bards beauty diffusing combat roles

College of Glamour

Classes Player’s Handbook

Weave Beguiling Fey Magic The College of Glamour traces its origins to the beguiling magic of the Feywild. Bards who study this magic weave threads of beauty and terror into their songs and stories

Drow Favored Consort

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

, including the powerful drow matron mother, takes an attractive drow as consort. Chosen as much for beauty as for magical might, a drow favored consort can hold their own in both conversation and combat

. Combining the roles of advisor, protector, and beloved, some favored consorts are content with a supporting role, while more ambitious consorts aspire to be the power behind the throne—or even to

Duergar Stone Guard

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

neighbors. To this end, duergar warriors fulfill a variety of combat roles, often marrying their fury in battle with their psionic abilities or training dangerous Underdark creatures as mounts. Denigrated by

inspires works of grand but melancholic beauty, while in others, it manifests as rage. Like many who dwell in the Underdark, duergar must constantly be on guard against the raids and plots of their

Duergar Kavalrachni

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

many who dwell in the Underdark, duergar must constantly be on guard against the raids and plots of their neighbors. To this end, duergar warriors fulfill a variety of combat roles, often marrying

; they were infused with powerful psionic abilities but also a profound gloom. In some, this strain of sorrow inspires works of grand but melancholic beauty, while in others, it manifests as rage. Like

Duergar Despot

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

many who dwell in the Underdark, duergar must constantly be on guard against the raids and plots of their neighbors. To this end, duergar warriors fulfill a variety of combat roles, often marrying their

were infused with powerful psionic abilities but also a profound gloom. In some, this strain of sorrow inspires works of grand but melancholic beauty, while in others, it manifests as rage. Like

Duergar Soulblade

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

Underdark, duergar must constantly be on guard against the raids and plots of their neighbors. To this end, duergar warriors fulfill a variety of combat roles, often marrying their fury in battle with

powerful psionic abilities but also a profound gloom. In some, this strain of sorrow inspires works of grand but melancholic beauty, while in others, it manifests as rage. Like many who dwell in the

Duergar Xarrorn

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

guard against the raids and plots of their neighbors. To this end, duergar warriors fulfill a variety of combat roles, often marrying their fury in battle with their psionic abilities or training

profound gloom. In some, this strain of sorrow inspires works of grand but melancholic beauty, while in others, it manifests as rage. Like many who dwell in the Underdark, duergar must constantly be on

Martial Arts Adept

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

hand-to-hand combat. Some protect monasteries; others travel the world seeking enlightenment or new forms of combat to master. A few become bodyguards, trading their combat prowess and loyalty for

each hand 5 Passage from a fighting manual 6 Beautiful but poisonous flowers 7 Two couatls swirling around each other, rendered in metallic ink 8 Detailed landscape depicting natural beauty

Animated Coffin

Monsters Adventure Atlas: The Mortuary

False Appearance. If the animated coffin is motionless at the start of combat, it has advantage on its initiative roll. Moreover, if a creature hasn’t observed the coffin move or act, that

boxes with simple fittings to elaborate, gilded sarcophagi and reverent, fabric-lined caskets. Beyond the City of Doors, animated coffins serve similar—albeit less industrial—roles

Mercion

Monsters The Wild Beyond the Witchlight

and beauty, and that those who embrace deceit should be censured and punished. Light is her domain. Alignment. Lawful good. Personality Trait. “No one dies on my watch—unless they stand

against what I hold dear.” Ideal. “Truth begets art and beauty, while deceit does nothing but tear the fabric of our souls.” Bond. “Evildoers beware! Valor’s Call is

Bronze Sable

Monsters Mythic Odysseys of Theros

sable's allies is within 5 feet of the creature and the ally isn't incapacitated. Surprise Attack. If the sable surprises a creature and hits it with an attack during the first round of combat, the

few were created to emulate beauty found among the animals of the mortal world. Each exhibits abilities suited to its role, with some behaving like companionable creatures or stoic guardians. A few

Duergar Mind Master

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

this end, duergar warriors fulfill a variety of combat roles, often marrying their fury in battle with their psionic abilities or training dangerous Underdark creatures as mounts. Denigrated by some

works of grand but melancholic beauty, while in others, it manifests as rage. Like many who dwell in the Underdark, duergar must constantly be on guard against the raids and plots of their neighbors. To

Duergar Warlord

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

dwell in the Underdark, duergar must constantly be on guard against the raids and plots of their neighbors. To this end, duergar warriors fulfill a variety of combat roles, often marrying their fury in

infused with powerful psionic abilities but also a profound gloom. In some, this strain of sorrow inspires works of grand but melancholic beauty, while in others, it manifests as rage. Like many who

Viari

Monsters Acquisitions Incorporated

and earnest debate, he demonstrates an equal flair for planning and forethought, mad combat moves (involving leaping off high places whenever possible), and dark vengeance. Viari's career as an

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

Entertainer Legacy

Backgrounds Player’s Handbook (2014)

liking to you. Variant Entertainer: Gladiator A gladiator is as much an entertainer as any minstrel or circus performer, trained to make the arts of combat into a spectacle the crowd can

enjoy. This kind of flashy combat is your entertainer routine, though you might also have some skills as a tumbler or actor. Using your By Popular Demand feature, you can find a place to perform in

Mellowort

Equipment

Combat Utility Whimsy 4 8 7 Go into any hot spring or spa and the scent of Mellowort is sure to be wafting around with its soothing aroma. There are many songs written by

bards about the benefits and relaxing properties of this flowering plant. Mellowort is a tall, slender plant that is found in the lowlands of Obojima.

Bard Legacy

Classes Basic Rules (2014)

versatility. Many bards prefer to stick to the sidelines in combat, using their magic to inspire their allies and hinder their foes from a distance. But bards are capable of defending themselves in melee if

experience earns renown among other bards. Indeed, after telling so many stories about heroes accomplishing mighty deeds, many bards take these themes to heart and assume heroic roles themselves

Gladiator Legacy

Backgrounds Player’s Handbook (2014)

A gladiator is as much an entertainer as any minstrel or circus performer, trained to make the arts of combat into a spectacle the crowd can enjoy. This kind of flashy combat is your entertainer

; FEATURE: BY POPULAR DEMAND You can always find a place to perform in any place that features combat for entertainment — perhaps a gladiatorial arena or secret pit fighting club. At such

College of Lore Legacy

Classes Basic Rules (2014)

to be true, from their faith in the priesthood of the local temple to their loyalty to the king. The loyalty of these bards lies in the pursuit of beauty and truth, not in fealty to a monarch or

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

Ember

Monsters Monstrous Compendium Vol. 2: Dragonlance Creatures

who serves the Dragon Queen Takhisis. In his service to the Dragon Queen, Ember has taken on many roles at her behest—including that of a black-robed human member of the Mages of High Sorcery

weapon is a molten storm of ash and flame. In combat, Ember wears a set of magic plate armor that bolsters his already-impressive might, allowing him to annihilate entire cohorts with terrifying

Half-Orc Legacy

Species Basic Rules (2014)

shared elements among these folk. Orcs regard battle scars as tokens of pride and ornamental scars as things of beauty. Other scars, though, mark an orc or half-orc as a former prisoner or a disgraced

-orcs hear the whispers of Gruumsh in their dreams, calling them to unleash the rage that simmers within them. Others feel Gruumsh’s exultation when they join in melee combat — and either

Petrified Alligator

Equipment

Combat Utility Whimsy 15 16 13 Bards speak of the mad druid Fennistrix, who had a penchant for petrification along with a bizarre alligator obsession that resulted in almost

Entertainer - Baldur's Gate

Backgrounds Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

entertainer as any minstrel or circus performer, trained to make the arts of combat into a spectacle the crowd can enjoy. This kind of flashy combat is your entertainer routine, though you might also have some

skills as a tumbler or actor. Using your By Popular Demand feature, you can find a place to perform in any place that features combat for entertainment — perhaps a gladiatorial arena or secret

Cloistered Scholar

Backgrounds Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide

assume roles of greater responsibility and prominence. You might be one of Candlekeep’s own, dedicated to the curatorship of what is likely the most complete body of lore and history in all the

. d6 Ideal 1 Knowledge. The path to power and self-improvement is through knowledge. (Neutral) 2 Beauty. What is beautiful points us beyond itself toward what is true. (Good

Learning from Experience

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

experience earns renown among other bards. Indeed, after telling so many stories about heroes accomplishing mighty deeds, many bards take these themes to heart and assume heroic roles themselves.

Learning from Experience True bards are not common in the world. Not every minstrel singing in a tavern or jester cavorting in a royal court is a bard. Discovering the magic hidden in music requires

Learning from Experience

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

experience earns renown among other bards. Indeed, after telling so many stories about heroes accomplishing mighty deeds, many bards take these themes to heart and assume heroic roles themselves.

Learning from Experience True bards are not common in the world. Not every minstrel singing in a tavern or jester cavorting in a royal court is a bard. Discovering the magic hidden in music requires

Orc Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

scythe. Only a skilled and determined hero can hope to survive single combat with an orc. Savage and fearless, orc tribes are ever in search of elves, dwarves, and humans to destroy. Motivated by their

relieved of their other roles and taken to the lair’s whelping pens, where they are tended to by Luthic’s followers. Orcs don’t take mates, and no pair-bonding occurs in a tribe

Music and Magic

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

sidelines in combat, using their magic to inspire their allies and hinder their foes from a distance. But bards are capable of defending themselves in melee if necessary, using their magic to bolster their

. 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

Music and Magic

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

sidelines in combat, using their magic to inspire their allies and hinder their foes from a distance. But bards are capable of defending themselves in melee if necessary, using their magic to bolster their

. 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

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

above to build their lairs. Then, like gem cutters seeking the perfect diamond, they spend much of their lives refining, polishing, and enhancing the beauty of their lairs. Crystal dragons&rsquo

Ancient Crystal Dragon

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

the greatest 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

, and enhancing the beauty of their lairs. Crystal dragons’ lairs are often found in polar expanses, dizzying mountain peaks, and glacial floes. Some resemble icy palaces, with numerous balconies

Topaz Dragon Wyrmling

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

my territory has forfeited its right to be upset by anything I do to it. (Evil) 5 Wonder. Though I don’t wish to spend time in it, my soul sings at the sight of the vast beauty of the

ocean. (Good) 6 Code of Combat. I despise most other dragons, but I meet them face to face without resorting to the base trickery I use on lesser creatures. (Lawful) Topaz Dragon

Build Your Group

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

backgrounds such as criminal, sage, soldier, or urchin, regardless of the role they play in a group. Consider some or all of these roles for characters in your party: Client. When a routine investigation goes

in both Persuasion and Intimidation prove helpful in this role. Bards, paladins, and sorcerers have both the requisite talents and the ability to supplement their interrogations with magic

Young Topaz Dragon

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

forfeited its right to be upset by anything I do to it. (Evil) 5 Wonder. Though I don’t wish to spend time in it, my soul sings at the sight of the vast beauty of the ocean. (Good) 6 Code of

Combat. I despise most other dragons, but I meet them face to face without resorting to the base trickery I use on lesser creatures. (Lawful) Topaz Dragon Adventures The Topaz Dragon

Using Sidekicks

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

Using Sidekicks Make sure the player understands the roles and limitations of sidekicks in this adventure: Sidekicks are stalwart companions who can perform tasks both in and out of combat, including

D&D Beyond

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