College of Preservation

Bards of the College of Preservation devote themselves to safeguarding the fragments of culture, craft, and faith that survived the Cataclysm. When the fiery mountain struck Krynn and the glory of the Age of Might fell into ruin, libraries burned, temples crumbled, and a thousand prayers died on broken tongues. Preservers take it as a sacred trust to venture into toppled vaults and haunted strongholds, to brave unstable magics and vengeful guardians, and to wrest truth from the dust. They seek pre-Cataclysm lore, High Ogre relics, and Istaran rites not for power’s vanity but so wisdom is not lost.

Unlike many bards who lead with persuasion or pageantry, Preservers train as archivists, investigators, and careful seers. They learn to read the languages of wards and sigils, to piece together shattered chronicles, and to bind fleeting insights before they slip away. Their performances are lectures, living histories, and cautionary epics that turn memory into a shield for the living. Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it.

On the road, a Preservation bard is equal parts scholar and survivor. Their magic heightens vigilance, reveals hidden workings, and keeps them standing when the past lashes out. In a fight, they answer violence with revelation, snapping a foe’s focus with a mind-searing rebuke, or pour their inspiration into the single, unshakable moment that keeps a vital spell alive. In time, a Preserver becomes a vessel for perfect recall: a single note spoken at the right instant to turn loss into legend.

Level 3: Ancient Traditions

You have learned both to explore ancient sites and withstand the dangers within.

You learn the Comprehend Languages, Detect Magic, and Mage Armor spells. They are always prepared for you and don’t count against the number of spells you can prepare, and they count as Bard spells for you.
In addition, you can cast Mage Armor on yourself at will, without expending a spell slot or material components.

Level 3: Ancient Knowledge

You knowledge of the past is unparalleled, and you are adept at watching for signs of danger, be it from a fake smile or a raised pressure plate.

You gain proficiency and Expertise in History. You also gain proficiency in one of the following skills: Insight, Investigation, or Perception.
If you already have Expertise in History, choose another skill you’re proficient in and gain Expertise in it. 

Insight

You gain proficiency in Insight.

Investigation

You gain proficiency in Investigation.

Perception

You gain proficiency in Perception. 

Level 3: Ancient Rebuke

You respond to violence with a mental thrust that leaves your foes flat-footed and in pain.

When a creature you can see within 60 feet of you deals damage to you, you can use your Reaction to expend one use of Bardic Inspiration and rebuke that creature with a revelation it cannot bear. The target must make an Intelligence saving throw against your spell save DC.

Failed Save: The target takes Psychic damage equal to two rolls of your Bardic Inspiration die, its Speed becomes 0 until the start of its next turn, and it can’t make Opportunity Attacks until the start of its next turn.

Successful Save: The target takes half the Psychic damage only.

Level 6: Ancient Protections

You long experience delving dangerous ruins has made you cautious, and given you a preternatural ability to maintain your magical effects even in dangerous and chaotic situations.

You can expend a Bardic Inspiration die and add the value rolled to your failed Constitution saving throw to maintain concentration on a spell (no action required). In addition, you have advantage on saving throws against traps and resistance to the damage dealt by traps.

Level 14: Perfection of the Irda

Your explorations have allowed you to heighten your focus to unparalleled levels, and this allows you to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.

You gain a special Bardic Inspiration die that always rolls the maximum value.  This die functions like your other Bardic Inspiration dice for any feature that expends a Bardic Inspiration die; you may give it to an ally as normal or use it to power Ancient Rebuke or boost your saving throws as described in Ancient Protections.  This die does not count against your total number of Bardic Inspiration dice.  You may use this special die once, and regain the ability to use it upon completing a long rest.