College of Contracts

Bards of the college of contracts have sought to understand the laws of Asmodeus. Those practice this line of work are similar to that of the devils themselves. College of contracts bards seek out willing souls that wish to bargain for power. In a bid for power for themselves, these bards may bring about great strength or tumultuous ruin. Only those seeking out a path of tyrannical law consider the college of contracts, and some bards even find access to the hells themselves just in order to learn the practice. 

Hell's Decree

3rd-level College of Contracts feature

You have studied in the infernal academics and know how to write a devil's contract. You may spend a roll of your bardic inspiration die to offer a contract to a creature a contract as a bonus action. You may only do so if they are within 5 ft. You may only have a set amount of contracts at a time, equal to your charisma modifier. (Minimum of 1) In addition, you may not have more than one of the same contract active at a time. A contract holding creature can only have one contract at a time. All contracts last until your next long rest. A contract holder's contract lasts until their next long rest, or when you take a long rest.. You may offer one of the following contracts:

Stygia: A creature signs a contract forged in the fifth layer of hell: their will is corrupted by the river Styx and yet bolstered by the white flames of Stygia, vanquishing the mind to focus on reflex. The contract holding creature gains a bonus to initiative rolls and dexterity saving throws equal to a roll of your bardic inspiration die. The contract holding creature also subtracts from wisdom saving throws and intelligence saving throws equal to a roll of your bardic inspiration die. 

Avernus: A creature signs a contract forged in the first circle of hell: their mind constantly flashes with visions of the blood war, and their raw power becomes strengthened by this violent imagery. When the contract holding creature lands a melee attack (spell or weapon) on a creature they deal extra fire damage equal to a roll of your bardic inspiration die. When the contract holding creature is hit with a weapon attack by another creature, the contract holding creature takes extra fire damage equal to a roll of your bardic inspiration die. 

Nessus: A creature signs a contract forged in the ninth circle of hell: they become the master of a low ranked devil from hell's citadel, whom is bound to their will. This devil takes the form of an imp. The imp follows all commands of the contract holder. While the imp is alive and within 60 ft of the contract holder, the contract holder can use a bonus action to command the imp to cast one of the following spells: firebolt, guidance, resistance. The imp uses your spellcasting ability modifiers for these spells. When this contract is signed by the contract holder, they take psychic damage equal to a roll of your bardic inspiration die. When the imp reaches 0 hit-points and this contract is still active, the contract holder can roll the bardic inspiration die and take psychic damage equal to it, to summon the imp again, as an action. 

Scholar of the Nine Hells

3rd-level College of Contracts feature

You employ instruments that aid you in the creation and fulfillment of contracts. You can use a quill and ink, as well as paper, as your spellcasting focus. You learn to speak and write infernal. You learn the firebolt cantrip, which doesn't count against the number of Bard spells that you know. 

Hell's Authority

6th-level College of Contracts feature

Your contracts become emboldened by an additional effect if the contract holder chooses to accept the new conditions. You gain greater authority over your contract holders, and therefore may use a reaction for your own gain when certain conditions are met. This is only possible if this additional bargain is accepted by your contract holders. 

Stygia: The contract holder gains a +10 bonus to their speed. When you make a dexterity saving throw and your contract holder is within 90 ft and you have line of sight on them, you may use your reaction to swap spaces with your contract holder, causing them to make the dexterity saving throw instead. 

Avernus: The contract holder's attacks ignore a creature's resistance to fire damage. When the contract holder becomes bloodied and is within range, you may use a reaction to use a 3rd level spell slot or above to cast a fireball spell. It is cast from their space and centered on the contract holder.

Nessus: The contract holder chooses a 1st level that their imp can now cast, and it can cast it once per use of this contract. They may choose: cause fear, burning hands, or fog cloud. When the contract holder is within line of sight and uses a bonus to action to command their imp to cast a spell, you may use a reaction to deal psychic damage to the imp equal to a roll of your bardic inspiration die, you then regain hit-points equal to the damage dealt.  

Judge of Infernal Laws

14th-level College of Contracts feature

You have mastered the art of infernal contracts and learn to create deals worthy of the nine hells, granting greater power and to both you and your beneficiaries. Each of your three contracts have additional features. This additional bargain in the contract must be accepted by the creature in order for its effects to take place.

Stygia: The contract holder gains the ability to dash as a bonus action, and opportunity attacks are made against them at disadvantage. When you provoke an opportunity attack and your contract holder is within 90 ft and you have line of sight on them, you may use your reaction to swap spaces with your contract holder, causing them to provoke the opportunity attack instead. 

Avernus: The contract holder gains resistance to fire damage. Whenever the contract holder takes fire damage from any source and is within line of sight, you may use your reaction to cause the contract holder to lose resistance to fire damage (only the resistance granted by this contract) for this instance of damage taken only. If you do, the next spell you cast that deals fire damage while this contract is active deals an additional damage die for every 10 fire damage the contract holder has taken. (Minimum of 1/Maximum of 4)  

Nessus: The contract holder chooses a 3rd level spell that their imp can now cast, and it can cast it once per use of this contract. They may choose: fear, fireball, or stinking cloud. Whenever the contract holder's imp reaches 0 hit-points,  you may use your reaction to force the contract holder to instantly summon the imp was once again as a free action.  They must then take psychic damage equal to a roll of your bardic inspiration die, and you gain temporary hit-points equal to the number rolled.