D&D 5E Can Bard cast Word of Recall?

[jrowland]

Well, I think this is clearly a rulings-not-rules case.

The raw for the spell assumes a cleric (it is on the cleric spell list).

A) Clerics specify a deity, but bards do not.
B) When clerics gain things like "fireball" from domain spells, they are considered Cleric spells
C) When Bards gain spells like "Word of Recall", they are considered Bard spells

The question then, which is more specific? Word of Recall as a Bard spell (and thereby bypassing references to deities) or the language of the spell itself?

 

[Cap'n Kobold]

What if my character chooses to worship each member of the pantheon when appropriate? According to a bunch of references, that's how most FR inhabitants seem to do things, and in a world where gods have restricted domains seems like the sensible thing to do.

Remember that you need to designate the sanctuary by casting the spell in it before you can use the spell to transport you there.
So the Bard would appear in whichever temple, church or other area she had last prepared as her sanctuary.

I think as-written, the Bard needs to have faith in a deity and choose a sanctuary dedicated to that deity.

That being said, I think this suggestion is a pretty good one. Also reminds me of a scene in The Dresden Files when an Incubus-like character has to magically transport himself and a paladin-like character. The latter wasn't too pleased with where they ended up.

If the bard worships a god of music/entertainment, learning or . . . ahem, then a concert hall, museum or bordello is likely to be "strongly linked to your deity". Works fine by RAW.

Well, I think this is clearly a rulings-not-rules case.

The raw for the spell assumes a cleric (it is on the cleric spell list).

A) Clerics specify a deity, but bards do not.
B) When clerics gain things like "fireball" from domain spells, they are considered Cleric spells
C) When Bards gain spells like "Word of Recall", they are considered Bard spells

The question then, which is more specific? Word of Recall as a Bard spell (and thereby bypassing references to deities) or the language of the spell itself?

No rulings needed really. Unless the bard is specifically nonreligious, the spell works fine as written.

 

[JustTom]

Well, I think this is clearly a rulings-not-rules case.

The raw for the spell assumes a cleric (it is on the cleric spell list).

A) Clerics specify a deity, but bards do not.
B) When clerics gain things like "fireball" from domain spells, they are considered Cleric spells
C) When Bards gain spells like "Word of Recall", they are considered Bard spells

The question then, which is more specific? Word of Recall as a Bard spell (and thereby bypassing references to deities) or the language of the spell itself?

Clerics who gain the ability to cast spells through their domains still have to obey the requirements of that spell. The fact that Word of Recall is cast as a bard spell doesn't mean the bard does not have to meet the requirements of the spell in order to cast it.

 

[Mallus]

The question should be, "How can I do something interesting when a Bard casts Word of Recall?", not just "Can a Bard cast it?"

If the Bard keeps casts Word of Recall (or makes a habit out of it), I'd have an emissary of the deity show up and say, "Oh, so you're a believer now? Great! There's something you can help me out with...". I'd also have the bard "sanctify" an inn, performance venue, or brothel. Thus making it funnier when the angel, archon, or principality of the air shows up.

It's rules-legal for a high level Lord Bard to cast it. The trick is to make the resulting situation amusing...

 

[jrowland]

No rulings needed really. Unless the bard is specifically nonreligious, the spell works fine as written.

I think its perfectly within the rules to designate something non-religious/deity-specific as a sanctuary, as long as that place has "sanctuary" significance. An atheist court-jester could designate his atheist liege-lord's throne room and the spell would work fine in my ruling.

More to my point, I don't think it breaks raw, either, as declaring a deity/religion is not a requirement either. Clerics of Secular Ideals are perfectly valid. No deity needed.

 

[jgsugden]

Ask your DM. They hold the only answer that matters. There are a lot of ways to interpret the RAW, here, as the language was not tailored with bards attempting to cast the spell in mind.

 

[BoldItalic]

Since Word of Recall specifies you have to serve a diety to use it, can a bard get this spell (and why/why not)?

Yes, any bard can get this spell, via Magical Secrets at 14th level or 18th level. However, if the bard is an atheist he won't be able to use it so in that case he would be well advised to choose a different spell.

 

[JackOfAllTirades]

The suggestion that any D&D character would by lacking a patron deity is laughable. The idea of not believing/following any gods in a world where physical proof of their existence, their power, and their constant interest in mortal affairs makes absolutely no sense.

So yes, a Bard most likely has a patron deity. He has sufficient character levels to cast Word of Recall. And he has a class feature which gives him access to it.

 

[devincutler]

Sometimes I feel like the only looser who cares about the rules.

Sometimes I feel like the only LOSER who can spell LOSER properly.

 

[BoldItalic]

Sometimes I feel like the only LOSER who can spell LOSER properly.

You and me, brother. Youngsters today :rollseyes:

I blame spell chequers.