College of Dazzling – Special Effects Bard Subclass for 5th Edition

College of Dazzling – Special Effects Bard Subclass for 5th Edition

September 4, 2019

Books/ Dungeons & Dragons/ Free Nerdy Things/ Homebrew/ Mis-Adventurers/ Reading List/ Writers

The Mis-Adventurers: An (Almost) Epic Tale is a new adult comedic fantasy adventure novel that hits a lot of the beats of a D&D campaign and the lovely disasters that can ensue. As the author, I very consciously designed the story this way, because some of the best stories I’ve ever experienced have been around the game table.

A large part of what makes D&D work so well as a storytelling avenue is its codified rules. These define things like how magic works, what weapons can do, and even resolving complex maneuvers. As an author trying to capture the proverbial magic of a TTRPG story, I knew that I’d have to codify many of the book’s events in terms of game mechanics. As such, I devised a unique new D&D subclass for each character.

In The Mis-Adventurers: An (Almost) Epic Tale, Thomas Edward Overdale (aka Tom), of Farshire, is an eager halfling bard determined to set out on his own, so that he can write an epic tale of legend.

Bard College — College of Dazzling

A new subclass for D&D bards

The College of Dazzling was inspired by Thomas Edward Overdale (aka, Tom), of Farshire. Tom is a happy-go-lucky bard. His casting focuses on special effects and dazzling displays. As such, this Bard College grants adherents additional cantrips. With a focus on evocation, the College of Dazzling performs grand, flashy displays that inspire allies in large groups. For more free new D&D content, navigate using the Mis-Adventurers link above the title.

Bards under the College of Dazzling augment their performances with illusion and evocation. With mystical effects and flashy showmanship, these bards blow away their competition (sometimes literally).

Bonus Cantrips

When you choose this college at 3rd level, you learn any two cantrips from the sorcerer spell list. Cantrips you learn in this way are bard cantrips for you, even if they do not appear on the bard spell list, and they do not count against the number of cantrips you know.

You gain an additional cantrip from the sorcerer spell list when you reach 6th level, then again when you reach 14th level.

Inspired Casting

Also beginning at 3rd level, when you deal damage with a bard cantrip, you can roll one of your Bardic Inspiration dice and add the result to your cantrip’s damage.

Starting when you reach 6th level, you can roll any number of your Bardic Inspiration dice and add the result to any bard spell’s damage roll.

Additional Magical Secrets

At 6th level, you learn two spells or cantrips of your choice from any class’s spell list. These are bard spells for you and do not count against the number of spells you know.

Evasion

>Beginning at 14th level, your experience with evocation has taught you how to dodge out of the way of effects, such as a fireball spell or a lightning bolt. When you are subjected to an effect that allows you to make a Dexterity saving throw to take only half damage, you instead take no damage if you succeed on your saving throw, and you take only half damage if you fail.

Spectacular Inspiration

Also starting at 14th level, when you cast a spell that causes multiple creatures to make a saving throw to avoid damage, you can weave the spell to inspire instead. When you do, choose a number of creatures up to your Charisma modifier within the spell’s area. Each creature automatically makes its saving throw and takes no damage from your spell.