The Masked Fools tell a parable of the birth of their beloved Aeon. When the Aeon of Elation climbed to the highest branch on the Tree of Existence, THEY saw the cold and despicable void, the stars operating like machinery, and how the meaning of all things bows before nothingness.THEY continued looking until THEY saw a baby fall to the ground and cry because it had been wronged. The Aeon burst into laughter, laughter so clear it tore through the cold universe and still reverberates through the universe today.

The Fools believe that the truth of the world is a joke, and that the ultimate meaning of all things lies in mere laughter. The universe is merciless, but there is joy to eliminate pain, dilute sorrow, resist nihilism, and heal wounds. Laughter, the gift of intelligent races, is the only answer.

Masked Fools are extremely radical when it comes to their beliefs among the followers of Elation. In their pursuit of pleasure, they do whatever it takes to find it, often causing havoc wherever they go. They laugh at heroes for self-righteousness, kings for their lust of power, lovers for their infatuation, and scholars for their overthinking. The Fools' objective is to stir the stagnant pool of life to create surges and change, because change is a source of mockery and amusement to the Fools. It would be a welcome sight if someone could turn the tables on them.

Level 3: Fool’s Mask

3rd-level Masked Fool feature

“Each member of the Masked Fools possesses a unique ‘mask’ belonging only to them, a ‘mask’ bestowed by Aha. These masks allow them to obtain power from their Path. Caution is advised when interacting with individuals wearing masks, as their true intentions can be challenging to discern from their words and actions.”

Joining the ranks of the fools, you get bestowed to you a special, entirely unique, Mask. This mask somehow represents a figment of the Fool’s personality, taking on the form which suits them best. You may add, Fool’s Mask (Common), to your inventory. Additionally, while you are wearing your Mask, you gain several benefits.

Sparkling Colors. Whenever you roll to deal damage to a target by any means, you may choose to randomize the type of damage dealt. If you choose to do so, observe the number rolled on the damage die and match the number(s) rolled to the damage type bellow. Additionally, whenever you randomize the damage type, if you roll the highest number on a die, you may roll one additional die and add it to the total damage.

• 1 - Fire
• 2 - Cold
• 3 - Lightning
• 4 - Acid
• 5 - Poison
• 6 - Thunder
• 7 - Necrotic
• 8 - Radiant
• 9 - Psychic
• 10 - Force
• 11 & 12 - Choose

Master of Trickery. You always have the spells Disguise Self and Silent Image prepared. Additionally, so long as you are wearing your mask, you may cast these spells without using a spell slot. 

Fool’s Gambit. You can add your Charisma modifier to both your Insight and Perception checks. 

Level 3: Fragments of Elation

3rd-level Masked Fool feature.

You gain the ability to use your inspirational power to summon into being an illusionary fragment of your masked self, granting benefits to those surrounding it.

As a bonus action, you may expend a use of Bardic inspiration to summon an illusionary copy of yourself, called a Fragment, at a point you can see within 60ft. The Fragment is identical to you and can’t be distinguished from you unless you allow it, or the creature success on an Intelligence check against you spell save DC. You may cast any spell as if you were in the Fragment's place, though you must be able to see the target of the spell. Additionally, targets of your choice within 10ft of the Fragment have the number needed to score a critical hit reduced by one. 

On your turn, you may use a bonus action to move the Fragment a distance equal to your movement speed. Your Fragment is not affected by difficult terrain and can move through objects as you direct it to, even moving vertically through the air.

The Fragment lasts for a number of rounds equal to your Bard level, and disappears at the end of your turn once its duration is completed.

Level 6: Echoing Laughter

6th-level Masked Fool feature

You have better attuned yourself to the Path of Elation and the unceasing laughter that Aha brings, granting you even greater power.

Whenever you use your Fragment of Elation feature, you conjure two Fragments instead of one. You can direct both of them at once with the same bonus action. Furthermore, while your Fragments are present, you may spend at least one Bardic Inspiration whenever you cast a non-concentration spell to cast the spell simultaneously from one of your Fragments. However, you may only duplicate 1st level spells or lower. Additionally, you may spend one additional Bardic Inspiration per additional casting of the spell up to an amount equal to the number of Fragments you currently have. Each spell must come from a separate Fragment, as each Fragment can cast no more than one spell when using this feature.

Additionally, whenever you or one of your Fragments damages a target, you may force that target to make a Wisdom saving throw against your spell save DC. On a failure, the target becomes overwhelmed by a fit of exuberant laughter as it falls under the effects of the spell, Tasha's Hideous Laughter for one round. You may use this feature a number of times equal to your Charisma modifier, with all expended charges returning upon completion of a long rest.

Finally, whenever targets within 10ft of one of your Fragments score a critical hit, they may add damage equal to one roll of your Bardic Inspiration die. The type of damage dealt is determined by rolling on the Sparkling Colors table. This extra damage is also effected by stacking mechanic of your Sparkling Colors feature.

Level 14: Splinters of the Jovial Truth

14th-level Masked Fool feature

You have reached the great realization reached first by Aha THEMSELVES, but later reached by all fools powerful enough to know the truth. This world in which you live is nothing but a game, and the entire world created and controlled by others. While most would break under this realization, come to the conclusion that nothing matters and sink into the boundless grasp of Nihility, you don’t. You look at the empty meaninglessness of everything, and laugh. 

When you use your Fragments of Elation feature, you create three Fragments instead of two. Additionally, when using your Echoing Laughter feature, you may now duplicate spells up to 2nd level. Furthermore, creatures of your choice within 10 of one of your Fragments has their critical hit threshold reduced by one additional number. Finally, the additional damage granted on critical hits while within 10ft of a Fragment is doubled from one roll of your Bardic Inspiration die, to two rolls. 

You also gain access to Pull Back the Curtain:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  You may spend an action on your turn to chose a target creature within 30ft of you or one of your Fragments, and reveal to them the truth of the universe. Upon realizing that the entire universe is merely a game played by those far above, the creature must make a Wisdom saving through against your spell save DC, in a desperate attempt to maintain its sanity. On a failure, the target is overwhelmed by the realization, takes 10d10 Psychic damage, and has the stunned condition until the end of your next turn. On a success, the target takes half damage and is instead effected by the spell, Tasha's Hideous Laughter, until the beginning of its next turn.

You can use this ability once, restoring its charge upon completing a long rest. You may also spend a 7th level or above spell slot to restore your use of this ability.