Article-at-a-Glance
- Discover the unique blend of Bard, Druid, and Exemplar with the Fochlucan College Bard build.
- Learn about the key milestones and abilities at each level of this multifaceted character.
- Explore combat tactics that leverage the Bard’s musical and magical capabilities.
- Understand the equipment progression to optimize your Bard’s performance.
- Join our community to exchange ideas, strategies, and stories about your adventures.
My Favorite place for d20 Books
There’s many places to find source books for the d20 system, however DriveThruRPG has proven the most reliable over the years.
Check out their source book offerings here.
Level Distribution of Fochlucan College Bard
When you first step into the role of a Fochlucan College Bard, you’re embarking on a journey that blends the artistry of music with the untamed power of nature. Your path will take you from the foundational skills of a Bard to the mystical depths of Druidic magic, and eventually to the exemplary heights of an Exemplar. It’s a build that requires finesse, strategy, and an understanding of how to harmonize these diverse elements into a character that’s as compelling to play as it is formidable to face.
Click on the level for more information
At Level 1, the Fochlucan Bard is a versatile supporter with a touch of durability and melee potential, equipped with a rapier and skill in Perform (String). The bardic skills include Bardic Music and Knowledge, which offer significant strategic advantages in the form of information and combat enhancements. The Jump skill is notably high, boosting mobility.
Fochlucan Bard: male, Half-Elf Bard 1; CR 1; Medium humanoid (half-elf); HD 1d6; hp 6; Init +0; Spd 30 ft.; AC 10, touch 10, flat-footed 10 (no armor); Base Atk +0; Grp +0; Atk +2 melee (1d6+1/18-20, Rapier) or +0 ranged; Full Atk +2 melee (1d6+1/18-20, Rapier) or +0 ranged; SA Bardic Music, Bardic Knowledge; SQ Countersong, Fascinate, Inspire Courage +1; AL Any; SV Fort +1, Ref +0, Will +2; Str 14, Dex 10, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 15, Cha 15.
Decipher Script +4, Diplomacy +2, Gather Information +2, Jump +13, Knowledge (Nature) +4, Perform (String) +6, Sleight of Hand +4, Tumble +2; Skill Focus (Jump), Nymph’s Kiss, Power Attack.
Bardic Music (Su): Once per day per bard level, a bard can use his music or poetics to produce magical effects on those around him. Bardic Knowledge (Su): A bard may make a special bardic knowledge check with a bonus equal to his bard level + his Intelligence modifier to see whether he knows some relevant information about local notable people, legendary items, or noteworthy places. Countersong (Su): A bard can use his music or poetics to counter magic effects that depend on sound. Fascinate (Su): A bard can use his music or poetics to cause one or more creatures to become fascinated. Inspire Courage (Su): A bard can use music or poetics to inspire courage in his allies, bolstering them against fear and improving their combat abilities.
Possessions: Rapier.
By Level 5, our Fochlucan Bard has honed not only his bardic abilities but also gained foundational druidic skills. This combination enhances his versatility, allowing for better environmental interaction and improved combat utility. His jump skill remains a standout, providing extraordinary mobility in varied scenarios.
Fochlucan Bard: male, Half-Elf Bard 5; CR 5; Medium humanoid (half-elf); HD 5d6; hp 20; Init +0; Spd 30 ft.; AC 10, touch 10, flat-footed 10 (no armor); Base Atk +3; Grp +3; Atk +5 melee (1d6+1/18-20, Rapier) or +3 ranged; Full Atk +5 melee (1d6+1/18-20, Rapier) or +3 ranged; SA Bardic Music, Bardic Knowledge; SQ Countersong, Fascinate, Inspire Courage +1, Inspire Competence; AL Any; SV Fort +1, Ref +1, Will +4; Str 14, Dex 10, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 15, Cha 15.
Decipher Script +7, Diplomacy +7, Gather Information +7, Jump +13, Knowledge (Nature) +7, Perform (String) +13, Sleight of Hand +7, Tumble +5; Skill Focus (Jump), Nymph’s Kiss, Power Attack, Run.
Bardic Music (Su): A bard can use his music or poetics up to 5 times per day to produce magical effects. Bardic Knowledge (Su): A bard can make a bardic knowledge check with a bonus equal to his bard level + his Intelligence modifier for identifying famous people, legendary items, or notable locales. Countersong (Su): The bard can use his music to counter magical effects that depend on sound. Fascinate (Su): Using his music, the bard can mesmerize his foes, holding their attention. Inspire Courage (Su): The bard strengthens the resolve and prowess of his allies against fear and improves their combat abilities. Inspire Competence (Su): The bard can use his music to help an ally succeed at a task.
Possessions: Rapier, lyre.
At Level 10, the Fochlucan Bard steps into the multifaceted role of Druid with developed wild shaping abilities. This level marks an impressive fusion of druidic magic, and nature-connected skills with bardic support powers, offering exceptional adaptability in both combat and interaction with nature.
Stat Block Level 10
Fochlucan Bard: male, Half-Elf Bard 5/Druid 5; CR 10; Medium humanoid (half-elf); HD 5d6+5d8; hp 45; Init +0; Spd 30 ft.; AC 10, touch 10, flat-footed 10 (no armor); Base Atk +7; Grp +7; Atk +9 melee (1d6+1/18-20, Rapier) or +7 ranged; Full Atk +9 melee (1d6+1/18-20, Rapier) or +7 ranged; SA Bardic Music, Bardic Knowledge, Wild Empathy, Animal Companion, Nature’s Sense, Wild Shape 1/day; SQ Countersong, Fascinate, Inspire Courage +1, Inspire Competence, Woodland Stride, Trackless Step, Resist Nature’s Lure; AL Any; SV Fort +6, Ref +3, Will +7; Str 14, Dex 10, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 15, Cha 15.
Skills and Feats
Decipher Script +7, Diplomacy +7, Gather Information +7, Jump +13, Knowledge (Nature) +7, Perform (String) +13, Sleight of Hand +7, Tumble +5; Skill Focus (Jump), Nymph’s Kiss, Power Attack, Run, Improved Toughness.
Bardic Music (Su): The bard can use his music or poetics up to 10 times per day to produce magical effects. Bardic Knowledge (Su): Can make a bardic knowledge check with a bonus equal to his bard level + his Intelligence modifier for identifying famous people, legendary items, or notable locales. Wild Shape (Su): The druid can transform into any small or medium animal up to 1/day.
Possessions: Rapier, lyre, medium armor made of mithril.
By Level 15, the Fochlucan Bard, now proficient as a Fochlucan Lyrist, exhibits a masterful blend of magical and martial skills. The character boasts enhanced bardic music abilities and druidic spells alongside combat caster techniques. This stage also marks significant prowess in jumping, transforming simple movement into a strategic advantage.
Fochlucan Bard: male, Half-Elf Bard 5/Druid 5/Fochlucan Lyrist 5; CR 15; Medium humanoid (half-elf); HD 5d6+5d8+5d6; hp 60; Init +0; Spd 30 ft.; AC 10, touch 10, flat-footed 10 (no armor); Base Atk +10; Grp +10; Atk +12 melee (1d6+1/18-20, Rapier) or +10 ranged; Full Atk +12 melee (1d6+1/18-20, Rapier) or +10 ranged; SA Bardic Music, Bardic Knowledge, Wild Empathy, Animal Companion, Nature’s Sense, Wild Shape (1/day), Unbound, Suggestion, Inspire Courage +2; SQ Countersong, Fascinate, Inspire Competence, Woodland Stride, Trackless Step, Resist Nature’s Lure; AL Any; SV Fort +8, Ref +5, Will +10; Str 14, Dex 10, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 15, Cha 15.
Decipher Script +13, Diplomacy +13, Gather Information +13, Jump +18 (with bonuses +418), Knowledge (Nature) +13, Perform (String) +18, Sleight of Hand +13, Tumble +10; Skill Focus (Jump), Nymph’s Kiss, Power Attack, Run, Improved Toughness, Combat Caster.
Bardic Music (Su): Has evolved to influence and control battles and negotiations more profoundly through enchanted melodies. Unbound (Ex): Immunity to charm and compulsion spells and effects. Suggestion (Sp): Can make a compelling suggestion to a target within range.
Possessions: Rapier, lyre, mithril medium armor.
At Level 20, the Fochlucan Bard reaches the peak of his versatile prowess, mastering the arts of the Bard, Druid, and Exemplar. With a wide array of skills, magical competencies, and inspiring performances, he is a formidable presence on any battlefield and in diplomacy. His Jump skill, fueled by various bonuses, transcends normal limits, making him an unparalleled negotiator and acrobat.
Fochlucan Bard: male, Half-Elf Bard 5/Druid 5/Fochlucan Lyrist 5/Exemplar 5; CR 20; Medium humanoid (half-elf); HD 5d6+5d8+5d6+5d6; hp 75; Init +0; Spd 30 ft.; AC 10, touch 10, flat-footed 10 (no armor); Base Atk +15; Grp +15; Atk +17 melee (1d6+1/18-20, Rapier) or +15 ranged; Full Atk +17 melee (1d6+1/18-20, Rapier) or +15 ranged; SA Bardic Music, Bardic Knowledge, Wild Empathy, Animal Companion, Nature’s Sense, Wild Shape (1/day), Unbound, Suggestion, Inspire Courage +3, Inspire Greatness, Skill Artistry (Jump, Diplomacy), Persuasive Performance; SQ Countersong, Fascinate, Inspire Competence, Woodland Stride, Trackless Step, Resist Nature’s Lure, Sustaining Performance, Skill Mastery; AL Any; SV Fort +12, Ref +7, Will +13; Str 14, Dex 10, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 15, Cha 18.
Decipher Script +18, Diplomacy +18, Gather Information +18, Jump +23 (with bonuses +418), Knowledge (Nature) +18, Perform (String) +18, Sleight of Hand +18, Tumble +15; Skill Focus (Jump), Nymph’s Kiss, Power Attack, Run, Improved Toughness, Combat Caster, Heavy Armor Proficiency, Acrobatic.
Bardic Music (Su): The bard can use his music or poetics up to 20 times per day to produce magical effects that manipulate friends and foes alike. Unbound (Ex): Immunity to charm and compulsion spells and effects. Suggestion (Sp): Can make a compelling suggestion to a target within range. Persuasive Performance (Ex): Can use a performance to alter audience’s opinions significantly. Wild Shape (Su): Transform into any small or medium animal up to 2/day.
Possessions: Rapier, lyre, full plate made of ironwood.
Critical Milestones of Level Distribution
- Level 1: Begin with Bardic Music, Knowledge, and a rapier in hand.
- Level 3: Gain Inspire Competence, bolstering your allies’ skills.
- Level 6: Embrace your Druid side with Wild Empathy and an Animal Companion.
- Level 10: Achieve Wild Shape, transforming into creatures of nature.
- Level 13: As a Fochlucan Lyrist, enhance your Inspire Courage ability.
- Level 16: As an Exemplar, attain Skill Artistry and Skill Mastery for unparalleled expertise.
Equipment Progression
- Early Levels: Focus on a trusty rapier and light armor for mobility.
- Mid Levels: Acquire magical instruments to enhance your bardic performances.
- Late Levels: Seek out items that boost your spellcasting and survivability.
Combat Strategies for Fochlucan College Bard Build
The battlefield is your stage, and as a Fochlucan College Bard, you’ll need to know how to perform. Your tactics will vary greatly depending on the situation, but your role is always to support your allies. Whether you’re weaving spells, enchanting with music, or engaging in combat, your diverse skill set allows for a dynamic approach to every encounter.
- Use Bardic Music to control the flow of battle with buffs and debuffs.
- Employ Druid spells for control, healing, and damage when needed.
- Stay mobile, using your acrobatic skills to avoid direct confrontation.
Utilizing Magic and Music: Synergistic Abilities
Not only should you consider what you can accomplish, but also how to improve your party. Battles can be won or lost by your music, which can energize allies and weaken the resolve of your opponents. In the interim, you can manipulate the terrain, call allies, and mend injuries with your druidic magic. The secret is to combine these components in a way that gives your enemies a symphony of destruction while providing your allies with a peaceful haven.
Party Synergy
Because of your unique blend of abilities, you’re the glue that holds the party together. You can fill in the gaps, whether that means healing, fighting, or providing that crucial bit of knowledge that leads to victory. Most importantly, your versatility means you’re never out of options, and that’s something every party can appreciate.
- Boost your warrior’s prowess with Inspire Courage.
- Enhance your wizard’s spells with your knowledge of arcane secrets.
- Protect your rogue with obscuring mists and entangling roots.
- Strengthen the resolve of your party with stirring anthems and heroic ballads.
Combat Scenarios for the Fochlucan College Bard
A silent signal from an ally or a rustle in the undergrowth alert you to the impending ambush. Maintaining composure and making the most of your bardic skills are crucial in this situation. Your music has the power to swiftly increase the resolve of your allies or confuse your attackers long enough to reverse the situation.
Ambushes
- Assess the situation: Determine if enemies are hidden and using stealth or magic.
- Use Countersong to disrupt enemy spellcasters and create an opening for your party.
- Leverage Suggestion to convince ambushers to switch sides or retreat.
- Inspire courage through bardic music to enhance your party’s combat abilities.
Defensive Stands
- Hold your ground by using druidic spells to create barriers while bolstering allies with music.
- Utilize Exemplar training to help allies succeed in critical abilities through Skill Mastery.
Urban Encounters
- Apply bardic knowledge to find hidden paths or uncover secret alliances.
- Leverage local lore and social navigation skills to gain an advantage in urban skirmishes.
Strengths & Weaknesses of Fochlucan College Bard Build
As with any character, a Fochlucan Bard has both strengths and weaknesses.
| Weakness | Counter |
|---|---|
| Physical Vulnerability | Stay mobile and use the terrain to your advantage. |
| Limited Spell Selection | Choose spells wisely to cover a wide range of scenarios. |
| Dependency on Instruments | Protect instruments and carry backups. |
| Split Focus | Focus on synergy between bardic and druidic abilities for powerful combos. |
| Resource Management | Manage bardic performances and spells carefully, prioritizing based on the encounter. |
Roleplaying Themes for the Fochlucan College Bard
Embracing a character that is as rich in personality as they are in abilities is what makes playing a Fochlucan Bard about more than just fighting techniques and stats. This character combines the qualities of a storyteller, wise man, and traveler into one.
Embodying the Bard: Character Development
When you roleplay a Fochlucan Bard, you’re not just playing a character; you’re bringing to life a persona that is equal parts entertainer, scholar, and mystic. Your character’s development should reflect the depth and breadth of their experiences and the wisdom they’ve gained from their dual studies of music and nature.
- The balance between the wild and the civilized, and finding harmony in both.
- The pursuit of knowledge and the sharing of stories, songs, and sagas.
- The duality of serving both as a guardian of nature and a performer in society.
- The quest for personal growth and the mastery of the lyrical and the magical.
Cultural Influence & Traditions
Embracing a character that is as rich in personality as they are in abilities is what makes playing a Fochlucan Bard about more than just fighting techniques and stats. This character combines the qualities of a storyteller, wise man, and traveler into one.
Cultural Influence & Traditions of Fochlucan College Bard
- Harmony with nature: Fochlucan Bards are taught to live in balance with the natural world, respecting its power and beauty.
- The sharing of wisdom: Knowledge is to be shared, not hoarded. As a Fochlucan Bard, you’re expected to spread the college’s teachings.
- Artistic expression: Music and storytelling are considered sacred arts, capable of healing souls and shaping destinies.
- Defense of the realm: When the natural order is threatened, Fochlucan Bards are called to defend it.
As a Fochlucan Bard, your presence enriches every adventure, your melodies become the soundtrack to countless tales of valor, and your wisdom guides the path through the darkest of woods. Your journey is one of balance, harmony, and the pursuit of knowledge, all while wielding the power of nature and song.
FAQ
What’s the role of the Fochlucan College Bard in a Party?
As a Fochlucan Bard, you are the heart of the party. Your music lifts spirits, your spells protect, and your wisdom guides. You’re as versatile as you are vital, a bridge between worlds and a beacon in the dark for your companions.
What should I focus on while leveling Up a Fochlucan College Bard?
Concentrate on improving your druidic spells and bardic performances as you gain experience. Select feats that enhance your support role, and remember that your skills are just as much a part of your toolkit as your magic or rapier.
- Level 1: Begin with Bardic Music, Knowledge, and a rapier in hand.
- Level 6: Embrace your Druid side with Wild Empathy and an Animal Companion.
- Level 10: Achieve Wild Shape, transforming into creatures of nature.
- Level 16: As an Exemplar, attain Skill Artistry and Skill Mastery for unparalleled expertise.
What sort of equipment should I focus on?
Your equipment should reflect your dual nature. Start with a rapier and light armor, and as you progress, seek out magical instruments and items that enhance your bardic and druidic abilities. Always have a backup plan—extra strings for your lute, a hidden dagger for close encounters, and components for your spells.
Join Our Community of Epic Adventures
Your journey as a Fochlucan College Bard is just beginning, and there’s a world of fellow adventurers waiting to join you. Whether you’re seeking advice, sharing your latest tale, or looking for a group to join, our community is the perfect place to continue your adventure.
Leave a Reply