My main bard went Lightfoot Halfling, Urchin (Stealth, Sleight of Hand), Str 9, Dex 16, Con 12, Int 8, Wis 12, Cha 17
Level 1: Class Skills: Insight, Perception, Persuation
Level 3: College of Lore: Acrobatics, Survival, Intimidation
Level 3: Expertise: Sleight of Hand, Persuation
Level 4: Feat: Actor (Expertise Deception, Performance)
Level 8: Feat: Lucky
Level 10: Experise: Perception, Insight
Level 12: Feat: Ability Score Improvement: Cha +2
Spells:
Level 1: Blade Ward, Vicious Mockery; Dissonant Whispers, Faerie Fire, Healing Word, Longstrider [Ritual]
Level 2: Speak With Animals [Ritual]
Level 3: Detect Thoughts [Ritual]; Longstrider -> Hold Person [Concentration]
Level 4: Light; Heat Metal [Concentration]
Level 5: Hypnotic Pattern [Concentration]
Level 6: Magical Secrets(2): Counterspell, Eldritch Blast
Level 7: Dimension Door
Level 8: Confusion(?)
Level 9: Hold Monster; Hold Person -> ?
Level 10: Friends(?); Magical Secrets(2): Conjure Elemental, Magic Missle
Level 11: Otto's Irresistible Dance
Level 12: ?
Variation 1:
Sacrifice Cha +2, take one level of Cleric of Mystra, Knowledge Domain, Expertise: History, Arcana
Variation 2:
Str 9 -> Str 8, Wis 12 -> Wis 13, Level 12: Feat: Resilient: Wisdom (instead of Cha +2)
Variation 3:
Both previous variants, but also sacrifice Lucky to get Resilient: Wisdom instead
