Cruelty
Cruelty Bards are of the same ilk as the College of Whispers Bard. Whereas Whisper Bards seek information through means of espionage and blackmail, Cruelty Bards are more direct. Their sweet songs and performances are to pass time until their target is vulnerable, then the true entertainment begins.
| Pain Level | Effect |
|---|---|
| 3+ | Target has a -1 penalty to all attack and saving throws. |
| 5+ | Target loses 10 ft of movement speed. |
| 9+ | Target cannot take reactions. |
| 11+ | Target takes Psychic damage equal to its Pain Level at the end of each of its turns. |
| 15+ | Target has disadvantage on CHA, WIS, and INT saving throws. |
| 19+ | Target has their movement speed reduced to 0 ft and can only take on action or bonus action per turn. |
Subclass Features
Painful Performance
You twist harmful music and words into your attacks. When you hit a creature with an attack roll you can expend a use of Bardic Inspiration to inflict levels of pain on the target, the amount of pain equals the amount rolled the attack deals Psychic damage equal to the result.
Pain levels are cumulative, a target has the effect of all the levels below their current pain level.
Skilled Interrogator
You have been trained in advanced interrogation techniques. You have Expertise in Intimidation and proficiency in the Torturer’s Kit.
Delight in Bloodshed
The thin mask that hides your bloodshed slips, revealing your hidden nature. Once per long rest when you deal damage to a creature with a Pain Level you can use your reaction to gain temporary hit points equal to its Pain Level. You can use a bonus action to expend a 1st level spell slot or higher to use this feature again.
Vile Mouth
Your cruelty has enhanced a trusty Bard cantrip. Wherever you cast the cantrip Vicious Mockery the target automatically fails the saving throw as your harsh words lash out.
Creatures with a Pain Level of 11 or more are so psychically damaged that you can cast Vicious Mockery as a bonus action.