This is a W.I.P. (Work In Progress) Playtest Version. [2023.09.25]

The Dungeon Master reserves the right to make any alterations to this in order to keep the game balanced and fun for everyone.

Bard Subclass: College of the Inscribed Codex

Bards of the College of the Inscribed Codex have unlocked the mysteries of inscriptive magic, weaving their tales through enchanted cards. These bards draw upon the power of their deck to support their allies or confound their enemies.

Level 3: Bonus Proficiencies

When you join the College of the Inscribed Codex at 3rd level, you gain proficiency with the Arcana skill, and you gain proficiency with one type of artisan's tools of your choice.

Level 3: Deck of Arcane Inscriptions

Starting at 3rd level, you gain a unique Deck of Arcane Inscriptions. This deck starts with 16 cards and consists of the following types:

Spell Cards (2): During a short or long rest, you may imprint any spell you know onto them. Once imprinted, you can cast the spell directly from the card. After use, this card becomes expended until you imprint it again on a short or long rest.
Inscription Cards (8): During a short or long rest, you may imprint any inscription you know onto them. You can change out any imprinted inscriptions during a short or long rest.
Aura Cards (6): Static cards that are always a part of the deck.

You can take an action to shuffle and pull a single card from the deck. Knowing the effect of the card, you can target an ally or a foe within 60 feet to affect a creature or target.

Inscription Abilities

Choose these during a long rest:

Helpful Inscriptions

Verse of Vigor: The targeted ally gains advantage on strength-based checks and saving throws until the start of your next turn.
Verse of Agility: The targeted ally gains advantage on dexterity-based checks and saving throws until the start of your next turn.
Verse of Endurance: The targeted ally gains advantage on constitution-based checks and saving throws until the start of your next turn.
Verse of Knowledge: The targeted ally gains advantage on intelligence-based checks and saving throws until the start of your next turn.
Verse of Perception: The targeted ally gains advantage on wisdom-based checks and saving throws until the start of your next turn.
Verse of Charm: The targeted ally gains advantage on charisma-based checks and saving throws until the start of your next turn.
Guiding Verse: All attacks by the target ally have advantage until the start of your next turn.
Harmonic Resonance: Targeted ally gains temporary hit points equal to your bardic inspiration die (rolled but not expended) plus your proficiency bonus.
Bard's Favor: Targeted ally gets a bonus to their AC equal to your charisma modifier until the start of your next turn.
Inspired Momentum: The targeted ally can immediately move up to half their speed without provoking opportunity attacks.
Courageous Anthem: The targeted ally is immune to being frightened, charmed or possessed until the start of your next turn. If they are already under one of these effects, the effect is ended.
Soothing Hum: The targeted ally is relieved from one condition of choice.
Protective Cadence: The targeted ally gains resistance to one damage type of your choice (e.g., fire, cold, etc.) until the start of your next turn.
Rhythmic Replication: Targeted ally gains advantage on damage dice until the start of your next turn. Damage dice are rolled twice and the higher roll is used.
Windswept Melody: The targeted ally gains a flying speed equal to their walking speed until the start of your next turn. If they are still airborne when this effect ends, they float gently to the ground.
Soothing Shield: The targeted ally heals an amount of hit points equal to 4 times your proficiency bonus.
Heroic Ballad: The targeted ally deals extra psychic damage equal to your inspiration dice (dice size used but not expended) until the start of your next turn.
Graceful Waltz: The targeted ally can use actions and bonus actions interchangeably until the start of your next turn.
Focused Ode: The targeted ally gains advantage on attack rolls until the start of your next turn.
Critical Crescendo: The targeted ally does not critically fail on a d20 roll of 1 (always rerolls a d20 roll of 1) and critically succeeds on 19 and 20 until the start of your next turn.

Hindering Inscriptions

Insult of Vigor: The targeted enemy has disadvantage on strength-based checks and saving throws until the start of your next turn.
Insult of Agility: The targeted enemy has disadvantage on dexterity-based checks and saving throws until the start of your next turn.
Insult of Endurance: The targeted enemy has disadvantage on constitution-based checks and saving throws until the start of your next turn.
Insult of Knowledge: The targeted enemy has disadvantage on intelligence-based checks and saving throws until the start of your next turn.
Insult of Perception: The targeted enemy has disadvantage on wisdom-based checks and saving throws until the start of your next turn.
Insult of Charm: The targeted enemy has disadvantage on charisma-based checks and saving throws until the start of your next turn.
Rhythm of Restraint: The targeted enemy cannot take reactions until the start of your next turn.
Tone of Turbulence: The next spell the targeted enemy casts requires a concentration check to cast.
Discordant Note: The targeted enemy has disadvantage on the next attack roll they make before the end of their next turn.
Ballad of Bile: The targeted enemy is poisoned until the start of your next turn.
Harsh Lament: The targeted enemy cannot regain hit points until the start of your next turn.
Whispers of Woe: The targeted enemy suffers a penalty to their AC equal to your charisma modifier until the start of your next turn.
Echoes of Enfeeblement: The targeted enemy deals half damage with their next attack until the start of your next turn.
Song of Silence: The targeted enemy is unable to cast spells with verbal components until the start of your next turn.
Canticle of Clumsiness: The targeted enemy kneels (prone) until the start of your next turn.
Refrain of Reluctance: The targeted enemy expends their reaction attacking a creature within melee.
Aria of Apathy: The targeted enemy takes psychic damage equal to your bardic inspiration dice (rolled but not expended) plus your proficiency bonus.
Sorrowful Serenade: Any ally of the targeted enemy within 10 feet takes psychic damage equal to your bardic inspiration die (rolled but not expended) plus your proficiency bonus.
Chant of Chains: The targeted enemy is restrained until the start of your next turn.
Critical Chorale: The targeted enemy can no longer critically succeed on d20 rolls and critically fails on rolls of 1 and 2 until the start of your next turn.

Allies' Aura Cards

The Peasant: Targeted ally gains 1d4 to attack rolls until the start of your next turn.
The Guard: Targeted ally gains 1d4 to saving throws until the start of your next turn.
The Nomad: Targeted ally gains +1 to their AC until the start of your next turn.

Foes' Aura Cards

The Beggar: Targeted enemy reduces attack rolls by 1d4 until the start of your next turn.
The Thief: Targeted enemy reduces saving throws by 1d4 until the start of your next turn.
The Hoaxer: Targeted enemy gains -1 penalty to their AC until the start of your next turn.

Level 6: Expanded Deck

At 6th level, your deck expands. Add 2 more Spell Cards and 4 more Inscription Cards.

When you draw a card, you can now draw two cards and choose which one to use. Aura Cards dice are increased to d6, penalties/buffs are increased to 2.

Additionally, you gain the following Aura Cards:

The Mason: Targeted ally gains 2d6 to hit points.
The Carpenter: Targeted enemy takes 2d6 psychic damage.

Level 14: Master Inscriber

At 14th level, your deck expands. Add 2 more Spell Cards and 4 more Inscription Cards.

When you draw a card, you can now draw three cards and choose which one to use. Aura Cards dice are increased to d8, penalties/buffs are increased to 3.

Whenever you use a card on an ally, they now also gain hit points equal to your inspiration dice (rolled but not expended) and when you use a card on an enemy, they take psychic damage equal to your inspiration dice (rolled but not expended).

Additionally, spell cards can now be used twice before they are fully expended and need to be imprinted during a short or long rest.

Inscribed Codex Deck List Reference Tables

Inscribed Codex Deck List Reference Tables PDF

Below are comprehensive reference tables showing all cards in the Inscribed Codex deck at different character levels:

Hearts Suit (Helpful Inscriptions & Auras)
Card	Type	Effect	Requirements
Ace of Hearts	Spell Imprint	Imprint any spell you know and cast it from the card.	Level 3+
King of Hearts	Inscription	Verse of Vigor: Ally gains advantage on STR checks and saves until your next turn.	Level 3+
Queen of Hearts	Inscription	Verse of Agility: Ally gains advantage on DEX checks and saves until your next turn.	Level 3+
Jack of Hearts	Inscription	Verse of Endurance: Ally gains advantage on CON checks and saves until your next turn.	Level 3+
10 of Hearts	Inscription	Verse of Knowledge: Ally gains advantage on INT checks and saves until your next turn.	Level 3+
9 of Hearts	Inscription	Verse of Perception: Ally gains advantage on WIS checks and saves until your next turn.	Level 3+
8 of Hearts	Inscription	Verse of Charm: Ally gains advantage on CHA checks and saves until your next turn.	Level 3+
7 of Hearts	Inscription	Guiding Verse: Ally's attacks have advantage until your next turn.	Level 3+
6 of Hearts	Inscription	Harmonic Resonance: Ally gains temp HP = bardic die + proficiency.	Level 3+
5 of Hearts	Inscription	Bard's Favor: Ally gains AC bonus = CHA mod until your next turn.	Level 3+
4 of Hearts	Inscription	Inspired Momentum: Ally moves half speed without opportunity attacks.	Level 3+
3 of Hearts	Aura	The Peasant: Ally gains 1d4 to attacks (1d6 at L6, 1d8 at L14) until your next turn.	Level 3+
2 of Hearts	Aura	The Guard: Ally gains 1d4 to saves (1d6 at L6, 1d8 at L14) until your next turn.	Level 3+

Diamonds Suit (Helpful Inscriptions & Auras)
Card	Type	Effect	Requirements
Ace of Diamonds	Spell Imprint	Imprint any spell you know and cast it from the card.	Level 6+
King of Diamonds	Inscription	Courageous Anthem: Ally is immune to frightened/charmed/possessed. Ends existing effects.	Level 6+
Queen of Diamonds	Inscription	Soothing Hum: Remove one condition from ally.	Level 6+
Jack of Diamonds	Inscription	Protective Cadence: Ally gains resistance to one damage type until your next turn.	Level 6+
10 of Diamonds	Inscription	Rhythmic Replication: Ally gains advantage on damage dice until your next turn.	Level 6+
9 of Diamonds	Inscription	Windswept Melody: Ally gains flying speed = walking speed until your next turn.	Level 6+
8 of Diamonds	Inscription	Soothing Shield: Ally heals 4× proficiency bonus HP.	Level 6+
7 of Diamonds	Inscription	Heroic Ballad: Ally deals extra psychic damage = bardic die until your next turn.	Level 6+
6 of Diamonds	Inscription	Graceful Waltz: Ally can use actions/bonus actions interchangeably until your next turn.	Level 6+
5 of Diamonds	Inscription	Focused Ode: Ally gains advantage on attack rolls until your next turn.	Level 6+
4 of Diamonds	Inscription	Critical Crescendo: Ally rerolls natural 1s, crits on 19-20 until your next turn.	Level 6+
3 of Diamonds	Aura	The Nomad: Ally gains +1 AC (+2 at L6, +3 at L14) until your next turn.	Level 3+
2 of Diamonds	Aura	The Mason: Ally gains 2d6 HP (2d8 at L14).	Level 6+

Clubs Suit (Hindering Inscriptions & Auras)
Card	Type	Effect	Requirements
Ace of Clubs	Spell Imprint	Imprint any spell you know and cast it from the card.	Level 14+
King of Clubs	Inscription	Insult of Vigor: Enemy has disadvantage on STR checks and saves until your next turn.	Level 3+
Queen of Clubs	Inscription	Insult of Agility: Enemy has disadvantage on DEX checks and saves until your next turn.	Level 3+
Jack of Clubs	Inscription	Insult of Endurance: Enemy has disadvantage on CON checks and saves until your next turn.	Level 3+
10 of Clubs	Inscription	Insult of Knowledge: Enemy has disadvantage on INT checks and saves until your next turn.	Level 3+
9 of Clubs	Inscription	Insult of Perception: Enemy has disadvantage on WIS checks and saves until your next turn.	Level 3+
8 of Clubs	Inscription	Insult of Charm: Enemy has disadvantage on CHA checks and saves until your next turn.	Level 3+
7 of Clubs	Inscription	Rhythm of Restraint: Enemy cannot take reactions until your next turn.	Level 3+
6 of Clubs	Inscription	Tone of Turbulence: Enemy's next spell requires concentration check to cast.	Level 3+
5 of Clubs	Inscription	Discordant Note: Enemy has disadvantage on next attack roll.	Level 3+
4 of Clubs	Inscription	Ballad of Bile: Enemy is poisoned until your next turn.	Level 3+
3 of Clubs	Aura	The Beggar: Enemy gets -1d4 to attacks (-1d6 at L6, -1d8 at L14) until your next turn.	Level 3+
2 of Clubs	Aura	The Thief: Enemy gets -1d4 to saves (-1d6 at L6, -1d8 at L14) until your next turn.	Level 3+

Spades Suit (Hindering Inscriptions & Auras)
Card	Type	Effect	Requirements
Ace of Spades	Spell Imprint	Imprint any spell you know and cast it from the card.	Level 14+
King of Spades	Inscription	Harsh Lament: Enemy cannot regain HP until your next turn.	Level 6+
Queen of Spades	Inscription	Whispers of Woe: Enemy gets AC penalty = your CHA mod until your next turn.	Level 6+
Jack of Spades	Inscription	Echoes of Enfeeblement: Enemy's next attack deals half damage.	Level 6+
10 of Spades	Inscription	Song of Silence: Enemy cannot cast spells with verbal components until your next turn.	Level 6+
9 of Spades	Inscription	Canticle of Clumsiness: Enemy is prone until your next turn.	Level 6+
8 of Spades	Inscription	Refrain of Reluctance: Enemy expends reaction to attack melee creature.	Level 6+
7 of Spades	Inscription	Aria of Apathy: Enemy takes psychic damage = bardic die + proficiency.	Level 6+
6 of Spades	Inscription	Sorrowful Serenade: Enemies within 10 ft take psychic damage = bardic die + proficiency.	Level 6+
5 of Spades	Inscription	Chant of Chains: Enemy is restrained until your next turn.	Level 6+
4 of Spades	Inscription	Critical Chorale: Enemy cannot crit, crits fail on 1-2 until your next turn.	Level 6+
3 of Spades	Aura	The Hoaxer: Enemy gets -1 AC (-2 at L6, -3 at L14) until your next turn.	Level 3+
2 of Spades	Aura	The Carpenter: Enemy takes 2d6 psychic damage (2d8 at L14).	Level 6+

Jokers (Spell Imprints)
Card	Type	Effect	Requirements
Red Joker	Spell Imprint	Imprint any spell you know and cast it from the card.	Level 3+
Black Joker	Spell Imprint	Imprint any spell you know and cast it from the card.	Level 14+

Deck Progression Summary:

Level 3: 16 cards total (2 spell cards, 8 inscription cards, 6 aura cards) — Draw 1 card
Level 6: 22 cards total (4 spell cards, 12 inscription cards, 6 aura cards) — Draw 2, choose 1 — Aura dice improve to d6, bonuses to +2
Level 14: 28 cards total (6 spell cards, 16 inscription cards, 6 aura cards) — Draw 3, choose 1 — Aura dice improve to d8, bonuses to +3 — Spell cards usable twice before expended — Ally cards grant bardic inspiration HP, enemy cards deal bardic inspiration psychic damage