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Returning 35 results for 'bards both deadly curse runes'.
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Demilich (Variant)
Legacy
This doesn't reflect the latest rules and lore.
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Monsters
Monster Manual (2014)
with the greater restoration spell or similar magic.
Vile Curse (Costs 3 Actions). The demilich targets one creature it can see within 30 feet of it. The target must succeed on a DC 16 Wisdom saving
throw or be magically cursed. Until the curse ends, the target has disadvantage on attack rolls and saving throws. The target can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the
Aasimar
Legacy
This doesn't reflect the latest rules and lore.
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Species
Volo's Guide to Monsters
Conflicted Souls
Despite its celestial origin, an aasimar is mortal and possesses free will. Most aasimar follow their ordained path, but some grow to see their abilities as a curse. These disaffected
deadly foes. The radiant power they once commanded becomes corrupted into a horrid, draining magic. And their angelic guides abandon them.
Even aasimar wholly dedicated to good sometimes feel torn
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->Quests from the Infinite Staircase
soul and save this doomed land—but none have returned from his pyramid. Within the pharaoh’s tomb lie deadly traps, sinister threats, and the secret to ending the ancient curse. “Pharaoh” is designed
for four to six 7th-level characters. Tomas Duchek The ghost of the pharaoh Amun Sa wanders the Desert of
Desolation, searching for worthy souls to break his curse
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Journeys through the Radiant Citadel
The Fiend of Hollow Mine An Adventure for 4th-Level Characters A deadly magical curse called sereno is killing people in the arid borderlands around the city of San Citlán. After an encounter with an
outlaw in the village of Milpazul, the characters learn the source of the curse is a tlacatecolo—a shape-shifting fiend. Fearing for the folk under her protection, the outlaw directs the characters
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dragon of Icespire Peak
against the terrifying powers that threaten the land. Wizards plunder the ruins of the fallen Netherese empire, delving into secrets too dark for the light of day. Bards sing of kings, queens, heroes
never safe. Fell magic and deadly monsters are the perils one faces when traveling in the Realms. Even farms and freeholds within a day’s walk of a city can fall prey to monsters, and no place is safe from the sudden wrath of a dragon.
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Bigby Presents: Glory of the Giants
fireplace are inscribed with runes extolling the god Hiatea and invoking her blessing upon all who shelter here. Many dynasties of giants have claimed ownership of Hiatea’s Hearth since its founding, and each
one has known vast prosperity within its walls—followed by a spectacular fall. The magic of the hall invokes Hiatea’s aspect as a tender of the hearth, but it also carries a curse laid by her brother
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Journeys through the Radiant Citadel
a disease but a curse. Sereno Sereno is a deadly magical affliction that inflicts a supernatural chill on its victims and eventually kills them. A creature cursed with sereno is poisoned, can’t regain
fiend known as a tlacatecolo. If a tlacatecolo that afflicted one or more creatures with the curse dies, the curse ends for its victims. See the “Tlacatecolo” section at the end of this adventure for more details.
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft
Components of a Curse Most curses have three distinct components: pronouncement, burden, and resolution. Whatever form these take, at least one of them, especially the burden or resolution, should
have an ironic connection to the action that triggered the curse.A dying priest of Ezra curses his murderer Pronouncement The first component of a curse is the pronouncement, which amounts to a threat
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft
their criminal operation, and brought Irena to justice, but not before suffering her curse: “Live you always among monsters, and see everyone you love die beneath their claws.” In the weeks that
followed, the curse took hold. Before Rudolph could track down and slay Baron Metus, the vampire murdered both Ingrid and Erasmus. In the decades since, van Richten has hunted monsters and armed others
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Volo's Guide to Monsters
Conflicted Souls Despite its celestial origin, an aasimar is mortal and possesses free will. Most aasimar follow their ordained path, but some grow to see their abilities as a curse. These
make deadly foes. The radiant power they once commanded becomes corrupted into a horrid, draining magic. And their angelic guides abandon them. Even aasimar wholly dedicated to good sometimes feel
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->Infernal Machine Rebuild
Medusa As deadly as they are ravishing, the serpent-haired medusas suffer an immortal curse brought on by their vanity. They lurk in quiet exile among the tumbled ruins of their former lives
the save.
If the medusa sees itself reflected on a polished surface within 30 feet of it and in an area of bright light, the medusa is, due to its curse, affected by its own gaze.
Actions
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Bigby Presents: Glory of the Giants
Endless Rockslide Adventures Here are sample adventure hooks to bring characters to the Endless Rockslide or to give them missions to pursue there. Constructive Endeavors Runes harnessing the
the crafts to bring misfortune. The stone giants ask the characters to find the fomorian and end the curse before they’re overwhelmed with creatures drawn from the Fomorian Encounters and Giant Kin
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Monster Manual (2014)
Medusa As deadly as they are ravishing, the serpent-haired medusas suffer an immortal curse brought on by their vanity. They lurk in quiet exile among the tumbled ruins of their former lives
ancient magic, or seek out powerful archmages to fulfill their wishes. Others make sacrifices to demon lords or archdevils, offering all in exchange for this gift, oblivious to the curse that accompanies it
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Eberron: Rising from the Last War
all of these roles: Prince Oargev ir’Wynarn Civil Servant. The vast majority of work performed on behalf of a head of state has very little to do with deadly adventure: it’s about prosecuting and
Charisma to work in the service of the state. These characters often come from a noble background and bring proficiency in skills such as Intimidation and Persuasion to their work. Bards are natural fits in
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Eberron: Rising from the Last War
things take a deadly turn. Such a Client is often a nonplayer character whose connection with the party is dissolved at the end of an adventure, but sometimes a Client develops a taste for excitement and
in both Persuasion and Intimidation prove helpful in this role. Bards, paladins, and sorcerers have both the requisite talents and the ability to supplement their interrogations with magic
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden
their gods, questing against the terrifying powers that threaten the land. Wizards plunder the ruins of the fallen Netherese empire, delving into secrets too dark for the light of day. Bards sing of
across the world, but these paths are never safe. Fell magic and deadly monsters are among the perils one faces when traveling in the Realms. Even farms and freeholds within a day’s walk of a city can
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft
a way of life in this forested domain, with everyone from the bards of Skald to the actors of Emherst pursuing dazzling dreams. Here, the people live by a simple rule: never let an audience grow bored
mentor?
What do you use your talents, work, or travels to hide? Does insecurity or doubt drive you to excel? Did someone best you in your field of mastery? Does a vice, curse, or rumor color your
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide (2014)
Random Tricks Tricks are quirkier and less deadly than traps. Some are effects left behind by the dungeon’s creators, while others might be manifestations of the strange magical energy suffusing the
jar 3 Burning fire 4 Cracked gem 5 Door 6 Fresco 7 Furniture 8 Glass sculpture 9 Mushroom field 10 Painting 11 Plant or tree 12 Pool of water 13 Runes engraved on wall or floor 14 Skull 15 Sphere of
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Waterdeep: Dungeon of the Mad Mage
“Jhesiyra Kestellharp”). The first creature to pass through the gate triggers an elder rune (see “Elder Runes”). A creature that passes through the gate appears in area 26d on level 1, in the closest
transmutation magic around the helm, which is cursed. Once the helm is donned, it can’t be removed until its wearer dies or until a remove curse spell or similar magic is cast on the helm. Any humanoid
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Xanathar's Guide to Everything
that creature’s next turn. Alternatively, the rune can be disabled with three successful castings of dispel magic (DC 13) targeting the rune. Sphere of Crushing Doom Complex trap (level 5–10, deadly
threat) The court jester devised a deadly trap to foil anyone who sought to steal his magic fool’s cap. The jester’s tomb is located at the end of a 10-foot-wide, 150-foot-long hallway that descends
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Waterdeep: Dungeon of the Mad Mage
22. Rooms of Magic Ezzat summons and speaks to planar beings in area 22a, and keeps his spellbook in area 22b. 22a. Magic Circle Circle. A circle of runes is inscribed on the floor.
Door Symbol
, flesh to stone, geas, hold person, ice storm, imprisonment, knock, levitate, magic mouth, maze, meteor swarm, mislead, plane shift, prismatic wall, remove curse, telekinesis, true polymorph, unseen servant, wall of force, and web.
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Baldur's Gate: Descent into Avernus
concocted this theory to dupe the characters into testing his latest escape plan. Characters who examine the standing stones and succeed on a DC 15 Intelligence (Arcana) check discern that the arcane runes
from the standing stone.
Transmutation Your skin turns blue for the next 24 hours. A remove curse spell ends the effect on you.
Development Dropping its disguise, the barlgura demon implores
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Storm Lord’s Wrath
character and animates as another hostile air elemental myrmidon! Curse of Talos. If a character is hit with a lightning strike attack from any of the myrmidons, and then fails their saving throw and
becomes stunned, a mark resembling three parallel lightning bolts appears on their head. It can only be removed by a remove curse spell, and its effects are noted later in this quest. Note that three
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tomb of Annihilation
must find clues or evidence pointing in that direction. In this adventure, three creatures know that the cause of the death curse lies in Omu: Grandfather Zitembe in Port Nyanzaru, Valindra Shadowmantle
Kir Sabal, Zalkoré of Nangalore, Saja N’baza in Orolunga, and the red dragon Tzindelor in Wyrmheart Mine. If the characters are unable to locate Omu or ascertain the source of the death curse, the
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft
. After a wary introduction, Ez met van Richten and studied with him for a time, learning all she could of hunting deadly creatures. Although her and Rudolph’s personalities clashed, Ez was surprised to
. “I go where angels fear to tread.” Adventures with Ez d’Avenir Use the statistics of an assassin to represent Ez, or you can use her stat block from Curse of Strahd. Consider the following plots
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Adventure Atlas: The Mortuary
lead them to a deadly location in the Mortuary, such as a crematorium. 3 A poshly dressed Duster wight asks the characters to help them write a eulogy that’s due in 10 minutes. 4 A friendly death dog
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
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Monster Manual (2014)
club make it a formidable threat in combat, and its eyes reflect the absolute evil of its soul.
Divine Curse. Long ago, an elf wandering a forest heard birdsong so pure and wholesome that she was
her into the first harpy. The curse worked its magic on the elf’s spirit as well as her body, turning her desire for love into a hunger for flesh, even as her beautiful song continued to draw
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Wayfinder's Guide to Eberron
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
fighters, bards, or rangers. Bugbears cultivate a focused battle rage and are typically barbarians, serving as shock troops. Goblins are largely artisans and laborers, but exceptional goblins join the
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->The Book of Many Things
Using Malaxxix in a Game Malaxxix is a powerful and violent brute, an ideal enemy for a deadly high-level combat encounter anywhere in the multiverse. The best way to presage such a confrontation is
to present the party with one or more of Malaxxix’s custom-made cursed items, exposing characters to the curse of Malaxxix. Sample cursed items and rules for the curse of Malaxxix are included below
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Monster Manual (2014)
humanoid rather than reflecting the creature’s physical form. Sages postulate that the first perytons were humans transformed by a hideous curse or magical experiment, but bards tell a different tale
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Curse of Strahd
into a vampire. He begged me to end his curse, which I did with a heavy heart. The darkness had torn him from my loving arms forever, and I foolishly believed that the curse had exacted its deadly toll. I wept until an insatiate desire for vengeance filled the bottomless rift in my heart.
of a baleful Vistani curse. More tragically, the nature of this hex is such that I have not borne the brunt of it; instead, far worse, those who surround me have fallen victim to it!
I have related
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dragonlance: Shadow of the Dragon Queen
from the room becomes cursed for as long as they remain within the tower or until the curse is removed by a remove curse spell or similar magic. While cursed, the character has disadvantage on all
the platform stands a stone archway sculpted with sharp runes and the heads of five dragons. Within the arch swirls dense gray mist.
The darkness beyond this room’s broken walls is only an illusion
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Monster Manual (2014)
channels the arcane energy it wielded as a lich. However, even as a mere skull it remains a deadly and vexing enemy. Enduring Existence. Even after a lich is reduced to a demilich state, its phylactery
, the creature dies. A creature’s hit point maximum can be restored with the greater restoration spell or similar magic.
Vile Curse (Costs 3 Actions). The demilich targets one creature it can see






