College of Law

“Wasn’t a dry eye in the house when he told’em about me sad upbringin’.” —a bandit explaining to his fellows why he wasn’t in jail.

The College of Law produces Bards with an understanding of most systems of law, means of enforcement, and common punishments. A member of this college is typically known as a Barrister. These bards excel at turning the ire of their fellows on suspects, maintaining good relationships with local law enforcement, and talking themselves out of penalties by using obscure legal minutia.

Legal Expertise

 Barristers gain proficiency in the History and Persuasion skills. If they are already proficient in those skills they may double their proficiency bonus. If they have already applied their expertise feature to those skills, they gain no additional benefit.

J' accuse

 When you achieve 3rd level and enter this college you first master the art of turning your ability to inspire into a weapon. By taking a moment to hurl the most horrid accusations at a target, allies and even passersby may crush their spirit. Use a bonus action and spend a Bardic Inspiration die. Until the beginning of your next turn, each creature that heard the accusations can add your bardic inspiration die as additional psychic damage on 1 successful melee attack against the target. Alternatively, the Barrister can roll the die and apply its result as a penalty to any checks the target makes to evade capture for 1 hour.

Spirit of Justice

At 6th level, no matter where the Barrister goes, a local Sheriff or experienced constable will be keeping an eye on them. At any moment the Barrister might call for their aid and they will be there, though once they’ve rendered their assistance other duties will call them away for a time. As an action the Barrister can summon a Veteran (MM pg. 350). The Veteran appears in the nearest unoccupied space near a form of cover or concealment. The Veteran is friendly to the characters and will remain and assist with any appropriate activity for 1 hour, after which evidence needs collected, reports filed, or perpetrators booked. The Barrister must complete a long rest before using this feature again. If the Bard or allied creatures engage in unjustified illegal activities while within the Veteran’s area of responsibility, it immediately departs and the Bard cannot use this feature for 7 days.

Letter of the Law

Beginning at level 14 the Barrister’s knowledge of esoteric legal minutiae is so great that nearly any crime can be excused. Should the Bard or any character they speak for be in conflict with the immediate authorities, the Bard may make a History check with a DC of 20 to immediately ascertain the laws, written or unwritten, of any organization from bandit gang to empire. Success results in the recollection of some exceedingly esoteric piece of of local legislation to excuse the action and render any action taken against them unjust. The DM is the final arbiter of how this may impact an encounter. You must complete a short rest before using this feature again.