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Returning 35 results for 'bards before death contract returner'.
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Classes
Forgotten Realms: Heroes of Faerûn
and murder; and Myrkul, a god of death. While some Rogues of this subclass pledge themselves ardently to those three macabre gods, others are thrust on this path by a curse. Either way, a scion’s
such as the Shadow Thieves of Amn or the Xanathar Guild in Waterdeep might call on a Scion of the Three to undertake an especially violent contract.
Monsters
Mordenkainen's Fiendish Folio Volume 1
denizens of the Feywild. Sages believe that their appearance derives from the primal fear inspired by fiendish creatures, while bards assert that panic, being such a repulsive emotion, is embodied by an
injured and shorn of all hope. The devilkin steal treasures, weapons, and supplies, dooming an expedition to a slow death. The devilkin fly near their victims, taunting them with the items they stole
Monsters
Monstrous Compendium Vol. 1: Spelljammer Creatures
becoming an eldritch lich.
Like other liches, eldritch liches are spellcasters who have cheated death, but an eldritch lich does so by allowing a Great Old One to implant a Far Realm parasite in the lich
lich against destruction, reviving the lich a few days after death. Canny foes can sabotage an eldritch lich’s revival by slaying the lich in a magic circle, thereby forcing the lich to return in
Giff
Legacy
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Monsters
Mordenkainen’s Tome of Foes
of giff society is organized along military lines. From birth until death, every giff has a military rank. It must follow orders from those of superior rank, and it can give orders to those of lower
refuse to fight other giff, and will never agree to a contract unless it stipulates that they can sit out a battle rather than wage war against their kin. A giff prizes the reputation of its unit above its
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide
-Ortheel, the Elf-Eater; Kezef, the Chaos Hound; Kyuss, the Worm That Walks; the Queen of Chaos; Tharizdun, the Chained God; Tyranthraxus, the Flamed One; and Zargon, the Returner. They are all forces of
corruption and evil. Nothing good can come from their influence. Bargains made with them end in catastrophe or death.
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Baldur's Gate: Descent into Avernus
would rather risk death than demotion to a lower form of devil and the scorn of its peers. A devil might be persuaded to void a contract in exchange for one of the following: One or more soul coins
Infernal Contracts Once the devil and the character agree to the terms of a deal, the agreement must be sealed with a contract, which the devil can produce as an action. The contract often appears in
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Journeys through the Radiant Citadel
poetry and song. This is why every community has one or more binukots, bards who serve as living repositories of art, culture, custom, and law. The death of a binukot can result in the loss of
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Adventure Atlas: The Mortuary
contract the rights to recently deceased corpses—or soon-to-be-dead folk—through death contracts and raise them as skeletons, zombies, and other Undead. Remnants. Remnants are Dusters who exist in a
Heralds of Dust Roles Eulogists, gravediggers, and morticians, the Heralds of Dust serve Sigil in all things related to death. The faction attracts the grief stricken, the undead, and those with a
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Quests from the Infinite Staircase
characters of all levels, though unseasoned adventurers determined to face the Returner in combat are almost certainly doomed to fail. Characters killed by Zargon might be resurrected on the Infinite
even in combat—only death can separate the Zargonites from their goal. The cultist on the pedestal refrains from joining combat until the ritual is complete; if they are killed, another cultist takes
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Baldur's Gate: Descent into Avernus
rendered, guests need not fear being trapped within, since Mahadi is very serious about maintaining the contract between host and guest. Each guest must agree to this formal arrangement prior to
establishment fall under a special contract and therefore rank most highly in his esteem. Of course, guests leaving Infernal Rapture are expected to pay their bills in full prior to departure. If a guest
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Wayfinder's Guide to Eberron
fey creatures. Bards and archfey warlocks are often found among the Greensingers, and the Circles of Dreams works well for Greensinger druids. The Gatekeepers protect the natural world from unnatural
to release bound elementals. Barbarians are often found among the Ashbound, and Berserker and Storm Herald are logical paths. The Children of Winter believe that death is a natural part of life. This
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Monster Manual (2014)
positively ruthless at enforcing the terms of an agreement. Moreover, a contract with even the lowliest devil is enforced by Asmodeus’s will. Any mortal creature that breaks such a contract instantly
power and boons they can provide. A soul is usually forfeited when a mortal dies naturally, for devils are immortal and can wait years for a contract to play out. If a contract allows a devil to claim a
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Baldur's Gate: Descent into Avernus
, they are promising to serve in the Nine Hells as devils themselves after death. Once promised to a devil, a character’s soul can’t be claimed by another creature. Services A devil that can’t claim a
darker deals in the future. Here are a few examples: Without using magical coercion, the character must convince another mortal to enter into an infernal contract with the devil. The character is told
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Adventure Atlas: The Mortuary
lead them to a deadly location in the Mortuary, such as a crematorium. 3 A poshly dressed Duster wight asks the characters to help them write a eulogy that’s due in 10 minutes. 4 A friendly death dog
to expel a dybbuk† from a corpse. The exorcist asks the characters to help in dispatch the Fiend. 9 Two bards† in the Heralds of Dust approach the characters and sing a ballad honoring the dead. If the
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Eberron: Rising from the Last War
communication and cooperation between members of different cultures or species. Khoravar who follow this philosophy often become bards, diplomats, mediators, or translators. Others are fascinated by their
You’re part of a tiny Khoravar community in Karrnath that’s fascinated with death and the practices of your Aereni ancestors, transforming your unity meals into grim celebrations of death. 8 You’re part
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Eberron: Rising from the Last War
forcefully pulled from this work and thrust into life-or-death situations, with or without help from more hardened adventurers. The knowledge and experience of a Civil Servant can often be useful, with
Charisma to work in the service of the state. These characters often come from a noble background and bring proficiency in skills such as Intimidation and Persuasion to their work. Bards are natural fits in
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Eberron: Rising from the Last War
proximity to the City of the Dead, the district of Deathsgate prides itself on being a haven for those who challenge death on a daily basis. The guild’s founder, Kassh “Blackaxe” Droranath, doesn’t care
city of Sharn, which is both the cultural heart of Breland and a nexus for intrigue and diplomacy. Bards have much to gain from the company of other bards, as they exchange news, stories, and songs
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Acquisitions Incorporated
completely reasonable and plausible explanation. Singing songs and strumming lutes might be fine for most bards. Who doesn’t like a rousing shanty now and then? But standing in a crowded tavern playing for
copper pieces tossed by commoners isn’t for everyone — and it certainly isn’t for bards in the Acq Inc world. The power and magic tied up in the voice of a franchise bard is meant for greater things
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Acquisitions Incorporated
want a model for efficiency and motivation in an organization, look no further than the infernal expanse of Nessus. You want to talk about a perfect sales pitch and a diabolically intricate contract
cognizant of not wanting to throw away potential customers that way, how much risk of going down that path could there be? Jergal Death is a serious business. Literally. Jergal is a lesser deity who
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Baldur's Gate: Descent into Avernus
here during the trip to Avernus. The ghasts reek of death and decay. When the ghasts are dealt with, a successful DC 10 Wisdom (Perception) check discerns a faint crying coming from a cupboard. Inside is
streets to search for provisions. The imp, Perchillux, is offering Pilster a month’s worth of food for the low price of his soul. Pilster is preparing to sign the contract as the characters come upon the
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Wayfinder's Guide to Eberron
the ruler of Darguun, and many fear that his death could throw the region into chaos. Among the Ghaal’dar, you hold your place through cunning and strength. As a Ghaal’dar goblinoid, you may have been
Dhakaani. The Heirs of Dhakaan are an agnostic society and don’t have clerics, paladins, or druids. Their focus is on martial excellence, and their spiritual leaders are bards, who inspire their warriors
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Monstrous Compendium Volume One: Spelljammer Creatures
, they might set foot on the twisting path toward becoming an eldritch lich. Like other liches, eldritch liches are spellcasters who have cheated death, but an eldritch lich does so by allowing a Great
lich’s torso, and the parasite guards the lich against destruction, reviving the lich a few days after death. Canny foes can sabotage an eldritch lich’s revival by slaying the lich in a magic circle
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes
the Elf-Eater, Dendar the Night Serpent, Borem of the Lake of Boiling Mud, Kezef the Chaos Hound, Zargon the Returner, Camnod the Unseen, Holashner the Hunger Below, Piscaethces the Blood Queen
their relative strength. But they are all forces of corruption and evil. Nothing good can come from their influence. No bargain made with them ends in anything other than madness, plague, death, or worse.
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes
to their dominion, but also because striking in force anywhere else would play into the devils’ hands. YUGOLOTHS: FICKLE ALLIES
Yugoloths are major players on both sides of the Blood War. The death
devils both know that a yugoloth’s loyalty is constantly for sale — even during a conflict on the battlefield — and a yugoloth never agrees to a contract that prohibits it from seeking a better offer
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Baldur's Gate: Descent into Avernus
like a bonfire in the darkness — and Zariel desires it. Such a character is likely destined to pass into the Upper Planes after death, and as such, they make a handsome prize for an archdevil to shape
their offer and produces a contract stating that she will release the city in exchange for the sword, delivered without any complications or deceit. Lulu rankles at the idea of the characters forging any
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Lost Laboratory of Kwalish
Rumors and Legends Countless legends have arisen regarding the mysterious Barrier Peaks, and those tales circulate constantly among adventurers, explorers, and bards. Rumors specific to Kwalish and
keep a brain alive long after a creature’s death. 46–50 Kwalish never really existed. The inventor who went by that name was really a construct, created by Ioun to walk among mortals and study our
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Basic Rules (2014)
area where the Weave has been torn. But surrounded by the Weave, a spellcaster can shape lightning to blast foes, transport hundreds of miles in the blink of an eye, or even reverse death itself.
All
magic depends on the Weave, though different kinds of magic access it in a variety of ways. The spells of wizards, warlocks, sorcerers, and bards are commonly called arcane magic. These spells rely on
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Keys from the Golden Vault
. So gifted a musician was he that an admiring wizard gave Frody an instrument of the bards—a famous Canaith mandolin called Golden Axe. The mandolin’s magic served Frody well during his many
Sythian Skalderang, who lived many miles away, learned of the famous bard’s untimely death. Sythian had inherited his parents’ estate and debts, but a mysterious poison killed off the family’s olive orchard
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide (2014)
humiliation or insult 2 Avenge a past imprisonment or injury 3 Avenge the death of a loved one 4 Retrieve stolen property and punish the thief 8 Wealth (d4) 1 Control natural resources or trade 2 Marry into
5 Confidence scams (d6) 1 Breach of contract 2 Cheating 3 Fast talking 4 Fine print 5 Fraud or swindling 6 Quackery or tricks 6 Defamation (d4) 1 Framing 2 Gossiping or slander 3 Humiliation 4 Libel
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Mordenkainen's Fiendish Folio Volume 1
believe that their appearance derives from the primal fear inspired by fiendish creatures, while bards assert that panic, being such a repulsive emotion, is embodied by an equally ugly creature
. The devilkin steal treasures, weapons, and supplies, dooming an expedition to a slow death. The devilkin fly near their victims, taunting them with the items they stole. Predators in the area learn
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse->Sigil and the Outlands
dominance are never quenched in the desiccated valley, where each victory feels hollower than the last. CoupleOfKooks “Who needs an iron fist when you have a contract?”
–Duchess Zelza Zurkbane
Adventure Hook 1 One of the character’s loved ones pledges their soul in an infernal contract. To win it back, the party must argue their case before a pit fiend judge in the Court of Cinders. 2
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes
Halflings I don’t have enough fingers and toes to count the times I saw our little rogue cheat death, but I remember them all. Let’s see … there was the enraged roper, the flaming lava stream, the
catapulted gelatinous cubes, the Ten Tilting Corridors of Death, the exploding toad trap, the Hall of the Spinning Scimitars …
— Magnificus, wizard extraordinaire
Anyone who has spent time around
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes
recognize a devil’s deeds. Souls. Each time a devil signs a contract that pledges a mortal’s soul to the Nine Hells, that devil receives credit for the achievement. A stronger soul, such as a mighty
death can immediately step into the vacant role, as long as the devil is aware of the rules of succession and positions itself as next in line. Devils look at mortals as sheep, just as demons do
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Fizban's Treasury of Dragons
style.
2 A young gold dragon lives in a cluster of stone spires and has secured the service of the galeb duhr who watch over the site.
3 An arcanaloth has secured a contract requiring a
dragon feels responsible for a paladin’s fall from grace and sends minions across the world in search of the paladin—now a death knight—so they both might be redeemed.
3 An adult green dragon and an
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tales from the Yawning Portal
The Yawning Portal Amid the bustle of Waterdeep, within the Castle Ward where barristers, nobles, and emissaries battle with word and contract, stands an inn not quite like any other. Before there
hidden from the surface world. Everyone who entered its halls failed to return. Its reputation as a death trap grew to the point that criminals in Waterdeep who were sentenced to die were forcibly