College of Demise

Those in the college of Demise are from a much darker stock. Usually aligned with a god of death, these bards have sought a mastery over their own demise and that of others. Their outlook tends to be that of dark humor especially in the face of death and each in this college vie for Lichdom. While god's of death tend to be who they usually follow, a demon is not out of the realm of possibility either. They tend to be more jokesters or tricksters instead of musicians but when they do play, the sound tends to be darker than most other subclasses giving those around a sense of foreboding like looming death.

 

The bards in this subclass tend to be dark humored and have a very callous view over death and dying. They are normally locked in a pact with some sort of being that controls their own death until they finally reach enough power to gain their own mastery over death. They tend to play more like jesters or fools, just the darker versions. Free spirited in a lot of ways and with massively quick wit. While most are motivated by their own path of power, some are motivated by the journey to get them there. Chaotic alignments best suit them if they are played with alignment and as they're motivated by the mastery of death they tend to be evil. 

 

(This class is based on the Grim Jester from Frog God Games)

Mock the Dying

The bards of this class have such little concern for the living that the aura of it seems to magically permeate them. If a creature is taken to death saving throws within 30ft of a bard of this class it must make them at disadvantage.

Joker's Shuffle

A bard of this class has some nasty tricks up it's sleeve. By using a point of bardic inspiration the bard can choose an enemy within 60ft of it to switch places with. The bard takes it position and appearance while it takes the bard's. This move is undetectable to most but those with true sight or other illusionary evaporating effects will be able to see through this. The illusion ends after the end of the bard's third turn. 

Last Laugh

At sixth level a bard of this subclass has gotten quite a tenuous bond with their patron. Unless their death is deemed funny enough by the one they serve they will not be permitted a death. Upon death the DM will decide if the manner is pleasing to the patron you have chosen and if not roll a d20. In that many days your character will appear alive and well again. But if it is fitting the character can be brought back with nothing more than the spell Wish.

Killing Joke

At level 14 bards of this class have honed their skills in the way of dark humor particularly well. Once per short rest the bard can make a particularly dark joke filled with necromatic power. Any enemy within 30ft of the bard must make a Wisdom saving throw against the spell caster's DC. If they fail they fall into a horrible fit of laughter for 1/d4 rounds. At the beginning of each of their turns they must make the wisdom save again. If they fail they are taken to 0 hit points instantly as the laughing physically draws the breath from their lungs. If they succeed they continue to laugh the remainder of the rounds. The laughter can only be broken by rendering the victim unconscious or with a restoration spell.