Path of the Battlesinger

The last of the ice caravan's guards fell, her blood pouring out onto the once-pristine snow. As the jeering ogres stepped over the body of the valiant protector, raising their gore-stained weapons to finish the terrified merchants cowering beneath their cargo sleigh, a fur-clad axe-wielding figure vaulted over the ice-wagon. Singing in the rich, poetic language of the North, the rescuer let forth a cry that blasted back the ogres from their would-be victims. Like a farmer threshing grain the warrior's greataxe reaped foes; each swing emphasized a verse of the song. The ogres' blows cracked the defender's ribs and bloodied his scalp, yet he stood tall and defiant, denying the ogres their would-be victims. Even so, the numbers of the brutish attackers might have been too great, but when a moment's pause in the mayhem came the battlesinger turned to face the dead guard.

"RISE! The gods of valor favor you and say your work is not done!"

The guard drew a deep, ragged breath and struggled to her feet. Though still covered in her own blood, though gasping and wracked with pain, she took up her fallen sword and charged forward to the battlesinger's side. Between the two of them they finished the ogres off, the last of them dying with the sword of the resurrected guard embedded to the hilt in his throat.

"Thank... thank you, hero," the guard panted as she sank to a knee; though she would live she was still grievously wounded. "Who are you? Why did you help us?"

"I am Silverbrand, skald of the Northern Dawn," the battlesinger replied as he beckoned the grateful merchants to come out from under their sleigh. "I heard your fight, witnessed your last stand, and knew there were brave deeds afoot. I was honored to have shared battle with you!"

Battlesingers are powerful, impassioned warriors who have made a study of past heroes, and bear the songs of their deeds into combat in hopes that their own deeds will prove as songworthy. Whether from the favor of their ancestors, the approval of the gods of war, or their own forceful personalities their songs take on a real magic that manifests when swords clash and monsters roar. Those who follow the Path of the Battlesinger do so for glory (their own and their companions), and with luck and courage the songs of their battles will join the sagas of heroes, never to be forgotten. This is their immortality.

Honoring the Past

Battlesingers make a study of the sagas, songs and tales of great warriors throughout history. Many of a battlesinger's war-songs draw inspiration from or recount the deeds of these honored heroes, and a battlesinger will strive to do these heroes justice. Upon taking the Path of the Battlesinger, the Battlesinger learns the Performance skill and the History. If they already have those skills, they may instead choose any Intelligence- or Wisdom-based skill to represent their mastery of the lore of legendary figures of the past. This ability is available at 3rd level.

War Songs

The heart and soul of a battlesinger is their War Song.

The War Song of a battlesinger is a powerful, emotionally rich chant which has many different potential effects. These songs well up from within the battlesinger's spirit, and unlike other spells and spell-like effects may be cast by the battlesinger while in the midst of a Rage; indeed, some of these effects may only be cast during a Rage and last only as long as the Rage itself. Using any War Song effect sustains a Rage in the same manner as attacking, for the purposes of when a Rage ends.

War Songs have the following characteristics:

War Songs that create spell-like effects or which directly cast spells are subject to the normal rules of spellcasting, can be counterspelled, are subject to the spell casting restrictions regarding Bonus Action spellcasting, etc. (unless otherwise noted).

War Songs which cast spells do so at the spell slot level noted in the Battlesinger Table (i.e. all War Songs are cast at the highest level possible for the battlesinger's level).

War Songs do not require material components even if the spell being cast by the War Song normally requires material components (unless otherwise noted).

War Songs do not need somatic components even if the spell being cast by the War Song normally requires somatic components (unless otherwise noted).

War Songs all require a verbal component; the battlesinger must be able to sing, thus they cannot be used if the battlesinger is prevented from speaking or is in a region of magical silence (unless otherwise noted).

Some War Songs may optionally be cast for extra effect. Doing so consumes two War Songs.

You use your Charisma whenever a War Song refers to your spellcasting ability. If a War Song requires a saving throw, your War Song save DC equals 8 + your proficiency bonus + your Charisma modifier. If a War Song requires an attack roll, use your proficiency bonus plus your Charisma modifier with your attack roll.

War Song slots may not be used to cast spells gained from other classes. Spell slots from other classes may not be used for War Songs.

The Battlesinger gains War Songs at 3rd level. You may use a limited number of War Songs per short rest. Refer to the Battlesinger Table for the number of War Songs, how many War Songs you know, and at what level the spell-effects of a War Song are cast (if appropriate).

BATTLESINGER TABLE
Barbarian Level	War Songs per Short Rest	War Songs Known	War Song Effective Slot Level
3	3	3	1
4	3	3	1
5	3	3	2
6	4	4	2
7	4	4	2
8	4	4	2
9	4	4	3
10	4	5	3
11	4	5	3
12	5	5	3
13	5	5	4
14	5	6	4
15	5	6	4
16	5	6	4
17	5	6	5
18	5	7	5
19	5	7	5
20	5	7	5

Call to Glory

When in the company of a battlesinger, death does not release a defeated ally from the joy of combat. The Call to Glory acts as a Revivify spell, except that the material component is a functional weapon of some sort (even as trivial as a dagger, but not mere ammunition like an arrow) that was wielded in the combat in which the fallen character was slain; the weapon takes the place of the diamonds the Revivify spell normally requires, and is destroyed by the casting of this War Song. Note that the battlesinger must have witnessed the target's death.This option is available at 6th level.

Crafty Recklessness

The fearsome all-out aggression of a barbarian's Reckless Attack comes at great risk to the barbarian. However, a battlesinger's War Song can help keep their head in the game... and on their shoulders. When this War Song is used while the battlesinger is making a Reckless Attack the War Song consumes the battlesinger's Bonus Action for that turn, causing the normal consequence of giving enemy attackers Advantage to not apply. If this War Song is used while not making a Reckless Attack (also consuming the battlesinger's Bonus Action for that turn), the battlesinger gains the benefits of a Dodge action, causing the attackers to have Disadvantage in their attempts to strike the battlesinger. This effect lasts until the beginning of the battlesinger's next turn. This option is available at 3rd level.

Denouncement

A battlesinger's War Song may focus upon the shortcomings and failings of an enemy, declaring them accursed. When a battlesinger uses their War Song for a Denouncement, they may cast the Bestow Curse spell as a Bonus Action. Note that the Denouncement may only be used during a Rage, and its effects last only as long as that Rage is active. This option is available at 6th level.

Destructive Shout

Sometimes a War Song comes to a sudden crescendo as the battlesinger lets forth an unnaturally powerful shout. This use of the War Song allows the battlesinger to cast the Shatter spell. This option is available at 3rd level.

By expending two Battle Shouts the battlesinger may optionally inflict Disadvantage to save against the effects of their Destructive Shout.

Exhortation

When an ally falters, the battlesinger's Exhortation allows the battlesinger to cast the Healing Word spell as a Bonus Action. This option is available at 3rd level.

Heroic Leap

The battlesinger makes a mighty leap to bring low their foes. As a Bonus Action, select a foe within 30' from you that you can see that isn't Incapacitated. If you have a clear direct path, you leap to somewhere within 5' of that foe with a single bound, landing with a powerful shockwave. Every creature within 5' of you when you land must make a Constitution save. If they fail they take 2d6 Bludgeoning damage and are knocked Prone. If they succeed they take half damage and are not knocked prone.

For every effective spell level above 1st the damage increases by 1d6.

Heroic Strike

By landing a melee attack at the same time as a crescendo within the War Song, a battlesinger may add 1d8 Force damage to the blow. The battlesinger may choose to use this War Song after a successful hit is determined. Doing so consumes the battlesinger's Bonus Action for that turn. This option is available at 3rd level.

For each effective spell level above 1st, add another 1d8 Force damage.

By expending two Battle Shouts the battlesinger may optionally add an additional 1d8 damage to a successful Heroic Strike.

Outraged Rebuke

As a Reaction to being harmed, the battlesinger may use their War Song to issue an Outraged Rebuke. This is identical to a Hellish Rebuke spell except that the damage is Psychic not Fire. This option is available at 3rd level.

By expending two Battle Shouts the battlesinger may optionally add an additional 1d10 damage to a successful Outraged Rebuke.

Roar of Thunder

Letting loose a defiant roar, the battlesinger's enemies are scattered before them like chaff in the wind. The Roar of Thunder allows the battlesinger to cast the Thunderwave spell. This option is available at 3rd level.

By expending two Battle Shouts the battlesinger may optionally inflict Disadvantage to save against the effects of their Roar of Thunder.

Shades of the Past

By including praise to great heroes of the past, a battlesinger may use their War Song to summon forth echoes of those heroes' spirits. This use of a War Song allows the battlesinger to cast the Spirit Guardians spell as an Action, with the spirits appearing as ghostly warriors. This option is available at 10th level.

Stance of Courage

By reciting acts of courage from the past, the battlesinger may use their War Song to bolster the morale of both themselves and their allies. By this use of a War Song a battlesinger grants Advantage to saves vs. the Frightened condition to the battlesinger and all allies within 60' who can hear the battlesinger. If they are already Frightened they get a saving throw against the effect that caused the Frightened condition at the start of their turns. This War Song lasts either for one minute, until a different War Song is used, or the battlesinger is incapacitated. This War Song is cast either as a Bonus Action or as a Reaction to an event/effect/spell that induces the Frightened condition (i.e. Fear). This option is available at 3rd level.

Terrifying Yell

With a great wrathful shout a battlesinger's War Song can induce terror in their foes. By this use of War Song the battlesinger may cast the Fear spell as an Action. This War Song may only be used during a Rage, and if the Rage ends for any reason the effects of this War Song also immediately end. This option is available at 6th level.

Unchained Valor

A battlesinger is not a hero to be held down or constrained, silenced or gagged. By this use of the War Song spell a battlesinger becomes immune to being grappled, paralyzed, restrained, or petrified. Fetters and bindings such as manacles fall free. This effect lasts for one minute. This use of War Song may be either an Action, Bonus Action or Reaction as the battlesinger needs, subject to the normal restrictions regarding multiple spellcastings in the same turn.

This War Song is unique in that it can be used even if the battlesinger is otherwise prevented from speaking (i.e. is already paralyzed, gagged, etc.), though magical Silence will still prevent this War Song from functioning. This option is available at 10th level.

War Cry

A battlesinger man weave words of courage and endurance into their War Song, bolstering both their allies and themselves to greater resolve and endurance. By using this War Song the battlesinger may cast Mass Healing Word as a Bonus Action. This option is available at 10th level.

Moment of Need

When a sudden great need comes upon the battlesinger, their War Song can be an immediate response. Once per Long Rest a battlesinger may accelerate their War Song; a War Song known by the battlesinger that normally requires an Action may instead be used as a Bonus Action, though normal rules regarding casting multiple spells per turn still apply. This ability is available at 6th level.

Refuse to be Slain

Battlesingers are notoriously stubborn when it comes to falling down and dying. If the battlesinger is reduced to zero hit points, at the beginning of their next turn they may attempt a DC 15 Constitution saving throw. If it succeeds, the battlesinger instead goes to one hit point and has their full turn. This ability may be attempted once per Short Rest. This ability is available at 10th level.

Valiant Defense

A battlesinger's War Songs help them to stand tall and defiant in the midst of enemies. Starting at 6th level whenever a battlesinger uses a War Song their armor class increases by 2 until the start of their next turn.

Conquering Death

A battlesinger's voice can be heard by the valiant (and the villainous) even through the veil of death. Once per Long Rest the battlesinger may cast Raise Dead, though instead of using a diamond as a material component a magic melee weapon of at least +1 enchantment is needed. The weapon must be permanently enchanted (not a normal weapon with Magic Weapon or other temporary magic upon it, not a conjured or illusory weapon, etc.), and it is destroyed by the casting of this War Song. Like the Raise Dead spell, this War Song requires one hour to complete. The battlesinger must have witnessed the recipient's death, as recounting the circumstances of the slaying of the recipient is a vital part of the song. This ability is available at 14th level.

Return to Glory

The call of a battlesinger reaches into the stuff of legend, calling forth aid. The battlesinger may sing a War Song of summoning one minute in length to bring forth a warrior from the Eternal Battlefields of Ysgard. The summoned warrior appears equipped and ready to fight alongside the battlesinger, and has the abilities and characteristics of a Gladiator. The summoned warrior will accompany the battlesinger for up to one hour or until killed, at which time the summoned warrior returns to Ysgard (along with their equipment). The summoned warrior will obey the battlesinger, though they are here to fight not to open trapped chests, etc., and will refuse such menial tasks. Likewise, the summoned warrior will expect to fight at the side of the battlesinger, and will refuse if the battlesinger is obviously using the summoned warrior to avoid combat themselves. This ability is available at 14th level.

If the battlesinger knows the name of a specific warrior of the past and can recite at least some of their brave deeds, the same warrior may be summoned each time the spell is cast, and thus convey word of the battlesinger's deeds (for good or for ill) to the gods of valor. It is up to the Dungeon Master to determine if this is a benefit or not.

This ritual may be performed once per Long Rest. If the battlesinger habitually uses the summoned warrior for lowly tasks (i.e. anything other than glorious combat) or treats the summoned warrior as mere cannon-fodder (i.e. uses the warrior to take damage while the battlesinger cravenly refuses to enter combat) the War Song will fail until the battlesinger has restored their honor and proved themselves valiant in the eyes of the gods of war.