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Returning 35 results for 'bards battle diffusing connection rather'.
Classes
Player’s Handbook
personify their Rage as a fierce spirit or revered forebear. Others see it as a connection to the pain and anguish of the world, as an impersonal tangle of wild magic, or as an expression of their own
deepest self. For every Barbarian, their Rage is a power that fuels not just battle prowess, but also uncanny reflexes and heightened senses.
Barbarians often serve as protectors and leaders in their
Monsters
Lorwyn: First Light
":"Befuddling Ray"} from the next saving throw it makes before the end of the noggle's next turn.Some noggles have a powerful connection to the strange magic that suffuses the realm of Lorwyn-Shadowmoor
. Such wild mages exist on the peripheries of noggle society as pariahs and vagabonds. Their innate magic becomes strongest when they are most desperate, such as in the heat of battle.
Noggles
Noggles
Species
Eberron: Forge of the Artificer
philosophy often become bards, diplomats, mediators, or translators. Others, fascinated by their distant connection to the Fey, seek to build bridges between the Material Plane and the Feywild of
Species
Eberron: Forge of the Artificer
directly with their quori spirits. Rather, kalashtar might experience them as a source of instinct and inspiration, drawing on the spirits’ memories when the kalashtar sleep. This connection grants
Kalashtar (pronounced kal-ASH-tar) are created from the union of humanity and renegade spirits called quori from the plane of dreams. Kalashtar appear human, but their spiritual connection affects
Monsters
Forgotten Realms: Adventures in Faerûn
a cunning mind. Biha Babir is politically savvy and prefers to outsmart her opponents rather than battle them, though she doesn’t shy from combat if necessary.
Biha Babir covets opulence, but
Monsters
Forgotten Realms: Adventures in Faerûn
rule Faerûn. His Cult of the Dragon devotes itself to helping evil dragons become dracoliches to bring this evil new age to fruition.
Sammaster was killed in battle, but had prepared contingencies
efficiently as he can. Sammaster personally checks in on the cult’s most important plots, often surprising his minions with his presence.
Rather than keep a soul jar as liches do, Sammaster keeps
Monsters
Forgotten Realms: Adventures in Faerûn
. His Cult of the Dragon devotes itself to helping evil dragons become dracoliches to bring this evil new age to fruition.
Sammaster was killed in battle, but had prepared contingencies for his demise
can. Sammaster personally checks in on the cult’s most important plots, often surprising his minions with his presence.
Rather than keep a soul jar as liches do, Sammaster keeps a magical soul
Monsters
Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse
points remaining.The cranium rat squeaker;cranium rats squeakers of Sigil have no connection to the mind flayers that created their progenitors. Rather, these magical rodents cooperate with the
Monsters
Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse
;{"diceNotation":"1d20+4", "rollType":"to hit", "rollAction":"Bite"} to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 1 piercing damage.The cranium rats squeakers of Sigil have no connection to the mind flayers that
created their progenitors. Rather, these magical rodents cooperate with the residents of the City of Doors, whether by simply living together or by pursuing greater ambitions. When squeakers collect in
Monsters
Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse
domesticate steeders, particularly duergar. Typically the females serve as steeds in battle, while the males are used as draft animals.
Steeders attempt to tear apart perceived threats—and consider
begins shortly after the steeder hatches. As it grows, its rider works with it to direct its predatory instincts.
Rather than spinning webs, steeders excrete a viscous substance from their legs. This goo allows them to creep along walls and ceilings and to grapple prey.
Classes
Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything
force in battle, as well as helpful company for the ranger. Some Swarmkeepers are outcasts or hermits, keeping to themselves and their attendant swarms rather than dealing with the discomfort of others
Feeling a deep connection to the environment around them, some rangers reach out through their magical connection to the world and bond with a swarm of nature spirits. The swarm becomes a potent
Classes
Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything
force in battle, as well as helpful company for the ranger. Some Swarmkeepers are outcasts or hermits, keeping to themselves and their attendant swarms rather than dealing with the discomfort of others
Feeling a deep connection to the environment around them, some rangers reach out through their magical connection to the world and bond with a swarm of nature spirits. The swarm becomes a potent
Monsters
Acquisitions Incorporated
adventurer was nearly cut short during a battle of which the bards still sing. Unleashing a devastating attack with the aptly named Apocalypse Dagger, the rogue destroyed a giant single-handedly — and lost
Monsters
Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse
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 insight to guide the gnolls toward weak prey ripe for slaughter.
Unlike other leaders who might skulk behind their minions, a flind leads the charge in battle. Its flail causes wracking pain, paralysis, and disorientation in those it strikes.
Monsters
Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse
domesticate steeders, particularly duergar. Typically the females serve as steeds in battle, while the males are used as draft animals.
Steeders attempt to tear apart perceived threats—and consider even
begins shortly after the steeder hatches. As it grows, its rider works with it to direct its predatory instincts.
Rather than spinning webs, steeders excrete a viscous substance from their legs. This goo allows them to creep along walls and ceilings and to grapple prey.
College of Lore
Legacy
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Classes
Basic Rules (2014)
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 everything they held
Monsters
Fizban's Treasury of Dragons
life, crystal dragons enjoy an innate psionic connection to the Positive Plane that suffuses their bodies as well as their personalities with light. Though they prefer to live in desolate, frigid regions
. They read these signs as omens, giving them glimpses of what is to come, and they eagerly examine the potential futures of any creatures who come to them in peace.
Crystal dragons’ connection to
Monsters
Curse of Strahd
witnessing Strahd himself slay Vladimir's beloved, his fellow knight Sir Godfrey Gwilym. With the battle won, Strahd surrounded Argynvostholt. Rather than cower in his lair, Argynvost emerged and
Barovia would fade, allowing the spirits of Vladimir and his knights to enter the afterlife. Nevertheless, Vladimir would rather savor Strahd's torment than bring peace to his fallen order or peace
monsters
limited, a psychic connection that only binds a few people; but in a few cases, this psychic contagion has been virulent and contagious, consuming entire towns.
Valaara’s Minions. The cults of
the Crawling Queen are described in detail in chapter 3. Valaara doesn’t use dolgaunt;dolgaunts or dolgrim;dolgrims; rather, it often transforms humanoids into insect forms. These creatures use
Bard
Legacy
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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
Backgrounds
Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide
easily pick out the dens of criminal activity in a community, although you’re more likely to be welcome in the former locations rather than the latter.
Variant: Investigator
Rarer
Investigation rather than Athletics.
Suggested Characteristics
Use the tables for the soldier background below as the basis for your traits and motivations, modifying the entries when appropriate to
Monsters
Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse
without squeezing. Each foot of movement in water costs it 2 extra feet, rather than 1 extra foot. The mist can’t manipulate objects in any way that requires fingers or manual dexterity.
Sunlight
. In battle, a mist focuses its attacks on injured targets, since open wounds are a more ready source of blood.PoisonAcid, Cold, Lightning, Necrotic, Thunder; Bludgeoning, Piercing, and Slashing from Nonmagical Attacks
Monsters
Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse
to strike at its rivals when the draegloth is fully grown. These plans use the draegloth in a significant role, because its abilities can turn the tide in a battle against a house that doesn’t
training, they typically take out their frustration on their creator’s enemies, rather than on their creator. A draegloth that can’t suppress its ambitions might abandon its creator and
Monsters
Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse
;shators. They are squat, and their skin drips with a foul-smelling, acidic slime. Kelubars revel in the subservience of others, and they prefer to do battle with words—or at least to send in their
farastu minions—rather than fight directly.
Demodands
Demodands, also called gehreleths, are Fiends from the Tarterian Depths of Carceri. Cast into the prison plane long ago for forgotten
Monsters
Fizban's Treasury of Dragons
, crystal dragons enjoy an innate psionic connection to the Positive Plane that suffuses their bodies as well as their personalities with light. Though they prefer to live in desolate, frigid regions, many
; connection to the radiant forces of the Positive Plane fosters a nurturing, optimistic attitude in most of these dragons. They sometimes adopt the abandoned eggs or hatchlings of other dragons; many
Bugbear
Legacy
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Species
Volo's Guide to Monsters
natural state. Thanks to Grankhul, they can use their size and strength to work as stealthy assassins rather than blundering around like ogres.
Bullying, murder, and engaging in battle are all holy
.
Shiftless, Savage Layabouts
When they’re not in battle, bugbears spend much of their time resting or dozing. They don’t engage in crafting or agriculture to any great extent, or
Soldier
Legacy
This doesn't reflect the latest rules and lore.
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Backgrounds
Basic Rules (2014)
mistake in battle that cost many lives—and I would do anything to keep that mistake secret.
4
My hatred of my enemies is blind and unreasoning.
5
I obey the law, even if the law causes misery.
6
I’d rather eat my armor than admit when I’m wrong.
.
d6
Flaw
1
The monstrous enemy we faced in battle still leaves me quivering with fear.
2
I have little respect for anyone who is not a proven warrior.
3
I made a terrible
Classes
Dragonlance: Shadow of the Dragon Queen
;ne uses the light of the moon to battle darkness. On Eberron, scholars of the Draconic Prophecy decipher ancient secrets from the waxing and waning of that world’s twelve moons.
You or someone
eclipse, or maybe a mystical fragment of a moon crashed near you. However you came to have your magic, your connection to the moon is obvious when you cast sorcerer spells—perhaps making your pupils
Backgrounds
Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide
behind the life of a soldier for hire, but your skills are undeniably suited for battle, so now you fight on in a different way.
MERCENARIES OF THE NORTH
Countless mercenary companies
-states in the North are willing to field an army alongside the Chill, but several are happy to quietly pay the Chill to battle the Uthgardt, orcs, trolls of the Evermoors, and other threats to
Monsters
Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse
spiderlike creatures originally created to serve Lolth. They rule colonies of chitine;chitines and lead them into battle in Lolth’s war against her enemies.
When devotees of Lolth created the first
connection to Lolth, which gives them divine magic. They also make up the ruling caste of most chitine colonies. A colony can support numerous choldriths, who serve as commanders, priests, and
Classes
Xanathar's Guide to Everything
A variety of arcane colleges specialize in training wizards for war. The tradition of War Magic blends principles of evocation and abjuration, rather than specializing in either of those schools. It
magic as both a weapon and armor, a resource superior to any piece of steel. War mages act fast in battle, using their spells to seize tactical control of a situation. Their spells strike hard, while
Classes
Xanathar's Guide to Everything
A variety of arcane colleges specialize in training wizards for war. The tradition of War Magic blends principles of evocation and abjuration, rather than specializing in either of those schools. It
magic as both a weapon and armor, a resource superior to any piece of steel. War mages act fast in battle, using their spells to seize tactical control of a situation. Their spells strike hard, while
Backgrounds
Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus
.
5
Those who fight beside me are those worth dying for.
6
I fight for those who cannot fight for themselves.
d6
Flaw
1
The monstrous enemy we faced in battle still
leaves me quivering with fear.
2
I have little respect for anyone who is not a proven warrior.
3
I made a terrible mistake in battle that cost many lives—and I would do anything to
Classes
Dragonlance: Shadow of the Dragon Queen
;ne uses the light of the moon to battle darkness. On Eberron, scholars of the Draconic Prophecy decipher ancient secrets from the waxing and waning of that world’s twelve moons.
You or someone
eclipse, or maybe a mystical fragment of a moon crashed near you. However you came to have your magic, your connection to the moon is obvious when you cast sorcerer spells—perhaps making your pupils
Goliath
Legacy
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Species
Elemental Evil Player's Companion
seek out a larger, more powerful wyrm to battle. Few goliath adventurers reach old age, as most die attempting to surpass their past accomplishments.
Fair Play
For goliaths, competition exists only
away in the night to seek the cold will of fate.
In some ways, the goliath drive to outdo themselves feeds into the grim inevitability of their decline and death. A goliath would much rather die in






