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Returning 35 results for 'bards been direct court rites'.
Classes
Player’s Handbook
Plumb the Depths of Magical Knowledge
Bards of the College of Lore collect spells and secrets from diverse sources, such as scholarly tomes, mystical rites, and peasant tales. The college’s
Monsters
Monstrous Compendium Vol. 4: Eldraine Creatures
fae kindguards are in direct service to Talion, the Kindly Lord. Nine times nine have these high fae sworn a binding oath to protect the Kindly Lord, each time pricking their hand on a hawthorn
branch to seal the promise.
“The Kindly Lord does not issue invitations to their court lightly. I suggest you accept.”
—Gwyddion, messenger of Talion
High Fae
Ageless and
Monsters
Eberron: Rising from the Last War
court of vampires and ghosts in her palace of ice. Other tales claim that when anyone dies in Lhazaar, Illmarrow chooses whether to take their soul before it passes on to the Keeper and Dolurrh.
But
island domain.
Long ago, it was revealed that the elven line of Vol — a house that practiced the art of necromancy and bore the Dragonmark of Death — was engaged in secret blood rites
Bard
Legacy
This doesn't reflect the latest rules and lore.
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Classes
Basic Rules (2014)
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 hard study
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
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Basic Rules (2014)
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
hard study and some measure of natural talent that most troubadours and jongleurs lack. It can be hard to spot the difference between these performers and true bards, though. A bard’s life is spent
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Eberron: Rising from the Last War
Rites The most sacred rite of the Undying Court is trance communion. While in trance, an Aereni elf engages in meditation that connects them to the gestalt consciousness of the Court. This experience
congregation. A masked priest serves as the face of the Court, and any elf can approach them seeking an ease to their burdens.
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Player's Handbook (2014)
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
hard study and some measure of natural talent that most troubadours and jongleurs lack. It can be hard to spot the difference between these performers and true bards, though. A bard’s life is spent
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
Citadel, as well as other lands. Skilled scouts and spies can also be hired for short-term reconnaissance or long-term infiltration. The Court is a mixed outdoor-indoor space with quiet alcoves and
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
Citadel, as well as other lands. Skilled scouts and spies can also be hired for short-term reconnaissance or long-term infiltration. The Court is a mixed outdoor-indoor space with quiet alcoves and
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->D&D Beyond Basic Rules
Bard Subclass 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
their traditions. This section presents the College of Lore subclass. College of Lore Plumb the Depths of Magical Knowledge Bards of the College of Lore collect spells and secrets from diverse sources
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Eberron: Rising from the Last War
Head of State Contacts Often, your connection to your patron is quite direct—the head of state summons you, grants you an audience, and gives you an assignment or hears your report. Heads of state
are busy people, though, and if your business isn’t pressing, you might be handled by a functionary of the court. The State Contacts table provides several options for what functionaries your group
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Eberron: Rising from the Last War
decisions and operate without direct guidance. The Odakyr Rites work only when performed on the remains of a soldier slain in battle, and only in manifest zones tied to the plane of Mabar. The most
Emerald Claw. The Odakyr Rites. The nation of Karrnath has a proud martial heritage, and its soldiers are unmatched in discipline. But in the early years of the Last War, Karrnath was crippled by famine and
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Journeys through the Radiant Citadel
filled with Janyans enraptured by the low-toned, hypnotic music of a group of bards. Xoese-Addae leads the characters to a private audience suite overlooking the quad, occupied by a single Janyan wearing
fine, billowing robes—this is Zisatta. Zisatta Zisatta The aloof Zisatta is a member of the High Court and commands Janya’s security forces, called the Billowing Patrol for their sable robes that
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Mythic Odysseys of Theros
direct, being a line from a paean to Phenax. As for the rest, Khea reveals that not only is it a cipher, but an incomplete one; letters have been removed from the message in some indiscernible pattern
. Without knowing what the other letters are, the writing is impossible to decode—even with magic—since it isn’t a meaningful message in its partial form. Buried in the Court of Orestes Although Khea can’t
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
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Candlekeep Mysteries
signals to direct the characters toward the courtyard. From there, the characters can approach the upper court (area T2), where the prisoners are. The following locations are keyed to the map of the
courtyard when the characters arrive will make a hasty but silent retreat to places of safety outside the temple. T2. Upper Court The upper court of the temple has been completely cleared of debris. Six
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Eberron: Forge of the Artificer
magical rites for the next 7 days. At the end of that period, you gain a special Charm (see “Supernatural Gifts” in the Dungeon Master’s Guide) called a Manifest Charm, which lasts until you use it
. You don’t need to be in the Bastion while the rites are performed to gain their benefit. The effects of the Charm depend on the facility’s linked plane: Daanvi, the Perfect Order. You can expend the
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft
who currently controls the Sapphire Throne—Ramya or Arijani and Reeva. Either faction is likely to notice the party and court them as potential allies. The characters then walk the fine line detailed in
. With constant upheaval, no one has performed the rites necessary to placate what dwells in the deep.
4 Dozens of servants were hired to help host a grand gala thrown by Arijani. The event was
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
, you can use a bonus action to expend one use of your Bardic Inspiration and roll on the Spirit Tales table using your Bardic Inspiration die to determine the tale the spirits direct you to tell. You
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything
Bladesinging When faced with the endless onslaught of magical possibilities, many wizards suffer identity crises. Some overcome, some break, and some become sword-bards.
Tasha
Bladesingers master
the Attack action on your turn. Moreover, you can cast one of your cantrips in place of one of those attacks. Song of Defense 10th-level Bladesinging feature You can direct your magic to absorb damage
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse->Turn of Fortune’s Wheel
can direct the characters to the nearby wildernesses where these groups dwell. Heart Delta Heart Delta lies a few miles away from Camp Greenbriar. When the characters visit there, read or paraphrase
their home in Eagles’ Aerie can direct the characters to their leader, Parvaz. Currently, the albatross is at a meeting place called Watcher’s Talon, deep in the forest. The most direct route to the
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes
glaciers and howling ice storms. Mephistopheles holds court here with the ice devils that make up his retinue. Operating from his great tower, the icy citadel of Mephistar, he conducts a never-ending
made. His court is constantly alert for agents from Dis, since it greatly pains Dispater that Mephistopheles might come across a scrap of information that he doesn’t possess. A number of renowned
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Waterdeep: Dungeon of the Mad Mage
17. Arcturia’s Court Characters who listen at the doors to this room hear harp music beyond. The room has a vaulted ceiling 20 feet high and contains the following: Arcturia. Arcturia — a gaunt
butterfly swarm is an instrument of the bards (Anstruth harp). The yellow sapphires carried by the animal-headed guards fit into the pillars in area 8. Each gemstone is worth 1,000 gp.
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Eberron: Rising from the Last War
legion of undead and that she maintains a court of vampires and ghosts in her palace of ice. Other tales claim that when anyone dies in Lhazaar, Illmarrow chooses whether to take their soul before it
rites with a clan of dragons. The discovery of this pact triggered an unprecedented alliance between the Sibling Kings of Aerenal and the dragons of Argonnessen. The Sibling Kings proclaimed that House
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Mythic Odysseys of Theros
Court of Orestes Locations The area around the Court of Orestes and its interior locations are identified on map 4.16. Map 4.16: Court of Orestes View Player Version 1. Khystonos Riverbank When the
lid caked in crumbling candle wax and rotted offerings. Whatever rites were performed here were overseen by a larger-than-life statue in the alcove to the south, a sculpture depicting the upper body of
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Eberron: Rising from the Last War
this kind of work. Characters with the criminal background excel at putting their skills and contacts to use on the church’s behalf. Prophet. The Prophet is a visionary with a more-or-less direct
Persuasion (or sometimes Intimidation) and Religion can be useful for this character. Many clerics fill this role, but devout bards can also be effective Teachers. Some Teachers bring skills from the
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Fizban's Treasury of Dragons
to the highest standards of behavior, and wields cold magic. The Brass Order could be a loose affiliation of good-hearted scoundrels, including rogues and bards, who favor fire magic and trickery. An
in direct conflict with the other two factions, but that doesn’t always inspire cooperation. For example, the Chromatic Circle might focus on self-aggrandizement, as each member of the faction tries
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Acquisitions Incorporated
out for a mission on the mainland, they direct the ship’s staff-member captain to surprise other vessels and liberate goods from them. The DM decides that such acts of piracy fit the shady business
, training
Dungeon Master’s Guide (chapter 6): Building a stronghold, carousing, crafting a magic item, gaining renown, performing sacred rites, running a business, selling magic items, sowing rumors
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes
criminal charges are resolved here. The Diabolical Court is an independent institution, answering only to Asmodeus. That fact doesn’t discourage devils from constantly plotting to introduce new laws or
who are desperate to attain positions of power and status entreat her, as do those who — for whatever reason — need to be loved, feared, or respected. Fierna takes a direct interest in the soul trade
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes
played a critical role in ensuring that the githyanki under her rule were protected from an immediate, direct assault by their kin. Using her mastery of arcane magic, she helped the githyanki establish a
innermost court — the wondrous realm that Gith discovered in her journeys, and where she awaits those who have proven themselves worthy. Imagine you lack any concept of family. You’re constantly told that
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Baldur's Gate: Descent into Avernus
Avernus on direct assignment from Bahamut, keeping an eye out for signs of increased activity among Tiamat’s followers. After the last time the queen of evil dragons tried to escape the Nine Hells, those
specifically. Burney is under the effect of a permanent mind blank spell, and cannot be detected by magical or mundane means unless she wishes it. In exchange for this blessing, Burney can take no direct
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything
symbol or druidic focus, even if it isn’t needed for spellcasting. Each of you also has a book containing prayers, rites, and scriptures of your faith. Proficiencies. Each member of your party gains
, even if their reasons are unclear until you arrive. 6 Divinity’s Voice. Otherworldly messages direct you to undertake divine quests. Religious Order Member Your primary duty to a religious order is
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Storm King's Thunder
magical ability to know the shortest, most direct physical route to the lair of the chosen giant lord. This ability lasts until they reach their destination. If the characters have a conch of
court of King Hekaton!” HEKATON’S CONCHS
King Hekaton crafted magic conch shells and gave them to various giant lords so that they could appear before him at his imperial summons. When he wanted to
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything
increases or decreases depending on the sovereign’s nature, the type of work you perform, and the length of your employment. Sovereign Contact You might benefit from direct contact with your group patron
embroil you directly in political intrigues, court maneuverings, or threats from national foes. It’s up to you and the sovereign to determine whether your work is publicly acknowledged or top secret
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Princes of the Apocalypse
wildfire as they march forward. More broadly, they favor the direct approach and the simple plan to more oblique machinations. That’s one reason they loathe the cultists of elemental water, with all their
Elemental Fire, through a series of painful rites. A flamewrath’s skin is burned and scarred. Inured to pain, the flamewrath revels in battle, using an array of fire spells to incinerate enemies who would






