bards brutal diffusing contrast reflect

Forlarren

Monsters Mordenkainen's Fiendish Folio Volume 1

, chaotic, and temperamental nature they all share. When its diabolical aspect shines through, a forlarren is a cunning, calculating, and brutal enemy. It might use its natural charm to worm its way

, 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

Knight of the Order

Backgrounds Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide

reflect the agenda, sentiment, or philosophy of one’s order. KNIGHTLY ORDERS OF FAERÛN Many who rightfully call themselves “knight” earn that title as part of an order in

, such as the brutal Warlock Knights of Vaasa. Other knighthoods are secular and nongovernmental organizations of warriors who follow a particular philosophy, or consider themselves a kind of extended

Zil Characters

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

appropriate, reflecting their love of intrigue. Classes that specialize in melee combat are rare among the Zil. The soldiers of Zilargo include rogues, bards, wizards, and artificers. The Trust. In

agent or acquire a particular object from their base. While the spy background is a logical choice for a Trust agent, the agency recruits characters of every class and background. Your class abilities reflect specialized training and granted abilities—the magical equivalent of spy gadgets!

Bardic Colleges

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Sword Coast Adventurer’s Guide

the bards, each of which is named after one of the colleges. See chapter 7 of the Dungeon Master’s Guide for the game statistics of these magic instruments. Long ago, bards who sought the rank of

tradition fell when the colleges went into decline, but some bards dream of restoring it. College of Fochlucan The original College of Fochlucan once stood on the northeastern edge of Silverymoon. Many years

Modifying a Class

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

your world might worship a patron deity, performing secret missions in that deity’s name. To reflect this cultural detail, you could add Religion to the list of skills that a rogue character can choose

Talentan Characters

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

, 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

the form of dinosaurs. However, you could reflect a strong bond to spirits by playing an Archfey warlock, Nature cleric, Oath of the Ancients paladin, or a Beast Totem or Ancestral Guardian barbarian

Charisma

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

. The Deception, Intimidation, Performance, and Persuasion skills reflect aptitude in certain kinds of Charisma checks. Deception Your Charisma (Deception) check determines whether you can convincingly

, rumors, and gossip Blend into a crowd to get the sense of key topics of conversation Spellcasting Ability Bards, paladins, sorcerers, and warlocks use Charisma as their spellcasting ability, which helps determine the saving throw DCs of spells they cast.

Build Your Group

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

some developing skills as clerics, rogues, wizards, or other classes. Such characters often come from the sage background and have proficiency in skills that reflect their studies, such as Arcana

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

Charisma

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

. The Deception, Intimidation, Performance, and Persuasion skills reflect aptitude in certain kinds of Charisma checks. Deception. Your Charisma (Deception) check determines whether you can convincingly

, rumors, and gossip Blend into a crowd to get the sense of key topics of conversation Spellcasting Ability Bards, paladins, sorcerers, and warlocks use Charisma as their spellcasting ability, which helps determine the saving throw DCs of spells they cast.

Upper Northedge

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

are filled with spire-topped manors and grand estates. A host of rooftop parks and gardens provide lovely spaces to sit and reflect. Shae Lias is arguably the most remarkable district of Upper

district of Holdfast. In contrast to the residents of Highhold in Upper Dura, the dwarves of Holdfast have deep roots in Sharn and feel no strong connection to the Mror Holds or its traditions. High

Suggested Characteristics

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Sword Coast Adventurer’s Guide

as a knight of your order. Your bond almost always involves the order to which you belong (or at least key members of it), and it is highly unusual for a knight’s ideal not to reflect the agenda

Order or Mystra’s Knights of the Mystic Fire. Other knightly orders serve a government, royal family, or are the elite military of a feudal state, such as the brutal Warlock Knights of Vaasa. Other

Peryton

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

consumes a heart, its shadow changes for a brief time to reflect its true monstrous form. When attacking a humanoid, a peryton is single-minded and relentless, fighting until it or its prey dies. If a

Lorehold Student

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

, and your spell effects might reflect the appearance of the reference books you study. Building a Lorehold Character Any class or subclass that deals with knowledge of the past can be a good fit in

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

Dragon Factions

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

to amass as much wealth and power as possible. The Gem Circle, by contrast, might be dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge, while the Metallic Circle is more altruistic, working to further the

Build Your Group

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

connection to the divine. This character might be the driving force behind the group’s quests, steering them according to divine will. Proficiency in skills such as Insight and Religion can help reflect

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

Forlarren

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Mordenkainen's Fiendish Folio Volume 1

diabolical aspect shines through, a forlarren is a cunning, calculating, and brutal enemy. It might use its natural charm to worm its way into earning trust from those it encounters, casting itself as a

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

Halflings

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes

Scholars, wizards, druids, and bards of other races have different ideas about how halflings escape peril, suggesting that by virtue of something in their nature, they occupy a special place in the

moment to pause and reflect in such a place, or stop for a quick snack. Set flowers in your cap or hair to protect against evil faeries. When the hair on your neck stiffens or the skin on your arm

The Monastery

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Lost Laboratory of Kwalish

(Perception) check. Any monk whose face is seen shows an identical grim countenance — a face flayed nearly to the bone, the result of a brutal initiation to better match the appearance of the Grand

technology. These weapons are notoriously ineffective against polished metal armor and shields, which reflect their laser bolts: Force Pike. Melee or Ranged Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft. or

Fortitude

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse->Sigil and the Outlands

each resident’s appearance reflect their inner beauty. Creatures that stumble through the parlor’s hexagonal black door a disheveled mess emerge exquisite and graceful. For a premium rejuvenating

falls ill with a supernatural cold, plunging Fortitude into a sudden brutal winter. The remaining three elemental beings ask the characters to enter the gate in search of a cure. 4 A popular candidate

Centaur

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

herds. These herds are voluntary associations, in contrast to the family groups of the Lagonna. When necessary, several small bands join together in a larger herd to target particularly dangerous but

Pheres can be brutal and greedy, but they are clever as well, and understand the value of strategic leadership. Other centaurs in Pheres herds work as scouts, archers, warriors, and foragers. In addition

Recurring Villains

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

villain and improve its challenge rating to make it relevant to the higher-level characters. NPC Stat Blocks. Some of the stat blocks in the Monster Manual can reflect the same character at different

Villain In contrast to a villain who is a part of the characters’ everyday life, an otherworldly villain isn’t only anonymous but also fundamentally mysterious. It’s not just a question of who the

Other Religious Systems

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide (2014)

), or even forces and philosophies that don’t center on deities. Tight Pantheons In contrast to a loose pantheon, a tight pantheon focuses on a single religion whose teachings and edicts embrace a small

moon deities and agricultural deities — gods whose portfolios reflect the cycles of nature. The cult’s ritual of initiation follows the pattern of its foundation myth. Neophytes retrace the god’s

Eileanar Locations

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Netheril’s Fall: Tales of Terror, Treasure, and Time Travel

block for him, except Karsus is a Chaotic Neutral Humanoid who doesn’t have the Spirit Jar ability. Coliseum of Karsus LUCA BANCONE Brutal competitions play out to screaming, bloodthirsty crowds at

bridges spiral and swirl everywhere. Some groves have no gravity, and visitors are encouraged to float among the beauty and reflect upon their lives. Reasons to Visit. Adventurers might visit the

Upper City Gazetteer

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

City began suffering brutal attacks by a silent murderer wearing an archaic, threadbare patriar’s cloak. Many have glimpsed this pale killer, but no one has ever been able to confront or follow the

patriars, traveling nobles, famed bards, and socially ambitious Lower City residents hoping to rub shoulders with the elite. The inn is unfussy, but conducts its service with flawless technique and the

The Seldarine

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes

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

least a century. More than a few elves claim to have experienced this benefit, and the truth of it is attested by many bards — sometimes in all earnestness, sometimes with a knowing wink. Priests of

Upper City Gazetteer

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Baldur’s Gate Gazetteer

City began suffering brutal attacks by a silent murderer wearing an archaic, threadbare patriar’s cloak. Many have glimpsed this pale killer, but no one has ever been able to confront or follow the

patriars, traveling nobles, famed bards, and socially ambitious Lower City residents hoping to rub shoulders with the elite. The inn is unfussy, but conducts its service with flawless technique and the

Stone Giants

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Volo's Guide to Monsters

quintessents are the most reclusive of their kind, lairing in remote and inhospitable sites surrounded by brutal winds and murderous weather (see chapter 3 for more information on these creatures

most prone to laughter and enjoying fellowship with his siblings. That image of Stronmaus is in sharp contrast to how storm giants are perceived in the world: aloof and dour. Nonetheless, it is an

Masters' Domain

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tales from the Yawning Portal->a5

smiling figure with its hands held out, as if ready to accept an offering. In contrast to the beatific pillars, alcoves around the room contain statues of four-armed gargoyles. Advance Notice

Wizard evoker (see appendix B), directs the brutal combat training here. Six Thayan warriors engage a dread warrior (see appendix B for both stat blocks) and seven skeletons. Lahnis orders the whole

Locations in Saltmarsh

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Ghosts of Saltmarsh

witness to. His mood shifts to darkness as he witnesses a brutal murder on the docks of a squalid port, then lifts in pride as he watches a brave mariner leap into the sea and save a drowning child

blessings of his clerics, dogging their steps with wretched weather until his attention is drawn elsewhere. Procan’s clerics reflect their deity’s chaotic nature. They seek omens of his moods in the

Daelkyr

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

Silver Flame engaged in a long crusade to defend civilization from this brutal scourge, eventually all but eradicating lycanthropy from the Five Nations. The lycanthropes that survived hid in dark

characters might manifest connections to the daelkyr in many ways. The Great Old One warlock patron is an excellent match to Belashyrra or Dyrrn, but other classes can just as easily reflect a connection to

Locations on the Second Level

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tales from the Yawning Portal->a6

is cleared of opponents. The headsman, by contrast, uses his axe after tossing one victim down the well. Treasure. The stakes of the game include six pieces of jewelry (worth 250 gp each) and ten

floor in the western half of the area is of porphyry, and the pillars are made of serpentine. Their well-polished surfaces reflect the strange light that permeates the place. The scenes on the west

Chromatic Dragons

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Monster Manual (2014)

one day be hers and hers alone. Tiamat is a gigantic dragon whose five heads reflect the forms of the chromatic dragons that worship her — black, blue, green, red, and white. She is a terror on the

is 5 feet wide. Each creature in that line must make a DC 11 Dexterity saving throw, taking 22 (5d8) acid damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one. Brutal and Cruel. All

Metallic Dragons

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Monster Manual (2014)

storing them in their lairs. A metallic dragon’s treasure hoard is filled with items that reflect its persona, tell its history, and preserve its memories. Metallic dragons also seek to protect other

tricks with good humor. Copper dragons are particularly fond of bards. A dragon might carve out part of its lair as a temporary abode for a bard willing to regale it with stories, riddles, and music. To

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