Chorus of the Accursed

There is an ancient curse that sporadically afflicts those who practice bardic magic which infuses their speech with potent and supposedly demonic powers of influence. Those burdened do not consider themselves part of a “college” - no, that would be far too lighthearted of a title. Instead, they call themselves the Chorus of the Accursed.

Because the curse makes their words uniquely powerful, some members of the chorus take a vow of silence, breaking it only in cases of extreme danger. Others seek out the curse, willingly subjecting themselves to its torment for the promise of unnatural abilities. In either case, the curse comes to define its bearers, marking them for greatness, for oblivion, or for both.

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This subclass was created in Episode 7 of Untested Arcana - new content weekly on YouTube!

Magical Surplus

Starting at 3rd level when you join this chorus, you are brimming with magical force. You learn the command spell, which counts as a Bard spell for you, as well as one cantrip of your choice from the Bard spell list. These spells do not count against the number of spells you know.

Accursed Speech

Also at 3rd level, you can call upon your curse to strengthen the power of your words, though doing so can be risky. Whenever you cast a bard spell from the enchantment school, you can expend a use of your Bardic Inspiration to imbue your words with accursed energy. Roll the Bardic Inspiration die and add the number rolled to your spell save DC for any saves imposed by the spell on this turn.

If the number rolled is greater than half the maximum value of your Bardic Inspiration die, you also take necrotic damage equal to your character level, which can't be reduced or prevented in any way. This damage does not impose a concentration check on the spell being enhanced.

Piercing Words

By 6th level, your magic affects even those who would consider themselves untouchable. Creatures that are immune to the charmed or frightened condition can be charmed or frightened by you, but have advantage on saves made to prevent or break the condition.

Curse Expansion

Starting at 14th level, your curse deepens and grows, empowering your magic even further. Your Accursed Speech feature gains the following benefits:

• When you roll your Bardic Inspiration die, you can roll it twice and choose which result to use
• You can use your Accursed Speech feature on Bard spells from outside the enchantment school, but take the necrotic damage regardless of what you roll
• A creature with the Legendary Resistance feature cannot use it on enchantment spells that you have enhanced with your Accursed Speech.