College of Heralds (5A)

This is a Bard subclass for 5A.

Formally The College of Heraldry, the herald is a messenger, a diplomat, and a judge of character and origin. They develop an encyclopedic knowledge of people, and especially those carrying coats of arms.

Subclass Features

Bonus Proficiencies

When you become a herald at 3rd level, you gain proficiency in History. If you are already proficient in History, you gain Expertise in History, as the 3rd level bard class feature.

Herald's Eye

At 3rd level when you take this subclass, your knowledge of people and coats of arms flourishes. You gain advantage on Intelligence (History) checks to identify humanoids, goblinoids, and dragons. If the creature you are attempting to identify displays a coat of arms or similar identifying mark, you automatically know the significance of that mark and what family or organization it represents. If the mark is individual (heraldry often has details identifying a particular individual noble), you automatically identify that individual by name and official allegiance.

Diplomat

At 3rd level, you can spend a use of your Bardic Inspiration as a reaction to add your bardic inspiration dice to a Charisma check you or another creature within 30 ft. of you makes. You do this after the roll but before the result is announced. If you know the name and identity of the main target of this Charisma check, this ability does not cost a use of your Bardic Inspiration.

Diplomatic Immunity

At 3rd level you learn the Sanctuary spell. Sanctuary becomes a bard spell to you but does not count against your limit of spells known. If you cast this spell with yourself as the target, it doesn't use up a spell slot.

Parley

Beginning at 6th level, you can pause a fight and invite to a short pause for negotiation and care of the wounded. As an action, you can call on all creatures within 30 ft. to make a break in the fight.

You cast Sanctuary on each creature in the area. A creature must see and hear you and be able to understand your words in order to either benefit or be hindered in their actions by this use of Sanctuary.

You can use this ability once, and regain the ability on a long or short rest.

Invoke Heraldic Design

At 14th level you can transform a creature into an image portrayed on their coat of arms. A creature must have a coat of arms or similar symbol to benefit from this ability, and you must be aware of what symbol that is.

You cast [Polymorph] on the target, transforming it into a creature displayed on the target's coat of arms. Alternative and giant forms of the creature are permissible, so if the target has a bee on their coat of arms you can transform them into a giant wasp. This version of Polymorph can transform the target into a creature of any creature type.

If the creature you transform the target into has lower lower challenge than the target has challenge or level, the the damage of each of its attacks in the new shape get a bonus equal to the difference in level, and its maximum and current hit points increases by five times this amount.

You can only use this once per day on a particular creature, regaining the ability at the end of a long rest.

Designer's Notes

Heralds are an important feature of medieval times, and continued to be in use for a long time. As portrayed here, the herald is mainly a diplomat and messenger of peace, tough the subclass certainly in not limited to pacifists. Invoke Heraldic Design is a spurious ability that has loads of potential problems and will require a lot of DM oversight.