bow bards diffusing court records

Courtier

Backgrounds Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide

gain access to the records and inner workings of any noble court or government you encounter. You know who the movers and shakers are, whom to go to for the favors you seek, and what the current

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

Bard Legacy

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

Feature: Court Functionary

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

Feature: Court Functionary Your knowledge of how bureaucracies function lets you gain access to the records and inner workings of any noble court or government you encounter. You know who the movers

Learning from Experience

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

Learning from Experience

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

Areas of the Courthouse

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Waterdeep: Dragon Heist

records rooms (area H2) at all hours. Behind a desk sits a court clerk (commoner). Uncomfortable wood benches line the walls. A copper plaque mounted above each bench says, in Common, “Please have a

space hold boxes of papers dated by month and year. These papers are records of court proceedings and depositions. H3. Clerks’ Office Two desks pushed together in the middle of the room hold quills

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

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

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

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

Life in Djaynai and Janya

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Journeys through the Radiant Citadel

by a group called the High Court, some members of which are able to contact key leaders in Djaynai on rare occasions through magical means. Members of the High Court—and the many agents and liaisons

who serve it—work in the city’s magnificent Council Chamber, which is housed within the shell of a gigantic whelk. However, friction between the Djaynaist and New Janyan factions of the High Court can

Gala at the Cerulean Lyceum

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

Easthaven Town Hall (T1-T10)

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden

demonic figurehead is a haunting figure, but not all is what it seems T7. Chair Storage Stacked neatly against the walls of this room are dozens of wooden chairs used for town meetings. T8. Records Room

This room contains records for the town, stored in boxes that lean haphazardly against the walls. T9. Event Venue This room is used for parties and other special events. It contains wooden tables and

Mortuary Encounters

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Adventure Atlas: The Mortuary

to expel a dybbuk† from a corpse. The exorcist asks the characters to help in dispatch the Fiend. 9 Two bards† in the Heralds of Dust approach the characters and sing a ballad honoring the dead. If the

characters interrupt or otherwise ruin the tune, 1d4 irascible specters emerge from the walls and attack, causing the bards to flee. 10 Three skeleton farmers quietly tend to corpse-white grave

Guilds and Groups

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

security for lodgers and their possessions than you’d find at an inn. An adventurer’s guild is an excellent source of information. By studying records and working with other guild members, you can

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

Ship of the Dead

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Spelljammer: Adventures in Space->Light of Xaryxis

undead captain places his boot on the rail along the deck of his creaky galleon and leans over the bow. His disembodied hand perches on his shoulder, and lightning from the cosmic storm flashes

. The rest fell prey to ships under the command of Vael, whom Gargenhale calls the scourge of pirates, raiders, and anyone else who refuses to bow to the might of Xaryxis. Despite these cautionary

D8. Holding Cells

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->The Wild Beyond the Witchlight

, 12 feet in diameter, with a conical thatched roof that rises 18 feet from the floor at its apex. Prisoners of the Soggy Court are held here while they await trial by combat in area D9. Characters

to the characters with a knightly bow once the guards are gone. She is dressed in the ragged and stained remnants of an orange surcoat that bears the sigil of a great helm fashioned to resemble a

M7. Oracular Library

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->The Wild Beyond the Witchlight

and are initially indifferent toward them. That indifference turns to hostility if the characters attack the elders. Tales from the Gloaming Court, Vol. 3. Characters who examine the bookshelves spot

frog to croak the book’s title in Elvish. This book is volume 3 of an eleven-book series titled Tales from the Gloaming Court. Endelyn stole this book and its companion (in area M17) from her sister

Upper Deck

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Ghosts of Saltmarsh

alongside goblins and monstrous vermin. Though the crew fended off this initial attack, they suffered heavy casualties. The final entry records the captain’s fear that this attack might have been the

appears as little more than a vague shape. Hidden in the webs are a narrow staircase down and, near the bow, a table and four chairs. The weathered furniture here is worthless, but the table is still

17. Arcturia's Court

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Waterdeep: Dungeon of the Mad Mage

17. Arcturia’s Court Characters who listen at the doors to this room hear harp music beyond. The room has a vaulted ceiling 20 feet high and contains the following: Arcturia. Arcturia — a gaunt

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.

Genies

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

consequences. The Power of Worship. Genies acknowledge the gods as powerful entities but have no desire to court or worship them. They find the endless fawning and mewling of religious devotees tiresome — except

believing they are as powerful as the gods. Some go so far as to demand that mortals of other realms — even whole continents or worlds — bow down before them. VARIANT: GENIE POWERS Genies have a variety

Jergal

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

, Deneir, and Myrkul. His faithful send their annual recordings of mortality to holy sites where records of that sort are kept. THE LEGEND OF KNUCKLEBONES, SKULL BOWLING, AND THE EMPTY THRONE Long ago

strife at my whim, and all will bow down before me while in my kingdom.” Myrkul, who had won second place, declared, “But I choose the dead, and by doing so I truly win, because all that you are lord

Lady's Ward

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse->Sigil and the Outlands

, they plead with the characters to represent them in court. 5 When the coast is clear, a shady-looking Doomguard rot blade (see Morte’s Planar Parade) opens their long overcoat in front of the characters

, which include current and past Harmonium patrol routes, active members and their ranks, and official arrest records. Recruiting the Harmonium. With an official writ from Factol Sarin, the factol of an

Ascendant Factions

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse->Sigil and the Outlands

entirely. Sinkers have strong allies in both the Bleak Cabal and the Heralds of Dust. Fated Who Take All They Can and More Factol: Duke Rowan Darkwood Headquarters: Hall of Records Aligned Plane: Ysgard

Sigil. Secure in the Hall of Records, the Fated cement their role as the tax collectors of the Cage. Their ruthless debt collection efforts and aggressive foreclosures earn them a heaping share of

Lower Palace Locations

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->The Wild Beyond the Witchlight

tower and the staircases suspended above it. P13. Court of Storms The double door on the stone balcony between this area and area P22 is sealed with a lion crown lock (see “Crown Locks” earlier in the

part of the Court of Storms (area P13) and leads to one of the turrets of the central tower (area P48g on the upper level). P14b. The spiral staircase ascends 30 feet to area P14f. To the northwest

Screaming Devilkin

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Mordenkainen's Fiendish Folio Volume 1

believe that their appearance derives from the primal fear inspired by fiendish creatures, while bards assert that panic, being such a repulsive emotion, is embodied by an equally ugly creature

creatures in the court of a cruel noble or foul necromancer. Should a minor bandit chief or low-ranking acolyte of evil gain the service of these creatures, take care. When the devilkin take notice of such

Upper City Gazetteer

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Baldur's Gate: Descent into Avernus

patriars, traveling nobles, famed bards, and socially ambitious Lower City residents hoping to rub shoulders with the elite. The inn is unfussy, but conducts its service with flawless technique and the

laws and ordinances, summaries of judicial decisions and trial outcomes, deed records, guild charters, census tallies, and family genealogies for all the noble houses and sufficiently important

Raided Catacombs Locations

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dragonlance: Shadow of the Dragon Queen

(Animal Handling) check, the skeletons stop, bow, and vanish. That character then gains the following charm (a type of supernatural gift detailed in the Dungeon Master’s Guide). Favor of the Heroic Steed

in this room records the Knights of Solamnia who served at Castle Kalaman and died with honor. A character who reads the monument finds the names of Knight Vogler and Knight Jandin (whom the characters

Upper City Gazetteer

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Baldur’s Gate Gazetteer

patriars, traveling nobles, famed bards, and socially ambitious Lower City residents hoping to rub shoulders with the elite. The inn is unfussy, but conducts its service with flawless technique and the

laws and ordinances, summaries of judicial decisions and trial outcomes, deed records, guild charters, census tallies, and family genealogies for all the noble houses and sufficiently important

Vault Locations

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Keys from the Golden Vault

west, a large statue depicts a human woman wielding a bow and arrow. To the east, two comfortable chairs accompany a small table. A double door leads outside to the north, and two doors on the south

Shrixette Laderie. No other records of Tishanos found. Must mount expedition.” This weathered map details an island that lies about a hundred miles from an unidentified coastline. (The map has no

Maglubiyet's Will Be Done

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

other legions when a host forms. The warlords of rival legions don’t seek to depose the leader of the host unless the fortunes of war create the opportunity. Each legion records all the insults directed

Maglubiyet’s bloody axe is used to decapitate all who refuse to bow to him. MAGLUBIYET'S ARMY OF IMMORTALS The war horns of the host signal that every goblinoid has the chance to prove his or her worth to

Appendix: Roleplaying Cards

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Domains of Delight: A Feywild Accessory

.” Dirlagraun the Displacer Beast CHAPTER 1: WITCHLIGHT CARNIVAL Dirlagraun was raised by a noble high elf family of the Summer Court and blessed with the ability to speak and understand Common and Sylvan

moral clarity guide her every action. Despite being held prisoner for treason, she claims that her honor remains intact. Even if it means losing her title, she refuses to bow to King Gullop XIX or

Appendix D: Roleplaying Cards

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->The Wild Beyond the Witchlight

.” Dirlagraun the Displacer Beast CHAPTER 1: WITCHLIGHT CARNIVAL Dirlagraun was raised by a noble high elf family of the Summer Court and blessed with the ability to speak and understand Common and

and moral clarity guide her every action. Despite being held prisoner for treason, she claims that her honor remains intact. Even if it means losing her title, she refuses to bow to King Gullop XIX or

Necropolis Locations (Y20-Y29)

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden

. Unfortunately for them, most of the obelisks built to protect Netheril were stolen or otherwise lost over time, as were records of their purpose and information about how to activate them. Y22. Tower of

, the conductor brings the piece to a satisfying close as the sound of ghostly applause rises from the audience and phantasmal black roses rain down on the musicians, who face the audience and bow before

Spire of Iriolarthas (Y19i-Y19hq)

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden

(see “Treasure” below) and a brittle tome with a black, eight-pointed star on its front cover. This brittle tome records the various meetings of the Wizards of the Ebon Star. One passage explains, in the

scroll of the comet (see appendix D) and an adamantine key. The key is nonmagical and unlocks the double door to the balcony (area Y19p). Iriolarthas the demilich Y19p. High Court Balcony A locked

Red Larch Locations

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

doesn’t have a jail or court. The shop is the closest thing. Harburk employs four trusties, who bunk in the fourth building. The trusties are assistant constables (human guards) who also work for Jalessa as

displays samples of cut stone as well as “raw” samples from the quarry. Records of orders and old employment rolls are neatly sorted in cabinets behind a wooden counter. Dornen is a hard master to some

Portal Encounters

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

tie down cargo, as a heavyset, bearded captain calls out orders. Looking across the bow, you see tall spires of rock emerging through the storm — and the ship is headed straight toward them

see a logbook filled with records of Dran Enterprises trade transactions, which is worth 250 gp to Acq Inc Head Office. A character can steal the logbook with a successful DC 12 Dexterity (Sleight of

D&D Beyond

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