Open Questions for the DM

  • Which Titan does Verimoss belong to? Virelan (shared knowledge) and Iboraen (dreams) both fit. Does Verimoss actually exist somewhere in the lore, or is it purely fabricated?
  • Where exactly did Syd grow up? Somewhere in or near the Verdant Forest.
  • What did Syd witness? The crime that got him arrested — does it connect to a current faction or tyrant?
  • Who arrested him? Are they still around? Part of the rebellion, or aligned with a tyrant?
  • Where is the mentor? Alive, dead, or something else?
  • The prophecies that work too well — Is a Titan actually paying attention?
  • The numbering — Syd believes in 12 prophets before him. The real number might be much smaller. How deep does the fraud go?

Decisions Made

  • Species: Gnome (Rock Gnome) — stoat reflavor
  • Class: Bard 6, College of Eloquence (TCoE)
  • Edition: 2024 PHB + Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything
  • Background: Wayfarer
  • Name: Sydney “Syd” Diem
  • Fake deity: Verimoss, scribe in a Titan’s court
  • Pronouns: he/him
  • Trinket: Black pirate flag with dragon skull and crossbones (d100: 96)

Stats (Standard Array)

StatScoreMod
STR8-1
DEX16+3
CON12+1
INT10+0
WIS13+1
CHA18+4
  • AC: 15 (Studded Leather)
  • HP: 39
  • Speed: 30 ft.
  • Initiative: +3
  • Proficiency Bonus: +3
  • Spell Save DC: 15
  • Spell Attack: +7

Key Features

  • Silver Tongue (Eloquence): Minimum 10 on Persuasion and Deception checks
  • Unsettling Words (Eloquence): Bonus action, subtract Bardic Inspiration die from a creature’s next save
  • Unfailing Inspiration (Eloquence): If Bardic Inspiration roll fails, creature keeps the die
  • Font of Inspiration: Regain all Bardic Inspiration on short or long rest; can also expend a spell slot to regain one use
  • Gnomish Cunning: Advantage on INT, WIS, CHA saves
  • Jack of All Trades: +1 to all non-proficient ability checks
  • Expertise: 2 skills
  • Universal Speech (TCoE): 1/long rest, 4 creatures magically understand you for 1 hour
  • Darkvision: 60 ft.
  • Rock Gnome: Mending, Prestidigitation cantrips; Tiny Clockwork Devices

Feats

  • Lvl 1 (Wayfarer): Lucky (PHB-2024 201) — 3 Luck Points/long rest
  • Lvl 4: Inspiring Leader (PHB-2024 204) — +1 WIS or CHA. After a short or long rest, give a performance: up to 6 allies within 30 ft. gain temp HP = character level + ability modifier (currently 10 temp HP each).

Proficiencies

  • Armor: Light
  • Weapons: Simple
  • Tools: Fiddle, Flute, Pan Flute, Thieves’ Tools
  • Languages: Common, Common Sign Language, Dwarvish
  • Saves: DEX +6, CHA +7

Notable Skills

SkillModNotes
Deception+10Likely Expertise, minimum 10 (Silver Tongue)
Performance+7Proficient
Persuasion+7Proficient, minimum 10 (Silver Tongue)
Insight+7Proficient
Intimidation+5
Stealth+6Proficient
Sleight of Hand+4
Passive Insight17
Passive Perception12

Spells

Cantrips: Vicious Mockery, Dancing Lights, True Strike, Mending*, Prestidigitation* (*from Gnomish Lineage)

1st Level (4 slots): Cure Wounds, Healing Word, Dissonant Whispers, Tasha’s Hideous Laughter

2nd Level (3 slots): Lesser Restoration, Phantasmal Force, Silence [R]

3rd Level (3 slots): Mass Healing Word, Tongues, Dispel Magic

Equipment Highlights

  • Studded Leather armor
  • Dagger (+6, 1d4+3 piercing)
  • Shortbow (+6, 1d6+3 piercing, 40 arrows)
  • Fiddle (Viol)
  • Book (the journal of mangled proverbs)
  • Disguise Kit
  • Costume
  • Mirror
  • Component Pouch
  • 400 GP

RP Notes on Mechanics

  • Silver Tongue = the con mechanically cannot fail on most NPCs. Syd’s minimum Deception is 20.
  • Inspiring Leader = Syd delivers a campfire prophecy and the party literally feels stronger. The fake divine blessing provides real mechanical benefit. That tension is chef’s kiss.
  • Phantasmal Force = literal “divine visions” only the target can see. Perfect prophet tool.
  • Unsettling Words before Tasha’s Hideous Laughter = weaken a save then hit them with a prophecy so absurd they collapse laughing.
  • Tiny Clockwork Devices = Syd can spend 10 minutes making little gadgets with Prestidigitation. “Holy relics” for sale? Props for the act?
  • Tongues = “Verimoss speaks through me in ALL languages!” (It’s a spell.)
  • Universal Speech = same energy, but the TCoE version.