Base Class: Bard
College of War in Cormyr
“A sharp blade cuts once. A sharp mind wins wars.”— Marshal Aric Vaerlen, Bard of the College of WarFounded in the aftermath of Cormyr’s many border conflicts, the College of War arose from an alliance between the War Wizards, the Purple Dragon Knights, and the crown’s scholars of history. Recognizing that victory on the battlefield demanded not only spell and steel, but also leadership, morale, and unity, the royal court sanctioned a new bardic tradition devoted to the art of command.Origins and Purpose
The College began as a joint initiative between Vangerdahast, Cormyr’s legendary Royal Magician, and a cadre of battlefield historians. These bards studied the nation’s greatest victories and bitter defeats, chronicling tactics, speeches, and songs that stirred soldiers’ hearts. Over time, their research evolved into a doctrine — a codified method of using voice, presence, and arcane rhythm to inspire disciplined courage.While the War Wizards provide arcane might and the Purple Dragons supply martial strength, the College of War ensures both move as one — the mind and heart of Cormyr’s armies.
Relations with the War Wizards
Though not formally part of the War Wizards’ ranks, the College of War shares an uneasy kinship with them. Both trace their roots to the royal academies of Suzail, and both claim to be the intellectual heirs of Cormyr’s strategic tradition.The War Wizards respect the College’s results but sometimes view its members as theatrical amateurs meddling in military matters. Conversely, the bards see the War Wizards as too cold and detached, forgetting that soldiers fight for people, not plans. In truth, the two institutions rely on one another — wizards to command the magic of war, and bards to command the hearts of those who wield it.
Relations with the Purple Dragon Knights
Among the Purple Dragons, bards of the College of War are held in high regard. Many serve as field captains, heralds, or morale officers, coordinating squads through booming command-words and rhythmic chants that synchronize troops as if they shared one heartbeat.To the soldiers, a College of War bard is a symbol of the crown’s faith — a leader whose very voice carries royal authority. Some Purple Dragon companies even march to the cadence of their bard’s spells, believing the rhythm brings the favor of the gods and the memory of Cormyr’s fallen heroes.
Role in the Royal Army
Within the royal military, the College of War is officially recognized as a supporting corps of battlefield commanders and historians. Cadets from the college train alongside squires and junior officers, learning tactics, logistics, and the use of magic as a tool of morale.During wartime, a bard of this college might:
Level 3: Battlefield Presence
Your commanding aura and mastery of battlefield psychology allow you to resist fear and hesitation — and to turn your enemies’ minds against them. You have learned that true power lies in command of the spirit, whether your own or another’s.
You always have the Charm Person and Mirror Image spells prepared.
In addition, immediately after you cast an Enchantment or Illusion spell using a spell slot, you can cause a creature you can see within 60 feet of yourself to make a Wisdom saving throw against your spell save DC. On a failed save, the target has the Charmed or Frightened condition (your choice) for 1 minute. The target repeats the save at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success.
Once you use this benefit, you can’t use it again until you finish a Long Rest. You can also restore your use of it by expending one use of your Bardic Inspiration (no action required).
Level 3: Rallying Command
At 3rd level, your mastery of battlefield leadership allows you to rally allies with nothing more than your voice and bearing, inspired by your tactical clarity, disciplined fearlessness, and the shared will to endure. As a bonus action, you can spend a use of Bardic Inspiration to issue a rallying command — a word, gesture, or chant that fortifies your allies’ courage and resolve.
As a Bonus Action, you can expend a use of Bardic Inspiration, rolling a Bardic Inspiration die. When you do so, choose a number of other creatures within 60 feet of yourself, up to a number equal to your Charisma modifier (minimum of one creature). Each of those creatures gains a number of Temporary Hit Points equal to two times the number rolled on the Bardic Inspiration die, and then each can use its Reaction to move up to its Speed without provoking Opportunity Attacks.
Level 6: Tactical Command
Your voice becomes a weapon sharper than any blade, and your presence dominates the battlefield. Through the disciplined cadence of military command — honed by study, history, and sheer force of personality — you can bend the wills of others through authority, conviction, and tactical precision.
You always have the Command spell prepared.
As a Bonus Action, you cast Command without expending a spell slot, and you take on an unearthly appearance for 1 minute or until your Concentration ends. During this time, you can cast Command as a Bonus Action without expending a spell slot.
Any creature Charmed by you automatically fails its saving throw against the Command you cast with this feature.
Once you use this feature, you can’t use it again until you finish a Long Rest. You can also restore your use of it by expending a level 3+ spell slot (no action required).
Tactical Command
Your voice becomes a weapon sharper than any blade, and your presence dominates the battlefield. Through the disciplined cadence of military command — honed by study, history, and sheer force of personality — you can bend the wills of others through authority, conviction, and tactical precision.
You always have the Command spell prepared.
As a Bonus Action, you cast Command without expending a spell slot, and you take on an unearthly appearance for 1 minute or until your Concentration ends. During this time, you can cast Command as a Bonus Action without expending a spell slot.
Any creature Charmed by you automatically fails its saving throw against the Command you cast with this feature.
Once you use this feature, you can’t use it again until you finish a Long Rest. You can also restore your use of it by expending a level 3+ spell slot (no action required).
Level 14: Unbreakable Majesty
At 14th level, you have achieved such legendary command presence that few dare oppose you. You exude an aura of indomitable confidence and regal bearing — the poise of a commander who expects obedience and victory. In battle, your enemies falter under your gaze, and your allies find their courage rekindled merely by your stance.
As a Bonus Action, you can assume a magically majestic presence for 1 minute or until you have the Incapacitated condition. For the duration, whenever any creature hits you with an attack roll for the first time on a turn, the attacker must succeed on a Charisma saving throw against your spell save DC, or the attack misses instead, as the creature recoils from your majesty.
Once you assume this majestic presence, you can’t do so again until you finish a Short or Long Rest.
Special note: The College of War subclass is a re-flavoring only of the College of Glamour, and makes not mechanical changes.
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