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Returning 35 results for 'bards better diffusing court refuse'.
Monsters
The Wild Beyond the Witchlight
Hourglass Coven. Better known as Granny Nightshade, she offers her assistance to those who are haunted by regret. Her deals often result in cruel twists; for example, a petitioner who asks to be reunited
.
Personality Trait. “When dealing with outsiders, I present myself as a kindly old grandmother.”
Ideal. “Children are better off working for me than picking up lots of bad habits
Bard
Legacy
This doesn't reflect the latest rules and lore.
Learn More
Classes
Basic Rules (2014)
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 hard study
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
Entertainer
Legacy
This doesn't reflect the latest rules and lore.
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Backgrounds
Player’s Handbook (2014)
but possibly with a circus, at a theater, or even in a noble’s court. At such a place, you receive free lodging and food of a modest or comfortable standard (depending on the quality of the
.
d6
Ideal
1
Beauty. When I perform, I make the world better than it was. (Good)
2
Tradition. The stories, legends, and songs of the past must never be forgotten, for they teach us
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Basic Rules (2014)
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
hard study and some measure of natural talent that most troubadours and jongleurs lack. It can be hard to spot the difference between these performers and true bards, though. A bard’s life is spent
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Player's Handbook (2014)
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
hard study and some measure of natural talent that most troubadours and jongleurs lack. It can be hard to spot the difference between these performers and true bards, though. A bard’s life is spent
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->The Radiant Citadel
Court of Whispers The denizens of the Court of Whispers barter for current knowledge. Heralds, criers, bards, and griots buy and sell information from the fifteen founding civilizations active in the
Citadel, as well as other lands. Skilled scouts and spies can also be hired for short-term reconnaissance or long-term infiltration. The Court is a mixed outdoor-indoor space with quiet alcoves and
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Journeys through the Radiant Citadel
Court of Whispers The denizens of the Court of Whispers barter for current knowledge. Heralds, criers, bards, and griots buy and sell information from the fifteen founding civilizations active in the
Citadel, as well as other lands. Skilled scouts and spies can also be hired for short-term reconnaissance or long-term infiltration. The Court is a mixed outdoor-indoor space with quiet alcoves and
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Wayfinder's Guide to Eberron
The Undying Court
The Undying Court
Our greatest champions and sages will never be lost to us. Their wisdom guides us, and their power protects us all. Honor our past. Respect our traditions
. Perfect your skills and you may earn your place among the Deathless. Destroy those foul creatures that channel the power of Mabar, for they consume the essence of our world. The elves of Aerenal refuse
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Mythic Odysseys of Theros
flow for the better part of a day, the adventurers reach a bend where several prominent rocks jut from the mud. These stones mark the entrance to the Court of Orestes.
The Court of Orestes On the third day of following Khea’s directions, the party reaches the Khystonos. Its riverbed is nearly dry, the river reduced to a muddy trickle. After following the lethargic
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Eberron: Rising from the Last War
Undying Court Our greatest champions and sages will never be lost to us. Their wisdom guides us, and their power protects us all. Honor our past. Respect our traditions. Perfect your skills and you
may earn your place among the Deathless. Destroy those foul creatures that channel the power of Mabar, for they consume the essence of our world. The elves of Aerenal refuse to let their greatest souls
Backgrounds
Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus
court. At such a place, you receive free lodging and food of a modest or comfortable standard (depending on the quality of the establishment), as long as you perform each night. In addition, your
less than perfection.
8
I change my mood or my mind as quickly as I change key in a song.
d6
Ideal
1
Beauty. When I perform, I make the world better than it was. (Good
Monsters
Fizban's Treasury of Dragons
)
3
Curiosity. I want to know about everything that enters my domain, especially oddities from the surface world. (Any)
4
Supremacy. Creatures who refuse to recognize my rule over these waters
in a game of dragonchess that has been going on for centuries.
2
An ancient dragon turtle serves as counsel to an empyrean court, tempering the Celestials’ passions with the dragon turtle
Backgrounds
Guildmasters’ Guide to Ravnica
bother to couch my opinions in flattering words.
5
I can’t help but pocket any trinket or coin I come across, no matter how worthless.
6
I’m convinced that I’m better and
enjoyable arguments there.
10
I regularly pick up refuse from beneath a Simic laboratory, and sometimes I talk to the researcher who dumps it there.
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tomb of Annihilation Supplement
6. Abandoned Quarters This room contains a number of beds, couches, and other furnishings, all of which have seen better days. Plaster has fallen from the ceiling and walls, adding to the refuse and
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Volo's Guide to Monsters
. They revel in having a hideous appearance and sometimes go out of their way “improve” upon it by picking at sores, wearing skins and bones as decoration, and rubbing refuse and dirt into their hair
and clothing. Because both the Seelie Court and the Unseelie Court appreciate and revere true beauty among the fey, hags are almost never found in either place. The Summer Queen and the Queen of Air
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide (2014)
characters make a greater impact on the world, they face greater danger whether they want to or not. Powerful factions see them as a threat and plot against them, while friendly ones court their favor in
about the details of the next tier as the characters approach it. Even better, as the campaign takes unexpected turns in response to the players’ choices, you don’t have to worry about redoing much work.
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
fine, billowing robes—this is Zisatta. Zisatta Zisatta The aloof Zisatta is a member of the High Court and commands Janya’s security forces, called the Billowing Patrol for their sable robes that
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Eberron: Rising from the Last War
The Sewers The upper wards of Sharn use a network of chutes to funnel garbage down into the sewers. Refuse and filth is channeled into cavernous midden chambers, where it is left to rot or be
valuable allies; there are no better guides to the sewers and what lies beneath them than one of the folk who live there.
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Sword Coast Adventurer’s Guide
with other art forms, which produces the complex dance of the bladesingers as well as the enchanting music of their bards and the meticulous craftwork of their artisans. Sun elf adventurers often bring
a feeling of noblesse oblige to their profession: they venture out into the world to challenge its dangers because someone must, and who could be better suited?
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Fizban's Treasury of Dragons
this matter, simpler is better!
-Fizban
Use the Bronze Dragon Personality Traits and Bronze Dragon Ideals tables to inspire your portrayal of distinctive bronze dragon characters, and use the Bronze
excuse for tyranny. Those who abuse power must be stripped of it, and soldiers have a responsibility to refuse immoral orders.
5 I strive to treat foes honorably, but not at the expense of
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Keys from the Golden Vault
a moment, perhaps I can make you a better offer?”
If the characters refuse to hear her deal, Vidorant attacks them. If they agree to listen to her deal, she continues speaking: “I could try to
reasonable compromise, she upholds her part of the deal. If Vidorant knows the characters have taken items of significant value from her vault, she suggests an even better deal: if they return the most
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide (2014)
Respect quandary Ally Quandary. The adventurers have a better chance of achieving their goal with the help of two individuals whose expertise is all but essential. However, these two NPCs hate each
other and refuse to work together even if the fate of the world hangs in the balance. The adventurers must choose the NPC that is most likely to help them accomplish their goal. Friend Quandary. An
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Keys from the Golden Vault
might hear you!” hisses another.
Ebbin Fulchre and his three companions are unarmed commoners who refuse to enter the cabin, even on a dare. Morbid curiosity brought them here, but they’re nothing
imparts the following information: Grave Theft. Two halflings dug up his grave in the dead of night and stole his Canaith mandolin (an instrument of the bards). Frody wants it back. (“It was a gift
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Adventure Atlas: The Mortuary
to expel a dybbuk† from a corpse. The exorcist asks the characters to help in dispatch the Fiend. 9 Two bards† in the Heralds of Dust approach the characters and sing a ballad honoring the dead. If the
characters interrupt or otherwise ruin the tune, 1d4 irascible specters emerge from the walls and attack, causing the bards to flee. 10 Three skeleton farmers quietly tend to corpse-white grave
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->The Wild Beyond the Witchlight
Soggy Court, to return it to the hag with great haste. If the characters show hostility or refuse to join the Soggy Court, Gullop commands his guards to seize them. Captured characters are taken to the
of the Soggy Court are allowed to speak with Bavlorna (a falsehood he knows to be untrue), and he invites the characters to join the group. If they accept, he instructs them to proceed to the palace
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide (2014)
modify existing classes to better serve your game’s needs. Changing Proficiencies Changing a class’s proficiencies is a safe and simple way to modify a class to better reflect your world. Swapping
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
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Eberron: Rising from the Last War
embassy and a temple to the Undying Court. The priests of the Undying Court don’t share this information with outsiders, but many residents believe that an actual member of the Court—an ancient undead elf
the Day of Mourning. A wilder rumor maintains that she is an exile from the Faerie Court of Thelanis, an archfey bound to human form.
While we wait for answers to this mystery, we encourage you to
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->The Wild Beyond the Witchlight
the dagger. If Illig views the characters as coconspirators, he’s eager to hear what they think of his cunning plan. If they have a better one, he wants to hear it. If the characters try to leave
crate are seven woodland animal carcasses, which the bullywugs intend to deliver to Bavlorna (an amateur taxidermist) once Illig is installed as the new king of the Soggy Court. Development. If the
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tomb of Annihilation
. At first, she orders the characters to release her. If they refuse, she tries to bargain with them (see “Roleplaying the Dao” below). While trapped inside the bottle, Keshma can’t attack or cast spells
. Once she’s released, she can cast the tongues spell to better communicate with her liberators. If the bottle is broken or unplugged, the dao emerges in a whirlwind of sand. She fulfills whatever
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Fizban's Treasury of Dragons
to help select spells for a spellcasting dragon. Gold Dragon Personality Traits d8 Trait
1 I prefer to parley before combat. If villains can be reformed without violence, all the better
history. By acting strategically, I tip the ultimate balance toward justice and virtue. (Good)
4 Objectivity. I remain impartial in my judgments and refuse to let personal feelings get in the way of
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse->Turn of Fortune’s Wheel
successful DC 14 Charisma (Intimidation or Persuasion) check. CoupleOfKooks “We’re the refuse of the Outlands, the debris of shattered dreams, the waste of every failed vengeance. We’re the scum of the
multiverse… but we’re still better than you.”
–Tovus Gilaf, former burgomaster of Curst,
to his replacement, Villigus Bazengar
Encounters in Curst While exploring Curst, the characters might have any
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Candlekeep Mysteries
heard about from Pond Mother and perhaps also from the yuan-ti captives. The old village was abandoned when the grippli realized they would fare better being closer to the water. They relocated to where
signals to direct the characters toward the courtyard. From there, the characters can approach the upper court (area T2), where the prisoners are. The following locations are keyed to the map of the
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->Journeys through the Radiant Citadel
characters, Zhong Yin claims to be a scholar of ancient Xing history. In truth, the scholar is an Imperial Ghost, a spy of the court. Zhong Yin serves Secretary Wei and is currently helping with the
they expect to find in the Old City. If the characters refuse his proposal, the minister smiles, tells them he understands, and wishes them good luck.
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Strixhaven: A Curriculum of Chaos
Lorehold. Bards thrive in Lorehold, and wizards (particularly those of the School of Divination) are numerous among its students. Clerics (often with the Knowledge or Light domains) are also quite common
. The more obscure the historical references I can include in everyday conversation, the better. 2 By searching for these lost artifacts, I hope to find who I really am along the way. 3 I can barely go






