borders bards diffusing concerns roles

Firbolg Primeval Warden

Monsters Bigby Presents: Glory of the Giants

, disguise selfLike giant priests of Hiatea, firbolgs who serve her fall into two distinct roles that parallel Hiatea’s dual nature. At home, primeval wardens tend the hearths and tutor the young

. Primeval wardens who patrol the borders of firbolg communities are fierce hunters who guard against external threats and incursions. Firbolgs Distant cousins of giants, the first firbolgs wandered the

Bard Legacy

Classes Basic Rules (2014)

experience earns renown among other bards. Indeed, after telling so many stories about heroes accomplishing mighty deeds, many bards take these themes to heart and assume heroic roles themselves

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

Learning from Experience

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

experience earns renown among other bards. Indeed, after telling so many stories about heroes accomplishing mighty deeds, many bards take these themes to heart and assume heroic roles themselves.

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->Basic Rules (2014)

experience earns renown among other bards. Indeed, after telling so many stories about heroes accomplishing mighty deeds, many bards take these themes to heart and assume heroic roles themselves.

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

Faction Agent

Backgrounds Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide

knowledge, rather than brute force. Harper agents are often proficient in Investigation, enabling them to be adept at snooping and spying. They often seek aid from other Harpers, sympathetic bards and

with interests and concerns that transcend local politics and geography, the Alliance has its own cadre of individuals who work on behalf of the organizations, wider agenda. Alliance agents are required

Build Your Group

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

all of these roles: Prince Oargev ir’Wynarn Civil Servant. The vast majority of work performed on behalf of a head of state has very little to do with deadly adventure: it’s about prosecuting and

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

Kobold Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

, designed to collapse under the weight of any creature heavier than a kobold. On occasion, the route through a kobold lair runs along a ledge that borders a cavern or a crevasse, and the kobolds might

roles that protect and sustain the tribe. The strongest kobolds are trained to be hunters and warriors, the most clever are crafters and strategists, the toughest are miners and beast-wranglers, and so

Court of Whispers

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

of major concerns in their people’s homelands, as well as potential threats to the Citadel, while the Shieldbearers of the Citadel (see the “Palace of Exile” section) seek information so they can

Court of Whispers

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

of major concerns in their people’s homelands, as well as potential threats to the Citadel, while the Shieldbearers of the Citadel (see the “Palace of Exile” section) seek information so they can

Ankhtepot's Powers and Dominion

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

Ankhtepot has grown bored with mortal concerns, the Children of Ankhtepot have pursued their own vices. Many dream and despair in their crypts. Others foment small cults of their own. And still others

the day Ankhtepot blames her for not finding what he desires, though she has no idea she’s searching for the Darklord’s ka. Closing the Borders. When Ankhtepot wishes to close the borders of Har’Akir

Build Your Group

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

. The Boromars recruit ex-soldiers as muscle, trained sages for research, sailors to crew smuggling vessels, and charlatans and urchins for their unique talents. Consider some or all of these roles for

give them a broad range of knowledge to support their schemes. Bards, rogues, and wizards are often drawn to this role. Safecracker. The “breaking” part of “breaking and entering” is the Safecracker’s

Build Your Group

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

backgrounds such as criminal, sage, soldier, or urchin, regardless of the role they play in a group. Consider some or all of these roles for characters in your party: Client. When a routine investigation goes

in both Persuasion and Intimidation prove helpful in this role. Bards, paladins, and sorcerers have both the requisite talents and the ability to supplement their interrogations with magic

Factions of the Sword Coast

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

proficient in Investigation, enabling them to be adept at snooping and spying. They often seek aid from other Harpers, sympathetic bards and innkeepers, rangers, and the clergy of gods that are

representatives of the cities and other governments that constitute the alliance. But, as a faction with interests and concerns that transcend local politics and geography, the Alliance has its own cadre of

Leonin of Oreskos

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

Leonin of Oreskos Close-knit prides of several dozen to a few hundred leonin make their homes throughout Oreskos. These communities treat every member as family, with all taking equal roles in

focus has largely been within the grasslands’ borders, he cautiously explores engaging in trade with the human poleis Ironmanes One collection of leonin prides, the Ironmanes, doesn’t recognize the

Build Your Group

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

between characters who are scholars and those who are more traditional adventurers. Consider some or all of these roles for characters in your party: Field Researcher. The academic in your group might also

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

Kruphix's Influence

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

the few who understand the role of mortal belief in shaping the younger gods—a concept even most gods don’t fully comprehend. Kruphix is the only being who has the ability to seal the borders between

other direction, and Kruphix is more likely to side with Purphoros than Heliod in the future. Of all the gods, only Klothys truly concerns Kruphix. He hoped that she would remain secret and secluded in

Build Your Group

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

patron’s behalf. Consider some or all of these roles for the characters in your party: Chameleon. A master of disguise, sleight of hand, and deception, the Chameleon can perform the work of the

cloak or disguise one’s appearance), and proficiency with skills such as Deception, Performance, and Sleight of Hand all greatly benefit the Chameleon. Bards and rogues, as well as characters with

People of Setessa

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

is no marriage, and ancestry is traced matrilineally. Despite the very different roles played by men and women, Setessans are flexible when it comes to any individual’s place in that structure. Some

fluidly between roles, and a few choose a special role that Setessans view as standing outside the dichotomy of gender, living in Ophis Tower. The warriors of Ophis Tower are martially trained as women are

Firbolgs

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

serve her fall into two distinct roles that parallel Hiatea’s dual nature. At home, primeval wardens tend the hearths and tutor the young. Primeval wardens who patrol the borders of firbolg communities

Build Your Group

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

. Regardless of your origins, consider the following roles for the characters in your party: The Voice of THRANE Silver Flame’s Crisis of Faith! The Templars of the Silver Flame are supposed to represent

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

The Xanathar Guild

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

gripped by overwhelming concerns about assassination plots, revenge-seekers, and other schemes against it. When these thoughts bubble to the surface, the Xanathar might crack down on its lieutenants

its lieutenants, the Xanathar has many minions with specific jobs. These underlings don’t have as much clout as the lieutenants do, but they do hold key roles in its guild and have some degree of

Life in the Domains of Dread

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

Correspondence In some domains, the residents are aware that realms exist beyond the Mists, but most have little interest in lands beyond their own. The Darklords’ obsessions distract them from concerns

about the nature of their domains or what lies beyond the Mists. This preoccupation, along with the lack of shared borders or reliable travel, means that mercantile ventures and military conquests

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

Today Throughout recorded history, halflings have never sought to expand their reach beyond the borders of their isolated communities. They live their lives satisfied with what the world has to offer

Dwarves of the Multiverse

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

deity’s influence weakened Bhaerynden and left it vulnerable to the dark elves that threatened its borders. That claim might well be true, but shield dwarf scholars point out that those who abandoned

great empire known as Kal-Thax. They have long been split into several clans based on traditional roles that were established in Kal-Thax and its successor settlements. Yet, as with much on Krynn, the

Faerûn

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

of Five are fairly unified and tight-fisted in their control of Amn, but their ability to affect events outside their own borders is limited because they can’t agree enough on major matters of foreign

that victory remains strong in Cormyr’s collective consciousness, even as Queen Raedra draws back from plans to permanently welcome into the realm towns that lie beyond Cormyr’s traditional borders

Factions

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

least discretion. Bards and wizards are their most prominent members. Harpers operate in small cells throughout the North. One is based in Triboar: Darathra Shendrel, the Lord Protector, belongs to the

once sheltered three great elven realms beneath its boughs. Many tribes of wood elves — and a few moon elves — still protect the ruined monuments to their golden age. Few beyond the borders of 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

Wedding Itinerary

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Acquisitions Incorporated

players to embrace the roles and enjoy the concept of momentarily placing their NPC’s secret goal as a top priority. Players might be more willing to take this on if you let them know that the scenario

check the vault and report to her if all is not well. This requires borrowing Gorat’s key, which Gorat lends willingly (whether run by a player or not). The mercurial Thunderwind has no concerns that a

Chromatic Dragons

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

territory. Evil lizardfolk venerate and serve black dragons, raiding humanoid settlements for treasure and food to give as tribute and building crude draconic effigies along the borders of their

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

D&D Beyond

Search Results