Music from the Grave. The Cello Soloist continuously plays a haunting, beautiful tune. Each creature that starts its turn within 120 feet from the soloist that can hear the tune must succeed on a DC 12 Wisdom saving throw or be charmed by the Cello Soloist until the end of the soloist's next turn. A creature that starts its turn within 30 feet of the soloist has disadvantage on the saving throw.
The Cello Soloist cannot play its tune if it is deafened or Incapacitated
Spellcasting. The Cello Soloist's spellcasting ability is Charisma (spell save DC 15, +7 to hit with spell attacks). The Cello Soloist has the following Bard spells prepared:
Cantrips (at will): friends, minor illusion, thunderclap (2d6)
1st level (3 times per day): Color Spray, Dissonant Whispers, Silent Image, Sleep
2nd level (1 time per day): Crown of Madness, Enthrall, Phantasmal Force, Hypnotic Pattern
Turn Resistance: The Cello Soloist has advantage on saving throws against any effect that turns undead
Cello Bow: The Cello Soloist jabs with its cello's bow while playing using the staccato jabs to strike an opponents while continuing the song.
Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., 1 target. Hit: 8 (2d6 + 1) Bludgeoning damage.
Description
“It is said that when the great minstrel Taeleya Hinszin passed, her soul became bound to her instrument, and she became a soloist for eternity. Her music can still be heard in her manse, echoing forever between empty walls: a song of death, and mourning of her own lifetime as one of the most influential musicians of her era.”
Bardic remains. A soloist is born when a great musician passes into the afterlife, but their soul hangs on. Usually the object of their desire to stay is their instrument, which becomes imbued with their own undead energy, and begins playing again when the soul has finally found its resting place in the plane of the living. The undead spirit bound to the instrument is usually benign, only wishing to spend the rest of eternity playing its music, but the tune they play is so hauntingly beautiful that it can have a malignant effect on the living people that surround it. Those who hear a soloist’s ghostly music are caught in a stupor and lose control over their bodies.
Malignant minstrels. Those bards or minstrels that chose a darker path in life, seeking fame for money or treating those around them with condescension and disdain, may become malignant soloists upon death. Their spirits are corrupted by greed or pride, and will use their music to lure unsuspecting victims to them, where they will make them serve the soloist for the rest of their lives.
Undead nature. A soloist doesn’t need air, food, drink, or sleep.
Friends and companions. Those soloists who have traveled in minstrel bands or in circuses may become undead as a group when a disaster befalls them, or if they simply happen to pass within a few days of each other. Those who have created strong bonds of friendship or love may be bound to one another in the afterlife, and thus it is not uncommon to find two soloists together at all times. Minstrels that had animal companions or familiars in life may have the remainders of their pet’s spirit accompany them.
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