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Returning 35 results for 'both bards down combat runes'.
Monsters
Acquisitions Incorporated
and earnest debate, he demonstrates an equal flair for planning and forethought, mad combat moves (involving leaping off high places whenever possible), and dark vengeance.
Viari's career as an
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
Monsters
Bigby Presents: Glory of the Giants
. Within their communities, they act as leaders and oracles.
Rockspeakers incorporate crystals and stones into their clothing and embed them in their skin. By invoking the power of their stone runes
, these giants can turn these crystals into scintillating works of art. In combat, rockspeakers can use this same magic to cause their crystals to emit brilliantly colored, intense beams of light than can sear flesh and inhibit enemies.
Monsters
Waterdeep: Dungeon of the Mad Mage
casting elder runes on them. Halaster’s gates connect the different levels of Undermountain, thus enabling him to bring new monsters into the dungeon to replenish those that die or escape. Even as
, however, Halaster is alert and attentive to the activities and preparations of all beings near him. He never willingly enters combat without first casting mage armor and mind blank on himself.As the
Magic Items
Storm King's Thunder
the ground and is a massive thing made of polished obsidian with oversized feet — the impaled skulls of four ancient blue dragons. Runes glisten in the carved obsidian, winking to life with blue
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
Equipment
Combat
Utility
Whimsy
4
8
7
Go into any hot spring or spa and the scent of Mellowort is sure to be wafting around with its soothing aroma. There are many songs written by
bards about the benefits and relaxing properties of this flowering plant. Mellowort is a tall, slender plant that is found in the lowlands of Obojima.
Equipment
Combat
Utility
Whimsy
15
16
13
Bards speak of the mad druid Fennistrix, who had a penchant for petrification along with a bizarre alligator obsession that resulted in almost
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Player's Handbook (2014)
sidelines in combat, using their magic to inspire their allies and hinder their foes from a distance. But bards are capable of defending themselves in melee if necessary, using their magic to bolster their
. 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 still resound throughout the cosmos. The music of
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Basic Rules (2014)
sidelines in combat, using their magic to inspire their allies and hinder their foes from a distance. But bards are capable of defending themselves in melee if necessary, using their magic to bolster their
. 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 still resound throughout the cosmos. The music of
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->The Book of Many Things
: Creatures. Not every adversary wants to engage in mortal combat. Certain creatures might delight in a battle of wits. The reward for answering a creature’s riddle might be a small treasure, a bit of
helpful magic, or permission to pass through the monster’s lair unscathed. If combat is inevitable, the answer to a monster’s riddle might reveal useful information like the monster’s secret weapon or
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Journeys through the Radiant Citadel
about his past adventuring missions, downplaying Simbon’s own combat experience. Kirina’s Secret During the expedition, Prince Kirina seeks opportunities to look heroic and undermine his rival, Prince
Simbon. There’s currently little evidence of Kirina and Kedjou’s involvement in the Goldwarren’s collapse, but Kirina carries with him a copy of the runes the high priest uses in experimental summoning
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
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
includes character creation advice and new magic items for barbarians, fighters, monks, and other combat specialists. Claudio Pozas Jared warns Basil of the deck’s many dangers
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tomb of Annihilation
48. Shagambi’s Tomb Each character who teleports into this tomb from area 47C appears atop a randomly determined teleportation rune (see “Teleportation Runes” below). Characters can also enter the
this area: Nervous Unkh suggests that her host leave the tomb at once using one of the teleportation runes, though she can’t decide which rune is best. Impulsive Wongo thinks it’s a good idea to shatter
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Eberron: Rising from the Last War
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
dangerous, so it’s often important for their group to include someone who can physically intervene when situations devolve into combat. The Tough’s role might include fighting criminal thugs, kicking
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
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Sage Advice & Errata
effect that calls for a damage roll (including Magic Missile) even if the damage roll is not preceded by an attack roll. Which Spell Scrolls can Bards understand—spells from the Bard list only, or
, does using Combat Inspiration’s Offense feature mean that the Bardic Inspiration die counts as a damage die for purposes of Critical Hits? Yes.
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
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Waterdeep: Dungeon of the Mad Mage
apprentices. They attack intruders on sight, bombarding them with fireball spells in the first round of combat. The flameskulls pursue intruders that flee, using their mage hand spells to open doors
if needed. Hanging on a stone peg that juts from the wall, the gold-plated shield is etched with arcane runes. A detect magic spell reveals an aura of necromancy magic radiating from the shield. A
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
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Monster Manual
and collect magic items and occult lore. Have you gazed on the Runes of Chaos, held the Death Moon Orb in your trembling hands, entered the Devouring Portal and walked the Paths of the Doomed, or sat
AC), Mage Hand, Prestidigitation
2/Day Each: Fly, Lightning Bolt (level 7 version)
1/Day Each: Cone of Cold (level 9 version), Mind Blank (cast before combat), Scrying, Teleport
Bonus Actions
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Eberron: Rising from the Last War
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
this role, as are paladins—as long as they aren’t asked to do things that violate the tenets of their oaths. Marshal. Combat is the specialty of the Marshal, who focuses on enforcing the law of the
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Sage Advice Compendium
in the Spellcasting feature. Which spell scrolls can bards understand—spells from the bard list only, or spells from the bard list plus spells from Magical Secrets? A bard can use any spell scroll
that has a bard spell on it—including spells gained from the Magical Secrets feature, which are treated as bard spells for that character. Does using College of Valor’s Combat Inspiration add to the damage of an attack count as a damage die for purposes of critical hits? Yes.
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Waterdeep: Dungeon of the Mad Mage
skull screams, the golem uses its first turn in combat to block the south exit, pushing the door closed and shoving smaller creatures out of the way automatically. By occupying the space north of the
opens the book triggers an elder rune that targets that individual (see “Elder Runes”). Draw a card from the Elder Runes Deck (see appendix B) to determine which rune appears. Treasure. Most of the
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Eberron: Rising from the Last War
circle. Bards are expected to set aside personal rivalries while in a circle outpost, and any kind of combat or violence is prohibited. Violating this rule results in immediate expulsion from the
city of Sharn, which is both the cultural heart of Breland and a nexus for intrigue and diplomacy. Bards have much to gain from the company of other bards, as they exchange news, stories, and songs
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Eberron: Rising from the Last War
armed with combat-oriented spells that supplement the knowledge-focused capabilities of the Scholar, preparing them to face those who guard the world’s greatest secrets. Morgrave University
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
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Waterdeep: Dungeon of the Mad Mage
otherwise avoid combat. Southeast Door This door has a stone wall behind it, inscribed upon which is an elder rune (see “Elder Runes”). Determine the rune randomly by drawing a card from the Elder Rune Deck
butterfly swarm is an instrument of the bards (Anstruth harp). The yellow sapphires carried by the animal-headed guards fit into the pillars in area 8. Each gemstone is worth 1,000 gp.
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything
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
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
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Storm King's Thunder
the village square by sounds of combat there, two goblins named Pojo and Tot are in the yard, chasing after a pair of chickens that escaped from one of the coops. The goblins attack characters on
Agganor, the village’s tiefling midwife, and her adult son, Grin. The cottage has locked shutters over its windows. The door, which is also locked, has row upon row of ornate runes burned into it. Most
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Heroes of the Borderlands
demon worshiper.” (Partially true; Xanthe is referring to Ivlis, the former priest)
Occult Ritual Eventually, you come across an eerie statue in a forest clearing. Strange runes are etched into
obtained in the Caves of Chaos (see “Caves of Chaos”). If a character approaches in this disguise, the cultists solemnly motion for the character to join the ritual, but they begin combat if the character
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Acquisitions Incorporated
Constitution saving throw or contract the disease. Symptoms strike when a victim starts a long rest or next becomes excited, as during combat. A victim suffers severe cramps, and their bowels make sounds
desiccated and skeletal humanoid corpses litter the floor of this small chamber. The stone of the north wall has been etched with intricate runes, but the pattern ends abruptly.
Bodies and Runes. A closer
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Acquisitions Incorporated
often fights for money above all else, whether focusing on a primary role as a combat specialist or providing martial backup for the franchise as needs be. Mission Accomplished Whether your intention is
coin you’ve been promised for a job if the job leaves you dead. Keeping them Guessing No combat tactic is too down-and-dirty when your life and the welfare of your franchise are on the line. Smart
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Eberron: Rising from the Last War
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
of assassination, abduction, or gathering information. A combination of combat prowess with stealth and interaction skills makes for well-prepared Hunters. Rangers and rogues prove particularly adept
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
missions across Khorvaire to provide you with combat experience as well as to further Redcloak goals. Alternatively, your DM might decide to start the campaign with your characters at a higher level and
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Eberron: Rising from the Last War
the Horn is an excellent opportunity for aspiring bards. University, Upper Menthis Grand Stage This stage hosts grand performances of the beloved classics of Galifar, along with more modern works that
the Last War. Smoky Towers, Middle Menthis The Burning Ring The Ring offers blood sport and gladiatorial combat. These dangerous matches aren’t sanctioned by law, and the Burning Ring constantly
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything
Bladesinging When faced with the endless onslaught of magical possibilities, many wizards suffer identity crises. Some overcome, some break, and some become sword-bards.
Tasha
Bladesingers master
a tradition of wizardry that incorporates swordplay and dance. Originally created by elves, this tradition has been adopted by non-elf practitioners, who honor and expand on the elven ways. In combat






