College of Carnivals

Throughout the myriad realms, from the courts of mortal kings to the mystic lands of unearthly lords, none are more enthralling than the bards of the College of Carnivals. Also known as Ringmasters, these entertainers lead a life in the limelight, their virtuoso performances attracting the rapt attention of mortal and spectral audiences alike. At the heart of these performances lies the Ringmaster’s troupe: a coterie of specially trained animals, loyal to the bard’s every whim, and perfect for enrapturing a crowd - or utterly befuddling a foe. Grim warriors and lethal monsters learn to fear the sight of a pack of brightly-dressed monkeys, acrobatic goats or eerily coordinated cranium rats when they serve the will of a Ringmaster, who delights in drawing the attention of the audience ethereal to the pratfalls and missteps of the bewildered enemy. As the curtain falls, there can be no doubt who was the star of the show, and best of all, animals never ask for a share of the treasure.

Spectral Audience

Starting at 3rd level, wandering spirits are drawn to your performances. As an action, you can expend a use of your Bardic Inspiration to summon a spotlight that directs the attention of spectral onlookers. These onlookers have no form and can take no actions. The spotlight is a 15-foot diameter, 40-foot-high cylinder that you can move 60 feet in any direction at the beginning of your turn. Creatures of your choice within the spotlight can attempt to win the crowd’s favor by using a bonus action to make a DC 10 Charisma (Performance) check. On a success they can add your Bardic Inspiration die to the damage of their next attack. Only one creature can benefit from this feature at anyone time. The spotlight lasts for 10 minutes. This feature ends early if you dismiss it as an action, are incapacitated, die, or use this feature again.

Troupe

At 3rd level, you begin to gather a menagerie of performing beasts to aid you and your allies. You learn the find familiar spell and can select a beast of challenge rating ⅛ or lower as a valid animal form. You can have a number of familiars equal to your proficiency bonus at a time. In combat, familiars summoned by you in this way act on your turn.

Flummox

Starting at 6th level, your foes fear your cutting words and the jeers of the crowd. You learn the vicious mockery cantrip if you don’t know it already. Additionally, whenever a creature misses an attack or fails an ability check while in the spotlight, you can use your reaction to cast vicious mockery targeting that creature.

Show Stopper

At 14th level, you are truly the star of the show. You can select a beast of challenge rating ¼ or less as a valid animal form when you cast the find familiar spell. While in the spotlight, you always have the favor of the audience, adding a Bardic Inspiration die to the damage of all your attacks. Other creatures must still make the DC 10 Charisma (Performance) check and only one other creature can benefit from this feature at any one time.