Bardic College of Journalism

Bards from the College of Journalism know the power of the words they weave. If enough people believe their versions of events, it becomes the accepted truth, all but rewriting reality around them on the level of cities, civilizations, and spheres of existence even. 

Investigative Reporter

You’re an ace reporter with a nose for news! When you take this subclass at level three, gain Expertise in the Investigation skill and Advantage on Investigation rolls a number of times per day equal to your Proficiency Bonus.

War Correspondent

Whether it’s for a patron, posterity, or some other purpose, your duty on the battlefield is first and foremost to accurately and fairly report on the details of the battle. Starting at third level, as a full round action during combat, you can verbally summarize details of the battle in fifty words or less, committing them to paper or parchment via Illusory Script, which you can cast as a cantrip for this purpose without any material components. Doing so gives you a free Bardic Inspiration die for the remainder of your turn and must be used by you or a Party member within 120 feet prior to your next, the effects of which are determined by which actions you report:

• Casualty Report (Available if a party member or friendly creature takes damage) - Heal a party member or friendly creature for hit points equal to the Bardic Inspiration roll plus the Bard’s level. 
• Direct Quotation (Available if a party member or friendly creature uses a spell with verbal components) - Gain a bonus equal to the Bardic Inspiration roll to the Save DC of the next spell that uses verbal components 
• Highly Critical Attack (Available if a party member or friendly creature rolls a Natural 20) - Gain a bonus to an Attack roll equal to the Bardic Inspiration roll. If the total is greater than or equal to 20, treat it as a Critical Hit)
• In the Lede (Available if a party member or friendly creature was first in the Initiative order or engaged in a surprise attack) - The Bardic Inspiration roll can be added to Initiative Roll for a party member lower than the Bard in the Initiative order 
• Obituary (Available if a party member or friendly creature fails their first or second Death Saving throw) - Gain a bonus to a Death saving throw equal to the Bardic Inspiration roll plus your Proficiency Bonus 
• Personals (Available if a party member or friendly creature uses a spell from the school of Enchantment) - Gain a bonus to the next Charisma skill check equal to the Bardic Inspiration roll
• Propaganda (Available if a party member or friendly creature misses an Attack Roll) - Gain a bonus on an Attack Roll equal to the Bardic Inspiration roll plus your Proficiency Bonus 
• Puff Piece (Available if a party member or friendly creature uses a spell with the Buff tag) - Restore a spell slot of a level less than or equal to the Bardic Inspiration roll
• Sensational Headline (Available if a party member or friendly creature lands an Attack roll) - Add the Bardic Inspiration roll plus your Bard level to a Damage Roll
• Slander & Libel (Available if a party member or friendly creature casts Vicious Mockery) - Subtract the Bardic Inspiration roll from the Wisdom saving throw of a creature targeted by Vicious Mockery 

Hard-Hitting Interview

In any verbal sparring match you’re sure to beat the truth out of your opponent through piercing questions and cutting retorts! Starting at level six, you can cast Zone of Truth as a cantrip a number of times per day equal to your Proficiency Bonus. This does not count against your spell slots, requires no verbal or somatic components, and the affected creature is unaware of the spell. Your spellcasting ability for this is Charisma.

Foreign Correspondent

Staring at sixth level, a copy of your War Correspondence can appear anywhere of your choosing within your current plane of existence. This copy is not in Illusory Script, and can be read by anyone who understands the language in which it was written. Starting at fourteenth level, this is no longer limited to your current plane of existence.

Punditry

Whether working as a town crier, herald, or messenger to the king, you slyly spin the news you deliver to advance an agenda that the audience doesn’t realize you’re pushing. Starting at fourteenth level, you gain expertise in the Deception and Performance skills and Advantage on Deception or Performance rolls a number of times per day equal to your Proficiency Bonus.