bards blade diffusing contacts ready

College of Swords

Classes Xanathar's Guide to Everything

Bards of the College of Swords are called blades, and they entertain through daring feats of weapon prowess. Blades perform stunts such as sword swallowing, knife throwing and juggling, and mock

combats. Though they use their weapons to entertain, they are also highly trained and skilled warriors in their own right. Their talent with weapons inspires many blades to lead double lives. One blade

College of Swords (XGtE)

Classes Xanathar's Guide to Everything

Bards of the College of Swords are called blades, and they entertain through daring feats of weapon prowess. Blades perform stunts such as sword swallowing, knife throwing and juggling, and mock

combats. Though they use their weapons to entertain, they are also highly trained and skilled warriors in their own right. Their talent with weapons inspires many blades to lead double lives. One blade

Bard Legacy

Classes Basic Rules (2014)

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

still resound throughout the cosmos. The music of bards is an attempt to snatch and harness those echoes, subtly woven into their spells and powers. The greatest strength of bards is their sheer

Rival Intern

Backgrounds Acquisitions Incorporated

. Maybe you hope to leverage the knowledge you gained there for an advantage at Acquisitions Incorporated. Either way, you’re now bringing your talents to the company, ready to put your skills to

employer or other groups you dealt with during your previous employment. You can communicate with your contacts, gaining information at the DM’s discretion.

Izzet Engineer

Backgrounds Guildmasters’ Guide to Ravnica

I’m incapable of admitting a flaw in my logic. Contacts The laboratories of the Izzet League are constantly starting up new projects and dissolving old ones, so it’s easy for

even the lowliest attendant to make friends (and enemies) in laboratories across Ravnica. Roll twice on the Izzet Contacts table (for an ally and a rival) and once on the Non-Izzet Contacts table

Ready Accomplices

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

Ready Accomplices Characters readily win contacts among Borca’s nobility, since the elite seem easily charmed by the adventuring life. Friendly nobles soon embroil new acquaintances in their schemes

Creating a Bard

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Player's Handbook (2014)

Creating a Bard Bards thrive on stories, whether those stories are true or not. Your character’s background and motivations are not as important as the stories that he or she tells about them

a story. Some bards acquire their magical music through extraordinary means, including the inspiration of fey or other supernatural creatures. Did you serve an apprenticeship, studying under a master

Military Contacts

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

Military Contacts Your group’s primary contact within your hierarchy is generally your superior officer—the person who gives you orders and is responsible for your success or failure. The Commanding

haze of intoxication 3 A grim officer who expects the Last War to reignite at any moment and intends to be ready 4 A cheerful officer with a dark sense of humor who merrily sends you into grave danger 5

Resolving the Character Hooks

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tales from the Yawning Portal->a2

some land far away, or an as-yet-unknown location rumored to hide a fabulous treasure. Track the Broken Blade If the characters were sent to retrieve weapons for Baron Althon, they can bring him the +1

to collect the bounty for orcs they kill or capture. If the characters eliminate all the orcs in the stronghold, the mayor honors them with a celebration attended by the eminent citizens of the town. The characters have established valuable contacts who can aid them in their later endeavors.

College of Swords

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Xanathar's Guide to Everything

College of Swords Bards of the College of Swords are called blades, and they entertain through daring feats of weapon prowess. Blades perform stunts such as sword swallowing, knife throwing and

lives. One blade might use a circus troupe as cover for nefarious deeds such as assassination, robbery, and blackmail. Other blades strike at the wicked, bringing justice to bear against the cruel and

Starting the Adventure

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Guildmasters' Guide to Ravnica

Starting the Adventure Once the players are ready to begin, read or paraphrase the following introductory text: Life in the Tenth District is never dull. A hub of constant activity, it always offers

you’ll need a job that will help you prove your worth. Today is your lucky day. This afternoon, you received a brief note from one of your contacts: “I heard today from someone who is looking 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

Major Items, Rare

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Xanathar's Guide to Everything

teleportation Wondrous item Yes Horn of blasting Wondrous item No Horn of Valhalla (silver or brass) Wondrous item No Instrument of the bards (Canaith mandolin) Wondrous item Yes (bard) Instrument of

the bards (Cli lyre) Wondrous item Yes (bard) Ioun stone (awareness) Wondrous item Yes Ioun stone (protection) Wondrous item Yes Ioun stone (reserve) Wondrous item Yes Ioun stone (sustenance) Wondrous

Creating a Bard

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Basic Rules (2014)

Creating a Bard Bards thrive on stories, whether those stories are true or not. Your character’s background and motivations are not as important as the stories that he or she tells about them

a story. Some bards acquire their magical music through extraordinary means, including the inspiration of fey or other supernatural creatures. Did you serve an apprenticeship, studying under a master

Meeting Captain Zodge

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Baldur's Gate: Descent into Avernus

Meeting Captain Zodge Captain Zodge is expecting the characters. If they choose not to speak with him, he tracks them down eventually. The Flaming Fist has contacts throughout the city, so hiding

in return. When the characters are ready to hear what he has to say, read the following boxed text aloud to the players: “The refugee crisis,” says Captain Zodge, “has stoked fears that Baldur’s Gate

Interesting Locations

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Wayfinder's Guide to Eberron

Xen’drik, and use many exotic ingredients and spices the people of Khorvaire have never tasted. The Kavvs have many friends in Stormreach, and their insights and contacts could be useful to adventurers

heading to Xen’drik. The shops of the Mystic Market deal in magic items, whether locally produced or bought from explorers. The Mithral Blade produces fine and uncommon weapons and armor. Wise Wood

Bladesinging

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

bladesinger at work remember the display as one of the more beautiful experiences in their life, a glorious dance accompanied by a singing blade. A Drow and a High Elf Bladesinger Training in War and

Lorehold Student

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

of a broken statue that houses the consciousness of a snarky sage 5 A sheet of parchment embossed with tactile lettering, glowing red 6 A broken dagger with a wavy blade and a serpentine hilt

Silverquill Student

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Strixhaven: A Curriculum of Chaos

bards find a home in Silverquill, putting the power of their voices to use with Silverquill magic. Wizards (especially those who study the Schools of Illusion and Enchantment) are common in

way to succeed. 4 I’ve mastered the art of using humor as a defense, and I always have a charming joke ready. 5 I always wait before speaking, analyzing the situation for whichever angle is most

Narration in Combat

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

damage is a bad wound for the enemy, say: “You swing wildly, and the knight brings his shield up just a second too late. Your blade catches him along the jaw, drawing a deep gash. He recoils, bleeding

fictional reality of the game and in terms of the rules of the game. This means that when an enemy with a Crossbow takes the Ready action to cover the area in front of a door, the players should have a

Syndra Silvane's Curse

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

well as treasure with which to reward characters for their assistance. When you’re ready for the characters to meet with Syndra, read: You have been invited to the home of Syndra Silvane, a retired

offer. They’re stymied by what is happening.” “My contacts in the Harpers have learned that the cause of the death curse is a necromantic artifact called the Soulmonger. According to their sources, the

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

Iroas's Influence

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Mythic Odysseys of Theros

values training, discipline, strength, and esprit de corps. In Iroas’s eyes, nothing is more valuable or honorable than a honed blade wielded by a trained warrior loyal to a just cause. This message is

axe. Iroas pushes his followers to be ready at all times to meet conflict head-on. Divine Relationships Iroas is defined by his opposition to his twin brother, Mogis. Although both love battle, Iroas

Specific Spells

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Sage Advice Compendium

disappear within an antimagic field . Can you ready dispel magic to stop another spell from taking effect? The easiest way to stop a spell is to cast counterspell on its caster while it’s being cast. If

successful, counterspell interrupts the other spell’s casting, and that spell fails to take effect. Counterspell works against any spell, regardless of a spell’s casting time or duration. With the Ready

Outline

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tyranny of Dragons

shaping the fight against the cult. Xonthal’s Tower. The Cult of the Dragon is not without its own internal strife, as the adventurers discover when a cultist contacts them with the offer to turn

the Sword Coast for the final battle against the Cult of the Dragon. Severin is ready to fulfill his plans, and the combined forces of the Sword Coast must strike now if the cult is to be stopped

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

Rival Intern

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

organization. Maybe you hope to leverage the knowledge you gained there for an advantage at Acquisitions Incorporated. Either way, you’re now bringing your talents to the company, ready to put your

groups you dealt with during your previous employment. You can communicate with your contacts, gaining information at the DM’s discretion. Suggested Characteristics If you were happy with your previous

Lifestyle Expenses

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Player's Handbook (2014)

necessities. Furthermore, expenses cover the cost of maintaining your equipment so you can be ready when adventure next calls. At the start of each week or month (your choice), choose a lifestyle from the

lifestyle choice can have consequences. Maintaining a wealthy lifestyle might help you make contacts with the rich and powerful, though you run the risk of attracting thieves. Likewise, living frugally might

Future Quests

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Waterdeep: Dungeon of the Mad Mage

dungeon that are undergoing construction or reconstruction until such time as they’re ready for exploration. The DMs’ Guild (dmsguild.com) is an excellent resource you can use to find and share expansions

characters negotiate for more than Jalester’s goodwill, they’re also promised a luck blade with no wishes remaining. Jalester neglects to mention, however, that this weapon belongs to Mirt the Moneylender

Lifestyle Expenses

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Basic Rules (2014)

necessities. Furthermore, expenses cover the cost of maintaining your equipment so you can be ready when adventure next calls. At the start of each week or month (your choice), choose a lifestyle from the

lifestyle choice can have consequences. Maintaining a wealthy lifestyle might help you make contacts with the rich and powerful, though you run the risk of attracting thieves. Likewise, living frugally might

Example Complex Traps

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Xanathar's Guide to Everything

, imposing disadvantage on the blades’ attacks against the creature while it isn’t incapacitated. Attack. A creature in the area can ready an attack to strike at one of the blades as it goes by. The blade

gains advantage on its attack against the creature. The creature then attacks. Each blade has AC 15 and 15 hit points. Destroying a blade reduces the Whirling Blades attack bonus by 2. Dexterity check

Climbing the Spire

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse->Turn of Fortune’s Wheel

encounters as the characters climb. When you’re ready to conclude this section, run the “Scholar of Impossibilities” encounter. Memory from Elsewhere As the characters ascend the Spire, they witness

. A character who manages to catch the body finds that it’s an ages-old, rag-clad elf skeleton. 3 A misshapen arch is covered in drooping, metallic, blade-like decorations. The arch was once a portal to

7. Troglodyte Lair

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Waterdeep: Dungeon of the Mad Mage

troglodytes on a rudimentary level. Getting a message across in this way requires a successful DC 15 Charisma (Performance) check. 7a. Battle-Ready Troglodytes Ceiling. Stalactites dot the ceiling, which

the formation, including a half dozen balls of bat guano, a garland of drow intestines, and a muddy dagger with a curved blade. Treasure. The muddy dagger is a dagger of venom. The troglodytes are

Sylvira Savikas

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Baldur's Gate: Descent into Avernus

Sylvira Savikas When the characters are ready, they can make their way toward the main keep, a towering edifice housing hundreds of monks and wizards, and thousands of books and scrolls. As they

shield with Sylvira, Gargauth telepathically contacts the character with the most influence in the party and suggests an alternative course of action: “Take me to the Nine Hells, and I’ll swear to serve

Combat

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Sage Advice Compendium

to wait to act in response to something, take the Ready action, which lets you take part of your turn later. For a variety of reasons, we didn’t include the option to delay your turn: Your turn

combatants should be the focus, with turns that happen as quickly as possible. I have a readied action. Can I stop readying to take an opportunity attack? Or is ready a full turn commitment? If you

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