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Returning 35 results for 'bards being death could rule'.
Magic Items
Dungeon Master’s Guide
Vecna the Archlich;Vecna was a mighty wizard who, through magic and conquest, forged a terrible empire. For all his power, however, Vecna feared death and took steps to prevent his demise by becoming
a lich.
A treacherous lieutenant named Kas the Betrayer;Kas brought Vecna’s rule to an end in a terrible battle. Of Vecna, all that remained were one hand and one eye, grisly Artifacts that
Monsters
Tomb of Annihilation
spells on herself before combat.
Death Curse. Syndra’s hit point maximum has been reduced to 79 by the Soulmonger’s death curse, and it decreases by 1 every midnight. If her hit point
maximum drops to 0, Syndra dies and can’t be brought back from the dead until the death curse has ended (and if her soul hasn’t been devoured). Destroying the Soulmonger is the only way to halt
Monsters
Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse
. Lacking the egotism of their stronger kin, a death kiss usually submits to the rule of its creator or any other beholder it encounters, but it tries to escape as soon as the beholder is preoccupied.
A
Lightning Blood. A creature within 5 feet of the death kiss takes 5 (1d10);{"diceNotation":"1d10", "rollType":"damage", "rollAction":"Lightning Blood", "rollDamageType":"lightning"} lightning damage
Monsters
Storm King's Thunder
face is worn smooth into a featureless mask. The deity is appeased by sacrifice, which its followers carry out by capturing Humanoids and putting them to death by fire (immolation), earth (live burial
that image until the strangers can be disarmed and taken prisoner.
In their seemingly idyllic hideaways, the yakfolk rule with iron fists, and for all their learning and culture, they are enormously
Monsters
Storm King's Thunder
a male Yikaria, but its face is worn smooth into a featureless mask. The deity is appeased by sacrifice, which its followers carry out by capturing Humanoids and putting them to death by fire
, and the yakfolk foster that image until the strangers can be disarmed and taken prisoner.
In their seemingly idyllic hideaways, the yakfolk rule with iron fists, and for all their learning and
Monsters
Mordenkainen's Fiendish Folio Volume 1
denizens of the Feywild. Sages 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
injured and shorn of all hope. The devilkin steal treasures, weapons, and supplies, dooming an expedition to a slow death. The devilkin fly near their victims, taunting them with the items they stole
Eye and Hand of Vecna
Legacy
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Magic Items
Dungeon Master’s Guide (2014)
power, Vecna couldn’t escape his own mortality. He began to fear death and take steps to prevent his end from ever coming about.
Orcus, the demon prince of undeath, taught Vecna a ritual that
would allow him to live on as a lich. Beyond death, he became the greatest of all liches. Even though his body gradually withered and decayed, Vecna continued to expand his evil dominion. So formidable
Sword of Kas
Legacy
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Magic Items
Dungeon Master’s Guide (2014)
power grew, so did his hubris. His sword urged him to supplant Vecna, so that they could rule the lich’s empire in Vecna’s stead. Legend says Vecna’s destruction came at Kas’s
) from it: call lightning, divine word, or finger of death. Once you use the sword to cast a spell, you can’t cast that spell again from it until the next dawn.
Sentience. The Sword of Kas is a
Monsters
Mordenkainen's Fiendish Folio Volume 1
, set itself up as a petty lord, and rule over all those who fall into its grasp.
A Sinister Cycle. A forlarren in its fey aspect demonstrates self-destructive urges that reflect the inherent tension in
its nature. That aspect might drive it to drink itself nearly to death, or to throw itself into caring for others with such relentless energy that it eventually collapses from exhaustion
Backgrounds
Ghosts of Saltmarsh
injured marine for miles to avoid capture and death.
Suggested Characteristics
Marines are looked up to by other soldiers and respected by their superiors. They are veteran warriors
Might. The strong train so that they might rule those who are weak. (Evil)
5
Bravery. To act when others quake in fear — this is the essence of the warrior. (Any)
6
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Journeys through the Radiant Citadel
poetry and song. This is why every community has one or more binukots, bards who serve as living repositories of art, culture, custom, and law. The death of a binukot can result in the loss of
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Journeys through the Radiant Citadel
citizens—concealing a turbulent past marked by war, subjugation, and famine. The rule of the Xing dynasty has brought wealth, stability, and peace to Great Xing. But now the imperial secret of longevity
has been exhausted, which means the White Jade Emperor’s long reign will end soon. The Grand Secretary who governs Great Xing according to the emperor’s command knows that it’s only a matter of time before word of the emperor’s impending death gets out and the stability of the empire is put to the test.
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Journeys through the Radiant Citadel
. The war began in response to the death of Emperor Tasneem, whose older heirs turned to sinister magic in their attempts to rule. These heirs burned the former capital and unleashed legions of
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Sage Advice Compendium
spell learned through your Magical Secrets feature counts as a bard spell for you, so it can be replaced upon gaining a bard level later. But it must be replaced by a bard spell, according to the rule
in the Spellcasting feature. Which spell scrolls can bards understand—spells from the bard list only, or spells from the bard list plus spells from Magical Secrets? A bard can use any spell scroll
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft
Roleplaying Vladeska Steely and fierce, Vladeska Drakov views softness as weakness and resents having her time wasted. She values cold competency and makes life-and-death decisions mercilessly. Her
isolation and the stress of rule weigh heavily upon her, but daily catastrophes keep her focused on her nation’s needs and not her failures. She believes a foe from her past is responsible for the
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide (2014)
Optional Rule: Shadowfell Despair A melancholic atmosphere pervades the Shadowfell. Extended forays to this plane can afflict characters with despair, as reflected in this optional rule. When you
character has disadvantage on death saving throws and on Dexterity checks for initiative, and gains the following flaw: “I don’t believe I can make a difference to anyone or anything.” 4–5 Dread. The
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Monsters of the Multiverse
high-pitched, nasal voice. Death kisses fear true beholders, which can easily kill or subdue them. Lacking the egotism of their stronger kin, a death kiss usually submits to the rule of its creator or
Death Kiss A death kiss is a lesser beholder that can come into being when a true beholder has a vivid nightmare about losing blood. Its coloration and shape resemble those of the beholder that
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide (2014)
death for them. Loyalty can be roleplayed or represented by this rule. Loyalty Score An NPC’s loyalty is measured on a numerical scale from 0 to 20. The NPC’s maximum loyalty score is equal to the
Optional Rule: Loyalty Loyalty is an optional rule you can use to determine how far an NPC party member will go to protect or assist the other members of the party (even those he or she doesn’t
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Player’s Handbook
. Monster Death. A monster dies the instant it drops to 0 Hit Points, although a Dungeon Master can ignore this rule for an individual monster and treat it like a character. Hit Point Maximum of 0. A
Dropping to 0 Hit Points When a creature drops to 0 Hit Points, it either dies outright or falls unconscious, as explained below. Instant Death Here are the main ways a creature can die instantly
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Journeys through the Radiant Citadel
longevity, Yongjing’s rulers could conceivably live forever. But this immortality is not protection against a violent death: murder, revolution, or some other dire fate has ended each past emperor’s
rule. End of an Emperor The emperor of Great Xing is dying—he just doesn’t know it yet. In a few months, when he next uses a potion of longevity to extend his life, he’ll learn that the imperial supply
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide
the Book of Vile Darkness (described in chapter 7). Armed with that dread tome, he forged a kingdom to rule, with the vampire Kas as his lieutenant. But Kas betrayed and killed him, leaving only one
hand and one eye intact (the Eye and Hand of Vecna are described in chapter 7).
Vecna’s evil will was so great that he persisted beyond death and eventually became a demigod of secrets and evil magic
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Rise of Tiamat
many exiled Thayans who have fled the rule of Szass Tam, the lich lord of Thay, and his council of undead zulkirs. So great is the lich lord’s wrath that all such exiles are under a sentence of death
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Wayfinder's Guide to Eberron
The Houses of Shadow The elves have carried the Mark of Shadow for thousands of years. The families that carry the mark left Aerenal after the conflict that wiped out the Mark of Death and
rule, Phiarlan elves are the better spies and Thuranni agents are superior assassins. On the surface Thuranni and Phiarlan maintain a peaceful relationship, but rivalries run deep.
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tyranny of Dragons
the many exiled Thayans who have fled the rule of Szass Tam, the lich lord of Thay, and his council of undead zulkirs. So great is the lich lord’s wrath that all such exiles are under a sentence of
death. The leader of the Red Wizard exiles allied with Severin is Rath Modar, a human illusionist. Though he has no particular bond with dragons, Rath Modar believes that when Tiamat returns, she will be
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft
maharana’s death, Ramya’s brother, Arijani, declared himself the new maharana. Allied with ranas hungry for unearned power, Arijani tried to force Ramya to relinquish the Sapphire Throne. Ramya refused
. The maharani’s brutality increased distrust in her rule, and the fighting spread. After numerous battles, Reeva begged her sister to meet her brother and negotiate an end to the war. Ramya, who remained
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide (2014)
seems to be in a decaying, crumbling, or corroded state. Optional Rule: Abyssal Corruption A non-evil visitor that finishes a long rest in the Abyss must make a DC 10 Charisma saving throw. On a failure
rule the Abyss, and my companions are tools to that end.” 10 Demonic Possession. The character is possessed by a demonic entity until freed by dispel evil and good or similar magic. Whenever the
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Mythic Odysseys of Theros
other for control over the region and that only their eventual death paved the way for the peace that allowed the new polis of Meletis to flourish. The truth is that they ruled Meletis peacefully
’ rule. While most humans (and minotaurs) embraced that division, the god Karametra tried to teach people a new way of living in harmony with nature, leading to the founding of Setessa. The Slayer, and the Philosopher
(CHUCK LUKACS)
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide (2014)
Loose Pantheons Most D&D worlds have a loose pantheon of gods. A multitude of deities rule the various aspects of existence, variously cooperating with and competing against one another to administer
gods the locals revere. To quickly build a pantheon for your world, create a single god for each of the eight domains available to clerics: Death, Knowledge, Life, Light, Nature, Tempest, Trickery
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Lost Laboratory of Kwalish
Rumors and Legends Countless legends have arisen regarding the mysterious Barrier Peaks, and those tales circulate constantly among adventurers, explorers, and bards. Rumors specific to Kwalish and
keep a brain alive long after a creature’s death. 46–50 Kwalish never really existed. The inventor who went by that name was really a construct, created by Ioun to walk among mortals and study our
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft
ancient grudges and petty atrocities in a land of bitterly feuding royal families. Infamous but respected, Drakov amassed a fortune and planned to retire young, buying a title and a realm to rule. The
prince, a saint, a witch, an angel—but with its death, the world turned against them. The ruling families united to hunt the Talons. Thanks to her tactical genius, Drakov repelled her pursuers and
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Monster Manual
them beyond death. Unlike mere zombies, they retain the memories and evil agendas they harbored in life. After dying and returning from the grave, a wight continues its villainous ways, but it is now
Motives 1d8 The Wight Returned from the Dead To...
1 Challenge anyone who passes near its grave on a certain cursed night.
2 Conquer the land it believes it should rule.
3 Continue
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Journeys through the Radiant Citadel
—believed to be death herself—is the patron spirit of the city. She is a capricious figure who wishes to be celebrated rather than feared. While numerous festivals are held throughout the year, the most
the populace lives in poverty. The seat of Councilor of the Foundry remains vacant following Doña Estela’s recent death, as it has become clear that the oligarch intended to be resurrected to continue
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Fizban's Treasury of Dragons
) maintain that “dead dragons will rule the world entire.” The cult thus creates dracoliches as a step toward achieving that particular vision of a future paradise. Similar rites exist on other worlds
projections of psionic gem dragons. And dragons can also linger after death as ghost dragons. Whatever form an Undead dragon takes, the creature’s transformation ripples throughout the Material Plane
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
. The devilkin steal treasures, weapons, and supplies, dooming an expedition to a slow death. The devilkin fly near their victims, taunting them with the items they stole. Predators in the area learn
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Sword Coast Adventurer’s Guide
, died. His unprepared twin sons shared the rule until the elder, Bromm, was himself killed by a dragon, leaving young King Harnoth with the rule of the ancient citadel. What followed was a great bleeding
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