College of Worldsong

You are given an animal companion that is called a Bardic Assistant, and as it becomes closer to you, it helps you with spell casting, ability checks, and saving throws. You eventually become able to casts spells through your Bardic Assistant effectively doubling spell range. Even later the Bardic Assistant can cast a spell of it's own and eventually gains average intelligence.

Bardic Assistant

3rd-level College of Worldsong feature

At 3rd level, you gain a beast companion that accompanies you on your adventures, is trained to fight alongside you and is bonded with you spiritually. Choose a beast that is no larger than Medium and that has a challenge rating of 1/4 or lower. Add your proficiency bonus to the beast’s AC, attack rolls, and damage rolls, as well as to any saving throws and skills it is proficient in. Its hit point maximum equals the hit point number in its stat block or half of your bard level in Bardic Inspiration die, whichever is higher. Like any creature, it can spend Hit Dice during a short rest to regain hit points.

 

The beast obeys your commands as best as it can. It takes its turn on your initiative. On your turn, you can verbally, or mentally, command the beast where to move (no action required by you). You can use your action to verbally or mentally command it to take the Attack, Dash, Disengage, or Help action. If you don't issue a command, the beast takes the Dodge action. If you receive the Extra Attack feature from another source, you can make one weapon attack yourself when you command the beast to take the Attack action.

 

If you are incapacitated or absent, the beast acts on its own, focusing on protecting you and itself. The beast never requires your command to use its reaction, such as when making an opportunity attack.

 

If the beast dies, you can obtain a new companion by spending 8 hours magically bonding with a beast that isn’t hostile to you.

Animal Bond

3rd-level College of World Song feature

Your bond with your Bardic Assistant is unbreakable, you two can practically predict each other's thoughts and actions, giving you a unique insight to what it is like to be a beast. By this bond you can cast your bardic spells through your Bardic Assistant. As long as your Bardic Assistant is within range of the spell your casting, you can count your Bardic Assistant as a conduit that effectively doubles the range of the spell and adds to your line of sight. Additionally when you cast a spell this way, you can use one of your Bardic Inspiration die and either roll a spell attack at advantage or cause saving throws for a single target spell to be rolled at disadvantage. 

 

Additionally you gain proficiency with Wisdom (Animal Handling) checks, if you do not have it already otherwise pick another skill, and you roll at advantage on Wisdom (Insight) checks to understand animals.

 

You gain the ability to experience life through your Bardic Assistant as if under “Beast Sense”, as an action you can see and hear what your Bardic Assistant sees and hears and can return to your own senses as an action.

True Bond

6th-level College of Worldsong feature

Your bond with your Bardic Assistant becomes so surreal that you two now have direct doorways to each other’s soul, you feel what the other feels but do not take damage from one another’s pain.

 

When you make Charisma (Performance) checks, Wisdom (Perception) checks, Intelligence (Investigation) checks and have your Bardic Assistant within 15ft, you roll at advantage.

Beastial Denial 

6th-level College of Worldsong feature

Your Bardic Assistant, using it’s reaction, gains the ability to cast “Counterspell” without the need for any components. Due to your deep connection you share with your Bardic Assistant, it also receives the benefit of your Animal Bond feature effectively allowing it to cast “Counterspell” through you.

 

Once this feature is used, it cannot be used again until you finish a long rest, at the 14th level this ability resets after a long or short rest.

Shared Souls

14th-level College of World Song feature

Your bond with your Bardic Assistants becomes so potent that your souls become conjoined, allowing your Bardic Assistant to gain a higher intelligence.

 

Your Bardic Assistant comes under the effects of the “Awaken” spell. It’s stats all become a minimum of 10 and does not become charmed due to the deep bond you share. 

 

Additionally you and your Bardic Assistant gain advantage on Wisdom and Intelligence Saving Throws.