Bard Items
Bards are one of the most joyous types of character to play alongside, or the most annoying. I fear however that many bards get caught in the trap of thinking all they do must relate to music. When tackling Bardic items, of course I wanted to add some more musical options, but I also tried to flesh out the more scholarly and storyteller side of Bards in this list.
Laureat’s Pin
Wondrous item, common
This pin is awarded to those who are honoured by the academic communities of different magical peoples. There are eight different kinds, as follows
- Elven Pin
- Dwarvish Pin
- Gnomish Pin
- Halfling Pin
- Draconic Pin
- Infernal Pin
- Orcish Pin
- Humane Pin
Whilst wearing one of these pins you can communicate with a creature of your associated pin, even if you don’t share a language, and you gain a +1 bonus to Charisma(Persuasion) checks you make involving them.
Lore Master’s Pipe
Wondrous item, uncommon (requires attunement by a bard)
This ash pipe carries whispers of old stories with every bellowing plume of smoke. If you smoke this pipe as part of a Long Rest you may gain old knowledge. You gain proficiency in one skill of your choosing that relies on Intelligence, Wisdom or Charisma, and you may prepare one Bard spell that you meet the prerequisites for. These bonuses last until you finish a Long Rest.
Spell Dancer’s Ribbon
Weapon (Whip), rare (requires attunement by a bard)
This flowing red whip sparkles gently as it flies through the air. You have a +1 bonus to attack and damage rolls made with this weapon, and you may use it as a spellcasting focus for Bard spells you cast.
Additionally, as part of the Bonus Action used to grant a creature bardic inspiration, you may take the Disengage action.
Writers Sidepiece
Weapon (Dagger), rare (requires attunement by a bard)
This dagger has large plumage spouting from the handle and dark liquid seemingly swirling within the blades tip, giving it the appearance of a quill.
You have a +1 bonus to attack and damage rolls made using this dagger, and while holding it you gain a +1 bonus to your spell save DC.
Whenever you grant a creature Bardic Inspiration, as long as there is a clear path directly between you and the creature, you may have the dagger fly to the creature and record it’s heroics. When the creature uses the granted Bardic Inspiration, the dagger reappears in your hand. The dagger deals additional damage equal to the amount rolled on the Bardic Inspiration die the next time it successfully damages a creature.
Storied Spectacles
Wondrous item, very rare (requires attunement by a bard)
These large black spectacles hide your soul as they record the scenes before you for history. These spectacles act as a Ring of Mind Shielding in addition to the following properties
- You gain Truesight out to 60 foot.
- You gain proficiency in Intelligence saving throws.
- As a Bonus Action you may study a creatureyou can see. Make a Charisma (Persuasion) check contested by a creature’s Wisdom (Insight) check. On a success you may ask your DM any one piece of information about the creatures stat block, such as alignment, CR or Condition Immunities, as you read their soul. In addition, until you remove the spectacles, you can tell whenever that creature is lying. You may use this Bonus Action twice, regaining usage upon finishing a Long Rest.
Yuna’s whistling top
Wondrous item, very rare (requires attunement by a bard)
This spinning top, made in memory of the founder of Lyrestone, emits a sweet high pitched whistle whilst spinning, and seems to want to join in with any nearby melodies, vibrating in their presence.
As a Magic action, you may spin this top. It connects to one of the frequencies of life, playing a slightly unique tune each time. Roll on the table below to decide which effect you receive. Alternatively, you may expend a use of your Bardic Inspiration to guide the top, choosing which effect to receive rather than rolling.
Either way, once you have spun the top, you must wait until you finish a Long Rest before receiving it’s benefits again.
Whistling Top effects
| d6 | Effect |
|---|---|
| 1 | Once in the next hour, you may cast Shatter at 7th level without expending a spell slot. |
| 2 | You gain 50 Hit Points, gain 20 Temporary Hit Points and you canot be Frightened or Charmed for 1 hour. |
| 3 | Once in the next hour, you may cast Plane Shift without expending a spell slot. |
| 4 | You gain the effects of the Glibness spell for 1 hour. |
| 5 | Once in the next hour, you may touch a small or tiny item and turn it to gold, increasing it’s value by up to 5’000 gp (DM’s Discretion) |
| 6 | For the next hour, you gain a +5 bonus to any saving throw you make to maintain Concentration |
Pen, Mightiest Sword
Weapon (Rapier), legendary (requires attunement by a bard)
This fine, ebony rapier drips with ink eager to etch new legend. You have a +3 bonus to attack and damage rolls made using this rapier.
Whenever you cast a level 1+ spell whilst holding this weapon, the next attack you make with it in the next minute has Advantage. When you score a Critical Hit with this weapon, you regain a use of your Bardic Inspiration feature.
Oisin’s Harp
Wondrous item, legendary (requires attunement by a bard or druid)
This simple, wooden harp was long the companion of Oisin, he who inherited the Fianna.
While holding this harp, you have a +3 bonus to your spell save DC and spell attack bonus and you gain Advantage on Charisma checks made involving Fey, Beasts or Plants.
As an action you can play the harp and summon 1d4+1 Awakened Trees in unoccupied spaces within 120 feet of you. The Awakened Trees are friendly to you and your allies and obey your verbal commands (no action required). They take their turn immediately after yours.
The Awakened Trees persist for up to an hour, after which time they take root and become non-magical oak trees.