Satyr Bard 5e D&D Guide

The Satyr Bard is a whimsical symphony of talents, blending the grace of a woodland creature with the artistry of a skilled performer. 

Their enchanted pipes, known as “sylvan flutes,” emit melodies that can entrance even the most stoic of warriors or the most wizened of wizards.

A master of both words and music, the Satyr Bard regales their companions with epic tales of heroic triumphs and heartfelt sagas of love and loss. Their lyrics carry the power to heal wounds, inspire bravery, or ignite a passionate fire within the hearts of all who listen.

It’s not only their enchanting melodies that set them apart. Satyr Bards possess an uncanny knack for mischief and revelry. They are skilled pranksters, finding delight in light-hearted jests and clever tricks.

Satyr Bards embody the wild spirit of the Feywild, their steps a dance of merriment, and their laughter a spell that can lift the heaviest of spirits.

Creating a Satyr Bard

Satyrs

Satyrs have built up a well-earned reputation for their love of revels, good spirits, and gregarious personalities. 

It’s well known that Satyrs are driven by two very simple desires; to witness everything the world holds and to experience all of its pleasures.

Even though their whimsy and spontaneity put them at odds with more stoic people, Satyrs rarely allow others to hinder their own contentment.

Note: These features can be slightly changed or modified if some variations don’t fit your character.

Satyr Subraces

Satyrs are an all-male race, meaning they can’t birth pure-blooded Satyrs – well, at least what we know of.

That means they usually mated with others of the opposite sex, whether they are fey, dryads, oreads, or humans (especially humans).

Unfortunately, there aren’t any playable races already set up, but you can ask your DM to create, help you create, or allow you to create a subrace that aligns with the mating patterns of Satyrs.

Wizard Class Features

Hit Points

Proficiencies

Bard Colleges

Once you reach level 3, you’ll be able to unlock the techniques of different bard colleges; choosing one will give you specific features, so try optimizing your choices with your subrace.

Creation – College of Creation Bards are obsessed with the cosmos, believing it is a work of art, a creation of the first dragons and gods.

You can often hear them sing the Song of Creation, filling those around them with deep emotions.

Eloquence – College of Eloquence Bards are master orators, using persuasion, reason, and a well-spoken argument to solve most problems. These Bards are experts at plucking the heartstring of those listening and even winning over skeptics.

Glamour – College of Glamour Bards learned their craft in the Feywild, using their magic to enlighten and captivate those who listen to their song. There are tales of these Bards successfully lulling powerful dragons with their song and speech.

Lore – College of Lore Bards knows something of everything, having diverse knowledge about almost any matter. They are experts at unraveling lies, exposing corruption, and telling the truth in the most compelling manner.

Spirits – College of Spirits Bards study fiction, histories, and legends in search of great power. They use magic to call upon forces to once again change the world, just as in their books.

Swords – College of Swords Bards entertain through weapon prowess – swallowing swords, jugglings knives, and mocking combatants. They are skilled with weapons and often combine them with powerful magical effects.

Valor – College of Valor Bards tells the tales of legendary heroes, both in the past and in the present. They usually travel to these great events to catch a firsthand experience, which is why their songs are so emotional and detailed.

Whispers – College of Whispers Bards seem like ordinary Bards, singing and dancing as usual, but their motives are as dangerous as their teachings.

These Bards are wolves in sheep’s clothing. They uncover secrets and turn people against each other using threats and extortion. In most cases, these Bards claim to follow a different college, only revealing their true college when it is absolutely necessary.

Note: Watch out for College of Whispers Bards in royal courts and among the highest echelons of society, as they can worm themselves into any situation.

Combining Bard With Satyr

Determining Your Bard Subclass

Choosing your ideal subclass is subjective, but if your objective is optimization, try understanding what your character wants to do and what stats fit best with their subclass.

Optimal Satyr Subrace

Satyrs have a bonus to their Charisma (2) and Dexterity (1), which is precisely what Bards need.

Satyrs are one of the races that fit the Bard class the most, especially because of their love for song, women, and contagious laughter.

Satyrs even have a feature called Reveler, where they have proficiency with Performance and Persuasion skills, as well as one musical instrument they choose. If this doesn’t scream natural Bard – then I don’t know what does!

Your Satyr Bard Background

Your Satyr Bard needs a unique background that will affect its choices, as well as the way it sees the world and what it wants to achieve.

Start by asking yourself some basic questions: Where were they born, and where did they come from? Do they have any goals, bonds, or ideals, and what are their flaws? Where do they belong in social circles and society as a whole? What inspires them?

Place of Birth

Think of the environment a Satyr Bard grew up in and how it affected them physically and emotionally and eventually shaped their view of the world.

Try to make their place of birth and upbringing correspond with their personality traits, ideals, bonds, and flaws – this will truly bring their character alive.

Note: The birthplaces of races are usually mentioned in the Player’s Handbook or some of its expansion books.

Characteristics and Personality Traits

(Short outline of characteristics; are they proud, violent, or angry, and how does their class affect their personality).

Satyr Bard Examples:

• Nothing can shake my optimistic attitude.

• I have a good joke for every occasion, especially the occasions where humor is inappropriate.

Ideals, Bonds, and Flaws

Ideal – Express one ideal that is a driving force in a Satyr Bard’s life – their conviction, ethical principle, and moral standing.

I’m very loyal to my friends, not to any ideals, and everyone else can even take a trip down the Styx for all I care.

Bonds – Think of a single bond that your Satyr Bard has to an event, person, or place. Bonds will tie them to their background and can inspire bravery or stimulate memories driving them against their ideals.

My instrument is the possession I treasure the most, and it reminds me of someone I love.

Flaws – Choose a single flaw for a Satyr Bard- their unhealthy compulsion, greatest fear/weakness, or most vile vice.

I’m a sucker for a pretty face.

Inspiration

Inspiration can be used by the DM to reward you for playing according to your bond, personality traits, ideals, and flaw.

I hate seeing my friends being taken advantage of; I’d rather offer myself as the sacrificial lamb than see them suffer any longer.

Note: If you’re struggling to create your background or just don’t want to think, the Player’s Handbook has well-thought-through backgrounds that you can use for your character or use as a mold.

Supplies and Gear For Satyr Bards

Bards start with the following equipment, together with the equipment from their background. Choosing equipment based on your situation and your character’s proficiencies is the easiest way to go about things.

• (a) Rapier, (b) Longsword, or (c) Any simple weapon
• (a) Diplomat’s pack or (b) Entertainer’s pack
• (a) Lute or (b) Any other musical instrument
• Dagger and leather armor

You can decide how your character came about these goods – whether they stole, inherited, or purchased them some time back – adding to your character’s background.

Note: By using your starting wealth, you can buy your own equipment (5d4 x 10 GP for Bards).

Final Thoughts

Satyrs are probably the race that best fits the image of a Bard. Their mirth, revel, and desire summarize what Bards love, and their stats complement a Bard to a T!

Even their features, like Reveler and Mirthful Leaps, tell you that they’re suited for performance and persuasion. Not only that but since their creature type is Fey and not humanoid, one can argue that they have an even greater link to magic than normal mortals.

If you didn’t already get the idea that Satyrs are the perfect Bards when you read their description, then hopefully, you now understand just how great this character really is. In both roleplay and optimization, it’s great…even though I’m a bit biased!

You might also be interested in the following:

• Goliath Barbarian
• Goliath Fighter
• Goliath Paladin
• Satyr Barbarian
• Satyr Paladin