College of Shade

Students of the College of Shade have mastered the art of the disparaging word. Dressing someone down eloquently and mercilessly is an art unto itself and these bards wield their mockery with an unparalleled expertise. Where other schools try to persuade or intimidate, adherents of the College of Shade aim to destroy their target's self-worth utterly and their victims have been known to choose death before allowing their continued existence to bring further dishonor.

Bladed Tongue

3rd-level College of Shade feature

You are a master at slaying targets with a turn of phrase. Vicious Mockery's damage is increased to 1d6. This damage now increases by 1d6 when you reach 5th level (2d6), 11th level (3d6), and 17th level (4d6).

Additionally, you gain proficiency with Rapiers and Intimidation

Serrated Malice

3rd-level College of Shade feature

You can spin words laced with magic that unsettle a creature and cause it to doubt itself. After successfully using Vicious Mockery, the target suffers disadvantage on the next attack roll they make before the end of your next turn.

Desperation

6th-level College of Shade feature

Your disparaging words against your foes are so acidic that your allies are desperate to avoid drawing your ire. When an ally adds one of your Bardic Inspiration dice to its ability check, attack roll, or saving throw and the roll fails, they keep the Bardic Inspiration die and roll again with advantage.

Throwing Shade

6th-level College of Shade feature

As a bonus action after successfully landing Vicious Mockery, the utter violence of the bard's words manifests a shadowy dagger that deals additional Psychic damage to the target equal to a 2d6 + bard level + Charisma modifier. The damage increases at the 11th level (2d8) and the 17th level (2d10).

Starting at level 6, whenever you successfully hit with Vicious Mockery you can add your Charisma modifier to the psychic damage roll.

Additionally, if the target has been subjected to any other shade-related effects in the previous round you gain advantage on your next Vicious Mockery.

Shared Reading

14th-level College of Shade feature

When you successfully deal damage to a creature with your vicious mockery you may consume a bardic inspiration die. If you do so any enemy creatures of the same species who are not deafened within 60 ft must make a saving throw against your spell save dc. Enemies that fail the save suffer the same total damage of your vicious mockery and any abilities triggered by your vicious mockery as psychic damage. Enemies that succeed take half damage, rounded down.