I know nobody cares, but technically a stock is rendered from plant based ingredients and a broth is rendered from animal based ones.

Sorry I had to make the clarification.

Source: my wife is a professional culinarian.

Now did you hear about the dancing plague?

If you want a lore answer regarding the realms, music (rhythm and sound) are an alternative use of verbal and somatic components. Bards attend “colleges” to study forms and functions much the same as wizards do. Difference being mode. And yes, a 1st level bard has sufficient magical power (if harnessed precisely) to kill.

Do keep in mind it takes no small amount of willpower for a bard to cast. Thus is the spellcasting mod charisma.