Bard Subclass: College of Graves

Introducing the Bard subclass, College of Graves - a spooky D&D 5th Edition subclass that plumbs the enigma of life's end and the ethereal mysteries beyond. These bards straddle the boundary between the living and the departed, crafting haunting performances woven from the threads of the afterlife itself. Their music and tales evoke the essence of death, leaving audiences both captivated and haunted, creating an enduring connection that lingers long after the final notes have faded.

In the shadowed halls of the College of Graves, bards become the voices of the fallen, their music a bridge to the realms beyond. With somber melodies and haunting tales, they unravel the mysteries that shroud life's end, offering a chilling and unforgettable gaming experience for those who dare to embrace it.

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The College of Graves beckons bards who seek to unravel the enigma of life’s end and the mysteries that linger beyond. These bards are the conduits between the realms of the living and the departed, crafting their performances with an eerie resonance that captivates and chills. Their melodies are woven from the threads of the afterlife, evoking the emotions and stories that echo through the ages. In their haunting tales and ethereal music, they tap into the essence of death itself, leaving audiences both spellbound and unsettled.

Through the College of Graves, bards take on the role of mournful messengers, bearing witness to the great unknown that lies beyond the veil of existence. Their connection to the somber energies of necrotic and force magic enables them to channel the essence of the grave into their performances, lending them an uncanny depth. These bards possess a unique ability to infuse their artistic expressions with ethereal power, creating an atmosphere that blurs the boundaries between the mundane and the supernatural. With every note, they evoke the memories and emotions of the departed, creating a harmonious connection that bridges the gap between the living and the dead.

For those who embrace the College of Graves, their performances are more than entertainment; they are rituals that honor the fallen and commemorate the passage of life into the unknown. These bards take on a mantle of responsibility as storytellers of the afterlife, wielding their talents to remind the world of the transient nature of existence. In their mournful serenades and chilling ballads, they pay homage to the eternal dance between life and death, creating an enduring connection that lingers long after the final notes have faded into the night.

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Class Features

In the world of the College of Graves, you wield your bardic talents like a whispered secret, a link to realms unseen. Through mournful melodies and tales that transcend time, you are a vessel for the stories that linger in the wake of life’s passing. The energy of the afterlife flows through your every chord, imbuing your music with a spectral resonance that touches the hearts of the living and stirs the memories of the departed. With each performance, you conjure a connection that spans the chasm between existence and the great unknown, leaving your audience both captivated and haunted by the echoes of souls long gone.

Bonus Proficiencies

When you join the College of Graves at 3rd level, you gain proficiency with martial weapons and medium armor.

Funereal Resonance

Also at 3rd level, you learn to channel the somber energy of the grave into your spells and performances. Whenever you cast a spell that deals necrotic damage or force damage, you can add your Charisma modifier to the damage roll. Additionally, when you use your Bardic Inspiration feature, you can choose to grant a creature temporary hit points equal to your Bard level instead of using the feature’s usual effects.

Ephemeral Serenade

Starting at 6th level, your music takes on an ethereal quality that resonates with the spirits of the departed. As an action, you can perform a haunting melody that affects creatures of your choice within 60 feet of you. Each affected creature gains temporary hit points equal to your Bardic Inspiration die plus your Charisma modifier (minimum of 1). These temporary hit points last for 1 hour or until they are depleted.

Once you use this feature, you can’t use it again until you finish a short or long rest.

Wail of the Departed

At 14th level, you can unleash a wail of sorrow and anguish in your music. As an action, you create a mournful wail that affects creatures of your choice within 30 feet of you. Each affected creature must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw against your spell save DC or be frightened for 1 minute. A frightened 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.

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