College of Strings

Adept with string instruments, Bards of the College of Strings imbue mana into the melodies that they play, using the sound created by their music to imbue powerful effects on to the battlefield and to channel their own magic. To them the battlefield is but another stage to perform on and creatures, ally or foe alike, are the audience.

Bonus Proficiencies

When you join the College of Strings at 3rd level, you gain proficiency in the Performance skill if you don’t already have it, and with all string instruments. Your proficiency bonus is doubled for any Charisma (Performance) check you make using a string instrument. Examples of string instruments are the Lute, the Lyre, Dulcimer, and the Viol.

Cadenza

Starting at 3rd level, you learn how to use your string instrument to manipulate the flow of magic around you. The way you notate the music you play can conjure different effects by expending a bardic inspiration die. This is your own Cadenza, your virtuosic solo. This feature can only be used once per turn.

Fortissimo. As an action, you strike an immensely loud chord causing a wave of force to erupt from your instrument. Each creature of your choice in a 20-foot cone originating from you must succeed on a Strength saving throw versus your spell save DC, or be pushed back 10 ft. and knocked prone.

Pianissimo. As a bonus action, you play a very quiet and soothing chord as creatures of your choice within a 20-foot cone originating from you get pulled 5 ft. towards you and if they are prone they are picked back up. Unwilling creatures must succeed on a Strength saving throw versus your spell save DC to resist this effect.

Staccato. As an action, you strike a sudden detached chord causing a mana-infused soundwave to shoot out towards a target. Make a Ranged Spell Attack against a target within 60 ft., on a hit the target takes magical slashing damage equal to your bardic inspiration die + your Charisma modifier (minimum of 1).

Legato. As a bonus action, you play a number of smooth interconnected chords on your strings as magic envelops a creature within 30ft of you (this can include yourself). Until the end of their next turn, they gain a bonus to their AC equal to a roll of your bardic inspiration die.

Eyes of the Audience

At 6th level, you do very well when performing in front of an audience, especially, when you are near allies to boost your morale. You gain advantage when making a Charisma (Performance) check with a string instrument. Furthermore, you gain a bonus to this check equal to the number of allies you can hear and see within 60 ft. of you (maximum 5).

Improved Cadenza

Also at 6th level, you gain the following effects that are added onto your Cadenza feature:

Presto. You begin playing a very fast tempo on your string instrument as if to show a sense of excitement throughout your Cadenza. As a bonus action, target another creature within 30 ft. of you. Increase their speed by 5 times half the roll of your bardic inspiration die (rounded up) and their movement doesn't trigger attacks of opportunity. This effect lasts until the end of the creature's next turn. The creature must then succeed on a Constitution saving throw versus your spell save DC or suffer from a point of exhaustion.

Grave. You begin playing a very slow and solemn tempo on your string instrument as if to show a sense of sadness throughout your Cadenza. As a bonus action, target another creature within 30 ft. of you. The creature must succeed on a Constitution saving throw versus your spell save DC or have their movement slowed by 5 times half the roll of your bardic inspiration  die (rounded up) and can only take 1 attack during their turn. This effect lasts until the end of the creature's next turn.

Leitmotif

At 14th level, your experiences throughout your adventures has led to you developing your own signature tune. Imbued with a unique manipulation of sound, magic, and emotions your "Leitmotif" is something even the most masterful of musicians wish to acquire. When you obtain this feature select one of the following options below to be your "unique tune". You can change this option when you level up.

Idée fixe. The melodies you have created are transformative in nature, despite always staying the same between movements they still hold the same power they did the first time. When using the Cadenza ability "Staccato" the base damage increases to double your bardic inspiration die and you can now attack twice with this ability.

Inversion. You are known for twisting melodies on the top of their heads inverting them entirely on the fly and yet somehow still have them sound magnificently. When a creature would deal a critical hit to another creature within 30 ft. of you, you can expend a bardic inspiration die, the creature must then succeed on a Wisdom Saving throw against your spell save DC or they take the same damage they have dealt. On a successful save, they take half as much damage. This feature can be used twice between rests.

Counterpoint. Through your magic you are able to play two different melodies at once, as if there was more than one of you playing. When using an option from your Cadenza feature you can use two effects simultaneously for the price of one and only using the action cost of one of them. This feature can be used twice between rests.

Counterpoint

Through your magic you are able to play two different melodies at once, as if there was more than one of you playing. When using an option from your Cadenza feature you can use two effects simultaneously for the price of one and only using the action cost of one of them. This feature can be used twice between rests.

Idée fixe.

The melodies you have created are transformative in nature, despite always staying the same between movements they still hold the same power they did the first time. When using the Cadenza ability "Staccato" the base damage increases to double your bardic inspiration die and you can now attack twice with this ability.

Inversion

 You are known for twisting melodies on the top of their heads inverting them entirely on the fly and yet somehow still have them sound magnificently. When a creature would deal a critical hit to another creature within 30 ft. of you, you can expend a bardic inspiration die, the creature must then succeed on a Wisdom Saving throw against your spell save DC or they take the same damage they have dealt. On a successful save, they take half as much damage. This feature can be used twice between rests.