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Returning 35 results for 'being bards draw court rulers'.
Classes
Forgotten Realms: Heroes of Faerûn
stories of the islands and their people. Bards of this college draw from the isles’ fey magic and the primal power of the moonwells to bolster their allies, protect the natural world, and inspire their bardic works.
Inspire Allies with Primal Tales
The College of the Moon traces its origins to the ancient druidic circles of the Moonshae Isles, who entrusted the first Bards of this tradition with chronicling the
Monsters
Monstrous Compendium Vol. 4: Eldraine Creatures
branch to seal the promise.
“The Kindly Lord does not issue invitations to their court lightly. I suggest you accept.”
—Gwyddion, messenger of Talion
High Fae
Ageless and
of Eldraine. They draw power from motes of light found throughout the wilds, and they use their innate illusory magic to power and embellish their various weapons.
The high fae are ruled by Talion
Classes
Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything
the Song of Creation. The bards of the College of Creation draw on that primeval song through dance, music, and poetry, and their teachers share this lesson: “Before the sun and the moon, there
Bards believe the cosmos is a work of art—the creation of the first dragons and gods. That creative work included harmonies that continue to resound through existence today, a power known as
Classes
Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything
the Song of Creation. The bards of the College of Creation draw on that primeval song through dance, music, and poetry, and their teachers share this lesson: “Before the sun and the moon, there
Bards believe the cosmos is a work of art—the creation of the first dragons and gods. That creative work included harmonies that continue to resound through existence today, a power known as
Bard
Legacy
This doesn't reflect the latest rules and lore.
Learn More
Classes
Basic Rules (2014)
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 hard study
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
Monsters
Monstrous Compendium Vol. 4: Eldraine Creatures
they jockey for favors and status in the Kindly Lord’s court.
High Fae
Ageless and inhuman, high fae are the oldest creatures in Eldraine, embodying the natural splendor and danger of the
other complex games of wits against one another.
Most high fae remain secluded deep within the wilds of Eldraine. They draw power from motes of light found throughout the wilds, and they use their
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Basic Rules (2014)
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
hard study and some measure of natural talent that most troubadours and jongleurs lack. It can be hard to spot the difference between these performers and true bards, though. A bard’s life is spent
Magic Items
Storm King's Thunder
Built by dwarven gods and entrusted to the rulers of Shanatar, an ancient dwarven empire, the Wyrmskull Throne was a symbol of dwarven power and pride for ages untold. The throne hovers a foot off
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->Player's Handbook (2014)
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
hard study and some measure of natural talent that most troubadours and jongleurs lack. It can be hard to spot the difference between these performers and true bards, though. A bard’s life is spent
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Eberron: Rising from the Last War
High Elves: The Aereni Aereni Elf with a Symbol
of the Undying Court For thousands of years, the island nation of Aerenal has been ruled and protected by the godlike power of the Undying Court, a
council of undead high elves. The greatest heroes of the Aereni join the Undying Court after death, joining their heroic ancestors in immortality. The Aereni are isolationists who have little interest
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Journeys through the Radiant Citadel
Court of Whispers The denizens of the Court of Whispers barter for current knowledge. Heralds, criers, bards, and griots buy and sell information from the fifteen founding civilizations active in the
Citadel, as well as other lands. Skilled scouts and spies can also be hired for short-term reconnaissance or long-term infiltration. The Court is a mixed outdoor-indoor space with quiet alcoves and
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->The Radiant Citadel
Court of Whispers The denizens of the Court of Whispers barter for current knowledge. Heralds, criers, bards, and griots buy and sell information from the fifteen founding civilizations active in the
Citadel, as well as other lands. Skilled scouts and spies can also be hired for short-term reconnaissance or long-term infiltration. The Court is a mixed outdoor-indoor space with quiet alcoves and
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft
, ponds, and gardens. Bas-reliefs adorn the buildings, depicting the history, heroes, and legends of the kingdom, some of which remain mysteries to the wisest scholars. The central domed court houses the
Sapphire Throne and is the hub of political activity in the Citadel. Beneath the Citadel, vast tunnels for storing supplies and secretly moving troops also hide the magical troves of forgotten rulers.
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Journeys through the Radiant Citadel
Noteworthy Sites The city of Yongjing is a bustling network of tightly packed buildings and narrow alleys. A wide central avenue bisects the city and connects the grand palaces of the emperor’s court
also a prime location for pickpockets and spies. Most days, wealthy petitioners are turned away and must seek other means to solve their problems. Inner Butterfly Court The north side of the city is
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Basic Rules (2014)
Lords' Alliance The Lords’ Alliance is an association of rulers from cities and towns across Faerûn (primarily in the North), who believe that solidarity is needed to keep evil at bay. The rulers of
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
Kenku
Legacy
This doesn't reflect the latest rules and lore.
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Species
Volo's Guide to Monsters
the area patrolled by the guard did she explain that the noises indicated that the wingless folk had claimed that area, and that to trespass would be to court death.
— Gimble, Notes from a
groups called flocks. A flock is led by the oldest and most experienced kenku with the widest store of knowledge to draw on, often called Master.
Although kenku can’t create new things, they have
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide
Draw In the Players If an adventure situation directly affects the characters or the people and places they care about, that is often enough motivation for the characters to get involved. (However
things they care about, you can use other techniques to draw in the players. These are best tailored to the motivations of your players and their characters. For example, some adventuring groups are
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Domains of Delight: A Feywild Accessory
conformity. The two groups are not opposites morally or ethically; good and evil Fey can be found in both. Seelie and Unseelie Fey gather in courts. The Seelie court is called the Summer Court, and the
Unseelie court is called the Gloaming Court. Both courts stretch to the far corners of the Feywild, so their representatives can be encountered almost anywhere on this plane of existence. The Summer Court
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->The Book of Many Things
Character Creation Options Next are four chapters of character-focused content: Chapter 6: Rogue. This chapter provides advice and new magic items suited to bards, rangers, rogues, and other
also includes character creation advice and magic items appropriate for clerics, druids, paladins, and other characters with a connection to the divine. Chapter 9: Knight. Characters who draw the
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
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse->Sigil and the Outlands
Ecstasy Gate Destination: Blessed Fields of Elysium Primary Citizens: Guardinals and Humanoids Rulers: The Lightcaller and the Nightwhisperer The rolling hills of Ecstasy, the City of Plinths, rise
citizens are friendly, munificent folk who espouse benevolence and growth. They are governed by a pair of monarchs, the Lightcaller and the Nightwhisperer. These supposedly mortal rulers wear masks that
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide
emotional state of their rulers. The following sections describe a handful of the best-known Domains of Delight. Fablerise The domain of a story-spinning spider archfey named Yarnspinner, Fablerise is a
the animals that occupy his domain. Gloaming Court The Queen of Air and Darkness rules the Gloaming Court, a realm of twilight, fireflies, cobwebs, and autumn leaves accompanied by the music of hooting
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft
appearance of loyalty toward rival terrors. Every part of Kalakeri holds secrets and dangers, and nowhere is untouched by its rulers’ war for dominance. When planning adventures in Kalakeri, consider
who currently controls the Sapphire Throne—Ramya or Arijani and Reeva. Either faction is likely to notice the party and court them as potential allies. The characters then walk the fine line detailed in
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
fine, billowing robes—this is Zisatta. Zisatta Zisatta The aloof Zisatta is a member of the High Court and commands Janya’s security forces, called the Billowing Patrol for their sable robes that
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Journeys through the Radiant Citadel
teas, and carry symbols of longevity such as long-lived animals or plants. Court Intrigue and Succession In the imperial court, tradition dictates that the social standing of each member of the
behavior to recognize this new hierarchy. At no time is an emperor’s favor in greater question than when they die. Rarely do Yongjing’s long-lived rulers have to consider the prospect of death, and they
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide (2014)
doesn’t have to be a work of literature, but it can still draw on common themes that lend a distinctive flavor to its stories. Consider these examples: A campaign about confronting the inevitability of
and domination, whether embodied by the hosts of the Nine Hells or by humanoid rulers bent on conquering the world. With a theme such as “confrontation with mortality,” you can craft a broad range of
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Eberron: Rising from the Last War
Temples and Shrines Every major religion has outposts in Sharn. A number of sacred sites draw pilgrims to the city from across Breland and Khorvaire. Priests don’t usually sell their services
Blood of Vol. The Gates of Passage in Upper Northedge is a temple of the Undying Court. The Overlook district of Upper Dura holds the Shrine of il-Yannah, dedicated to the Path of Light.
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->The Book of Many Things
spellcasters, but they can enrich any character’s story. When using this table, you can either choose the entries that speak to you or draw cards from the deck. Sage Destinies Card Heroic Tie
. Talons You seek to reclaim a stolen magical artifact. Throne You began your arcane scholarship as an apprentice to a court magician. Void You’ve glimpsed another plane of existence, but no one believes you. You strive to prove them wrong.
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Journeys through the Radiant Citadel
open defiance of the Kings of Coin. The Bloodletters’ attacks upon the Court of Flowers and sabotage of the jeli gardens make the group a frequent target of the Silent Verse. Class Divide Zinda has a
Smiths’ Trade. The Kings of Coin keep order using their vast wealth, their societal influence, and the Silent Verse—the rulers’ police force. The Silent Verse protects the Kings of Coin, collects
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Eberron: Rising from the Last War
where to find some of Breland’s worst criminals. New Cyre What began as a refugee camp has evolved into a struggling town hosting thousands of Cyran refugees. Prince Oargev holds court in New Cyre
of the Howling River at a point where the river widens, the ancestral seat of the rulers of Breland seduces visitors with its tree-lined avenues, elegant drawbridges, cleanliness, and laid-back
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Out of the Abyss
other. Two svirfneblin — one male, one female — sit behind the desks, conferring with advisers and each other. They turn their attention to you as you enter.
The de facto rulers of Blingdenstone are
for the growing number of oozes in Blingdenstone. If the characters return with information about the Pudding Court and the threat lurking therein, the Diggermattocks pay them with an empty spell gem of
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything
creative work included harmonies that continue to resound through existence today, a power known as the Song of Creation. The bards of the College of Creation draw on that primeval song through dance
College of Creation One bard’s song of creation is the score to another person’s nightmares.
Tasha
Bards believe the cosmos is a work of art—the creation of the first dragons and gods. That
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Sword Coast Adventurer’s Guide
larger powers, has kept the ambitions of Luskan in check, and has taught the rulers of many cities that it is better to cooperate, even for a time, then to merely shut one’s doors and allow the storms
a partnership of the rulers of towns and cities across the North, who have pledged peace with one another and promised to share information and effort against common threats such as orc hordes and
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Out of the Abyss
careful and determined planning, the Diggermattocks led a force back to Blingdenstone to reclaim it. While they have not yet been crowned, everybody treats them as the de facto rulers of the settlement
other svirfneblin to recognize Clan Goldwhisker’s right to remain in Blingdenstone. The Pudding King’s “Court” The so-called Pudding King holds court in the deepest sections of Blingdenstone. He was
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






