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Alan-a-Dale

Alan-a-Dale
My Images (midjourney.com)
  • Alias: Allan-a-Dale
  • Gender: Male
  • Race: Human
  • Occupation: Minstrel, troubadour
  • Religion: Varies (typically follows the customs and beliefs of the region)
  • Allies: Robin Hood and his Merry Men, fellow travelers, common folk
  • Enemies: Corrupt nobles, oppressive authorities
  • Abode/Base of operations: Travels frequently, often found in forests, villages, and taverns
  • Nationality: English
  • Languages: Common, possibly others depending on regions traveled
  • Alignment: Neutral Good
  • Affiliation(s): Associated with Robin Hood’s band of Merry Men, known for aiding the oppressed and fighting against injustice
  • Significant others: Typically depicted as having a romantic tie to a sweetheart, often a damsel in distress whom he seeks to rescue.

Introducing Allan-a-Dale: a wandering minstrel whose songs echo through the forests and villages of old England. Born with a voice that could soothe the most troubled soul and fingers that dance effortlessly across the strings of his lute, Allan brings tales of love, loss, and adventure to life wherever he goes.

Despite his cheerful exterior, Allan carries a heavy burden of sorrow and longing. His heart is bound to a love that seems out of reach: his true sweetheart, promised to marry an elderly knight against her will. The injustice of this situation weighs heavily on Allan, driving him to seek solace in his music and to share his story with any who will listen.

But beneath his sorrow lies a spark of hope and determination. Allan refuses to accept his fate passively; instead, he longs to fight for love and justice, to defy the oppressive laws and societal norms that threaten to tear him away from his beloved. With each heartfelt melody, he seeks to inspire others to stand up against injustice and to believe in the power of love to conquer all obstacles.

For Allan-a-Dale, every note played and every word sung is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the enduring power of love. He may be a simple minstrel, but his songs have the power to change hearts and minds, to unite souls in a common cause, and to pave the way for a brighter future for all who dare to dream.


  • Allan-a-Dale 5e
  • Alan-a-Dale 5e
Alan-a-Dale
My Images (midjourney.com)

Medium humanoid (human), neutral good

Armor Class 12 (leather armor) Hit Points 65 (10d8 + 20) Speed 30 ft.

STRDEXCONINTWISCHA
10 (+0)16 (+3)14 (+2)12 (+1)14 (+2)18 (+4)

Saving Throws Dex +6, Cha +7 Skills Performance +9, Persuasion +7, Perception +5 Senses passive Perception 15 Languages Common, French Challenge 4 (1,100 XP)

Traits

  • Bardic Inspiration (3/Day). As a bonus action, Allan can inspire others through stirring words or music. A creature other than himself within 60 feet that can hear him gains a Bardic Inspiration die (d6). The creature can roll this die and add the number rolled to one ability check, attack roll, or saving throw it makes. The Bardic Inspiration die is lost after 10 minutes.
  • Melodious Charisma. Allan has advantage on Charisma (Performance) checks when using his musical talents to entertain or inspire others.
  • Heart of the Troubadour. Allan’s performances have a magical quality to them, able to charm even the most hardened hearts. When Allan uses his Bardic Inspiration feature, affected creatures gain temporary hit points equal to the number rolled on the Bardic Inspiration die.

Actions

  • Longbow. Ranged Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, range 150/600 ft., one target. Hit: 8 (1d8 + 3) piercing damage.
  • Dagger. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 5 (1d4 + 3) piercing damage.

Reactions

  • Countercharm. As an action, Allan can start a performance that lasts until the end of his next turn. During that time, he and any friendly creatures within 30 feet have advantage on saving throws against being frightened or charmed. A creature must be able to hear him to gain this benefit. The performance ends if Allan is incapacitated or silenced or if he voluntarily ends it (no action required).

Equipment

  • Leather Armor
  • Longbow
  • Dagger
  • Lute
  • Traveler’s Clothes
  • Potion of Healing
  • Entertainer’s Pack

Description

Allan-a-Dale is a charismatic and talented bard, always dressed in colorful clothing adorned with intricate patterns and symbols. His lute is never far from his side, and his quick wit and charming smile endear him to all who meet him. Allan’s eyes sparkle with mischief and mirth, reflecting the joy he finds in bringing music and laughter to those around him.

Tactics

In combat, Allan-a-Dale prefers to stay at a distance, using his longbow to pick off enemies while inspiring his allies with his bardic magic. If forced into melee, he relies on his dagger and agility to defend himself. Outside of combat, Allan uses his musical talents to entertain and inspire, often using his charm and wit to diffuse tense situations or rally his companions to action.

Today Mythological Figures doth bring you a tale, a story about a minstrel that’s tread many a vale, the singer of Robin and courage availed: the merry man and musician Alan-a-Dale!

Originally Posted by Mike Myler on the Enworld forums.

On this Thread

In the history of Robin Hood this minstrel is one of the latest members of the Merry Men, added in the ballad Robin Hood and Allen a Dale in the 1600s. Alan-a-Dale’s fiancee (who has various different names as time goes by) is being forced into marrying an old knight, only stopped when Robin Hood disguises himself as the bishop meant to wed her and instead officiates the marriage between her and Alan-a-Dale (or, sometimes, Little John or Friar Tuck does the officiating). The musician’s legend continues however and he’s been woven into many Robin Hood tales since, probably most memorably as the crooning rooster in the Disney film.

Alan-a-Dale

Jean-Baptiste Greuze (1725 -1805) The Guitarist (L'Oiseleur). Date 1757, Alan-a-Dale
Jean-Baptiste Greuze (1725 -1805) The Guitarist (L’Oiseleur). Date 1757

Medium humanoid (human), chaotic good bard (lore) 8
Armor Class 15 (studded leather)
Hit Points 52 (8d8+16)
Speed 30 ft.

STRDEXCONINTWISCHA
10 (+0)​16 (+3)​14 (+2)​11 (+0)​10 (+0)​18 (+4)​

Saving Throws Dex +6, Cha +7
Skills Acrobatics +6, Deception +7, Performance +10, Persuasion +7, Stealth +9; drums +7, flute +7, harp +7
Senses passive Perception 10
Languages Common
Challenge 5 (1,800 XP)
Background: Performer. Alan-a-Dale is never without a stage or room to do his act whether in a queen’s castle or a tavern. He receives free accommodations (including a room and meal) each night he performs and is recognized while going about a settlement where he’s performed at least one evening (and is typically well-liked for his musical talents).

Additional Magical Secrets. Alan-a-Dale knows the gust of wind and misty step spells.

Bardic Inspiration 1d8 (4/Short Rest). As a bonus action on his turn, Alan-a-Dale can choose one other creature within 60 feet who can hear him. That creature gains one Bardic Inspiration die, a d8. Once within the next 10 minutes, the creature can roll the die and add the number rolled to one ability check, attack roll, or saving throw it makes. The creature can wait until after it rolls the d20 before deciding to use the Bardic Inspiration die, but must decide before the GM says whether the roll succeeds or fails.

Feat: War Magic. Alan-a-Dale has advantage when he is concentrating on a spell and has to make a Constitution saving throw from taking damage, he can wield weapons or a shield in both hands and still make somatic components for spellcasting, and can use his reaction to cast a spell (maximum casting time: 1 action) at a creature that provokes an opportunity attack from him.

Jack of All Trades. Alan-a-Dale adds +1 to any ability check he makes that doesn’t already include his proficiency bonus.

Spellcasting. Alan-a-Dale is an 8th level spellcaster that uses Charisma as his spellcasting ability (spell save DC 15). He has the following spells prepared from the bard’s spell list:

Cantrips: message, prestidigitation, true strike

1st level (4 slots): charm person, heroism, hideous laughter, sleep, thunderwave

2nd level (3 slots): calm emotions, gust of wind, misty step, pass without trace, spike growth, suggestion

3rd level (3 slots): fear

4th level (2 slots): confusion
Song of Rest. After a short rest, if Alan-a-Dale or any friendly creatures who can hear his performance regain hit points by spending one or more Hit Dice, each of those creatures regains an extra 1d6 hit points.

ACTIONS
Dagger.Melee or Ranged Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft. or range 20/60 ft., one target. Hit: 5 (1d4+3) piercing damage.

Shortbow.Ranged Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, range 80/320 ft., one target. Hit: 6 (1d6+3) piercing damage.

Countercharm. Alan-a-Dale starts a performance that lasts until the end of his next turn. During that time, he and any friendly creatures within 30 feet of him have advantage on saving throws against being frightened or charmed. A creature must be able to hear Alan-a-Dale to gain this benefit. The performance ends early if he is incapacitated or silenced or if he voluntarily ends it (no action required).

REACTIONS
Cutting Words. When a creature that Alan-a-Dale can see within 60 feet of him makes an attack roll, an ability check, or a damage roll, he can use his reaction to expend one of his uses of Bardic Inspiration, rolling a Bardic Inspiration die and subtracting the number rolled from the creature’s roll. He can choose to use this feature after the creature makes its roll, but before the GM determines whether the attack roll or ability check succeeds or fails, or before the creature deals its damage. The creature is immune if it can’t hear Alan-a-Dale or if it’s immune to being charmed.

Currently in the World

Allan-a-Dale, clad in a simple yet well-worn tunic of earthy greens and browns, stands amidst the bustling marketplace, his fingers gently strumming the strings of his lute. His attire, though modest, bears small flourishes of color in the form of embroidered accents, hinting at his minstrel heritage. His sandy hair, kissed by the sun, falls in gentle waves around his face, framing expressive blue eyes that reflect the joy and sorrow of the songs he sings.

Surrounded by the lively chatter of merchants and the tantalizing scents of street food, Allan’s demeanor is one of quiet contemplation. Despite the jovial atmosphere, there is a hint of melancholy in his gaze, a longing for something just out of reach. Yet, as he plucks the strings of his lute, his music fills the air with a bittersweet melody, weaving tales of love and adventure that draw listeners near, offering them a moment of respite from the cares of the world.

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