College of the Road (5e Subclass)
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College of the Road (HWCS) + Variant Features (Treantmonks)
Not an officially recognized college, the College of the Road represents the personal and eclectic sets of skills, knowledge, and techniques a wandering bard picks up along their journey. As inveterate jacks-of-all-trades, bards possess a variety of aptitudes in combat, magecraft, and general know-how, making them particularly well suited to learning a variety of different skills. It often happens that while traveling, a bard winds up sharing their campfire with a motley assortment of wandering adventurers who may impart valuable lessons in exchange for a lively song or a well-told tale. Compared to students of other Bard Colleges, a special kind of sensibility is important for the College of the Road. How effectively a bard of this College can apply what they have learned depends on their understanding and insight. The College of the Road is sometimes a harsh teacher, but bards who follow this path often find themselves rewarded with a diverse array of useful tricks and tactics. Those who underestimate a bard from the College of the Road soon find that these "graduates" are full of surprises.
- Bonus Proficiencies
When you join the College of the Road at 3rd level, you gain a few useful proficiencies picked up from your time on the road. Choose four of the following options (each option can only be selected once):
You gain proficiency with a Gaming Set of your choice.
You gain proficiency with two martial weapons of your choice, and you can use them as the Spellcasting focus for your Bard spells
You gain proficiency with Medium armor and shields
You gain proficiency with a Vehicle of your choice
You gain proficiency with Smith's Tools
You gain proficiency with Cook's Utensils
You gain proficiency with Herbalism Kits
You gain proficiency with Thieves' Tools
You gain proficiency with a skill of your choice You learn two languages of your choice
- Wanderer's Lore
At 3rd level, you can share any useful tidbits of information you have come across in your travels to help others to see problems from a new angle. When a creature has a Bardic Inspiration die granted by you, they may make a single Arcana, History, Nature, or Religion check with advantage. The creature may choose whether or not to add the Bardic Inspiration die to this roll. You can spend a Bardic Inspiration die to use this benefit for yourself, adding it to the roll.
- Traveler's Tricks
At 3rd level you already have several memorable experiences from your life on the road. You learn two Traveler's Tricks of your choice (see Traveler's Trick Options).
These Traveler's Tricks represent skills, techniques, and useful pieces of knowledge picked up along the way. Each one requires you to expend a use of your Bardic Inspiration, and takes a bonus action to use unless otherwise specified.
At 6th level and at 14th level you learn two additional Traveler's Tricks.
- Traveler's Trick Options
The Traveler's Trick feature lets you choose options for it at certain levels. The options are presented here in alphabetical order. Each one is associated with a different class, and those marked with an asterisk (*) are magical effects.
Unlike traditional bard abilities which rely on skill or panache to be properly executed, the greatest asset for picking up tricks along the road is common sense and an openness to learning new ideas. Wisdom affects how powerful your traveler's tricks are, as well as how hard they are to counter. If an option requires a saving throw, your Traveler's Trick save DC equals 8 + your proficiency bonus + your Charisma modifier.
Acrobatics Lessons.
A slick rogue once gave you some pointers on zigging and zagging. When you or an ally makes a Dexterity saving throw, you may expend one use of your Bardic Inspiration, rolling a Bardic Inspiration die and adding the result to the saving throw. An ally must be within 60 feet of you and able to see and hear you to benefit from this trick.
At 6th level, if the target succeeds the saving throw against an effect that would deal half damage on a successful save, the target takes no damage instead.
At 14th level, even if the target fails their saving throw they only take half damage from the effect.
Armed Combat Lessons.
A seasoned fighter taught you how to use a simple combat stance to wield your weapons more effectively. When you select this option, choose from the following Fighting Styles:
Archery: You gain a +2 bonus to attack rolls you make with ranged weapons.
Dueling: When you are wielding a melee weapon in one hand and no other weapons, you gain a +2 bonus to damage rolls with that weapon.
Great Weapon Fighting: When you roll a 1 or 2 on a damage die for an attack you make with a melee weapon that you are wielding with two hands, you can reroll the die and must use the new roll, even if the new roll is a 1 or a 2. The weapon must have the two-handed or versatile property for you to gain this benefit.
Two-Weapon Fighting: When you engage in two-weapon fighting, you can add your ability modifier.
When you make a weapon attack, you can expend one use of your Bardic Inspiration, adding your Bardic Inspiration die to the attack or damage roll. When you do this, you gain the benefits of your chosen Fighting Style for 10 minutes.
At 6th level, you learn how to use your stance to chain your attacks together in deadly combination. While your Fighting Style is active, you may attack twice, instead of once, when taking the Attack action on your turn.
At 14th level you have learned to shore up any weaknesses in your stance. You gain +1 to your AC for the effect's duration.
Bind the Wound.
An experienced paladin instructed you in the basics of combat triage. When you or an ally within 5 feet of you receives healing of any kind, you may use your reaction to expend one use of your Bardic Inspiration and provide extra healing equal to the number on the Bardic Inspiration die roll + your Charisma modifier (minimum of 1). You must have at least one hand free in order to quickly staunch the target's wound.
At 6th level, you have learned to identify a selection of useful herbs that you can carry with you. When providing additional healing with this trick you may also remove the poisoned or paralyzed condition from the target.
At 14th level, you have developed a true knack for emergency triage. You may additionally remove a single disease affecting the target of this ability.
Boxing Lessons.
A wise monk was happy to share the basic form of the jab and weave. When you take the Attack action, you can expend one use of your Bardic Inspiration to quickly execute two unarmed strikes against one or more creatures you could target, and can repeat this Attack action for 1 minute. You may use Dexterity instead of Strength for the attack and damage rolls of these unarmed strikes. The damage die used for these unarmed strikes is the same as your Bardic Inspiration die.
At 6th level, you have finally mastered the "weave" portion of your technique. You do not provoke attacks of opportunity while you are under the effects of this trick.
At 14th level, your practice has paid off, granting you the use of a slightly ki-infused attack. When you hit with one of these attacks you may attempt a stunning strike. The target must succeed on a Constitution saving throw or be stunned until the end of your next turn. You can use this ability once per use of this trick.
Conjure Woodland Spirit*.
A patient druid shared the secrets of forest magic with you. You can expend one use of your Bardic Inspiration as an action to conjure a forest guardian spirit in an unoccupied space you can see within 60 feet of you. The guardian spirit is Large, and takes the appearance of a spectral predatory cat. Any enemy that moves into or leaves a space adjacent to the guardian spirit must make a Wisdom saving throw, taking magical slashing damage equal to your Bardic Inspiration die on a failure. The guardian spirit will remain for as long as you concentrate on it, up to 10 minutes. You can move the Forest Guardian 30 feet using a bonus action on your turn.
At 6th level, your bond with the guardian spirit grows even deeper. Any creature dealt damage by your guardian spirit has their speed reduced to 0 for the rest of the turn.
At 14th level, any Large or smaller creature who has their speed reduced to 0 by the guardian spirit is restrained for as long as you maintain your concentration, as your guardian spirit pins them in place. The target can break free by spending an action to make a Strength (Athletics) check against your Traveler's Trick save DC.
Dark Bargain*.
You made a shady bargain with a haggard warlock. When you select this option, choose two Eldritch Invocations from the Warlock's list of class features for which you meet the prerequisites. You can expend one use of your Bardic Inspiration to gain the benefits of this Dark Invocation for 10 minutes. Doing this requires you to roll your Bardic Inspiration die and take an amount of necrotic damage equal to the roll.
At 6th level, you have learned how to deepen your pact with the warlock you once met. You may choose to take double the necrotic damage you rolled on your Bardic Inspiration die to instead have the effect last for 1 hour.
At 14th level, your pact with the warlock unlocks frightening new power. When you reach 14th level, choose a single spell of 7th level or lower from the warlock's spell list. You may cast the spell once during this effect without expending any spell slots, although you must cast it at the level of your highest spell slot. In exchange, the spell deals additional necrotic damage to you equal to twice the level at which it was cast.
Evocation Lessons*.
A venerable wizard shared secrets of evocation magic with you, and as a little treat thought you how to summon a magical friend to keep you company in your travels. When you select this option, choose a damage-dealing spell you can cast. You can expend one use of your Bardic Inspiration when you cast this spell to change the type of damage it deals to your choice of either acid, cold, fire, lightning, or thunder (chosen when you cast the spell). Add the number you roll on your Bardic Inspiration die + your Charisma modifier (minimum of 1) to the damage dealt by the spell. Also, you learn the Find Familiar Spell.
At 6th level you may choose to change the spell you had previously selected with this feature to another spell that you know.
At 14th level you may choose to change the spell you had previously selected with this feature to another spell that you know.
Hunting Lessons*.
A skilled ranger taught you how to use your magic to pinpoint your quarry's weak spots. You can expend one use of your Bardic Inspiration to target one creature you can see within 90 feet of you as your quarry. For as long as you concentrate on this ability, up to 1 hour, all weapon attacks you make against the target deal additional damage equal to your Bardic Inspiration die.
At 6th level, you have honed your skills to the point where you can easily track your quarry. For the duration of the effect, you are aware of your target's approximate distance and direction from you, so long as you are on the same plane, and you have advantage on Wisdom (Survival) checks to track the target.
At 14th level, you can maintain this effect for up to 24 hours.
Reckless Tactics.
You learned from a hardened barbarian that sometimes you have to charge into combat with no regard for your own safety. When you make an attack with a melee weapon that has either the heavy, two handed, or versatile quality, you can expend one use of your Bardic Inspiration to gain advantage on the attack. Add the number you roll on your Bardic Inspiration die + your Charisma modifier (minimum of 1) to the attack's damage roll. Attacks made against you this round have advantage.
At 6th level you have learned, through practice, how to push your offense even further. You may impose a -5 penalty to this attack roll. If the attack hits, you add +10 to the attack's damage.
At 14th level, your experience has taught you how to really go all in. If you have not moved this turn, you may voluntarily reduce your speed to 0 until your next turn to resolve this attack against any number of creatures within 5 feet of you, making a separate attack roll for each target.
Warding Trick*.
A gentle cleric taught you how to channel your magic into a protective veil. You can expend one use of your Bardic Inspiration as a bonus action to grant an ally you can see within 60 feet of you a number of temporary hit points equal to your roll on the Bardic Inspiration die + your Charisma modifier (minimum of 1). This ward lasts for as long as you maintain concentration on it, up to 10 minutes.
At 6th level, your practice allows you to weave wards that retaliate against those who would harm your allies. Any creature who deals damage to an ally with temporary hit points granted by this effect must make a Charisma saving throw. On a failure, the creature dealing damage takes an amount of radiant damage equal to your Bardic Inspiration die + your Charisma modifier (minimum of 1).
At 14th level, you have learned how to make your ward even more resilient. For the duration of the effect, at the beginning of each round on your turn the target gains a number of temporary hit points equal to your Bardic Inspiration die + your Charisma modifier (minimum of 1). These replace any previous temporary hit points.
Crafting Study*
You got tutelage from a innovative Artificer. When you select this option, You can expend one use of your Bardic Inspiration to gain the benefits of the Enhanced Weapon Artificer Infusion from the Artificer list of class features. The benefits last for 1 minute.
At 6th level, you also gain the benefits of the Enhanced Defense Artificer Infusion from the Artificer list of class features for the duration.
At 14th level, your deep study with the Master Artificer reveals the innermost workings of imbuing items with power. While under the benefits of this trick, you Weapon Attacks with the infused Weapon deal additional lightning damage equal to your Bardic Inspiration die, and the infused armor or shield grant resistance to Bludgeoning, Slashing and Piercing damage for the duration.
Spell manipulation*
You got inspired by an unpredictable Sorcerer that tough you how to manipulate the flow of Magic, with the cost of the risk of it going wild. When you select this option, choose a spell that you can cast. You can expend one use of your Bardic Inspiration when you cast this spell to have it be affected by one of the following options.
Careful Spell When you cast a spell that forces other creatures to make a saving throw, you can protect some of those creatures from the spell's full force. To do so, choose a number of those creatures up to your Charisma modifier (minimum of one creature). A chosen creature automatically succeeds on its saving throw against the spell.
Distant Spell When you cast a spell that has a range of 5 feet or greater, double the range of the spell.
When you cast a spell that has a range of touch, you can make the range of the spell 30 feet.
If you cast any spell that includes a teleport, you can double the maximum range of teleportation.
Empowered Spell When you roll damage for a spell, you can reroll a number of the damage dice up to your Charisma modifier (minimum of 1). You must use the new rolls.
Extended Spell When you cast a spell that has a duration of 1 minute or longer, you can increase its duration.
If the duration of the spell is 1 minute, it is extended to 10 minutes. If the duration of the spell is 10 minutes, it is extended to 1 hour. If the duration of the spell is 1 hour, it is extended to 8 hours. If the duration of the spell is 8 hours, it is extended to 24 hours. Extend spell cannot extend the duration of a spell to over 24 hours.
Subtle Spell When you cast a spell, you can cast it without any somatic or verbal components.
After you cast the chosen spell using this trick, roll a d6. If you roll a 4 or higher, roll on the Wild Magic Surge from the Sorcerer's list of class features table to create a magical effect. If that effect is a spell, it is too wild to be affected by your spell manipulation trick, and if it normally requires concentration, it doesn’t require concentration in this case; the spell lasts for its full duration.
Once you release the surge, the chance of releasing another surge is reduced. Now you consult the Wild Magic Surge table on a roll or 5 or higher. If you produce another surge, afterwards, consult the Wild Magic table only if you roll a 6.
Once you complete a long rest, the chance of producing a wild magic surge is reset to 4 or higher.
At 6th level you may choose to change the spell you had previously selected with this feature to another spell that you know.
At 14th level you may choose to change the spell you had previously selected with this feature to another spell that you know.
- Favorite Trick
At 6th level, you have gained enough mastery over one of your Traveler's Tricks that you can use it whenever it's needed. You may choose two Traveler's Tricks that you know and designate it as your favorite tricks. If you roll initiative and have no uses of Bardic Inspiration remaining, you regain one use of it. Any Bardic Inspiration gained in this way can only be used to perform your favorite tricks.
- Improved Tricks
At 6th level, your Traveler's Tricks become stronger. By practicing the tricks you know, and encountering stronger adventurers who share their knowledge with you, your mastery over your tricks increases.
- Traveler's Tricks
At 6th level you learn two additional Traveler's Tricks.
- Favorite Trick
At 14th level you can select a third favorite trick from among Traveler's Tricks you know.
- Improved Tricks
At 14th level, your Traveler's Tricks become stronger. By practicing the tricks you know, and encountering stronger adventurers who share their knowledge with you, your mastery over your tricks increases.
- Traveler's Tricks
At 14th level you learn two additional Traveler's Tricks.
Song of Rest (Treantmonks) Beginning at 2nd level, you can use soothing music or oration to help revitalize your wounded allies during a short rest. If you or any friendly creatures who can hear your performance regain hit points at the end of the short rest by spending one or more Hit Dice, each of those creatures regains an extra 1d6 hit points. The extra hit points increase when you reach certain levels in this class: to 1d8 at 5th level, to 1d10 at 10th level, and to 1d12 at 15th level.
Countercharm (Treantmonks) At 6th level, your inspiration can disrupt mind-influencing effects. If a creature you can see within 60 feet is subject to an effect that requires a saving throw against an effect that causes the charmed or frightened condition, you may use your reaction to attempt to bolster that creature against the effect, providing advantage on the saving throw.
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