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Returning 35 results for 'bards before dying cunning runes'.
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Monsters
Keys from the Golden Vault
steal away most of the clan’s gold, leaving only a pittance.
Prisoner 13 is a cunning schemer, ruthless and patient. She listens and watches, absorbing every detail she can, and shares as
. Black and gray smoke and shadows coil down her left arm, ending in runes on the fingers of her left hand.
Knotwork. Purple and blue knotwork and runes run down her right arm, across the back of her right
Magic Items
Storm King's Thunder
the ground and is a massive thing made of polished obsidian with oversized feet — the impaled skulls of four ancient blue dragons. Runes glisten in the carved obsidian, winking to life with blue
breaking at least five Ruling Scepters of Shanatar simultaneously on it. This fact has never been recorded or sung of among the dwarves or any bards or storytellers, and it can’t be discovered
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Ghosts of Saltmarsh
treated to perhaps the most memorable depiction of both a cunning aboleth plot and a sinister cult of Tharizdun. Many adventures are set aboard a ship at sea. Can you name another that challenges you to infiltrate a moldering ship held aloft by a crane, above the streets of a slowly dying city?
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Wayfinder's Guide to Eberron
born in the wild, and your wits and your weapons helped you survive. Talenta warriors are often barbarians or rangers, relying on speed and skill. However, cunning and charisma are equally important
, and bards and rogues certainly have a place on the plains. Outlander is a logical background, but you could easily be a bold folk hero, a dashing entertainer, or a clever charlatan. You could even be an
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Baldur's Gate: Descent into Avernus
The Vanthampur Family Thalamra Vanthampur is a cunning, devil-worshiping beast of a woman in her late sixties who can stare down a hell hound without flinching. She is barrel-bodied, with strong
his mother’s wrath. Mortlock is a different matter, as it’s been made abundantly clear that Thalamra would disown him had she not agreed to the dying wish of her third husband to look after Mortlock
Orc
Legacy
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Species
Volo's Guide to Monsters
created the orcs and continues to direct their destiny. He is aided and abetted by the other warrior deities, Bahgtru and Ilneval, who bring strength and cunning to the battlefield. The followers of all
. These tenets vary from tribe to tribe, and are often based in events that the tribe has experienced. Here are a few examples:
If a dwarf or a human invokes its god upon dying, you must carry the
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tomb of Annihilation
48. Shagambi’s Tomb Each character who teleports into this tomb from area 47C appears atop a randomly determined teleportation rune (see “Teleportation Runes” below). Characters can also enter the
this area: Nervous Unkh suggests that her host leave the tomb at once using one of the teleportation runes, though she can’t decide which rune is best. Impulsive Wongo thinks it’s a good idea to shatter
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->Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything
Bladesinging When faced with the endless onslaught of magical possibilities, many wizards suffer identity crises. Some overcome, some break, and some become sword-bards.
Tasha
Bladesingers master
, a bladesinger uses a series of intricate, elegant maneuvers that fend off harm and allow the bladesinger to channel magic into devastating attacks and a cunning defense. Many who have observed a
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Vecna: Eve of Ruin
to an end a few months ago when the ship collided with the body of a dying god. Strange Magic. The ship’s prow was outfitted with “fancy magic stuff” beyond the githyanki’s understanding. This magic
front of the ship. During the Lambent Zenith’s crash, arcane wards should have sealed the safe room’s doors. The safe room is inaccessible while the wards are active. Ward Runes. Two runes hidden on the
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Waterdeep: Dungeon of the Mad Mage
otherwise avoid combat. Southeast Door This door has a stone wall behind it, inscribed upon which is an elder rune (see “Elder Runes”). Determine the rune randomly by drawing a card from the Elder Rune Deck
butterfly swarm is an instrument of the bards (Anstruth harp). The yellow sapphires carried by the animal-headed guards fit into the pillars in area 8. Each gemstone is worth 1,000 gp.
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Prisoner 13
that stretch from her collarbone to her ankles. She surveys you with unimpressed eyes.
Prisoner 13 is a cunning schemer, ruthless and patient. She listens and watches, absorbing every detail she
down her left arm, ending in runes on the fingers of her left hand. Knotwork. Purple and blue knotwork and runes run down her right arm, across the back of her right hand, and down the length of each
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Fizban's Treasury of Dragons
to the highest standards of behavior, and wields cold magic. The Brass Order could be a loose affiliation of good-hearted scoundrels, including rogues and bards, who favor fire magic and trickery. An
, the fang, the claw, the wing, and the eye, representing endurance, ruthlessness, savagery, speed, and cunning, respectively. You could also create factions based around the damage types dealt by
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Keys from the Golden Vault
that stretch from her collarbone to her ankles. She surveys you with unimpressed eyes.
Prisoner 13 is a cunning schemer, ruthless and patient. She listens and watches, absorbing every detail she
down her left arm, ending in runes on the fingers of her left hand. Knotwork. Purple and blue knotwork and runes run down her right arm, across the back of her right hand, and down the length of each
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Spelljammer Academy
Simulation Chambers Each simulation chamber is a broad circular space with a domed ceiling, its stone walls carved with arcane runes that fill the area with bright light. Each chamber is equipped
creates. Damage. Any character who is reduced to 0 hit points by the simulation falls unconscious but isn’t dying. The character remains unconscious until the simulation ends, at which point the character
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden
gold, and the pendant bears the symbol of two hands cupping the sun. Summer Star Summer Star. This magic item looks like a 6-inch-diameter gyroscope featuring two scorched rings inlaid with runes and a
Black Cabin (see “Dying in the Black Cabin”). Don’t fret if this happens to one or more characters; as spirits, they can figure out a way back to the realm of the living. Once the Summer Star discharges
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Baldur's Gate: Descent into Avernus
ingredients and spices. V26. Temple of Zariel The iron double door leading to this room has Infernal runes carved into its arched door frame. A character who understands Infernal can translate these
runes as follows: “That which falls can rise again.” DISGUISED CHARACTERS
Characters can disguise themselves using masks and robes taken from defeated cultists. While disguised in this fashion
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Ghosts of Saltmarsh
Eda’s home. She would protect it to her dying breath and wants its people to prosper. Flaw. Eda is suspicious of outsiders, and she is too quick to trust those familiar to her. Gellan Primewater
Gellan (NE male human noble) is a well-spoken, dapper older gentleman with a neatly trimmed beard and a fancy wardrobe. With his cunning instincts, he has positioned his family to become the most prominent
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Baldur's Gate: Descent into Avernus
shell is carved with Draconic runes that spell out prayers to Tiamat, is joined by four ghouls that serve as his assistants. The ghouls gnaw on bones and eye the characters hungrily as Krull negotiates
): chill touch, mending, resistance, sacred flame, spare the dying, thaumaturgy
1st level (4 slots): cure wounds, detect evil and good, false life, inflict wounds, ray of sickness
2nd level (3
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
runes. Living creatures wither and rot within the entropic energy emanated by Ygorl’s magic.
After the fifth artist dispatched to record Ygorl ’s appearance failed to return, I let the matter rest
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Ghosts of Saltmarsh
Entrance. Sgothgah’s advanced magical knowledge has allowed it to set up dozens of wards to protect the temple, each treated as a casting of glyph of warding using the explosive runes option. All but
cooperating with anyone. Its only fear is dying before it becomes monarch of the sea, so if it is reduced to 40 hit points or fewer, it stops fighting and focuses on escape. Writhing Sigils. The glowing
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Waterdeep: Dragon Heist
, +6 to hit with spell attacks). She has the following cleric spells prepared:
Cantrips (at will): light, mending, sacred flame, spare the dying
1st level (4 slots): divine favor, guiding bolt
+5
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 14
Languages Abyssal, Common, Gnomish, Undercommon
Challenge 6 (2,300 XP)
Gnome Cunning. Skeemo has advantage on Intelligence, Wisdom, and
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden
"Rite of the Arcane Octad"). Y21. Obelisk A sixty-foot-tall obelisk of black stone, its surface covered in arcane runes, projects from the ground. A thin crack has formed on one side, stretching from
(Arcana) check recognizes that the magic runes inscribed on the obelisk represent all eight schools of magic. If the check result exceeds the DC by 5 or more, the character also identifies runes relating
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes
Three interlocking circles
Alathrien Druanna N Runes, writing, spellcasting Arcana,** Knowledge A quill or glyph
Alobal Lorfiril CG Revelry, mirth Life, Trickery Wine glass
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
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Ghosts of Saltmarsh
believable, Sgothgah offers and promises anything — because the cunning creature has no intention of ever delivering. All it wants is for at least three promising victims to come close enough to the pool
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
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Ghosts of Saltmarsh
scuttle for cover. These areas contain nothing of interest. 10. Unholy Shrine The floor of this chamber is covered with runes written in blood. A circle has been carved into the floor’s wooden planks
escaped the island, sequestered himself here after the first octopus attack. He attacks at the first sign of intruders — if dying for Lolth is to be his fate, he seeks to slay as many characters as
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tales from the Yawning Portal->a5
pillars, all carved of black jet. Glowing arcane runes surround the top edge of this shrine. Between the pillars, an unconscious humanoid is suspended in a roiling field of golden light.
Thereafter, you
may disable its magic by making three successful DC 15 ability checks: Strength to smash the pillars, Dexterity to remove elements and disable key arcane runes, or Intelligence to disrupt the flow of
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Bigby Presents: Glory of the Giants
treasures, and the secrets of the earth. It is said he gave Surtur the secret of smelting, showed Thrym how to carve magic runes on weapons, and crafted spears for Hiatea so she could complete her tasks of
childhood accomplishments to bloody battles that ended only when their father or one of their siblings intervened. Other myths describe cunning Surtur leading his brother on dangerous adventures
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Keys from the Golden Vault
and remind them of any mundane tasks they might have forgotten. Oak doesn’t normally share information with strangers, but Zorhanna and Eliphas have ignored the painting of late, and Oak is dying to
flat and set in a shallow groove, such that it can be rotated. Once the water in the pool is drained, tiny Elvish runes representing the letters A through Z magically appear on the surface of each ring
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Acquisitions Incorporated
) check to jump safely over it. Moving past the rune otherwise deals 5 (1d10) necrotic damage to a creature and teleports it back to the cavern entrance. The runes remain active until disabled. Planar
(Arcana) check. A successful check ends the ritual and saves the world. If the battle goes poorly for the characters, they can end it at any point by … well, dying. Alternatively, they can retreat and
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Candlekeep Mysteries
be confirmed by a detect evil and good spell or similar magic. Dark swirls of noxious steam fill this circular chamber, whose floor is taken up mostly by a large reflecting pool. Runes carved into the
DC 15 Intelligence (Arcana) check, recognizes that the runes along the edge of the pool once channeled divination magic, but have been corrupted. Though the 10-foot-deep pool once held holy water
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Vecna: Nest of the Eldritch Eye
holy symbol of Oghma, god of knowledge and patron to bards and wizards. If the check succeeds by 3 or more, the character intuits that rededicating the shrine to Oghma could help against the zombies
flashes with lurid light. As if being extinguished, the glow of the runes dims as shadowy smoke rises from the carvings. The smoke gathers in the center of the chamber, where it coalesces into an
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Volo's Guide to Monsters
giant gods about magic, wards, banes, hidden treasures, and the secrets of the earth. Skoraeus gave the secret of smelting to Surtur. Skoraeus showed Thrym how to carve runes on his old weapons to
the chamber inside each stone giant settlement where they “reside.” A dead (or sometimes merely dying) stone giant is carried into the ancestors’ chamber and leaned upright against the end of one of
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tales from the Yawning Portal->a6
!). Queen Frupy, who resides here, is a veritable harridan, a sly and cunning fire giant. She is, if anything, uglier than Snurre. Topped by a huge mass of yellow-orange hair that looks like a fright
six bone batons with Dwarvish runes upon them. Each of the batons is a token of free passage whose runes read, in Giant, “Official Business on Behalf of King Snurre the Fearsome.” Any individuals or
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Guildmasters' Guide to Ravnica
following cleric spells prepared:
Cantrips (at will): fire bolt, light, sacred flame, spare the dying
1st level (4 slots): guiding bolt, healing word, heroism, shield of faith
2nd level (3 slots
3rd-level Boros spellcaster. Its spellcasting ability is Wisdom (spell save DC 11). The medic has the following cleric spells prepared:
Cantrips (at will): mending, resistance, spare the dying
1st