bard burden diffusing conduct reveal

College of Whispers

Classes Xanathar's Guide to Everything

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

against others through extortion and threats. Many other bards hate the College of Whispers, viewing it as a parasite that uses a bard’s reputation to acquire wealth and power. For this reason

Constructed Commoner

Monsters Candlekeep Mysteries

makes them look like flesh-and-blood people, and the constructs conduct themselves as convincingly real humanoids who are simply living their lives in Wisteria Vale. Detect magic spells do not reveal

College of Whispers (XGtE)

Classes Xanathar's Guide to Everything

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

against others through extortion and threats. Many other bards hate the College of Whispers, viewing it as a parasite that uses a bard’s reputation to acquire wealth and power. For this reason

The Abbot

Monsters Curse of Strahd

insane. Only then did von Holtz reveal himself to be Strahd von Zarovich. Somehow the deva realized that any attempt to slay Strahd would be futile—that the ancient curse upon the land meant that the

languish in the abbey's madhouse, the Abbot is giving his creation lessons in etiquette and ladylike conduct so that “she” can be formally presented to Strahd and win his love. Strahd has no interest

Low-Level Followers

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

2nd-level wizard as an apprentice, a cleric might choose (or be assigned) a 3rd-level cleric as an acolyte, and a bard might take on a 4th-level bard as an understudy. One advantage of allowing lower

), and might eventually catch up to them. It also means the adventurers’ advancement is slowed somewhat, as they must share their XP with an NPC shouldering only part of the adventuring burden. Powerful

Components of a Curse

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft

Components of a Curse Most curses have three distinct components: pronouncement, burden, and resolution. Whatever form these take, at least one of them, especially the burden or resolution, should

a powerful villain or a wrongly slain innocent Swearing a vow to refrain from or undertake some action on pain of great suffering Burden A curse’s burden is the effect that causes hardship and

Using the Golden Vault

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Keys from the Golden Vault

box, the lid pops open and a soothing voice says the following: “Greetings, operatives. A Canaith mandolin has been stolen from the grave of a famous bard, whose spirit remains restless from the

injustice. The Golden Vault wants the instrument returned to its proper owner. This quest, should you choose to undertake it, requires you to travel to the village of Toadhop. Details will reveal

Bard: College of Spirits

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft

Bard: College of Spirits Bards of the College of Spirits seek tales with inherent power—be they legends, histories, or fictions—and bring their subjects to life. Using occult trappings, these bards

conjure spiritual embodiments of powerful forces to change the world once more. Such spirits are capricious, though, and what a bard summons isn’t always entirely under their control. Guiding Whispers

Harpers

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

advisor to Open Lord Laeral Silverhand. See appendix B for more information on these NPCs. Harpers prefer to conduct their business in bustling inns and taverns such as the Yawning Portal, or in quiet

overwhelmed, one or more Harpers come to their rescue. A Harper rescue team usually consists of a bard (see appendix B) or a mage, plus 1d4 + 3 spies or veterans.

Adventure Background

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Keys from the Golden Vault

Adventure Background Froderic Dartwild—Frody to those who knew him well—was a gifted human bard born and raised in the hamlet of Toadhop. He could play the mandolin by age three and performed

disturbed the grave of a famous bard named Froderic Dartwild and that Frody’s corpse is “none too happy about it.” Locals ask the characters to speak with Frody, who is holed up in a cabin on the

Constructed Commoners

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Candlekeep Mysteries

makes them look like flesh-and-blood people, and the constructs conduct themselves as convincingly real humanoids who are simply living their lives in Wisteria Vale. Detect magic spells do not reveal

Research

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

. Typically, a character needs access to a library or a sage to conduct research. Assuming such access is available, conducting research requires one workweek of effort and at least 50 gp spent on materials

monster or an NPC, you can reveal elements of statistics or personality. For a location, you can reveal secrets about it, such as a hidden entrance, the answer to a riddle, or the nature of a creature

Running a Séance

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft

Running a Séance Séances reveal the mysteries of the House of Lament through atmospheric encounters. These events all take place in the house’s parlor (area 3). Before a séance, consider how you’ll

house are willing to be channeled only once per day, so the party must wait until after the following dawn to conduct another séance. Preparation and Ambiance. Plan for séances in a way that creates a

Pharika as Campaign Villain

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Mythic Odysseys of Theros

Pharika as Campaign Villain As a campaign villain, Pharika might conduct experiments in mortal resilience and curiosity, tests that unfold over generations. The characters might spoil one of these

complicate adventurers’ lives. Pharika’s Divine Schemes d4 Scheme 1 Pharika creates a mind-controlling incense to manipulate several of Kruphix’s oracles, compelling them to reveal secrets of the

Ythryn Lore

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden

Ythryn Lore As the characters explore Ythryn, they piece together a picture of what life was like in the enclave. Whenever a location instructs you to reveal some of Ythryn’s lore, roll a d20 and

are immortalized in the city’s museum. 3 The city’s creators used giant mimics as construction tools and beasts of burden. 4 Apprentice mages would graduate from the House of the Arcane and

Finding Iymrith

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Storm King's Thunder

Finding Iymrith The storm giants bear the burden of finding the dragon so that the characters can focus on preparing themselves for the final showdown. Hekaton and Serissa know that blue dragons

spell. Harshnag declines to reveal this helpful wizard’s identity. The wizard could be Elminster of Shadowdale, Laeral Silverhand of Waterdeep, the Harper archmage Krowen Valharrow (see the “Everlund

The Devilish Point of View

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

shoulder a cosmic burden. — Zariel, Archduchess of Avernus, former angel of Celestia Although the basic facts of the Blood War aren’t subject to debate, a host of theories exist that attempt to

ruthless focus on victory at any cost is what fuels the devils’ war machine. Every devil takes a grim pride in its service in the Blood War. Talk to one for a short time, and it will reveal the scars

Introduction

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Mordenkainen's Fiendish Folio Volume 1

notes on the great conflicts of the multiverse, I have been deluged with requests to reveal more of my hard earned, well-guarded secrets. Nonsense, I say. A secret shared is a secret no more. My

among my colleagues tell me that an informed multiverse is a safer multiverse. After all, why should we unhappy few endure the burden of protecting the multiverse from itself? I am also told that this

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

this reason, members of this college rarely reveal their true nature. They typically claim to follow some other college, or they keep their actual calling secret in order to infiltrate and exploit royal

Reya Mantlemorn

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Baldur's Gate: Descent into Avernus

rests on the hilt of a longsword. The other pulls back a cowl to reveal the face of a teenager with brown skin, red hair, and a haunting gaze. The cloaked figure is Reya Mantlemorn, a lawful good

quest parallels theirs, she asks to join them as they prepare to visit Vanthampur Villa. If the characters reveal that they’re working for the Flaming Fist, Reya draws her longsword in a panic

Roleplaying Sergeant Vilroy

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

warforged, and the appointed meeting time. Germaine also provides a Sharn Watch writ of enforcement. The writ authorizes the bearers to conduct official duties of the Watch under Sergeant Vilroy’s

something back. A character who talks to Germaine privately and succeeds on a DC 13 Charisma (Persuasion) check gets her to reveal that she sometimes takes money from the Boromar Clan to look into crimes, and

The Abbot

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Curse of Strahd

Belviews into mongrelfolk—maniacal humans with bestial deformities and traits. The Belviews were happy, albeit insane. Only then did von Holtz reveal himself to be Strahd von Zarovich. Somehow the deva

ladylike conduct so that “she” can be formally presented to Strahd and win his love. Strahd has no interest in a flesh golem bride, but he enjoys corrupting this once angelic being and driving the Abbot

Doomvault Lore

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tales from the Yawning Portal->a5

Doomvault Lore Some creatures that the characters encounter can divulge important information about the Doomvault. When you give out lore, reveal information appropriate to the creature being

presented in the order in which they should be revealed: The Temples of Extraction aren’t temples at all but research facilities where Szass Tam’s followers conduct profane magical experiments. Few know

Phenax's Champions

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Mythic Odysseys of Theros

Phenax’s Champions Alignment: Usually chaotic, often neutral Suggested Classes: Bard, cleric, monk, rogue, warlock Suggested Cleric Domains: Trickery Suggested Backgrounds: Charlatan, criminal

. Phenax’s Disciple Piety 25+ Phenax trait When you are hidden from a creature and miss it with an attack, making the attack doesn’t reveal your position. Champion of Deception Piety 50+ Phenax trait

Inside the Inn

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Storm Lord’s Wrath

captives taken by cultists were impaled on the doors: the inn’s owner, Martisha Vinetalker, was dragged into the basement, and a local bard, Tarbin Tul, was taken away on horseback. Cray thinks the

cultists had strict orders to capture the bard alive, as she heard them talking about being careful with Tul. The Basement. The basement houses the shrine to Talos, where the energy from the ritual is

Keranos's Champions

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Mythic Odysseys of Theros

Keranos’s Champions Alignment: Usually chaotic, often neutral Suggested Classes: Barbarian, bard, cleric, druid, sorcerer, wizard Suggested Cleric Domains: Knowledge, Tempest Suggested Backgrounds

idea why Keranos grants you visions, and the burden weighs heavily on your soul. Devotion to Keranos Just as the storm is unpredictable and often dangerous, so is service to the lord of storms

Kruphix's Champions

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Mythic Odysseys of Theros

Kruphix’s Champions Alignment: Usually neutral Suggested Classes: Bard, cleric, druid, monk, ranger, wizard Suggested Cleric Domains: Knowledge, Trickery Suggested Backgrounds: Hermit, outlander

important to me than what he stands for. (Any) 2 Balance. Too much power in any one place is a threat to us all. (Lawful) 3 Selflessness. I accept the burden of knowledge so that others don’t

Class Training

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

me push beyond my limitations. 6 My anger needed to be channeled into battle, or I risked becoming an indiscriminate killer. Bard d6 I became a bard because … 1 I awakened my latent bardic

abilities through trial and error. 2 I was a gifted performer and attracted the attention of a master bard who schooled me in the old techniques. 3 I joined a loose society of scholars and orators to learn

Home, Sweet Home

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

inspiration, or you can develop a unique location. Work with the players to develop the connections that each character has to the site. If the location is a tavern, for instance, a bard character

place where the adventurers will meet with patrons and conduct business. The Home Base table can also be useful to determine the venue if a patron wants to set up a meeting at a neutral location. Home

The White Lady Inn

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden

(lawful good strongheart halfling commoner), a self-styled bard kept around to entertain guests, is fond of plucking his fiddle while recounting his tale: that the White Lady’s husband was a miser who

explorer to find it. The inn’s sullen, elderly proprietor, Bartaban (neutral good human commoner), has heard the halfling’s rambling far too often to be humored by it. Séance. Rinaldo is planning to conduct

Campaign Characters

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

emerge during play, such as a character’s tendency to one-up a rude innkeeper or their oft-expressed fondness for displacer beast fur. Players often reveal their characters’ motivations through play. If

settle a grudge. A sneaky character puts their skills to the test by leading the rest of the party to conduct a heist. A character learns the location of a magic item needed to save their hometown. A

Woods Encounters

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

the stone idol. Four human figures in occult robes gather around the statue, chanting ominously. Four Cultists conduct a ritual around this ancient statue. They belong to the Cult of Chaos, a

, the foliage parts to reveal a tranquil grove where a natural spring burbles. Rays of sunlight create a silvery glow about the crystal-clear pool. This sacred spring is infused with primal magic

N2. Blue Water Inn

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Curse of Strahd

otherwise help them. Fortunes of Ravenloft If your card reading reveals that a treasure is hidden at the inn, the Keepers of the Feather don’t reveal where the treasure is until they know the characters

adventures or hear about how the characters plan to free Vallaki from the burgomaster’s madness. Rictavio. The lone guest of the Blue Water Inn at present is a colorfully dressed half-elf bard who goes

Fighter

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Acquisitions Incorporated

keep your allies safe as you reveal how much fight you still have in you. 2 You always keep a small pouch of salt or sand at your belt. If you can blind an opponent, even momentarily, you can

you’ll take that risk. If you had to choose between entering a battle without your favorite combat gear or without the party’s bard, Singy McLuteface can sit this one out. You and your equipment have

Building a Dungeon

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

–18 Neutral evil 19–20 Chaotic evil NPC Class d20 Class 1 Barbarian 2 Bard 3–4 Cleric 5 Druid 6–7 Fighter 8 Monk 9 Paladin 10 Ranger 11–14 Rogue 15 Sorcerer 16 Warlock 17–20 Wizard Dungeon

control the dungeon and conduct their rites there. Tomb. Tombs are magnets for treasure hunters, as well as monsters that hunger for the bones of the dead. Treasure Vault. Built to protect powerful

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