battle bards diffusing cults refuse

Viari

Monsters Acquisitions Incorporated

adventurer was nearly cut short during a battle of which the bards still sing. Unleashing a devastating attack with the aptly named Apocalypse Dagger, the rogue destroyed a giant single-handedly — and lost

Yuan-ti Malison (Type 3) Legacy

Monsters Monster Manual (2014)

time, the serpent gods heard those prayers, their sibilant voices responding from the darkness as they told the yuan-ti what they must do. The yuan-ti religion grew more fanatical in its devotion. Cults

’t be bound for long by brute force, and that many creatures will refuse to serve. As a result, yuan-ti first influence other creatures with the promise of wealth and power. Time and again

Red Abishai

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

abishais when it comes to leadership ability and raw power. Red abishais lead other devils into battle or take charge of troublesome cults to ensure that they continue to carry out Tiamat’s commands

Oath of the Watchers

Classes Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything

network of spies and informants to gather information on suspected cults. To a Watcher, keeping a healthy suspicion and awareness about one’s surroundings is as natural as wearing armor in

battle. TENETS OF THE WATCHERS A paladin who assumes the Oath of the Watchers swears to safeguard mortal realms from otherworldly threats. Vigilance. The threats you face are cunning, powerful, and

Golgari Agent

Backgrounds Guildmasters’ Guide to Ravnica

joined the Gruul in a battle against the Boros once, and the sergeant of that Boros squad would love to prove that it was me. 3 I had a romance with a Dimir agent whom I still feed secrets to

. 4 Roll an additional Golgari contact; you can decide if the contact is an ally or a rival. 5 I joined the Gruul in a battle against the Boros once, and the chief of that small clan thanks

Giff Legacy

Monsters Mordenkainen’s Tome of Foes

refuse to fight other giff, and will never agree to a contract unless it stipulates that they can sit out a battle rather than wage war against their kin. A giff prizes the reputation of its unit above its

Oath of the Watchers (TCoE)

Classes Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything

network of spies and informants to gather information on suspected cults. To a Watcher, keeping a healthy suspicion and awareness about one’s surroundings is as natural as wearing armor in

battle. TENETS OF THE WATCHERS A paladin who assumes the Oath of the Watchers swears to safeguard mortal realms from otherworldly threats. Vigilance. The threats you face are cunning, powerful, and

Orc Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

the plane of Acheron. It is there in the afterlife where the chosen ones will join Gruumsh and his armies in their endless extraplanar battle for supremacy. Gods of the Orcs Orcs believe their gods

gather and celebrate, dwell the followers of Yurtrus, the god of disease and death, and Shargaas, the god of darkness and the unknown. Orcs too weak for battle (because of bodily weakness, malformation

Bards

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

Bards Bards hold a special place of responsibility and respect in the Forgotten Realms. They are bearers of news, gossip, and messages in their travels from place to place, in addition to being

living storehouses of history and folklore. Bards know a great deal, and they tend to be willing to share what they know, or at least barter for it. The arrival of a renowned bard is a special occasion

Aarakocra Legacy

Species Elemental Evil Player's Companion

letting the thermals hold them aloft. In battle, they prove dynamic and acrobatic fliers, moving with remarkable speed and grace, diving to lash opponents with weapons or talons before turning and flying

on that plane might leave their colonies to lend aid to other humanoids committed to fighting earth cults and thwarting their efforts. Aarakocra Names As with much of their speech, aarakocra names

Undercroft

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Princes of the Apocalypse

adventurers any lore you wish. She knows only the basics of what the elemental cults are planning, but she’d like to know more. She’s willing to trade information to get it. The exchange of information can

the characters reveal about the cults, the Dark Lady reveals one, too. Skipping anything the players already know, the Dark Lady might begin by revealing some of the following points: Four elemental

Cult of Zariel

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

Cult of Zariel Goals: Conquest, glory in battle, fame and fortune derived from military victory Typical Cultist: Berserker, cult fanatic, cultist, gladiator, guard, knight, veteran Signature Spells

initiative, it can choose itself and up to three allies it can see if it isn’t incapacitated. It can swap the initiative results of the chosen creatures among them. WHY DEVILS WANT CULTS For all

Interloper Gods

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Bigby Presents: Glory of the Giants

among giantkind. Baphomet. As described in the Monster Manual, Baphomet the Horned King encourages his followers to embrace their fundamentally bestial nature. Giants who delight in the frenzy of battle

offers his followers—raw strength and fury in battle—appeals directly to the values shared by many frost giants, making him appear as an exemplar of the giants’ ideals. The fury of Kostchtchie in

Recovering from Defeat

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Princes of the Apocalypse

, reorganizing its cult and bringing the scattered remnants of the other cults to heel. This time allows the characters to plan a second assault. The factions the characters are affiliated with take a more

active role in thwarting Elemental Evil. Reports from characters who survived the first battle carry great weight with them, and it’s possible that a faction was scrying near the node at just the right

The Heirs of Dhakaan

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

commanders, typically having the skills of fighters, bards, or rangers. Bugbears cultivate a focused battle rage and are typically barbarians. Goblins are largely artisans and laborers, but

, or druids. Their focus is on martial excellence, and their spiritual leaders are bards, who tell tales of past glory. Among the Dhakaan, goblinoids work together. Hobgoblins are the strategists and

Minotaur

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

Minotaur A minotaur’s roar is a savage battle cry that most civilized creatures fear. Born into the mortal realm by demonic rites, minotaurs are savage conquerors and carnivores that live for the

respect authority or hierarchy, and they are notoriously difficult to enslave, let alone control. Cults of the Horned King. Minotaurs are the dark descendants of humanoids transformed by the rituals of

Personal Goal

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

sworn to do, or die trying. 4 Leadership. You will win a great battle that bards will sing about, and in so doing, you will become an example to inspire others. 5 Faith. You know your path is righteous

Bard Subclasses

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Player’s Handbook

Bard Subclasses A Bard subclass is a specialization that grants you features at certain Bard levels, as specified in the subclass. Bards form loose associations, which they call colleges, to preserve

Harmony with the Cosmos Bards of the College of Dance know that the Words of Creation can’t be contained within speech or song; the words are uttered by the movements of celestial bodies and flow

Lords' Alliance

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

agents include sophisticated bards, zealous paladins, talented mages, and grizzled warriors. They are chosen primarily for their loyalty and are experts in observation, stealth, innuendo, and combat

cold and rain, waiting for battle while hunger gnaws at their bellies? Many wish to reap the rewards of a good harvest, but few care to remove the stones and till the fields for planting. “The Lords

Knights' Quest

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Princes of the Apocalypse

Feathergale Spire (see chapter 2) Doing one’s duty for the realm Hunting and hawking Hippogriffs, giant vultures, and other aerial mounts If the characters mention elemental cults, read the following text

any way we can.” The knights use the feast to learn about the characters and how much they know about the elemental cults. Applauding bravery and offering toasts, the knights listen to the

Remarkable Heroes

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

Remarkable Heroes Eberron is a world in need of heroes. Lingering tensions of war remain. From the fanatics of the Emerald Claw and the mad cults of the Dragon Below to the flesh-warping daelkyr and

remarkable in Eberron. DM TIP: HIGH STAKES What’s better than a battle on the deck of an airship? A battle on the deck of an airship that’s about to crash! A DM should look for ways to raise the

2. Light of the Dead

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

least 50 feet ahead of characters who do so. It attempts to lure creatures into area 7 and provoke a battle with the minotaurs. If the characters refuse to follow the will-o’-wisp, it turns invisible

The Old Dartwild Cabin

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

Mortuary Encounters

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

The Sewers

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

city. These sewer clans constantly battle over territory, as control of one or more midden chamber can be critical to survival. The sewer clans can pose a threat to adventurers, but they can also be

Redcloak Battalion

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

Battalion. This elite unit fought at the forefront of the Last War, and Brelish bards still sing of the exploits of Khandan the Hammer and Meira the Huntress. At the end of the war, the battalion was split

snarling displacer beast surrounded by the words, “First in battle, last to fall”—the Redcloak insignia and motto—on the right. Allies. As part of Breland’s military forces, the Redcloaks can count on

A Bard's Muse

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

A Bard’s Muse Naturally, every bard has a repertoire of songs and stories. Some bards are generalists who can draw from a wide range of topics for each performance, and who take pride in their

versatility. Others adopt a more personal approach to their art, driven by their attachment to a muse — a particular concept that inspires much of what those bards do in front of an audience. A bard who

The Quest Board

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Divine Contention

cults, one of which has an ancient dragon in its employ. The gnomes of Gnomengarde have offered to supply a magical weapon to drive off this beast should it trouble the town. Meet the gnomes at

no job board notice for this quest. Instead, it happens automatically after the players have completed two of the three starting quests. At this point, the rival cults launch their attack on the town

Trial by Combat

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Spelljammer: Adventures in Space->Light of Xaryxis

the zodar to 0 hit points. The zodar wins the battle if all the characters are at 0 hit points at the start of the zodar’s turn or if the characters who are still standing concede defeat. The

can while preserving their front-row views of the battle. Xedalli’s Favor If the characters swayed the crowd in favor of Princess Xedalli, the princess leads the crowd in a chant before the battle

Other Religious Systems

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

. Monsters and fiends serve it, as do certain secretive cults. The myths of a dualistic religion usually predict that the good deity will triumph in an apocalyptic battle, but the forces of evil believe

on two opposing deities or forces), mystery cults (involving personal devotion to a single deity, usually as part of a pantheon system), animistic religions (revering the spirits inherent in nature

Adventure in Red Larch

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Princes of the Apocalypse

they work at night. The workers now refuse to stay in the quarry after dark. Workers at Waelvur’s Wagonworks (area 16) have been talking about suspicious activity around the workshop. They can be

Spies The spies for the elemental cults in Red Larch (Justran Daehl, Ghileeda, and Iraun Thelder) aren’t formidable combatants and are unwilling to fight adventurers. They pass information by slipping

Trial of Trust

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Quests from the Infinite Staircase

apology can convince Derwyth to let them stay with a successful DC 15 Charisma (Persuasion) check. If the characters don’t make amends and refuse to leave the homestead, Derwyth attacks, calling the saber

-toothed tiger in area H7 and the three giant goats in area H6 to back her up. If Derwyth is defeated, news of the battle quickly spreads to Beasts throughout Cernant Valley, who regard the characters

The Ordning

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

automatically revere their kind’s primary deity, however. Many good cloud giants refuse to worship the deceitful Memnor, and a storm giant dwelling in the icy mountains of the north might pay more homage

impetuous and arrogant trickster. Some giants abandon their own gods and fall prey to demon cults, paying homage to Baphomet or Kostchtchie. To worship them or any other non-giant deity is a great sin against the ordning, and almost certain to make a giant an outcast.

Suggested Characteristics

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Curse of Strahd

danger around every corner. 7 I refuse to become a victim, and I will not allow others to be victimized. 8 I put no trust in divine beings. Ideals d6 Ideal 1 I try to help those in need, no matter

calling that puts me above the law. (Chaotic) 5 I like to know my enemy’s capabilities and weaknesses before rushing into battle. (Lawful) 6 I’m a monster that destroys other monsters, and anything else

Investigating the Monastery

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Princes of the Apocalypse

disturb our meditations,” and are attacked if they refuse to leave. If the characters ask about the Mirabar delegation, the monks at the door say, “They aren’t here,” and turn the party away. Suspicious

decide if and when such foes join an ongoing battle. This might lead to deadly combat encounters for the characters, since new opponents can rush in to join a fight that is still in progress, or arrive while the characters try to rest after a tough battle.

D&D Beyond

Search Results