bards before desire contacts relatively

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

Star Spawn Larva Mage

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

or Kezef—usually a warlock or other spellcaster—contacts the comet-borne emissary of an Elder Evil, the emissary can merge with a mortal consciousness to create a larva mage. None of the

. However much they might desire to enter and dominate the Material Plane, the Elder Evils are unable or unwilling to leave their realms. Some are imprisoned in their dimensions by external forces, some

Selesnya Initiate

Backgrounds Guildmasters’ Guide to Ravnica

fervent desire to share the joy you have experienced with Ravnica. Along with the rest of the conclave, you are committed to resisting the ambitions of the other guilds — with military force if

. Contacts The Selesnya Conclave is all about connections, so its members cultivate contacts throughout the guild. The guild also engages in energetic recruitment to draw converts from other

Urban Bounty Hunter

Backgrounds Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide

. What’s more, you aren’t alone, as a bounty hunter in the wild would be: you routinely interact with both the criminal subculture and other bounty hunters, maintaining contacts in both

bond might involve other bounty hunters or the organizations or individuals that employ you. Your ideal could be associated with your determination always to catch your quarry or your desire to maintain

Purchasing Poison

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

contacts might be able to acquire poison relatively easily. Other characters might have to make extensive inquiries and pay bribes before they track down the poison they seek. The Poisons table gives suggested prices for single doses of various poisons.

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

Facing the Cassalanters

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

. The Cassalanters have no desire to kill the characters, even in self-defense. They take great pains to divide and subdue the party with their magic while not inflicting grievous harm. If the

, reputations, and contacts will keep them out of prison. They do fear the ticking clock of Founders’ Day. They plead for the characters to allow them to carry out their plan, if only to save Terenzio’s and Elzerina’s lives.

Lords and Their Thralls

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

Lords and Their Thralls While the demons fight for domination among their own kind in the Abyss, the Material Plane is the most fertile ground for demons to acquire followers. Even a relatively weak

advantage of that same reverence, a demon might send its cultists into battle to soften up an enemy before the demon enters the fray itself. Many cultists gravitate to a demon lord out of a desire for

Build Your Group

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

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

relies on interpersonal skills and a network of contacts falls into the role of the Talker. Charisma proves useful for this role, along with proficiencies in skills such as Deception, Intimidation

Play Style

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

kick in the dungeon door, fight the monsters, and grab the treasure. This style of play is straightforward, fun, exciting, and action-oriented. The players spend relatively little time developing

bugbear lair. Don’t track money or time spent in town. Once they’ve completed a task, send the adventurers back into the action as quickly as possible. Character motivation need be no more developed than a desire to kill monsters and acquire treasure.

Adventures

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft

bond, desire, or loved one. 2 An adventurer shares a Darklord’s flaw. 3 The Darklord and an adventurer share camaraderie over a mutual ideal. 4 The Darklord believes they can teach

adventurer is the key to finally attaining their desire. 7 The Darklord immediately looks up to an adventurer and seeks to emulate them to grim extremes. 8 An adventurer is a reincarnated younger

Playing a Temporary Character

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->The Book of Many Things

character is someone the adventurers know. If the characters have powerful contacts, this is the perfect opportunity for one of those contacts to repay a favor to the adventurers by lending their support

. Perhaps a beloved ally has expressed a desire to come on adventures before. Temples, governments, guilds, and other societies the party has previously dealt with can all provide allies to help the

Traditionalists

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

traditionalists remember the terrible times during the Sea Princes’ raids and have no desire to see the crown’s ambitions lead to open war. The smugglers who operate in the area tend to be traditionalists. Most

pose as merchants and rely on their local contacts to move goods through the region without interference from the town guard or royal agents. Smuggling has long been an easy way to make money in

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

Build Your Group

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

Alley: Autumn

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

Waterdeep and joined the Guild of Chandlers and Lamplighters. Until recently, Fenerus supplemented his income by spying for the city of Luskan and providing his contacts with information on the political

climate in Waterdeep, as well as juicy bits of news overheard on his nightly rounds through the Trades Ward. He has no clue that his contacts are drow members of Bregan D’aerthe, since they wear cloaks

48. Shagambi's Tomb

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tomb of Annihilation

perfectly still and pose no threat as long as the tomb remains relatively quiet. If any character talks loudly, steps on a piece of broken pottery, or makes any other equivalent noise while in the tomb, read

heaped around Shagambi’s bones: 200 gp, five moonstones (50 gp each), the fine music box activated by the trap (250 gp), and an instrument of the bards (Canaith mandolin). The instrument turns to dust and

Factions

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Princes of the Apocalypse

met their contacts before the adventure starts. The Lords’ Alliance and the Zhentarim, on the other hand, have an elaborate system of pass phrases and secret signs that identify their agents to one

” in chapter 2.) Such contacts can’t promise the characters specific resources or reinforcements, but they’re friendly faces who know the lay of the land and can offer guidance. They can pass messages

Smuggler

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

many lies, I place a high value on friendship. (Any) 6 Daring. I am most happy when risking everything. (Any) Smuggler Bonds d6 Bond 1 My vessel was stolen from me, and I burn with the desire to

. Saltmarsh Ties It’s an open secret, at least among the old-timers in town, that Gellan Primewater runs the biggest smuggling operation in this section of the coast. You have contacts with him and his organization, enabling you to request an audience with him as necessary.

Mirabar

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

costers and merchants, taking care to avoid exclusivity or cultivate too narrow a range of business partners and contacts, so they control their own destinies and fortunes. They abhor the thought of

dust. Still, despite the city’s overall wealth, there are rich and (relatively) poor Mirabarrans. Not everyone shares in the coin the city’s sales bring in, and wage workers whose income is

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

Hags

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

actions invoke. Dark Sorority. Hags maintain contact with each other and share knowledge. Through such contacts, it is likely that any given hag knows of every other hag in existence. Hags don’t like each

. However, each of the hags continues to desire more personal power. A coven consists of three hags so that any arguments between two hags can be settled by the third. If more than three hags ever come

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

Enemies All Around

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

particularly sapphires. Green Dragons. Dwarves and green dragons don’t often interact, and when they do, the dragon doesn’t usually threaten them directly. A typical green dragon has no burning desire

by creatures it can catch in the open, including the travelers that enter and exit the place. On occasion, this state of (relatively) peaceful coexistence is shattered when a devious rival dragon with

Temple of Tharizdun

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

Nadir, and it tries to keep at least three of the characters alive if it can. If the battle appears to be turning against the characters, Sgothgah contacts one of them telepathically (without identifying

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

Warlock's Quest

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->The Wild Beyond the Witchlight

characters must travel across the land of Prismeer to reach the Palace of Heart’s Desire (described in chapter 5), where Zybilna is frozen in time. Because this quest is more difficult than the one tied

delighted to make your acquaintance. “I’ve acquired many treasures and made important contacts during my lengthy adventuring career,” says Madryck. “I would like to pass the treasures I possess and the

Getting About

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

atop the easternmost point of this spur stands Castle Waterdeep. If you can see these landmarks, it’s relatively easy to orient yourself. The mountain peak looms over the southern third of the city near

— conditions become crowded and perfect for pickpockets. Hire-Coaches If you desire to travel in relative comfort and be the master of your destination, simply give a spirited wave and shout to any hire-coach

Scarlet Brotherhood

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

pay well above market value for his goods, ensuring his popularity and dependence on Brotherhood contacts. The Brotherhood plans to surround him with their advisers and functionaries to ensure that

his sense of responsibility stems from her example. Every important decision he makes is guided by his desire to live up to her standards. If Skerrin is implicated in her murder, his hold over Anders

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

Star Spawn

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Monsters of the Multiverse

. However much they might desire to enter and dominate the Material Plane, the Elder Evils are unable or unwilling to leave their realms. Some are imprisoned in their dimensions by external forces

mortal body and otherworldly substance. When a powerful cultist of a wormlike entity such as Kyuss or Kezef—usually a warlock or other spellcaster—contacts the comet-borne emissary of an Elder Evil

Ruins Locations

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk

relatively good condition, although half of the tower’s roof is gone. A door leads into the cottage, and several arrow-slit windows are visible in the tower. You notice an eerie quiet in the area and a

doesn’t know). If the characters express a similar desire, Favric suggests an alliance. He actually plans to offer the characters to the dragon as part of his tribute, and if a fight ensues, the cultists

People of Phandalin

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

adversary. He invites the characters to explore the manor if they desire, reminding them that he still owns the place. He also tries to get the best of the characters, offering money, land, goods, or

never puts himself in a position where his foes can kill him without severe consequences. Several bodyguards (use the thug stat block) always watch over him. He also has extensive contacts and

Brimstone Hold Locations

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

here when he isn’t conducting business in area B25 or entertaining visitors in area B26. Treasure. The lyre is an instrument of the bards (Cli lyre) decorated with carvings of phoenixes. Jarazoun

and cracked, and the room’s walls are veined with narrow fissures that disappear into darkness. The Book of Vile Darkness If the characters had a relatively easy time getting here, add two

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