The material component is purely to make it impossible for a bard to use this to create a spellcasting focus any time they want, as I believe that would be far too powerful for a cantrip.
Set the duration to a timed thing but not concentration. Like an hour. It's a continuous effect so should have a duration and lose the material component. (material components are not that big of a thing and with it having a duration it can be targeted by dispel magic, disappears in antimagic fields, etc. Conjuration without duration means you've permanently created a physical thing and would not disappear, and would be immune to dispel magic and maybe even to antimagic fields). I'd also include some way to dismiss the effect that way you're not stuck with it until you go unconcious or into water.
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Set the duration to a timed thing but not concentration. Like an hour. It's a continuous effect so should have a duration and lose the material component. (material components are not that big of a thing and with it having a duration it can be targeted by dispel magic, disappears in antimagic fields, etc. Conjuration without duration means you've permanently created a physical thing and would not disappear, and would be immune to dispel magic and maybe even to antimagic fields). I'd also include some way to dismiss the effect that way you're not stuck with it until you go unconcious or into water.
Good thinking on the duration. 1 Hour should work, and I think I'll add an option to end the spell early as an action/bonus action.
The reason for the material component, though, is so that you can't summon a spellcasting focus without having either another focus, or an object. I feel that that would be extremely powerful. Just like an intelligent captor or host can confiscate your crystal ball, component pouch, or lute, I'd like them to be able to effectively confiscate the bard's piano by snatching the ivory piece.
Thank you for the feedback!
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And that's all I have to say about that.
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As someone who very much enjoys playing the piano, I have often wished to be able to play a bard who uses a piano as their focus. However, there are some clear problems with this: A piano would be very bulky, heavy, difficult to maintain, and (realistically) very easy to target. With that in mind, I've created this cantrip:
A spectral, floating keyboard resembling a piano keyboard appears directly in front of you, which you can play as if it were a harpsichord or pianoforte. The keyboard is intangible and can only be played by you. It curves slightly, so that all of the keys may be playable. The keyboard can be used as a spellcasting focus for your bard spells. You are considered proficient with the keyboard while you have it summoned.
The keyboard moves with you so that its center is always just above your waist.
The keyboard disappears if you are incapacitated, if the keyboard is submerged in water, or if you cast this spell again.
* - a small piece of ivoryNote: The material component is purely to make it impossible for a bard to use this to create a spellcasting focus any time they want, as I believe that would be far too powerful for a cantrip.
I would appreciate feedback on this!
And that's all I have to say about that.
Set the duration to a timed thing but not concentration. Like an hour. It's a continuous effect so should have a duration and lose the material component. (material components are not that big of a thing and with it having a duration it can be targeted by dispel magic, disappears in antimagic fields, etc. Conjuration without duration means you've permanently created a physical thing and would not disappear, and would be immune to dispel magic and maybe even to antimagic fields). I'd also include some way to dismiss the effect that way you're not stuck with it until you go unconcious or into water.
Click ✨ HERE ✨ For My Youtube Videos featuring Guides, Tips & Tricks for using D&D Beyond.
Need help with Homebrew? Check out ✨ this FAQ/Guide thread ✨ by IamSposta.
Just for fun
I actually think this is an interesting idea for a Bard cantrip :)
Born in Italy, moved a bunch, living in Spain, my heart always belonged to Roleplaying Games
Looks nice, but I don't want my bard restricted to so few keys :)
Good thinking on the duration. 1 Hour should work, and I think I'll add an option to end the spell early as an action/bonus action.
The reason for the material component, though, is so that you can't summon a spellcasting focus without having either another focus, or an object. I feel that that would be extremely powerful. Just like an intelligent captor or host can confiscate your crystal ball, component pouch, or lute, I'd like them to be able to effectively confiscate the bard's piano by snatching the ivory piece.
Thank you for the feedback!
And that's all I have to say about that.