Bards and Advanced Magical Specialties Vol I

Bards and Advanced Magical Specialties Vol I by Aneirin Menelaos Lorewarden of Vorin

Foreword

With the ascension of Lady Andria and the sweeping reformation of the Academy of Mortal Magic that followed the appearance
—and subsequent destruction—of the Red Star, much has changed in the arcane world. Among these changes is recognition long overdue:
No longer the Ass-mages of old, Bards are now recognized as arcane users and permitted as full members of the Academy,
and thus may seek instruction in the higher disciplines known as Advanced Magic Specializations.

Some years past, I acquired a singular tome of great value—_Magic Specialization Lesson Plan_ by Zel'on Val'ik Dal'du'ro,
esteemed arcanist of the Blue Order of the Sky. Within its pages lay the seeds of many great understandings, among them
an introduction to the enigmatic path of Spellreaving, but also brief insights into a number of other advanced disciplines.

What follows is a modest collection of observations, with a particular eye toward the bardic tradition. I offer these thoughts
not as definitive rulings, but as guidance—for the road of the bard in higher magic is one yet largely untrodden.

Elementalism and the Bard

The tome begins with the school of Elementalism, divided into three focused paths: Aeromancer (Air and Electricity), Cryomancer (Cold),
and Pyromancer (Fire). Each path embodies a singular elemental force.

Primary Feature: Elementalists may alter spells of Evocation and Conjuration to match their chosen element, enhancing the spell’s destructive
power with each level of mastery. Regrettably, bards possess few spells from these schools and even fewer aligned with elemental damage.
Thus, we are ill-positioned to benefit from this specialization's primary strength.

Secondary Feature: Elementalists cast spells from the aforementioned schools with increased potency, as if they had trained for additional
seasons—one extra per tier. This enhancement would apply to bardic spells of the appropriate schools and is of some utility.

Tertiary Feature: When casting a spell of their aligned element, the Elementalist gains a brief healing surge and a warding shield.
Yet few bardic spells can trigger this effect, if any.

Conclusion: While Elementalism may dazzle with elemental fury, it holds little value for those of the bardic path. Its benefits lie beyond our reach.

Fatespinner and the Bard

At first glance, the art of Fatespinning appears aligned with bardic thought. It is steeped in Divination,
a school that resonates with those who oft weave fate, story, and song into one.

Divinatory Synergy: Bards do command a handful of spells from this school—modest in number but meaningful in purpose,
especially for those who seek lore and foresight.

Primary Feature: The Fatespinner may imbue spells with a force known as “spin,” twisting the strands of fate to make their
spells more difficult to evade and potentially more devastating. However, Fatespinning is an offensive art, and it appears that
few of the spells recognized as 'spinnable' are available to us. Whether bardic spells may be spun remains uncertain,
and without that clarity, the path may prove elusive.

Secondary Feature: Upon reaching greater mastery, the Fatespinner gains a similar enhancement to caster strength across all spells
—not limited to Divination. This provides modest benefit to the bard regardless of primary school.

Conclusion: Though the Fatespinner walks close to the bard’s domain, its deepest secrets may remain inaccessible.
Until it is known whether bardic magic may be spun, the path remains uncertain.

Arcane Adept and the Bard

Unlike the paths above, the Arcane Adept is uniquely suited to those who have walked both the bardic road and the halls of wizardry or sorcery.

Primary Feature: The Adept may cast any spell—bardic or otherwise—using the highest of their two professions.
Thus, a bard who has trained more deeply as a wizard or sorcerer may channel spells of both callings with unified strength.

Secondary Feature: This path also confers a subtle but tangible enhancement to all spellwork.

Tertiary Feature: None known or recorded.

Conclusion: The Arcane Adept is a powerful choice for bards who have delved into the greater mysteries of arcane
study through wizardry or sorcery. Those who walk this dual arcane path will find in this specialization a natural harmony.

Final Words

In reflection:

Elementalism offers little to the bard.

Fatespinner on the surface has synergy with the Bards talents, the panoply of spinnable spells are unavailable to Bards,
and it is unclear if any Bard spells are spinnable at all.

Arcane Adept stands out as a clear and rewarding path for those with dual arcane training.

It must be remembered: none of these disciplines were forged with the bard in mind. And yet, the bard’s strength has ever
been in adaptation, in turning the tools of others into the instruments of our own song.

With wit, will, and wisdom, the bard may yet stand as an equal among the most studied mages of the age.