bards before descent current roles

Kraul Death Priest

Monsters Guildmasters’ Guide to Ravnica

, with little grasp of metaphor or nuance. The death priests occupy the highest roles in kraul society. They lead the buzzing chants of the kraul rites. Their inscrutable clicks and buzzing can summon

crippling necromantic magic, and the presence of death seems to fortify them. They draw power from the defeat of their enemies and channel it to their followers, ensuring the continuation of the cycle. The current leader of the kraul is a death priest named Mazirek.

Minotaur Legacy

Species Guildmasters’ Guide to Ravnica

—perhaps they were once thought of as gods—who established the minotaurs’ place in the world. Every minotaur in Ravnica claims descent from one of these heroes. The Ordruun line is

minotaur heroes are full of other names as well: those of the retainers, allies, lovers, servants, enemies, and others who played roles, however small, in the lives of the heroes. Almost every minotaur

Bard Legacy

Classes 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

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

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

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

your cloister, a writing kit (small pouch with a quill, ink, folded parchment, and a small penknife), a borrowed book on the subject of your current study, and a pouch containing 10 gp FEATURE

The Two Agents

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Infernal Machine Rebuild

The Two Agents The two agents reside in or close to the characters’ current city or home base. If you are playing through Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus, you can arrange for both agents to

Approaching the Librarians

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Out of the Abyss

Approaching the Librarians If the characters set out to find a librarian, Ulthar is the one they find first. He and Urmas agree that current events in the Underdark are a serious concern, but their

roles as record keepers prevent them from acting in any way other than to provide information. Ulthar will speculate that this is likely why the library allowed Vizeran and the characters to find it so

Kobold Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

they were demigods — mighty beings of divine descent. This isn’t a casual sort of worship or lip service; kobolds are awed in the presence of a dragon, as if an actual avatar of a deity

roles that protect and sustain the tribe. The strongest kobolds are trained to be hunters and warriors, the most clever are crafters and strategists, the toughest are miners and beast-wranglers, and so

Court of Whispers

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

Court of Whispers

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

Bardic Colleges

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Sword Coast Adventurer’s Guide

the bards, each of which is named after one of the colleges. See chapter 7 of the Dungeon Master’s Guide for the game statistics of these magic instruments. Long ago, bards who sought the rank of

tradition fell when the colleges went into decline, but some bards dream of restoring it. College of Fochlucan The original College of Fochlucan once stood on the northeastern edge of Silverymoon. Many years

Zil Characters

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

appropriate, reflecting their love of intrigue. Classes that specialize in melee combat are rare among the Zil. The soldiers of Zilargo include rogues, bards, wizards, and artificers. The Trust. In

active agent, you could receive missions tied to your current adventures. If you and your companions are fighting the Emerald Claw, you might have a secondary assignment to eliminate a specific Claw

History of Ravnica

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Guildmasters' Guide to Ravnica

Ravnica. The text of the Guildpact spelled out specific roles for each guild within the infrastructure of Ravnica, allowing the city to grow while the guilds coexisted in relative peace. But the true

prior to that pivotal event are denoted as “Al Concordant,” or AC, and counted backward from 1 AC. Years after the signing are “Zal Concordant,” ZC. The current date is 10,076 ZC, usually referred to as ’76.

Harpers

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

Harpers Any smart, non-evil character can join the Harpers of Waterdeep. Bards and wizards are especially welcome. Harpers are altruists who work behind the scenes to keep power out of the hands of

evil tyrants. In the current situation, it doesn’t take long for them to suspect that the Zhentarim is wholly or partially responsible for the escalation of violence in Waterdeep. Harper spies might

Build Your Group

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

. The Boromars recruit ex-soldiers as muscle, trained sages for research, sailors to crew smuggling vessels, and charlatans and urchins for their unique talents. Consider some or all of these roles for

give them a broad range of knowledge to support their schemes. Bards, rogues, and wizards are often drawn to this role. Safecracker. The “breaking” part of “breaking and entering” is the Safecracker’s

Build Your Group

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

all of these roles: Prince Oargev ir’Wynarn Civil Servant. The vast majority of work performed on behalf of a head of state has very little to do with deadly adventure: it’s about prosecuting and

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

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

The Ring of Winter

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

what he needed: information on the ring’s current wearer, Artus Cimber, and a drop of Cimber’s blood (which the Black Network had in its possession). Nilraun is now waiting for the frost giants to

another. Even divination won’t reveal the ring’s current whereabouts. Over the years, various Harpers have dedicated resources toward finding Artus Cimber and the ring, to no avail. If the Harpers

Factions of Sigil

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse->Sigil and the Outlands

. Despite their influence within the city, factions have been erased from the city in the past, and current factions tread carefully to avoid that fate for themselves. They actively recruit new members

individuals known as factols. These leaders embody their groups’ philosophies and serve different roles depending on their factions’ needs. Factols and their delegates also represent their factions

Cloistered Scholar

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Sword Coast Adventurer’s Guide

storehouse of knowledge. The most well known of Faerûn’s fonts of knowledge is Candlekeep. The great library is always in need of workers and attendants, some of whom rise through the ranks to assume roles of

quill, ink, folded parchment, and a small penknife), a borrowed book on the subject of your current study, and a pouch containing 10 gp

Adventure Summary

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Lost Laboratory of Kwalish

original expedition that lead to Daoine Gloine, the legendary city deep within the Barrier Peaks — and the site of Kwalish’s current laboratory. After reaching Daoine Gloine, the characters find the city

buried beneath a flood of gelatinous ooze, with only its tallest stone structures left rising above the surface. The characters must find a safe means of descent into the ooze as they seek the

Background

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Quests from the Infinite Staircase

A few days ago, Shalfey turned a page of his current Book of Prophecy and found it blank. Worse still, he found he now could turn the rest of the pages, which were also blank, save for the last

the star’s course, recover it, and trade it to the svirfneblin for the second set of tomes. In anticipation of the star’s descent, Shalfey sent his most trusted tower hands—martial artists sworn to

Build Your Group

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

between characters who are scholars and those who are more traditional adventurers. Consider some or all of these roles for characters in your party: Field Researcher. The academic in your group might also

skills. Bards and rogues make natural academic Financiers, as do those with the charlatan and noble backgrounds. Research Assistant. Whether their seeking to graduate, get published, or make their

Interesting Locations

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Wayfinder's Guide to Eberron

a lively debate on the current state of the Race of Eight Winds. Detention is run by a halfling who calls herself Brandy. She claims to be a excoriate, driven from House Ghallanda after refusing to

large meeting rooms, and a small concert hall. Rumors say that this is an outpost of the secret Circle of Song, a society of bards and entertainers spread across Khorvaire; others swear that House

Kraul Death Priest

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Guildmasters' Guide to Ravnica

Kraul Death Priest The death priests occupy the highest roles in kraul society. They lead the buzzing chants of the kraul rites. Their inscrutable clicks and buzzing can summon crippling necromantic

magic, and the presence of death seems to fortify them. They draw power from the defeat of their enemies and channel it to their followers, ensuring the continuation of the cycle. The current leader

Build Your Group

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

patron’s behalf. Consider some or all of these roles for the characters in your party: Chameleon. A master of disguise, sleight of hand, and deception, the Chameleon can perform the work of the

cloak or disguise one’s appearance), and proficiency with skills such as Deception, Performance, and Sleight of Hand all greatly benefit the Chameleon. Bards and rogues, as well as characters with

Leonin of Oreskos

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

Leonin of Oreskos Close-knit prides of several dozen to a few hundred leonin make their homes throughout Oreskos. These communities treat every member as family, with all taking equal roles in

grown less isolated, though, they have come to explore greater continuity in their leadership, and the current speaker, Brimaz, has held the office for several years. One of the few men to ever be

The Shadowdusks

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Waterdeep: Dungeon of the Mad Mage

darkness.” The family’s crest is a lit torch with three embers rising from the flame, set against a purple background. In the wake of the family’s descent into Undermountain and madness, this crest has

Foes, you can add one or more star spawn from that book to the roster of creatures encountered on this level of Undermountain. Dezmyr and Zalthar The current leaders of Shadowdusk Hold are the

Draconic Bloodline

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

Draconic Bloodline Your innate magic comes from draconic magic that was mingled with your blood or that of your ancestors. Most often, sorcerers with this origin trace their descent back to a mighty

your back, gaining a flying speed equal to your current speed. You can create these wings as a bonus action on your turn. They last until you dismiss them as a bonus action on your turn. You can’t

Deathly Interludes

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

moments from the character’s story and how they can be reflected in the events of their final descent. Maybe they see the souls of friends, allies, or loved ones who perished, whether their fates are

insight into their current predicament or a portent of events to come. Maybe the soul of a long dead sage offers guidance or a legend the hero long idolized provides advice on how they defeated a

Draconic Bloodline

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

Draconic Bloodline Your innate magic comes from draconic magic that was mingled with your blood or that of your ancestors. Most often, sorcerers with this origin trace their descent back to a mighty

back, gaining a flying speed equal to your current speed. You can create these wings as a bonus action on your turn. They last until you dismiss them as a bonus action on your turn. You can’t manifest

K36. Dining Hall of the Count

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

, kept in its current rotten state by the will of Strahd. The toy figure of the groom from the top of the cake was cast on the floor long ago. A character who searches the dusty floor finds the figurine

doesn’t appear again. If the characters attack the ghost, it attacks them in turn. Treasure The lute, though old and covered in dust, has survived the passage of time. It is a magic instrument of the bards called a Doss lute.

Build Your Group

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

can find a home in such a unit, and a diversity of different skills and backgrounds benefits the group as a whole. Consider some or all of these roles for characters in your party: Commander. Every

important than their current role. No particular set of talents is common to all soldiers, but military units often strive to avoid duplication of skills. Warforged. Literally made for war, most

Adventure Background

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

. While he excelled at none of the instruments, he realized he could pay off his family’s debts by turning his home into a conservatory for young musicians from wealthy families. One of his current

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