College of Shields

Running the bow along the strings, the shield resonated, amplifying the vibrations, as a shimmering shield appeared around the bard, protecting them from the monstrous troll's club.

- Musical Heroics, by Aman Hooheers

Many bards forsake the use of armors and major weaponry as it tends to get in the way of their artistic prowess. Those of the College of Shields know that these can, instead, be used as the cornerstone of such artistry. Utilising their craftiness, Shields are taught to create their own shields that combine the defense of a regular shield with an instrument of their choice. Some turn their shields into resonating drums, some attach strongs and make them violins and other stringed instruments, each shield is different, and each shield represents its creator.

Bonus Proficiencies

Starting when you choose this College at 3rd level, you gain proficiency with Shields and one of the following; Leatherworker's Tools, Smith's Tools, or Woodcarver's Tools.

Leatherworker's Tools

You gain proficiency with Leatherworker's Tools.

Smith's Tools

You gain proficiency with Smith's Tools.

Woodcarver's Tools

You gain proficiency with Woodcarver's Tools

Shield Craft

Starting at 3rd level, you can create a specialized shield that represents you and your art. 

Over the course of a long rest, you can use a tool, with which you have proficiency, and 10g worth of materials to create a shield that incorporates some aspect of your artistry. This shield can be used as a musical instrument, the type of which you must choose when you create the shield, and thus can be used as a spellcasting focus for your bard spells.

Alternatively, you can convert an already made shield into this specialized shield over the course of a long rest using 5g worth of materials. If the shield is magical it retains its enchantment after the conversion.

Consider what your character uses to cast their spells for how you construct your shield; if they pluck a stringed instrument, you might create a wooden shield with strings stretched over a hollow centre, if they play drums, you might create a hollow, metal shield, if they sing or read poetry, you might create a sort of horn that winds around the shield and amplifies your voice. The form of the shield does not affect its functioning and is primarily for flavour, thus you should have fun with the construction. Any decisions can easily be changed over another long rest.

Protective Inspiration

Starting at 3rd level, your inspiring magic can be called upon to protect those who have been inspired.

When a creature that has a Bardic Inspiration die from you is hit by an attack, the creature can use their reaction to roll the die and add the number rolled to their AC against that attack.

If the triggering attack still hits, you can use your reaction to grant the target of the attack resistance to all the damage the attack inflicts.

Arcane Protector

Starting at 6th level, you learn two spells from the Abjuration school of magic, from any class. A spell you choose must be of a level you can cast, as shown on the Bard table, or a cantrip.

The chosen spells count as bard spells for you and do not count against your number of spells known.

Protective Performer

Starting at 14th level, your ability to weave your performances with protective magic makes you a powerful defender of your allies.

When you cast an Abjuration spell of 3rd level or higher, you regain a use of Bardic Inspiration.

When a creature within 60 feet of you is targeted for an attack, you can use your reaction to immediately grant the creature one of your Bardic Inspiration dice, before the attack is made.

Changelog

1.1 - Switched 3rd and 6th level abilities; Protective Inspiration now 3rd, Arcane Protector now 6th. Protective Inspiration is the main part of this college, the part that differentiates it from the others, so it makes sense for it to be received earlier. Also the Abjuration spells of 1st and 2nd level are not super interesting, and allowing a Shield to get Counterspell earlier than most bards makes this a much more attractive subclass.