College of Inquisition

Bards that hail from the College of Inquisition strive to uncover the truths of the current happenings in the worlds. These individuals can often be met on the roads or noble courts, prying and applying their honed skills in a variety of tasks.

Often these Bards are hired by stations or nobility to tamper plans made against the state or notable people, investigate mysteries and even spy on other entities. Usually driven by an embedded curiosity, these Bards are known to utilize their wit, charm and skills to succeed where others would certainly fail.

Regardless of their actions, members of the College of Inquisition are Bards, artists or musicians alongside their more hidden trades. Often the College organizes grand festivals and meetings for members to share tales, swap secrets and playfully banter at one another. To the public, the College of Inquisition remains secretive; their members find work mostly through word of mouth or owed favors.

These Bards can always find their niche appreciated amidst a group of adventurers, and while they are known to primarily operate alone, there are some secrets and mysteries that one can only brave with company…

Why make this College? Of the two existing Bard Colleges, one emphasizes buffing allies through their Bardic Inspiration (Valor), whilst the other focuses on hindering enemies (Lore). I felt there was a niche to make a Bard College that has the abilities to buff themselves. Primarily to function as really specialized 'skill monkeys' by allowing their Bardic Inspiration to work on themselves. Compared to the other two Colleges I feel this class is weaker mechanically, but much more specialized to a particular play style, one that I personally enjoy playing and I know many others would also enjoy.

Cultivated Tongue

When you join the College of Inquisition at the 3rd level, you learn Thieves Cant and one language of your choice. Additionally, you make select either; Deception (Cha), Intimidation (Cha), Performance (Cha) or Persuasion (Cha). You gain proficiency in the selected skill; if you already had proficiency you may instead add double your proficiency bonus to those skills rolls.

Inquisition Training

Also at 3rd level, you gain a way of inspiring yourself through stories, experiences and sheer determination. As a reaction to making a skill check or a saving throw, you can consume and roll your Bardic Inspiration die; adding the result to your skill check or saving throw. You may choose to use your Bardic Inspiration after seeing your initial roll.

Inspiring and Capable

Beginning at 6th level, whenever a Bardic Inspiration die bestowed by you is rolled within 30 feet of you, that die can be rolled twice and either result may be used.

Echoed Confidence

At 14th level, whenever a Bardic Inspiration die bestowed by you is consumed, two creatures within 60 feet that can hear you is either healed or mentally assailed.

Using the two numbers rolled from the Bardic Inspiration die from your Inspiring and Capable class feature, one creature may be dealt psychic damage equal to one of those numbers, and another target may be healed by the other number.