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Returning 35 results for 'bards before direct class renown'.
Classes
Player’s Handbook
;Daggers, Musical Instrument of your choice, Entertainer's Pack, and 19 GP; or (B) 90 GP
Invoking magic through music, dance, and verse, Bards are expert at inspiring others, soothing hurts
, disheartening foes, and creating illusions. Bards believe the multiverse was spoken into existence and that remnants of its Words of Creation still resound and glimmer on every plane of existence. Bardic
Bard
Legacy
This doesn't reflect the latest rules and lore.
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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
Magic Items
Waterdeep: Dragon Heist
whose name you uttered. The recipient must be on the same plane of existence as you, otherwise the bird turns into ash as it takes flight.
The bird is an object that has 1 hit point, an Armor Class of
recipient by the most direct route, whereupon it turns into a nonmagical and inanimate sheet of parchment that can be unfolded only by the intended recipient. If the bird’s hit points or speed
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
Species
Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse
Planes, each genasi can tap into the power of one of the elements. Air, earth, fire, and water—these are the four pillars of the Material Plane and the four types of genasi. Some genasi are direct
regardless of the method you use to determine the scores, such as rolling or point buy. The “Quick Build” section for your character’s class offers suggestions on which scores to
Species
Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse
the power of one of the elements. Air, earth, fire, and water—these are the four pillars of the Material Plane and the four types of genasi. Some genasi are direct descendants of a genie, while
determine the scores, such as rolling or point buy. The “Quick Build” section for your character’s class offers suggestions on which scores to increase. You can follow those
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
Backgrounds
Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus
Being who you are, you could never be a hero. Whether due to your class, your people, your family, or your sins, something about you prevents you from effectively pursuing the path you’ve
their faceless selves.
d8
Personality Trait
1
I’m earnest and uncommonly direct.
2
I strive to have no personality — it’s easier to forget what’s hardly
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide (2014)
like these exist in your world. Wizards (and bards and druids) might be so rare that a player character learns from a single mentor and never meets another character of the same class, in which case
, a few class options suggest the existence of magic-using organizations in the world — bardic colleges and druid circles — which are up to you to flesh out. You could decide that no formal structures
Backgrounds
Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus
occupation or social class that frequents the establishment. This contact is delighted to talk with you, and to listen.
Variant Entertainer: Gladiator
A gladiator is as much an
Flaw
1
I’ll do anything to win fame and renown.
2
I’m a sucker for a pretty face.
3
A scandal prevents me from ever going home again. That kind of trouble seems to
Monsters
Fizban's Treasury of Dragons
bards and philosophers to partake in “the Great Dialogue” in the dragon’s mountaintop lair. But only the dragon knows that the Great Dialogue has no end, and no one can leave the lair
university, but the students must travel to the dragon’s mountain lair for class.
Crystal Dragon Lairs
Crystal dragons seek out frigid, picturesque locations with clear views of the sky
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Sword Coast Adventurer’s Guide
Bards Bards hold a special place of responsibility and respect in the Forgotten Realms. They are bearers of news, gossip, and messages in their travels from place to place, in addition to being
living storehouses of history and folklore. Bards know a great deal, and they tend to be willing to share what they know, or at least barter for it. The arrival of a renowned bard is a special occasion
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Guildmasters' Guide to Ravnica
selfish egotists hoping to direct the guild’s actions toward promoting their own interests. Most rebels are typical members of the guild in terms of race and class, but they vary from type when it comes to
suggested characteristics (personality traits, ideals, bonds, and flaws). Each guild entry also provides personal contacts; suggestions for your alignment, race, and class; and a list of spells that you can
Species
Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse
power of one of the elements. Air, earth, fire, and water—these are the four pillars of the Material Plane and the four types of genasi. Some genasi are direct descendants of a genie, while others
determine the scores, such as rolling or point buy. The “Quick Build” section for your character’s class offers suggestions on which scores to increase. You can follow those suggestions
Species
Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse
the power of one of the elements. Air, earth, fire, and water—these are the four pillars of the Material Plane and the four types of genasi. Some genasi are direct descendants of a genie, while
to determine the scores, such as rolling or point buy. The “Quick Build” section for your character’s class offers suggestions on which scores to increase. You can follow those
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->Sword Coast Adventurer’s Guide
in the Bard College class feature in the Player’s Handbook. The College of Fochlucan is naturally allied with the Harpers, although its master bards are careful to stress that its mission is separate
memorization and the study of ancient songs, sagas, and history. Most bards of New Olamn belong to the College of Lore, as described in the Bard College class feature in the Player’s Handbook. The Cliffride
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Quests from the Infinite Staircase
, archmages of multiversal renown, and the remnants of futuristic societies. This book provides a means of traveling between these and other adventures: the Infinite Staircase. Unlike spells such as
Plane Shift, the staircase can be accessed by characters of any class or level. It merely requires happening on the right door. The adventures in Quests from the Infinite Staircase can be worked into
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Player's Handbook (2014)
College of Lore Bards of the College of Lore know something about most things, collecting bits of knowledge from sources as diverse as scholarly tomes and peasant tales. Whether singing folk ballads
in taverns or elaborate compositions in royal courts, these bards use their gifts to hold audiences spellbound. When the applause dies down, the audience members might find themselves questioning
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Basic Rules (2014)
College of Lore Bards of the College of Lore know something about most things, collecting bits of knowledge from sources as diverse as scholarly tomes and peasant tales. Whether singing folk ballads
in taverns or elaborate compositions in royal courts, these bards use their gifts to hold audiences spellbound. When the applause dies down, the audience members might find themselves questioning
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
Modifying a Class The classes in the Player’s Handbook capture a wide range of character archetypes, but your campaign world might have need of something more. The following section discusses ways to
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
agent or acquire a particular object from their base. While the spy background is a logical choice for a Trust agent, the agency recruits characters of every class and background. Your class abilities reflect specialized training and granted abilities—the magical equivalent of spy gadgets!
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Xanathar's Guide to Everything
College of Glamour The College of Glamour is the home of bards who mastered their craft in the vibrant realm of the Feywild or under the tutelage of someone who dwelled there. Tutored by satyrs
, eladrin, and other fey, these bards learn to use their magic to delight and captivate others. The bards of this college are regarded with a mixture of awe and fear. Their performances are the stuff of
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Xanathar's Guide to Everything
College of Whispers Most folk are happy to welcome a bard into their midst. Bards of the College of Whispers use this to their advantage. They appear to be like other bards, sharing news, singing
songs, and telling tales to the audiences they gather. In truth, the College of Whispers teaches its students that they are wolves among sheep. These bards use their knowledge and magic to uncover
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tomb of Annihilation
evil
Armor Class 12
Hit Points 11 (2d6 + 4)
Speed 25 ft., climb 25 ft.
STR
7 (–2)
DEX
14 (+2)
CON
15 (+2)
INT
10 (+0)
WIS
11 (+0)
CHA
10 (+0
Challenge 1/4 (50 XP)
Amphibious. The grung can breathe air and water.
Poisonous Skin. Any creature that grapples the grung or otherwise comes into direct contact with the grung’s skin must succeed on a
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Guildmasters' Guide to Ravnica
Race and Class Each guild description in chapter 2 provides suggested races and classes for characters belonging to that guild. Some races have strong traditions that direct them toward certain
guilds, but exceptions exist. If you choose a class or a race that’s not typical for your guild, you might have trouble finding a role in the guild — or, more accurately, your superiors might have trouble
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Ghosts of Saltmarsh
Bard Bards are gifted poets, storytellers, and entertainers who travel far and wide, but are commonly found in taverns or in the company of jolly bands of adventurers, rough-and-tumble mercenaries
, and wealthy patrons. Bard
Medium humanoid (any race), any alignment
Armor Class 15 (chain shirt)
Hit Points 44 (8d8 + 8)
Speed 30 ft.
STR
11 (+0)
DEX
14 (+2)
CON
12 (+1
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->D&D Beyond Basic Rules
resist direct force Dexterity Dodge out of harm’s way Constitution Endure a toxic hazard Intelligence Recognize an illusion as fake Wisdom Resist a mental assault Charisma Assert your identity Proficiency
Bonus You add your Proficiency Bonus to your saving throw if you have proficiency in that kind of save. See “Proficiency” later in this chapter. Difficulty Class The Difficulty Class for a saving
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Player’s Handbook
resist direct force Dexterity Dodge out of harm’s way Constitution Endure a toxic hazard Intelligence Recognize an illusion as fake Wisdom Resist a mental assault Charisma Assert your identity Proficiency
Bonus You add your Proficiency Bonus to your saving throw if you have proficiency in that kind of save. See “Proficiency” later in this chapter. Difficulty Class The Difficulty Class for a saving
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Xanathar's Guide to Everything
character’s background and class, use the appropriate tables to determine how you came to make those choices. Life Events. Your character’s existence until now, no matter how brief or uneventful, has been
from your infancy to today. When a result mentions such a person, you can use the supplemental tables to add needed details — such as race, class, or occupation — to that person. Some tables in the
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->Monsters of the Multiverse
Alignment
Armor Class 12
Hit Points 11 (2d6 + 4)
Speed 25 ft., climb 25 ft.
STR
7 (−2)
DEX
14 (+2)
CON
15 (+2)
INT
10 (+0)
WIS
11 (+0)
CHA
10
Challenge 1/4 (50 XP) Proficiency Bonus +2
Amphibious. The grung can breathe air and water.
Poisonous Skin. Any creature that grapples the grung or otherwise comes into direct contact with the
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Waterdeep: Dragon Heist
Bard Bards are gifted poets, storytellers, and entertainers who travel far and wide, commonly found performing in taverns or in the company of jolly bands of adventurers, rough-and-tumble mercenaries
, or wealthy patrons. Bard
Medium humanoid (any race), any alignment
Armor Class 15 (chain shirt)
Hit Points 44 (8d8 + 8)
Speed 30 ft.
STR
11(+0)
DEX
14(+2)
CON
12(+1
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->Netheril’s Fall: Tales of Terror, Treasure, and Time Travel
Netherese ensured their descendants were elevated with wealth, education, and privilege above the laboring class, though High Netherese who couldn’t use magic could never achieve true political or
aimed to create or curate outrageous magical inventions that flaunted their ingenuity and avant-garde tastes. Even government officials and military officers favored dramatic, decadent magic over direct solutions.