College of Theater

Bards of the College of Theater are consummate performers who harness the magic of the stage to captivate, inspire, and deceive. They use their talents to embody various personas through magical masks, each granting unique abilities. Whether taking on the guise of a celestial angel or a devilish trickster, these bards bring the power of the theater to life, enchanting audiences and allies alike.

Bonus Proficiencies

When you join the College of Theater at 3rd level, you gain proficiency with disguise kits and the Performance skill. If you already have proficiency in Performance, you gain proficiency in another Bard skill of your choice.

Master of Masks

At 3rd level, you gain the ability to create and don magical masks, each bestowing unique abilities. As an action, you can create and put on one of the following masks. You can change your mask as a bonus action. You can wear only one mask at a time, and the mask lasts until you take it off or you create a new one. You can use this feature a number of times equal to your proficiency bonus, and you regain all expended uses when you finish a long rest. When you don a mask, you assume the persona associated with it, gaining specific abilities. You can switch masks as a bonus action. Each persona lasts until you remove the mask or don a new one

Examples of Personas:

• The Captain:

  • Mask Appearance: A mask resembling a bold, charismatic starship captain, with futuristic designs and a confident grin.
  • Persona Abilities:
    • Gain proficiency with Persuasion and Vehicle (Air or Space) skills.
    • You have advantage on saving throws against being charmed or frightened.
    • Once per short rest, you can use your action to inspire allies within 30 feet, granting them advantage on their next ability check, attack roll, or saving throw.

• The Detective:

  • Mask Appearance: A sleek, mysterious mask reminiscent of a brilliant detective, with sharp features and a focused gaze.
  • Persona Abilities:
    • Gain proficiency with Investigation and Insight skills.
    • You can cast detect thoughts once per short rest without expending a spell slot.
    • Once per short rest, you can use your action to grant yourself and allies advantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks for 1 hour.

• The Sorcerer:

  • Mask Appearance: A mystical mask adorned with arcane symbols, exuding an aura of raw magical power.
  • Persona Abilities:
    • Gain proficiency with Arcana and Spellcasting focus (Arcane) skills.
    • You can cast mage armor on yourself once per short rest without expending a spell slot.
    • Once per short rest, you can use your action to cast magic missile at 2nd level without expending a spell slot.

• The Spy:

  • Mask Appearance: A sleek, nondescript mask that blends into any environment, perfect for a stealthy operative.
  • Persona Abilities:
    • Gain proficiency with Stealth and Deception skills.
    • You can cast invisibility on yourself once per short rest without expending a spell slot.
    • Once per short rest, you can use your action to make a ranged attack with advantage, dealing an extra 1d6 sneak attack damage on a hit.

• The Pirate:

  • Mask Appearance: A rugged, weathered mask adorned with pirate symbols and a roguish smirk.
  • Persona Abilities:
    • Gain proficiency with Athletics and Intimidation skills.
    • You have advantage on saving throws against being frightened.
    • Once per short rest, you can use your action to inspire fear in enemies within 30 feet, causing them to have disadvantage on their next attack roll or ability check.

• The Princess:

  • Mask Appearance: An elegant, regal mask adorned with jewels and delicate designs fit for royalty.
  • Persona Abilities:
    • Gain proficiency with Performance and History skills.
    • You can cast charm person once per short rest without expending a spell slot.
    • Once per short rest, you can use your action to inspire allies within 30 feet, granting them temporary hit points equal to your Bard level + your Charisma modifier.

• The Superhero:

  • Mask Appearance: A bold, heroic mask with a stylized emblem, representing justice and superhuman abilities.
  • Persona Abilities:
    • Gain proficiency with Acrobatics and Perception skills.
    • You have advantage on saving throws against being charmed or frightened.
    • Once per short rest, you can use your action to grant yourself and allies within 30 feet advantage on Strength or Dexterity checks and saving throws for 1 minute.

• The Wizard:

  • Mask Appearance: A wise, ancient mask with flowing robes and a staff, embodying the wisdom and arcane prowess of a powerful wizard.
  • Persona Abilities:
    • Gain proficiency with Arcana and History skills.
    • You can cast identify once per short rest without expending a spell slot.
    • Once per short rest, you can use your action to cast misty step without expending a spell slot.

• The Warrior:

  • Mask Appearance: A fierce, battle-worn mask with scars and tribal markings, symbolizing a seasoned warrior.
  • Persona Abilities:
    • Gain proficiency with Athletics and Intimidation skills.
    • You have advantage on saving throws against being frightened.
    • Once per short rest, you can use your action to enter a rage, gaining resistance to bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing damage for 1 minute.

• The Bard:

  • Mask Appearance: A flamboyant, expressive mask with colorful designs and musical notes, embodying the spirit of a passionate entertainer.
  • Persona Abilities:
    • Gain proficiency with Performance and Persuasion skills.
    • You can cast charm person once per short rest without expending a spell slot.
    • Once per short rest, you can use your action to inspire allies within 30 feet, allowing them to reroll a failed saving throw.

Master of Theatrics

• The Captain:

  • The creature gains temporary hit points equal to your Bardic Inspiration die + your Charisma modifier and can add your Charisma modifier to its next attack roll.

• The Detective:

  • The creature gains advantage on its next Insight or Investigation check and can add your Bardic Inspiration die to the roll.

• The Sorcerer:

  • The creature can immediately cast one of your cantrips or a 1st-level spell from the sorcerer spell list, using your spellcasting ability.

• The Spy:

  • The creature gains advantage on its next Dexterity (Stealth) or Dexterity (Sleight of Hand) check and can add your Bardic Inspiration die to the roll.

• The Pirate:

  • The creature can immediately take the Dash or Disengage action as a bonus action and gains temporary hit points equal to your Bard level + your Charisma modifier.

• The Princess:

  • The creature gains advantage on its next Performance or Persuasion check and can add your Bardic Inspiration die to the roll.

• The Superhero:

  • The creature gains temporary hit points equal to your Bardic Inspiration die + your Charisma modifier and can add your Charisma modifier to its next attack roll or ability check.

• The Wizard:

  • The creature can immediately cast one of your cantrips or a 1st-level spell from the wizard spell list, using your spellcasting ability.

• The Warrior:

  • The creature gains temporary hit points equal to your Bardic Inspiration die + your Charisma modifier and can add your Charisma modifier to its next attack roll.

• The Bard:

  • The creature gains advantage on its next Performance or Persuasion check and can add your Bardic Inspiration die to the roll.

Theatrical Transformation

At 14th level, you achieve mastery over your personas. You can now create a True Mask, a powerful artifact that combines elements of all your personas. While wearing the True Mask, you gain the following benefits:

• You have proficiency with all skills and saving throws.
• When you use your Bardic Inspiration, you can choose two effects from Master of Theatrics.
• You can cast alter self at will, without expending a spell slot.
• You can switch between different persona masks as a free action once per turn.