Bardic College
"The knight, he shone,
His breastplate worn
O'er his heart
So long forlorn.
For though he wept,
His tears, they swept
The dust of the road
'pon which he stepped -
Swept from his gleaming breast!
He journeyed slow,
And shining so
He quested and won:
A famed hero!
But all he gave
Was nought to save
His love, his true,
Long gone to grave -
Torn from his gleaming breast!"
-- verse XI of 'The Drowning of Rodarius.'
College of Romances
The bards of this college are sentimental and nostalgic at heart -- but they are far from soft. They revere the chivalric romances of old -- taking inspiration from from the dashing deeds of heroic knights and the epic tales of love that compelled them. They live to tell these tales, and inspire others to great acts of heroism and knightly virtue.
Bonus Proficiencies
When you choose this College at 3rd level, you gain proficiency with heavy armor, History (Intelligence), and Insight (Wisdom) checks.
Betrothal
Also when you choose this College at 3rd level, you learn a ceremony of powerful connection. As an action, you perform a song of binding between two willing creatures that can hear you and are within 10 feet of one another. The two become entangled through the weave of magic for up to 8 hours, or until you perform this ceremony again. The effects of the binding cease if the betrothed creatures no longer occupy the same plane of existence.
When one of the chosen creatures rolls a Bardic Inspiration die, it's betrothed may add half the number rolled (rounded down) to one ability check, attack roll, or saving throw it makes before the end of its next turn.
In addition, the betrothed creatures always know the position and distance of their partner, even if they are blinded or otherwise unable to use their senses.
Stirring Sacrifice
By 6th level, the bond between your betrothed has deepened, and the magical entanglement you have woven compels and empowers them to greater deeds of chivalry.
Concept by u/Pixel_Engine. Art credit Godspeed
When one of the creatures affected by your Betrothal ceremony is targeted by an attack, its betrothed may use its reaction to roll a Bardic Inspiration die if it has one, moving a number of feet equal to 5 x the roll towards its partner. If the betrothed reaches a space within 5 feet of its partner or the attacker, the enemy's attack is resolved against the betrothed instead of its original target. The betrothed may make one melee weapon attack against the attacker if it is within its reach as part of this reaction.
Carrying a Torch
Additionally at 6th level, creatures under the effects of your Betrothal ceremony gain darkvision out to 60 feet. If they already have darkvision, its range increases by 30 feet. Betrothed creatures also gain the benefit of any other special senses that their partner has, provided they are within 100 feet of each other.
Heartfelt Heraldry
By 14th level, it has become quite plain that you are a bard who carries their heart on their sleeve; and you use your passion for your subject to inspire others.
As a bonus action, you can roll one of your Bardic Inspiration die to conjure a tall, emblazoned banner in a free hand and clothe yourself in a boldly colored tabard. Your heraldry is charged with a number of temporary Bardic Inspiration dice equal to the number you roll on your expended die. The transformation lasts for 1 minute or until your stock of temporary dice is depleted.
While your heraldry is displayed, friendly creatures that can see you can gain one of your temporary Bardic Inspiration die if they are within 10 feet of you, no action required.
Once you use this ability, you must complete a long rest before you can use it again.