College of Headology

Bards of the College of Headology are practitioners of subtle, practical magic that works as much through the mind as through any mystical force. Known commonly as witches, these bards use their force of personality, keen understanding of psychology, and no small measure of determination to guide those under their care. They are rarely flashy, often working behind the scenes to ensure their steading—both the land and its people—flourishes.

Witches of the College of Headology know that the greatest magic lies in understanding people and nudging them, sometimes gently and sometimes with a firm shove, toward the right path. They take on the burden of leadership and responsibility with a stoic resolve, and though many are women, the title of "witch" is earned by action, not by gender.

They are often able to play instruments as a pastime, but the real thing they play is people's perceptions.

---

 

Roleplaying the College of Headology

Bards of this college are not the showy performers or fireball-flinging mages often associated with magic. They are the quiet, practical leaders who deal in unvarnished truth and moral dilemmas. A witch might heal a wound but demand a steep lesson in return, or guide a stubborn villager to a better decision with a mix of clever words and stern glares.

A bard of the College of Headology is the kind of hero who may not be celebrated, but their impact on the world is undeniable. For witches, the steading comes first, always.

Expanded Spell List

 

You gain Headology spells at the bard levels listed in the College of Headology Spells table.

College of headology Spells

Take Their Pain

As a reaction, when an ally within 30 feet of you takes damage, you can expend one or more uses of your Bardic Inspiration and roll a Bardic Inspiration die for each use. Reduce the damage dealt to your ally by the number rolled + your Charisma modifier. The mitigated damage is stored as a psychic tether and transferred to you. You are able to choose when to take the damage, but it must be before the start of your next long rest

The Core of Headology

Also at 3rd level, you gain proficiency in Insight and Persuasion if you don’t already have them.

If you already have proficiency in one of these skills, you can take expertise in that skill.

you cannot take expertise in both skills if you already know them both. In this instance, you may take expertise in one, and select another skill from the bard list to take proficiency in

Know your Place

When initiative is rolled, you can choose one of the below benefits

• Become the background. You twist people's minds to make it hard to notice you. you become 'part of the furniture'. until you take the attack action, or cast a spell, any creature that targets you makes the roll with disadvantage
• Command Attention. All eyes are on you, and your speech carries the weight of more wisdom than any mortal should bear. Until the end of your first turn, any attempt to attack an ally is made at disadvantage

Voice of the Steading

At 14th level,  You gain the following benefits:

1. Irresistible Influence: As an action, you can force all creatures of your choice within 60 feet that can hear you to make a Wisdom saving throw against your spell save DC. On a failure, a creature is charmed or frightened by you (your choice) for one minute. Charmed creatures see you as a trusted ally and will not act against you; frightened creatures are compelled to flee or cower in your presence. Creatures can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of their turns. Once you use this feature, you cannot use it again until you finish a long rest.

2. Aura of Resolve: Allies within 30 feet of you who can see or hear you cannot be frightened or charmed while you are conscious. Additionally, whenever an ally under this effect makes a saving throw against being frightened or charmed, they can add your Charisma modifier to their roll.