Alan-a-Dale
Minstrel, messenger and keeper of stories: Alan-a-Dale carries news through places where armed outlaws would be noticed immediately, turning song and performance into part of Sherwood’s intelligence network.
At a Glance
- 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
Allan-a-Dale
Medium humanoid (human), neutral good
Armor Class 12 (leather armor) Hit Points 65 (10d8 + 20) Speed 30 ft.
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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
At a Glance
- 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
At a Glance
- 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
At a Glance
- 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
At a Glance
- 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.
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
Medium humanoid (human), chaotic good bard (lore) 8
Armor Class 15 (studded leather)
Hit Points 52 (8d8+16)
Speed 30 ft.
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
| 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.
What Is Alan-a-Dale Doing Now?
Alan moves between Sherwood, market towns and roadside inns carrying messages that cannot safely travel under a seal. He performs in public because being noticed as a minstrel is less dangerous than being noticed as an outlaw courier. Robin uses him to learn which officials are travelling, which villages are under pressure and which stories the Sheriff wants suppressed.
Game Statistics
5.5e / 2024
Alan-a-Dale — CR 5 humanoid; AC 15; HP 58; Speed 30 ft.; Str 10, Dex 16, Con 12, Int 14, Wis 12, Cha 18. Skills Deception +7, Insight +4, Performance +10, Persuasion +7, Sleight of Hand +6. Rapier +6 (1d8+3 piercing) or shortbow +6 (1d6+3). Ballad of Courage: as a bonus action, one ally within 30 feet gains 1d6 to its next attack roll or saving throw. Cutting Verse (Reaction): Alan subtracts 1d6 from one attack roll made by a creature that can hear him within 60 feet.
Alan-a-Dale — 5e / 2014
Medium humanoid (human), chaotic good
Armor Class 15; Hit Points 58; Speed 30 ft.; Challenge 5 (1,800 XP; proficiency bonus +3)
STR 10 (+0), DEX 16 (+3), CON 12 (+1), INT 14 (+2), WIS 12 (+1), CHA 18 (+4)
Skills Deception +7, Insight +4, Performance +10 (expertise), Persuasion +7, Sleight of Hand +6; Senses passive Perception 11; Languages English, French
Actions
Rapier. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 7 (1d8 + 3) piercing damage.
Shortbow. Ranged Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, range 80/320 ft., one target. Hit: 6 (1d6 + 3) piercing damage.
Bonus Action
Ballad of Courage. One willing ally within 30 feet who can hear Alan gains a d6 inspiration die that it may add to one attack roll or saving throw made before the start of Alan’s next turn. A creature can hold only one of Alan’s inspiration dice at a time.
Reaction
Cutting Verse. When a creature within 60 feet that can hear Alan makes an attack roll, Alan subtracts 1d6 from that roll, potentially turning it into a miss. Alan must react before the attack’s result is announced.
Original 2014-edition NPC conversion; this is an encounter ability, not player-character Bardic Inspiration.
Pathfinder 1e
Alan-a-Dale CR 5; human bard 6; hp 46; AC 18; rapier +8 (1d6+2/18–20), shortbow +9; bardic performance 17 rounds/day; Str 10, Dex 16, Con 12, Int 14, Wis 12, Cha 18. Key skills: Bluff +13, Diplomacy +13, Knowledge (local) +11, Perform (string) +15, Sense Motive +10, Stealth +12.
D&D 3.5e
Alan-a-Dale CR 5; human bard 6; hp 38; AC 17; rapier +7 (1d6+2/18–20), shortbow +8; bardic music 6/day; inspire courage +1; Str 10, Dex 16, Con 12, Int 14, Wis 12, Cha 18. Feats: Negotiator, Point Blank Shot, Skill Focus (Perform).
Encounters
- The Wrong Song: Alan performs a ballad containing a coded warning and someone in the audience understands it who should not.
- The Missing Bride: A promised union has become a political kidnapping and Alan asks the party to intervene before Robin does.
- The Roadside Audience: Alan needs protection while performing for people whose loyalties are uncertain.
Personality
Observant, romantic and more politically useful than he appears. Alan prefers persuasion and embarrassment to violence, but he knows exactly when a song can damage a reputation more effectively than an arrow.
Relationships
Robin Hood: patron, friend and audience for information gathered on the road. Friar Tuck: trusted witness and mediator. The Merry Men: Alan’s listeners, protectors and subjects whenever their exploits become songs.
Adventure Hooks
Use Alan when information needs to move through public spaces without looking like espionage. He turns rumours, performances, courtship and local celebrations into useful adventure machinery.
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.
Related Places and People
Mythical and Historical Context
Alan-a-Dale belongs to the Robin Hood ballad tradition rather than to a documented register of 1454 Sherwood outlaws. His best-known adventures, especially the interrupted marriage tale, survive in versions written down after this campaign’s date. The minstrel met here is an intentional, active 1454 adaptation. See the University of Rochester’s study of Alan-a-Dale and the collected ballad text.
Sources and Adaptation
Adapted from the public-domain Robin Hood ballad and folk tradition in which Alan-a-Dale becomes the greenwood company’s minstrel and companion. No text is reproduced from modern copyrighted adaptations.
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