The Poet is a Bard subclass that transcends traditional music and performance, instead focusing on the artistry of language and verse. As a Poet, you are a master of words, capable of crafting powerful poems, songs, and speeches that resonate deeply with the soul. Your performances don't just charm; they manipulate emotions, create illusions, and alter perceptions of reality.

At the heart of your powers lies the ability to tap into the ancient art of spoken magic. You can inspire courage with a rousing speech, heal wounds with a well-timed metaphor, or bind enemies with a cutting retort. You are a weaver of fate, capable of twisting the world around you through the sheer force of your words, crafting destiny with every stanza and verse.

Your connection to poetry also allows you to uncover hidden truths and secrets, using the subtlety of rhyme and rhythm to read between the lines of both spoken and unspoken words. Whether through delicate poetry or scathing satire, your verbal mastery can defuse tensions, rally the oppressed, or ensnare foes in confusion and doubt.

Verse of Inspiration

• As a Poet, your words resonate deeply with those who hear them. When you use your Bardic Inspiration feature, you can choose to inspire your allies with one of the following verses:
  • Verse of Courage: The target gains temporary hit points equal to your Bard level + your Charisma modifier.
  • Verse of Resolve: The target gains advantage on saving throws against being frightened or charmed for the duration.
  • Verse of Clarity: The target can add a bonus equal to your Charisma modifier to their next ability check or attack roll.

Additionally, you can expend one Bardic Inspiration die to cast calm emotions without expending a spell slot.

Master of Metaphor

• Your poetic prowess allows you to bend language to your will. You gain the ability to use metaphors and wordplay to alter reality. As a bonus action, you can speak a metaphorical phrase that causes a target to experience the effects of a spell or effect. Choose one of the following:
  • Lullaby of the Stars: You can cast sleep on one creature you can see within 30 feet, but the creature must be able to understand at least one language.
  • Twisted Truth: You can cast disguise self on yourself without expending a spell slot or material components.
  • Fractured Perception: You can cause one creature within 30 feet to make a Wisdom saving throw or be blinded or deafened until the end of its next turn.

You can use this feature a number of times equal to your Charisma modifier (minimum of once), and regain expended uses after a long rest.

Epic Verse

• Your mastery of language has reached its peak, allowing you to weave magic into your grandest compositions. You gain the ability to use your words to create powerful, world-shaping effects:
  • Inspiring Anthem: As an action, you can recite an epic verse to grant all allies within 60 feet temporary hit points equal to twice your Bard level. Additionally, creatures who benefit from this temporary hit points gain advantage on saving throws against fear and charm effects for 1 hour.
  • Mend the Broken: You can expend a Bard spell slot to heal an ally or yourself within 30 feet, restoring hit points equal to twice the level of the spell slot expended + your Charisma modifier.
  • Unraveling Rhyme: You can force one creature you can see within 60 feet to make a Charisma saving throw. On a failed save, the creature is stunned for 1 minute as the weight of their own misconceptions or fears overwhelms them. The creature can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on a success.

Once you use Epic Verse, you must finish a long rest to use it again.