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Returning 35 results for 'bad bards diffusing craft rivals'.
College of Glamour
Legacy
This doesn't reflect the latest rules and lore.
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Classes
Xanathar's Guide to Everything
The College of Glamour is the home of bards who mastered their craft in the vibrant realm of the Feywild or under the tutelage of someone who dwelled there. Tutored by satyrs, eladrin, and other fey
, these bards learn to use their magic to delight and captivate others.
The bards of this college are regarded with a mixture of awe and fear. Their performances are the stuff of legend. These bards
Pirate
Legacy
This doesn't reflect the latest rules and lore.
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Backgrounds
Player’s Handbook (2014)
You sailed on a seagoing vessel for years. In that time, you faced down mighty storms, monsters of the deep, and those who wanted to sink your craft to the bottomless depths. Your first love is the
you may roll for a random trinket on the Trinkets table in chapter 5 of the Player’s Handbook), a set of common clothes, and a pouch containing 10 gp
Feature: Bad Reputation
No matter where
Sailor
Legacy
This doesn't reflect the latest rules and lore.
Learn More
Backgrounds
Player’s Handbook (2014)
You sailed on a seagoing vessel for years. In that time, you faced down mighty storms, monsters of the deep, and those who wanted to sink your craft to the bottomless depths. Your first love is the
more than one deserving soul to a briny grave. Fear and bloodshed are no strangers to you, and you’ve garnered a somewhat unsavory reputation in many a port town.
Variant Feature: Bad
Monsters
Fizban's Treasury of Dragons
rain from the sky in a beautiful but dangerous display. Rumors quickly spread that a crystal dragon is responsible.
3
A crystal dragon invites the greatest bards and philosophers to partake in
wyrmling has befriended a white dragon wyrmling. The wyrmlings’ parents, who are ancient rivals, regard the relationship with concern.
4
A crystal dragon wyrmling encourages nearby farmers to
Backgrounds
Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide
The Stout Folk are well known for their artisanship and the worth of their handiworks, and you have been trained in that ancient tradition. For years you labored under a dwarf master of the craft
shield dwarf clans learned long ago that only proud fools who are more concerned for their egos than their craft turn away promising apprentices, even those of other races. If you aren’t a dwarf
Backgrounds
Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus
, characters with this background are common.
You sailed on a seagoing vessel for years. In that time, you faced down mighty storms, monsters of the deep, and those who wanted to sink your craft to
. Fear and bloodshed are no strangers to you, and you’ve garnered a somewhat unsavory reputation in many a port town.
Variant Feature: Bad Reputation
If your character has a sailor
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Fizban's Treasury of Dragons
Brass Dragons Bards sometimes seek out brass dragon lairs in hopes that the dragons’ whimsy will enhance their creativity, like a muse. The more experienced bards know not to overstay their welcome
, lest they awaken cradling a skunk cabbage.
-Fizban
Use the tables, map, and other information in this section to craft unique encounters with brass dragons.
Backgrounds
Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide
money. (Evil)
5
People. I’m committed to the people I care about, not to ideals. (Neutral)
6
Aspiration. I work hard to be the best there is at my craft. (Any)
d6
Bond
from guild coffers.
4
I’m never satisfied with what I have—I always want more.
5
I would kill to acquire a noble title.
6
I’m horribly jealous of anyone who can outshine my handiwork. Everywhere I go, I’m surrounded by rivals.
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Eberron: Forge of the Artificer
Rival Explorers Morgrave University teems with unscrupulous adventurers and researchers driven by avarice. Additionally, the university itself has academic rivals—the University of Wynarn in Aundair
characters in different ways. If the characters are altruistic researchers seeking to expand the frontiers of knowledge, their rivals should be greedy, selfish, and ruthless—the worst representatives of
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->The Radiant Citadel
Court of Whispers The denizens of the Court of Whispers barter for current knowledge. Heralds, criers, bards, and griots buy and sell information from the fifteen founding civilizations active in the
identify crisis points where their operatives are needed. Even common citizens might hire folk from the Court to find missing loved ones, locate lost family treasures, or gather information on rivals
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Journeys through the Radiant Citadel
Court of Whispers The denizens of the Court of Whispers barter for current knowledge. Heralds, criers, bards, and griots buy and sell information from the fifteen founding civilizations active in the
identify crisis points where their operatives are needed. Even common citizens might hire folk from the Court to find missing loved ones, locate lost family treasures, or gather information on rivals
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Acquisitions Incorporated
Complications and Rivals The franchise and downtime activities introduced in this section all incorporate the idea that such activities can introduce ongoing complications to the campaign, and that
anything a franchise’s characters or employees do might bring the franchise into conflict with rivals. If you use Xanathar’s Guide to Everything in your games, you’re probably already familiar with
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Acquisitions Incorporated
creatures for scouting or guard duty, or using dimension door to slip away from a deal gone bad. The hard part of that last one is always figuring out which of your franchise mates you’ll bring with you
present in the franchise or not. When it comes down to it, having friends is an equally valuable asset in adventuring and business, and being able to turn enemies, rivals, and angry mobs into friends
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Basic Rules (2014)
agents include sophisticated bards, zealous paladins, talented mages, and grizzled warriors. They are chosen primarily for their loyalty and are experts in observation, stealth, innuendo, and combat
’ Alliance fights the things that the shopkeeper in his bed has never even heard of. We remove threats before the town mayor even knows about it. We make bad things go away. That’s what we’re good at.”
Rameel Jos
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Xanathar's Guide to Everything
College of Glamour The College of Glamour is the home of bards who mastered their craft in the vibrant realm of the Feywild or under the tutelage of someone who dwelled there. Tutored by satyrs
, eladrin, and other fey, these bards learn to use their magic to delight and captivate others. The bards of this college are regarded with a mixture of awe and fear. Their performances are the stuff of
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Princes of the Apocalypse
. Some merchants have termed Waterdeep “the best supply center in the world,” with the largest collection of superb craft workers, experts, useful contacts, and potential hirelings to be found anywhere
nobles and guildmasters are vying for her attention and conspiring to wrest power away from her office, while taking advantage of the transition to dispose of unwanted rivals. This kind of political
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->The Book of Many Things
has only good cards (or bad ones!) in it. You can do all this without losing the wonder of the deck: its unique nature as a physical object that players—not just their characters—can hold in their
book, which are grouped by theme: DM options, character creation options, astrology-themed options, adventure locations, and finally adversaries and rivals.
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Lost Laboratory of Kwalish
toward its partner. Alternatively, the xorn and the umber hulk are rivals, with the characters caught in the middle. 2 A small war machine built at the monastery has been claimed by three kobolds
route leads through the lair of a froghemoth or some other exotic monstrosity escaped from another planar craft that crashed into the Barrier Peaks long ago. 4 A galeb duhr serves as a kind of door
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft
Madame Talisveri Eris The members of the Eris family stand proudly as Il Aluk’s foremost artisans of the grand craft of lying. Despite its ancient name, the family has long endured crushing debt
Dread. Azalin and Strahd attempted to escape Barovia multiple times, but failure and resentment eventually turned the villains into vicious rivals. When Azalin forsook Castle Ravenloft and reentered the
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Guildmasters' Guide to Ravnica
, a rival goblin gang that often deals in illicit arms. Rumors swirled that Krenko killed Dargig, the youngest of the three brothers, after a weapons drop went bad. The remaining two brothers, Rikkig
your own adventures in Ravnica, you can use the suggestions in the Dungeon Master’s Guide for creating villains to craft a guildless villain, one who prefers the independence of operating outside the
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Eberron: Rising from the Last War
city of Sharn, which is both the cultural heart of Breland and a nexus for intrigue and diplomacy. Bards have much to gain from the company of other bards, as they exchange news, stories, and songs
. For this purpose, long ago a group of the finest bards in Sharn founded the Circle of Song, an alliance of entertainers and adventurers. The Circle of Song is an informal organization, open to any
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Eberron: Rising from the Last War
Battalion. This elite unit fought at the forefront of the Last War, and Brelish bards still sing of the exploits of Khandan the Hammer and Meira the Huntress. At the end of the war, the battalion was split
run both ways. Among the Redcloaks, tensions still run hot regarding their former rivals, particularly those from the following nations: Darguun. The hobgoblins of Darguun fought alongside Brelish
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Eberron: Rising from the Last War
cloak or disguise one’s appearance), and proficiency with skills such as Deception, Performance, and Sleight of Hand all greatly benefit the Chameleon. Bards and rogues, as well as characters with
can be a crucial skill, which many characters in this role combine with magical means of scrying to learn about their enemies and objectives. Bards and wizards make natural Investigators, especially
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Lost Laboratory of Kwalish
Rumors and Legends Countless legends have arisen regarding the mysterious Barrier Peaks, and those tales circulate constantly among adventurers, explorers, and bards. Rumors specific to Kwalish and
Rumors d100 Rumor 1–15 The Barrier Peaks have long been damned, ever since a craft of some kind crashed there ages ago. A ship that could navigate the very planes, it was. Things that should not
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Baldur’s Gate Gazetteer
Neighbors, Rivals, and Allies Other cities and nations keep a watchful eye on Baldur’s Gate, which is growing in wealth, power, and influence. Baldur’s Gate trades with the coastal cities of
religious viewpoints has created bad blood between the two cities, though neither city has been eager to test the military might of the other. Port Nyanzaru Baldur’s Gate serves as one of the main ports
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Princes of the Apocalypse
fiercely competitive and seek out any advantage to use against their rivals, but House Tsalaxa of Draj is widely regarded as the most ruthless of them all. Agents of House Tsalaxa do not hesitate to
destruction is bad for business, even by House Tsalaxa’s standards. If the house’s agents can seize the cult’s secrets in the process of eliminating the threat, so much the better.
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Mythic Odysseys of Theros
, the god of the sea, because Ephara recognizes the necessity of water for a thriving polis. She also admires Purphoros’s craft, realizing the essential role of the forge and other forms of industry to
build a city. Ephara and Nylea are almost polar opposites, and there is no shortage of bad blood between the god of the cities and the god of the hunt. Nylea resents the construction of every
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide (2014)
. The follower of a god serves as an agent of that god in the world. The agent seeks to further the ideals of that god and defeat its rivals. While some folk might refuse to honor the gods, none can
world’s fate. The World Is Magical. Practitioners of magic are relatively few in number, but they leave evidence of their craft everywhere. The magic can be as innocuous and commonplace as a potion that
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Baldur's Gate: Descent into Avernus
motes of their movement. Perhaps they were rebels, or members of a union or some clandestine organization. Regardless, their rivals didn’t get where they are by being oblivious or merciful. Conspiracy
conspiracy, either by having the players craft their own or by rolling on the Conspiracy Details table. Conspiracy Details d4 Conspiracy Details
1 Working amid the High Hall’s records, you came
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Baldur's Gate: Descent into Avernus
Neighbors, Rivals, and Allies Other cities and nations keep a watchful eye on Baldur’s Gate, which is growing in wealth, power, and influence. Baldur’s Gate trades with the coastal cities of
created bad blood between the two cities, though neither city has been eager to test the military might of the other. Port Nyanzaru Baldur’s Gate serves as one of the main ports from which ships depart
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Player's Handbook (2014)
Sailor You sailed on a seagoing vessel for years. In that time, you faced down mighty storms, monsters of the deep, and those who wanted to sink your craft to the bottomless depths. Your first love
the Bad Reputation feature (see sidebar) instead of the Ship’s Passage feature. Variant Feature: Bad Reputation
If your character has a sailor background, you may select this background feature
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Baldur’s Gate Gazetteer
motes of their movement. Perhaps they were rebels, or members of a union or some clandestine organization. Regardless, their rivals didn’t get where they are by being oblivious or merciful. Conspiracy
conspiracy, either by having the players craft their own or by rolling on the Conspiracy Details table. Conspiracy Details d4 Conspiracy Details 1 Working amid the High Hall’s records, you came to
compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Bigby Presents: Glory of the Giants
Appendix B: Adventure Hooks
This book is full of seeds you can use to craft adventures involving giants and the realms they inhabit. Tables (and text) in chapters 2, chapter 3, and chapter 4
present giants as patrons, rivals, or adversaries, or suggest reasons why characters might venture to locations constructed or occupied by giants. The adventure hooks are spread throughout these three
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Player's Handbook (2014)
I care about, not to ideals. (Neutral) 6 Aspiration. I work hard to be the best there is at my craft. (Any) d6 Bond 1 The workshop where I learned my trade is the most important place in the
handiwork. Everywhere I go, I’m surrounded by rivals. Variant Guild Artisan: Guild Merchant Instead of an artisans’ guild, you might belong to a guild of traders, caravan masters, or shopkeepers. You
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes
Scholars, wizards, druids, and bards of other races have different ideas about how halflings escape peril, suggesting that by virtue of something in their nature, they occupy a special place in the
off bad luck or to bring good fortune. Villages or even families might have superstitions observed by no one else, such as the following:
For a safe journey through a forest, leave a few seeds or a