bitter bards diffusing case reflect

Forlarren

Monsters Mordenkainen's Fiendish Folio Volume 1

of Avernus attempted an expedition to the Feywild long ago, and the forlarren are the bitter reminder of that doomed excursion. The archdevil Fierna—co-ruler of Phlegethos, the fourth layer of the Nine

, 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

Gladiator Legacy

Backgrounds Player’s Handbook (2014)

defuse any amount of tension. 5 I love a good insult, even one directed at me. 6 I get bitter if I’m not the center of attention. 7 I’ll settle for nothing less than

. Art should reflect the soul; it should come from within and reveal who we really are. (Any) D6 BOND 1 My instrument is my most treasured possession, and it reminds me of someone

Entertainer - Baldur's Gate

Backgrounds Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

’ve learned that most of the real business of entertainment (or any other venture) happens behind the scenes. It’s easy for you to case what sorts of audiences attend what venue — like

, since I can defuse any amount of tension. 5 I love a good insult, even one directed at me. 6 I get bitter if I’m not the center of attention. 7 I’ll settle for nothing

Entertainer Legacy

Backgrounds Player’s Handbook (2014)

I get bitter if I’m not the center of attention. 7 I’ll settle for nothing less than perfection. 8 I change my mood or my mind as quickly as I change key in a song

smiles on people’s faces when I perform. That’s all that matters. (Neutral) 6 Honesty. Art should reflect the soul; it should come from within and reveal who we really are. (Any

Bard

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

? Ah, then what manner of music they would bring to this world! — Fletcher Danairia, master bard Bards bring levity during grave times; they impart wisdom to offset ignorance; and they make the

ridiculous seem sublime. Bards are preservers of ancient history, their songs and tales perpetuating the memory of great events down through time — knowledge so important that it is memorized and passed

Signature Case

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

big story is associated with your agency (and possibly your party)? Are the stories accurate, or do they reflect only one side of a complicated situation? Roll on the Signature Case table or choose a

Signature Case Inquisitives occupy a significant place in the popular imagination, both in their real-life exploits (as reported in the newspapers) and in many fictionalized accounts. As romanticized

Known and Prepared Spells

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

, including bards and sorcerers, have a limited list of spells they know that are always fixed in mind. The same thing is true of many magic-using monsters. Other spellcasters, such as clerics and wizards

, undergo a process of preparing spells. This process varies for different classes, as detailed in their descriptions. In every case, the number of spells a caster can have fixed in mind at any given time depends on the character’s level.

Known and Prepared Spells

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

, including bards and sorcerers, have a limited list of spells they know that are always fixed in mind. The same thing is true of many magic-using monsters. Other spellcasters, such as clerics and wizards

, undergo a process of preparing spells. This process varies for different classes, as detailed in their descriptions. In every case, the number of spells a caster can have fixed in mind at any given time depends on the character's level.

Charlatan - Baldur's Gate

Backgrounds Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

. In any case, characters with this background have a plan to hit the big time; all they need is audacity and a little time. You have always had a way with people. You know what makes them tick, you

. Suggested Characteristics Charlatans are colorful characters who conceal their true selves behind the masks they construct. They reflect what people want to see, what they want to believe

Lamia

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

own twisted imagination, which has changed their physical nature to reflect their internal self. Lamias have wildly varying physical forms, ranging from a feline shape similar to the lamia in the

Monster Manual to a more serpentine form similar to a yuan-ti. In each case, the lamia’s body reflects the creature’s corrupted instincts and predatory nature.

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!

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

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

already established as members of the Redcloaks (see “Starting at Higher Level” in chapter 1 of the Dungeon Master’s Guide). In this case, you might also begin with magic items and other gear

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

Schools of Magic

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

like these exist in your world. Wizards (and bards and druids) might be so rare that a player character learns from a single mentor and never meets another character of the same class, in which case

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

Playing During the Last War

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

case, the adventure they undertake can set the stage for events in the “present day” of your campaign. You might run an introductory session or flashback set during the waning years of the war, bringing

in a memorable battle? Do they take actions they’ll later regret? Do they make a bitter enemy who comes back to haunt them years later, when the campaign continues in the present day? A magical

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.

Skills

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

monster's stat block.) For example, a Dexterity check might reflect a character's attempt to pull off an acrobatic stunt, to palm an object, or to stay hidden. Each of these aspects of Dexterity has an

) check.” At other times, a player might ask the DM if proficiency in a particular skill applies to a check. In either case, proficiency in a skill means an individual can add his or her proficiency

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

—though it can be, especially in the case of the Church of the Silver Flame—but rather the task of encouraging people to live according to the highest ideals of faith. Proficiency in skills such as

Skills

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

monster’s stat block.) For example, a Dexterity check might reflect a character’s attempt to pull off an acrobatic stunt, to palm an object, or to stay hidden. Each of these aspects of Dexterity has an

, “Make a Wisdom (Perception) check.” At other times, a player might ask the DM if proficiency in a particular skill applies to a check. In either case, proficiency in a skill means an individual can

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

Goblinoids

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

years. It was crippled by a long and bitter conflict with the daelkyr and their aberrant armies; even though the daelkyr were defeated, the seeds of madness took root in the empire and tore it apart

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

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

Build Your Group

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

skills. Bards and rogues make natural academic Financiers, as do those with the charlatan and noble backgrounds. Research Assistant. Whether their seeking to graduate, get published, or make their

player character whose spells and training don’t include combat. A wizard whose spellbook is filled with utility-focused spells makes a fine Scholar, as might some clerics and monks. In any case, the

Investigating the Quake

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Candlekeep Mysteries

Candlekeep (see the “Candlekeep” section earlier in this book) and has the authority to grant access to the library’s Inner Ward. If the characters make the case that the Barn Door should be investigated at

acolytes, but the leaders of the Avowed never gave them the opportunity. The custodians recruited by Stonky are united in their bitter belief that they have been overlooked and underappreciated. Stonky has

Patron Benefits

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

the case you’re working on, put you in touch with their own network of contacts, or show up suddenly to pull you out of the fire. You can call in a favor from your agency to draw on the resources of

interfere in that gang’s affairs. 4 A bitter, more experienced inquisitive spends a lot of time telling you who you could have talked to ten years ago—if that person hadn’t died—but still knows a lot about

Sora Kell, the Queen of the Night

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

task before her daughters and watches events unfold. Maybe she is trapped upon another plane of existence or is devising magic that could shake the foundations of existence. In any case, she appears in

adventurers that serve Sora Kell, few mortals register as worthy foes in the alien minds of the quori. Lords of Dust. Sora Kell has allies among the Lords of Dust, but she also has bitter rivals. Like the

Shadow Dragon Lairs

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

, prideful, or bitter enough to stay, even in the face of inevitable corruption. More often, a dragon is unknowingly swept up by the Shadowfell while asleep, awakening after a years-long rest to find

. In this case, the once-active volcano has now lapsed into dormancy. Its lava flows have cooled into a blackened, alien landscape. Ash coats the slopes of the caldera, picked up by the weird swirling

Daughters of Sora Kell

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

— that it is important to them to unite the monsters of Droaam and to give their charges a voice in the world. In this case, the Daughters can be ultimately sympathetic figures. They are fighting

chapter 1, Sora Kell herself could be a group patron for a party of adventurers. In this case, the characters’ relationship with the sisters is complicated. Do the Daughters consider the adventurers to be

Marks of Mystery

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Eberron: Forge of the Artificer

related to the other dragonmarked heirs of the house. In this case, you have much in common with the NPC heirs of your house. The actions of your house influence you, although you and your DM can

background’s proficiencies to better reflect your character’s origin. Aberrant Mark You bear an aberrant dragonmark. These rare marks appear on members of all species. Aberrant dragonmarks disturb the

Dragon Factions

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

their services to dragons in exchange for membership in a draconic faction. By joining one dragon’s faction, characters might end up locked in bitter strife with a different faction—and characters who

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

Entertainer

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

bitter if I’m not the center of attention. 7 I’ll settle for nothing less than perfection. 8 I change my mood or my mind as quickly as I change key in a song. d6 Ideal 1 Beauty. When I perform, I

Honesty. Art should reflect the soul; it should come from within and reveal who we really are. (Any) d6 Bond 1 My instrument is my most treasured possession, and it reminds me of someone I love. 2

Creating a Race or Subrace

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

signature traits? In the case of a new subrace, what sets it apart from the other subraces of the parent race? Compare the race you have in mind with the other race options available to players, to

have darkvision. Instead of resistance to fire damage, we give them resistance to radiant damage to reflect their celestial nature. However, radiant damage isn’t as common as fire damage, so we give

D&D Beyond

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