before bards desire curious resolve

Orcsplitter

Magic Items Princes of the Apocalypse

knows little more than the desire to face orcs in battle and serve a courageous, just wielder. It disdains cowards and any form of duplicity, deception, or disloyalty. The weapon’s purpose is to

defend dwarves and to serve as a symbol of dwarven resolve. It hates the traditional foes of dwarves — giants, goblins, and, most of all, orcs — and silently urges its possessor to meet such creatures in battle.

Bard Legacy

Classes Basic Rules (2014)

set bards apart from their fellows. Only rarely do bards settle in one place for long, and their natural desire to travel—to find new tales to tell, new skills to learn, and new discoveries

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

Elf Legacy

Species Basic Rules (2014)

more often amused than excited, and more likely to be curious than greedy. They tend to remain aloof and unfazed by petty happenstance. When pursuing a goal, however, whether adventuring on a mission or

insults with vengeance. Like the branches of a young tree, elves are flexible in the face of danger. They trust in diplomacy and compromise to resolve differences before they escalate to violence. They

Learning from Experience

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

magic set bards apart from their fellows. Only rarely do bards settle in one place for long, and their natural desire to travel — to find new tales to tell, new skills to learn, and new discoveries

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

Learning from Experience

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

magic set bards apart from their fellows. Only rarely do bards settle in one place for long, and their natural desire to travel — to find new tales to tell, new skills to learn, and new discoveries

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

Using These Rules

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

, a character can approach Studying in any way they desire, with that phase then culminating in a single ability check of their choice. In contrast, Testing requires ability checks using specific skills

. In each phase, resolve the outcome of one character’s ability checks before moving on to another character. (If any characters are studying together, however, resolve their ability checks at the

Lightfoot Halflings

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

, often as curious about other people as they are about what might lie around the next bend. They characteristically possess an easygoing and open attitude, curious about others and willing to share of

flighty, easily distracted, fickle, and unreliable. But their friendships and courtships, if brief, tend to be genuine. The staid and stable life that most other people desire just isn’t part of their

A Timeless Perspective

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

, and more likely to be curious than greedy. They tend to remain aloof and unfazed by petty happenstance. When pursuing a goal, however, whether adventuring on a mission or learning a new skill or art

branches of a young tree, elves are flexible in the face of danger. They trust in diplomacy and compromise to resolve differences before they escalate to violence. They have been known to retreat

A Timeless Perspective

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

, and more likely to be curious than greedy. They tend to remain aloof and unfazed by petty happenstance. When pursuing a goal, however, whether adventuring on a mission or learning a new skill or art

branches of a young tree, elves are flexible in the face of danger. They trust in diplomacy and compromise to resolve differences before they escalate to violence. They have been known to retreat

Handling the Cards

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->The Book of Many Things

Handling the Cards The Deck of Many Things has the power to transform anyone who draws from it, but to trigger its effects, the individual handling the cards must state their desire to draw from it

without triggering the cards’ effects. But accidents do happen. A curious stranger who spots a deck, face down, might reach out to draw the topmost card without realizing the import of their actions

Recovering Memories

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

modifications, each requiring its own magical removal, resulting in the recovery of a few traumatic memories at a time. Alienism. Scientifically curious lands in your campaign might feature burgeoning

and false memories. Such revelations can play out in your adventures narratively at any pace you desire. Gradual Recovery. Lost memories might gradually reveal themselves in response to events in

Modifying a Class

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

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

. You could break that down still further: bards of the College of Lore could be high elves, and bards of the College of War could be wood elves. Gnomes discovered the school of illusion, so all wizards

Relics of Besilmer

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

telepathy to bring to the wielder’s mind a couplet or stanza of ancient Dwarvish verse. Personality. Orcsplitter is grim, taciturn, and inflexible. It knows little more than the desire to face orcs in battle

and serve a courageous, just wielder. It disdains cowards and any form of duplicity, deception, or disloyalty. The weapon’s purpose is to defend dwarves and to serve as a symbol of dwarven resolve

Master Manipulators

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

Master Manipulators Hags delight in corrupting others. They do so not by imposing their will or being outwardly violent, but by making sinister bargains with those who seek their aid. This desire to

under her sway — and she remembers the exact terms of every one of those bargains. Making a Deal out of Desire Although it could be argued that there’s no good time to make a bargain with a hag

When Clans Collapse

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

When Clans Collapse We have but one desire — revenge against those who drove us out of our home. — Queen Helgret Deephammer, of the Deephammer clan in exile For all the attention dwarves pay to

individuals in a clan to fall prey to occasional bickering and infighting. Abbathor’s influence affects some dwarves more than others, and even those with the strongest resolve can be tempted to

Citadel Adbar

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

, but given the extent of the losses against the orcs, it would be little surprise if their newer recruits were more smiths than warriors, serving their realm out of a sense of duty rather than a desire

known written copies have ever been reported. Only a privileged few non-dwarves have ever heard the Dirge in its entirety, and dwarf bards who want to perform this epic must demonstrate great skill in

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

, uncaring of the events of the world. They remarked on how the halflings enjoyed the simple pleasures of the moment, such as food and music, family, and friendship, and how they seemed to desire no more than

Gala at the Cerulean Lyceum

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

—signs of her fervent desire to prove her connection and dedication to Djaynai. Personality Trait. “I have more important matters to attend to than you.” Ideal. “Tradition must be preserved at all costs

After the Fall

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

simply insane, that there is no method to her madness other than a nervous pecking apart of a psyche with no more motive than a curious child pulling the legs off an ant. Others have speculated that

, but much can also be lost. Many adventurers never return from the fortress, forever trapped within a world created from their own experience. The Raven Queen’s Influence The Raven Queen’s desire to

G: Heart's Hollow

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dragonlance: Shadow of the Dragon Queen

. Most feel they were given a second lease on life when they were rescued from the wastes or found their way here. Nezrah’s desire to keep her community a secret from other dragons has rubbed off on the

Fortress, and Wakenreth. They’re also curious about other locations in the wastes and might ask for the characters’ help—see the locations below. Bluemaw Cave Exploration A group of scavengers have heard

E6: Passenger Car

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Keys from the Golden Vault

E6: Passenger Car A mind flayer in a beige coat kneels beside a body in the aisle of this passenger car. Three curious onlookers—a cambion, a drow, and bronze dwarf with flames for hair—poke their

compasses” to gullible folk looking for an easy way to find that which their hearts desire. Quintus, also a con artist, made and sold bogus treasure maps. Vern and Quintus both identified Ethlynn as a likely

Temple of Tharizdun

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

of dealing with the characters honestly, since inferior beings don’t merit such treatment. Using its Probing Telepathy, it discerns each character’s greatest desire, then uses this information

a tightly sewn oilcloth — an instrument of the bards (Cli lyre) found by a cultist years before. The lyre is the cult’s greatest treasure, and has been kept as a gift for the leader that the cultists

Eternal Garden Locations

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

succumbed to its enchantment. As a result, she has no desire to keep a treasure hoard. She’s content to swim and frolic in the river, occasionally venturing onto its banks. Vuuthramis cautiously observes

trespassers to back away from their den. The cub is indifferent—curious but skittish. What the Bears Know. The bears’ attitudes improve by one step if the characters offer them food or if a character

Upper City Gazetteer

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

beneath each display indicate the purpose of these curious tools and credit the inventors and lands of origin, where known. Persistent rumors hold that a hidden treasure vault, guarded by clockwork

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

, to try new things, to imagine what they desire and then pursue it, and to be kind to others. In return for this freedom from the usual requirements of religion, Corellon expects them to address

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

Upper City Gazetteer

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

beneath each display indicate the purpose of these curious tools and credit the inventors and lands of origin, where known. Persistent rumors hold that a hidden treasure vault, guarded by clockwork

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

Lady's Ward

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

belch smoke and flame. Forge of Doom. A colossal forge dominates the first floor of the Armory, which is open to the public. Mercenaries, mongers, and other curious buyers gawk at industrious

, supposedly impartial magistrate appointed by the Guvners. Punishments are tailored to fit the crime, and advocates are strongly encouraged. Lawyers and orators, these civil servants include bards

Areas of the Villa

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Waterdeep: Dragon Heist

times in their lives and are curious about what lurks there. C24. Osvaldo’s Prison If Ammalia Cassalanter or Victoro Cassalanter (see appendix B) or both are present, the door to this room is unlocked but

accidentally offended one another. They have changed into dueling garb and are fighting with rapiers to resolve their differences while onlookers drink wine and cheer them on. C25a. Garden Balcony This

Chromatic Dragons

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

an avalanche as it attacks. Overlords and Minions. Blue dragons covet valuable and talented creatures whose service reinforces their sense of superiority. Bards, sages, artists, wizards, and assassins

with no provocation, especially when dealing with potential threats to its territory. When dealing with sentient creatures, a green dragon demonstrates a lust for power that rivals its draconic desire

Metallic Dragons

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

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

possessing the item. Instead, it might send curious treasure hunters on a wild goose chase to search for the object while it watches from afar for its own pleasure. A Copper Dragon’s Lair Copper dragons

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