Adept with string instruments, Bards of the College of Strings imbue mana into the melodies that they play, using the sound created by their music to imbue powerful effects on to the battlefield and to channel their own magic. The strings of the instruments they play are not just a medium for their power but also an extension of themselves. To them the battlefield is but another stage to perform on and creatures, ally or foe alike, are the audience. Bards of this college are generally known to be among one of the top musicians in the world which of course comes with the perception of haughtiness, ego, and attention-seeking.

Bonus Proficiencies

When you join the College of Strings at 3rd level, you gain proficiency in the Performance and Sleight of Hand skill if you don’t already have it. any check you make using a string instrument adds a 1d4 to the total. Examples of string instruments are the Lute, the Lyre, Dulcimer, and the Viol.

Cadenza

Starting at 3rd level, you learn how to use the strings of your instrument to manipulate the flow of arcana around you.

Any magic item of a specific instrument can be magically changed to a string instrument of choice for you and you alone.

When initiative has started (or anytime during the initiative), you may begin to perform a piece of captivating music using your string instrument. You may end this or restart this piece at any time during the initiative (no action required). Whilst playing the vocal and somatic components of your spells fully come from the way you play your instrument.

You gain a number of "Virtuosic" dies equal to your charisma modifier (minimum of 1) which reset on a long rest. The size of this die is equal to your Bardic Inspiration die. The way you notate the music you play can conjure different effects by expending this resource. Alternatively you may opt to use your bardic inspiration in place of this die before it is expended. This is your own Cadenza, your virtuosic solo. Saves originating from this feature use your Bard Spell Save DC. This feature can only be used once per turn.

Fortissimo. After casting a spell, you strike an immensely loud chord causing a wave of force to erupt from your instrument. Each creature of your choice in a 20-foot cone originating from you must succeed on a Strength saving throw, or be pushed back 10 ft. and knocked prone. If this forced movement were to make them hit a wall they take force damage equal to double your proficiency bonus.

Pianissimo. After casting a spell, you play a very quiet and soothing chord as creatures of your choice within a 20-foot cone originating from you move up to 10 ft. towards you and if they are prone they are picked back up. Unwilling creatures must succeed on a Strength saving throw to resist this effect.

Staccato. As a bonus action, you strike a sudden detached chord causing a mana-infused soundwave to shoot out towards a target. Make a Ranged Spell Attack against a target within 60 ft., on a hit the target takes force damage equal to double your bardic inspiration die + your Charisma modifier (minimum of 1).

Legato. As a bonus action, you play a number of smooth interconnected chords on your strings as magic envelops a creature within 30ft of you (this can include yourself). Until the end of their next turn, they gain a bonus to their AC equal to a roll of your bardic inspiration die.

Presto. You begin playing a very fast tempo on your string instrument as if to show a sense of excitement throughout your Cadenza. After casting a spell, target a willing creature within 30 ft. of you. Increase their speed by 5 times half the roll of your bardic inspiration die (rounded up), their attacks on their turn are made at advantage, and their movement does not trigger attacks of opportunity. This effect lasts until the end of the creature's next turn. at 9th level, they can use this advantage as if they are temporarily under the effects of the general feat "Elven Accuracy".

Grave. You begin playing a very slow and solemn tempo on your string instrument showing a immense sense of sorrow throughout your Cadenza. After casting a spell, target another creature within 30 ft. of you. The creature must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw or have their movement speed slowed by 5 times half the roll of your bardic inspiration die (rounded up) and can only take either an action, bonus action, or movement during their turn. This effect lasts until the end of the creature's next turn.

Eyes of the Audience

At 6th level, you do very well when performing in front of an audience, especially, when you are near allies to boost your morale. You gain advantage when making a Charisma (Performance) check with a string instrument. Furthermore, you gain a bonus to this check equal to the number of allies you can hear or see within 60 ft. of you (maximum 5).

Vibrato

Starting at 6th level, you learn how to carefully control the magic you weave through your instrument when the sounds of your note's pitch slightly and rapidly fluctuate. Such an act is difficult for many to accomplishing, showing your apt in controlling your mana. 

As a bonus action for the next minute, you can enter a movement in your piece filled where vibratos are used to flourish and elevate your overall piece. during this period your gain the following effects:

• Your Bard save DC and Bard spell attack bonus increases by 1.
• Saves against the charmed condition are made at disadvantage against creatures you target with your features/spells.
• When casting a Bard spell that only targets a particular type of creature, you may expend 2 of your bardic inspiration dies to make your vibrato fluctuate the arcanal strings of your mana to resonate with other creatures. The cast of that spell affects any creature you target with the spell as if it was that creature type. This can only be used twice.
  
  This feature can only be used once per long rest.

Leitmotif

At 14th level, your experiences throughout your adventures has led to you developing your own signature tune. Imbued with a unique manipulation of sound, magic, and emotions your "Leitmotif" is something even the most masterful of musicians wish to acquire. People far and wide know of your particular style of play. When you obtain this feature select one of the following options below to be your "unique tune". You can change this option during a rest.

Counterpoint

Through your magic you are able to play two different melodies at once, as if there was more than one of you playing. When using an option from your Cadenza feature you can use two effects simultaneously for the price of one and only using the action cost of one of them (your choice). This feature can be used four times between rests.

Idée fixe.

The melodies you have created are transformative in nature, despite always staying the same between movements they still hold the same power they did the first time. When using the Cadenza ability "Staccato" the base damage increases to triple your bardic inspiration die and you can now attack twice with this ability.

Inversion

You are known for twisting melodies on the top of their heads inverting them entirely on the fly, bringing a sense of renewal to your piece. When a creature would deal a critical hit to another creature within 30 ft. of you, you can expend a bardic inspiration die, the creature must then succeed on a Wisdom Saving throw against your spell save DC or they take the damage they have dealt instead of their target ignoring resistances and immunities. On a successful save, they and their target take half as much damage. This feature can be used twice between rests.