bards before desire compelled routes

Bard Legacy

Classes Basic Rules (2014)

set bards apart from their fellows. Only rarely do bards settle in one place for long, and their natural desire to travel—to find new tales to tell, new skills to learn, and new discoveries

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

Dwarf Legacy

Species Basic Rules (2014)

trade. They dislike boats, so enterprising humans and halflings frequently handle trade in dwarven goods along water routes. Trustworthy members of other races are welcome in dwarf settlements, though

up the adventuring life might be motivated by a desire for treasure—for its own sake, for a specific purpose, or even out of an altruistic desire to help others. Other dwarves are driven by the

Tabaxi Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

figure responsible for the creation of the tabaxi, gifts each of his children with one specific feline trait. Those tabaxi gifted with curiosity are compelled to wander far and wide. They seek out

mull over the stories and rumors they collected like a miser counting coins. Although material wealth holds little attraction for the tabaxi, they have an insatiable desire to find and inspect ancient

Orrery of the Wanderer

Magic Items Acquisitions Incorporated

planes. Eventually, it would impress upon its owner a desire to open portals into the most cursed and dangerous worlds, including the Far Realm. To prevent the orrery from ever being so used, Lottie

alignment changes to chaotic neutral, and you are compelled to engage with and explore the most dangerous planar realms. Master of Travel. While all six components of the Orrery of the Wanderer are

Orcus Legacy

Monsters Out of the Abyss

Prince of Undeath, known as the Blood Lord. He takes some pleasure in the sufferings of the living, but far prefers the company and service of the undead. His desire is to see all life quenched and the

withdrawn and moody, dwelling on the insufferable state of life.” 21–40 “I am compelled to make the weak suffer.” 41–60 “I have no compunction against

Learning from Experience

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

magic set bards apart from their fellows. Only rarely do bards settle in one place for long, and their natural desire to travel — to find new tales to tell, new skills to learn, and new discoveries

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)

magic set bards apart from their fellows. Only rarely do bards settle in one place for long, and their natural desire to travel — to find new tales to tell, new skills to learn, and new discoveries

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

Chapter 1: Welcome to the Realms

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

routes between cities and nations often cross into the territory of brigands or marauding humanoids. Every forest, swamp, and mountain range has its own perils, whether lurking bandits, savage orcs

others. News and gossip are carried between population centers by caravans and ships that bring in supplies for trade and by traveling bards and minstrels who recount (or invent) stories to inform and

Orc Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

diplomacy. They care only for satisfying their insatiable desire for battle, to smash their foes and appease their gods. Booming Birth Rate In order to replenish the casualties of their endless warring

area is at risk. If orcs come upon a target that is too large to assault directly, they will lurk along supply routes, taking out their frustration on caravans and travelers. Left unchecked, a tribe can

Genies

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Monster Manual (2014)

when bribed or compelled by magic. All genies command the power of their native element, but a rare few also possess the power to grant wishes. For both these reasons, mortal mages often seek to bind

objects of their desire. This constant indulgence has made them decadent, while their supreme power over reality makes them haughty and arrogant. Their vast palaces overflow with wonders and sensory

Orrery of the Wanderer

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Acquisitions Incorporated

to manifest the darkness and malevolence inherent to some of the planes. Eventually, it would impress upon its owner a desire to open portals into the most cursed and dangerous worlds, including the

planes. Over time, your alignment changes to chaotic neutral, and you are compelled to engage with and explore the most dangerous planar realms. Master of Travel. While all six components of the Orrery of

Modifying a Class

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide (2014)

firmly in the world by associating the class with a particular race or culture. For example, you might decide that bards, sorcerers, warlocks, and wizards represent the magical traditions of four

. You could break that down still further: bards of the College of Lore could be high elves, and bards of the College of War could be wood elves. Gnomes discovered the school of illusion, so all wizards

Harpy

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Monster Manual (2014)

her into the first harpy. The curse worked its magic on the elf’s spirit as well as her body, turning her desire for love into a hunger for flesh, even as her beautiful song continued to draw

compelled to blunder toward its source. A harpy sometimes charms victims before it attacks, but a more effective use of its song is to lure prey over cliffs, into bogs and quicksand, or into deadly pits

Baalzebul

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes

motivated by his desire to keep his current appearance. Second, Asmodeus decreed that any deal Baalzebul strikes shall end in disaster for the other party. For this reason, other devils avoid forming

alliances with him, even though they know he is compelled not to lie to them. Mortals, on the other hand, know nothing of the situation and still offer their souls to him. His ability to scheme

Abyss

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide

fortresses defend routes to lower layers. Azzagrat Graz’zt’s corrupt, decadent city is split across layers 45, 46, and 47. The Demonweb On layer 66, Lolth’s web snares all and hides portals to other planes

that lurks in the abyssal depths. The wretched Faceless Lord cares nothing for cultists or mortal servants, and its sole desire is to turn all creatures into formless copies of its horrid self. Zuggtmoy

Halflings

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes

Scholars, wizards, druids, and bards of other races have different ideas about how halflings escape peril, suggesting that by virtue of something in their nature, they occupy a special place in the

, uncaring of the events of the world. They remarked on how the halflings enjoyed the simple pleasures of the moment, such as food and music, family, and friendship, and how they seemed to desire no more than

Citadel Adbar

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

, but given the extent of the losses against the orcs, it would be little surprise if their newer recruits were more smiths than warriors, serving their realm out of a sense of duty rather than a desire

known written copies have ever been reported. Only a privileged few non-dwarves have ever heard the Dirge in its entirety, and dwarf bards who want to perform this epic must demonstrate great skill in

Gala at the Cerulean Lyceum

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

—signs of her fervent desire to prove her connection and dedication to Djaynai. Personality Trait. “I have more important matters to attend to than you.” Ideal. “Tradition must be preserved at all costs

After the Fall

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes

, but much can also be lost. Many adventurers never return from the fortress, forever trapped within a world created from their own experience. The Raven Queen’s Influence The Raven Queen’s desire to

travel to a location and simply wait. Most of those who have talked about these visitations say they felt compelled to do her bidding, because the visions imparted by the Raven Queen made it apparent

Life in the Tribe

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Volo's Guide to Monsters

aren’t interested in treaties, trade negotiations or diplomacy. They care only for satisfying their insatiable desire for battle, to smash their foes and appease their gods. Booming Birth Rate In order

area is at risk. If orcs come upon a target that is too large to assault directly, they will lurk along supply routes, taking out their frustration on caravans and travelers. Left unchecked, a tribe

The Seldarine

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes

, to try new things, to imagine what they desire and then pursue it, and to be kind to others. In return for this freedom from the usual requirements of religion, Corellon expects them to address

be with. Stories of Hanali’s romantic adventures among elves and other mortals are perennial favorites when sung by elf bards and poets. In Arvandor, Hanali maintains a hidden pool called Evergold

Conservatory Locations

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Keys from the Golden Vault

spell (save DC 14). On a successful saving throw, the creature resists the spell. On a failed saving throw, the creature is compelled to leave the room empty-handed and not return for 8 hours (the

duration of the spell). Once the glyph is triggered, the trunk is safe to open. Treasure. The trunk contains, among personal items and clothing of little value, the instrument of the bards (Canaith mandolin

N3. Burgomaster's Mansion

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

Vallakovich has the key to Udo’s manacles. The manacles break if they take 10 damage or more from a single weapon attack. If the characters release Udo, his first desire is to return to his home. Later

Ravenloft, then fades away. A creature charmed by Strahd feels compelled to accept the vampire’s invitation. N3q. Bathroom An iron tub with clawed feet stands against the back wall. Neatly folded

Court of Air

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Candlekeep Mysteries

killed the puny runt for it. When the ogre attuned to it, the headband grew in size, enabling him to wear it. With an improved ability to reason and ponder, the ogre felt compelled to appreciate the

a facsimile takes weeks or even months for large tomes, so those who desire such a work must commission it in writing, provide payment in advance, and then return to the front gates to pick up the

Temple of Tharizdun

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Ghosts of Saltmarsh

of dealing with the characters honestly, since inferior beings don’t merit such treatment. Using its Probing Telepathy, it discerns each character’s greatest desire, then uses this information

a tightly sewn oilcloth — an instrument of the bards (Cli lyre) found by a cultist years before. The lyre is the cult’s greatest treasure, and has been kept as a gift for the leader that the cultists

Lady's Ward

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

, which include current and past Harmonium patrol routes, active members and their ranks, and official arrest records. Recruiting the Harmonium. With an official writ from Factol Sarin, the factol of an

, supposedly impartial magistrate appointed by the Guvners. Punishments are tailored to fit the crime, and advocates are strongly encouraged. Lawyers and orators, these civil servants include bards

Platinum Room Locations

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse->Turn of Fortune’s Wheel

chapter 13 told the characters. Colcook determines what counts as a valuable secret. If coerced, he behaves as detailed in the “Interrogating the Staff” section. If compelled to aid the characters

). Treasure. A character who searches the room finds curios worth 15,000 gp, a dagger of venom, a suit of demon armor, and an instrument of the bards (Anstruth harp), all designed with vulpine shapes

Magical Phenomena

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything

the water of this spring develops an overwhelming desire to sing. Every sentence the creature speaks for the next 24 hours rings with lyrical splendor, which grants it advantage on all Charisma checks

serve as trade routes or secret connections between distant lands. Others shift locations at noteworthy times or in response to external phenomena, like on specific anniversaries or in response to the

Wedding Itinerary

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Acquisitions Incorporated

importance of the goal to the body they inhabit means that they are compelled to try to accomplish this goal. Players can share their secret goal with other individual players once they learn it, as long

the mayhem and roleplaying opportunity created by their NPCs’ goals, some might have trouble reconciling these goals with their desire to accomplish their franchise mission. Downplaying a secret goal

Locations R - U

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

are even more formidable than the knights and have served the city well for years. Silverymoon is also a haven for Harpers — not surprising, given that many Harpers are wizards and bards. Grand and

routes: the Long Road and Evermoor Way. It’s a popular way station for caravans and rangers. See chapter 2 for more information on this location. If the adventure didn’t begin in Triboar, you can run

Chromatic Dragons

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Monster Manual (2014)

an avalanche as it attacks. Overlords and Minions. Blue dragons covet valuable and talented creatures whose service reinforces their sense of superiority. Bards, sages, artists, wizards, and assassins

with no provocation, especially when dealing with potential threats to its territory. When dealing with sentient creatures, a green dragon demonstrates a lust for power that rivals its draconic desire

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