D&D 5E Character build help/discussion: Have I made a bard?

[WookieCutie]

I am soon starting a new campaign, that is based on a post-apocalyptic 5e environment, where basic resources are scarce. Survival will be the general theme of the campaign overall, with lots of role-playing to get out of tricky situations. We all start at level 1.

At the moment, we are a party of 3 PCs: - Artificer (that will become Battlesmith) - Ranger - Myself

Given what I know about the campaign (which is about as much mentioned above), I ended up with a Mark of Hospitality Celestial TomeLock. My reasoning is that:

1. Mark of hospitality provides good utility spells
2. Not in the warlock spell list
3. which you could inscribe in your ritual book, freeing up some of your prepared spells slots
4. whilst having an expanded spell list by being a celestial
5. agonizing blast will add some solid damage starting next level
6. and you are CHA based

Thus I have ended up with a well-rounded support character, that can deal some damage, heal as needed, provide utility spells and be good in social interactions...

Have I home-made a bard?

Is there merit in sticking do the original build over just turning the character into a bard, go college of Lore instead +/- going v.Human for Magic Initiate/Ritual Caster?

Any help will be greatly appreciated.!

 

[Salthorae]

Have I home-made a bard?

Kind of? Are you proficient in an instrument or performance?

Seriously though, you've certainly built something that fills the role/void of the bard, yes.

+/- going v.Human for Magic Initiate/Ritual Caster?

if you're going v.Human yes those are great feats for this kind of a role.

If you do go bard, then Magic Initiate (Druid) or (Wizard) round out all the ritual spells you get already from the Bard list.

Is there merit in sticking do the original build over just turning the character into a bard,

The merit in it is because that was the character you envisioned. Just because it may not be the most mechanically optimal, or how someone else would do it... this Mark of Hospitality Tomelock is the character you envisioned.

It's a great concept/character and just because it mimics the bard's role, it is NOT the same.

You're not out there inspiring people and performing to do your magic. You have invocations and such to play with that are great fun on top of the book of shadows.

I'd say go with your current idea/build.