Some bards are as proficient in the art of espionage as they are in poetry and song. Their primary medium is information and secrets, though they are known to slip a dagger between ribs when necessary. Masters of insight and manipulation, these bards use every tool at their disposal in pursuit of their goals, and they value knowledge above all else. The more buried a secret, the deeper they delve to uncover it. Knowledge is power; it can cement empires or topple dynasties.

College of Shadows bards undergo careful training before they’re sent out into the world. Skilled in both music and manipulation, they’re the perfect blend of charm and cunning. The tricks they learn in their tutelage make them ideal for the subtle work of coaxing out secrets, entrancing audiences, and dazzling the minds of their chosen targets.

Level 3: Dancing Shadows

When you join the College of Shadow at 3rd level, you gain the ability to weave a pocket of protective shadows.

As a bonus action, you can expend a Bardic Inspiration to create a 20-foot-radius sphere of shifting shadows centered on you. The sphere moves with you, spreads around corners, and lasts for 1 minute or until you are incapacitated or die.

Allied creatures (including you) standing in the sphere have half cover, and creatures outside the sphere have disadvantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks made to perceive anything inside the sphere.

Darkvision does not nullify this effect. Creatures that don’t rely on eyesight are immune to this effect.

If any of this effect’s area overlaps with an area of light created by a spell of 2nd level or lower, the spell that created the light is dispelled.

Fear of The Dark

Also at 3rd level, your intimate knowledge of darkness allows you to harness its frightful properties to the fullest and keep your allies grounded. While in dim light or darkness, you and any allies that can see you have advantage against fear effects. Additionally, any hostile creatures that can see you roll with disadvantage against fear effects.

Level 3: Fear of The Dark

Also at 3rd level, your intimate knowledge of darkness allows you to harness its frightful properties to the fullest and keep your allies grounded. While in dim light or darkness, you and any allies that can see you have advantage against fear effects. Additionally, any hostile creatures that can see you roll with disadvantage against fear effects.

Level 6: Shade Step

At 6th level, shadow gathers around those you inspire.

Immediately after a creature adds one of your Bardic Inspiration dice to its ability check, attack roll, or saving throw, the creature can magically teleport up to 30 feet to an unoccupied space it can see. Moving in this manner does not provoke attacks of opportunity.

Level 14: Night Music

At 14th level, you can imbue your spellcasting with the full energy and terror of night. When you cast a spell, you can spend your reaction to also choose a number of creatures within 60 feet of you who saw and heard you cast the spell, up to a number equal to your Charisma modifier (minimum of one). Each target must succeed on a Charisma saving throw against your spell save DC or be frightened for 1 minute. A creature can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success. Once you use this feature, you can’t use it again until you finish a short or long rest.