Skalds are poets, historians, and keepers of lore who use their gifts for oration and song to inspire allies into a frenzied rage. They balance a violent spirit with the veneer of civilization, recording events such as heroic battles and the deeds of great leaders, enhancing these stories in the retelling to earn bloodier victories in combat. A skald’s poetry is nuanced and often has multiple overlapping meanings.

Orator

Beginning at 3rd level when you choose this path, you gain proficiency in the Performance skill and a musical instrument of your choice.

Raging Song

Starting when you choose this path at 3rd level, your rage can inspire your allies. While you are raging, yourself and up to five other allies within 30 feet that can hear your gain a +1 bonus to a single damage roll each turn.

The damage bonus increases to +2 at 9th level and +3 at 16th level.

In addition, your rage does not end early as long as you are not unconscious and have used your Dirge of Doom or Song of the Fallen abilities since the end of your last turn.

Masterful Performance

Beginning at 6th level, your mastery of bardic tradition grants you expertise in the Performance skill and a musical instrument of your choice.

When you make a Performance (Charisma) check, you may cast Enthrall without using a spell slot. When cast in this way it has a casting time of 1 minute and a duration of 10 minutes, during which you must continue performing. A creature must succeed at a Perception (Wisdom) check versus your check result to be aware that this spellcasting is taking place. Charisma is your spellcasting ability for this spell.

After casting with this feature, you can't again until you finish a short or long rest.

Dirge of Doom

At 10th level, your raging song can cause dread in your enemies. You may cast either Enemies Abound or Fear without using a spell slot or material components, even while raging. Charisma is your spellcasting ability for these spells.

After you cast either spell in this way, you can't use this feature again until you finish a short or long rest.

Song of the Fallen

At 14th level, your raging song grows powerful enough to deny the death of fallen allies. As a bonus action while raging, you may touch a dying creature to heal them for 1 hit point. While you are raging, the next time they would be reduced to 0 hit points, they stay at 1 hit point instead. Any creatures healed in this way drop to 0 hit points and begin dying again once your rage ends.

You may use this feature three times and recover expended uses when you finish a long rest.