Bard - College of Rhythm

Bards who follow the College of Rhythm understand the profound impact of music's beat and tempo. They use rhythm to inspire and empower their allies, manipulate the battlefield, and create harmonious moments in the midst of chaos.

Rhythm of Inspiration

When you join the College of Rhythm at 3rd level, your musical performances can infuse your allies with inspiration. Whenever you use your Bardic Inspiration feature, you can choose to grant an additional effect based on the rhythm you play:

- Steady Beat: Your inspiring melody sets a steady rhythm. Whenever a creature gains your Bardic Inspiration die, it also gains temporary hit points equal to the roll of the Bardic Inspiration die + your Charisma modifier.

- Energetic Pulse: Your upbeat tempo invigorates your allies. Whenever a creature uses your Bardic Inspiration die, it can also add half the roll (rounded down) to its damage rolls for weapon attacks until the start of your next turn.

- Soothing Melody: Your gentle, soothing tune calms and relaxes your allies. Whenever a creature uses your Bardic Inspiration die, it can also spend a hit die to regain hit points equal to the roll + its Constitution modifier.

You can choose which rhythm to play each time you grant Bardic Inspiration. This feature does not affect the number of uses of your Bardic Inspiration feature.

Rhythmic Control

At 3rd level, you learn to manipulate the tempo of battle, gaining control over the ebb and flow of combat. As a bonus action on your turn, you can choose one of the following effects:

- Accelerando: The rhythm intensifies, heightening your allies' speed and reflexes. Each creature of your choice within 30 feet of you gains a bonus to its movement speed equal to your Charisma modifier until the start of your next turn.

- Ritardando: The rhythm slows, causing your enemies to falter. Each creature of your choice within 30 feet of you has its movement speed reduced by half until the start of your next turn.

- Fermata: The rhythm pauses, freezing the battlefield in a brief moment of stillness. Each creature of your choice within 30 feet of you must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw against your bard spell save DC or be paralyzed until the start of your next turn.

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

Harmonic Resonance

At 6th level, your understanding of rhythm deepens, allowing you to harmonize with your allies' abilities. Whenever you or an ally within 30 feet of you uses a class feature that restores hit points or grants temporary hit points, each affected creature gains an additional number of hit points equal to your Charisma modifier.

Additionally, when you cast a spell that affects an area, you can choose to create a harmonic resonance. Allies within the area gain advantage on saving throws against being charmed, frightened, or stunned until the start of your next turn.

Master Conductor

At 14th level, you become a master conductor of music and magic, seamlessly blending the two into powerful symphonies of inspiration. Whenever you use your Bardic Inspiration feature, you can expend a use of your Countercharm feature to grant each affected creature advantage on its next attack roll, ability check, or saving throw before the start of your next turn.

Additionally, you can use your action to conduct a Master Symphony. When you do so, choose up to six allies within 60 feet of you. Each chosen ally gains the benefits of your Bardic Inspiration die as if they had been granted it by you. This ability can be used once, and you regain the ability to do so after finishing a long rest.