band bards diffusing class respond

Bard

Classes Player’s Handbook

;Daggers, Musical Instrument of your choice, Entertainer's Pack, and 19 GP; or (B) 90 GP Invoking magic through music, dance, and verse, Bards are expert at inspiring others, soothing hurts

, disheartening foes, and creating illusions. Bards believe the multiverse was spoken into existence and that remnants of its Words of Creation still resound and glimmer on every plane of existence. Bardic

Bard Legacy

Classes Basic Rules (2014)

of song, speech, and the magic they contain. Bards say that the multiverse was spoken into existence, that the words of the gods gave it shape, and that echoes of these primordial Words of Creation

still resound throughout the cosmos. The music of bards is an attempt to snatch and harness those echoes, subtly woven into their spells and powers. The greatest strength of bards is their sheer

Ranger Legacy

Classes Basic Rules (2014)

druidic circles. Many rangers, though, are independent almost to a fault, knowing that, when a dragon or a band of orcs attacks, a ranger might be the first—and possibly the last—line of

grouse and whine about the hardships of the wild, rangers respond with some mixture of amusement, frustration, and compassion. But they quickly learn that other adventurers who can carry their own weight

Paladin Legacy

Classes Basic Rules (2014)

an orc war band celebrating its recent victory. Silently, he stalks into their midst and whispers an oath, and two orcs are dead before they even realize he is there. Silver hair shining in a shaft

. Although the class features related to your oath don’t appear until you reach 3rd level, plan ahead for that choice by reading the oath descriptions at the end of the class. Are you a devoted

Wyrmskull Throne

Magic Items Storm King's Thunder

energy when the throne’s powers are activated. After the fall of Shanatar, the Wyrmskull Throne fell into the clutches of less honorable creatures. A band of adventurers wrested the throne from

breaking at least five Ruling Scepters of Shanatar simultaneously on it. This fact has never been recorded or sung of among the dwarves or any bards or storytellers, and it can’t be discovered

Adult Crystal Dragon

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

bards and philosophers to partake in “the Great Dialogue” in the dragon’s mountaintop lair. But only the dragon knows that the Great Dialogue has no end, and no one can leave the lair

university, but the students must travel to the dragon’s mountain lair for class. Crystal Dragon Lairs Crystal dragons seek out frigid, picturesque locations with clear views of the sky

Bards

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Sword Coast Adventurer’s Guide

Bards Bards hold a special place of responsibility and respect in the Forgotten Realms. They are bearers of news, gossip, and messages in their travels from place to place, in addition to being

living storehouses of history and folklore. Bards know a great deal, and they tend to be willing to share what they know, or at least barter for it. The arrival of a renowned bard is a special occasion

Draw In the Players

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide

noble heroes who respond without hesitation to the pleas of innocent villagers crying for help; other groups are hardened mercenaries who respond only to offers of payment. Some groups are devoted to

familiar trope. The mysterious figure who presents adventurers with a quest on behalf of the king might be the king in disguise. The wizard in the tower might be a projected illusion created by a band of

Entering the Village

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Journeys through the Radiant Citadel

Entering the Village As the characters progress into the village, read the following: In the distance, a slender figure tends to the wounded villagers, who respond with heartfelt gratitude. As the

Rufina or the other villagers: Paloma is seen as a hero by the poor. Her band raids the estates and caravans of corrupt landowners and shares the captured wealth with folk who need it. She initially

Independent Adventurers

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Basic Rules (2014)

, when a dragon or a band of orcs attacks, a ranger might be the first — and possibly the last — line of defense. This fierce independence makes rangers well suited to adventuring, since they are

accustomed to life far from the comforts of a dry bed and a hot bath. Faced with city-bred adventurers who grouse and whine about the hardships of the wild, rangers respond with some mixture of amusement

Independent Adventurers

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Player's Handbook (2014)

band of orcs attacks, a ranger might be the first — and possibly the last — line of defense. This fierce independence makes rangers well suited to adventuring, since they are accustomed to life far

from the comforts of a dry bed and a hot bath. Faced with city-bred adventurers who grouse and whine about the hardships of the wild, rangers respond with some mixture of amusement, frustration, and

Cult Reprisals

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Princes of the Apocalypse

Cult Reprisals The cults of Elemental Evil don’t wait passively for a band of heroes to systematically eliminate each cult’s surface outpost. Even if the characters destroy one of the Haunted Keep

of danger and impels them to respond. You have four reprisals to choose from: “Tremors,” “Skyriders,” “Reaver Ambush,” and “Fiery Fangs.” Let player interest and your own sense of pacing dictate

Bardic Colleges

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Sword Coast Adventurer’s Guide

in the Bard College class feature in the Player’s Handbook. The College of Fochlucan is naturally allied with the Harpers, although its master bards are careful to stress that its mission is separate

memorization and the study of ancient songs, sagas, and history. Most bards of New Olamn belong to the College of Lore, as described in the Bard College class feature in the Player’s Handbook. The Cliffride

Rubina Larkingdale

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Strixhaven: A Curriculum of Chaos

delivering presentations in class. When she orates, one can almost imagine a hardened general marshaling her bloodied and exhausted troops for a final push against a far superior foe. Rubina is part

of the Strixhaven Show Band Association and has moved from playing to conducting. No previous student conductor has demanded and received such unwavering respect as Rubina. With merely a look and a

College of Lore

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Basic Rules (2014)

College of Lore Bards of the College of Lore know something about most things, collecting bits of knowledge from sources as diverse as scholarly tomes and peasant tales. Whether singing folk ballads

in taverns or elaborate compositions in royal courts, these bards use their gifts to hold audiences spellbound. When the applause dies down, the audience members might find themselves questioning

College of Lore

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Player's Handbook (2014)

College of Lore Bards of the College of Lore know something about most things, collecting bits of knowledge from sources as diverse as scholarly tomes and peasant tales. Whether singing folk ballads

in taverns or elaborate compositions in royal courts, these bards use their gifts to hold audiences spellbound. When the applause dies down, the audience members might find themselves questioning

Modifying a Class

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide (2014)

firmly in the world by associating the class with a particular race or culture. For example, you might decide that bards, sorcerers, warlocks, and wizards represent the magical traditions of four

Modifying a Class The classes in the Player’s Handbook capture a wide range of character archetypes, but your campaign world might have need of something more. The following section discusses ways to

Zil Characters

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Eberron: Rising from the Last War

appropriate, reflecting their love of intrigue. Classes that specialize in melee combat are rare among the Zil. The soldiers of Zilargo include rogues, bards, wizards, and artificers. The Trust. In

agent or acquire a particular object from their base. While the spy background is a logical choice for a Trust agent, the agency recruits characters of every class and background. Your class abilities reflect specialized training and granted abilities—the magical equivalent of spy gadgets!

College of Glamour

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

Shoosuva

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Monsters of the Multiverse

after a Yeenoghu-worshiping war band achieves a great victory, emerging from a billowing, fetid cloud of smoke as it arrives from the Abyss. In battle, the demon wraps its slavering jaws around one

victim while lashing out with the poisonous stinger on its tail to bring down another. A creature immobilized by the poison becomes easy pickings for any nearby members of the war band. Each shoosuva

Schools of Magic

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide (2014)

like these exist in your world. Wizards (and bards and druids) might be so rare that a player character learns from a single mentor and never meets another character of the same class, in which case

, a few class options suggest the existence of magic-using organizations in the world — bardic colleges and druid circles — which are up to you to flesh out. You could decide that no formal structures

College of Whispers

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Xanathar's Guide to Everything

College of Whispers Most folk are happy to welcome a bard into their midst. Bards of the College of Whispers use this to their advantage. They appear to be like other bards, sharing news, singing

songs, and telling tales to the audiences they gather. In truth, the College of Whispers teaches its students that they are wolves among sheep. These bards use their knowledge and magic to uncover

Duergar Hammerer

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes

duergar’s pain into energy that powers the device, which is typically used to dig tunnels and repel invaders. Duergar Hammerer Medium construct, lawful evil Armor Class 17 (natural armor) Hit Points 33

the hammerer can respond by using its Multiattack with its reaction. Siege Monster. The hammerer deals double damage to objects and structures. Actions Multiattack. The hammerer makes two

Duergar Screamer

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes

these devices, their beards shorn and their ongoing agony channeled into psionic energy that powers the screamer. Duergar Screamer Medium construct, lawful evil Armor Class 15 (natural armor) Hit

screamer, and the screamer can respond by using its Multiattack with its reaction. Actions Multiattack. The screamer makes one drill attack and uses its Sonic Scream. Drill. Melee Weapon Attack: +6

Playing a Character

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Heroes of the Borderlands

classes in mind, but any class will do. Team Up. Your character joins the other players’ characters to form an adventuring party. These adventurers are allies who face challenges and fantastical

respond to them however you can imagine, guided by the rules. Although the DM controls all the monsters you encounter, the DM isn’t your adversary. The DM guides your party’s journey as your characters become more powerful.

Bard

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Waterdeep: Dragon Heist

Bard Bards are gifted poets, storytellers, and entertainers who travel far and wide, commonly found performing in taverns or in the company of jolly bands of adventurers, rough-and-tumble mercenaries

, or wealthy patrons. Bard Medium humanoid (any race), any alignment Armor Class 15 (chain shirt) Hit Points 44 (8d8 + 8) Speed 30 ft. STR 11(+0) DEX 14(+2) CON 12(+1

Bard

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Ghosts of Saltmarsh

Bard Bards are gifted poets, storytellers, and entertainers who travel far and wide, but are commonly found in taverns or in the company of jolly bands of adventurers, rough-and-tumble mercenaries

, and wealthy patrons. Bard Medium humanoid (any race), any alignment Armor Class 15 (chain shirt) Hit Points 44 (8d8 + 8) Speed 30 ft. STR 11 (+0) DEX 14 (+2) CON 12 (+1

Gnolls

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Volo's Guide to Monsters

Gnolls A gnoll war band might include one or more of the special kinds of gnolls described in this section. When gnolls are weakened, they seek out isolated settlements, maim and disable its

inhabitants, and feed upon them as they rest and regain strength. — Elminster Flind A flind is an exceptionally strong and vicious gnoll that commands and directs the war band it is a part of. It wields a

Champion

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tales from the Yawning Portal

Champion One of the most remote locations inside White Plume Mountain is the hideout of a band of criminals led by the fallen champion Sir Bluto, an alleged mass murderer and a fugitive. Sir Bluto

and his companions will do everything in their power to ensure that anyone who happens upon their sanctum doesn’t live to tell of it. Champion Medium humanoid (any race), any alignment Armor Class 18

Bard Subclasses

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Player’s Handbook

Bard Subclasses A Bard subclass is a specialization that grants you features at certain Bard levels, as specified in the subclass. Bards form loose associations, which they call colleges, to preserve

Harmony with the Cosmos Bards of the College of Dance know that the Words of Creation can’t be contained within speech or song; the words are uttered by the movements of celestial bodies and flow

Sharwyn Hucrele

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tales from the Yawning Portal

Sharwyn Hucrele A young adventurer whose group ran afoul of a band of goblins, Sharwyn Hucrele now finds herself enslaved deep inside the Sunless Citadel, an unwitting supplicant of the Gulthias Tree

Hucrele Medium humanoid (human), neutral evil Armor Class 16 (Barkskin trait) Hit Points 13 (2d8 + 4) Speed 30 ft. STR 11 (+0) DEX 13 (+1) CON 14 (+2) INT 16 (+3) WIS 14 (+2

Build Your Group

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Eberron: Rising from the Last War

give them a broad range of knowledge to support their schemes. Bards, rogues, and wizards are often drawn to this role. Safecracker. The “breaking” part of “breaking and entering” is the Safecracker’s

devices, including guild artisans and even sailors, also fall naturally into this role. Artificer or rogue makes a natural class choice for the Safecracker. Talker. From con artists to fences, anyone who

Flind

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Monsters of the Multiverse

Flind When the demon lord Yeenoghu (appears in this book) wants to create a particularly fearsome war band leader, he transforms an exceptionally strong and vicious gnoll into a demonic warrior known

as a flind. A war band of demon-worshiping gnolls typically contains only one flind, and that creature sets the war band’s path. Because of its special connection to Yeenoghu, a flind uses demonic

Demons

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Volo's Guide to Monsters

accompany the war band and attack whatever creatures the gnolls fall upon. Maw Demon Medium fiend (demon), chaotic evil Armor Class 13 (natural armor) Hit Points 33 (6d8 + 6) Speed 30 ft. STR

alongside its master. A gnoll that has been gifted with a shoosuva is second only to a flind in status within a war band. Shoosuva Large fiend (demon), chaotic evil Armor Class 14 (natural armor

Gnolls

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Monsters of the Multiverse

motivated by hunger, leaving more flesh for the rest of the war band. Gnoll Witherling Medium Undead, Typically Chaotic Evil Armor Class 12 (natural armor) Hit Points 11 (2d8 + 2) Speed 30 ft

Monstrosity, Typically Chaotic Evil Armor Class 14 (studded leather) Hit Points 22 (4d8 + 4) Speed 30 ft. STR 12 (+1) DEX 14 (+2) CON 12 (+1) INT 8 (−1) WIS

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