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Returning 35 results for 'both before directly court rival'.
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Monsters
Monstrous Compendium Vol. 4: Eldraine Creatures
/day: commune with nature (as an action)The wise and ancient treefolk thrive in the depths of Eldraine’s forested wilds. Though many treefolk rival members of the high fae in age, they rarely
interfere with the goings-on of the faerie court. Instead, treefolk serve as guardians and shepherds of their wild groves, dispensing wisdom and blessings to travelers who wander under their branches
Backgrounds
Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide
, modifying the entries when appropriate to suit your identity as a courtier.
The noble court or bureaucratic organization where you got your start is directly or indirectly associated with your bond
In your earlier days, you were a personage of some significance in a noble court or a bureaucratic organization. You might or might not come from an upper-class family; your talents, rather than the
Monsters
Eberron: Rising from the Last War
attack on House Vol was nothing more than an excuse to eliminate a political rival. But others believe that what the Undying Court truly feared was a path shown in the Draconic Prophecy — that a
court of vampires and ghosts in her palace of ice. Other tales claim that when anyone dies in Lhazaar, Illmarrow chooses whether to take their soul before it passes on to the Keeper and Dolurrh.
But
Entertainer
Legacy
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Backgrounds
Player’s Handbook (2014)
but possibly with a circus, at a theater, or even in a noble’s court. At such a place, you receive free lodging and food of a modest or comfortable standard (depending on the quality of the
hated rival.
6
I would do anything for the other members of my old troupe.
d6
Flaw
1
I’ll do anything to win fame and renown.
2
I’m a sucker for a pretty
Backgrounds
Guildmasters’ Guide to Ravnica
draw the blood of your enemies, or even directly touch their souls.
Suggested Characteristics
Members of the Orzhov Syndicate range from the decadent nobility at the top of the oligarchy to the debt
activities in crime, banking, or debt collection could tie you to members of other guilds.
Roll twice on the Orzhov Contacts table (for an ally and a rival) and once on the Non-Orzhov Contacts table
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Sword Coast Adventurer’s Guide
identity as a courtier. The noble court or bureaucratic organization where you got your start is directly or indirectly associated with your bond (which could pertain to certain individuals in the group
, such as your sponsor or mentor). Your ideal might be concerned with the prevailing philosophy of your court or organization.
Backgrounds
Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus
court. At such a place, you receive free lodging and food of a modest or comfortable standard (depending on the quality of the establishment), as long as you perform each night. In addition, your
measure my deeds against that person’s.
5
I will do anything to prove myself superior to my hated rival.
6
I would do anything for the other members of my old troupe.
d6
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Xanathar's Guide to Everything
characters stand in the way, and how the conflict could be resolved. Ideally, a rival’s goal directly involves the characters or something they care about. Assets. Think about the resources the rival can
Creating a Rival In essence, a rival is a somewhat specialized NPC. You can use chapter 4 of the Dungeon Master’s Guide to build a new NPC for this purpose, or pick one from your current cast of
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Quests from the Infinite Staircase
Ansalon. Eberron. The cave is a manifest zone of Thelanis, the Faerie Court, and the Eternal Garden resides on that plane. Juliana and Orlando are scions of rival Dragonmarked houses, fleeing
the adventure in another campaign setting, consider the following suggestions: Dragonlance. On the world of Krynn, Juliana and Orlando might be from rival kingdoms that don’t typically get along
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Wayfinder's Guide to Eberron
particular, the district of Shae Lias is a bastion of Aereni culture and traditions. The heart of Shae Lias is Gates of Passage, which serves as the Aereni embassy and a temple to the Undying Court. The Oaks
is one of the finest restaurants is Sharn (aristocratic quality… at aristocratic prices). The Veil of Flesh specializes in body art, both traditional tattoos and temporary illusions woved directly into the skin.
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Eberron: Forge of the Artificer
research grant or an academic award. Or they might be conspicuously spending ill-gotten wealth, boasting of their accomplishments, or directly taunting the characters. (A rival group at these levels might
Rival Explorers Morgrave University teems with unscrupulous adventurers and researchers driven by avarice. Additionally, the university itself has academic rivals—the University of Wynarn in Aundair
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide (2014)
of the Gloaming Court, leads the unseelie fey.
Seelie and unseelie do not directly correlate with good and evil, though many mortals make that equation. Many seelie fey are good, and many unseelie
. Away from the settled areas ruled by the seelie fey that compose the Summer Court, the land is a tangle of sharp-toothed brambles and syrupy fens — perfect territory for the unseelie fey to hunt
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide (2014)
rumors of treasure were a trick to lure them into a death trap. Perhaps the so-called spy in the queen’s court is actually a scheme concocted by the monarch herself to seize even more power. At the same
adversaries, or confront problems directly, perhaps by trying to kill meddlers. Remember that the characters are the heroes of the story. Never let them become mere spectators, watching as events unfold around them that they can’t influence.
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Infernal Machine Rebuild
enhanced medusa for Lynx, or the brains in iron for Sir Ursas (see below for more information on both). Each expedition also has its own mechanical guide. You might use the members of the rival expedition
missing components, whether they steal them out from under the characters or take them directly in combat. Any stolen components will be delivered to their respective agents before the characters return from the past.
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Volo's Guide to Monsters
and clothing. Because both the Seelie Court and the Unseelie Court appreciate and revere true beauty among the fey, hags are almost never found in either place. The Summer Queen and the Queen of Air
archfey. Hags of lower but still respectable status are called “aunties.” An auntie gains her status from being very old, a member of a powerful coven, directly serving a grandmother, or having many
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Sword Coast Adventurer’s Guide
Cyric The Prince of Lies, the Dark Sun The worship of Cyric derives directly from the story of his ascension to godhood. Cyric was a mortal during the Time of Troubles and the key to how that
has risen o’er this court” might be spoken as a warning that intrigues and infighting have gotten out of hand in a noble household; and married couples know to seek advice from others if “a Dark Sun shines through the window” in their relationship.
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Journeys through the Radiant Citadel
eternal honor directly caused the destruction of Manivarsha. Having lived a cursed life as a pride-obsessed fiend in the depths of the swamps for centuries, Jijibisha has recently heard of a rival that
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Eberron: Rising from the Last War
embassy and a temple to the Undying Court. The priests of the Undying Court don’t share this information with outsiders, but many residents believe that an actual member of the Court—an ancient undead elf
quality (and priced accordingly). The Veil of Flesh specializes in Aereni body art, in the form of both traditional tattoos and temporary illusions woven directly into the skin. The business known as
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Journeys through the Radiant Citadel
Rival Princes When the characters arrive at the square, read or paraphrase the following: Locals crowd a shaded square, listening to a fervent argument between two well-dressed human men wearing dark
come directly from King Diara. Personality Trait. “I’m happiest when I’m working with my hands.” Ideal. “Though I might have more responsibility, I’m no better than anyone else who works in the
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->The Wild Beyond the Witchlight
opposite sides of the tree trunk, each with an iron shackle on the end.
Justice in the Soggy Court is carried out using trials by combat. Prisoners fight for their freedom here, as do those who want to
combat is a procedure by which wrongs can be redressed in the Soggy Court. It can also be invoked as a vote of no confidence in the current monarch. A trial always has two combatants: the accused and
Monsters
Fizban's Treasury of Dragons
convinced to defend the school in a contest against a rival college.
7
An emerald dragon invisibly tails a party of adventurers, causing trouble for the heroes so the dragon can watch how they respond
issues that isn’t directly harmful to the creature.
Distort Perceptions. The dragon attempts to alter the perceptions of one creature it can see within its lair. That creature must succeed on a DC
Monsters
Fizban's Treasury of Dragons
the school in a contest against a rival college.
7
An emerald dragon invisibly tails a party of adventurers, causing trouble for the heroes so the dragon can watch how they respond.
8
An
this way obeys to the best of its ability any command the dragon issues that isn’t directly harmful to the creature.
Distort Perceptions. The dragon attempts to alter the perceptions of one
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Eberron: Rising from the Last War
Tairnadal most often encountered in Khorvaire. Despite sharing a homeland with the Aereni, the Tairnadal have distinct religious traditions, revering their patron ancestors rather than the Undying Court. In
whose patron ancestor was a bitter rival of yours? Also consider why you are traveling with a group of player characters (who are presumably not also members of your war band) instead of serving with the
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Sword Coast Adventurer’s Guide
crop, and with a frown, summon wildfires. She rules the seelie of the Summer Court. Oberon, the Green Lord, an unrivaled hunter and woodland warrior, is Titania’s lover and frequently her foe. Oberon is
unseelie of the Gloaming Court from an onyx throne that sits empty except for the hovering Night Diamond, a black gem the size of a human head that dully glimmers with captured stars. The Queen of Air
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything
embroil you directly in political intrigues, court maneuverings, or threats from national foes. It’s up to you and the sovereign to determine whether your work is publicly acknowledged or top secret
sovereign. Roll or pick from the Sovereign Contact table to determine who manages the relationship between you and the throne, if not the sovereign directly. Sovereign Contact d6 Contact 1 Intimate
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Monstrous Compendium Volume Four
forested wilds. Though many treefolk rival members of the high fae in age, they rarely interfere with the goings-on of the faerie court. Instead, treefolk serve as guardians and shepherds of their wild
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide (2014)
as my family’s ambassador to the court, and this sort of thing is second nature to me now.” This simple system relies heavily on players developing their characters’ histories. Don’t let it result in
and etiquette are paramount” and “figuring out the secret plots that court members hatch against one another.” Personality Trait Proficiency With this variant rule, characters don’t have skill
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Princes of the Apocalypse
important common values and work toward the same end: the destruction of slavery. They fulfill something like the role of the Order of the Gauntlet in Athas. The Free are not directly concerned with
Alluvial Sand Wastes is Tyr, struggling to find its way after the death of King Kalak. The templars of Tyr can’t allow a new threat to grow on their doorstep — or allow the templars of a rival city such
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes
of Spiders and her brood rarely take part directly in the Blood War; rather, her agents in the Abyss contrive to lure her enemies into throwing themselves into the struggle. Her servitors spy on both
sides, playing demon and devil against each other.
Lolth’s plan, as far as those who study the Abyss understand it, is to tempt her rival demon lords into venturing onto other planes or to send them
Orc
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Species
Volo's Guide to Monsters
area is at risk. If orcs come upon a target that is too large to assault directly, they will lurk along supply routes, taking out their frustration on caravans and travelers. Left unchecked, a tribe can
rival orcs first and foremost as competitors for food and victims.
On some occasions, though, tribes that have a common concern band together. The result is an orc horde — a sea of slavering
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Sword Coast Adventurer’s Guide
Serpent Hills, where we were taken prisoner by yuan-ti patrolling the borders of their domain. The half-elf was hauled away in slaver’s chains, but for some reason I was taken to the court of Jarant
paladins slew all but one of the ambassadors, and sent the survivor back to Jarant’s court to communicate their answer. The other responses to the Najaran ambassadors fell somewhere in between
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->Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse->Sigil and the Outlands
citadel’s courtyard, holding aloft a pair of burning scales. Behind it lies the Court of Cinders, an ornate house of law where devil magistrates administer justice on behalf of the diabolical courts
of the Nine Hells. Their jurisdiction is loosely defined, however, and creatures that break laws elsewhere in the Outlands sometimes wind up in the Court of Cinders due to fine print in devil-authored
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Wayfinder's Guide to Eberron
magical weapon.
4 Defeat a rival.
5 Open a planar portal.
6 Summon fiends or undead.
7 Overthrow a peer or superior.
8 Cause a riot in the Cogs.
9 Start a war
.
3 A third party shows up with their own agenda.
4 There’s a hostage, or an ally of the PCs is directly at risk.
5 A manifest zone or planar conjunction has an unexpected effect
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Eberron: Forge of the Artificer
(Medium Noble Prodigy) descends directly from Lareth ir’Morgrave, founder of the university, and serves as its current master. Though his job involves more administration than scholarship, he
nevertheless finds time to publish more papers on giant-made pottery than any other scholar, past or present. If you use rival explorers in your campaign who are connected to Morgrave University, they work






